Choosing the Right VR Headset
July 28, 2022
Choosing the Right VR Headset
Whatever way you use virtual reality (VR)—for gaming, education, work—you experience it by wearing a headset, sometimes called VR goggles, which typically fits over your head and covers your eyes. These headsets make it feel like you’re really part of the game, classroom, workout or even meeting by their small, extremely high-resolution screens that create an immersive experience. The technology has come a long way since its roots in the 1830s (!), with manufacturers like Meta (formerly Facebook), HTC and Sony releasing powerful hardware that lets users explore other worlds.
Choosing the right headset depends on your goals and the hardware you already have. This guide outlines what to look for to get the best VR headset for you.
How much does a VR headset cost?
Headsets are available at every price point, with corresponding specs. Just want to dip your toe in? A Google Cardboard will run you 8 to 30 bucks and only requires a smartphone. The Verge notes that this experience is not for multi-hour sessions, but for short-form video or trying other Cardboard-specific apps.
Diving into VR can get costly. The Meta Quest 2 (formerly Oculus Quest), which doesn’t require a smartphone or a PC, starts at around $300. The best VR headsets for PC, like the high-power HTC Vive Pro, Valve’s Index and others can rise above $1,000 when you include accessories. Of course, you can nab an inexpensive VR headset for PC gaming by buying used or prior-generation tech.
How to compare VR headsets
VR is a bustling industry, with new hardware announced all the time. Here are the major specs to look for:
Screens – Pay attention to the refresh rate and resolution—the higher the numbers, the better, more immersive and lifelike the experience is.
– Pay attention to the refresh rate and resolution—the higher the numbers, the better, more immersive and lifelike the experience is. Field of view – Measured in degrees, this refers to the “width” of visible content you can see through the headset. You generally want at least 100º.
– Measured in degrees, this refers to the “width” of visible content you can see through the headset. You generally want at least 100º. Wires – Want wireless? The Meta Quest is the way to go right now. Otherwise, the best VR headsets in 2022 are “tethered,” meaning they have wires to connect them to another device (a PC or PlayStation). If you want to move around, this may constrain your options.
– Want wireless? The Meta Quest is the way to go right now. Otherwise, the best VR headsets in 2022 are “tethered,” meaning they have wires to connect them to another device (a PC or PlayStation). If you want to move around, this may constrain your options. Speed/lag – Refresh rate helps with lag, as does processing power—and that’s the tradeoff with wires. If you’re wired to a powerful PC or console, your headset can do more.
– Refresh rate helps with lag, as does processing power—and that’s the tradeoff with wires. If you’re wired to a powerful PC or console, your headset can do more. Controllers – Many popular headsets include controllers, but HTC’s Vive Pro, one of the industry’s favorites, requires a separate purchase.
– Many popular headsets include controllers, but HTC’s Vive Pro, one of the industry’s favorites, requires a separate purchase. Platform compatibility – Quest devices are standalone or compatible with PCs with an optional cable; headsets like Valve’s Index and HTC’s Vive require a highly specced PC; and PlayStation VR requires a PlayStation 4 or 5. PCMag notes that smartphone-compatible VR isn’t as common as it was a few years ago.
What are VR base stations?
Base stations are external devices that sense your headset and controllers and improve motion tracking. They can add significantly to your startup costs, but depending on your purpose, base stations may not be required. If your VR use entails being stationary, you’ll be fine without them. You may not need them for meetings, certain fitness applications or “cockpit” VR games.
How do I choose the best VR headset for fitness?
If fitness is your goal, you likely want a headset that enables movement. Choose either a wireless headset, or make sure it has wires long enough to let you move around your space. Once you’ve decided, check out Greatist for some recommendations for VR fitness games.
Can I wear a VR headset with glasses?
Yes. Most manufacturers include tips for wearing glasses comfortably with your headset, and Upload put together this handy guide.
Where can I buy a VR headset?
Most VR headsets can be purchased online, but if they’re not available or if you want to try before you buy, Best Buy and GameStop are good bets.
What if I have an older VR headset?
If you have a VR headset now, you may already know what you like and what you don’t. In the past few years, hardware has gotten better and less expensive: faster processors, fewer wires, nicer screens. If you can already do everything you want, you might not need a new headset yet, but if you want a more immersive experience, it might be time to take another look.
How long does it take to adjust to VR headsets?
Some headsets are heavy and may not be comfortable to wear for a long time. It’s also not uncommon to experience some motion sickness with VR headsets, though manufacturers are working on addressing this. The time to adjust (if any) will vary by the person, but check out some tips to speed it along.
Can I use VR for conferences and other work uses?
Analysts predict that VR will shake up the work world by enabling greatly enhanced virtual meetings and conferences. The best conference headset could be a lower-tech (and lower-cost!) setup than what a hardcore gamer requires.
Can I use VR for streaming video?
Content creators are building a library of 360º VR video on YouTube and elsewhere. You need a great internet connection, ideally fiber, to get the best results when you’re uploading or downloading VR video.
Buying Guide: The Best VR Headsets in 2022
Jump to:
Best PC VR headsets | Best standalone VR headsets | Best console VR headsets
The Best PC VR Headsets in 2022
PC VR is where you’ll find the highest quality visuals and the most ambitious VR games like Half-Life: Alyx. Of course, you’ll need a reasonably powerful gaming PC to plug your headset into. See this article for the specs your PC needs to handle VR headsets.
The Best Overall: Valve Index – $1,000
If you’re looking for the very best overall PC VR headset, Valve Index is our pick. It’s pricey compared to the rest, but has an excellent balance of quality, performance, and comfort. That’s why we called it “the enthusiast’s choice” in our full review of the headset.
Pros
Things to love about Index are its excellent tracking performance, wide field of view, quality controllers, great audio, and range of ergonomic adjustments that make it easy to dial in a comfortable and clear fit.
Index is one of the only headsets that offers an eye-relief adjustment. This let’s you bring the lenses as close to your eyes as comfortable, allowing you to maximize your field of view; it also makes the headset easier to adjust for glasses. Index has a physical IPD adjustment which ranges from 58mm to 70mm, making it easy to align the lenses with the width of your eyes for the sharpest visuals.
Cons
But Index isn’t perfect. Compared to other headsets on the market, the external tracking system is more work to set up, typically requiring two tracking beacons mounted on opposite corners of a room, stuck on a tripod, placed up high on a shelf, or screwed into your wall. They also need to be plugged into their own power outlets. And while Index has cameras on the front for a pass-through view, it isn’t as quick or useful as we’ve seen on other headsets. And did we mention the price tag of $1,000? You can get it cheaper though if you already have SteamVR Tracking base stations from an old Vive headset.
Valve Index Specs
Resolution 1,440 x 1,600 (2.3MP) per-eye, LCD (2x) Refresh Rate 80Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz Lenses Double element Fresnel Field-of-view ~130° diagonal Optical Adjustments IPD, eye-relief IPD Adjustment Range 58–70mm Connectors USB 3.0, DisplayPort 1.2, 12V power Cable Length 5m + 1m breakaway Tracking SteamVR Tracking 1.0 or 2.0 (external beacons) On-board cameras 2x RGB Input Valve Index controllers (rechargable battery) Audio Off-ear headphones, 3.5mm aux output Microphone Dual microphone Pass-through view Yes
Content Compatibility
Valve Index is officially compatible with the SteamVR library where the vast majority of VR content is available. If you’re looking to play content that’s exclusive to the Oculus PC library (like Lon Echo II) you can use the free but unofficial Revive mod to play Oculus PC content on Valve Index. It may take some tweaking for performance and controller inputs, but for the most part Oculus content will play reasonably well on Index.
Also Consider: HP Reverb G2 – $580
While Valve’s Index has great all-around performance, HP’s new Reverb G2 is the headset you want if resolution is your most important consideration. Reverb G2 should be on your radar especially if you’re thinking of picking up a VR headset for seated PC VR games like driving and flight simulators—find out why in our full review.
ℹ HP has also released a slightly updated version of the headset (which we call the Reverb G2.1) that makes some small but noticeable improvements. Read more about Reverb G2.1 here.
Pros
When it comes right down to it, G2’s defining feature is its class-leading resolution of 2,160 × 2,160, which can look downright amazing with the right content. Thanks to a collaboration between Valve and HP, G2 also borrows the excellent headphones of Valve’s Index headset and brings improved controllers compared to previous WMR headsets. Not to mention the headset has inside-out tracking which makes it easier to use thanks to no external trackers. And who can argue with it being nearly half the price of the full Valve Index kit?
Cons
Although it boasts improved controller ergonomics compared to prior WMR headsets, Reverb G2’s controller tracking still has more latency and less reliability than its peers, along with less detailed (and somewhat noisy) haptics. The controllers will get you through most games just fine, but if you plan to primarily play competitive or fast-paced games, the controllers on other headsets tend to deliver better results. As for field of view, G2 is similar to most of its peers but loses out compared to Index. The pass-through view also isn’t as useful as some other headsets because of its odd ‘flashlight’ implementation.
HP Reverb G2 Specs
Resolution 2,160 x 2,160 (4.7MP) per-eye, LCD (2x) Refresh Rate 90Hz Lenses Single element Fresnel Field-of-view (claimed) 114° diagonal Optical Adjustments IPD (two-stage eye-relief with Reverb G2.1) IPD Adjustment Range 60–68mm Connectors USB-C, DisplayPort, Power Cable Length 6m Tracking Inside-out (no external beacons) On-board cameras 4x IR Input Reverb G2 controllers (AA battery 2x), voice Audio Off-ear headphones Microphone Yes Pass-through view Yes
Content Compatibility
HP Reverb G2 works natively with the Windows Mixed Reality store, but very few VR applications are available there. Fortunately a free and official plugin from Microsoft also makes it compatible with SteamVR content. If you’re looking to play content that’s exclusive to the Oculus PC library (like Lone Echo II) you can use the free but unofficial Revive mod to play Oculus PC content on Reverb G2.
For the Ultra Enthusiast: Varjo Aero – $2,000+
If you have cash to spare, and especially if you’re looking for the ultimate VR sim setup, Varjo Aero could be a great fit. It has the most impressive visual clarity we’ve seen from any consumer-available headset, thanks to a very high resolution display and unique lenses. It also has some other nice-to-have features not found on most other headsets. But it’ll cost you far more than other headsets. For a deep dive, check out our full Varjo Aero review.
Pros
If you can even put a headset that’s this expensive in the same category as other consumer VR headsets, Varjo Aero easily has the sharpest, most immersive image thanks to its 2,880 x 2,720 (7.8MP) per-eye resolution. On top of that, the headset uses aspheric (rather than Fresnel) lenses, which means it doesn’t suffer from the glare and god-rays that plague most other headsets. Aero also has two features you won’t find anywhere else: automatic IPD adjustment and eye-tracking. The latter can be used for foveated rendering and some other useful stuff, but most applications today don’t support it.
Cons
Aero’s biggest downsides are its price, lack of integrated audio, and some image distortion. The headset alone costs $2,000, and if you don’t already have SteamVR Tracking base stations and controllers, you’ll need to shell out an additional $580 to get them. And let’s not forget… in order to really get the most from the headset, you’ll need a PC capable of pushing all those pixels at high framerates; if you don’t already have a beast of a PC, this one might not be the best choice (Varjo recommends at least an RTX 3080 or RTX 2080 and Aero does not support AMD GPUs).
As for the lack of integrated audio—you’ll need to plug headphones or earbuds into the headset’s 3.5mm aux port, which means another wire to deal with and another thing to put on and take off every time you use the headset. And while the Aero’s image is incredibly sharp, it does suffer from distortion near the edges of the lens which can bother some people more than others.
Varjo Aero Specs
Resolution 2,880 x 2,720 (7.8MP) per-eye, mini-LED LCD (2x) Refresh Rate 90Hz Lenses Aspheric Field-of-view (claimed) 134° diagonal, 115° horizontal (at 12mm eye-relief) Optical Adjustments IPD (automatic motor driven) IPD Adjustment Range 57–73mm Connectors USB-C → breakout box (USB-A 3.0, DisplayPort 1.4) Cable Length 5m Tracking SteamVR Tracking 1.0 or 2.0 (external beacons) On-board cameras 2x eye-tracking Input None included (supports SteamVR controllers) Audio 3.5mm aux port Microphone None (supports external mic through aux port) Pass-through view No Weight 487g + 230g headstrap with counterweight
Content Compatibility
Varjo Aero is officially compatible with the SteamVR library where the vast majority of VR content is available. If you’re looking to play content that’s exclusive to the Oculus PC library (like Lone Echo II) you can use the free but unofficial Revive mod to play Oculus PC content on Varjo Aero. It may take some tweaking for performance and controller inputs, but for the most part Oculus content should work on Aero.
Although Quest 2 is a standalone headset (which means games run directly in the headset without plugging into a PC) it also has a feature called Oculus Link which gives you the option to run PC VR games by plugging into a PC. And if you have a modern router (Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6), you can even do this wirelessly with the recently introduced Air Link feature.
Pros
Along with the useful passthrough feature, high resolution display, and great controllers, Quest 2 is a pretty great all-around headset. The hard-to-beat price makes it a great value, especially considering the fact that the headset also runs standalone VR games from the Meta Quest store. Meta has also consistently released software updates to improve the headset’s performance and features.
Cons
Unfortunately the cable that comes with Quest 2 isn’t long enough to work well for Oculus Link, and we can’t recommend the official cable because of its crazy $80 price tag. Thankfully you can get 26 feet worth of Oculus Link cable for $34. Or if you have a Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 router you can use Air Link to play PC VR games wirelessly.
And, as we found in our full review, we weren’t big fans of Quest 2’s soft headstrap, so we’d recommend dropping the extra $50 for the Elite Strap accessory [Amazon] if you’re serious about playing PC VR games. The built in audio is convenient, but we wish it was higher quality. It’s also worth noting that you need a Facebook account to use the headset.
Meta Quest 2 Specs
Resolution 1,832 x 1,920 (3.5MP) per-eye, LCD (1x) Refresh Rate 60Hz, 72Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz Lenses Single element Fresnel Field-of-view ~90° diagonal Optical Adjustments IPD, eye-relief (via included spacer) IPD Adjustment Range 58mm, 63mm, 68mm Processor Snapdragon XR2 RAM 6GB Storage 128GB / 256GB Connectors USB-C Battery Life 2-3 hours Tracking Inside-out (no external beacons) On-board cameras 4x IR Input Oculus Touch v3 (AA battery 1x), hand-tracking, voice Audio In-headstrap speakers, 3.5mm aux output Microphone Yes Pass-through view Yes
Content Compatibility
Without being plugged into a computer, Quest 2 can only play games from the Meta Quest library. If you plug into a computer via Oculus Link, you’ll have access to everything in the Oculus PC and SteamVR libraries as well. That means that Quest 2 is compatible with the vast majority of top VR content out there, as long as you’ve got a powerful PC to plug the headset into.
The Best Standalone VR Headsets in 2022
Standalone VR headsets are fully self-contained and don’t need to plug into anything. They generally offer high ease-of-use thanks to their all-in-one nature and lack of tether. With their low overall cost (thanks to not needing a high-end PC) standalone headsets are a great way to take your first step into VR.
Quest 2 is an upgrade over its predecessor in almost every way, though it’s worth noting that you need a Facebook account to use the headset. It comes in a 128GB and 256GB version.
Pros
With an impressive resolution, powerful Snapdragon XR2 processor, useful ‘passthrough’ view feature, and great controllers, there’s a lot to like about Quest 2. What’s more, if you ever decide to upgrade to PC-powered VR, Quest 2 can plug into your computer and be used like a PC VR headset. When it comes to overall value, no other standalone headset is in the same ballpark right now. And another nice thing about the headset: it keeps getting better with each update.
Cons
There’s a few things we wish were better though. As we found in our full Quest 2 review, the included soft headstrap just isn’t that comfortable, which is why we recommend the Elite Strap ($50 on Amazon) or Elite Battery Strap (bundled with a case for $130 on Amazon) accessories if you’re a serious VR user.
The hidden built-in speakers are convenient but we wish they were more powerful for better immersion (luckily there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack if you want to use your own headphones). And while Quest 2 has a pretty strong game library, since it’s a standalone headset you won’t be able to play any of the big PC VR games like Half-Life: Alyx or Asgard’s Wrath unless you have a powerful PC to plug into.
Meta Quest 2 Specs
Resolution 1,832 x 1,920 (3.5MP) per-eye, LCD (1x) Refresh Rate 60Hz, 72Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz Lenses Single element Fresnel Field-of-view ~90° diagonal Optical Adjustments IPD, eye-relief (via included spacer) IPD Adjustment Range 58mm, 63mm, 68mm Processor Snapdragon XR2 RAM 6GB Storage 128GB / 256GB Connectors USB-C Battery Life 2-3 hours Tracking Inside-out (no external beacons) On-board cameras 4x IR Input Oculus Touch v3 (AA battery 1x), hand-tracking, voice Audio In-headstrap speakers, 3.5mm aux output Microphone Yes Pass-through view Yes
Content Compatibility
Meta Quest 2 is compatible with all content in the Meta Quest library. If you have a gaming PC (or get one in the future), you can plug it into your PC to play content in the Oculus PC library and the SteamVR library.
Value Pick: Meta Quest 2 – $300
Yup, our value pick for standalone headset is the same as our ‘Best Overall’ pick: Quest 2! But if you’re brand new to VR and are just looking for a taste, you can probably hold off on the Elite Strap accessory and save yourself $50 in the meantime. If you find yourself using the headset often you can always add the strap later.
See the section above for thoughts and details on Quest 2.
The Best Console VR Headsets in 2022
If you know anything about VR, you’ll already know what we’re going to say! PlayStation is the only console maker that currently supports a VR headset (sorry Xbox fans), and PlayStation VR is the only console VR headset you can use. That makes PSVR ‘the best’ console VR headset by default, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we recommend it.
Our Take
PSVR launched in late 2016 and was a great headset for its era, including a handful of excellent exclusive VR games that you won’t find anywhere else. However, the headset is officially past its prime in 2022 and feels ‘last generation’ in resolution, tracking, and controllers compared to what’s available elsewhere in the VR landscape.
It’s hard to recommend buying the four year old PSVR today. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find new units at reasonable prices. Bundles are typically priced at $350, but good luck finding those in-store or online anymore. Ebay has a number of pre-owned options alongside unreasonably expensive new in-the-box units, so choose wisely.
That’s probably because Sony has since announced that it’s working on a PSVR 2. While PS5 is backwards compatible with PSVR, it seems the company is counting on the upcoming version of the headset to take console VR into the next generation. We still have no idea when that’s coming though, so you may want to wait a bit longer to see Sony’s next step.
PSVR Specs
Resolution 960 x 1,080 (1.0MP) per-eye, RGB OLED (1x) Refresh Rate 90Hz, 120Hz Lenses Single element non-Fresnel Field-of-view 100° diagonal Optical Adjustments Eye-relief Connectors USB, HDMI Cable Length 4.4m (breakout box) Tracking Outside-in (external camera) On-board cameras None Input DualShock 4 (rechargeable), PS Move (rechargeable), PS Aim (rechargeable), voice Audio Earbuds, 3.5mm aux output Microphone Yes Pass-through view No
Content Compatibility
PlayStation VR is only compatible with VR content in the PlayStation store which includes a handful of excellent exclusives not available on PC like Astro Bot Rescue Mission and Blood & Truth. You can also use the headset to play non-VR PS4 content in a ‘theater mode’ through the headset, but with relatively low resolution it’s not something you’re likely to do often. The vast majority of PSVR titles are also backwards compatible with PS5.
Upcoming: PlayStation VR 2
Expected to launch in late 2022 or early 2023, PlayStation VR 2 will finally bring an upgrade to Sony’s VR platform. As far as we know it will only support PS5. Unfortunately there’s no price or release date announced yet, but here’s what we know about the specs and how they compare to the original PSVR. For an even deeper breakdown between the two headsets, see our full analysis here.
PSVR vs. PSVR 2 Specs
Virtual Reality Headset: A Buying Guide
Since its reemergence in 2012, the virtual reality (VR) market has experienced a significant amount of growth. Recently, the pace of that growth has accelerated, thanks in part to improved technologies, better content, and lower costs of equipment. However, despite its growing influence, VR remains, for many, a new and unfamiliar technology. To help educate those who might be interested in VR, we’ve put together a guide on one of the the most critical components of any virtual reality system: The VR headset.
Oculus Go VR Headset
What is a VR headset?
At its most basic, a VR headset is simply a delivery device for VR. As the name implies, it’s worn on the head, and it typically features either a pair of stereoscopic displays or specialized lenses that allow the wearer to experience VR. Some headsets also include built-in stereo sound systems—for a more immersive audio experience—and any combination of tracking sensors, which can translate the wearer’s movements into the virtual world.
What are the different types of VR headsets?
While there are countless numbers of makers and models of VR headsets, there are only a few different types you need to know about. Understanding the general design of each will help inform your decision if and when you decide to purchase a VR headset of your own.
Tethered headsets are VR headsets that have a connection cable linking the headset to a PC or console, depending on the system. The connection cable allows the PC or console to transmit VR signals to the headset, which are then passed on to the user for them to experience. We’ll get into more specifics later but, for now, you can think of tethered headsets as the most powerful type of VR headsets.
Sony PlayStation VR Five Game Mega Pack Bundle
Untethered headsets are stand-alone devices that don’t require a connection cable to facilitate a VR experience. Instead, these headsets typically rely on a Wi-Fi connection to receive and transmit VR content. Because they are wireless, untethered headsets are often credited with providing a more immersive VR experience than their tethered siblings, though they often lack the same amount of power.
Smartphone headsets are unique because the source of the VR signal your phone) is placed directly into the headset. Smartphone VR headsets vary greatly in terms of design, compatibility, features, and performance. The most important thing to recognize about them is that they have strict limitations on the type of content they can access and support. For this reason, smartphone headsets are the least powerful type of VR headset.
Merge VR Goggles Headset for Smartphones
What are the pros and cons of VR headsets?
Now that we know the different design types of VR headsets, let’s talk about the general pros and cons of each. As we go over them, keep in mind that while each design type has a specific set of pros and cons, that doesn’t mean the various models within that design type embody those qualities equally.
For example, one of the major selling points of tethered VR headsets is their inherent power. That’s considered a big pro. However, just because tethered headsets are typically more powerful than the other types of headsets, that doesn’t make them equal to each other. Some tethered headsets are more powerful than others. That sounds obvious, sure, but it’s still something to keep in mind, especially once you’ve figured out the type of headset you want and are ready to shop models.
Tethered Headsets
Because they are connected to a PC or console, tethered VR headsets are generally more powerful than their untethered counterparts. More power often translates to better all-around performance, the ability to handle more graphically intensive applications, and better access to a larger catalog of games and content.
However, in exchange for the added horsepower, tethered headsets are often more restrictive in terms of user mobility. Depending on the model, that restriction might be small, but it’s not imperceptible, and, in extreme cases, the connection cable can cause users to trip, or can become tangled around their legs. Also, being physically tied to another device does have an impact on the wearer’s sense of immersion and, depending on wearer, could hinder the overall experience.
A good example of the benefits and limitations of a tethered VR headset is the Oculus Rift S. The Oculus Rift S is a PC-powered headset that’s able to access and handle the most graphically demanding VR content available. Likewise, its overall performance is consistent and high caliber. However, because it is tethered to a PC by a connection cable, the Oculus Rift S doesn’t offer the same freedom of movement and level of immersion as some of its untethered peers.
Oculus Rift S PC-Powered VR Gaming Headset
Untethered Headsets
Thanks to their wireless design, untethered headsets can deliver a more unencumbered experience than their cable-connected counterparts. This extra level of freedom and movement can make the VR experience more immersive for the user.
Total freedom of movement typically comes at a cost, however, and for most untethered headsets, that cost is power. Without the muscle of a PC or gaming console behind it, most untethered headsets can’t handle the most demanding VR content, nor can they access certain content libraries.
Consider the Oculus Quest, for example. Thanks to its wireless design, the Oculus Quest offers total freedom of movement and a heightened sense of immersion—more so than its tethered sibling, the Oculus Rift S. However, the Oculus Quest isn’t as powerful as the Oculus Rift S, so it doesn’t support all the same titles, nor is it able to access all the same content libraries.
Oculus Quest All-in-One VR Gaming System
Smartphone Headsets
In terms of convenience and usability, a good smartphone headset can’t be beat. They’re easy to set up, you can pretty much wear them anywhere, and they are as user-friendly as a VR headset gets. On top of that, there’s a ton of supported content and, compared to the other types of headsets, the investment is relatively small.
Of course, the reason smartphone headsets are so easy to use is because they don’t do a whole lot—at least, not compared to the other types of headsets. They can’t handle most VR games or interactive content. They typically don’t include advanced features like stereo sound or motion tracking. Smartphone headsets allow you to watch, look around, and, to a certain extent, immerse yourself inside certain VR videos, but that’s pretty much it.
Things to consider when choosing a VR headset
Now that we know the different types of VR headsets, along with some of their inherent abilities and limitations, it’s time to figure out which one is right for you. To help make that decision, let’s use the information we’ve learned so far to answer a couple of key questions you should ask yourself before buying a VR headset.
What type of content do you want?
There is so much VR content currently available: games, videos, tours, live events, training tutorials, seminars, interactive narratives. The list goes on and on. Deciding on the type of content you’re most interested in and likely to explore will help you choose the right type of headset.
Are you primarily focused on doing some serious VR gaming? You’re probably going to want a tethered system. New to VR or just looking to stream the occasional 360° video? Try a smartphone headset before going all in on a more powerful system.
Which performance features are most important to you?
It’s easy to think of the different types of VR headsets as tiers of performance. Tethered headsets are more powerful than untethered headsets, so they must offer better performance. Unfortunately, while there is logic in that assumption, it doesn’t always hold true, especially when you start looking at individual performance metrics.
So how should we approach performance? The “more power equals better performance” approach is a good place to start. If you’re looking for a headset with high resolution and refresh rate, then beginning your search in the tethered systems section is a good bet. However, when it comes to performance, there are exceptions, especially when you start looking at individual specs.
Consider the HP Reverb, for example. The Reverb is an untethered VR headset. From that description, we can assume it offers more freedom of movement than its tethered peers and, depending on the user, a more immersive experience. We might also assume that, as an untethered headset, the Reverb is less powerful than those same tethered devices, and that its performance isn’t quite as impressive. But there we would be wrong. Because, yes, while it’s true that most tethered systems are more powerful than the Reverb, few, if any, can match its refresh rate or resolution (which is 2160 x 2160 per eye, by the way).
HP Reverb Virtual Reality Headset
However, most users are better off viewing performance as a whole. For those who do, the “more power equals better performance” rule is a good place to start. But for those who do prize one metric above the rest (resolution, for example), be sure to keep the Reverb in mind and explore the other tier types, as well.
How big is your play area?
One of the ironies about VR is although it is a gateway to a world of infinite possibilities and far-reaching horizons, reaching those worlds and horizons is largely dependent on the size of your cramped studio apartment. In other words, the size of your real-world play area dictates which virtual worlds you’re able to access.
To use a VR headset, you need space to operate. That space is your play area. How big a play area you need depends on the headset type, tracking system, and content. In addition to a play area, you also need room for any external components—a cable-connected PC, for example.
Based on what we’ve discussed so far, you can probably figure out which type of headset generally requires the most amount of room. If you guessed tethered, you are correct. Not only do tethered systems have specific space requirements for optimal performance, they also require room to store your connected PC and peripherals (base stations, external speakers, etc.)
HTC Vive Controller
Untethered headsets generally require the same amount of play area as tethered headsets, though without additional storage needs for a computer or additional components. In terms of optimal performance, you’re looking at a play area in the 6.5 x 6.5' range. However, some headsets do have a “reduced area” mode that will let you play select titles in a more confined space.
As far as optimal performance goes, only smartphone headsets allow you to fully explore the headset’s potential with little to no play area. The reason for that, of course, is because smartphone headsets offer mostly passive VR experiences, where movement and interaction don’t come into play.
So bottom line: Size matters. If you want to experience the best VR has to offer, you’re going to need room to move. If that’s not currently an option, you’re probably better off with a smartphone headset.
How much do you want to spend?
As recently as a few years ago, experiencing the best VR on the market meant forking over a sizable amount of cash. Top-tier VR content required a powerful PC, a tethered headset, and a substantial investment.
Luckily, times have changed, and today’s VR isn’t quite as financially prohibitive. It’s still true that the most powerful VR systems cost the largest amount of money, but now you can get decent approximations of those top-tier systems for considerably less coin. This is good news for anyone who’s curious about VR, but doesn’t want to max out their credit card trying to decide if VR is right for them.
However, the different price tiers for each type of headset follow a pattern that’s similar to what we saw with power and performance. The more powerful a headset, the better its performance. The better the performance, the more it’s going to cost. So, on the whole, you can assume that tethered headsets are going to be more expensive than untethered headsets, which in turn are usually more expensive than smartphone headsets.
What’s your comfort level?
Despite the fact that it’s literally strapped to your face, one of the questions prospective VR users forget to ask themselves is whether or not they’re comfortable wearing a headset for prolonged periods of time. It’s an important question, one that has a considerable impact on your overall VR experience.
Unfortunately, when it comes to the different types of VR headsets, there is no correlative truth about comfort. Part of the reason why is because comfort levels are pretty subjective. What one person thinks is too big or heavy, another judges as the perfect size. That double-padded headband might be extra comfortable to you, but your neighbor thinks it’s cutting off the circulation to their face. You get the idea.
So what do you do? Well, the easiest way to figure out whether a headset is comfortable or not is just to try it on. At our New York SuperStore, we’ve got quite a few floor demos you can try on and test.
Of course, not everyone is able to visit the B&H store. If you want to know how comfortable a headset is, but you’re unable to test it in person, there are some factors you can look at online to help gain insight.
For starters, look at the weight. If a headset is on the heavier side, it might not be comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Likewise, examine the build. What materials were used? Does the headset have padding? Are the straps adjustable? A padded headset with an adjustable fit is more likely to be comfortable because you can tailor it to your needs. Users who wear glasses should check to see if the headset is compatible with their specs and/or prescription. Finally, read the reviews. Feedback from your fellow customers and the VR community at large can help you figure out whether or not a particular headset is going to be a good fit.
And that’s it! Having read this guide, you now have all the information you need to make an informed decision on purchasing a VR headset. You know the different types of VR headsets, the major pros and cons of each, and, if you answered our questions, you should know which type of headset is best for you.
If you have any additional questions about VR headsets—either in general or about specific models—please drop us a line in the Comments section, below.
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