As virtual reality is becoming the topic of the Internet, more and more companies are releasing new VR headsets. However, it’s not easy to choose the best VR headset for yourself.
So, here we have a list of the best 9 VR headsets that you can consider in 2024.
Contents
- 1 1. Meta Quest 3
- 2 2. Apple Vision Pro
- 3 3. Meta Quest 2
- 4 4. Meta Quest Pro
- 5 5. HTC Vive Pro 2
- 6 6. Valve Index
- 7 7. HP Reverb G2
- 8 8. PlayStation VR2
- 9 9. HTC Vive XR Elite
- 10 FAQs
- 11 1. Which VR headsets are the best for Metaverse?
- 12 2. What is the most affordable VR headset?
- 13 3. Is Meta Quest 3 better than Quest 2?
- 14 4. What is the best VR headset for gaming?
- 15 5. How do I choose a good VR headset for me?
- 16 6. Are cheap VR headsets worth it?
1. Meta Quest 3
Meta Quest 3 is the best standalone VR headset, with positive reviews all around the Internet. The headset is compact and offers an immersive VR experience to its users — with no extra cables or cameras.
Quest 3 adds color pass-through cameras that make the virtual experiences feasible, along with a higher resolution and a faster processor. At $499, the headset is an impressive upgrade from Quest 2.
| Type | Standalone |
| Resolution | 2,064 by 2,208 (per eye) |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
| Motion Detection | 6DOF |
| Controls | Meta Quest Touch Controllers |
| Hardware Platform | Standalone |
| Software Platform | Meta |
2. Apple Vision Pro
Apple Vision Pro has the best AR/VR interface. Although the company describes their headset as a ‘spatial computer’, it can be considered as an AR/VR headset too.
One can say that Apple’s first step into virtual reality didn’t disappoint. The headset relies on eye-tracking and hand-tracking technologies for controls, creating an intuitive and natural control system. VisionOS is also full-featured with its head-mounted display.
No matter how good VisionOS may be, its heavy hardware cannot be compromised. For the price tag of $3,500, the headset is really expensive as compared to other headsets out there. However, if you want to try it out, go for it!
Type | Standalone |
Resolution | 22 million pixels |
Refresh Rate | 100 Hz |
Motion Detection | 6DOF |
Controls | Eye tracking and Hand tracking |
Hardware Platform | Apple M2 |
Software Platform | Apple VisionOS |
3. Meta Quest 2
If you are new to virtual reality and want to have a great experience at a budget, Meta Quest 2 is for you. It’s a standalone headset like Quest 3, and so, you don’t need any additional hardware.
Quest 2 is powered by mobile components such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset. Hence, it’s enough to run quality entertainment experiences for you. Additionally, you get an extensive library of entertaining experiences.
In case you want to use it as a PC-powered headset, a Link Cable would do so for you. At $300, this is the best budget-friendly headset you could get
Type | Standalone |
Resolution | 1,832 by 1,920 (per eye) |
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
Motion Detection | 6DOF |
Controls | Oculus Touch |
Hardware Platform | Standalone |
Software Platform | Oculus |
4. Meta Quest Pro
The Meta Quest Pro is another headset by Meta, but for all the enthusiasts in the virtual reality industry. It features cool eye-tracking and face-tracking technology, color pass-through camera, and rechargeable controllers.
The best part about this headset is that it doesn’t require a PC to operate. However, at $999, it costs significantly more than Quest 3 and Quest 2. We’d recommend purchasing it if you need a capable headset for collaborations.
Type | Standalone |
Resolution | 1,920 by 1,800 (per eye) |
Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
Motion Detection | 6DOF |
Controls | Motion Controllers |
Hardware Platform | Standalone |
Software Platform | Meta |
5. HTC Vive Pro 2
As advanced HTC Vive Pro 2 looks, it captures both enthusiasts and professionals with the sharpest visuals available. It easily offers the best visuals for gaming. The headset also offers a smooth motion tracking experience.
Just like the Index, it works with SteamVR and has its own VR software store in the form of Viveport. The store offers a subscription-based service called Viveport Infinity, where you can find unlimited access to VR experiences. It works as a nice bonus to SteamVR.
However, it’s expensive as the headset alone costs $799. Including the Valve Index controllers to use Vive Pro 2, it will cost you at least $1,300 in total.
Type | Tethered |
Resolution | 2,440 by 2,440 pixels (per eye) |
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
Motion Detection | 6DOF |
Controls | None included |
Hardware Platform | PC |
Software Platform | SteamVR |
6. Valve Index
Valve Index’s headset doesn’t stand out much from the competition, as it’s on the pricey side. However, it still offers crisp, smooth graphics with a high refresh rate.
One component that makes this headset end up on our is the Valve Index controllers. They are good at tracking individual finger movements, making VR games much more immersive and fun. Thus, Valve Index is perfect for gamers!
The headset and controllers blend well with Valve’s Steam store through SteamVR. So, you get a large library of VR games to play at your fingertips. Valve Index’s full VR kit comes at a cost of over $1,400 — which is quite expensive.
Type | Tethered |
Resolution | 1,600 by 1,400 (per eye) |
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
Motion Detection | 6DOF |
Controls | Valve Index Controllers |
Hardware Platform | PC |
Software Platform | SteamVR |
7. HP Reverb G2
HP Reverb G2 is a tethered VR headset with an amazingly high per-eye resolution rate, being 2,160 by 2,160. Thus, it can be the perfect choice for anyone looking for a headset slightly cheaper than Valve Index.
For the price tag of $599 (with controllers), HP Reverb G2 offers great resolution. However, it is slightly inaccurate with its motion tracking precision. In addition, the VR system is also very easy to set up.
Type | Tethered |
Resolution | 2,160 by 2,160 pixels (per eye) |
Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
Motion Detection | 6 DOF |
Controls | Windows Mixed Reality Controllers |
Hardware Platform | PC |
Software Platform | Windows Mixed Reality, SteamVR |
8. PlayStation VR2
Sony’s PlayStation VR 2 is an incredible upgrade over the original and easily counts as one of the best VR headsets for gamers. It combines the PlayStation 5’s power with eye-tracking and motion-control technology that makes VR games even more immersive.
The headset is lightweight and comfortable, with a sharp OLED display — providing excellent graphics and sound. PS VR2 also has a strong launch library with games like Horizon: Call of the Mountain and the Jurassic World Aftermath Collection.
However, you must note that the headset is not compatible with the original PlayStation VR games. At a price tag of nearly $500, PlayStation VR2 offers exactly what you’d expect.
Type | Tethered |
Resolution | 2,000 by 2,040 pixels (per eye) |
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
Motion Detection | 6DOF |
Controls | PlayStation VR2 Sense |
Hardware Platform | PlayStation 5 |
Software Platform | PlayStation 5 |
9. HTC Vive XR Elite
The HTC Vive XR Elite is a standalone, high-end lightweight virtual reality headset. Vive XR Elite takes a lot of features from HTC’s previous standalone headsets such as the Vive Flow & Vive Focus 3. Some of these include pancake optics, inside-out tracked controllers, and an actively cooled chipset.
The headset is very adjustable — with two types of straps being available to the users. Coming to the controllers, they have partial finger-tracking and thumb tracking technology used. As good as the Vive XR Elite is, it’s expensive with a price tag of $1,099.
Type | Standalone |
Resolution | 1,920 by 1,920 pixels (per eye) |
Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
Motion Detection | 6DOF |
Controls | Vive XR Controllers |
Hardware Platform | Standalone |
Software Platform | Viveport |
FAQs
1. Which VR headsets are the best for Metaverse?
Read more Ultimate Guide on VR Headsets