The best VR headset in 2022

The best VR headset is a portal to another world, or at the very least a good way to spend an evening in another world, without leaving the house. The best virtual reality headsets are the highest quality, most comfortable, easiest to use. They're also the least vomit-inducing. We've tested dozens of VR headsets from Valve, Oculus, HTC, HP, Samsung, and more to find the one that fits the bill best.

PC gamers once preferred tethered VR headsets, but with the release of the standalone Meta Quest 2 (which can be tethered to your PC if you want), there's been a fundamental shift in the market. Coming in at just $299 for a genuinely great experience, it's impossible for a prospective VR gamer to ignore. There's certainly a place for premium VR headsets, though there should be something special about them or the price tag will overshadow the features pretty significantly.

Once you've secured one of the best VR headsets, the next step is figuring out the best VR games. Half-Life: Alyx (opens in new tab) shows what VR is capable of, but it'll push your PC majorly. There are plenty of other sci-fi titles to enjoy that aren't as intense, such as No Man's Sky (opens in new tab) (you'd do best to sit down for that one). If you're stuck for ideas, check out the best VR games on PC (opens in new tab).

Whatever you choose to play, it really is a great time to get into virtual reality (opens in new tab).

Best VR headsets

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The Meta Quest 2 (previously the Oculus Quest 2) both improves on the specs sheet of the original Quest and delivers it for cheaper. With a new LCD at 1832 x 1920 per eye, the Quest 2 offers exceptional clarity for what is priced like an entry-level headset, but is much more than that.

First off, yes, this is the same headset as the Oculus Quest 2. Meta owns Oculus, and with its big rebranding from Facebook it took the Oculus brand down with it. You'll find the Meta Quest 2 listed some places today, though the identical Oculus brand still stands strong elsewhere. Why Meta decided to make the change, who can say. I personally preferred Oculus, for what it's worth.

The Quest 2 becomes more than a standalone VR headset with Oculus Link.

But let's talk about the Quest 2. So long as you keep the headset at a decent level with your eyes in the centre, the Quest 2 delivers a crisp and clear picture. Powering that is the Snapdragon XR2 System-on-Chip (SoC) from Qualcomm, which is a marked improvement over the Snapdragon 835 SoC used in the older Quest model. That also now comes with 6GB of RAM, a step-up from the 4GB on the original model.

You can either play games purpose-built for the standalone headset, and thus rendered by the onboard Snapdragon XR2 chip, or beamed from your PC using Oculus Link and a compatible USB Type-C cable. We've used the official Oculus Link cable, although it is really pricey. You can absolutely use a cheaper cable, but bear in mind that some won't deliver the length, bandwidth, or power that pricier cables can. That can be a bit of an issue, but not always.

The Quest 2 becomes more than a standalone VR headset with Oculus Link. It becomes an all-in-one VR Swiss army knife, capable of great on-the-move VR and gaming across SteamVR and Oculus Rift compatible titles. It's now capable of up to 120Hz refresh rate, thanks to a recent update, making it an even sweeter deal.

The official Oculus Link cable is really nice but so expensive. (Image credit: Future)

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There are technically two storage options to choose from: 256GB and 128GB. There is also a 64GB models, however, as this was all the storage cheaper option launched with. Meta replaced that with the 256GB model for the same price, so we don't recommend picking the 64GB model up unless it's going much cheaper than MSRP.

The less capacious unit of the three is what I've been testing, but even with significantly less space you'll have no issue keeping a half-decent catalogue of VR games, experiences, and apps installed.

The Quest 2 is one of the quickest headsets to get up and running on this list. With Inside-Out tracking and hand tracking built-in, you can go from unboxing to up-and-running in VR in just a couple of minutes. The first time setup process will have you removing your headset, memorising Wi-Fi passwords, putting the headset back on again, and then waiting around for a couple of updates. It's a little fiddly, but you need only do it once and it's relatively quick to complete.

There is a major hitch with recommending the Oculus Quest 2, however: its plan for virtual world domination via compulsory Facebook account login. The Oculus Quest 2 requires a Facebook account, though researchers have managed to bypass it (opens in new tab). The company says it's to better serve you, the customer, with services and products, although for a good while there the only discernible 'benefit' was direct to feed screenshots. Not great. Meta did seemingly look to be rid of this mandatory login, but it's currently still in place.

If you're not a fan of Meta's (née Facebook's) practices then you'd best scroll further down the list for a VR headset worth investing in.

If it doesn't bother you, the Quest 2 is a quick and easy device to jump into VR. Most tethered headsets require the use of an external sensor, or two. The Oculus Quest 2 is a self-contained unit capable of tracking controller, hand, and headset movement without further kit, as did its predecessor. The inside-out tracking on the Quest 2 manages to keep up exceptionally well, and without fear of falling out of eyeline with the sensors.

The standalone experience is admittedly still hampered by the low-power silicon, and there's no getting around that. The Quest 2 not only deals with the processing onboard, but it's also trying to conserve battery power to ensure a half-decent run. That's roughly around two hours of battery life for gaming.

As an all-round VR headset for a wide range of uses, the Quest 2 is simply unparalleled. The fact that it's also the cheapest VR headset we recommend is just icing on the cake.

Read our full Meta Quest 2 review. (opens in new tab)

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2. Valve Index The best VR headset for a premium experience on a gaming PC Specifications Display: AMOLED Resolution: 2880 x 1600 Refresh Rate: 120Hz, experimental 144Hz mode Field of View: ~130 degrees Controllers: Index Controllers Connections: DisplayPort, USB 3.0, USB 2.0 Today's Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Best in class hardware + Comfortable to wear + Virtually no SDE Reasons to avoid - Setup is awkward - Limited support for finger-tracking

The Valve Index boasts some of the best visuals of any mainstream, commercially available VR headset, with a display resolution equalling the Vive Pro, Quest, and Odyssey+ but paired with a 120Hz refresh rate (up to 144Hz in a currently unsupported, experimental mode). The FOV, at 130°, is also best-in-class, and there's virtually no detectable screen door effect inside the headset.

All sound good? Yeah, the Valve Index is the granddaddy of VR headsets.

If the specs list wasn't enough, the Valve Index feels great to wear. It's a bit heavier than the Rift S—enough that the weight was noticeable in our side-by-side comparison—but the shape of the head strap better distributes that weight around your head. Not to mention it's built from carefully selected, high-quality materials, with top-notch weight distribution. The strap materials feel quality too—more like a padded extra-soft t-shirt than standard foam padding—never bothering me during extended play sessions.

But most importantly, the Index is comfortable because of how it delivers audio.

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. With zero pressure on your ears, there's less fatigue from staying in VR for an extended period of time, and they somehow don't bleed audio into the rest of the room, either.

The Valve Index is the granddaddy of VR headsets.

The other hallmark feature of the Index is its new controllers, which double as both typical motion controllers and hand/finger trackers. The Index controllers strap to your hands—meaning you can release your grip entirely without worrying about dropping them.

Finger tracking is one of the distinguishing features of Valve's Index, but there aren't many impressive implementations yet. The best use so far is the Aperture Hand Labs (opens in new tab) tech demo, which has you waving to, high-fiving, and playing rock-paper-scissors with a collection of quirky Portal-style robots. Where previous touch controllers could only articulate grip, the Index controllers let me give a thumbs-up, point with finger guns, or even offer a Vulcan salute.

Not a whole load of games use finger tracking right now, which means outside of Aperture Hand Labs and Half Life: Alyx, the feature can feel a little gimmicky. Still, there's a great deal of potential there for future games.

The Valve Index also boasts some impressive technology and handy convenience features like USB passthrough in the slot hidden behind the front panel. There are tons of cool third-party mods for this slot, including cooling kits.

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The Index is a roomscale VR experience, which means it requires two base station sensors positioned around your play area. The HTC Vive and Vive Pro, as well as the last-gen Oculus Touch controllers, all use base stations. But the competition is fierce. The Quest 2 and Vive Cosmos (opens in new tab) use inside-out tracking—that is, sensors on the headset instead of placed around your room. After growing accustomed to that more streamlined experience, setting up sensors for the Index was frustrating.

It does deliver a more responsive experience than any of the inside-out options, though; there's a reason the more recent Vive Cosmos Elite (opens in new tab) goes back to prioritizing the base stations.

After setting it the base stations, the roomscale setup can be a pain. With the Quest 2, the headset's cameras give you a digital view of your surroundings to draw your play area in seconds. But the Index's setup has to be done via Steam on your computer, before you even put the headset on. After calculating floor height, you click the trigger at four corners of your available space, which Steam then measures in order to determine your best play area. After using the Rift S, it just feels old-fashioned—like having to start your car with a crank.

And all those premium features come at a price. It's the best VR headset on the market... if you don't consider the value proposition. At nearly a thousand dollars, the complete Index package costs as much as three Quest 2s.

Read our full Valve Index review (opens in new tab).

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3. HTC Vive Pro 2 The best display in a mainstream VR headset so far, but it'll cost you Specifications Display: LCD Resolution: 4896 x 2448 Refresh Rate: 120Hz Field of View: 120 degrees Controllers: HTC Vive Connections: DisplayPort 1.2, USB 3.0 Today's Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Awesome display + Precise tracking + Mature tracking Reasons to avoid - Ridiculously expensive - Takes time to setup - Gets hot in use

The HTC Vive Pro 2 brings with it a number of updates on the display front to make it one of the most impressive mainstream options around. The native resolution of 2448 x 2448 pixels per eye is incredible, and when coupled with the 120Hz refresh rate and 120-degree field of view, makes for one of the best viewing experiences around.

The Vive Pro 2 is one of the highest resolution mainstream headsets you can drop your money on and offers a significant edge over the Quest 2 as well, which settles for 3664 x 1920. It's great for high fidelity games, but a less obvious upgrade in more cartoony titles—meaning you really need high-resolution textures and models to truly enjoy the benefits this headset brings.

There's no obvious screen door effect either, and at this resolution it feels like the hardware side of VR has been solved.

Of course, at these kinds of resolutions, you'll need a high-end machine to get the most from this headset, with HTC recommending an Nvidia GeForce RTX 20-series or Radeon RX 5000-series GPU to maintain a smooth experience. For testing, we hooked up the headset to our high-end test PC, which is home to a GeForce RTX 3080 (opens in new tab) and an AMD Ryzen 9 5900X (opens in new tab). We had no problems running any of the games on this setup, but, yeah, it's well up there in terms of specs.

It's very much a tethered experience, and while the cable that connects you to your PC is generous, there are still times when it gets in the way and yanks you out of your virtual world. If you pine for cable-free gaming, then the headset is compatible with the HTC Vive wireless adapter, but that costs an extra $349 (£359) and also limits the refresh rate to 90Hz—not exactly ideal.

The headset itself is comfortable to wear, although I did find myself getting hot after a while. There's plenty of foam padding to help keep things comfortable, although this acts as an insulator as well. It's not the lightest headset around, but it is really well-balanced, and so doesn't feel overly heavy.

At this resolution it feels like the hardware side of VR has been solved.

As for the software side of getting the Vive Pro 2 up and running, that's handled by HTC's setup app, which goes through the proceedings in a logical way before handing over control to Steam VR for the final configuration. This works well and highlights any issues as you go.

HTC has stuck with the satellite setup for the Vive Pro 2 to ensure you get accurate controller tracking, which means you'll need plenty of power sockets to get everything up and running. The full starter kit comprises the headset, two first-generation controllers, and a pair of Base Station 2.0 satellites.

Setup is still a bit of a pain, and requires mounting the satellites in a way so that they're not bouncing around in response to your own virtual shenanigans. They come with wall mounting brackets, which is probably the best solution. You'll need to place them near power sockets too, as each satellite needs plugging in, and you'll need an extra socket for the headset breakout box too.

It's not plug-and-play is what I'm saying.

The headset is available on its own, which is useful if you're upgrading from a first-generation setup. That full-kit is surprisingly pricey at $1,399 (£1,299), while the headset on its own will set you back $799 (£719). It's a pricey upgrade over the Valve Index and doesn't do enough beyond the improved display to really justify that cost. Still, if you're looking for the very best display around, particularly as an upgrade, there's certainly a case to be made for the Vive Pro 2. It's a shame the starter kit is so expensive really.

Read our full HTC Vive Pro 2 review (opens in new tab).

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The HP Reverb G2 has won a place here with the best VR headsets, thanks in no small part to its fantastic resolution. If future-proofing your setup in terms of image fidelity is your main concern, it will not disappoint. With 2160p per eye, the Reverb G2 manages to completely alleviate the screen door effect that can cause issues with some lower resolution headsets—provided you have a powerful enough GPU to handle it.

You are able to step down the resolution per eye with relative ease if it surpasses the limitations of your hardware, though. And even playing in lower resolutions, you get to take advantage of great features like the highly inclusive, physical IPD toggle on the underside of the headset, the range of which is impressive compared to other options on the market.

The use of standard Mixed Reality controllers is a little disappointing, though. While they're battery operated for quick juice swaps, they forgo a lot of the more advanced features found in other designs like the Valve Index's finger-tracking knuckle controllers.

The Reverb G2's tracking solution does mean no base stations are necessary, and that means simpler setup, but also comes with some drawbacks. Visible light tracking means surrounding lighting conditions can really affect your experience. Don't expect it to work particularly well in a Sunroom, or in the dark, as the headset relies on a very particular lighting requirement to position you properly in physical space.

The hand tracking is a little limited without base stations, too, but HP counters this with fantastic IMU gyro sensors will predict movements beyond the tracking area, as long as they are fluid motions. Holding your hands still tells a different story, but this shouldn't make a difference in most in-game situations. It's possible to land steady sniper shots even when prone, as long as you don't pull the controllers too close to your face.

The Reverb G2 might not have all the fancy greebles of some of the other headsets on the list, but it has enough great features that do make it worth a look.

And speaking of invading your headspace, the headset is a snug fit. The Velcro strap gets caught in my hair a fair bit, but its a comfortable solution. It needs to be quite tight on to prevent slippage and, although it's not the heaviest VR headset around, there's a noticeable pressure on the cheeks. After extended periods of play this can make you feel strange due to interference with the sinuses. Either way it doesn't put any pressure on the bridge of the nose itself, and there's enough room to wear glasses inside comfortably.

Some users have complained of trouble with the curvature on the face gasket being too extreme, but there are 3D printed solutions out there if it doesn't fit right. Still, the Reverb G2's tether at least is a step up from the G1, in that it's now a singular cable as opposed to two adjacent cables. At 19.5 foot (6m), it's a little longer than a lot of other top VR headsets, but the jelly feel means it catches on itself, making it a little awkward to untangle.

The off-ear, BMR powered headphones are brilliant, however. Not only is the sound quality incredible, it also helps with keeping you cool and immersed without anything more pressing up against the side of your face. They're similar to the headphones used on the Index, and hopefully we'll see more headsets utilise the tech going forward.

The HP Reverb G2 works seamlessly with Steam VR, though I do have some gripes with its reliance on Windows Mixed Reality. Essentially there is no way to stop it from opening on startup if you've left the headset plugged in, aside from uninstalling it—which I don't want to do because it does include some cool features. Other than that, I've no real complaints on the software front when it comes to actually using the set on a day-to-day basis.

The Reverb G2 might not have all the fancy greebles of some of the other headsets on the list, but it has enough great features that do make it worth a look for the money.

Read our full HP Reverb G2 review (opens in new tab).

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The HTC Vive Cosmos Elite is attempts to address some of the problems with the original HTC Vive Cosmos, while maintaining the core specifications of that model. Chiefly the dual 4.3-inch 1440 x 1700 displays running at 90 Hz.

it comes bundled with the Half-Life: Alyx and 6-months of Viveport (opens in new tab) Infinity subscription, which at the very least means there are lots of things to try out with your new headset.

The Cosmos Elite is essentially the original Cosmos, with the first generation base stations and controllers, but a different faceplate attached to the headset. If you've already bought the Cosmos, you can upgrade it with a new faceplate for $200, although you'll need to buy your own base stations separately to use it. The modularity means you can even add the wireless adapter (opens in new tab), although at $350 for that alone, this solution can get expensive quickly.

The Cosmos Elite replaces the inside-out tracking of the original Cosmos, returning to base stations in order to improve accuracy. It's added to the price, and made the setup a little trickier—each one needs its own power connector, and should be mounted above head height, but angled downwards so as to encompass the floor. They have standard fittings for attaching to tripods and light stands, and the bundle even includes wall mounting brackets (complete with wall plugs and screws).

You'll also need a 6 x 6 ft space as a minimum, which can be difficult to set aside.

You don't need to plug absolutely everything in to use the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite, but if you're trying to recharge both controllers at the same time, that equates to a total of five power plugs, against the Cosmos Elite's three necessary sockets. You can use spare USB ports from your PC, though.

The main cable (the one you'll be tripping over the most) needs power connects to your graphics card via DisplayPort and connects to your machines via USB 3.0. It's a long, sturdy 16 ft cable, but I found it twisted easily, and it's weightiness has a tendency to disrupt the immersion.

The headset is a little heavy at 2lbs, but the foam padding makes for comfortable experience, bar a little forehead pressure, but the headband attaches firmly. The fact that you can easily flip the display up away from your face is also useful for reorienting yourself and for cooling off since it runs a little hot.

General hand tracking works well apart from the odd hurdle, and the controllers—which are the same as that of the original Vive—are comfortable enough. The trackpad is great and the buttons that have a satisfying click to them, though the two side buttons that detect when you squeeze the controller took a bit of getting used to. All in all the lack of innovation tends to hold the headset back.

The original launch price of the Cosmos Elite was prohibitively high at $899, which is one reason it didn't fare better in our review. Still, if you're looking for a premium VR gaming experience, you're going to have to pay a chunk for it, whichever solution you go for.

Read our full HTC Vice Cosmos Elite review (opens in new tab).

Best VR headset FAQ

What are VR lighthouses? To keep track of your movements, your VR headset needs to use some method of sensing both the headset itself as well as the controllers in your hands. The first VR headsets used what are known as lighthouses, individually placed sensors, or positional trackers, which plugged into your PC. This is the most accurate method of tracking but is cumbersome, and unless they're permanently installed in a room, you'll need to set them up each time you want to play, and that includes calibrating them anew every time.

What is inside-out tracking in VR? Inside-out tracking means you don't need external sensors as the headset can keep track of both itself and the controllers around it. Originally this method wasn't as effective, wasn't quite as responsive, and broke immersion in-game. But with the best VR headset, the Oculus Quest 2, the tech is almost on par with the lighthouse in terms of responsiveness now. And is certainly far more convenient.

Are there wireless PC VR headsets? The Quest 2 is a wireless headset, but you officially need to plug it into your gaming PC via a USB Type-C cable to enjoy the best VR headset experience with your rig. But there are now easily accessible ways to do that wirelessly. However, you do need to have a Wi-Fi 6 router to deliver the level of throughput you require not to spend the entire time vomiting your guts up due to incessant lag. The old Vive did have a wireless module you could add to the system, which was almost effective, though, in our experience, the connection dropouts would not be something we could put up within the long term. The Valve Index could be due to its own wireless module as some patents have emerged, indicating a wireless head strap (opens in new tab) has at least been considered for the company's stellar goggles.

Jargon buster - virtual reality busted

Field of view (FOV)

The field of view refers to the amount of an environment that's visible to an observer; in VR, it's the extent of the game world that's visible in the displays. A broader FOV in a headset is integral to a feeling of immersion.

Head-mounted display (HMD)

Broadly any wearable mounted on the head with graphical capabilities but often used to refer to VR headsets specifically.

Inside-out tracking

Systems used to track a user's movements in VR that originate in the headset, as opposed to outside-in tracking, where external sensors are used to track movement. Tracking, and the method used, is crucial to enable either three degrees of freedom (being able to look around in any direction in VR) or six degrees of freedom (being able to look around and move your body in any direction in VR).

Latency

The delay between an input and a response, in VR, the delay between user input through a controller, moving your head, or other methods, and the response on the headset displays. Low latency is vital to reducing nausea in VR, which is most intense when there's a delay or stuttering between moving or looking and the display reacting.

Resolution

Resolution is the measurement in pixels, horizontal and vertical, of an image or display. Higher resolution in VR is essential because the displays are so close to the user's eyes, which emphasizes jagged lines, pixelation, and the screen door effect.

Refresh rate

The number of images a display is capable of displaying per second, measured in hertz. The high refresh rate is essential for VR similarly to latency, as a low refresh rate can cause stuttering (or even the appearance of freezing), which can cause nausea.

Screen door effect (SDE)

The fine mesh-like effect of viewing an image rendered in pixels at close range, where the grid between pixels is visible. Higher resolutions (or proprietary solutions like that built into the Odyssey+) mitigate this effect.

Best VR Headsets to Buy in 2022

Virtual reality technology has grown in popularity over the past few years, and it's not showing any sign of slowing down. There are plenty of next-gen headsets expected in the next year or so. Thanks to tremendous advancements in the visuals, tracking and overall performance of VR hardware, the best VR headset options have become more realistic and immersive. These advances have made VR a viable option for a lot of applications and more appealing to businesses, who are starting to take note of the technology's power and potential for becoming a big part of everyday life in the future. Even so, VR still hasn't become a necessary product for most people.

For example, Facebook (which has been renamed Meta) has a new VR headset on the way that will support face tracking and mixed reality -- and will no doubt come with a pretty hefty price tag. Similarly, Apple is expected to have some form of VR-AR headset either late this year or early next year. Sony is also expected to release the PlayStation VR 2, which will work with the PlayStation 5 and feature new controllers, sometime this year. And in the meantime, we may see more phone-connected headsets like the HTC Vive Flow start to pop up, too.

If you're looking for the best VR headset, the ideal choice will depend on what you enjoy doing in the virtual world. VR technology is advancing rapidly, but right now, even the best VR headsets have their firmest foothold in the gaming market. That's right: This technology is currently best used to play video games. In fact, the Oculus Quest 2, which is an excellent home VR console, is still one of my favorite ways to play games.

If you're a gamer looking to enter the VR space, the Quest 2 remains our top pick for best VR headset experience, even though you need a Facebook account to use it. The Quest 2 remains a strong entry point, and is good enough to rival older headsets. However, next year, it could end up being replaced by a Quest 3.

Even though the flow of VR games isn't always as strong as standard consoles, the library of games is the best it's ever been: Valve's VR masterpiece Half-Life: Alyx, Star Wars: Squadrons on PC and plenty of Oculus Quest and PlayStation VR games besides those. But you still have to decide whether you want a headset that plugs into your PC, console or a stand-alone option like the Quest (which can double as a PC headset). The best VR headset for you ultimately depends on your needs and budget.

Scott Stein/CNET

The world of VR tech is advancing, and more changes will come. Companies such as Qualcomm (which makes the chips inside most self-contained VR headsets, including the new Quest 2) are building new chips that point to a wave of better stand-alone headsets at lower prices -- including ones that plug into your phone. The more expensive and business-targeted Vive Focus 3 shows where more premium standalone VR headsets could evolve.

If you're a PC gamer, a solid gaming PC-connected VR headset offers the most versatile collection of software for an immersive VR experience and lets you use that headset for creative and business tools. Note that a more powerful VR system will still be largely tethered to a desktop or laptop and a PC VR headset may require external sensors, so they may not be the best option for everyone.

And what about console gaming? The aging PlayStation VR is still fun if it's on sale and you have a PS4, mainly because there are loads more great VR game options for this device than you'd think. But keep in mind that the PlayStation 5, while it works with PSVR , needs the older PS4 controller and PS4 camera in order to work. You might want to wait for the next-gen PSVR 2 (which we're hoping to see sometime in 2022).

Augmented- and mixed-reality headsets aren't ready for everyday use yet, so a solid VR headset is your best bet for escaping to other worlds in the meantime. Read on to figure out which offers the best VR experience for you. We update this best VR headset list periodically, but note that prices are subject to change.

Sarah Tew/CNET Good: Self-contained and wireless; great touch controllers; comfortable design for gaming; doubles as PC VR headset Bad: Requires Facebook account At $299 with nothing else needed, the Quest 2 delivers virtual reality games and an immersive VR experience anywhere. One downside: you have to log in to Facebook in order to use it. The included 128GB of storage is plenty for storing dozens of games and apps, and an included silicone cover for the foam face piece helps with facial irritation concerns for some during VR workouts. The Quest 2 reminds me of the Nintendo Switch for its versatility and fun, plus it takes mere seconds to start up and fits really well over glasses. This VR headset has self-contained motion tracking and a full-motion six degrees of freedom (aka 6DoF) VR controller that is the same as the ones on the PC-required Oculus Rift, plus a surprisingly great high-resolution display and built-in speakers. Apps are downloaded right to the headset's onboard storage. Its more limited mobile processor still plays games such as Beat Saber, Moss and SuperHot VR extremely well, and it can even connect with a PC if you want to, using a single USB-C cable or wirelessly. Facebook parent company Meta discontinued the Oculus Rift S, so the Quest 2 is the best and only option for Oculus VR right now. But PC VR users have many other headset options. While Meta is expected to have a new headset later this year, code-named Project Cambria, it's expected to be work-focused and cost a lot more money than the Quest 2. The Quest 2 remains our recommended top pick.

HP The good: Really sharp high-res display, great audio, comfortable design The bad: Mediocre controllers If your idea of the best VR headset is to have the best image quality in consumer VR, HP's VR headset wins. For serious gamers (or VR racing sim fans), it's probably your best choice. The 2,160x2,160-per-eye resolution and 114-degree field of view are the best at this price range, and the lightweight, comfy headset also has fantastic drop-down speakers designed by Valve. It's technically a Microsoft Windows Mixed Reality headset that prefers to launch into Microsoft's native Windows 10 VR ecosystem, but it bridges with Steam VR and works with those games and apps, too. Built-in camera-based room-tracking is easier to set up than the Valve Index's external base stations, but is more prone to tracking errors. The included controllers, based on Microsoft's VR controller design, feel clunkier than either the Quest 2 controllers or Valve Index controllers. Also, the over-ear speakers are your only audio choice: there's no headphone jack. It typically lists for $599, but it's often been on sale for less. Read our HP Reverb G2 review.

Sarah Tew/CNET Good: Futuristic controllers; high-quality headset; works with Vive hardware Bad: Expensive; requires room setup and tethering cable Valve's headset might be the most interesting PC virtual reality experience this year, just for its fancy new controllers. Valve's "knuckle" controllers are pressure-sensitive and can track all five fingers, making them almost like gloves. Not all apps make the most of them, but Valve's hardware is mix-and-match compatible with the HTC Vive, which also is built on the Steam VR platform. The Index headset has excellent audio and a sharp, wide field-of-view display. The Index works with external "lighthouse" boxes similar to the HTC Vive, meaning you need to set those up in a room first. It's not as self-contained as the Quest 2 or HP Reverb G2, which can track the room with in-headset cameras. It's also definitely not wireless, but if you already have some older HTC Vive hardware, you could add on parts of the Index to mix and match. Read our Valve Index review.

Sarah Tew/CNET Good: Plenty of games; lower price; works with many PS4 controllers like the DualShock and Move Bad: Resolution isn't cutting-edge; Sony hasn't yet made great VR controllers that match the competition, but a new version may be coming next year Sony's years-old PSVR headset is still the only head-mounted display for gaming consoles and its screen still offers a surprisingly immersive experience. But with the PSVR 2 expected to arrive later this year, anyone who has a PS5 should wait for what should be far superior hardware and a new game library to go with it. Still, the cost of a PS5 and PSVR 2 could be very expensive, far beyond the $300 all-in price of a Quest 2. Playing PSVR on a PS4 still holds up, though. Sony has delivered -- and continues to deliver -- many excellent virtual reality games, many of them exclusives. All you need is the PSVR and a PlayStation 4 and you can start playing. (A few good games to start with are listed here.) This VR system is showing its age, though, compared to the alternatives. And, the new PS5, while it'll work with the old PSVR, will need your old PS4 controllers and camera, plus a camera adapter, to work. Note that this PlayStation VR headset is increasingly hard to get, and that may continue as Sony pivots to PSVR 2.

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VR FAQs

Should I wait to buy a VR headset? There are a lot of expected headsets this year, as I mentioned above: Meta's Project Cambria, PlayStation VR 2 and Apple's mystery device. There are bound to be others. VR is a technology that's still in flux, with companies aiming for products that are smaller and more able to be connected to devices like phones. It's probably best to spend as little as possible to avoid investing in outdated gear. The Quest 2 is by far the best value, and it also happens to be the best-designed headset with the most upside at the moment, as long as you're OK with the proposition of living under Meta's metaverse umbrella and Facebook's data policies.

What should I look for in a VR headset? It depends, really, on whether you're connecting to a PC or not... and whether you plan to do work with it. There are plenty of Windows-compatible headsets, but they vary in display resolution. Higher is better, and so is a larger field of view. Headsets can refresh at up to 120Hz now, and the faster they can refresh, the more natural and smooth VR movement feels. Most PC VR headsets have similar controller designs, and can bridge to work tools and apps. For portability or stand-alone comfort, the Quest 2 doesn't have any competition right now. For gamers with a game console, the PlayStation VR is the only option, but you'll probably want to wait for the PSVR 2 if you have a PS5. Also, consider the app libraries: the Quest has a lot of exclusive games, Windows-connected headsets have lots of compatibility with work apps and experimental tools, and Sony's PlayStation library has unique VR games, too.

Do any of these headsets work with phones? The old world of phone-based VR headsets -- like the Samsung Gear VR and Google Daydream -- are basically dead. A good number of the current iPhone, Android and VR app options don't even work with the old mobile VR goggles. The Quest 2 does have a phone app for streaming content for a parent to monitor, and can receive phone notifications and sync some health data for workouts, but it's still not fully integrated with phones. If smartphone-based VR comes back, it will more likely be in the form of small headsets that plug into phones via USB-C for VR content, VR gaming and other uses.

How do I care for my VR headset? VR headsets can get dusty and grimy. Take extra care with the lenses, which should be cleaned gently with microfiber cloths the same way you'd treat glasses (don't use liquids). It's a good idea to invest in a silicone cover to protect the face plate from sweat and dirt, or look for extra face covers to swap out over time. It's a very good idea to keep your headset covered when not in use. Take extra care not to expose your VR headset to bright sunlight: The sun can damage VR displays if beams hit the lenses of the headset. (To be safe, I keep mine in cases, or turn the lenses away from windows.)

More for gamers

The best VR headset in 2022

There isn't a vast selection to choose from when it comes to getting the best VR headset, but the options in this list will cover you if you're after an entry-level virtual reality experience or one powered by a mighty gaming PC.

These range from the Oculus Quest 2, now called Meta Quest 2, to the Valve Index high-end headset for now. The VR headset market could get a shake-up later this year when Meta is expected to release its Project Cambria headset, which some people suspect might be the Oculus Quest Pro . ( Leaked Project Cambria renders purportedly show off the upcoming headset.)

Until that device arrives, though, read on to get an idea of the best VR headsets you should consider.

What are the best VR headsets?

Our pick for the best VR headset is the Oculus Quest 2, now called the Meta Quest 2. That's because it's an all-in-one VR headset we feel is ideal if you want to get started with virtual reality or just want a headset that doesn't require a powerful PC to play. And there's also the option to connect the Quest 2 to a PC and enjoy playing Oculus-supported games that way.

Beyond the Quest 2, if you want a true high-end VR then you will need a VR headset that’s connected to a powerful PC. In that case, the Valve Index is your best bet, though it's very expensive. Do bear in mind you’ll need a good bit of free space to get the most out of these headsets, especially if you plan on doing room-scale VR.

If you have a PS4 or PS4 Pro (opens in new tab) handy, then the PlayStation VR is a good option. Its simple setup means you’ll be playing games like Batman: Arkham VR and Star Trek: Bridge Crew in no time. Just make sure you have a PlayStation Camera handy and bear in mind it won't work perfectly with the PS5.

The best VR headsets you can buy today

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The Oculus Quest 2 is a masterclass in incremental improvements over its predecessor, the Oculus Quest. As reviewer Michael Andronico concluded: "The Oculus Quest 2’s price, game library and overall ease of use make it the best entry point into virtual reality yet."

That's because sports a slicker design, better display resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate in some games and apps, and faster overall performance. It also just feels like a neat yet rather well-made headset.

It also does all this yet again with any cables, though you can connect it to a PC via the Oculus Link cable and get access to full-fat PCVR games; deputy editor Mike Prospero did just that with Microsoft Flight Simulator and the Oculus Quest 2.

With a starting of $299, it's arguably one of the most affordable yet solid quality ways of getting started with the world of virtual reality experiences. Furthermore, the suite of apps and games on the Oculus Store can make the Quest 2 a great headset for all kinds of VR experiences, even helping with your workout and saving your from a dull fitness regime.

See our full Oculus Quest 2 review.

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If you want to play VR games on a console then the PlayStation VR system is your best, and pretty much only bet. As reviewer Sherri L. Smith noted: "PlayStation VR delivers compelling games in a comfortable, easy-to-use headset that won't break your budget."

The semi-futuristic looking headset is surprisingly comfortable, with a superb range of games that’s been slowly expanding. You can play games like Star Wars Battlefront: Rogue One X-Wing Mission, Eve: Valkyrie, and Batman: Arkham VR, as well as Astro Bot Rescue Mission.

If you have a PS4 or PS4 Pro, then PlayStation VR is one of the more affordable ways to play VR games, especially given that you don’t need an expensive gaming PC. Yet with the initiative Move controllers and movement tracking, you are still getting a rather high-end VR experience.

One thing to also bear in mind that the PS5 also has support for PlayStation VR. The only problem is that it doesn't play nicely with the Move controllers. But there's good news as the PSVR 2 headset is in the works and it will bring with it a pair of new controllers.

See our full PlayStation VR review.

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The Valve Index represents the culmination of the gaming giant's efforts to make a VR headset by itself. And it succeeded. And Valve did so with great success.

Our colleagues over at Tom's Hardware have tried the headset, and in a Valve Index review (opens in new tab), contributor Kevin Carbotte noted: "The Valve Index headset offers excellent visuals, best-in-class tracking and top-quality build, and its Index controllers are unquestionably the best solution for interacting with virtual worlds."

So Valve Index is a comfortable and high-end VR system, with high-quality construction, comfortable cushioning and smart built-in speakers. The downside of this quality is that the headset can be rather heavy to wear for an extended period of time.

But despite this, there’s a lot to like about the Index, as it comes with an LCD panel that offers variable refresh rates to suit the power of your PC. Naturally, you'll need to be prepared for a tethered VR experience, but there's not a higher quality way to get into high-end VR in your home.

How to choose the best VR headset for you

Our picks for the best VR headsets are rather few, due to the fact that a lot of the top VR headsets of the past few years have been discontinued and replaced with one or two models. Yet, that's not to say the choice is a completely easy one.

The first thing to consider is what type of VR games you want to play and what hardware you have. For those with powerful PCs and a dedicated virtual reality space, then a headset like the Valve Index is worth considering.

People with less space and less powerful hardware should go for the what's now called the Meta Quest 2. It offers an all-in-one VR experience and can be connected toa PC using a Link cable, which can be a pricy extra.

For owners of the PS4 or PS5, the choice is a lot easier as your only option id the PSVR headset. That's no bad thing as the system is fairly neat and it comes with a decent if not stellar range of games.

Will VR work with PS5 and Xbox Series X? (Image credit: Tom's Guide) As it stands, if you want some virtual reality action on the PS5 and Xbox Series X your out of luck... mostly. Only the PS5 supports VR in the form of the PSVR headset, though a second-generation headset is in the works and will be designed specifically for the PS5. On Xbox Series X and Series S there's not a VR option, and there's no hint that VR support will come in the near future. We hope that would change given Windows 10 has baked-in VR support, but right now things don't look too hopeful for games console VR.

How we test VR headsets

Identifying the best VR headsets takes a suite of things to consider, from the hardware itself to the software the headsets will work with. We test and consider how easy it is to set up a VR headset and system, how well designed and comfortable the headset is, how well its interface works, and take a look at the accessories the VR headset can use.

We also take a look at how specific VR headsets work such and how easy the interface to use, as well as how head tracking performs and the quality of the controllers with the headsets.

A major part of initial testing involves evaluating how much space is needed to set up one of our picks for the best VR headsets to get the most out of them. This doesn’t apply to headsets that use a smartphone to power them, but in this case, we look at how easy they are to get working with an Android phone and well as how much software one needs to download and how well the phone fits inside the headset’s enclosure.

A product can look great but still be uncomfortable to use. Aside from testing out all the various content, we spend at least 30 minutes wearing each headset. We test to make sure any embedded air vents are keeping things cool. And if it does get sweaty, we see how well the face guard wicks away moisture. We also weigh the headsets, because even the lightest gadget can feel heavy after long periods of use. Finally, we test how adjustable the head straps are and how secure they feel.

As the de facto face of your virtual experience, the interface is vitally important. We test how responsive and intuitive the home page and subsequent menus are, as well as test special features, like voice commands and gesture control.

Whether it's a traditional gamepad or something more elaborate, like the Rift's Touch Controllers, we're checking to see if the input devices are ergonomically designed; after all, no one wants hand cramps. We also test tracking and responsiveness in a number of games.

Hardware without great software is just an expensive paperweight. We not only examine the size of a device's library but also scour the listings and test out some of the higher-end apps and titles. At this point, a good library should feature a number of games, apps, movies and other experiences.