Get Ready for the Future with These 7 VR Headsets | Which Headset Is for Me?
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In case you haven’t heard, the company Meta, previously known as Facebook, is working on a new virtual reality world called the metaverse. The metaverse isn’t a new term, but this is the first time we’ve seen a company try to create a complete virtual world on this scale – and it’s both scary and interesting!
There’s no doubt that the virtual world is going to change how we work and play in the future, but we just didn’t know the future was that close. If you want to start trying virtual reality for yourself, you’ll need to have the right equipment. We’re not just talking about a computer or a gaming console; you’ll also need the right VR headset!
If you don’t know where to start, continue reading to browse the best options in the market right now.
Oculus Quest 2 |
The Best Option Overall
The Oculus Quest 2 is probably the best VR headset you can get right now, and there’s a reason for that. Not only is it Meta’s very own VR headset, but it’s basically a top-notch headset across the board. The Quest 2 is a standalone headset that uses no cables.
The controls are very intuitive, and you won’t have any problems using them without any extra equipment. There are many games you can play with just the Oculus, but if you want to use it with your computer though, you’ll need an extra cable to connect it.
Another downside is that you’ll need a Facebook account to use it, which isn’t everyone’s favorite social media platform. Still, since this is Meta’s VR headset, you know it’s going to work flawlessly when the metaverse arrives. Plus, at a price of less than $300, you’ll get the best bang for your buck that you can get from the whole list.
HTC Vive Pro 2 |
The New Option on the Market
HTC’s latest and greatest VR headset is the HTC Vive Pro 2. This premium VR headset will give you everything you need for your VR needs, but it comes at a price. The Vive Pro 2 is a premium headset that has one of the best displays on any headset available. Each eye gets a resolution of 2,448 x 2,448 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate that’ll take your viewing experience to the next level. The controls and sensors on the headset are also top-notch and really precise, and responsive. However, the biggest downside is that the Vive Pro 2 isn’t a cheap product. The headset alone will cost you almost $800, while the full system is around $1,500. Still, if the quality is what you’re after, this VR headset might be the right one for you.
Valve Index | For PC Gamers
If you’re more of a PC gamer yourself, the other option available is the Valve Index VR headset. This headset is easy and comfortable to use, and its quality makes it feel like a premium headset. And of course, the price makes it feel premium too. This gaming headset costs $1,000 and almost $2,000 if you want to get the full kit. If you have the money to spare, and you’re a hardcore PC gamer who wants to dive into the virtual reality gaming world, this luxury item might be worth it.
HP Reverb G2 |
A More Affordable Premium Option
People who don’t want to deal with the price of the Valve Index headset should consider the HP Reverb G2 VR Headset. Granted, at almost $650, this isn’t a more affordable VR headset either, but it’s more affordable than other options on the list. Likewise, this headset can do pretty much every other headset can without any problems. Sure, the controls might not be as precise as Valve’s headset, but they’re still precise enough to make your gaming experience an awesome one.
HTC Vive Cosmos Elite |
Another HTC Alternative
The HTC Vive Cosmos Elite is another option if you’re looking for a more affordable HTC headset. The full kit for his headset will cost you almost $400 less than the HTC Vive Pro 2, and you’ll still get the same premium design and quality. Plus, you’ll still get a high-quality display on the headset and precise motion tracking sensors. The downside, if you can call it that, is that you’ll need to connect it to your PC with a cable so that you might get tangled from time to time. However, after you get the hang of it, you shouldn’t have any problems with cables.
Oculus Rift S |
A Really Affordable Option
Sure, all the headsets on the list are great, but they all have one thing in common: they can be pretty expensive—with the exception of the Oculus Quest 2. If you aren’t sure about the whole virtual reality world, but you’re still willing to spend a few hundred dollars, the Oculus Rift S is a great option for you. Starting at almost $500, the Oculus Rift S is a great VR headset to get you into virtual reality. Sure, it’s not Meta’s most modern headset, but it’ll get the job done if all you want to do is get going in this new VR world. Think of this headset as the smaller brother of the Quest 2. It has good tracking sensors and a great display, but the Oculus Quest 2 is always the better option, especially since the Rift needs to be connected to a PC to work. Still, if you can find it at a more affordable price, the Rift S is still a great option.
Sony PlayStation VR |
For PlayStation Gamers
Granted, the Sony PlayStation VR headset isn’t the best for the metaverse, but it is one of the best for gaming. If you already have a PlayStation console, you might want to take your gaming experience to the next level with the Sony PS VR as an amazing accessory. You’ll get to play around with many games from the PlayStation Store, and you can use this VR headset with both the PS4 and the PS5, but you’ll need older PS4 equipment to make it work on the newer console. There are rumors that Sony’s already working on the second-generation PlayStation VR headset for the PS5, so this might be a great introduction for virtual reality gaming while that happens.
