VR is definitely the way of the future, and you can still get your hands on the best VR headset despite previous stock issues. In stark contrast to the stock of the best graphics card, the recent HMD (head-mounted display) shortage is coming to an end, and there are even exciting new VR headsets in the making. So don’t worry, Half-Life: Alyx won’t be dormant in your Steam library forever. Whether it’s a top of the line, ‘the best your money can buy’ VR experience you want, or just something cheap and cheerful to get you up and running in your favourite VR game, we’ve tested a whole bunch of these headsets for you.
As you start to become accustomed to traipsing through digital worlds that you’ll start to notice the flaws, drawbacks, and limitations of any VR headset – and realise why some choose to spend so much. That’s where we come in. We’ve spent hours, nay days, in virtual reality – often forgoing personal well-being and hygiene in the name of science – to come to a definite conclusion over which VR headset for PC is best right now.
Oculus and HTC have long been the brands associated with VR and PC VR headsets. Oculus went from acclaimed virtual reality startup to Facebook subsidiary pretty darn quick due to its smart tech, and HTC joined along not long after with arguably the best PC VR headset for much of the tech’s nascent life: the HTC Vive. With more companies joining the fray, however, competition is heating up.
Not to be confused with the best gaming headsets out there, here are what we consider the best VR headsets on the market:
Check pricesValve Index
The best VR headset is the Valve Index.
The Valve Index makes the most compelling argument for high-fidelity, tethered PC VR – provided you’ve got the rig to deal with the workload. And it does so by breaking the mould in a few ways. The off-ear speakers – while one of its most questionable features pre-launch – turned out to be one of the Index’s strongest. They’re somehow both immersive and comfortably distant from the ear without any sound leakage… witchcraft.
Aside from glorious audio, the Index offers dual 1440 x 1600 RGB LCD screens, fitted with a greater number of subpixels than their AMOLED alternatives. They’re also a touch wider when it comes to field of view and capable of running at up to 144Hz, rivalling the best gaming monitor. The end result is a display with greater sharpness, clarity, and eye comfort for longer periods. And its controllers are seriously the best ones out there. The Index truly is the best VR headset for gaming.
What we like
Fantastic audio Knuckles controller Minimal screen door Accurate tracking
| Valve Index specs | |
| Screen | Dual 1440 x 1600 LCD |
| Refresh | Up to 144Hz |
| FoV | 130° |
| Tracking | Steam VR base stations |
Read the PCGamesN Valve Index review for our full verdict and score.
Check prices
HTC Vive Pro 2
The best VR headset screen is the HTC Vive Pro 2
If you’re looking for a premium VR experience, HTC’s Vive Pro 2 should scratch your immersion itch. HTC’s latest VR headset has one of the most impressive screens on the market, with a native resolution of 2,448 x 2,448 pixels per eye, meaning it can provide a high fidelity viewing experience that puts even some gaming monitors to shame. The HTC Vive Pro 2’s screen also runs at 120 Hz and features a 120-degree field of view, so you might need to routinely conduct a reality check while wearing this headset.
The Vive Pro 2 is admittedly pricey, especially compared to some of the other headsets on this list, but if you’re serious about VR gaming, this headset will likely tick all the boxes. If you already own HTC’s previous headset, you’ll be able to pick up the Vive Pro 2 on its own. However, if you’re new to the VR fold, you’ll need to pick up a pair of first-generation controllers and a set of Base Station 2.0’s.
What we like High-fidelity screen 120-degree field of view Easy setup 120Hz refresh rate
| HTC Vive Pro 2 | |
| Screen | Single LCD (2488×2488 per eye) |
| Refresh | 120Hz |
| FoV | 120° |
| Tracking | Inside-out |
check pricesOculus Quest 2
The best standalone VR headset is the Oculus Quest 2.
The Oculus Quest 2 is a revision of the previous and already brilliant Oculus Quest, being lighter with a new colour scheme and a more adjustable headband. Despite it being a standalone headset that doesn’t require a PC or mobile for VR experiences, it can be used for a true PC VR experience too, with the Oculus link software and a compatible USB-C cable. Pictures come from a single panel LCD display with a resolution of 1832×1920 per eye, and an improved refresh rate of 90Hz. With this rumoured to increase to 120Hz in a future update, this would give the comparatively low priced headset a similar refresh rate to the Valve Index’s 144Hz. It has hand tracking available too, or you can use the included controllers.
In its standalone form, the Quest 2 is wireless, allowing you to move more freely than dedicated PC VR if you fancy a break – with a built-in Android-based OS, with many VR experiences playable through the headset itself – some of which also made our list of the best VR games, such as Beat Saber. With a battery life of up to three hours when unplugged, and a weight of just 0.5kg, this is probably the most comfortable VR headset for long sessions.
What we like Wireless Quality built-in speakers Easy setup Great resolution
| Oculus Quest 2 specs | |
| Screen | Single LCD (1832×1920 per eye) |
| Refresh | 90Hz |
| FoV | 90° |
| Tracking | Inside-out |
Check pricesOculus Rift S
The easiest VR headset to set up is the Oculus Rift S.
While we recommend the Quest for a taste of both worlds, if you’re resolutely a PC gamer then you’ll find no headset more fitting for your cranium than the Oculus Rift S. The Facebook-owned company has once again tweaked its original Rift formula, adding inside-out tracking, a new panel type, and increasing the resolution. It does, however, cut the refresh rate from 90Hz with the original Rift to 80Hz with the Rift S.
So it’s not all improvements for the headset following the initial Rift a few years on – and the Rift S does feel somewhat of a stop-gap solution to bolster sales as Valve and HTC release impressive high-end kit. Still, for what it’s worth, the Oculus Rift S is an affordable entry point for high-end, tethered PC VR and a solid, enjoyable experience – so that’s a thumbs up from us.
What we like Insight tracking Comfortable Touch controllers Decent upgrade to Rift
| Oculus Rift S specs | |
| Screen | Dual 1280 x 1440 fast-switch LCD |
| Refresh | 80Hz |
| FoV | 90° |
| Tracking | Inside-out |
Check pricesHTC Vive Cosmos
The best VR headset for modding is the HTC Vive Cosmos.
The HTC Vive Cosmos fits snugly between the Oculus Rift S and the Valve Index. While costly, you receive the best that HTC, originators of the almighty Vive, is able to offer, truly completing the best gaming PC setup money can buy. That includes inside-out tracking, a whopping 2880 x 1700 resolution across new LCD panels, and new and improved ergonomics to keep the headset stable and comfortable.
The new controllers are a redesign of the original Vive’s, and many of the extra add-ons for the original kit can also be reused with the Cosmos. Wireless connectivity powered by Intel WiGig, Lighthouse tracking support, and Vive Tracker support are all set for imminent rollout on the new and improved Vive.
What we like Modular Inside-out tracking High resolution Compatible with Vive accessories
| HTC Vive Cosmos specs | |
| Screen | Dual 1440 x 1700 RGB LCD |
| Refresh | 90Hz |
| FoV | 110° |
| Tracking | Inside-out |
Check pricesGoogle Cardboard
The best cheap VR headset is the Google Cardboard.
How could we forget Google Cardboard? Being one of the worst VR experiences we’ve had, it’s unlikely to replace a setup with the best gaming keyboard and best gaming mouse any time soon, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t just enough to get you thirsty for more virtual reality gaming. Since Cardboard relies on your mobile phone’s screen, gyroscope, and accelerometer, your experience may vary considerably. And, frankly, no matter how great your phone may be, there’s very much a hard limit on just how immersive Google Cardboard can be.
It is, however, free and open-source. Just about anyone can make their own cardboard headset, buy a cheap third-party design for tuppence, or even develop an app for the platform via the newly-public SDK. And, of course, you can buy a pre-built one on Amazon for pennies, making it the best budget VR headset. So while not technically PC VR in any way, shape, or form, Google Cardboard is more than convincing enough to newbies in a pinch. One go in this lovably slapdash excuse for VR and you’ll come out the other side wondering what the $1,000 Valve Index can do.
What we like Basically free Open-source Can be recycled
| Google Cardboard specs | |
| Screen | Mobile Phone |
| Refresh | *coughs* |
| FoV | *coughs more loudly* |
| Tracking | Mobile gyro |
VR Headset buying guide
With VR technology maturing and flagship titles such as Half-Life: Alyx now being released there’s no better time to invest in a VR headset.
The Valve Index is a glimpse of what’s to come in terms of high-end tech, but the Oculus Quest 2 offers a superb and flexible VR experience at an affordable price. HP’s Reverb G2 looks like it’ll be a great blend of high-end Index-esque hardware for a more mainstream market, too – but we’re going to have to wait a while before we can get our grubby paws on it.
With more companies than ever looking towards VR as a potential revenue raiser, it looks like the technology, and more importantly the wider platform, are here to stay. So indulge in VR with headset kit worth buying and lose yourself in the fantastical worlds of the best VR games from the comfort of your living room – we promise you won’t regret the decision.
VR headset price list
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