Best VR headsets 2021: Oculus Quest 2, PSVR, Valve Index
A woman wearing the Oculus Quest 2, one of the best VR headsets.
(Image credit: Oculus/Facebook)
THE PRICE
VERDICT
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
VERDICT
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
Finding the best VR headsets of 2021 isn't as easy as it sounds. The competition is fierce, with untethered headsets like the Oculus Quest 2 coming up against PC-based systems, like the Valve Index. We are already hearing rumors about the
PSVR 2
helmet and the
Oculus Quest 3
, which will shake things up even more.
There are four main players when it comes to the best VR headsets, at least in terms of consumer products: Oculus, which recently released the new
Oculus Quest 2
;PlayStation, which has its
PSVR
headset; HTC, which is behind the Vive and Vive Pro; and Valve, which released its own headset called the
Valve index
in 2019.
The decision to buy a VR headset can be a tough one. The silver lining is that all of these options have great things to offer users - VR newbies and veterans alike. Not only are there more options than ever, but their quality continues to rise, making them a great time for consumers to invest. It's all about finding the best VR headsets for you, your space, your needs, and your budget.
There's a lot to consider, but we're here to help. We've picked out the best VR headsets for different types of tech enthusiasts below, ideal headsets for wireless virtual experiences on a small space and budget. modest to a PS5 VR experience to match your new next-gen console or best-of-the-best PC-powered device that knows no bounds.
Choosing the best VR headsets
However, not all VR headsets are created equal, and not all virtual reality games or experiences are available on all headsets. If your heart is set on playing a
virtual reality game
you've heard good things, you'll need a headset that connects to a PC, for example - and you'll also need that high-end PC in the first place.
However, VR software libraries overlap a lot between devices, and some wireless headsets, like the Oculus Quest 2, can optionally be tethered to a PC via cable to expand the titles they have access to.
You'll also need to factor price into your decision (which can make PlayStation VR terribly appealing) and you'll need to consider where in your house – or even outside your house, potentially – you want to use the headset. .
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X
: which console to buy?
The best VR prices and offers
Best VR Games
: the best virtual reality games to play right now
The best Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2 games
Best VR Headset 2021
(Image credit: Valve)
The best VR headset: Valve Index
Best of the best VR headsets - but good luck getting one
Features
Availablity:
Released, but often out of stock
Price:
$999 / £919 / around AU$1,425
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$1399.99
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$1429.99
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Reasons to buy
+
Widest field of vision
+
Knuckle controllers
Reasons to avoid
-
Requires a high-end GPU
-
always expensive
There's no doubt that the Valve Index is the next-gen VR headset people have been clamoring for: it's got an ultra-sharp display that works well enough even with older GPUs, a wider field of view, refresh rate higher and the Valve seal. ', which can track the movement of every finger. That's why, at least right now, this is our best VR headset for 2021 and our best VR headset for PC owners.
There is no doubt that the Valve Index will be our default VR headset in the future. It is a significant upgrade from the HTC Vive and works much smoother than the Vive Pro, a powerful VR headset that has really struggled to deliver on the promise of high-end, room-scale VR.
And yet, while the Valve Index was one of the best VR headsets to date, it brought along some of the most annoying aspects of VR.
Setup can be a pain, updates can lead to connection issues, and you might find a new error the next time you use it. You'll also need one of the best
laptop
– it's not a standalone headset like the others in this list.
But, if you can look past those issues, it's a really good VR headset. Its higher resolution screen and better refresh rate allowed us to use it for longer periods of time without discomfort, and the index controllers are a real step up from the ones that ship with the Vive.
It's expensive, of course, and stock can be extremely hard to come by.
Valve CEO Gabe Newell
said the components needed for the helmet made in Wuhan, China weren't readily available during the pandemic, so that doesn't appear to be changing any time soon.
For gamers who want next-level VR, and don't mind waiting for supply to resume, the Valve Index is a decision you probably won't regret. Otherwise, we recommend checking out one of the other options below...
Read the full review:
Valve index
(Image credit: Oculus)
The best standalone VR headset: Oculus Quest 2
An all-in-one virtual reality system for everyone
Features
Availablity :
out now
Price:
£299 / $299 / AU$479
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First
$375
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$509.99
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First
$547
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Reasons to buy
+
Incredibly immersive experiences
+
Comfortable weight
+
Easy to use
Reasons to avoid
-
Requires the association of a Facebook account
-
Can still cause motion sickness
If you're looking for a VR headset that doesn't need to be hooked up to an expensive PC and offers plenty of movement and freedom, then the Quest 2 is the best VR headset for you.
In fact, for the majority of people, it's the best VR headset on the list for a whole host of reasons. It's a significant improvement over the original Quest, with a more responsive experience thanks to improved RAM and chip specs, and a higher-resolution display that's 50% sharper than its predecessor.
Developers now have the ability to run their games at 90Hz (important for increased comfort and realism while gaming), and the headset itself is also lighter than before. Hand tracking – which happened to the original Quest via a firmware update, but which is built into Quest 2 from the get-go - is also impressive.
There's nothing quite like the thrill of wireless virtual reality. Games like Robo Recall and Beat Saber should still amaze, and in a time of social isolation, turning YouTube VR into your own personal IMAX screen is a welcome distraction from the madness of the outside world.
While the Oculus Quest 2 is our top pick for best wireless, standalone VR headset, the original
Oculus Quest
is still a great choice if you're looking for a non-tethered VR headset that doesn't need an expensive computer to power it. The Quest 2 could bring a significant upgrade, but the original still has a panel OLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 1600 per eye and is powered by a Snapdragon 835 processor. Expect to see a
Oculus Quest 3
before long too.
Read the full review:
Oculus Quest 2
Best VR for console gamers: PlayStation VR
Virtual reality has arrived on consoles, and it's breathtaking
Features
Availablity:
out now
Price:
$299 / £259 / AU$655
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$199.99
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$373.99
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First
$415
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See all prices (42 found)
746 Amazon customer reviews
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??
??
??
??
Reasons to buy
+
Affordable
+
Performance close to PC quality
+
Good selection of games
Reasons to avoid
-
Missing the required accessories in the box
-
Poor light sealing job
-
Irregular Motion Controller Tracking
There's no denying that to run the HTC Vive, HTC Vive Pro, or Oculus Rift, you need a fairly high-end gaming PC, which isn't a trivial investment for most people.
This is not the case with Sony
Playstation-VR
, which requires a little more than a
PS4
console to run. So if you already have a PS4 or
PS5
console, this is by far the best VR headset for you.
Considering the massive power difference between the PS4 and PC, the PlayStation VR is a surprisingly capable VR headset. Its refresh rate is responsive, and we had no issues with its reliable head tracking.
Thanks to the support of Sony, the collection of
PlayStation VR Games
is also impressive. There were dozens available at launch, and many more followed in its first year on sale.
Sony has addressed one of our biggest objections with PlayStation VR - that its accessories are sold separately - by offering a variety of bundles and
PlayStation VR Bundles
with devices like the PlayStation Camera included. However, PlayStation Move controllers, while included in some bundles, are not included in all.
Although you should be aware of the additional cost involved, depending on the package you choose, recent price drops have made the PlayStation VR even more affordable. It may not be the best VR headset, but the PSVR certainly is a strong argument for users and some will find it to be the best for them right now.
Although it has been announced, we do not know when or in what form a
PSVR 2
model will emerge, so the original headset is still the best VR headset option for 2021.
Read the full review:
Playstation-VR
(Image credit: Oculus)
Finalist on PC: Oculus Rift S
More Oculus Rift 1.5 than a true successor
Features
Availablity:
out now
Price:
$399 / £399 / AU$649
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$409
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$419
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$511.98
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16 Amazon customer reviews
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??
??
??
??
Reasons to buy
+
No external tracking stations
+
Improved visuals
Reasons to avoid
-
Reduced refresh rate
-
Prone to crash
Virtual reality has advanced by leaps and bounds since Oculus founder (and controversial VR poster) Palmer Luckey first introduced the world to the world.
Oculus Rift
in 2012. Now owned by Facebook, the Oculus Rift S should represent the next leap forward for the company's high-end PC-based virtual reality experiences - but, sadly, it's more of a small step.
Like the Oculus Rift, the Rift S works in tandem with a PC to deliver virtual reality experiences. It connects to your PC via a USB 3.0 port and a DisplayPort connection, and is attached to the machine by a long cable that is more than enough to accommodate the "room-scale" experiences that Rift S is capable of providing. It's more limiting in terms of freedom of movement than superb wireless
Oculus Quest
, but the trade-off here is that, by being powered by your PC, it's able to power more detailed and dynamic experiences.
The good news for early adopters is that, to reduce frustration, Oculus has made the Rift S fully backward compatible with original Rift titles, and is making the Rift compatible with the vast majority of games released for the Rift S and Oculus Quest with some minor exceptions.
It's long been one of the best VR headsets to buy if you have a PC - it even outperforms the original Oculus Rift. It's easier to set up, potentially more comfortable to wear, has a much larger library of games robust than at launch and improved resolution. But, unfortunately, Oculus had to sacrifice higher sound and refresh rate to make it happen.
UPDATE:
In July 2021, Oculus announced that the Oculus Rift S is now
is no longer available for purchase.
As of this writing, you can still get stock at select retailers that aren't already sold out, but they're officially no longer sold after they were discontinued earlier in the year.
Read the full review:
Oculus Rift S
Best VR headset 2021: which VR headset to buy?
Choosing the best VR headset for you will mainly come down to price, platform, and your preferences. There are no headsets for console gamers other than PlayStation VR and, if you need a headset standalone, you're basically stuck with the Oculus Quest or Quest 2 - that's not a bad thing.
Right now, the four best VR headset lines on the market - the Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Quest 2 and PlayStation VR - are unsurprisingly the most expensive of all consumer VR headset offerings.
However, there are cheaper VR options if you'd rather dip your toes into virtual reality before spending your entire paycheck on one of the best VR headsets above. It's also worth noting that the Oculus Quest 2 has also seen a downward trend in its price compared to its predecessor, suggesting that as the scale of VR audience increases, the price of hardware will also slowly come down.
Each of the best VR headsets has its own strengths and weaknesses, and if you don't know them before you buy, it could be a very costly mistake to make. But that's exactly why we've put together this guide.
HTC Vive Pro vs. HTC Vive
: should we switch to high-end headphones?
With lots of different experiences, different hardware, different requirements, and plenty of great deals, choosing the best VR headset for you can make things even more complicated.
The good news for those who are serious about getting the best VR headset experience is that the industry has made real strides in terms of making standalone headsets nearly as powerful as their high-end PC counterparts. three major headset manufacturers, they've made most of their headsets much more affordable than they were three years ago. Translation?Choosing the best VR headset for you is now easier than ever.
Other VR Headsets to Consider
The VR headset space is more like the game console space than the headset or phone space. What we mean by this is that there aren't dozens (or even hundreds) of different brands to choose from to create VR headsets – at least not yet – like if you needed a new smartphone or a pair of noise canceling headphones.
Instead, there are a few core brands with immersive reality teams, hardware know-how and software intelligence to create truly wonderful VR experiences. This means that if you don't choose one of the headsets VR above, it makes sense to look at previous headsets launched by top VR brands instead.
You won't necessarily find all of these headsets for purchase on the company's site just yet, but many are still available for purchase through tech retailers or second-hand, through sites like Ebay.
(Image credit: oculus)
Oculus Quest
The successor of
Oculus Quest
, the Oculus Quest 2, is one of our best VR headsets of 2021. But that doesn't mean the Oculus Quest isn't always a viable VR option if you want to try a standalone headset that delivers a truly mobile.
Also, the Oculus Quest 2 may be the superior headset, but the upgrades between the first and second model weren't as significant as expected. With the Quest, you still get an all-in-one VR system. -in-one that works out of the box and offers six degrees of freedom and a huge selection of apps and games.
(Image credit: oculus/facebook)
Oculus Rift
Upon release, the
Oculus Rift
felt like a game changer. One of the first VR headsets to prove that VR could be a highly immersive and enjoyable experience that even people with the right PC setup could enjoy at home.
That has changed now that the original Oculus Rift is almost five years old and has since been overtaken by the
Oculus Rift S
.Although the Rift S already follows in the footsteps of the original Rift
after being interrupted
.
Although since the launch of the original Oculus Rift, a number of competing VR headsets have been released, including headsets from Oculus itself, such as the Oculus Rift S or the standalone Quest and Quest 2, the original Oculus Rift is still a very capable VR headset. for games, and now it's no longer officially available from Oculus, you can find some great deals.
(Image credit: htc)
HTC Vive
First launched in 2016, the
HTC Vive
was one of the first premium VR headsets available to consumers. And, long after, it was the king of consumer VR technology.
Fast forward to 2021 and a lot has changed. Now there are several VR headset options you can buy right now. Since the launch of that original HTC Vive, HTC has also released a number of new VR headsets, of which the
HTC Vive Cosmos
and
HTC Vive Cosmos Elite
.
Plus, there's likely to be an upgrade to the HTC Vive we're reviewing here around the corner.
A senior HTC official said
the company plans to produce a new standalone wireless VR headset in 2021 that's "probably better than what's out there today from any vendor."
But that's not to say the original HTC Vive isn't always a solid option to start your VR journey - it's just worth considering that it's a few years older than some of the newer models entering the market. market.
What are the best mobile VR headsets?
Mobile VR is a term used to describe a virtual reality experience powered by your phone. Typically, you get an app on your phone, which shows you VR content, and then you place your phone in a mobile VR headset.
For many people, this is a quick, easy and very cheap way to try virtual reality and can be a great first step to exploring what's possible. If you're not ready to commit into one of the best VR headsets - or if you're not even sure you're interested in VR - consider
mobile VR
as the
Samsung Gear VR
or go really lo-fi with the
Google Cardboard
.
(Image credit: samsung)
However, since these VR experiences are powered by your phone rather than fantastic high-end hardware, that means they can't compare to the experience you'd get from any of the best VR headsets here. on it. That means if you're looking for a cheap and easy way to try virtual reality, this is a solid option. But don't let the sheer experience and – sometimes – grainy images put you off for good.
What are the best augmented reality headsets?
Currently, there are a number of augmented reality headsets on the market, but very few are aimed at regular consumers.
Many of the best augmented reality headsets, like the
Microsoft Hololens 2
, are available for purchase, but the focus seems to be more on augmented reality for a business or commercial environment, such as the
Microsoft HoloLens 2 Industrial Edition
, which is an untethered mixed reality device designed and tested for use in regulated industrial environments and the
Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2.
But we expect that to change soon and you can get one of the best augmented reality headsets for occasional use around your home, just like the best VR headsets from our list above.
One of the reasons we're so confident about the future of augmented reality headsets is that major tech brands are currently pouring a lot of time, energy, and resources into new augmented reality offerings. from Apple, it's no secret Apple is working on an augmented reality and virtual reality product - called for the moment
Apple Glass and Apple VR
.
Best VR headset 2021: The
best VR games
to play on your VR headset
Summary of the best offers of the day
Reduced price
Valve Index VR Complete Kit
Valve index
Amazon
$1479.99
$1399.99
Seen
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Oculus Quest 2 — Advanced...
Oculus Quest 2
Amazon
$375
Seen
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Reduced price
Marvel's Iron Man VR -...
Sony PlayStation VR
walmart
$349.99
$199.99
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Oculus Rift S VR powered by PC...
Oculus Rift S
Amazon
$409
Seen
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