10 Best VR Headsets, Ranked

In the virtual world, there are no limitations. You can become anything you dream about and travel to every alternate reality. With technological advancements, you get to enjoy these exciting experiences by strapping screens directly to your eyes. VR headsets are a major hit in the gaming world, with everyone from independent startups to huge companies like Apple adopting the technology. Since their release, they’ve been quick to take the market, securing their place as a major component of future digital interactions. In this piece, we discuss the 10 best VR sets available today.

10. HP Reverb G2

As a PC-tethered headset, it is designed to work with Steam VR and Windows Mixed Reality. It features incredible resolution and a smooth operating system. The set has an easy set-up process. Start by plugging the set into a DisplayPort and USB-C port. Then, plug the small link box in the middle of the cable into power and wait for Windows to detect the headset. After that, the set immediately prompts you to install the WMR portal and directs you to ensure the controllers are properly connected.

9. Valve Index

Valve is behind the entire creation and manufacture of this consumer virtual reality headset. It is a second-generation headset bundled with Half-Life: Alyx. What makes the headset widely popular is its impressive finger-tracking controllers. They have a thumbstick, a touchpad, two face buttons, a menu button, and a trigger. In addition to that, they boast a total of 87 sensors used to track hand position, finger position, motion, and pressure. It is an amazing feature that creates an accurate representation of the user’s hand in VR mode. 

8. Meta Quest 3S

A division of Meta called Reality Labs is the genius behind this standalone VR headset. It features the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 system-on-chip with 8 GB of RAM. Furthermore, it has colour passthrough cameras and Touch Plus controllers, the same as those on Quest 3. The face of its helmet has three pills containing sensors and cameras. Additionally, it boasts Touch Plus controllers, similar to those in Quest 3. However, this set replaces the infrared sensor ring with infrared sensors in the body of the controller, which are augmented by internal sensors and input from the set’s hand-tracking system. 

7. HTC Vive Pro 2

The set features a similar design to its predecessor but in a darker shade. Its head harness has a three-point system with plastic arms on each side and a wide strap on the top. Furthermore, the harness features heavy padding on the back and includes a dial that can tighten the section against the sidearms.  Pro 2’s frontal panel combines elements of the original Vive set with the Vive Cosmos’ front-facing stereo cameras. The panel has a knob that allows users to adjust the pupillary distance. Additionally, this set has removable headphones that feature high-quality audio.

6. Apple Vision Pro

Apple successfully debuted Vision Pro an original augmented reality headset. The VR headsets run on the VisionOS operating system and work with iPhones, iPads, and Macs that support this system. It features multiple cameras and sensors where players view the environment. The view is displayed through micro-OLED displays with a high resolution, greater than 4K. It also has an Apple M2 chip with 16 GB of memory. Additionally, it boasts an Apple R1 to process inputs from all cameras, sensors, and microphones of the device. 

5.  Pimax Crystal

Its high-quality visuals are one of the main factors that set these amazing VR headsets apart. They feature an Angular design that gives off a futuristic dystopian look. It has a QLED 2880 x 2880 per eye display, which gives off exceptional clarity. Further, it incorporates a wide 35 PPD panel that further enhances its visuals. Pimax Crystal is lightweight, offering users a balanced and comfortable feel. Its eye-tracking feature helps you adjust the helmet to put it on correctly. To install it, connect it to your computer using a Display Port cable and two USB cables.

4. Sony PlayStation VR 2

Gaming took a giant step forward with the introduction of this headset. Everything from the stunning visuals to the impressive sound systems immerses players in fictional worlds that feel as real as the physical world. You get to enjoy visuals in 4K HDR in games compatible with this headset. It has a wide field of view, 110º, and features clear and concise graphics, all thanks to the power of PS5. The perfectly balanced Fresnel lenses within are customizable using a dial.

3. Meta Quest Pro

Quest Pro is an amazing headset that appears similar to AR headsets rather than VR. It is designed for mixed and virtual reality, fitting both business and casual users. Compared to Quest 2, this set features a thinner lens enclosure leveraging pancake lenses. You can adjust the lenses for interpupillary distance and also move them forward or backwards. Additionally, it comes with high-resolution cameras used for face and eye tracking. Further, its controllers are updated and have onboard motion tracking. 

2. Meta Quest 3

Meta Platforms Inc. developed this virtual reality headset and released it on October 10, 2023. It is the successor to the acclaimed Quest 2, featuring major improvements and great versatility. Quest 3 can be termed an all-in-one headset as it provides comfort, premium performance, and impeccable display quality. It is lighter and more comfortable than earlier models and features improved ergonomics, allowing for longer play sessions. The headset operates on a powerful that enables higher resolution for both virtual and mixed reality experiences.

1. PICO 4 Ultra

The device is a standalone gaming VR headset that features some of the most amazing aspects in the market. It boasts a lightweight comfort that surpasses some of the best VR sets. The set is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor. Moreover, users access two LCDs with a 90Hz refresh rate viewed through pancake lenses. The lenses have a wide area of focus and a 105-degree FOV. Also, you can electronically change the interpupillary distance between the two lenses to suit your style.