Feed: Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Feed Link: https://www.engadget.com/
---

Title: The best VR headsets for 2024

Date: Fri, 22 Nov 2024 08:01:26 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/best-vr-headse...

If youΓÇÖve ever wanted to dive into a whole new world without leaving your
living room, a VR headset could be your next big investment. These headsets
arenΓÇÖt just for gaming ΓÇö although VR gaming is a blast. They can also
transport you to virtual worlds for exploring impressive environments,
immersive workouts or even social gatherings. Whether youΓÇÖre craving an
intense fitness session or a relaxing virtual tour through a museum, VR opens
up possibilities that go way beyond traditional screens.

There are plenty of options out there, so you donΓÇÖt have to break the bank.
Affordable standalone headsets like the Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest 3S offer
great visuals without needing any extra gear ΓÇö you can just put them on and
go. But if youΓÇÖre ready to splurge, the Apple Vision Pro brings an ultra-
premium experience with top-notch visuals and high-end features, though it
does come with a hefty price tag.

From standalone devices that let you wander freely to head-mounted displays
(HMDs) that connect to laptops or PCs with a link cable for enhanced
performance, thereΓÇÖs a VR headset for everyone. Many models include
features like a comfortable head strap for longer sessions, Wi-Fi
connectivity for smooth streaming, and portability that lets you explore
without limits. So whether youΓÇÖre just dipping your toes into VR or looking
for a top-tier setup, thereΓÇÖs a headset out there to match your needs.

Table of contents

How we test VR headsets

Best VR headsets for 2024

Other VR headsets we've tested

VR headset FAQs

Recent updates

How we test VR headsets

I tend to judge VR headsets on a few basic criteria: Ergonomics, immersion
and controls. It's not that hard to shove a mobile display into a plastic
headset and strap some cheap elastic headbands onto it. But it takes skill to
craft something that's well balanced and doesn't feel uncomfortable after 30
minutes.

My test for ergonomics is fairly simple: How long can I wear a headset until
I start to feel discomfort? For the most ergonomic devices, like the Quest 3,
that could easily be an hour or two. But heavier PC hardware often feels
cumbersome after just 15 minutes ΓÇö you wonΓÇÖt find headsets guilty of that
in this guide.

Immersion, meanwhile, comes from having high resolution screens with fast
refresh rates, so everything looks sharp and smooth. Field of view is also a
major element, as it describes how well VR screens can cover what you see.
Having a narrow field of view makes it feel like youΓÇÖre looking through a
pair of binoculars, and limits your sense of ΓÇ£presence,ΓÇ¥ or the idea that
youΓÇÖre actually transported to a virtual world.

A wide field of view, on the other hand, can make it seem like youΓÇÖre
actually flying over the globe in Google Earth. We look at a few popular
games, like Superhot, Beat Saber and Pistol Whip, on every headset to judge
how immersed we feel.

The best controllers fit naturally in your hands and offer accurate tracking.
The industry has basically adopted the design of MetaΓÇÖs excellent touch
controllers, but we're also seeing intriguing leaps forward like Valve's
finger tracking gamepads. We judge controllers based on how easy they are to
hold, how they hold up to sweaty gameplay sessions and how easily headsets
can track their position in space.

However, itΓÇÖs important to look at a virtual reality headsetΓÇÖs specs as a
whole. Depending on what youΓÇÖre looking for from a VR headset, youΓÇÖll
want to consider factors like your PCΓÇÖs graphics card if you plan to use
the headset to play the best VR games. If youΓÇÖre not looking to invest in a
VR headset solely for gaming, features like head tracking allow you to
explore your environment just by simply moving your head in the simulator.
This often results in a more immersive and realistic experience.

Best VR headsets for 2024

Other VR headsets weΓÇÖve tested HTC Vive Focus Vision

The Vive Focus Vision is a sleek premium standalone VR headset that can also
deliver solid PC VR. But itΓÇÖs also running aging hardware, itΓÇÖs riddled
with software issues and itΓÇÖs expensive compared to the Meta Quest 3.

Meta Quest Pro

As great as the Meta Quest 3 is, the Quest 2 is still a very good entry-level
VR headset, and itΓÇÖs worth considering if itΓÇÖs on sale below its current
$250 list price. The Meta Quest Pro, on the the hand, is an expensive
boondoggle best ignored.

HTC Vive Pro 2

Outside of MetaΓÇÖs hardware, the HTC Vive Pro 2 remains a fantastic PC
headset, but itΓÇÖs far more expensive than the Valve Index, which is more
comfortable and offers better audio.

VR headset FAQs How do VR headsets work?

At the most basic level, a VR headset is simply a high quality screen that
youΓÇÖre holding up to your face. For a wired headset, the actual work of
rendering a game is done on either a PC or game console. For completely
wireless devices, like the Meta Quest 3, that work is handled right on the
headset. They rely on either external sensors, or sensors built into the
headsets, to map your physical space. While you can use a traditional gamepad
or keyboard and mouse in VR, they typically use motion tracking controllers
to immerse you in their 3D environments.

What VR headset is best for full body tracking?

While weΓÇÖre still waiting for a truly great haptic VR bodysuit to arrive,
you can still achieve accurate body tracking with most Steam VR-compatible PC
headsets. The Valve Index and HTC Vive Pro 2 both rely on room-tracking
sensors that can map your body more effectively than the built-in sensors on
competitors. You can also add HTC Vive Trackers to wrist and leg straps, as
well as belts, for even better coverage. The Meta Quest 3 doesnΓÇÖt have any
easy body tracking solutions, but you can add Vive trackers when itΓÇÖs
plugged into your PC to mimic a Steam VR headset.

Only a few experiences, like VRChat, take advantage of full body tracking at
the moment. Currently there arenΓÇÖt any body tracking solutions for the
PlayStation VR and VR2, but weΓÇÖre intrigued by the companyΓÇÖs Mocopi body
trackers, which were really announced in Japan.

What VR headsets are better than Oculus?

Oculus is the previous name for MetaΓÇÖs VR hardware. Currently, Meta only
supports the Quest 3, Quest 3S and Quest Pro, all of which are wireless
headsets. As we explain above, PC VR headsets can generally achieve better
quality virtual reality, since they rely on more powerful graphics hardware.

What VR headsets work with Xbox?

Currently, MicrosoftΓÇÖs Xbox consoles donΓÇÖt support any VR headsets.

Recent updates

November 2024: Added the HTC Vive Focus Vision to the "others we tested"
section.

October 2024: Updated our "best cheap VR headset" top pick to be the Meta
Quest 3S.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-
vr/best-vr-headsets-140012529.html?src=rss

---
VRSS v2.1.180528