Best VR headsets: Meta, Valve, and Sony made the cut

Picking a virtual reality headset is a bit like buying a console — that is, one that you wear on your face. Similar as they seem, they’re different in ways that may matter to you. The major players in VR gaming — it currently boils down to Sony, Valve, and Meta — each boast some games and features that are exclusive to their respective headsets.

You may also choose a headset based on comfort, affordability, or accessibility. Do you need a headset with swappable straps, one that can be configured with prescription lenses, and one that’s less than $500? Will you build your VR cockpit to use with flight simulators in the future? This can all influence the purchase decision.

For newcomers, deciding on a headset can seem confusing, but don’t lose hope. We hope to help you jump into the world of fantasy by sharing our knowledge of all the popular headsets and tips for buying the best one.

Note: With the Meta Quest 3 arriving in September and Apple’s wildly priced Vision Pro headset due to make a splash in 2024, it’s clear that tech giants are still betting on the virtual reality space, and some compelling technological leaps are on their way soon. We’ll revisit this post to make sure it includes all of the info you need to know about the newer hardware.

Valve Index

Photo: James Bareham/Polygon

Valve’s Index virtual reality headset is currently the best wired PC headset. It offers the most advanced specs and controller features, as well as the most comfortable, most ergonomic design. The entire package costs $999. Valve, the maker of Steam Decks and developers of Half-Life, PortalThe price of some parts is lower when purchased in pieces. Most of the components include SteamVR’s killer app, Alyx, Half-LifeGet a free.

The Index’s 1440×1600 resolution lenses offer a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz in normal play. The 144Hz experimental mode is the fastest refresh rate in the industry. Valve Index glasses can be fitted with prescription lenses from companies such as VR Optician and VR Wave.

Another unique aspect of the Index’s design are its built-in headphones that sit off the ear so that you can maintain a sense of physical presence (they sound surprisingly good, too). The headphones can be flipped up or down as you please. The Index headset is also one of the most comfy on the market. It’s easy to adjust the strap settings, and it fits snug without feeling like all of the weight is pulling down on my head.

The Valve Index includes revolutionary “knuckles” controllers, which, unlike with the other headsets on this list, feature full finger tracking. It’s a small feature that adds more immersion in certain games, like Alyx, Half-Life. Simple: Games can be triggered by any finger movement, and not only your thumb or index finger.

Photo: James Bareham/Polygon

The Index’s excellent tracking is aided by external base station mapping your room, which creates the stage for your VR escapades. You’ll need permanent (or semi-permanent) spots in your room for the base stations to be mounted, so the Index won’t be for everyone. The Index can be used with just one base station (two improve tracking) but it is not required. You can also use the base station for HTC Vive with Index if you already have one.

Valve Index VR kit

The prices are taken at the time of publication.

Valve Index VR Kit contains the VR headset, 2 controllers, 2 base stations and a code to download. Alyx, Half-Life. The free games that come with the index kits you purchase through GameStop are not included.

PlayStation VR 2

Photo: Matt Leone/Polygon

The PSVR 2 is Sony’s latest attempt at a virtual reality setup for its PlayStation consoles. This is powered by the PlayStation 5’s power. Like the Valve Index, the PSVR 2 is a wired VR headset, though to Sony’s credit, this one doesn’t require any outside tracking stations to use. This headset costs $549.99. It may sound expensive, considering it requires a PS5.

PlayStation users get great value for money from this headset. Soft leatherette cushions help distribute the weight of its 560 gram PSVR headset evenly on the head. The internal fan, which keeps the air moving and reduces the accumulation of heat and fog near the eyes, is one of the biggest improvements. Some companies offer corrective lens options for PSVR 2. These include VR Optician, VR Wave, Hons VR and VR Optician.

A limitation of the PSVR 2 library cannot be overlooked. While there’s a good chance there’ll be a lot more on the horizon (Resident Evil 4’s VR mode is exclusive to PS5, for instance), you may be disappointed if you wanted access to some of VR’s biggest games, like Alyx, Half-Life, or even Sony’s incompatible catalog of original PSVR games. That’s not to say there isn’t You can also find out more about us. To play. The best PSVR 2 titles have been selected by our team. The limited PSVR 2 lineup offers some great experiences. Gran Turismo 7In VR or Synapse.

Image: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Its specs are among the best on the market. Each lens is a 2000×2040 resolution OLED display that’s capable of delivering HDR visuals at 120 Hz. Foveated rendering, also known as gaze-tracking on the PSVR 2, can enhance the graphics depending on your current position. It will blur the peripheral details to help balance out the PS5’s power. PSVR exclusives, like Horizon Call of the MountainYou will find this look to be particularly beautiful.

In case you were curious, the PSVR 2 also supports a feature Sony calls Cinematic Mode, allowing you to use the headset to watch content and play non-VR games in isolation — a nice bonus, but not a killer app. Not everyone likes to see you playing. Bloodborne For the 10th consecutive time.

The controllers are another highlight, adapting the DualSense’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers into a new yet familiarly comfortable shape. The headset can also rumble, which adds to the immersive experience. Assuming you’ve got a PS5 already, or plan to get one soon, this is a fantastic piece of hardware that’ll likely deliver some amazing games in the future.

Sony PlayStation VR 2 headset

Prices are taken at the time of publication.

A great choice for the PS5, even if it’s your only choice. While the game library is currently small, Sony has proven with the original PSVR that it’ll stick with the platform for years to come.

Meta Quest 2

Meta Image

The Meta Quest 2 (it debuted in 2020 as the Oculus Quest 2) is the company’s most affordable VR headset, starting at $299.99 for a 128 GB version (going up to $349.99 for a 256 GB model),The following are some examples of how to get started: it’s the most affordable, versatile, and approachable option out there. Not only can the Quest 2 work wire-free to run popular games on Meta’s Quest store (including hits like Beat Saber and Resident Evil 4It can be connected wirelessly to PCs or wired to them to enhance the visual quality and game selection.

If you want to venture outside of Meta’s app ecosystem, the free Air Link feature enables you to wirelessly pair it with your gaming PC (assuming your PC and Wi-Fi are pretty good) or plug the headset directly into the PC with a USB-C cable to expand your library. If you plug in with a cable, the headset will perform better and have a clearer image. But it also ties you down to the PC.

The Quest 2’s biggest asset is its value. It’s good at almost every aspect of VR, making it a very compelling option for first-time VR users who want to dip their toes in without taking a massive financial leap. That said, its specs don’t fare particularly well against its competitors. Its internals are about as powerful as a midrange Android phone, and its lens resolution isn’t super sharp. At 1832×1920 per eye, text is clear, but visuals in some games lack the sort of clarity that you’ll get in pricier headsets. Quest 2’s performance has been improved by feature updates since its launch. For instance, it’s now a little more powerful thanks to Meta unlocking its GPU power, and it bumped the 72 Hz refresh rate in some games up to 90 Hz.

Meta Quest 2 (128 GB)

Prices are taken at the time of publication.

There’s currently no better wireless VR headset on the market, perhaps until the Quest 3 comes out in late 2023.

Quest 2 creates a virtual room map during the setup process to help you stay safe by creating artificial boundaries. They’re like bumpers in bowling, showing up only when you’re on the verge of stepping outside of them as you explore, play, or dance in VR. This is a necessity given the Quest 2’s wireless capabilities, providing you with the freedom to safely navigate your surroundings without a wire.

The Quest 2’s default head strap isn’t particularly comfortable, so we recommend upgrading to the Elite strap that typically costs about $50. This will make the Quest 2 feel tight and evenly distribute its weight across your skull. Some glasses may fit nicely in this headset, but if you’d rather get prescription lenses for it, some companies make them, including Hons VR, VR Optician, and VR Wave.

If you’re considering the Quest 2, we suggest waiting until the launch of the Quest 3 later in 2023. The Quest 2 will remain a great, cost-effective headset, but as it’s nearing 3 years old, the Quest 3’s upgrades might be the smarter choice going forward.

HP Reverb G2

Image: HP

The HP Reverb G2 VR headset is relatively inexpensive at $599, and sometimes even less. The design is similar to the Valve Index. This likeness, which was not a coincidence since Valve and HP collaborated on it, does not come as a surprise. Not everything’s a match with the Valve headset, though. Some of its specifications are slightly below. For instance, its controllers don’t offer full finger tracking, and its displays aren’t as high-res. On the flip side, unlike with the Index, you don’t need base stations to use this headset.

In terms of displays, it has two 2160×2160 LCD panels that allow for clean visual performance across the board, with up to a 90 Hz refresh rate to provide ample fluidity in games, whether you’re slashing through blocks to the beat in Beat SaberOr meditating Playne V. This model is also available with prescription lenses from companies such as VR Wave, VR Optician and Hons VR.

Both sides of the lens are surrounded by an identical flip-down design to that seen in the Index. They provide 3D audio, spatial awareness and comfort. The HP headset is wired, but the cable that comes with the package is 19 feet in length. This reduces the chance of it getting tangled up in your living room or office.

Suppose you’re not quite ready to go all in on PC VR and pick up an uncompromising Valve Index kit. The G2 is a cheaper alternative with an easier setup process that’ll give you access to the same great PC experiences.

HP Reverb G2 virtual Reality Headset

Prices are taken at the time of publication.

Valve has developed both optical and audio tech in collaboration with HP to give the HP Reverb G2 a lens with a leading resolution.