The best VR headsets provide a level of immersion in games and other experiences that you just can’t get anywhere else. Virtual reality gaming has come a long way in the past few years, and you no longer need to be connected to a powerful PC to enjoy an immersive experience. Headset prices have also fallen over the years, including recent price cuts to the two best VR headsets. 2023 has already been an exciting year for the VR space with the launch of PSVR 2, which is a big step forward for console VR. Still, a familiar name tops our list of the best VR headsets: the Meta Quest 2 (formerly known as the Oculus Quest 2). For those who want to get into the virtual reality space for the first time, Quest 2 is definitely the best option. However, this is not the case only a good option, especially if you have a high-end gaming PC or PS5. We’ve rounded up the best VR headsets in 2023.
Finding the best VR headset for you
The first thing to know before buying a VR headset is that some VR games are exclusive to certain headsets. The Meta and both PlayStation headsets have their own storefronts that offer unique games not available on HTC, Valve and other companies’ headsets. Of course, you can still get an impressive experience from the Valve Index line of headsets or the HTC Vive, especially given Steam’s large library of VR games. Each VR headset has its own advantages and unique qualities, such as high resolution, AMOLED displays and built-in speakers.
Meta Quest 2 is a powerful mobile VR headset that gives you a great experience without connecting to a computer—no sensors required (although you can if you want). Valve Index requires you to connect to a PC and use sensors, but it also provides the most powerful virtual reality experience to date. And of course, there’s the PSVR 2, which has the benefit of compatibility with Sony’s first line of VR games. Keep in mind that the original PSVR has its own game library separate from the PSVR 2. You cannot play the original PSVR games on the PSVR 2 unless the developer releases an updated version. Each headset has its own unique features and benefits, so you’ll need to decide which one is best for you based on your price range.
Editor’s note: This article was updated on March 15, 2023
The best VR headsets of 2023
The goal of quest 2
Meta Quest 2 is the perfect combination of price and performance. As a stand-alone headset that doesn’t require additional hardware like a PC or console, Meta Quest 2 offers the easiest and most convenient way to get into VR gaming. It’s a nice step up from the original Quest (which was great anyway), and you no longer need a Facebook account to use the device. Best of all, for those looking for better performance, you can use Oculus Link to connect it to a VR-enabled PC and play games like Half-Life: Alyx.
Meta Quest 2 is equipped with a high-speed Qaulcom Snapdragon XR2 processor and 6 GB of RAM. The fast-switching LCDs may not be OLED, but they still look fantastic once you’ve adjusted the handy new backpack-like elastic strap and selected one of the three pupil distance settings. With a resolution of 1832 x 1920 pixels for each lens, the image is crisp and clear.
Meta Quest 2 is an improvement on the original in almost every way, but if you’re a fan of the original, you might not be as impressed with the new VR machine. That says more than anything about the quality of the Quest 1, as it’s still a great headset. However, some games are only compatible with Quest 2, such as the excellent Resident Evil 4 VR. For the most part, though, Quest 2 is a smarter iteration of the original.
Meta Quest 2’s library has grown significantly over the past couple of years. There is a wide selection of games in all major genres, as well as a range of programs for watching TV shows, movies and other entertainment.
Meta Quest 2 comes in two storage options: 128GB and 256GB. The 128GB model costs $400 and the 256GB model costs $430. Given the slight price jump, we recommend 256GB. Both models are equipped with Golf+ and Space Pirate Trainer DX. Although the Quest 2 is more comfortable than its predecessors, some users may experience discomfort and neck strain. If that’s you, we recommend it taking a comfortable belt which balances the weight.
Read our Meta Quest 2 Review.
Valve index
In terms of pure technical prowess, the Valve Index is the best PC VR headset on the market aimed at gamers. It doesn’t push the resolution beyond 2880×1600 on its LCD, but the Index captures VR where it matters most: refresh rate and field of view. With a maximum refresh rate of 144Hz and a field of view of 130 degrees, it provides the best and smoothest experience in virtual reality. With a larger field of view, you can see more of the game at any given moment, as opposed to the relative tunnel vision found in other headsets. Index and a good gaming PC will provide an optimal VR experience, assuming you can handle multiple wires and spend a lot of money on a PC gaming rig and a tethered headset.
Another key aspect of the device is its unique motion controller, which features individual finger tracking and is a step up from the Oculus Touch. There aren’t many apps for this yet, but finger tracking is a great way to make your VR experience more immersive – games like Boneworks make good use of it. And while it’s perfectly fine to use sitting or standing still, it’s the most superior to room-scale VR. As such, it may be difficult for players without a lot of space to unlock the full potential of the Index.
Valve Index also requires power from a PC with a wired connection. There is currently no option for wireless use, as the Vive Wireless Adapter made for HTC Vive headsets is not compatible. However, the Valve Index is compatible with the HTC Vive controllers and base stations, so Valve offers the Index headset both separately and as a bundle. In addition, Valve Index controllers and base stations are compatible with HTC Vive headsets. AND wireless adapter also working on Valve Index.
The Valve Index VR Kit comes with a headset, controllers, a powerful pair of built-in speakers that make it easy to immerse yourself in the virtual world without leaving the real world, and base stations. Alternatively, you can purchase a bundle with the headset and controllers or the headset separately. Every purchase of Valve Index comes with a free copy of Half-Life: Alyx on Steam, allowing you to continue this character’s story right away.
Meta Quest Pro
The Meta Quest Pro was originally priced at $1,500 and is now available for $1,000. This makes it a bit more realistic for buyers on a budget, and it’s worth every cent if you’re going to use it regularly and don’t have a gaming PC. Along with the sleek ergonomic design, you also get a ton of luxury features that simply cannot be found in other standalone VR headsets.
Whatever you use the Meta Quest Pro for, it will look great on the LCD panel, which offers 1800×1920 pixels for each eye and a 106-degree viewing angle. They also support local dimming, which provides deep contrast for vivid viewing. Its controllers are just as advanced, with three camera sensors per controller, ten hours of battery life, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor.
The list of impressive features goes on and on: built-in speakers and microphone, support for 3.5mm audio inputs, backwards compatibility with the Quest 2 library, 12GB of RAM, 10 VR/MR sensors, and multiple face tracking sensors make the Quest Professional capable of achieving things , which you won’t find anywhere else (without a PC). It’s not cheap, but it offers one of the best VR experiences money can buy.
HTC Vive Pro 2
It may not have received the fanfare of the Valve Index, Quest Pro or PSVR 2, but the Vive Pro 2 has quietly made a name for itself among VR enthusiasts. This is largely due to its premium display, which offers a resolution of 2448 x 2448 per eye, putting it ahead of most others in its class.
Not only does it contain thousands of pixels, but it doubles the refresh rate at both 90Hz and 120Hz. Combined with a 120-degree viewing angle, the Vive Pro 2 allows you to easily immerse yourself in your favorite games. It’s not a stand-alone device (and you’ll need a PC with at least a GTX 1060), but it’s a small price to pay for a nice device.
A lot of other high-end features are loaded into the Vive Pro 2 (like integrated dual microphones and ergonomic controllers), which makes its high price a little easier to bear. Therefore, if you don’t mind taking the beaten path, take a closer look at this headset.
PSVR 2
There’s nothing not to love about PSVR 2. Of course, this requires a PS5 (which means you’ll be shelling out over $1,000 to use the headset), but aside from that quirk, Sony’s latest VR venture might hold its own.
PSVR 2 is a huge leap forward from the original PSVR headset with 4K HDR visuals, a 110-degree viewing angle and Sense technology that provides headset feedback, eye tracking and 3D audio support. You’ll even get radically redesigned controllers built with long gaming sessions in mind, featuring adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, and finger touch recognition.
Sony launched the PSVR 2 with an impressive library of games, and it’s only going to get even more impressive over the next few months. And while you won’t be able to play many of the popular VR games available on PC and Quest headsets, you do have access to Gran Turismo 7, Horizon: Call of the Mountain, Moss 2, and No Man’s Sky. So, if you own a PS5, PSVR 2 might be the best way to join the VR community.
Read our PlayStation VR 2 Review.
PlayStation VR
The PlayStation VR headset is compatible with PS4 as well as backwards compatible PS4 games on PS5, although PS5 owners are better off going with PSVR 2.
PlayStation VR offers a combined resolution of 1920×1080, a refresh rate of 90-120 Hz and a viewing angle of 100 degrees. The low resolution and pixel density cause a significant screen-door effect—you see black space between each pixel. It makes it look like you’re watching the game through a mesh door. This might be frustrating for experienced VR users, but since there’s no other VR headset on the PS4, you’ll just have to deal with it. But where the PSVR lacks in features, it makes up for in its exclusive games. These games offer some of the best experiences in VR and are worth playing if you own them. PlayStation Move controllers are required for some games like Farpoint and Concrete Genie, but there are plenty of great games that use the DualShock 4, including Astro Bot: Rescue Mission and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard.
PSVR tracking requires a PlayStation Camera, but thankfully it’s included with the headset in most bundles. And if you already have PlayStation Camera for PS4, you’re good to go, no matter which version you have. The tracking isn’t quite up to par with PC VR, especially when facing away from the camera, though it works well for most games. Fortunately, the headset is extremely comfortable to wear, making longer sessions much easier.
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