Virtual reality is epic for the serious gamer. You can step inside the game and often manipulate your surroundings. Placing a VR headset can step into another world, and your game world will become as real as your non-game world.
Choosing the best headset for you depends on many factors. In this review, we discuss which headset is the cheapest, easiest to use and perfect for your level of gaming. This is the reality of virtual experience.
Further studies
We tested all major VR headsets, evaluating them on performance, usability, and critical features. Virtual reality may require more development before it actually goes mainstream, but the Oculus Quest is the most mainstream headset we’ve seen so far.
Best vr headset at a glance
Best VR Headset: Oculus Quest
Why you should buy this: It is an accessible, high-quality VR headset.
who is it for: Just about anyone. High-end PC gamers should look elsewhere.
Why we chose Oculus Quest:
One of the biggest barriers to adopting virtual reality is ease of use. Oculus Quest solves almost all the problems that previously discouraged potential VR explorers. It does not require any external sensor. It includes a motion controller, all the onboard processing it needs, and a full six-degrees of freedom-movement. The best thing is that you don’t have any wires in the PC.
Quest is also designed for easy installation. Setting the “Guardian” boundary is simple and intuitive, allowing you to jump right into fun scenarios – such as batting ping-pong balls and grab blocks – that introduce new visitors to the virtual arena.
Oculus Quest however has some drawbacks. It is not as powerful as a PC-connected headset. In addition, its special use of headset tracking sensors (often called in-and-out tracking) means that it can lose sight of your hands if they are held behind your back, or if you have a lot of objects Are close
It is very inexpensive, however. While the first-generation Oculus Rift is priced similar but requires a tethered PC, the Quest is a standalone, non-tethered headset. That, combined with all its innovations, makes it the best VR headset you can buy.
In August 2020 Oculus announced that as of October of that year, any new Oculus headset buyers would need to login with a Facebook account to get the most out of it. It will expand to all Oculus headset owners in January 2023.
Read our Oculus Question Review
The best VR headset for gaming: Valve Index
Why you should buy this: It is the best all-around virtual reality system for playing games on your PC.
who is it for: Those who are deeply excited for VR games and want some great experiences.
Why we chose Valve Index:
You must have heard the discussion before Half-life: alex, And there’s no better way to experience the game – or any other compatible VR game – than Valve’s own latest VR headset, the brilliantly designed Index. It is lightweight, comfortable and sturdy when worn with two off-year speakers, which complete immersion. The front “face gasket” is designed to be interchangeable and uses an anti-microbial cloth that is soft on the skin. The head fit, FOV, face angle, IPD and speaker position can all be adjusted so that you need the exact fit for comfortable gaming. Dual-element lenses help you focus on a dual 1,440 x 1,600 resolution display with a high 120Hz refresh rate – a big improvement over the previous model.
The full index setup comes with two controllers and two base stations (and no wireless options), but there are a variety of packages that you can get to bundle together or buy separately. This is great news for VR gamers, as the index is also compatible with any controllers, including Vive wands, which is a great option if you’re upgrading from Vive and want to save some money. That said, index controllers have an improved finger-tracking design and represent a major upgrade over many previous VR controller options.
The index is also moderate, a trend we are seeing in the latest VR headsets and is a great sign for both buyers and developers. In this case, the front has an expansion slot for face gasket replacement, and compatibility with additional cameras for those who like tinkers. This means if you want a great PC gaming experience, or you want to develop some VR experience of your own, then Index is a great choice. The downside is that it is one of the most expensive models on the market, especially when purchasing a full kit. Check Valve’s website for complete PC recommendations before purchasing.
Cheapest VR Headset: Oculus Go
Why you should buy this: It is a solid entry-level virtual reality experience at a great price.
who is it for: New VR users who don’t want an expensive price or a tethered PC.
Why we chose Oculus Go:
Many VR headsets for mobile require a specific smartphone family – such as Samsung’s Gear VR – to be inserted behind the lens. The phones act as display and computing components while the headset only merges the experience before your eyes. Not so with Oculus Go.
This budget-friendly headset has everything you need for a smartphone-free, unstable VR experience – including a built-in rechargeable battery. Just turn it on, grab a single-handed controller, and download some experience through the built-in Go store. If you have previously purchased games and applications on Gear VR, they should also work on Go.
The only real limitation of Go is three-degrees of freedom. This means that it does not detect walking or sitting forward or backward. Rather, it only tracks head movements, such as tilt and orientation, making it perfect for seated VR experiences and 360 degree video viewing. It is well designed and has a comfortable fit, which gives you a lot for your money.
While there are better headsets you can buy (such as the Lenovo Mirage Solo), none offers the same functionality at this price. Sure, Oculus Go has its limitations, but it offers users a streamlined VR experience that serves as a great jumping-off point for newcomers.
Read our complete Oculus Go review
Best VR Headset for iPhone: Merge VR
Why you should buy this: This is a simple, inexpensive starting point for mobile VR.
who is it for: Smartphone users who want an affordable taste of VR.
Why we picked up Merge VR:
Virtual reality, at its heart, has one or two screens that are a few inches away from your eyes. Grabbing a headset that easily cradles your smartphone is a great and inexpensive entry point into VR. Merge VR is one of the many companies that offer such a headset, but at this price and durable quality, there are not many that can compare.
Merge VR offers a headset that is compatible with both iPhones and Android devices, supporting anything between 123 mm and 158 mm. If you are still unsure, you can always use VRTestNinja to find out.
This headset ships with left and right button input, a head strap, an adjustable IPD for bundled lenses, and a 96-degree field of view. Made from a flexible, rubberized material, the Merge VR is also incredibly durable, water resistant, and is easily cleaned with a damp cloth.
You will get a better VR experience using the other headsets listed in this guide. However, the Merge VR headset is a great way to catch a quick glimpse into the capability of VR, or if you just like watching 360 degree videos.
Best console VR headset: PSVR
Why you should buy this: You want VR on your console, and you want it to be ready for the latest console generation.
who is it for: Playstation fans who want to play their fans with the high quality VR options available for PS4 and PS5.
Why we chose PSVR:
The PSVR hits the sweet spot between power and great performance for the console, and is guaranteed to work with the PS5 as well, so you know it’ll be ready for the latest VR game on PlayStation. It is also easy to install, as all you need is a PlayStation camera with bundles including two move controllers (many games are also compatible with traditional controllers). The simple design can fit a wide variety of head shapes without too much tampering, great for getting on and off during sports sessions. It also has a unique social screen option: a mirrored version of what the user is watching can be shown on TV so that nearby friends can also enjoy the experience.
The display is a 5.7-inch single OLED panel with best color and a total resolution of 1,920 x 1,080. The FOV is around 100 degrees, and depending on your settings and game options, this headset can support a 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rate. The movement is monitored with a six-axis internal motion-sensing system, which does not require any external devices beyond the camera – although it is limited to 180-degree tracking.
Sony moves between different PSVR bundles that include different games – for a bundle Iron man, A bundle for Blood and truth, even more. See all the options and choose bundles with your favorite games for substantial savings on your VR game library.
Read our full review of PSVR
Research and Purchase Tips
Which VR headset has the best resolution?
Of the VR headsets on our list, the HTC Vive Pro, Oculus Quest, and Valve Index are both tied for the highest resolution at 1,440 x 1,600 pixels per eye. However, there are alternative options that are comparable, such as the valve index.
VR headsets are not on our list, the Pimax 5K Plus has a super-high resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 per eye.
Is VR bad for your eyes?
In principle, no. Virtual reality headsets allow your eyes to focus on an imaginary horizon, allowing you to live far more comfortably than looking at a 2D monitor a few feet away from your face. That said, VR headsets can cause eye strain for some time while others experience headaches after prolonged use.
Almost all VR headsets also have a minimum age of 13, which can cause repeated eye development damage due to anxiety.
The truth is, virtual reality is a new consumable technology and therefore the long-term health implications – if any – are unknown at this point. We recommend a maximum time limit of two hours for safe play.
Is the HTC Vive better than the Oculus Rift?
Both headsets and their motion controllers are comparable on paper. Their prices are not very different. If we were to choose one, however, we would choose the HTC Vive due to its better tracking technology that provides better support for room scale experiences.
Do phones work with VR headsets?
It depends on the headset. Some, such as Samsung’s Gear VR, are designed to work only with Samsung’s Galaxy-branded phones. Others, like Merge VR, work with anything as long as it can fit. Before purchasing, check the specifications of the headset to verify that it supports your phone.
Will VR ever get cheaper?
It already has and will continue to do so as VR technology improves. The original HTC Vive was launched in 2016 for $ 800 but is now priced at $ 500 less. The Oculus Quest is the best VR headset on our list, and it is In college $ 400 for base model. There are other decent headsets available for just $ 200. Prices will come down in the coming years.
Editors recommendations
