Update 12/13/24 — The PlayStation VR2 has a significant discount at Best Buy right now. Save $250 this weekend.
Virtual reality is finally crossing a threshold when everyone should be taking a closer look. As the number of VR headsets increases, getting the best one is important so you can truly appreciate what's possible. The challenge is finding the system that's right for you at a price you feel comfortable with.
Meta, HTC Vive, Sony, and Pimax stand out as the most popular and most active virtual reality brands. There's little doubt the $3,500 Apple Vision Pro is an impressive mixed-reality headset. However, there are plenty of other XR and VR headsets that are much more affordable than the Vision Pro and deliver a great, immersive experience for gaming, 3D movies, and even productivity. It's a good idea to check out all the options, and we've collected the very best here to make it easy to find the perfect VR headset for you.
If you're looking specifically for a PC VR system, check out our guide to the best VR headsets for your Windows PC.
Best VR headset overall
Meta Quest 3
- Doubles Quest 2 GPU performance
- Crisper graphics with 30% more pixels
- Sharp, clear lenses without god rays
- Mixed reality is good enough to use a phone
- Depth sensor automatically maps your room
- Ringless controllers are less breakable
- Great price for a powerful VR headset
- Battery is still in front, adding face pressure
- Passthrough cameras are good, not great
- No silicone cover included
Meta took the winning formula of its Quest 2 and upgraded every component to the latest technology to create the Quest 3. Meanwhile the price of the 512GB model is a reasonable $500, the same amount you might pay for a flat-screen gaming console.
No other company can match the value of the Quest 3 headset because Meta is undoubtedly cutting margins to a minimum, possibly losing money on every unit it sells. You can great clarity with the pancake lenses and crisp 2064 x 2208 pixel-per-eye resolution at up to 120Hz.
The Quest 3 brings high performance in a standalone headset, along with sharper displays and clearer lenses. The Quest 3 outperforms Meta's more expensive Quest Pro in many ways, but keeps a budget form factor with a front-mounted battery and full light shield. The Quest 3's Touch Plus controllers are as sleek as the Touch Pros of the Quest Pro, yet lack the advanced tracking. Still, the Quest 3 handles controller, head, and hand tracking very well.
The Quest 3 has among the best mixed-reality experiences on the market with full color and clarity that make it possible to use your phone without removing the headset. It can also map your environment so virtual objects interact with your surroundings. It doesn't beat the Apple Vision Pro's passthrough quality, but matches or exceeds everything else currently available.
The only downside is the front-heavy design that can feel uncomfortable after a few hours of use. You might want third-party accessories for extended gaming.
The Quest 3 has access to every game and app in Meta's large app store and can also connect to your PC wirelessly or over USB-C for SteamVR and Meta Link gaming. It's a fantastic VR headset that competes well against much more expensive devices.
It's hard to go wrong with a Meta Quest 3 for VR gaming, home cinema, mixed-reality experiences, and even productivity with or without a computer connection.
Best budget VR headset
Meta Quest 3S
- Doubles Quest 2 graphics performance
- Mixed reality is good enough to use a phone
- IR sensors automatically map your room
- Ringless controllers are comfortable
- Incredible value
- Battery is in front, adding face pressure
- Fresnel lenses aren't as clear as the Quest 3
Meta's Quest 3S is a phenomenal value. It matches the Quest 3 in many ways, sporting the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor and color passthrough quality for high-performance, standalone mixed-reality and VR gaming. In fact, you can run every Meta Quest 3 title on the Quest 3S while keeping an extra $200 in your pocket.
To offer a powerful mixed reality and VR headset like the Quest 3S for $300, Meta reused some components from the previous budget leader, the Quest 2. The trade-offs are minor but will be noticeable for experienced VR gamers. The 1832 x 1920 pixel-per-eye displays are not quite as sharp as the Quest 3, and the lenses use less-refined Fresnel optics.
Meta did a great job of minimizing "god rays" and glare, but they are visible sometimes. Those artifacts are rare when using the standard facial interface, but become more apparent when outside light leaks in with Meta's Breathable Facial Interface. The good news is, low-light tracking is excellent, so you can close curtains and dim lights to avoid any distractions.
Meta’s Quest 3S is the best budget choice for mixed reality and VR. You can play immersive games, watch 3D movies. It has a huge library of standalone games and can wirelessly connect to a PC to run SteamVR titles as well. With innovative features like built-in hand tracking and movement tracking for fitness, Meta's least expensive VR headset offers incredible value even three years after launch.
The Quest 3S is a fantastic option for the millions of Quest 2 owners that are looking for a low-cost upgrade without losing access to your favorite VR games. Many Quest VR games are getting graphics updates to take advantage of the more powerful Quest 3 and Quest 3S chips.
Nothing can compete with the unique ability of the Quest 3S to deliver a compelling VR experience at such a low price.
Best budget PCVR headset
Pimax Crystal Light
- Affordable high-resolution headset
- Lossless DisplayPort connection
- Local dimming for deep blacks
- Inside-out tracking eases setup
- Includes two rechargeable controllers
- Comfortable head strap and facial interface
- Display Port tether limits mobility
- Passthrough is low-res, grayscale
The Pimax Crystal Light is a budget-friendly PCVR headset that provides an impressive experience without emptying your wallet. For less than $1,000, you can enjoy bright, sharp displays with local dimming, 2880 x 2880 pixel-per-eye resolution, and up to 120Hz refresh rate. Those are high-end specifications that often cost much more.
Pimax lets you tweak the settings to enable upscaled refresh and fixed foveated rendering to lessen the burden on slower GPUs or max out resolution and frame rate if you have a powerful gaming PC. With a few minutes of tinkering, it's easy to fine-tune settings for crisp visuals and smooth motion, the perfect recipe for immersive gaming.
Pimax headsets supports various PCVR content platforms, including SteamVR and Meta's Rift collection, so you can play your favorite games with a much better picture quality than older VR headsets can deliver. Games like Asgard's Wrath and Half-Life: Alyx shine on the Pimax Crystal Light.
While it's heavier than the Meta Quest 3, the Crystal Light is more comfortable thanks to soft padding and adjustable straps that distribute the 1.9 pound weight evenly. It's half a pound lighter than the original Pimax Crystal but lacks advanced features like eye-tracking and a standalone mode.
Pimax includes two controllers and the headset handles tracking without base stations, so you only need the Crystal Light and a gaming PC to enjoy high-quality VR gaming and apps. If eye-tracking isn't a must have feature, the Pimax Crystal Light is an excellent and affordable headset for PCVR gaming without sacrificing quality.
Best VR headset for console
PlayStation VR2
- Very comfortable
- Clear display
- Excellent Sense controllers
- Improved tracking and feedback
- Competitive specs
- Bulky wired design
- Costs more than a PS5
- Lacking games and direction
After seven long years, Sony decided interest in VR had risen, and technology had advanced sufficiently to justify a refresh of its aging PSVR accessory. The PlayStation VR2 is one of the most advanced headsets available but comes with some serious tradeoffs when compared to the Quest 3 or 3S.
The PSVR2 requires a PlayStation 5 console, adding extra expense if you don't already own one. The tether is much smaller and lighter than that of the PSVR, but can still feel restrictive. If you are coming from a PCVR system, that won't be a concern.
The visuals rival the best PCVR systems, but the Fresnel lenses have a small sweet spot of clarity. At $550, the PlayStation VR2 is a great option for PlayStation 5 owners, adding high-powered VR with some great new titles. However, if you don't already have a PS5, there are cheaper options available through other platforms.
As a nice holiday bonus, Best Buy has slashed a decent $250 off the PSVR2 this weekend.
Best Meta Quest 3 alternative
HTC Vive XR Elite
- A VR headset you wear like glasses
- MR Gasket eliminates face pressure
- Works well for PC VR
- Large standalone app store
- Display resolution is less than Quest 3
- App store is smaller than Meta's
HTC has a long history as a VR headset manufacturer and did a great job with the 2023 Vive XR Elite. This standalone headset is similar to the Meta Quest Pro in many ways. It has pancake lenses, a color passthrough camera, and inside-out tracking.
The Quest Pro launched at $1,500, while the Vive XR Elite provided these features at a much lower cost. Meta later cut a third off the price of its premium headset. HTC's headset is a nice alternative since Meta is discontinuing the Quest Pro and letting current stock supplies run out. The Vive XR Elite costs $100 more at $1,100 yet lacks the Quest Pro's large standalone gaming library, as well as its eye- and face-tracking technology.
The Vive XR Elite has some compelling features, including a unique glasses mode that allows you to replace the head strap and rear battery with earpieces, making it much lighter. In this case, you must connect to a PC or use a separate battery pack to get power.
I used my PrismXR battery belt so I could enjoy the super light headset without the need for a PC tether for VR gaming. When sitting at a computer, the USB-C cable worked well but wasn't really ideal for productivity.
It's a good option for anyone that already has a Viveport library. HTC's newer Vive Focus Vision didn't make our list of the best VR headsets since it's designed primarily for location-based VR gaming venues.
Best PCVR headset you can buy
Pimax Crystal
- Crisp 2880x2880 per eye resolution
- MiniLED backlighting increases dynamic range
- 125-degree FoV and 120Hz refresh rate
- Base stations aren't required
- PCVR requires a tether to a gaming PC
- Heavier than most headsets
Pimax pushes the limits of VR technology, and the Crystal is a perfect example. It's currently the sharpest and clearest consumer VR headset available. Each display delivers 2880 x 2800 pixels per eye, exceeding even the Varjo Aero, a VR headset favored by enterprise users. Combined with aspherical glass lenses and miniLED backlighting, the visuals are impressive.
Like other PCVR headsets, the Pimax Crystal requires a wired connection to a high-performance PC with a graphics card that can deliver 16 million pixels at a playable frame rate. A gaming PC with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 or better is recommended.
The Crystal's eye-tracking cameras can animate avatars but also have the ability to increase frame rates with foveated rendering that keeps the portion of the screen you look at sharp. Pimax is best known for VR-sim solutions where high frame rates are critical.
PCVR headsets typically require base stations for tracking and sometimes don't include controllers. The Crystal, however, has tracking built into the headset, so you don't need to buy and set up external tracking or purchase controllers. That makes the Pimax Crystal the same price as the Varjo Aero when the minimum accessories are added.
The Pimax Crystal does have a standalone mode, but the library is very limited. OpenBrush is the only notable title so you'll want to stick to SteamVR for gaming.
Best ultra-premium VR headset
Apple Vision Pro
- Fast Apple M2 chip offers high-performance
- Look-and-pinch interface simplifies operation
- Integrates with your iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and Mac
- High-resolution OLED displays are crisp and vibrant
- Ultra-premium price puts it out of reach for most
- Limited selection of games and apps
- Many iPad apps aren't missing on visionOS
- Lack of motion controllers restricts VR gaming
While the it's technically a standalone VR headset, Apple calls the Vision Pro a spatial computer. More importantly, Apple treats the Vision Pro more like a virtual iPad or a Mac monitor than an immersive gaming device. The 3660-by-3200 pixel-per-eye micro-OLED displays make text readable while providing rich colors and deep blacks, so it's a viable monitor replacement.
Admittedly, the look-and-pinch interface is remarkably quick and efficient and, if you're like me and want to get rid of your monitors, the Vision Pro is quite appealing as a work-centric VR headset. You can open multiple two-dimensional (2D) windows and place them around you for optimal viewing.
As nice as the Vision Pro is and as tempting as the iPhone, AirPods, and Mac integration is, it lacks controllers and has a small immersive gaming library. If you want a VR gaming device, the Vision Pro isn't the right choice at the moment. That could change as more developers add support.
Apple gave the Vision Pro the same M2 processor used in the iPad Pro and MacBook Air, and it significantly outperforms the Meta Quest 3. You can browse in Safari, edit photos and videos in iPad apps, watch 3D movies, and more in 2D windows. Apple is slowly adding more immersive 3D content. A few developers have ported VR games to visionOS.
If the price isn't too steep and you like the sound of a spatial computing headset with Apple integration a few VR games and videos, the Vision Pro is a solid choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are unsure of whether you should get a headset that's designed specifically for PCVR gaming or a standalone VR headset, the latter is usually the correct choice. Most standalone headsets can connect to your computer to play VR games. You can even connect to your PC to play 2D games wirelessly on a large virtual screen with VR apps like Virtual Desktop.
An all-in-one solution means you don't have to worry about getting tangled up in a long cable connected to your computer or arrange base stations that track your headset and controllers in space. A standalone headset makes VR more portable. You carry your VR headset with you from room to room and even take it with you to pass the time when you travel.
Standalone VR headsets like the Quest 3S or Quest 3 cost much less and make it easier to get started in VR. You can find lots of free VR games, videos, and immersive experiences without buying any games or apps. Meta bundles a top hit so you can play a premium game at no cost.
That doesn't mean PCVR is dead. If you demand the very best-quality graphics or want to run demanding titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator, a standalone device could be disappointing. PCVR headsets like the Pimax Crystal and Crystal Light offer much higher resolution and more dynamic range.
If you already own a fast gaming computer with a powerful GPU, you might want a VR headset that works with your PC.
These are the best VR headsets you can buy now
The VR headsets in our list are the best available right now, but virtual reality technology is advancing rapidly. Be sure to check back in the coming months for news about several exciting, new VR headsets. Meta is always working on new prototypes and advancing the technology that will appear in future VR headsets. Meta Quest 4 rumors and Meta Quest Pro 2 discussions are already swirling.
Apple knows the Vision Pro is too expensive to become a popular product and is reportedly working on a more affordable model for release as early as 2025. An Apple Vision Pro 2 is likely. Conflicting rumors suggest it might arrive before the budget Vision headset.
Many companies are working on next-gen VR headsets. The Immersed Visor came out of nowhere, a surprisingly affordable VR headset ($1,000) with a glasses form factor that matches the 4K-per-eye displays and many other capabilities of the Apple Vision Pro. Samsung is also working on a competing extended reality (XR) device, still under wraps, as that historic tech rivalry begins anew in the VR category.
Our expectations for top-quality VR headsets could be completely rewritten within the next few months. Still, it's hard to go wrong with a Meta Quest 3S or Meta Quest 3 for the holidays or a Pimax Crystal Light for PC gamers looking for a new system.
