Digital actuality has come a great distance, and VR headsets at the moment are extra thrilling and accessible than ever. These gadgets transport you to thoroughly new worlds, whether or not you’re slaying dragons in VR gaming, exploring distant planets and even attending digital conferences. They’re designed to immerse you in lifelike visuals and interactive experiences, making them excellent for avid gamers, tech lovers and even folks searching for artistic new methods to remain linked.
There’s all kinds of choices to swimsuit each want. Standalone headsets just like the Meta Quest 3s don’t require a strong PC or console — they work independently to ship wonderful digital actuality experiences. However, superior gadgets just like the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional take issues to the following stage with cutting-edge options and high-end visuals. You’ll additionally discover tethered techniques that pair with gaming PCs or consoles for much more detailed graphics and efficiency, in addition to light-weight head-mounted shows for easy, transportable VR. If you happen to’re looking for the most effective VR headset for gaming, productiveness, or simply some informal enjoyable, these are the headsets to think about proper now.
Desk of contents
Greatest VR headsets for 2025
Photograph by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Learn our full Meta Quest 3 VR headset assessment
Storage capability: 128GB | Battery life: 2.2 hours | Subject of view: 110 levels (horizontal), 96 levels (vertical) | Max refresh fee: 120Hz
The long-awaited follow-up to the Quest 2 is an improve in each respect: It’s extra snug to put on, it has increased high quality screens and it has full-color combined actuality cameras, permitting you to see the actual world alongside digital components. Whereas it’s costlier at $500, it’s additionally a much more succesful headset than the Quest 2 and the brand new Quest 3S, with {hardware} and optics that may maintain you fortunately immersed in VR for years.
The Quest 3 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, which Meta says has double the graphics energy of the Quest 2. That extra energy is noticeable in video games like Purple Matter 2, which characteristic up to date textures that ship an expertise nearer to PC VR. The Quest 3’s new shows run at 2,064 by 2,208 pixels per eye, providing a fair higher expertise than the PlayStation VR2. Its combined actuality cameras additionally allow you to simply see the actual world, in case you must rapidly reply a textual content or Slack message. They usually allow video games that may be constructed round your room.
What makes the Quest 3 fascinating is that it gives extra than simply stable VR: It additionally provides you a glimpse at what a combined actuality future may very well be. Whereas it’s not as sharp or succesful as Apple’s Imaginative and prescient Professional, that’s comprehensible. And identical to earlier Quest headsets, it’s also possible to plug it right into a gaming PC for increased high quality VR experiences.
- Sharp new screens and lenses
- Quicker efficiency
- Combined actuality cameras make it simpler to see the actual world
- Adjustable for glasses
- Costlier than earlier than
- Solely 128GB of storage to start out
- No battery life enhancements
Photograph by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Learn our full Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional assessment
Storage capability: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Battery life: 2 hours | Subject of view: 100 levels | Max refresh fee: 100Hz
With the Imaginative and prescient Professional, Apple is trying to do for VR what the iPod did for media gamers, and what the iPhone did for smartphones. It’s a daring, $3,500 gamble to reshape the world of VR round Apple’s concept of “spatial computing.” It’s extremely costly, considerably uncomfortable and surprisingly buggy, however the Imaginative and prescient Professional is the most important leap ahead we’ve seen within the stagnating VR business in years. Most individuals shouldn’t purchase it, however in the event you’re a developer or somebody with cash to burn and wish the most effective immersive headset right this moment, it’s actually in a league of its personal.
- Unimaginable Micro-OLED screens
- Intuitive gesture controls
- Convincing Spatial Audio
- Immersive Video is astoundingly reasonable
- Extremely costly
- visionOS could be very buggy
- Heavy in comparison with different headsets
- Exterior battery is annoying and does not final lengthy
- Not many native visionOS apps
Photograph by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Learn our full Meta Quest 3S VR headset assessment
Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB | Battery life: 2-3 hours | Subject of view: 96 levels | Max refresh fee: 120Hz
The Quest 3S is Meta’s newest entry-level VR headset, however don’t let its cheap $300 worth idiot you: It’s additionally a outstanding achievement for the corporate. It sports activities the identical Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip because the Quest 3, in addition to a wholesome 8GB of RAM, permitting it to energy the identical experiences as its pricier sibling. It additionally options Meta’s wonderful Contact Plus controllers, which ship stable movement controls, in addition to responsive joysticks and buttons.
The one main draw back is that the Quest 3S isn’t practically as sharp because the Quest 3. It options the identical 1,830 by 1,920 pixel per eye display from the Quest 2, whereas the Quest 3’s display gives 30 % extra pixels (2,264 by 2,208 pixels per eye), to ship a sharper and extra reasonable picture.
VR newbies most likely gained’t discover the distinction a lot although, and that’s what actually issues. The Quest 3S is simply as snug because the Quest 3 to put on, and it may well simply entry the identical apps and video games on the Meta Quest Retailer. There’s no headphone jack both, however its built-in audio system ship stable enveloping audio for video games like Maestro, and you possibly can additionally plug in a USB-C to three.5mm adapter, or simply pair wi-fi headphones.
The Quest 3S can connect with gaming PCs over USB-C or wirelessly to play extra intense VR experiences. It may possibly additionally wirelessly stream your gameplay to Chromecast gadgets, or to AirPlay gadgets by mirroring the Quest app from an iPhone. If you happen to’re nonetheless holding onto the Quest 2, or an unique Quest, the Quest 3S is exactly the cheap improve you’ve been ready for.
- Quick efficiency
- Snug to put on
- Wonderful controllers
- Giant app library
- Older Fresnel lenses result in artifacts
- No headphone jack
- Common combined actuality cameras
Photograph By Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Learn our full PlayStation VR2 headset assessment
Storage capability: 128GB, 256GB | Battery life: 3 hours | Subject of view: 110 levels | Max refresh fee: 120Hz
The PS VR2 is likely one of the finest headset we’ve examined. It gives twin 2K OLED HDR screens, successfully providing you with 4K high quality. It’s some of the snug headsets round. And it has some genuinely refreshing new options, like eye monitoring and headset haptics. (Sure, it may well actually rock your noggin.) Better of all, the PS VR2 delivers high-quality digital actuality with out the necessity for a $1,000+ gaming PC – all you want is a PlayStation 5.
Now, our suggestion comes with a couple of caveats. At $550, the PS VR2 is costlier than the PS5 itself. And it’s unclear how rapidly its recreation library will replenish. The preliminary run has just a few exclusives, like Horizon VR and Gran Turismo 7, and we haven’t seen many new titles since then. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless the simplest approach to expertise high-end VR, and it’s a significant improve over the unique PS VR.
- Wonderful OLED shows
- Snug match
- Headset haptics really feel immersive
- Sense controllers are stable
- Extremely excessive launch worth
- Restricted new titles
- Long run growth is suspect
Photograph by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Learn our full Valve Index VR package assessment
Storage capability: N/A | Battery life: 7 hours | Subject of view: 108 levels | Max refresh fee: 120Hz
Valve’s Index package stays top-of-the-line high-end options in the marketplace that gives a very immersive VR expertise. For $999 you get the Index headset, Valve’s finger monitoring controllers and two SteamVR base stations. Whereas we have seen higher-resolution headsets arrive within the final two years, it is nonetheless a really stable choice, with a 1,440 by 1,600 pixel decision, an eye-watering 144Hz refresh fee and a large 130-degree discipline of view. I might gladly lose a couple of pixels for the Index’s smoother and extra expansive display, that are nonetheless far past most different client headsets.
As a SteamVR product, the Index requires putting in two sensors at reverse corners of your room. And naturally, it is wired to your PC. However that clunkiness is value it for the upper refresh fee and extra correct monitoring. Positive, it isn’t as straightforward to make use of because the Quest 3S, however at this worth vary, we assume you may undergo a little bit of inconvenience to get a very high-quality VR expertise.
Valve’s finger monitoring controllers are improbable as properly, with a handy strap that locks them onto your fingers. They make enjoying Half-Life: Alyx really feel like a dream. It is unlucky that different VR video games have not totally taken benefit of the finger monitoring although.
- 144Hz refresh fee with a 130-degree discipline of view
- Wonderful finger-tracking controllers
- Stellar efficiency
- Requires putting in sensors in your room
- Wired design
Photograph by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Learn our full Bigscreen Past VR headset assessment
Storage capability: N/A | Battery life: 2 hours | Subject of view: 102 levels | Max refresh fee: 90Hz
Primarily an improve for the Index, the Past is a singular spin on a VR headset from Bigscreen, the developer of a preferred app for watching video in VR. It seems extra like an outsized pair of goggles than a large VR headset. The $999 Past is the lightest VR choice we’ve ever seen (it weighs a tad greater than a deck of enjoying playing cards), and its Micro-OLED screens are sharp and provide near-perfect distinction. Not like LCD screens, black can look genuinely black with the Past.
The draw back, although, is that the Bigscreen Past is pricey. It’s $999 by itself in the event you’re simply upgrading a Valve Index setup. If you happen to’re ranging from scratch, although, you’ll additionally want to purchase two Steam VR base stations and a pair of Index controllers. That provides as much as a whopping $1,578.
The Bigscreen Past additionally requires a customized face cushion, which is constructed from a 3D facescan whenever you place your order. Sadly, that makes it tougher to share than different headsets. There’s additionally no room for glasses, because it’s so slim. You should purchase prescription lens inserts from Bigscreen for a further payment. And naturally, you’ll must dwell with a cable tethered to your PC, there’s not one of the freedom of the cordless Meta Quest headsets.
For all of its complexity, although, the Bigscreen Past delivers probably the most immersive PC VR expertise I’ve ever seen. Because it’s so gentle, you may simply put on it for hours. Along with its superb screens, it’s the best choice for VR lovers who don’t thoughts coping with price and complexity for true immersion.
- Extremely gentle and comfy
- Sharp and brilliant Micro-OLED screens
- Works alongside present Valve Index equipment
- Costly
- No built-in audio
- Nonetheless displays artifacting like different VR headsets
How we take a look at VR headsets
I have a tendency to evaluate VR headsets on a couple of primary standards: Ergonomics, immersion and controls. It isn’t that tough to shove a cell show right into a plastic headset and strap some low cost elastic headbands onto it. Nevertheless it takes ability to craft one thing that is properly balanced and does not really feel uncomfortable after half-hour.
My take a look at for ergonomics is pretty easy: How lengthy can I put on a headset till I begin to really feel discomfort? For probably the most ergonomic gadgets, just like the Quest 3, that might simply be an hour or two. However heavier PC {hardware} typically feels cumbersome after simply quarter-hour — you gained’t discover headsets responsible of that on this information.
Immersion, in the meantime, comes from having the very best decision screens with quick refresh charges, like a 120Hz refresh fee, so every part seems sharp and easy. Subject of view can be a significant aspect, because it describes how properly VR screens can cowl what you see. Having a slender discipline of view makes it really feel such as you’re wanting via a pair of binoculars, and limits your sense of “presence,” or the concept that you’re really transported to a digital world.
A large discipline of view, however, could make it seem to be you’re really flying over the globe in Google Earth. We take a look at a couple of well-liked video video games, like Superhot, Beat Saber and Pistol Whip, on each headset to evaluate how immersed we really feel and the way fulfilling the gaming expertise is general.
The most effective controllers match naturally in your fingers and provide correct monitoring. The business has principally adopted the design of Meta’s wonderful contact controllers, however we’re additionally seeing intriguing leaps ahead like Valve’s finger monitoring gamepads. We decide controllers based mostly on how straightforward they’re to carry, how they maintain as much as sweaty gameplay periods and the way simply headsets can monitor their place in area.
Nonetheless, it’s essential to take a look at a digital actuality headset’s specs as a complete. Relying on what you’re searching for from a VR headset, you’ll need to take into account elements like your PC’s CPU and graphics card in the event you plan to make use of the headset to play the most effective VR video games. You won’t want a brilliant highly effective PC, however it’s best to verify the minimal necessities for the headset you’re trying to buy. If you happen to’re not trying to put money into a VR headset solely for gaming, options like head monitoring mean you can discover your surroundings simply by merely transferring your head within the simulator. This typically leads to a extra immersive and reasonable expertise.
Different VR headsets we’ve examined
HTC Vive Focus Imaginative and prescient
The Vive Focus Imaginative and prescient is a smooth premium standalone VR headset that may additionally ship stable PC VR. Nevertheless it’s additionally operating getting older {hardware}, it’s riddled with software program points and it’s costly in comparison with the Meta Quest 3.
Meta Quest Professional
As nice because the Meta Quest 3 is, the Quest 2 continues to be an excellent entry-level VR headset, and it’s value contemplating if it’s on sale beneath its present $250 record worth. The Meta Quest Professional, on the the hand, is an costly boondoggle finest ignored.
HTC Vive Professional 2
Exterior of Meta’s {hardware}, the HTC Vive Professional 2 stays a improbable PC headset, however it’s far costlier than the Valve Index, which is extra snug and gives higher audio.
VR headset FAQs
How do VR headsets work?
On the most simple stage, a VR headset is just a top quality display that you just’re holding as much as your face. For a wired headset, the precise work of rendering a recreation is completed on both a PC or recreation console. For utterly wi-fi gadgets, just like the Meta Quest 3, that work is dealt with proper on the headset. They depend on both exterior sensors, or sensors constructed into the headsets, to map your bodily area. Whereas you should use a standard gamepad or keyboard and mouse in VR, they sometimes use movement monitoring controllers to immerse you of their 3D environments.
What VR headset is finest for full physique monitoring?
Whereas we’re nonetheless ready for a very nice haptic VR bodysuit to reach, you may nonetheless obtain correct physique monitoring with most Steam VR-compatible PC headsets. The Valve Index and HTC Vive Professional 2 each depend on room-tracking sensors that may map your physique extra successfully than the built-in sensors on opponents. You may also add HTC Vive Trackers to wrist and leg straps, in addition to belts, for even higher protection. The Meta Quest 3 doesn’t have any straightforward physique monitoring options, however you may add Vive trackers when it’s plugged into your PC to imitate a Steam VR headset.
Only some experiences, like VRChat, reap the benefits of full physique monitoring in the mean time. At present there aren’t any physique monitoring options for the PlayStation VR and VR2, however we’re intrigued by the corporate’s Mocopi physique trackers, which had been actually introduced in Japan.
What VR headsets are higher than Oculus?
Oculus is the earlier title for Meta’s VR {hardware}. At present, Meta solely helps the Quest 3, Quest 3S and Quest Professional, all of that are wi-fi headsets. As we clarify above, PC VR headsets can typically obtain higher high quality digital actuality, since they depend on extra highly effective graphics {hardware}.
What VR headsets work with Xbox?
At present, Microsoft’s Xbox consoles don’t assist any VR headsets.
Latest updates
April 2025: Up to date to incorporate assessment scores for our prime picks, the place relevant.
November 2024: Added the HTC Vive Focus Imaginative and prescient to the “others we examined” part.
October 2024: Up to date our “finest low cost VR headset” prime choose to be the Meta Quest 3S.
