Selecting the very best VR headset for you is step one into a number of the most immersive gaming, leisure and digital work experiences out there at this time. Whether or not you’re exploring new worlds, understanding in digital gyms or collaborating in 3D environments, an amazing headset could make all of the distinction. The newest fashions supply high-resolution shows, improved FOV (subject of view) and ergonomic head strap designs that hold issues snug throughout prolonged classes. Many additionally help Bluetooth for connecting exterior equipment like controllers or earbuds.
Because the tech has matured, you’ll now discover headsets that stability efficiency with portability, and a few even supply a wider subject of view to boost your sense of presence in digital areas. From beginner-friendly choices to high-end gadgets constructed for lovers, there is a VR headset on the market for each kind of consumer — and this information will provide help to discover the one that matches your wants greatest.
Desk of contents
Finest VR headsets for 2025
Learn our full Meta Quest 3 VR headset review
Storage capability: 128GB | Battery life: 2.2 hours | Discipline of view: 110 levels (horizontal), 96 levels (vertical) | Max refresh price: 120Hz
The long-awaited follow-up to the Quest 2 is an improve in each respect: It’s extra snug to put on, it has greater high quality screens and it has full-color blended actuality cameras, permitting you to see the true world alongside digital parts. Whereas it’s costlier at $500, it’s additionally a much more succesful headset than the Quest 2 and the brand new Quest 3S, with {hardware} and optics that can hold you fortunately immersed in VR for years.
The Quest 3 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, which Meta says has double the graphics energy of the Quest 2. That further energy is noticeable in video games like Purple Matter 2, which function up to date textures that ship an expertise nearer to PC VR. The Quest 3’s new shows run at 2,064 by 2,208 pixels per eye, providing a good higher expertise than the PlayStation VR2. Its blended actuality cameras additionally allow you to simply see the true world, in case you might want to shortly reply a textual content or Slack message. And so they allow video games that may be constructed round your room.
What makes the Quest 3 attention-grabbing is that it presents extra than simply strong VR: It additionally offers you a glimpse at what a blended actuality future might be. Whereas it’s not as sharp or succesful as Apple’s Imaginative and prescient Professional, that’s comprehensible. And similar to earlier Quest headsets, you may also plug it right into a gaming PC for greater high quality VR experiences.
- Sharp new screens and lenses
- Sooner efficiency
- Blended actuality cameras make it simpler to see the true world
- Adjustable for glasses
- Dearer than earlier than
- Solely 128GB of storage to start out
- No battery life enhancements
Picture by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Learn our full Apple Vision Pro review
Storage capability: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Battery life: 2 hours | Discipline of view: 100 levels | Max refresh price: 100Hz
With the Vision Pro, Apple is trying to do for VR what the iPod did for media gamers, and what the iPhone did for smartphones. It’s a daring, $3,500 gamble to reshape the world of VR round Apple’s thought of “spatial computing.” It’s extremely costly, considerably uncomfortable and surprisingly buggy, however the Vision Pro is the largest leap ahead we’ve seen within the stagnating VR trade in years. Most individuals shouldn’t purchase it, however for those who’re a developer or somebody with cash to burn and need the very best immersive headset at this time, it’s actually in a league of its personal.
- Unimaginable Micro-OLED screens
- Intuitive gesture controls
- Convincing Spatial Audio
- Immersive Video is astoundingly life like
- Extremely costly
- visionOS may be very buggy
- Heavy in comparison with different headsets
- Exterior battery is annoying and does not final lengthy
- Not many native visionOS apps
Picture by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Learn our full Meta Quest 3S VR headset review
Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB | Battery life: 2-3 hours | Discipline of view: 96 levels | Max refresh price: 120Hz
The Quest 3S is Meta’s newest entry-level VR headset, however don’t let its affordable $300 worth idiot you: It’s additionally a outstanding achievement for the corporate. It sports activities the identical Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip because the Quest 3, in addition to a wholesome 8GB of RAM, permitting it to energy the identical experiences as its pricier sibling. It additionally options Meta’s wonderful Contact Plus controllers, which ship strong movement controls, in addition to responsive joysticks and buttons.
The one main draw back is that the Quest 3S isn’t practically as sharp because the Quest 3. It options the identical 1,830 by 1,920 pixel per eye display from the Quest 2, whereas the Quest 3’s display presents 30 % extra pixels (2,264 by 2,208 pixels per eye), to ship a sharper and extra life like picture.
VR newbies in all probability received’t discover the distinction a lot although, and that’s what actually issues. The Quest 3S is simply as snug because the Quest 3 to put on, and it may possibly simply entry the identical apps and video games on the Meta Quest Retailer. There’s no headphone jack both, however its built-in audio system ship strong enveloping audio for video games like Maestro, and you would additionally plug in a USB-C to three.5mm adapter, or simply pair wi-fi headphones.
The Quest 3S can connect with gaming PCs over USB-C or wirelessly to play extra intense VR experiences. It could possibly additionally wirelessly stream your gameplay to Chromecast gadgets, or to AirPlay gadgets by mirroring the Quest app from an iPhone. In the event you’re nonetheless holding onto the Quest 2, or an authentic Quest, the Quest 3S is exactly the cheap improve you’ve been ready for.
- Quick efficiency
- Comfy to put on
- Glorious controllers
- Massive app library
- Older Fresnel lenses result in artifacts
- No headphone jack
- Common blended actuality cameras
Picture By Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Learn our full PlayStation VR2 headset review
Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB | Battery life: 3 hours | Discipline of view: 110 levels | Max refresh price: 120Hz
The PS VR2 is without doubt one of the greatest headset we’ve examined. It presents twin 2K OLED HDR screens, successfully providing you with 4K high quality. It’s one of the crucial snug headsets round. And it has some genuinely refreshing new options, like eye monitoring and headset haptics. (Sure, it may possibly actually rock your noggin.) Better of all, the PS VR2 delivers high-quality digital actuality with out the necessity for a $1,000+ gaming PC – all you want is a PlayStation 5.
Now, our suggestion comes with just a few caveats. At $550, the PS VR2 is costlier than the PS5 itself. And it’s unclear how shortly its recreation library will replenish. The preliminary run has only some exclusives, like Horizon VR and Gran Turismo 7, and we haven’t seen many new titles since then. However it’s nonetheless the simplest option to expertise high-end VR, and it’s a significant improve over the unique PS VR.
- Glorious OLED shows
- Comfy match
- Headset haptics really feel immersive
- Sense controllers are strong
- Extremely excessive launch worth
- Restricted new titles
- Long run growth is suspect
Picture by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Learn our full Valve Index VR kit review
Storage capability: N/A | Battery life: 7 hours | Discipline of view: 108 levels | Max refresh price: 120Hz
Valve’s Index kit stays probably the greatest high-end options available on the market that gives a really immersive VR expertise. For $999 you get the Index headset, Valve’s finger monitoring controllers and two SteamVR base stations. Whereas we have seen higher-resolution headsets arrive within the final two years, it is nonetheless a really strong choice, with a 1,440 by 1,600 pixel decision, an eye-watering 144Hz refresh price and an enormous 130-degree subject of view. I would gladly lose just a few pixels for the Index’s smoother and extra expansive display, that are nonetheless far past most different shopper headsets.
As a SteamVR product, the Index requires putting in two sensors at reverse corners of your room. And naturally, it is wired to your PC. However that clunkiness is price it for the upper refresh price and extra correct monitoring. Certain, it is not as simple to make use of because the Quest 3S, however at this worth vary, we assume you may undergo a little bit of inconvenience to get a really high-quality VR expertise.
Valve’s finger monitoring controllers are incredible as effectively, with a handy strap that locks them onto your fingers. They make taking part in Half-Life: Alyx really feel like a dream. It is unlucky that different VR video games have not absolutely taken benefit of the finger monitoring although.
- 144Hz refresh price with a 130-degree subject of view
- Glorious finger-tracking controllers
- Stellar efficiency
- Requires putting in sensors in your room
- Wired design
Picture by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Learn our full Bigscreen Beyond VR headset review
Storage capability: N/A | Battery life: 2 hours | Discipline of view: 102 levels | Max refresh price: 90Hz
Basically an improve for the Index, the Beyond is a singular spin on a VR headset from Bigscreen, the developer of a preferred app for watching video in VR. It seems to be extra like an outsized pair of goggles than an enormous VR headset. The $999 Past is the lightest VR choice we’ve ever seen (it weighs a tad greater than a deck of taking part in playing cards), and its Micro-OLED screens are sharp and supply near-perfect distinction. Not like LCD screens, black can look genuinely black with the Past.
The draw back, although, is that the Bigscreen Past is dear. It’s $999 by itself for those who’re simply upgrading a Valve Index setup. In the event you’re ranging from scratch, although, you’ll additionally want to purchase two Steam VR base stations and a pair of Index controllers. That provides as much as a whopping $1,578.
The Bigscreen Past additionally requires a customized face cushion, which is constructed from a 3D facescan once you place your order. Sadly, that makes it more durable to share than different headsets. There’s additionally no room for glasses, because it’s so slim. You should buy prescription lens inserts from Bigscreen for a further charge. And naturally, you’ll need to dwell with a cable tethered to your PC, there’s not one of the freedom of the cordless Meta Quest headsets.
For all of its complexity, although, the Bigscreen Past delivers essentially the most immersive PC VR expertise I’ve ever seen. Because it’s so mild, you may simply put on it for hours. Along with its superb screens, it’s the most suitable choice for VR lovers who don’t thoughts coping with price and complexity for true immersion.
- Extremely mild and comfy
- Sharp and vivid Micro-OLED screens
- Works alongside current Valve Index equipment
- Costly
- No built-in audio
- Nonetheless reveals artifacting like different VR headsets
How we take a look at VR headsets
I have a tendency to guage candidates for the very best VR headset on just a few primary standards: Ergonomics, immersion and controls. It is not that arduous to shove a cell show right into a plastic headset and strap some low cost elastic headbands onto it. However it takes actual design ability to craft one thing that is effectively balanced, features a supportive headstrap, and does not really feel uncomfortable after half-hour.
My take a look at for ergonomics is pretty easy: How lengthy can I put on a headset till I begin to really feel discomfort? For essentially the most ergonomic gadgets, just like the Quest 3, that would simply be an hour or two. However heavier PC {hardware} usually feels cumbersome after simply quarter-hour — you received’t discover these sorts of gadgets in our record of the very best VR headsets.
Immersion, in the meantime, comes from having excessive decision screens with quick refresh charges, like a 120Hz refresh price, so the whole lot seems to be sharp and clean. Discipline of view can be a significant ingredient, because it describes how effectively VR screens can cowl what you see. A slim FOV makes it really feel such as you’re peering by way of a pair of binoculars, which limits your sense of “presence.” The perfect VR headsets purpose for a wider subject of view, serving to digital environments really feel extra pure and absolutely encompass you.
A large subject of view, however, could make it seem to be you’re truly flying over the globe in Google Earth. We take a look at just a few widespread video video games, like Superhot, Beat Saber and Pistol Whip, on each headset to guage how immersed we really feel and the way satisfying the gaming expertise is total.
The perfect controllers match naturally in your fingers and supply correct monitoring. The trade has principally adopted the design of Meta’s wonderful contact controllers, however we’re additionally seeing intriguing leaps ahead like Valve’s finger monitoring gamepads. We decide controllers based mostly on how simple they’re to carry, how they maintain as much as sweaty gameplay classes and the way simply headsets can monitor their place in house.
Nevertheless, it’s necessary to take a look at a digital actuality headset’s specs as a complete. Relying on what you’re searching for in yourVR headset, you’ll need to think about elements like your PC’s CPU and graphics card for those who plan to make use of the headset to play the very best VR video games. You won’t want an excellent highly effective PC, however you must examine the minimal necessities for the headset you’re trying to buy. In the event you’re not trying to put money into a VR headset solely for gaming, options like head monitoring mean you can discover your setting simply by merely transferring your head within the simulator. This usually ends in a extra immersive and life like expertise.
Different VR headsets we’ve examined
HTC Vive Focus Imaginative and prescient
The Vive Focus Vision is a smooth premium standalone VR headset that may additionally ship strong PC VR. However it’s additionally operating growing older {hardware}, it’s riddled with software program points and it’s costly in comparison with the Meta Quest 3.
Meta Quest Professional
As nice because the Meta Quest 3 is, the Quest 2 remains to be an excellent entry-level VR headset, and it’s price contemplating if it’s on sale beneath its present $250 record worth. The Meta Quest Pro, on the the hand, is an costly boondoggle greatest ignored.
HTC Vive Professional 2
Outdoors of Meta’s {hardware}, the HTC Vive Pro 2 stays a incredible PC headset, however it’s far costlier than the Valve Index, which is extra snug and presents higher audio.
VR headset FAQs
How do VR headsets work?
On the most elementary degree, a VR headset is just a top quality display that you simply’re holding as much as your face. For a wired headset, the precise work of rendering a recreation is finished on both a PC or recreation console. For fully wi-fi gadgets, just like the Meta Quest 3, that work is dealt with proper on the headset. They depend on both exterior sensors, or sensors constructed into the headsets, to map your bodily house. Whereas you should use a standard gamepad or keyboard and mouse in VR, they usually use movement monitoring controllers to immerse you of their 3D environments.
What VR headset is greatest for full physique monitoring?
Whereas we’re nonetheless ready for a really nice haptic VR bodysuit to reach, you may nonetheless obtain correct physique monitoring with most Steam VR-compatible PC headsets. The Valve Index and HTC Vive Professional 2 each depend on room-tracking sensors that may map your physique extra successfully than the built-in sensors on rivals. You may also add HTC Vive Trackers to wrist and leg straps, in addition to belts, for even higher protection. The Meta Quest 3 doesn’t have any simple physique monitoring options, however you may add Vive trackers when it’s plugged into your PC to imitate a Steam VR headset.
Just a few experiences, like VRChat, make the most of full physique monitoring in the meanwhile. At the moment there aren’t any physique monitoring options for the PlayStation VR and VR2, however we’re intrigued by the corporate’s Mocopi body trackers, which have been actually introduced in Japan.
What VR headsets are higher than Oculus?
Oculus is the earlier title for Meta’s VR {hardware}. At the moment, Meta solely helps the Quest 3, Quest 3S and Quest Professional, all of that are wi-fi headsets. As we clarify above, PC VR headsets can usually obtain higher high quality digital actuality, since they depend on extra highly effective graphics {hardware}.
What VR headsets work with Xbox?
At the moment, Microsoft’s Xbox consoles don’t help any VR headsets.
Current updates
April 2025: Up to date to incorporate evaluation scores for our high picks, the place relevant.
November 2024: Added the HTC Vive Focus Imaginative and prescient to the “others we examined” part.
October 2024: Up to date our “greatest low cost VR headset” high decide to be the Meta Quest 3S.
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