1. The list in brief
2. Best overall
3. Best for PC
4. Best budget
5. Best for console
6. Best high-res
7. Best for comfort
8. How we test
The best VR headsets are a captivating gateway into an entirely fresh and intimate gaming experience, especially if it's your first time checking out the immersive tech. In 2023, there are more products than ever to choose from, so you're bound to find something to suit your setup and gaming space. That said, we've gone ahead and narrowed down our top picks to make the decision even easier for you.
VR tech is only becoming more impressive, which is something the best VR headsets are sure to showcase. Especially with the release of the esteemed PSVR 2 earlier this year, and the imminent launch of Oculus Quest 3, more players than ever are keen to get hold of the hardware and some of the best VR games which typically retail for less than more traditional releases.
We're not going to sugarcoat things, however; VR is a relatively expensive hobby, and individual headsets can cost as much as, if not more than, the best gaming consoles and PCs. We've endeavored, then, to pull together a range of products that stretch across every platform and budget scope, including alternatives for people who want to cut the cables and go entirely wireless.
The Quick List
The best VR headset overall
The Meta Quest 2 is still the reigning champion when it comes to standalone headsets. Affordable, easy to setup, and featuring a huge library of games, it's the easiest on our list to recommend.
The best VR headset for PC gaming
While expensive, the Valve Index offers a near-unparalleled VR experience if you're looking for sheer image clarity, performance and overall reliability. Bit of a pain to set up, though.
The best budget VR headset for PC
If you want to get into VR more affordably, you should consider HP's brilliant Reverb G2 headset. Slightly lacking in features compared to pricier models, but nonetheless a fantastic entry point.
The best VR headset for console
It may be the only game in town when it comes to bespoke, console-based VR, but PSVR 2 impresses with high resolution and some excellent exclusive experiences.
The best high-resolution VR headset
You'll need a beefy PC to support it, but the HTC Vive Pro 2's 2448 x 2448 (5K) resolution has to be seen to be believed.
The best VR headset for comfort
One of the newer entries in our list, the Meta Quest Pro won't be for everyone with its expensive price tag, but when it comes to a comfortable VR experience, there's no headset better.
Best VR headsets in 2023
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
The best VR headset overall
✅ You want an affordable VR headset: At just $299 / £299, the Meta Quest 2 is one of the easiest headsets on your wallet.
✅ You want a versatile headset: The Quest 2's standalone functionality lends it a portability factor that's surprisingly rare in the space.
❌ You want a high-end headset: The Meta Quest 2's overall power is somewhat pared down compared to some other, more expensive options in this list.
The Meta Quest 2 (formerly the Oculus Quest 2) is the best VR headset for most people. It doesn't need wiring to an expensive PC, offers movement and freedom, and it's easy to set up and use. It’s a significant improvement over the original Quest, which is a more responsive experience thanks to improved RAM and chip specs, plus a higher resolution display that’s 50% sharper than its predecessor.
Meta Quest 2 is impressively compact, requiring no extra cameras or wires during play. If you don't want extra cables potentially getting in the way of your VR experience, that simply won't be an issue with the Quest 2's standalone build. All the headset's features can be accessed while wearing it, too, including its home and store front, providing a seamless experience that doesn't require you to take the headset off.
For a while, Meta Quest 2 saw a $100 / £100 price increase. Thankfully, that's no longer the case, and has dropped back down to $299 / £299 for the 128GB model, and $349 / £349 for the 256GB variant. It's available at all major retailers, as well as from Meta itself.
Quest 2 games have the capacity to run up to 90Hz, essential for VR games that want to offer as smooth an experience as possible. Hand tracking is also reliable here, offering much more accurate response with the Quest 2's controllers. This helps games like Robo Recall and Beat Saber to shine, as the very precise movements required as easier to pull off then ever.
Interested in Quest 2 peripherals? Consider browsing our best Quest 2 accessories guide to find products that'll enhance your VR experience.
- Read more: Meta Quest 2 review
The best headset for PC gaming
✅ You want a seriously powerful headset: Despite being a few years old, the Valve Index still impresses as one of the more powerful VR headsets out there.
✅ You want VR on Steam: The Valve Index's Steam VR compatibility means hundreds of VR games are supported.
❌ You don't have much space: Valve Index is quite complicated to set up, requiring several cables and cameras to function properly.
The Valve Index is one of the best VR headsets because it represents a next-gen system compared to its predecessors. We found it has a crisp display that runs well even with older GPUs, a wider field of view, a higher refresh rate, and Valve’s 'knuckle' controllers, which can track the movement of every finger.
The Valve Index certainly looks the part of a high-end headset, but that means it also requires a complex setup (and a powerful PC) to match. In fact, our least favorite thing about Valve's headset is the setup process, which requires several wires and a dual camera setup to work properly. Make sure you have enough desk and room space (not to mention a few free power outlets) to ensure a seamless experience. The process is worth it, however, as you'll be treated to impressive wide field-of-view and full Steam integration, making browsing your existing library in VR a cakewalk.
Availability for the Valve Index has greatly increased in 2023, much like with some of the company's other hardware such as the Steam Deck. Priced at $999 / £919 / AU$1,425, there's no getting around the fact that it's an expensive option, but if you've got the budget for it, it's one of the best options on the market right now.
The Valve Index is a significant upgrade over both the HTC Vive, and the HTC Vive Pro. The Index also offers a much higher-resolution screen and a better refresh rate which in turn lowers the risk of discomfort or motion sickness. We're also huge fans of the Index controllers, their knuckle-shaped design proving to be a fantastic layout for VR play.
- Read more: Valve Index review
The best budget VR headset for PC
✅ You're on a budget: In the high-end VR headset space, you'll find it hard to buy a headset that's cheaper than this.
✅ You want high resolution: At 4K per lens, the HP Reverb G2 provides impressively high image clarity for its relatively lower price point.
❌ You want more accurate play: The headset's motion tracking could be better overall, and it's the one big weakness it has compared to others.
The HP Reverb G2 is an excellent headset for anyone looking for something slightly cheaper than the Valve Index or HTC Vive Pro 2 and something easy to set up. Although it’s not as accurate as the somewhat pricier options, it’s a fantastic alternative that still maintains the visual enchantment of VR gaming. If anything, the HP Reverb G2 exceeds visual expectations and presents an entirely new experience while undercutting the cost of its peers.
The HP Reverb G2 is an incredible bang-for-your-buck headset that's very smartly designed. It avoids the 'screen door' effect that plagues many a VR headset, and out of the box, it's extremely easy to set up. The only really irksome thing here is a multitude of wires, ad the Reverb G2 does require a PC unlike Meta's offerings. You'll also need a decently powerful PC thanks to the headset's high-resolution output. Additionally, since it’s compatible with Steam VR, you'll have no shortage of games to play when buying this headset.
The HP Reverb G2 can be picked up for $599 / £682 from most major retailers as well as HP itself. That's expensive on paper, but its relatively high-end features make it one of the cheaper offerings for what you're getting overall.
The HP Reverb G2 features an impressively high resolution of 2160 x 2160 (4K) per lens. That's pretty exceptional for a headset that's relatively low-priced, and that image clarity means you won't be dealing with image ghosting or smeary visuals throughout your playtime. The headset is slightly let down by its motion tracking precision, which isn't quite as accurate as other, pricier options. Still, it's surprising to see just how much the Reverb G2 gets right at its lower price of entry.
- Read more: HP Reverb G2 review
The best VR headset for console
✅ You're interested in console VR: PSVR 2 is really the only console-based option at present, but sets a high bar for future hardware.
✅ You want some exclusive VR experiences: From Horizon: Call of the Mountain to Gran Turismo 7, PSVR 2 has some excellent VR experiences you can't play anywhere else.
❌ You've just bought a PS5: Bizarre as that sounds, PSVR 2 is even pricier than the console, making it a hard sell if you've only just picked up a PS5. Consider waiting on a price drop as the Holiday season approaches.
The original PSVR had its share of shortcomings back in 2016, most of which have been brilliantly addressed in 2023 with PSVR 2. Sony has set a phenomenally high bar for any future console-based VR headsets, and comes highly recommended from us if you own a PS5.
PSVR 2 has a pleasing, rounded silhouette that matches the aesthetic of the PS5 console. Compared to its PS4 counterpart, it's phenomenally easy to set up, with just a single wire needed to connect it to your PS5. The setup phase doubles as a tutorial, walking you through features like eye-tracking, room space visualization and the new passthrough feature that lets you view your surroundings at any time at the press of a button.
PSVR 2's price will be a sticking point for many. At $549 / £529 / AU$879, it is cheaper than many PC and standalone headsets. On the other hand, it's more expensive than the PS5 itself, which has proven to be not such a good look for the average consumer, especially as PSVR 2's software library is quite small at present.
PSVR 2 exclusive games like Horizon: Call of the Mountain seriously impress with stellar image quality. Meanwhile, solid ports of PSVR favorites like Tetris Effect, Rez Infinite and Moss: Book II return looking better and playing more responsively than ever. The device is massively helped by its 2,000 x 2,040 panel resolution, allowing for much clearer image quality. You may struggle to find and maintain the headset's 'sweet spot' though, meaning you might find yourself readjusting the headset during sessions. However, our guide to the best PSVR 2 accessories can help to make this process significantly less stressful.
- Read more: PSVR 2 review
The best high-resolution VR headset
✅ You're want ridiculously high resolution: The Vive Pro 2's '5K' resolution is worth the price of admission here, offering gorgeous, clear visuals more effectively than competing headsets.
✅ You want premium features across the board: High resolution, high refresh rate and an impressively wide field of view, the Vive Pro 2 is stacked with high-end features.
❌ You don't have a high-end PC: The Vive Pro 2's system requirements are astronomical compared to many other headsets we've listed here.
It doesn't come cheaply, but if you're after the very best in PC VR visual fidelity, the HTC Vive Pro 2 should sit near the top of your list thanks to its borderline absurd '5K' resolution. Just make sure you've got a seriously powerful PC to make the most of this admittedly experimental headset.
It's admittedly difficult to recommend the Vive Pro 2 as a commercial headset. The wired headset requires several cables for it to function properly, meaning managing it as part of your PC gaming setup can be stressful. Plus, all that power means it can start to run hot after just a short session, so we'd say it's best enjoyed in shorter bursts.
The HTC Vive Pro 2 is one of the more expensive VR headsets on our list, coming in at $1,399 / £1,299, which includes all cables and a pair of motion-sensing controllers. It's available at most major retailers, though we'd certainly suggest waiting for a significant price drop or sale before committing to a purchase.
We've been harsh on the Vive Pro 2 so far, but we can't ignore the strengths it boasts over other headsets in this list. The Vive Pro 2 is capable of outputting a '5K' resolution (that's an astronomical 2448 x 2448 pixels per eye), a 120-degree field of view and a 120Hz refresh rate. Yes, you will need an ultra-powerful PC to make the most of it, but the Vive Pro 2 is capable of providing some of the most accurate and immersive visuals of any headset on the market right now.
- Read more: HTC Vive Pro 2 review
The best headset for comfort
✅ You prize comfort in a VR headset: The Quest Pro is simply one of the most pleasant VR headsets to wear, making for a blissfully comfy gaming experience.
✅ You want access to a huge library: Quest Pro shares its library with previous iterations. If you're upgrading from Quest 2, then your existing library will carry over, too.
❌ You want more battery life: The Quest Pro's one significant flaw is its relatively low battery life, maxing out at a meager two to three hours on a full charge.
The Meta Quest Pro, the company's latest and arguably greatest headset, is certainly one of the more expensive VR options currently on the market, but it's not like you won't get your money's worth. The headset's comfortable design and sleek controllers are easy to use from the get-go, and you don't need any external equipment to get set up.
The Meta Quest Pro, in essence, is a souped-up version of the Meta Quest 2. The improved controllers are a particular highlight here, featuring a sleek, comfortable design that feels more premium than similar motion-based gamepads. And comfort really is the key word here, as the Quest Pro is well-suited for longer gaming sessions thanks to a cushioned headband.
It's a luxury headset with a price tag to match. Expect to pay $999.99 / £999.99 for the Quest Pro. And as it's relatively new, sales are very rare across all major retailers. As a high-end headset, though, it still undercuts the price of the Valve Index and HTC Vive Pro 2, which is worth considering if you're looking to buy the best hardware possible.
The Meta Quest Pro's hand-tracking shows an improvement over the Quest 2. While not quite as accurate as the Valve Index or even PSVR 2, it's a welcome upgrade that helps most VR games play even smoother than before. One slight drawback, however, is the headset's relatively short battery life when used standalone. It's the one key flaw with the headset that we hope to see addressed with the upcoming Meta Quest 3.
- Read more: Meta Quest Pro review
Best VR headset FAQ
Do you need a PC to use VR?
You don't always need a PC to use VR tech, especially with the amount of console-specific models that you can currently get. In our list of the best VR headsets we've tried to capture products available across all platforms, like the PSVR 2 and the Meta Quest Pro, so there's a lot of opportunity to find a VR headset to suit your setup or gaming space outside of PC specific models.
Why does VR result in motion sickness?
There's a range of factors that can contribute to motion sickness through VR use, especially wide field of view, low resolution, and motion blur with certain games. This can be offset with features like limited movement and vignetting, which tightens the camera angle when in motion. If you're starting to feel motion sickness coming on, we recomm