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If you’ve been waiting for VR hardware to mature, you chose wisely. Headsets have come a long way since the launch of the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive six years ago. Meta Quest 2 has been around for two years now and has proven to be a very capable portable VR experience. And if you’re looking for a more immersive experience, high-end PC headsets are getting cheaper (and there’s the new PS VR 2 to look forward to). While the VR market as a whole hasn’t changed much since last year (apart from the somewhat disappointing Meta Quest Pro), there are at least plenty of VR experiences to immerse yourself in.
So what makes a good VR headset?
I tend to judge VR headsets based on a few basic criteria: ergonomics, immersion, and controls. It’s not that hard to shove a phone screen into a plastic headset and attach cheap elastic headbands. But it takes skill to create something that is well balanced and doesn’t feel awkward after 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, the immersion comes from having high-resolution displays with fast refresh rates, so everything looks sharp and smooth. Field of view is also an important element, as it describes how well VR displays can cover what you see. Having a low field of vision makes you feel like you’re looking through a pair of binoculars, which limits your sense of “presence.” But a wide field of view can make it look like you’re flying over the globe in Google Earth.
And when it comes to controllers, the best options fit naturally in your hands and offer precise tracking. Basically, the industry has embraced the design of Meta’s excellent touch controllers, but we’re also seeing intriguing advances like Valve’s finger-tracking gamepads.
More than two years after its launch, the goal mission 2 It remains the best VR headset for the vast majority of consumers. It is completely wireless and is comfortable to wear during long sessions. Unfortunately, due to supply chain pressures and a worsening economic climate, Meta ended up raising the price of the Quest 2 by $100 this year, making it a $400 headset. It’s still a great device, but it’s also in the strange position of being worse than last year.
Here’s what’s still great though: there’s a huge library of titles you can experience anywhere, and it’s bundled with Meta’s excellent motion controllers. You can also connect Quest 2 to a gaming PC to stream more complex VR experiences.
Quest 2 features quick-switch LCD screens with a resolution of 1832×1920 per eye, the highest we’ve seen in Meta. It also has a smooth 90Hz refresh rate, which is impressive for something running entirely on mobile hardware. The Quest 2’s field of view isn’t the best, it’s been measured at around 90 degrees, but it’s still enough to enjoy most VR experiences. You also can use different face pads to slightly increase your field of vision. And if you want an even more comfortable fit, you can hook the Elite Headband for $49 (either $129 with built-in battery and case).
Meta has removed the foam inserts from the original model and offers silicone sleeves to make the ear cups more comfortable. We didn’t experience any issues during our review, or in the last year of use, but there have been enough complaints for Facebook to take action. The base $399 Quest 2 also comes with 128GB of storage, double the space of the original model, giving you even more space to cram games and VR apps together.
The Quest 2 may not offer the best overall VR experience, but it’s certainly the most affordable headset on the market. (At least until we see a possible follow-up next year.)
Best PC VR headset under $600: HP Reverb G2
If you don’t mind wireless VR and want to invest a bit more in a high-quality PC headset, HP’s $599 Reverb G2 it is meant for you. It was developed in cooperation with Valve and has some of the best features of the more expensive Index headphones, such as near-field speakers. The Reverb G2 also has sharp displays, offering 2160 by 2160 pixels per eye, a 90Hz refresh rate, and a relatively wide 114-degree field of view.
It’s also the first Windows Mixed Reality headset to include four sensors, helping to ensure more accurate VR tracking, especially during fast-paced gaming. I also give HP credit for making a connected VR headset that’s extremely comfortable thanks to its plush padding around the eyepiece and back strap.
The Reverb G2’s motion controllers aren’t my favorite, but they’re still a big step up from HP’s previous model. You can also upgrade it to use Valve’s finger-tracking controllers, but that involves hooking up SteamVR sensors and a lot more setup. Still, it’s nice to have the upgrade path available.
Best PC VR headset for gamers: Valve Index
valve index kit It remains one of the best high-end VR solutions on the market. For $999 you get the Index headset, Valve’s finger track controllers, and two SteamVR base stations. While we’ve seen higher-resolution headphones arrive in the past couple of years, it’s still a very solid choice, with a 1440-by-1600-pixel resolution, an eye-watering 144Hz refresh rate, and a huge field of view from 130 degrees. I’d gladly lose a few pixels for a smoother, more expansive screen, which is still well beyond any other consumer headset.
As a SteamVR product, Index requires the installation of two sensors in opposite corners of your room. And of course it is connected to your PC. But that clumsiness is worth it for the higher refresh rate and more accurate tracking. Sure, it’s not quite as user-friendly as the Quest 2, but at this price range, we assume you’ll suffer some hiccups in getting a high-quality VR gaming experience.
Valve’s finger-tracking controllers are also fantastic, with a comfortable strap that secures them to your hands. do playing Half Life: Alyx feel like a dream However, it’s unfortunate that other VR games haven’t taken full advantage of finger tracking.
The best VR quality, no matter the cost: HTC Vive Pro 2
HTC Live Pro 2 It’s the best looking PC VR I’ve ever seen. It has a stunningly sharp 5K screen and a solid 120Hz refresh rate. Just brace yourself: The complete kit, including the headset, two SteamVR sensors, and wand controllers, is $1,399. You can also buy the headset separately for $799 as an update to the original Vive Pro or Valve Index.
For the price, you get a well-balanced and supremely comfortable VR headset. The Pro 2 is a clear sign that Valve has pretty much perfected the art of making high-end hardware. I’m less impressed with the large wand controllers, which are exactly the same as the ones that came with the original HTC Vive back in 2016. They’re functional, but they’re not as ergonomic as the Oculus touch controllers.
I mainly recommend the Pro 2 here based on the amazing quality of the headphones.
True VR fans might want to take that separately along with SteamVR base stations and Valve’s finger-tracking controllers. That way, you can ensure that you have the best experience while playing the game. pistol whip..
What about PS VR 2?
We loved Sony’s PlayStation VR when it launched, but it’s been pretty much ignored since the PlayStation 5 debuted. Sony’s solution is the PS VR 2, a completely revamped device with built-in tracking, much better resolution, a wider field of view wide and support for 120Hz refresh rates. It also features new controllers with haptic feedback, so you can finally ditch those old PS Move wands. We haven’t seen PS VR 2 in action yet, but you can expect to shell out $550 (more than a PS5!) when it arrives on February 22, 2023.
