Best VR Headset 2022

The best VR headset in 2022: all the latest devices compared

The best VR headsets will combine pure under the hood performance with a crisp, high refresh rate display, and with comfortable head straps and plenty of ventilation. How far you delve into each of these elements will, of course, inform how much you pay. However, there are plenty of VR headsets that balance a high quality, comfortable experience with just the right price tag.

Those prices are also a lot lower than they used to be. Back when virtual reality first stepped onto the shelves, the very best VR headsets were reserved for those with some serious cash to splash. However, these days you'll find quality tech for between $300 and $600 - in headsets well equipped to handle big name titles no less. Of course, premium devices can still trickle into the four-figure mark, but if you're an enthusiast looking to invest, there's some seriously impressive tech up for grabs these days.

We're rounding up all the best VR headsets right here, with our top picks across the full price bracket. With the Metaverse just around the corner, more and more brands are placing higher emphasis on the popularity of these headsets, so we're seeing a solid supply of new releases in today's market to boot. Whether you're just looking to dip your toe in this new virtual world, or looking for a high-end rig to pair with one of the best gaming PCs, you'll find plenty of options available.

The best VR headsets available now

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The Oculus Quest 2 is likely the most well-known VR headset on the market right now - and for good reason. The $299 / £299 device offers the best value on the shelves, with a cable-free headset (which can also be tethered to your PC for a performance boost) offering a massive collection of games and apps for a great price. Whether you're looking to dip your toe into the virtual reality waters, or you're a pro user looking for something a little cheaper, the Oculus Quest 2 is a go-to for an affordable, yet high-quality experience.

Sacrifices have been made, but it's an improvement on its predecessor in almost every sense. Oculus Quest 2 review

While we were a little disappointed to find the Oculus Quest 2 felt a little cheaper than its predecessor in the hands, we found it more comfortable in our testing overall. That's thanks to its lighter form factor (503g vs the original 571g) and the wider surface area of the thumb rest of the controller. We were also impressed by just how much sharper than resolution is once we strapped this headset on.

You're free to roam your surroundings with no limiting tracking area and a super flexible setup overall. This is an all-in-one self-contained unit with a speedy processor and plenty of RAM for today's games to boot. That means you won't need to invest in a high-end gaming PC to keep things running smoothly here - you're all good to go straight out of the box. And it's difficult to understate just how important that is to Oculus Quest 2's value.

With so many of the best VR headsets costing well over $500 / £500 (and still requiring a separate PC brain to function), packing the tracking features, high-resolution display, 90Hz framerate, and comfortable experience into a sub-$300 / £300 price point is incredibly impressive. We've even started seeing more and more Oculus Quest 2 deals entering the marketplace in recent months as well.

Read more: HTC Vive Pro 2 review

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3. Valve Index The best premium VR headset Specifications Resolution: 2880 x 1600 Display: AMOLED Connection: DisplayPort, USB 3.0, USB 2.0 Field of View: 130° Recommended Hardware: Quad-core processor+, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070+, USB 3.0, SteamVR tracking base stations, DisplayPort 1.2 Today's Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Dramatically reduces screen door effect + Wide field of view + Excellent controller tracking Reasons to avoid - Difficult to find in stock - Only available via Steam

There are a few features of the Valve Index that we need to get out of the way right at the start. First up is that finger tracking system. 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. The second is a 120Hz refresh rate that will cover for a slightly lower resolution by allowing games to slide across the screen without a hint of a flicker.

The Valve Index is a VR headset for those fully invested in the PC gaming space, the specialists that already have the PC humming away in the corner and are looking to put it to the test. While the headset itself costs £499 / £459, the full kit will set you back $999 / £919. That's cheaper than the full price of the HTC Vive Pro 2 and all of its gadgets, though you're favoring tracking over resolution this time.

With the whole of Steam behind it, you'd be hard-pressed to be bored in this particular virtual world. However, it is worth noting that fewer Steam titles can take full advantage of these unique tracking features so you're certainly proofing yourself rather than enjoying today's tech with this purchase.

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4. HTC Vive Cosmos Elite The best VR headset for room-scale tracking Specifications Resolution: 2880 x 1700 Display: LCD Connection: DisplayPort, USB 3.0 Field of View: 110° Recommended Hardware: Intel i5-4590 / AMD FX 8350+, Nvidia GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 480+, DisplayPort 1.2, USB 3.0 port Today's Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Currys (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Bundles often include base stations + Solid tracking + Lower price than other high-end models Reasons to avoid - Extra accessories required

If the HTC Vive Pro 2 was looking a little pricey, the Vive Cosmos Elite system might be the best VR headset for those looking to spend a little less on some of the fancier features and focus instead on room-scale tracking. HTC launched its Cosmos headset to very little fanfare a few years ago, and on its own, the headset sits as a fully modular system that you can upgrade with a different faceplate and SteamVR tracking bases as you please. However, its final form is the Vive Cosmos Elite, making this iteration the best VR headset in its line.

While resolution lacks behind the much cheaper Oculus Quest 2 (the full Cosmos Elite system will do over $800 worth of damage, there's enough power in that 2880 x 1700 display to keep up with the premium Valve Index system. That means no screen door effect and a clear display (supported by a 90Hz refresh rate). If you're after a full suite of tracking sensors, then, this is the most affordable option available to you right now - and it still does a solid job of rendering everything in high-quality graphics.

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5. HP Reverb G2 The best Windows VR headset Specifications Resolution: 4320 x 2160 Display: LCD Connection: DisplayPort, USB 3.0 Field of View: 114° Recommended Hardware: Intel Core i5, i7, Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5, AMD Ryzen 5+, DX12 capable graphics, DisplayPort 1.3, USB-C 3.0 Today's Best Deals View at HP Store (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Great resolution + Not as expensive as other premium headsets + 90Hz refresh rate Reasons to avoid - Asks a lot from your PC - would aim higher than minimum recommended specs - Not much UK availability

Not many have the HP Reverb G2 on their shopping list, but HP does have a sleeper hit on its hands with its $600 VR headset. It's worth noting that this is much easier to find in the US, and you'll likely be limited to special editions running over £1,000 if you're browsing in the UK. With heavy emphasis placed on resolution, but some nice quality of life features baked in (how has nobody else thought of having the display flip up so you can see your surroundings?) there's plenty to love here, even if overall this set doesn't quite beat out some of the higher options on the list.

You won't need any external tracking sensors here, the HP Reverb G2 takes care of all of that itself with cameras. Plus, there's very little setup to get out of the way. This is a Windows headset through and through, so connecting to your PC is as simple as plugging it in and letting Windows 10 or 11 complete your installations and software tweaks.

While tracking a little behind Oculus in its value offering, the HP Reverb G2 is a solid buy for any PC enthusiasts who don't want to have to kit out their home to step into a virtual world.

What is the best VR headset? The best VR headset for the vast majority of people is going to be the Oculus Quest 2. It's an affordable option that still offers plenty of functionality with a wide range of services and games, and can hold its own against the technical chops of some of the bigger players to boot. However, if you're after the full experience, we'd recommend a headset with full room tracking, like the HTC Vive Pro 2.

Are VR headsets worth it? Even the best VR headsets won't be worth it for everyone - in fact, the very top of the range will likely only make sense for a small selection of people. However, now that developers have started producing more and more larger-scale games (Resident Evil, Half-Life, and Star Wars franchises all have recent releases) and those prices are starting to fall, it's well worth investing in a VR headset if you're keen on exploring a new avenue in gaming.

How to choose the best VR headset for you

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Choosing the best VR headset for you will likely come down to your budget as the market is currently heavily segmented according to price. If cash is your only factor, you'll find a breakdown of the best VR headsets in each price range just below, but be aware that there's plenty more to this story if you're browsing above $600.

$100 - $300 - Oculus Quest 2

Oculus Quest 2 $300 - $600 - HP Reverb G2

- HP Reverb G2 $600 - $900 - HTC Vive Pro 2

HTC Vive Pro 2 $900 - $1,000+ - Valve Index

Beyond cash value, there are a number of features that separate budget, mid-range, and high-end headsets. Generally, these are screen resolution, panel type, field of view, and tracking support.

Screen resolution

The best VR headset is generally the one with the biggest resolution. That's because resolution is such an important aspect of the virtual reality experience, and a high-quality display will remove the screen door effect and keep your games feeling fresh and immersive. If you're spending more than $600 on your headset, you'll want to make sure you're getting a resolution of above 3664 x 1920.

Panel type

VR headsets are quickly adopting OLED displays moving forwards, thanks to the increased color contrast and vividity. If you want to remain on the cusp of emerging developments, then, it might be worth waiting for the perfect headset with an OLED panel (many of the best options today still use an LCD).

Field of view

The average field of view among the best VR headsets is around 100 degrees, with variances running around 10 degrees either way. The higher the field of view, the more you're going to be able to see around you, and the better the headset will recreate natural human vision. If you're looking to use your VR headset for gaming, then, it's well worth making sure you're hitting at least 100-110°.

Tracking support

Cheaper VR headsets use onboard cameras to track their placement, and your heads, within a virtual world. However, moving up the price scale, more specialist devices often employ additional hardware like tracking bases to set up room-scale tracking with far greater accuracy. You can game on a headset with onboard tracking, and if you're simply looking for casual entertainment, we'd recommend sticking with this far more affordable solution. However, if you're splashing some cash, it's well worth investing in a rig that can accurately track your whole play space.

Which is the most cost-effective VR headset? The best VR headset for the budget-minded is undoubtedly the Oculus Quest 2. Not only is it the cheapest device on our list, but it's rapidly grown its library and now houses a massive number of titles and Steam connections. That's perfect for those who want the best value right out of the gate, with plenty of titles to make good on that original $299 / £299 cost. However, if you're after room-scale VR of a higher quality, the most cost-effective VR headset is the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite is your next step. At an MSRP of $899.99 / £899.99, this all-in-one bundle is the cheapest full-scale tracking solution available right now.

Many of the best gaming laptops are also VR-ready now, but if you're keeping your search strictly to headwear, check out our guide to PSVR vs HTC Vive vs Oculus for more buying advice. Find out more about how we make our recommendations with the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

How Do Virtual Reality Glasses Work?

Virtual reality glasses or goggles are becoming increasingly popular in the gaming and entertainment spheres. They are lighter and more comfortable to wear than the standard head mounted display (HMD) and many of them incorporate a range of interactive devices.

Examples of these include audio, video and head tracking.

These glasses behave in a similar way to a pair of 3D goggles in that they display two images. Ordinary glasses show a single image but 3D and virtual reality glasses contain polarised lenses which show two images, one per each eye. These images appear to give an illusion of depth which is a particular feature of CAVE environments.

The technical name for this is stereoscopy.

More advanced versions of these glasses contain head tracking systems. This system is connected to a computer which sends signals to adjust the images seen by the wearer as they move around their environment. Once again, this is a particular aspect of CAVE fully immersive virtual reality.

These glasses enable the wearer to see three dimensional images which give an illusion of depth of perception. For example, if the wearer is using virtual reality for architectural purposes then they will be able to view a building at different angles, and walk through or around it.

Many types of glasses contain a tracking system which maps the wearer’s movements and adjusts the images accordingly. Each time the wearer moves his head, walks in a particular direction or takes some other form of action, the scene in front of him changes as he does so.

The tracking system is connected to a computer which adjusts these images so that the wearer is shown a realistic environment with a realistic depth of perception. The tracking needs to be as accurate as it can be or else the illusion breaks down.

The glasses enable the wearer to see two separate images which the brain combines into one. This is what gives the illusion of 3D depth. This is often accompanied by video and/or sound which add to the experience.

The aim is to present the wearer with a world which is realistic and behaves in a similar way to the real world. Any delay or latency will cause a disconnection between the two and in some cases, feelings of motion sickness. This then disrupts their experience.

Best VR Headset 2022

VR headsets continue to improve with major advancements made in the past few years. They offer more and more immersive ways to explore new worlds, letting you move freely and get a real sense of scale in your games. They're also the only way to experience some amazing games, including the masterpiece Half-Life: Alyx.

Getting a great VR experience takes a bit more than slotting your smartphone into a plastic holder, though. While those phone-based solutions were an interesting entryway at one point, the experience from a dedicated headset is on another level. With advanced tracking and 6DoF (six degrees of freedom), your movements are accurately translated into the game world, letting you feel like you're truly there (for better or worse). Finger tracking is even becoming a thing. Plus, quality headsets can pack in an insane amount of pixels and high refresh rates. We're talking up to 2,448 x 2,448 per eye and 180Hz. So, some clearly require a beastly gaming PC to run them. However, affordable models can run on modest hardware. A few even offer a compelling experience without needing a separate machine.

We're here to help you navigate the emerging virtual world by rounding up our top picks of the bunch. You're bound to a quality VR headset that offers the life-like gaming experience you're looking for.

These are the Best VR Headsets:

1. Meta Quest 2

Best VR Headset

Meta Quest 2 - 128GB 28 See on Amazon

The Meta Quest 2 is a one-stop-shop VR Headset, making it perfect if you're not exactly sure what you're after. Formerly known as the Oculus Quest 2, this device still delivers a phenomenal experience for just about anyone. It’s got such impressive flexibility, there’s little reason to look elsewhere, and its shocking price makes it pretty hard to consider anything else. You get a virtual theater, an immersive world of games, loads of fitness fun, and even the ability to meet up face-to-face in virtual spaces – all without the need for a PC or console.

The Meta Quest 2 totes super-sharp visuals thanks to a high per-eye resolution that makes the screen-door effect a thing of the past. It also runs at a smooth 90Hz refresh rate similar to the original Oculus Rift CV1. Not only does this headset offer some of the best experiences in a completely standalone format running on its Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 chipset along with 128GB of storage, but it can also link up with a powerful gaming PC to run desktop experiences. Plus, it’s wireless with intuitive controls, so you’re free to roam. However, if you’re worried about roaming a bit too far, you can set up a guardian boundary to warn you when you step out of the designated play space. This headset is hard to beat, even if it were over $300.

2. PlayStation VR

Best VR Headset for Console Players

PlayStation VR + Camera 2 See on Amazon

Virtual reality is more accessible than ever, particularly for PC gamers, but console gamers aren't left out in the cold of normal reality. The PlayStation VR gives PS4 owners – and PS5 owners with an adapter – a deeper dive into games. This system has been discontinued, but you can still snag it as a bundle. However, if you’re okay to wait it out, the PlayStation VR2 is expected to drop later this year. The original PSVR is a somewhat humble system, not boasting the highest resolution displays and not going for wild, room-scale tracking. Though it may lack those extreme features, it makes up for it with quality experiences, as many of the best VR games have come out on PSVR.

The PSVR totes a 960 x 1,080 per-eye resolution, but a 120Hz refresh rate keeps those experiences smooth. And, a 100-degree field of view is sufficient for immersion in your games. If you’re worried about comfort, you’ll be content wearing this headset for hours, just be prepared to deal with a tangle of wires. The headset itself is only one piece of this VR puzzle, as there's also a separate camera and motion controllers needed to unlock gameplay. And, even though the PSVR is built for the PS4 and PS4 Pro, it also runs on the PS5. There's even a free adapter available for the PlayStation Camera, showing a commendable commitment by Sony to continue supporting its headset.

3. HTC Vive Cosmos

Best Wireless PC VR

HTC Vive Cosmos 2 See on Amazon

Platform: PC | Resolution (per-eye): 1,440 x 1,700 | Refresh rate: 90Hz | Field of view: 110-degrees | Tracking: 6DoF

HTC came onto the virtual reality scene strong with the first-generation Vive, and their Vive Cosmos is a fantastic option for those looking to go virtual with their PC gaming. It’s simple to get using thanks to its plug-and-play nature. However, if you’re looking to play teether free, it supports HTC's official Wireless Adapter , which delivers a high-fidelity, low-latency stream of your VR. Once you’ve got it up and running, the headset offers a comfortable, halo-style headband that makes it easy to wear and take off momentarily. It also dumps the old wands of the original Vive in favor of a more controller-like style seen on many other headsets.

The Vive Cosmos offers a sharp resolution, delivering 1,440 x 1,700 per eye for a combined 2,880 x 1,700. That sharpness exceeds even the Valve Index and helps cut down on the screen-door effect, albeit not eliminating it outright. The display manages that resolution by using small LCD panels that run at 90Hz for buttery-smooth action. Beyond the impressive screen, you get 3D spatial audio for a truly immersive experience. The main fault of this headset is some issues with the tracking, particularly in low-light situations, but if you can look past that, it’s a feature-rich VR option.

4. Valve Index

Best High-End VR Headset

Sometimes you need to spend a little to gain a lot, and that’s the case with the Valve Index . Once you look past the $1000 price tag for the whole kit, it’s easy to see how this is the latest and greatest in PC-based VR headsets. You can fill each of your eyeballs with 1,440 x 1,600 pixels at a refresh rate of 120Hz. There’s even an opportunity for an “experimental” 144Hz refresh rate but be prepared for some stuttering. And, you’ll be seeing a whole lot in your peripherals with the 130-degree field of view. The headset also delivers on extreme comfort, so you’ll be happy in them for long periods of gaming.

If you decide to go all in the Valve Index, it employs new base stations supporting a larger play area, and a new set of controllers that support full finger tracking. Up to four of those base stations can be combined to create an insane 10-meter by 10-meter space to play. However, thanks to the versatility of SteamVR, you can mix and match components from the older, less expensive Vive if you want to save money.

5. HTC Vive Pro 2

Best High-Resolution VR Headset

HTC Vive Pro 2 5 See on Dell

If clarity is what you crave, you’ll want to snag the HTC Vive Pro 2. This VR headset is built on top of the long-standing prowess that HTC has established, but it’s packing in some display refinement that’ll push your experience further than ever. With a resolution of 2,448 x 2,448 per eye, the HTC Vive Pro 2 will let you forget all about the screen-door effect.

Naturally, this high-end headset comes with some extra perks beyond resolution. That same, sharp display also runs at a smooth 120Hz, and it provides a 120-degree field of view — two things that’ll help you feel that much more immersed in whichever virtual realm you enter. The headset also includes Hi-Res Certified headphones for quality audio piped directly into your ears. It’ll take a powerful PC to make the most of the HTC Vive Pro 2, but if you’re after the supreme experience, you’ve probably already got that part of the equation sorted.

6. Pimax 5K Super

VR with a Wide Field of View

Pimax 5K Super 4 See on Pimax

Platform: PC | Resolution (per-eye): 2,560 x 1,440 | Refresh rate: 180Hz | Field of view: 200-degrees | Tracking: 6DoF

Are you ready to be truly immersed in a virtual world? Then the Pimax 5K Super has probably been in your peripheral vision for a while. You get a wild 200-degree field of view to wrap you up in your virtual spaces. That, plus its additional specs should be enough of a warning that those with the beastliest computers need only apply. This is definitely meant for more than just a casual gamer, and its high starting price is enough to make some shy away. However, it does offer SteamVR to offset the cost by mixing and matching components.

The Pimax 5K Super effectively runs two 1440p displays side by side, and they run at a 180Hz refresh rate. That's twice as fast as the older Pimax 5K XR. With a crisp resolution and high refresh rate, you’re in for clear visuals if you have a machine that can handle running games that fast. But, if you've got the rig, this headset will be a powerful accomplice in your virtual endeavors.

7. HP Reverb G2

Best Windows Mixed Reality Headset

HP Reverb G2 5 See on Amazon

The HP Reverb G2 is an extremely comfortable and versatile VR headset that goes easy on your head, your eyes, and even your wallet. For under $600, you get a Windows Mixed Reality headset making it compatible with tons of games. Plus, it offers a high resolution with a 2,160 x 2,160 display per eye for a total of 4,320 x 2,160. There’s also a physical IPD slider to help line everything up perfectly with your eyes to eliminate focus issues. Combine those with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate, and you've got superb eye comfort.

The HP Reverb G2 has everything you need in one convenient package. You get the comfy, cushioned VR headset as well as two ergonomic controllers. Inside-out tracking is also on board, making setup far simpler than systems like the Valve Index that rely on external base stations to track the movement of the headset and controllers. HP even tops off the experience with built-in headphones akin to those found on the Valve Index.

What to look for in a VR Headset

These aren’t the only headsets on the market, and they won’t be the last—there are more on the horizon (including Sony's PlayStation VR2 ). When deciding which VR headset is right for you, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Platform: The best VR headset is the one you can actually use. If you already have a beefy gaming PC in your house and it’s in a room large enough for room-scale VR, grab a SteamVR headset. If you’re more likely to play a standalone system despite the lower graphical quality, don’t second-guess that instinct—go with the Meta Quest 2.

In addition, if there are any exclusive games you want to play, keep that in mind as you narrow down your platform of choice—PSVR games will be limited to the PlayStation, and Meta has some exclusive games for its headsets as well. SteamVR is pretty open, so it’ll work on pretty much any PC-based headset. Some Meta exclusive games may be playable on SteamVR devices with Revive, but it’s no guarantee.

Resolution and refresh rate: When your eyes are right up against the screen, resolution matters. A lot. The lower the resolution, the more likely you are to get the “screen door effect,” where you can see the space between each individual pixel—like you’re looking through a screen door. Note, however, that resolution isn’t the sole indicator of visual quality.

Don’t neglect frame rate, either—high resolution may be nice, but if the refresh rate is lower than 90Hz, things may look a bit choppier, and may even induce serious motion sickness for some—though this can vary largely from person to person.

Stationary vs Room-Scale play: The best VR experiences involve room-scale play, which allows you to walk around your play space, crouch down, jump, and turn your head in any conceivable way—this level of motion tracking is known as “six-degrees of freedom.” Most of the headsets on the list above fall into this category.

Other headsets, like the Oculus Go or the smartphone-based Samsung Gear VR and Google Daydream View, support fewer degrees of freedom, only tracking the swivel and tilt of your head rather than following you as you move around. If you’re only watching movies or playing seated games in VR, those cheaper headsets are fine, but for the best experience, you want something that supports room-scale play.

Tracking system: Some headsets, like the Meta Quest 2 and HP Reverb G2, support “inside-out” tracking—that is, you can achieve room-scale play without any external sensors or cameras. Other systems, like the HTC Vive Pro 2 and Valve Index, require you to place a few base stations around the room to track your movements. These systems can be more accurate than inside-out systems for discerning players, but they’re also a bit more obtrusive, so you’ll have to weigh which makes the most sense for your living space.

Wired vs Wireless: Finally, you’ll want to consider how “tethered” you’re willing to be in a space. The best VR headsets usually require a wire connected to your PC, while standalone solutions allow you to roam freely. (The HTC Vive Cosmos and Vive Pro 2 also have an optional wireless adapter for untethered PC-powered VR.)

Being wired up isn’t the worst thing in the world by any means, especially if you’re only going to play in one room anyway, and you'll see the best resolution and image quality possible. Going wireless makes tripping one less thing to worry about, but it also adds the constraints of battery life.

VR is still in its relative infancy, but it’s come a long way in a few short years. No VR headset is perfect for everyone just yet, but with these things in mind, you should be able to find one that suits you nicely. Just be careful not to put your arm through the wall or anything.

Whitson Gordon is a writer, gamer, and tech nerd who has been building PCs for 10 years. He eats potato chips with chopsticks so he doesn't get grease on his mechanical keyboard.

The best VR headset in 2022: all the latest devices compared

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Best VR Headset 2022

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