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Not sure which is the best VR headset for you?
Gone are the days when VR was out of reach for the average consumer.
Whether you’re just getting into virtual reality or looking to upgrade your current setup, finding the right VR headset can be a challenge.
In this guide, I’ve hand-picked the best VR headsets, prioritizing display quality, comfort, gaming support, performance and value.
First, we’ll check out a budget-friendly option that offers a fantastic VR experience without breaking the bank. Next, we’ll explore a premium choice packed with top-tier features and unmatched performance and finally, I’ll reveal my top pick that combines outstanding performance, innovative features, and great value.
So let’s get started!
Number 3. Meta Quest 2 – Best Budget VR Headset
The Meta Quest 2 formerly known as the Oculus quest 2 might just be the most affordable wireless VR headset on the market right now, as it punches way above its weight in the key factors that make the VR experience enjoyable and trouble-free at the same time.
Starting with the design, the Quest 2 redefines what VR headsets can achieve on a budget with its sleek, compact, and lightweight build, just slightly lighter than its predecessor the quest at nearly 505 grams. The overall design is complemented by a subtle and comfortable strap that fits over the top and covers the sides of your head. The wireless controllers follow the same understated aesthetic, matching the headset’s theme.
The headset itself features a thoughtfully designed button and port layout: a power button on the right, a volume rocker underneath, and a USB-C port and headphone jack on the left. Adjusting the straps and lens spacing is simple, and the soft cushioning ensures the device doesn’t irritate the skin. However, some users might find it heavier than preferred, potentially leading to neck strain.
Moreover, after extended use, the headset can feel warm and may cause slight dizziness after 30 minutes of playtime for those prone to motion sickness. However, that isn’t a deal-breaker since almost all VR headsets can induce motion sickness when used for extended periods.
The speakers of the headset are built into the frame itself, so they don’t fit in your ears but provide immersion just as well as you’d expect from a much more expensive VR headset. You don’t have to worry about getting dedicated headphones with this one. While they aren’t bass-heavy, they are crisp and clear, providing spatial three-dimensional sound.
Talking about dimensions, the controllers of the Quest 2 will provide you control over all sorts of dimensions in gaming as they are very-well designed with a set of triggers, buttons and joycons on each controller. They are powered by a single AA battery for each controller that will last more than three to four months which is a plus point.
Speaking of which, meta claims two to three hours of battery life for the Quest 2 headset itself but take that with a grain of salt if you plan to do lots of gaming on it. It might not last more than two hours or so.
In terms of performance and gaming support, the Quest 2 is powered by a Snapdragon XR2 chip, a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the original Quest, which was equipped with a Snapdragon 835. The Quest 2 delivers seamless performance and quick menu transitions, maintaining stability even under heavy multitasking and gaming scenarios. The head and controller’s gesture tracking is accurate and smooth. You won’t notice any hiccups and lags in the movements even in intense gaming sessions.
Gaming on the Quest 2 is a delightful experience, especially with its diverse range of games such as the Beat Saber, Superhot VR, The Climb, Robo Recall, Vader Immortal, Moss, and Echo VR. Overall, performance is not something you need to be concerned about with this headset.
In the competition segment, no other VR headset has been able to match what the Quest 2 offers in its budget-friendly price tag, even when compared to cheaper options like the HP Reverb G2, which falls behind the Quest 2 in terms of build quality and has finicky camera-based tracking.
In a nutshell, the Meta Quest 2 is a solid contender in the world of VR landscape, initially perceived as a luxury due to its price. However, the Quest 2 challenges this notion by presenting itself as a no-brainer option for budget-conscious consumers who refuse to compromise on performance and immersive experience when entering the VR realm.
To sum up, what I like is…
Affordable price tag
Lightweight design
Excellent build quality
On the downside…
Comfort could be better
Ratings:
Design: 8/10
Performance: 7/10
Display: 8/10
Comfort: 7/10
Value: 9/10
Overall Rating: 8/10
Number 2. HTC VIVE XR Elite – Best Premium VR Headset
If you’re someone looking to go all out in the world of VR, chances are you don’t have any budget limits, and this is exactly where the HTC Vive XR Elite comes into play. Costing just over a thousand bucks, it is the dream of every VR enthusiast out there.
Jumping straight into the design, the XR elite features an all-black aesthetic that surely does feel premium at first sight with its oversized mirror glossy front panel that is totally different from its predecessor the HTC Vive Pro 2. The headset features five cameras along with a depth sensor for mixed reality content.
The unique feature here is that it can be used as a standalone VR headset without the battery pack and can be plugged in directly to your PC making it one of the most light-weight VR headset on the market right now weighing at just 260 grams. However this will take away the wireless attribute from the overall VR experience.
When it comes to comfort the XR elite isn’t exactly a comfortable VR headset at first glance and you’ll have to use the extra material top head strap to get the most comfort out of this headset. On the flip side, it compensates for the sub-standard comfortability through the adjustable IPD and diopter dials that will help aid people who use glasses. You can easily adjust the headset according to your liking and immediately enjoy a crystal clear VR experience like never before.
Now coming back to the basics, the speakers on the XR elite are implemented in a familiar way, that is being built into the headset’s arms. The sound quality is great as expected from a premium VR headset but I would’ve appreciated a 3.5mm jack for external headphone support. At the bottom of the headset there are two microphones that can be used for social VR apps and they sound exceptional as well.
The controllers of the Elite XR are also familiar in design, closely resembling those shipped with the Vive Focus 3. The button layout is similar to that of the Quest VR headsets. The main difference lies in these controllers having a built-in battery charged via a USB-C port located below the grips of each controller. HTC claims the battery lasts more than fifteen hours, though in real-world gaming, you should expect it to last slightly less than the company claims. Overall, the controllers feel premium to the touch and function well.
The headset itself has a battery life of around two hours with the included battery as claimed by HTC. However, expect the same story here: it won’t last more than two hours if you plan to use it extensively.
The performance and gaming is great as expected from a VR headset of this caliber. It also incorporates the Snapdragon XR2 chip resulting in a buttery smooth experience with all standard games and VR apps. Head and hand tracking are also accurate and lag-free and the standalone game library offers a few interesting games including half-life:Alyx, the walking dead, boneworks and much more.
If we talk about the direct competitors of the Vive XR elite, there aren’t many headsets out there that offer unique features such as the adjustable diopters with a similar price tag. The Apple vision pro could outrun the XR elite but it falls behind when it comes to universal OS and gaming support.
Overall, the HTC Vive XR Elite justifies its premium price tag with unique features like adjustable diopters, a removable battery pack, and direct PC tethering. These make it a compelling choice for VR enthusiasts. However, potential buyers should be prepared to overlook a few caveats, such as its average comfort and somewhat substandard out-of-the-box battery life.
To sum up, what I like is…
Adjustable diopters
Removable battery pack
All black unqiue design
On the downside
Battery life is low
Not very comfortable
Ratings:
Design: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Screen: 8/10
Comfort: 6/10
Value: 8/10
Overall Rating: 8/10
Number 1. Meta Quest 3 – Our Top Choice
The Meta Quest 3 is a headset that can be crowned as the Swiss-army knife of VR headsets, doing everything in a way that sets a very high benchmark for its competitors while staying under a reasonable price tag.
At first glance, you’ll see there are a lot of new things going on when compared to its predecessor the Quest 2 that is being sold at a discounted price making way for the new iteration the Quest 3.
The design of the Quest 3 feels more solid and rigid due to upgraded materials for the facial interface. On the front side, you’ll find four vertically arranged cameras, with an infrared emitter between them. Two of these cameras track your space for AR and mark out where you can play, while the other two show your surroundings in color. At the bottom edge of the headset, two additional cameras aid with tracking.
Speaking of surroundings, the most impressive feature of this headset is its ability to use the passthrough feature with the full RGB color spectrum, unlike the Quest 2, which could only do so in black and white. This passthrough is greatly optimized, running at a higher refresh rate, offering better depth and a sharper image of your overall environment.
Technical features include better optics and display. The screens have higher resolution and great colors thanks to the new pancake design lenses. Additionally the auto-boundary detection is welcomed by those who have limited spaces in their rooms essentially making the Quest 3 the best for all sorts of uses.
Now, onto the star of the show: comfort. The Quest 3 weighs approximately 519 grams, just slightly heavier than the Quest 2. Thanks to its new and improved weight distribution, wearing the Quest 3 might actually feel more comfortable.
However, the material used for the head strap isn’t the most comfortable and can cause some fatigue on the sides of your head after extended use. But don’t let that dampen your excitement! As mentioned earlier, the facial interface is extremely comfortable this time around. It includes the ability to adjust the lens distance using a movable mechanism built into the facial interface itself, which allows users who wear glasses to create space. In my opinion, this feature should compensate for the head strap’s shortcomings.
The headset offers better battery life, with up to two and a half hours of gaming on a full charge, while the controllers are powered by AA batteries that will last longer than you might expect, thanks to their low-power consumption design.
Talking about the controllers, they have been improved in both design and tracking. The major difference here is the omission of the tracking ring. Additionally, the controller feels slim and ergonomic to the touch. These controllers are bound to make users feel right at home with their familiar yet intuitive usability.
Performance wise, the Quest 3 isn’t joking around. Incorporated with the latest Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor and an Adreno GPU the Quest 3 will shine through all sorts of VR tasks, apps and games with ease. The gaming experience is just as good as you’d expect from a meta VR headset because of the wide variety of supported games such as the Vader Immortal, Lego bricktales, Nano, “I expect you to die” and much more.
Regarding the competition, the Quest 3 is a very tough product to beat due to its accurate price point, comfort, and features that no other headset can provide. The Pico 4 comes close and is cheaper, but it might fall behind due to regional availability issues. You might not find it at major retailers, and even if you do, it’s not necessarily better than the Quest 3 because of its unequal weight distribution and troublesome wireless streaming.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for an accurate, comfortable, and wholesome VR experience without breaking the bank, the Quest 3 is your best option. It offers a blend of everything, including a great display, good battery life, and seamless connectivity.
To sum up, what I like is…
Impressive and innovative controllers
Exceptional performance
Overall comfort
Reasonable price tag
On the downside…
The material of the head strap could be better
Ratings:
Design: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Screen: 9/10
Comfort: 8.5/10
Value: 8/10
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
So what do you think? Which of these is the best VR headset for you?
Or do you think another VR headset is better?
Tell us in the comments below.
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