The competition among the top virtual reality headsets is strong. The wireless Oculus Quest 2 from Facebook is still the best VR headset for the time being, owing to its low price and simplicity of use. This will likely be true until we see an Oculus Quest 3 or Oculus Quest 2 Pro.
The best VR headsets, despite the Oculus Quest 2’s obvious popularity, truly come down to your particular preferences. For example, the Valve Index, a strong and competent VR headset whose popularity has been constrained by limited availability, may actually serve you better.
Check out the latest PSVR headset if you have a PlayStation, or wait until 2022 for the next-generation PSVR 2 (a better chance if you’re using the newest PS5 platform). You may want to try the wireless and more casual HTC Vive Flow if you recall when HTC was the market leader, too.
More and more VR headsets are being produced, but with highly specialized specs. Another huge name, like Apple, is working on virtual reality headgear that might have a major impact on the market.
For the time being, the issue of which VR headset is best is quite straightforward, with just a few excellent models catering to a variety of gamers and customers. You may learn more about our best selections and why you should get one as you go through this post.
5 Best VR Headsets to Buy in 2022
1. Valve Index
Rating: 8.0 out 10
Next-generation virtual reality is represented by the Valve Index, which is an amazing headset. A larger field of vision, greater refresh rate, and Valve’s ‘knuckle’ controllers, which can follow the movement of every finger, are among the features we discovered.
Vive Pro was a powerful VR headset that failed to deliver the promise of high-end and room-scale VR. Vive is a huge advance and operates much smoother. However, there are certain drawbacks. During our testing, we discovered that setting it up may be difficult, upgrades might create connectivity difficulties, and failures are common. In order to use this headset, you’ll need one of the finest computers on the market.
This VR gear is excellent if you can get over its flaws. As a result of its higher-resolution screen and improved refresh rate, we were able to use it for extended periods of time without experiencing any pain.
The Valve Index may be our top selection for PC owners in 2022, but since production slowed down during the epidemic, it may be difficult to locate in the wild.
With its SteamVR platform and tracking system, Valve has had a significant impact on the development of virtual reality. However, the Valve Index, the company’s own VR headset, was not released until 2019.
Virtual reality headsets like the Valve Index have been out for over two years now and are still among the finest on the market. A broad field of vision, a fast refresh rate, and Valve’s ‘knuckle’ controllers, which can follow the movement of each finger, all go well in hand with the ultra-crisp display.
Specifications
- Availability: Released, but often out of stock
- Price: $999 / £919 / about AU$1,425
- Wired?: Yes
- Additional Equipment Needed?: Yes, PC
Pros
- Widest field of view
- ‘Knuckle’ controllers great for tracking
Cons
- Requires a high-end GPU
- Still expensive compared to competition
2. Oculus Quest 2
Rating: 9.6 out 10
For the most part, the Quest 2 is the greatest VR headset. It does not need the use of a costly PC and allows for mobility and flexibility of movement. It is also simple to set up and operate.
More responsive owing to better RAM and processor capabilities, as well as a high-resolution display that’s 50% crisper than its predecessor, the Quest 2 is a major upgrade over the first Quest device.
Additionally, the headset is now far lighter than before, allowing game developers the option to run their games at 90Hz (a crucial feature for improving player comfort and immersion). Also noteworthy is hand tracking, which was added to the first Quest through a firmware upgrade, but is included in the Quest 2 from the start.
Wire-free virtual reality provides an exhilarating experience. In the meanwhile, you may escape the chaos of the outer world by converting BigScreen VR or YouTube VR into your own personal movie screen and playing games like Robo Recall and Beat Saber.
If you’re searching for an untethered virtual reality headset, the original Oculus Quest is still a good option. However, the original Quest has an OLED display screen with a per eye resolution of 1440 x 1600 and is powered by Snapdragon 835 CPU, making it an excellent choice for gamers. Expect an Oculus Quest 3 in the near future as well.
Specifications
- Availability: Out now
- Price: £299 / $299 / AU$479
- Wired? : No
- Additional Equipment Needed?: No, standalone
Pros
- Incredibly immersive experiences
- Comfortable weight
- Easy to use compared to other headsets
Cons
- Requires Facebook account linking
- Can still cause motion sickness
3. HTC Vive Pro 2
Rating: 8.8 out 10
Want to buy a high-end virtual reality headset? HTC Vive Pro 2’s 5K display will transport you to ultra-high-resolution virtual reality realms, making it the greatest VR screen currently accessible to the ordinary person on the market. But there are other hardware components that must be regarded as caveats in contrast to the premium experience, such as the screen’s outstanding resolution.
The original HTC Vive set the standard for home virtual reality with its precise tracking and high-definition screen. Since their debuts in 2016, the Oculus Quest 2 and the Valve Index have wowed VR enthusiasts. That being said, HTC is preparing to reclaim its position as the premium VR headset maker to beat PC virtual reality with the release of the HTC Vive Pro 2. Vive Pro 2 is one of the most powerful and high-end VR headsets currently available, as seen by its impressive spec list.
It’s the most visually stunning VR headset we’ve ever placed on our heads, thanks to a 5K display and a 120Hz frame rate. Because of its over-ear headphones and high-resolution audio, it is also among the best sounding.
Although HTC has done a good job of adjusting the Vive Pro 2’s design to accommodate a wide range of head shapes and glasses wearers, there is still a lot of weight and mass to the headset, and there are inherent limitations that come with being tied to a computer. We found it difficult to play without our glasses fogging up soon due to the excessive heat generated by the high-resolution screen.
Specifications
- Availability: Out now
- Price: $1,399 / £1,299
- Wired? : Yes
- Additional Equipment Needed?: Yes, high-spec PC
Pros
- Very high resolution
- Wide field of view
- Access to great games
Cons
- Expensive
- Can get hot
- Lots of cables
4. PlayStation VR
Rating: 9.2 out 10
Sony’s PlayStation VR, in contrast to other VR headsets, needs a PS4 or PS5 system in order to function. As a result, if you already own a PlayStation 4, this is the ideal VR headset to use with your console.
The PlayStation VR is an impressive virtual reality headset despite the massive power gap between the PS4 and a PC. We’ve experienced no difficulties with its head-tracking, and its refresh rate is responsive. In addition, the PlayStation VR games library is rather extensive.
In order to solve one of our major gripes with the PlayStation VR, Sony has created a range of packs & PlayStation VR bundles that contain devices such as the PlayStation Camera. Some packages feature PlayStation Move controllers, although not all of them. Despite this, subsequent price reductions have made the PlayStation VR more reasonable, despite the extra costs required.
Sony predicts that the PSVR 2 model will be available in 2022, therefore the original headset is the best for consoles until then.
PlayStation VR is a really unique product at this point in time, unlike anything else on the market. In contrast to Oculus Rift, which now requires a more costly PC setup to work, the PSVR merely needs a PS4 system to do its thing.
Even though the Oculus Go has been suggested as a competitor, it falls short of the PSVR’s level of immersion. As a result, although it’s a great method for many individuals to get started with virtual reality, it doesn’t quite measure up.
Consider how impressive it is that such a powerful PSVR system is so reasonably priced. The PlayStation VR illustrates that not only is console virtual reality possible, but it’s also fun to use.
We’ve now tested dozens of titles on the PlayStation VR device.
Specifications
- Availability: Out now
- Price: $299 / £259 / AU$655
- Wired? : Yes
- Additional Equipment Needed?: Yes, PlayStation PS4 or PS5
Pros
- Affordable compared to the competition
- Near PC-quality performance
- Good selection of games
Cons
- Lacking required accessories inbox
- Poor job sealing out light
- Spotty motion controller tracking
5. Oculus Rift S
Rating: 8.8 out of 10
In 2012, Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus, presented us to the Oculus Rift, a virtual reality headset. In terms of high-end PC virtual reality, the Oculus Rift S, which Facebook now owns, should be a significant step forward. It’s a step in the right direction, but it’s a little one.
The Rift S, like the Oculus Rift, requires a PC to run virtual reality software. Connects to your PC through USB 3.0 and a display connector; it is attached by a long cable that is more than sufficient for the ‘room-scale’ experiences that Rift S can give. There is less freedom of movement than the Oculus Quest cordless headset, however this is compensated by the fact that the PC-powered Oculus Rift can provide more dynamic and vivid experiences.
Fortunately, Oculus has developed the Rift S backwards compatible for the original Rift games and forward compatible with the great majority of Rift S and Oculus Quest titles, with a few small limitations, to alleviate early users’ concerns.
There is no longer a Rift S available for purchase from Oculus in July 2021. However, despite being discontinued early this year, you may still get stock at a few merchants that haven’t already sold out. However, it is officially no longer available for purchase.
The Oculus Rift S retails for $299 (£299; AU$499) and is now in stock. Oculus Rift S is much less expensive than the original Oculus Rift, which is currently available for approximately $349.
Compared to HTC Vive, Vive Pro, and soon-to-be-released Valve Index, which all need external tracking sensors to function, it’s also a lot less expensive. We’ve yet to do a thorough assessment of the Valve Index, but its money-no-object attitude to quality is making it appear like the most completely realised VR experience to yet.
Specifications
- Availability: Out now
- Price: $399 / £399 / AU$649
- Wired? : Yes
- Additional Equipment Needed?: Yes, PC
Pros
- No external tracking stations
- Improved visuals
Cons
- Reduced refresh rate
- Prone to crashing
Other VR Headsets to Consider
Like a new smartphone or a pair of noise-canceling headphones, VR headsets don’t have as many distinct brands to pick from as other items do.
Instead, there are a few companies that have the resources, expertise, and know-how to develop really immersive virtual reality experiences. If you don’t want to go with one of the VR headsets listed above, it’s a good idea to look into past headsets from the leading VR businesses instead.
On the company’s website, you may or may not still be able to purchase these headsets. However, many of these devices may still be purchased new or used from merchants like Amazon or eBay.
Oculus Quest
Our favorite virtual reality headset for 2022 is the Oculus Quest 2, the Oculus Quest’s successor. This does not imply that the Oculus Quest is no longer a viable VR solution for those who are looking for a standalone headset that can be used on the go.
On top of that, even though the Oculus Quest 2 is a better headset, there weren’t as many improvements between the original and second model as you would think. If you’re looking for a VR system that works out of the box, with six-degree of freedom with a wide variety of applications and games, the Quest is still the best option.
Oculus Rift
The Oculus Rift was revolutionary when it was released. Innovators like Oculus Rift have shown that VR can be an entertaining and immersive experience, even for those without a high-end PC setup.
Oculus Rift S has overtaken the original Rift roughly five years after it was released. Despite the fact that the Rift S has been discontinued, it is already following in the footsteps of the original Rift.
Oculus Rift S and standalone Quest and Quest 2 have been introduced by Oculus after the original Rift was debuted, but the original Rift is still a highly powerful VR headset for games, and now that it’s no longer available from Oculus officially, you may find some attractive bargains.
HTC Vive
The Vive was one of the first high-end VR headsets accessible to customers when it was released in 2016. Afterward, it reigned supreme in consumer VR technology for a lengthy period of time.
A lot has changed in only a few years. You may now purchase a variety of virtual reality headsets. HTC has released many additional VR headsets since the original HTC Vive hit the market, including the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite and HTC Vive Cosmos, as well as the HTC Vive Pro 2, which we’ve highlighted in our list of the best VR headsets.
While the original HTC Vive is still a fantastic choice for anyone looking to get into virtual reality, it’s worth noting that it’s a few years older in comparison to the newer versions.
Which is the Best Mobile VR Headset?
The phrase “mobile VR” refers to virtual reality (VR) experience facilitated by a smartphone. In most cases, you’ll download a VR app on your phone and then use a mobile VR headset to see the material.
If you’re new to virtual reality and don’t want to spend a lot of money, this is an excellent way to get your feet wet. As an alternative to the top VR headsets, you may try out mobile VR devices like Samsung Gear VR or the Google Cardboard, or go truly low-tech with the Oculus Rift.
If you’re looking for a really immersive virtual reality experience, you’ll need to invest in one of the top VR headsets on the market. So if you want a low-cost and quick method to get into virtual reality, they’re a good alternative. VR might be a basic and occasionally grainy experience, but don’t let that discourage you from trying it.
Which is the Best Augmented Reality Headset?
Several augmented reality headsets are now available on the market. Only a handful of these products are directed towards the general public.
If you’re looking to get your hands on the best-augmented reality headset, like the Microsoft HoloLens 2, you’ll have to look elsewhere, like Microsoft HoloLens 2 Industrial Edition, which is a mixed reality device tested and designed for its usage in the industrial environments, and Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2, which is an untethered mixed reality device.
The best-augmented reality headsets for home use are currently unavailable, but we expect this to change soon and you will be able to purchase one of these headsets much like the VR headsets in the list above.
AR headsets have a bright future since big tech companies are now investing a great deal of time, energy, and money into developing new AR products. If you take Apple, for example, it’s well-known that Apple is working on an AR and VR product dubbed Apple Glass and Apple VR at the moment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best VR headset?
It all depends on your priorities. A wireless VR headset, such as the Oculus Quest 2, is your best bet if you’re looking for maximum flexibility and no fuss from your VR experience.
Wired headsets feature the finest visuals and refresh rates, so if you want the optimum performance, you should go for one of these if you can afford it and your PC can handle it.
It’s also a good idea to think about what games you’d want to play. Certain PC-powered devices are required to play certain VR games. While this is generally true, there is some cross-platform compatibility across VR software libraries, and some wire-free headsets may optionally be hooked up to computers through USB cables in order to extend their content.
Which is the best VR headset to buy?
Virtual reality headsets come in a variety of pricing points, platforms, and features. It is true that the Oculus Quest and Quest 2 are the only headsets available for console players other than PlayStation VR. However, this isn’t necessarily a negative thing.
As of right now, the three most popular VR headsets on the market — the PlayStation VR, Oculus Quest 2, and HTC Vive – are all more costly than the others.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that this isn’t always the case. The price of the Oculus Quest 2 has decreased over time, indicating that as the VR audience grows, the price of the technology will also decrease.
If you don’t know the merits and disadvantages of each of the finest VR headsets before making a purchase, you may end up with a pricey error on your hands. However, it is precisely the reason for the creation of this guide.
Conclusion
So, that was all with our list of best VR headsets. Identifying the best VR headsets takes a suite of things to consider, from the hardware itself to the software the headsets will work with. A product can look great but still be uncomfortable to use.
Choose the one that suits you the most as per your requirement and let us know in the comments.
