If you feel like going fishing or roller coaster riding in your living room, turns out this is now a reality. Investing in one of the best VR headsets can truly level up an immersive gaming experience and transport you into amazing new digital worlds and experiences. With so many products constantly making their debut, we tried to navigate your options with the list below.
Speaking of gaming, did you know playing online games may actually enhance your career? Researchers from the University of Surrey suggest that online gaming can actually help professionals develop a more refined skillset for their chosen field. The study followed the gaming habits of over 16,000 people. The results? IT professionals and engineers tend to gravitate towards puzzle-platform games, which can help enhance spatial skills. People working in managerial roles, meanwhile, display more interest in action role-playing games that require both organizational and planning skills.
Plus, the world of three-dimensional technology is constantly evolving. Another study suggests, by packing more details into a 3D image, researchers have developed a new way to create dynamic ultrahigh-density 3D holograms. The update could boost VR and other applications by enabling even more realistic representations of the world around us. This might, one day, eveneliminate the need for a headset all together. But technology isn’t there quite yet.
If you’re ready to explore the virtual world but aren’t sure which gadget to choose, StudyFinds can help. We’ve compiled a list of the top five best VR headsets from ten expert websites to enter into an entirely new realm of gaming. As always, we’d like to see your own recommendations in the comments below!
The List: Best VR Headsets, According to Experts
1. Meta Quest 2
Reviewers can’t get enough of this headset by Meta, formerly known as Oculus. It tops many lists as the best stand-alone VR headset. PC Mag adds, “you don’t need any additional hardware attached or cables running out of the headset.”
Engadget notes, “there’s a huge library of virtual reality titles that you can experience anywhere, and it’s bundled with Meta’s great motion controllers. You can also connect the Quest 2 to a gaming PC to stream more complex VR experiences.”
If you are looking to try out VR, this unit is a simple and reasonably affordable option. Plus, “the controllers are intuitive and easy to hold. It can track you as you move around a room. And it doesn’t take much time to set up,” according to The New York Times.
2. Sony PlayStation VR2
GamesRadar crowns this VR headset from Sony ‘The Best VR Headset For Gaming Overall’, adding it “absolutely oozes value for money, especially when you add up the costs of VR gaming on PC.”
CNET points out, “its HDR OLED display, graphics quality, built-in eye tracking and fantastic advanced controllers — which have the same vibrations and adaptive force-feedback triggers as the PS5 DualSense controllers — give this headset a premium feel that makes its best games perform at a different level.”
Tom’s Guide also spotlights the controllers noting, “these are not only rather comfortable and good at tracking, but they also have excellent haptic feedback; an area where other VR headsets are lacking.” One drawback? This unit is tethered, so you must also own a PlayStation5 for it to work.
3. HTC Vive Pro 2
PC users will enjoy the immersive clarity of this VR headset from HTC Vive. TechRadar suggests, “the Vive Pro 2 boasts a ridiculous ‘5K’ resolution (2448×2448 pixels per eye) a 120-degree field of view and a 120Hz refresh rate. Provided you’ve got a powerful gaming PC to back it up, this is as clear and lifelike a display as you’re able to find in the consumer VR space right now.”
IGN adds, “not only will your VR experiences LOOK good, but they’ll feel really good, too. The included Hi-Res Certified headphones mount to the headset to give you immersive audio, too.”
Although Space.com cautions, “clarity like this comes at a high price, and we’re not just talking the expense of the HTC Vive Pro 2 kit itself. To be able to power this headset at any sort of stable framerate, you’re going to need a very high-specification PC and graphics card, which may make the whole endeavor prohibitively expensive.” Some reviewers also note the screen can run hot.
4. Valve Index VR Kit
Serious PC gamers may want to consider this kit to enhance their VR experience. “Rather than relying on per-controller tracking, the Valve Index has stepped where no VR headset has gone before – adding sensors for each individual finger via a touch-sensitive panel,” adds GamesRadar.
How does it handle audio? PC Gamer suggests the, “built-in near-field speakers hover just next to your ears, powered by speaker drivers instead of the ones usually found in headphones. What this means is the Index’s speakers offer outstanding three-dimensional surround sound, somehow also delivering a level of aural isolation without shutting yourself off completely to external noises.”
“As a SteamVR product, the Index requires installing two sensors at opposite corners of your room. And of course, it’s wired to your PC. But that clunkiness is worth it for the higher refresh rate and more accurate tracking. Sure, it’s not as easy to use as the Quest 2, but at this price range, we assume you’ll suffer a bit of inconvenience to get a truly high-quality VR gaming experience,” according to Engadget. Something to keep in mind, this kit is pricey, so consider it an investment.
5. HP Reverb G2
Last but not least, is this VR headset from HP. “The HP Reverb G2 is an excellent headset for anyone looking for something slightly cheaper than the Valve Index or HTC Vive Pro and something easy to set up. Although it’s not as accurate as the somewhat pricier options, it’s a fantastic alternative that still maintains the visual enchantment of VR gaming,” notes TechRadar.
“It also uses camera-based tracking, so you don’t need to set up base stations like you do with the Index or Vive Pro 2,” according to PCMag. Another cool feature? “A physical IPD slider will help you adjust the headset to match your eye width, which helps create a much cleaner, focused image,” adds IGN.
However, there are some drawbacks. Space.com points out, “it doesn’t come with controllers in the box, and its wired nature means you’re still going to need a rather powerful (read: expensive) PC to pair it with.”
You might also be interested in:
- Best Oculus Quest VR Games
- Best Gaming Headsets
- Best Gaming Chairs
- Best Gaming Monitors
- Best Gaming Laptops
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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links.
