Digital actuality has come a good distance, and VR headsets at the moment are extra thrilling and accessible than ever. These units transport you to thoroughly new worlds, whether or not you’re slaying dragons in VR gaming, exploring distant planets and even attending digital conferences. They’re designed to immerse you in lifelike visuals and interactive experiences, making them good for players, tech fans and even folks searching for artistic new methods to remain related.
There’s all kinds of choices to go well with each want. Standalone headsets just like the Meta Quest 3s don’t require a robust PC or console — they work independently to ship wonderful digital actuality experiences. Alternatively, superior units just like the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional take issues to the subsequent stage with cutting-edge options and high-end visuals. You’ll additionally discover tethered programs that pair with gaming PCs or consoles for much more detailed graphics and efficiency, in addition to light-weight head-mounted shows for easy, transportable VR. Should you’re trying to find one of the best VR headset for gaming, productiveness, or simply some informal enjoyable, these are the headsets to contemplate proper now.
Desk of contents
Greatest VR headsets for 2025
Picture by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Learn our full Meta Quest 3 VR headset evaluate
Storage capability: 128GB | Battery life: 2.2 hours | Discipline of view: 110 levels (horizontal), 96 levels (vertical) | Max refresh fee: 120Hz
The long-awaited follow-up to the Quest 2 is an improve in each respect: It’s extra comfy to put on, it has larger high quality screens and it has full-color combined actuality cameras, permitting you to see the true world alongside digital components. 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 may maintain 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 Pink Matter 2, which characteristic 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 fair higher expertise than the PlayStation VR2. Its combined 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 fascinating is that it provides extra than simply strong VR: It additionally provides you a glimpse at what a combined actuality future could possibly 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 as well plug it right into a gaming PC for larger high quality VR experiences.
- Sharp new screens and lenses
- Quicker efficiency
- Combined actuality cameras make it simpler to see the true world
- Adjustable for glasses
- Dearer than earlier than
- Solely 128GB of storage to begin
- No battery life enhancements
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Learn our full Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional evaluate
Storage capability: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Battery life: 2 hours | Discipline of view: 100 levels | Max refresh fee: 100Hz
With the Imaginative and prescient Professional, Apple is making an attempt 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 concept of “spatial computing.” It’s extremely costly, considerably uncomfortable and surprisingly buggy, however the Imaginative and prescient Professional is the largest leap ahead we’ve seen within the stagnating VR business in years. Most individuals shouldn’t purchase it, however for those who’re a developer or somebody with cash to burn and need one of the best immersive headset immediately, it’s really in a league of its personal.
- Unimaginable Micro-OLED screens
- Intuitive gesture controls
- Convincing Spatial Audio
- Immersive Video is astoundingly lifelike
- Extremely costly
- visionOS could be very buggy
- Heavy in comparison with different headsets
- Exterior battery is annoying and would not final lengthy
- Not many native visionOS apps
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Learn our full Meta Quest 3S VR headset evaluate
Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB | Battery life: 2-3 hours | Discipline of view: 96 levels | Max refresh fee: 120Hz
The Quest 3S is Meta’s newest entry-level VR headset, however don’t let its cheap $300 worth idiot you: It’s additionally a exceptional 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 glorious 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 provides 30 % extra pixels (2,264 by 2,208 pixels per eye), to ship a sharper and extra lifelike picture.
VR newbies most likely received’t discover the distinction a lot although, and that’s what actually issues. The Quest 3S is simply as comfy 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 might additionally plug in a USB-C to three.5mm adapter, or simply pair wi-fi headphones.
The Quest 3S can hook up with gaming PCs over USB-C or wirelessly to play extra intense VR experiences. It could additionally wirelessly stream your gameplay to Chromecast units, or to AirPlay units by mirroring the Quest app from an iPhone. Should you’re nonetheless holding onto the Quest 2, or an unique Quest, the Quest 3S is exactly the cheap improve you’ve been ready for.
- Quick efficiency
- Comfy to put on
- Wonderful controllers
- Massive app library
- Older Fresnel lenses result in artifacts
- No headphone jack
- Common combined actuality cameras
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Learn our full PlayStation VR2 headset evaluate
Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB | Battery life: 3 hours | Discipline of view: 110 levels | Max refresh fee: 120Hz
The PS VR2 is without doubt one of the finest headset we’ve examined. It provides twin 2K OLED HDR screens, successfully providing you with 4K high quality. It’s one of the vital comfy 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 a number of caveats. At $550, the PS VR2 is costlier than the PS5 itself. And it’s unclear how shortly its recreation library will refill. The preliminary run has just a few exclusives, like Horizon VR and Gran Turismo 7, and we haven’t seen many new titles since then. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless the best method to expertise high-end VR, and it’s a significant improve over the unique PS VR.
- Wonderful OLED shows
- Comfy match
- Headset haptics really feel immersive
- Sense controllers are strong
- Extremely excessive launch worth
- Restricted new titles
- Long run improvement is suspect
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Learn our full Valve Index VR equipment evaluate
Storage capability: N/A | Battery life: 7 hours | Discipline of view: 108 levels | Max refresh fee: 120Hz
Valve’s Index equipment stays probably the greatest high-end options in the marketplace 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 possibility, with a 1,440 by 1,600 pixel decision, an eye-watering 144Hz refresh fee and a large 130-degree discipline of view. I might gladly lose a number of 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 value it for the upper refresh fee and extra correct monitoring. Positive, it isn’t as straightforward 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 improbable as nicely, with a handy strap that locks them onto your arms. 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 fee with a 130-degree discipline of view
- Wonderful finger-tracking controllers
- Stellar efficiency
- Requires putting in sensors in your room
- Wired design
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Learn our full Bigscreen Past VR headset evaluate
Storage capability: N/A | Battery life: 2 hours | Discipline of view: 102 levels | Max refresh fee: 90Hz
Primarily an improve for the Index, the Past is a novel spin on a VR headset from Bigscreen, the developer of a well-liked app for watching video in VR. It appears to be like extra like an outsized pair of goggles than a large VR headset. The $999 Past is the lightest VR possibility 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 provide near-perfect distinction. In contrast to 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. Should 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 whenever 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 an extra price. And naturally, you’ll must stay 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 probably 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 best choice for VR fans who don’t thoughts coping with price and complexity for true immersion.
- Extremely mild and cozy
- Sharp and vibrant Micro-OLED screens
- Works alongside present 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 evaluate VR headsets on a number of fundamental standards: Ergonomics, immersion and controls. It isn’t that onerous to shove a cellular show right into a plastic headset and strap some low cost elastic headbands onto it. Nevertheless it takes ability to craft one thing that is nicely balanced and would 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 probably the most ergonomic units, just like the Quest 3, that might simply be an hour or two. However heavier PC {hardware} typically feels cumbersome after simply quarter-hour — you received’t discover headsets responsible of that on this information.
Immersion, in the meantime, comes from having the best decision screens with quick refresh charges, like a 120Hz refresh fee, so all the things appears to be like sharp and easy. Discipline of view can be a significant aspect, because it describes how nicely VR screens can cowl what you see. Having a slim discipline of view makes it really feel such as you’re trying by a pair of binoculars, and limits your sense of “presence,” or the concept that you’re really transported to a digital world.
A large discipline of view, however, could make it appear to be you’re really flying over the globe in Google Earth. We take a look at a number of in style video video games, like Superhot, Beat Saber and Pistol Whip, on each headset to evaluate how immersed we really feel and the way pleasurable the gaming expertise is general.
The very best controllers match naturally in your arms and provide correct monitoring. The business has principally adopted the design of Meta’s glorious contact controllers, however we’re additionally seeing intriguing leaps ahead like Valve’s finger monitoring gamepads. We decide controllers primarily based on how straightforward they’re to carry, how they maintain as much as sweaty gameplay classes and the way simply headsets can monitor their place in house.
Nonetheless, it’s necessary to take a look at a digital actuality headset’s specs as a complete. Relying on what you’re searching for from a VR headset, you’ll wish to think about components like your PC’s CPU and graphics card for those who plan to make use of the headset to play one of the best VR video games. You may not want a brilliant highly effective PC, however you need to verify the minimal necessities for the headset you’re trying to buy. Should you’re not trying to spend money on a VR headset solely for gaming, options like head monitoring will let you discover your surroundings simply by merely transferring your head within the simulator. This typically ends in a extra immersive and lifelike expertise.
Different VR headsets we’ve examined
HTC Vive Focus Imaginative and prescient
The Vive Focus Imaginative and prescient is a smooth premium standalone VR headset that may additionally ship strong PC VR. Nevertheless it’s additionally working growing old {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 continues to be an excellent entry-level VR headset, and it’s value contemplating if it’s on sale under its present $250 record worth. The Meta Quest Professional, on the the hand, is an costly boondoggle finest ignored.
HTC Vive Professional 2
Outdoors of Meta’s {hardware}, the HTC Vive Professional 2 stays a improbable PC headset, however it’s far costlier than the Valve Index, which is extra comfy and provides higher audio.
VR headset FAQs
How do VR headsets work?
On the most elementary stage, a VR headset is just a top quality display that you just’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 units, 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 finest 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 opponents. You too can 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 straightforward physique monitoring options, however you may add Vive trackers when it’s plugged into your PC to imitate a Steam VR headset.
Only some 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 physique trackers, which had been actually introduced in Japan.
What VR headsets are higher than Oculus?
Oculus is the earlier identify 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.
Latest updates
April 2025: Up to date to incorporate evaluate 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 “finest low cost VR headset” high choose to be the Meta Quest 3S.
