The best 10 VR headsets in comparison
VR headsets (1 - 5)
| Best price |
| Meta Quest 3 | HTC Vive Focus | Lenovo Mirage Solo | Meta Quest 2 | HTC Vive Focus 3 | Pimax Crystal | Valve Index | HP Reverb G2 Omnicept Edition | HTC Vive Pro Eye | Pico 4 | |
| Image |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Best price | ||||||||||
| Best price | ||||||||||
| Design | ||||||||||
| WirelessWireless devices allow users more freedom of movement. | ||||||||||
| WirelessWireless devices allow users more freedom of movement. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Adjustable IPDInterpupillary distance (IPD) is the distance between the center of your eyes. Without adjustable IPD, the lenses of a VR headset may not line up with your pupils, which can result in eye strain and nausea. | ||||||||||
| Adjustable IPDInterpupillary distance (IPD) is the distance between the center of your eyes. Without adjustable IPD, the lenses of a VR headset may not line up with your pupils, which can result in eye strain and nausea. | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Battery powerBattery power, or battery capacity, represents the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store. More battery power can be an indication of longer battery life. | ||||||||||
| Battery powerBattery power, or battery capacity, represents the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store. More battery power can be an indication of longer battery life. | 5060 mAh | N.A. | 4000 mAh | 3640 mAh | N.A. | 6000 mAh | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | 5300 mAh |
| Battery level indicatorAn indicator shows you when the device has low battery. | ||||||||||
| Battery level indicatorAn indicator shows you when the device has low battery. | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ |
| Total score for "Design" | ||||||||||
| Total score for "Design" | ||||||||||
| Display & Lenses | ||||||||||
| Screen sizeThe size of the screen (measured diagonally). | ||||||||||
| Screen sizeThe size of the screen (measured diagonally). | N.A. | N.A. | 5.5" | 5.46" | 5.76" | N.A. | 7" | 5.78" | 7" | 5.12" |
| ResolutionResolution is an essential indicator of a screen's image quality, representing the maximum amount of pixels that can be shown on the screen. The resolution is given as a compound value, comprised of horizontal and vertical pixels. | ||||||||||
| ResolutionResolution is an essential indicator of a screen's image quality, representing the maximum amount of pixels that can be shown on the screen. The resolution is given as a compound value, comprised of horizontal and vertical pixels. | 4416 x 2064 px | 2880 x 1600 px | 2560 x 1440 px | 3664 x 1920 px | 4896 x 2448 px | 5760 x 2880 px | 2880 x 1600 px | 4320 x 2160 px | 2880 x 1600 px | 4320 x 2160 px |
| Field of viewA wider field of view assures an immersive and realistic experience. | ||||||||||
| Field of viewA wider field of view assures an immersive and realistic experience. | 110° | 110° | 110° | 100° | 120° | 125° | 130° | 114° | 110° | 105° |
| Refresh rateThe frequency at which the display is refreshed (1 Hz = once per second). A higher refresh rate results in smoother UI animations and video playback. | ||||||||||
| Refresh rateThe frequency at which the display is refreshed (1 Hz = once per second). A higher refresh rate results in smoother UI animations and video playback. | 120Hz | 75Hz | 75Hz | 90Hz | 90Hz | 160Hz | 144Hz | 90Hz | 90Hz | 90Hz |
| Adjustable lensesWith adjustable lenses, the device can assure a sharp and clear image for a wide range of users, including users who usually wear glasses. | ||||||||||
| Adjustable lensesWith adjustable lenses, the device can assure a sharp and clear image for a wide range of users, including users who usually wear glasses. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Total score for "Display & Lenses" | ||||||||||
| Total score for "Display & Lenses" | ||||||||||
| Performance | ||||||||||
| CPU speedThe CPU speed indicates how many processing cycles per second can be executed by a CPU, considering all of its cores (processing units). It is calculated by adding the clock rates of each core or, in the case of multi-core processors employing different microarchitectures, of each group of cores. | ||||||||||
| CPU speedThe CPU speed indicates how many processing cycles per second can be executed by a CPU, considering all of its cores (processing units). It is calculated by adding the clock rates of each core or, in the case of multi-core processors employing different microarchitectures, of each group of cores. | N.A. | 4 x 2.45 GHz & 4 x 1.9 GHz | 4 x 2.45 GHz & 4 x 1.9 GHz | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | 8 x 2.84 GHz |
| RAMRandom-access memory (RAM) is a form of memory used to store working data and machine code. Having more RAM is particularly useful for multitasking, allowing you to run more programs at once or have more tabs open in your browser. | ||||||||||
| RAMRandom-access memory (RAM) is a form of memory used to store working data and machine code. Having more RAM is particularly useful for multitasking, allowing you to run more programs at once or have more tabs open in your browser. | 8GB | N.A. | 4GB | 6GB | 8GB | 8GB | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | 8GB |
| Internal storageThe internal storage refers to the built-in storage space available in a device for system data, apps, and user-generated data. With a large amount of internal storage, you can save more files and apps on your device. | ||||||||||
| Internal storageThe internal storage refers to the built-in storage space available in a device for system data, apps, and user-generated data. With a large amount of internal storage, you can save more files and apps on your device. | 512GB | N.A. | 64GB | 256GB | 128GB | 256GB | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | 256GB |
| External memory slotThe device has a standard memory slot (such as an SD or micro SD card slot) that enables you to extend the built-in internal storage with affordable memory modules, or easily retrieve data, such as photographs, from the memory card. | ||||||||||
| External memory slotThe device has a standard memory slot (such as an SD or micro SD card slot) that enables you to extend the built-in internal storage with affordable memory modules, or easily retrieve data, such as photographs, from the memory card. | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| Total score for "Performance" | ||||||||||
| Total score for "Performance" | ||||||||||
| Tracking | ||||||||||
| Head trackingAs your head moves, the images move in real-time, assuring a realistic experience. | ||||||||||
| Head trackingAs your head moves, the images move in real-time, assuring a realistic experience. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| GyroscopeA gyroscope is a sensor that tracks the orientation of a device, more specifically by measuring the angular rotational velocity. Initially, they were built using a spinning rotor to detect changes in orientation, like twisting or rotation. | ||||||||||
| GyroscopeA gyroscope is a sensor that tracks the orientation of a device, more specifically by measuring the angular rotational velocity. Initially, they were built using a spinning rotor to detect changes in orientation, like twisting or rotation. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Position trackingThe device can track your position in space and warn you if you are about to hit something. | ||||||||||
| Position trackingThe device can track your position in space and warn you if you are about to hit something. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 360° head movement trackingThe headset has multiple sensors and cameras that assure low latency tracking for 360° movements. | ||||||||||
| 360° head movement trackingThe headset has multiple sensors and cameras that assure low latency tracking for 360° movements. | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| AccelerometerAn accelerometer is a sensor used to measure the linear acceleration of a device. A common application is detecting when a device changes between vertical and horizontal positions. | ||||||||||
| AccelerometerAn accelerometer is a sensor used to measure the linear acceleration of a device. A common application is detecting when a device changes between vertical and horizontal positions. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ |
| Total score for "Tracking" | ||||||||||
| Total score for "Tracking" | ||||||||||
| Connectivity | ||||||||||
| Bluetooth versionBluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Newer versions provide faster data transfers. | ||||||||||
| Bluetooth versionBluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Newer versions provide faster data transfers. | 5.2 | N.A. | 5 | 5.1 | 5.2 | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | 5.1 |
| DisplayPort outputsAllows you to connect to a display using DisplayPort. | ||||||||||
| DisplayPort outputsAllows you to connect to a display using DisplayPort. | 1 | N.A. | N.A. | 1 | N.A. | 1 | 1 | 1 | N.A. | N.A. |
| HDMI portsMore HDMI ports mean that you can simultaneously connect numerous devices, such as video game consoles and set-top boxes. | ||||||||||
| HDMI portsMore HDMI ports mean that you can simultaneously connect numerous devices, such as video game consoles and set-top boxes. | N.A. | 1 | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | 0 | N.A. | 1 | N.A. |
| USB versionNewer USB versions are faster and have better power management. | ||||||||||
| USB versionNewer USB versions are faster and have better power management. | 3.2 | 2 | N.A. | 3.2 | 3.2 | N.A. | 3 | 3 | 3 | N.A. |
| Wi-Fi versionThe Wi-Fi versions supported by the device. | ||||||||||
| Wi-Fi versionThe Wi-Fi versions supported by the device. | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) | Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) | Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) | |||
| Total score for "Connectivity" | ||||||||||
| Total score for "Connectivity" | ||||||||||
| Features | ||||||||||
| Game controller includedThe device comes with a game controller. | ||||||||||
| Game controller includedThe device comes with a game controller. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| See-through modeSee-through mode uses cameras on the front of the VR headset to allow you to see your surroundings without taking the headset off. | ||||||||||
| See-through modeSee-through mode uses cameras on the front of the VR headset to allow you to see your surroundings without taking the headset off. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 3.5mm audio jackWith a standard mini jack socket, you can use the device with most headphones. | ||||||||||
| 3.5mm audio jackWith a standard mini jack socket, you can use the device with most headphones. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ |
| Integrated audioDevices with integrated audio are more convenient to use, as you don't have worry about connecting headphones or microphones. | ||||||||||
| Integrated audioDevices with integrated audio are more convenient to use, as you don't have worry about connecting headphones or microphones. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Stereo speakersDevices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better experience. | ||||||||||
| Stereo speakersDevices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better experience. | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Total score for "Features" | ||||||||||
| Total score for "Features" | ||||||||||
How to choose the best VR headset
Virtual reality headsets offer an immersive and realistic experience for various applications, from games to simulators and training programs. Virtual Reality head-mounted displays, also called VR HMDs or VR headsets, simulate your physical presence in a 3D virtual environment and enable you to interact with on multiple sensory levels. The devices are packed with tracking sensors and feature state-of-the-art tracking technologies to offer an immersive gaming experience.
When choosing a VR headset, the first question that comes to mind is whether to select a wireless VR headset, also called standalone or all-in-one headset, or a tethered VR headset that you can connect to your PC. To help you decide, we present the advantages and disadvantages of wireless and tethered headsets, as well as the essential specifications and features you should take into account when buying a VR headset.
Types of VR headsets: wireless vs tethered VR headsets
An important question is whether you want to use your smartphone or PC with the VR headset, or you prefer an all-in-one VR headset. The wireless version allows you complete freedom of movement since you are not dependent on any other device except the headset itself. With a standalone headset comfortably placed on our head, you can walk as much as you like, without worrying that you might get tangled in cables.
However, since they rely on a battery, they are often quite heavy, and this means that gaming sessions might become uncomfortable after some time.
Tethered devices have two main advantages. First, PCs and laptops have powerful processors and advanced graphics cards, which can significantly improve the quality of your VR experience. Second, tethered devices can have less latency compared to standalone devices.
Latency refers to the amount of time it takes for the input data to be translated into output data. More specifically, in the case of VR, it is the delay between your movements, which are the input, and the changes in the virtual environment.
High latency significantly affects the quality of your experience since controlling virtual objects can get difficult if the movements detected by the tracking sensors are not seamlessly reflected in the virtual environment. Latency is measured in milliseconds (ms); in general, a latency of less than 20ms offers a pleasant experience. At the moment, low latency can be easily achieved with cable connections, while wireless headsets still struggle with this.
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