Because the world of virtual reality moves quickly, it’s critical to stay current. Our list’s entries are all well-equipped to compete with the best VR games. Whether you’re fine with being tethered to your device of choice or want to cut the cord entirely, these best VR headsets can bring you one step closer to experiencing game worlds like never before.
Here is the list of Best VR Headsets
HP Reverb G2 VR Headset
The HP Reverb G2 has earned a spot among the best VR headsets, thanks in large part to its excellent resolution. It will not disappoint if future-proofing your setup in terms of image fidelity is your primary concern. With 2160p per eye, the Reverb G2 eliminates the screen door effect that can be problematic with some lower resolution headsets—provided you have a powerful enough GPU to handle it. However, if the resolution per eye exceeds the limitations of your hardware, you can easily reduce it. Even at lower resolutions, you can enjoy great features such as the highly inclusive, physical IPD toggle on the underside of the headset, the range of which is impressive when compared to other options on the market.
Valve Index Full VR Kit
Because it is a more advanced system than its forerunners, the Valve Index is our top pick for the best VR headset. It has Valve’s “knuckle” controllers, which can detect every finger movement, a clear display that works well even with older GPUs, a larger field of view, a higher refresh rate, and these features. It’s a significant improvement over the HTC Vive, and it runs much more smoothly than the Vive Pro, a powerful VR headset that struggled to deliver on the promise of high-end, room-scale VR. However, it is not without flaws. During our testing, we discovered that setting it up can be difficult, that updates can cause connection issues, and that there are frequently errors.
Pimax Vision 8K X VR
If money isn’t an issue and you want the most immersive VR experience possible, look no further than the Pimax 8K X. Sure, there are more expensive headsets with arguably fancier features on the market, but nothing beats an ultrawide headset for the ultimate gaming experience. Pimax makes a wide range of headsets, many of which we’ve reviewed. The Pimax 5K+ was our first formally reviewed Pimax headset, and it left a lot to be desired. However, by the time the Pimax 8K X arrived in our lab, the company had addressed many of our initial software concerns. Furthermore, with each subsequent firmware update, it continues to improve the headset’s performance. Currently, this is one of the best VR Headsets that you can buy right now. The 8K X has two 4K screens, one for each eye. The refresh rate on these displays is 75Hz by default, but you can increase it to 90Hz if you have an RTX 3000-series GPU driving the pixels. The Pimax headset’s most notable feature is its 170-degree horizontal field of view, which is 30 to 40 degrees wider than the competition.
Meta Quest 2
The Meta Quest 2 outperforms its predecessor, the Oculus Quest, in terms of incremental improvements. “The Meta Quest 2’s price, game library, and overall ease of use make it the best entry point into virtual reality yet,” reviewer Michael Andronico concluded. This is due to its sleeker design, higher display resolution, 120Hz refresh rate in some games and apps, and overall faster performance. It also just feels like a nice, well-made headset. Logitech has even released speakers that can be attached to the Quest 2’s strap to provide a premium sound experience without completely removing you from reality. It also does all of this without the use of any cables, though you can connect it to a PC via the Oculus Link cable and access full-fat PCVR games; deputy editor Mike Prospero did so with Microsoft Flight Simulator and the Oculus Quest 2.
HTC Vive Pro 2
The HTC Vive Pro 2 is one of the most impressive mainstream options with many updates on the display front. The native resolution of 2448 x 2448 pixels per eye is phenomenal, and coupled with a 120Hz refresh rate and 120-degree viewing angle, it makes for one of the best viewing experiences. The Vive Pro 2 has the highest resolution of any mainstream headset, a significant advantage over the Quest 2, which is set at 3664 x 1920. This is great for high-fidelity games, but not a very obvious upgrade for more cartoony titles. The hardware aspects of VR seem to have been resolved at this resolution, with no obvious screen door effects.
HTC Vive Cosmos Elite
If the HTC Vive Pro 2 seemed a little pricey, the Vive Cosmos Elite system might be the best VR headsets for those looking to spend a little less on fancier features and instead focus on room-scale tracking. HTC launched its Cosmos headset a few years ago to little fanfare, and the headset stands alone as a fully modular system that you can upgrade with different faceplates and SteamVR tracking bases as you please. However, the Vive Cosmos Elite is its final form, making it the best VR headsets in its class. While resolution lags behind the much cheaper Oculus Quest 2, the 2880 x 1700 display has enough power to keep up with the premium Valve Index system. This translates to no screen door effect and a clear display (supported by a 90Hz refresh rate). If you’re looking for a full suite of tracking sensors, this is the most cost-effective option right now – and it still does a good job of rendering everything in high-quality graphics.
Meta Quest Pro
Easily one of the best VR Headsets available on the market, the Meta Quest Pro is smaller, sleeker, and more powerful than anything else the company has released. It also has a slew of tricks up its sleeve, such as dedicated sensors and a processor in the controllers for better eye and facial tracking. But where the Quest Pro truly shines is in mixed reality (MR), which allows the wearer to enter a high-resolution technicolor dreamland that’s delightfully uncanny by jumping through a portal in the real world. The Meta Quest Pro is unlike anything else we’ve seen from the company. The area that covers your face is smaller than in previous models. Instead of a matte white surface with a sensor in each corner, the faceplate is glossy black with three visible sensors around the eyes and another on either side.
Pimax 5K Super VR Headset
Pimax has the most expansive field of view. Most other cameras have 100 to 120 fields of view; Pimax doubles that. Pimax has a field of view of about 200 degrees. There’s also a 2560X1440 resolution per eye and a refresh rate of 180Hz. Furthermore, the 6 DoF (Degrees of Freedom) tracking system allows the headset to understand how people move along six different axes.
Rolling, pitching, yawing, surging, strafing, and elevating are all possible maneuvers. So, what about the disadvantages? Starting prices are high. In comparison to other Pimax series, the 5K Super is relatively inexpensive, but other Pimax VR sets are quite spicy.
That is why the 5K Super is ranked sixth on our list due to its balance of affordability and quality. There’s one more thing: to use Pimax 5K Super, you’ll need a very powerful PC. That means you’ll need another budget for your computer. Thus, this product is one of the best VR Headsets available right now.
Final Words
This is a short list of the best VR headsets that we believe will assist you in making your decision. Don’t just pick the first one; consider what you need, your requirements, and where you intend to use it. Also, make sure the budget is within your range. Yes, Meta is less expensive than others, but some users dislike having to log in to their Facebook accounts in order to use the VR. Some people may prefer the widest field of view, as in Pimax. So make sure you know exactly what you want.
