Virtual reality is a fascinating way to travel using nothing more than the power of technology. With a headset and motion-tracking technology, VR lets you look around a virtual space as if you're actually there, or play a game as though you're in it.
Unless you're prepared to wait until next for Apple's AR/VR headset, the Vision Pro, these are the top headsets you can buy right now. Read on for our picks, followed by everything you need to know about VR to make a wise purchase.
Which VR Headset Is the Best?
Modern VR headsets now fit under one of two categories: tethered or standalone. Tethered headsets, such as the HTC Vive Pro 2, PlayStation VR, and Valve Index are physically connected to PCs (or in the case of the PS VR and PS VR 2, a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5). Their cables makes them a bit unwieldy, but putting all of the video processing in a box that you don't need to directly strap to your face means your VR experience can be a lot more complex. Either external sensors or outward-facing cameras provide full 6DOF (six degrees of freedom) movement tracking for both your head and your hands, thanks to motion-sensing controllers.
The least expensive tethered options are currently around $400, and that's before you address the processing issue; the HP Reverb G2, Valve Index, and Vive Pro 2 need powerful PCs to run, while the PS VR requires a PlayStation 4 and the PS VR2 requires a PlayStation 5.
Standalone headsets offer the greatest physical freedom by completely removing the cables and not requiring an external device to handle processing. The Oculus/Meta Quest 2 and Quest Pro both use similar outward-facing cameras to the now-discontinued Oculus Rift S to provide 6DOF motion tracking, and similar 6DOF motion controls. They lack a dedicated gaming PC's processing power on their own, but their high-end mobile processors (especially the Quest Pro's Snapdragon XR2+) push detailed, smooth graphics. They also support PC-tethered VR with an optional cable.
Apple Vision ProThere are two more major headsets to look forward to further down the line. Apple just announced the Vision Pro, a $3,500 AR/VR headset scheduled to come out early next year. It seems technically impressive, with at least iPad Pro-level hardware and features like eye-tracking and iris-scanning. It's really expensive, though, and whether or not developers support it is a big question mark.
Meta has also teased the Meta Quest 3, which is a $500 standalone headset with better specs than the Meta Quest 2. Not many hard details have been released, but we'll find out more this fall.
If you aren't sure whether the PS VR2 or the Meta Quest 2 is a better pick for you, check out Sony PlayStation VR2 vs. Meta Quest 2: Which Virtual Reality Headset Is the Best?
Which VR Headset Is Best for the Metaverse?
The rebranded-to-Meta Facebook is Quest 2 and Quest Pro has devices to explore their "metaverse," which is still fairly ill-defined apart from a few specific apps under the Meta Horizon name. It's still a vague concept, and recent shake-ups in Meta leave the metaverse's future in question, but the Quest headsets will likely be a jumping-off point. Our metaverse guide will help you understand what's happening, based on the few available details.
The Best VR Headsets 2022The Best Augmented Reality (AR) Headsets
You might have seen other headsets pop up over the last few years, including the Microsoft HoloLens and the Magic Leap One. They aren't on this list for a few reasons, but the biggest one is that they're augmented reality (AR) headsets, not virtual reality headsets. And yes, there's a difference.
Basically, these AR headsets have transparent lenses that let you look at your surroundings instead of completely replacing your vision with a computer-generated image. They project images over whatever you're looking at, but those images are designed to complement and interact with the area around you. You can make a web browser pop up in the middle of a room, for instance, or watch animals run around your coffee table. It's fascinating technology that could hint at the future of computing.
The emphasis here is on the future, as in several years away. That brings us to the second biggest reason the HoloLens and Magic Leap One aren't in this list: They aren't consumer products. Both devices are purely intended as development hardware, so AR software can be made for their platforms. Considering each headset costs several thousand dollars, you shouldn't expect a large library of AR experiences for a while. Outside of specific enterprise and education uses, AR headsets are an early adopter playground at best, and not for most people.
With that in mind, we'll continue to track the best new VR headsets as they are released, so make sure to check back soon for updates. And after you find the right headset, check out our best VR games list.
