When you wish to escape to digital worlds, having a VR headset that connects to a nice gaming PC can unlock much more prospects. Some of the highest VR video games work on standalone headsets, however these gadgets are few and much between. Most video games look and play higher in case your VR headset is connected to a succesful PC.
TL;DR – The Best VR Headsets for PC:
The finest VR headsets for PC provide sharp shows, snug designs, correct monitoring, and a seamless connection to a gaming PC or gaming laptop computer. Admittedly, discovering a headset with all these capabilities doesn’t come low cost. However, the Meta 3S, an alternative choice to the Meta Quest 3, is a nice low cost VR headset for PC for these on a tighter price range. But when you’ve got just a little extra wiggle room, the Valve Index is the only possibility for Steam integration and even PS VR2 helps PC VR with minimal caveats.
Unfortunately, you typically don’t get to check out these headsets for match and performance earlier than buying. So, our specialists have accomplished the hands-on testing and analysis for you, guaranteeing you get the most effective VR headset for PC that fits your wants. Whether you’re after versatility or one thing able to push graphics to the intense, considered one of our 5 picks will suit your PC VR wants.
1. Valve Index
Best VR Headset for PC
Valve Index
The Valve Index is definitely the most effective VR headset in the event you’re on PC, nevertheless it does price a reasonably penny.
Resolution (Per eye)
1440×1600
Refresh Rate
120Hz (144Hz experimental mode)
Powerful and handy built-in audio system
Best-in-class finger-tracking
Our overview of the Valve Index is perhaps a number of years previous, however we nonetheless stand by our opinion that it is without doubt one of the most uncompromising PC VR headsets in the marketplace. The 120Hz refresh fee and 1440×1600 decision imply apps and video games look crisp as you progress round and switch your head – tremendous helpful if you’re dodging headcrabs in Half-Life Alyx or recognizing sneaky xenomorphs in Alien: Rogue Incursion. The Index can also be flush with premium padding and luxury dials which you could manipulate to create a comfortable match. Even although it weighs 1.79lb, you hardly ever really feel uncomfortable because of the well-constructed body and ergonomic concerns.
Convenient and cozy flip-down audio system flank your ears, and an easy-to-use passthrough system allows you to rapidly dip out and in of VR at will. The Index’s ties to Steam additionally make it a formidable selection for critical VR players who need entry to an infinite library of video games.
Unlike different choices on our checklist, the Valve Index makes use of exterior ‘lighthouse’ towers to map the room for hyper-accurate monitoring and roomscale VR. Naturally, this summons additional playspace concerns, however the outcomes are price it. Valve’s ‘Knuckles’ controller resolution additionally deserves reward, providing peerless hands-free immersion finger monitoring. The solely draw back is the worth level, however on this case, you definitely get what you pay for – and the platform’s system vendor (Half-Life: Alyx) comes bundled in.
Best Budget VR Headset for PC
Meta Quest 3S
3
Outstanding entry-level standalone/PC VR headset with main efficiency chops, helpful full coloration passthrough, and extra.
Resolution (Per eye)
1832 x 1920
VR gaming on PC doesn’t all the time have to be prohibitively costly, and the Meta Quest 3S is proof of this. The Meta Quest 3S takes the Meta Quest 3 – which we reviewed and beloved – and drops a number of options together with the worth whereas retaining the whole lot else intact. Of course, the headset is primarily used as a standalone gadget that works seamlessly with video games and leisure discovered on Meta, making it seem to be an odd decide for PC VR. But entry to a Steam VR library or different PC VR titles is so simple as buying a link cable or utilizing streaming apps like Steam Link or Air Link with a strong dwelling Wi-Fi connection.
Furthering the case for utilizing the Meta Quest 3S as a PC VR headset is its lighter, slimmer design, weighing a nimble 1.13lbs. It’s additionally straightforward to govern the headset’s match utilizing a cloth Y-strap. However, in IGN’s Meta Quest 3S testing, our reviewer discovered the strap would come just a little free with an excessive amount of motion. Still, it’s snug sufficient on the pinnacle for longer intervals.
The lenses are the largest downgrade when evaluating the Quest 3 to the Quest 3S. Rather than pancake lenses, the Quest 3S has 1832×1920, 20ppd Fresnel lenses, sacrificing readability and inflicting distortion. At least full-color passthrough, well-balanced controllers, and top-notch head monitoring are main upgrades over the Quest 2 (and a complete slew of different headsets). Given the Quest 3S is provided with the identical GPU, CPU, and RAM because the Quest 3, its efficiency can also be related, if not higher for a seamless and snappy VR expertise on a PC or standalone.
3. HTC Vive Pro 2
Best VR Visuals
HTC Vive Pro 2
1
The HTC Vive Pro 2 is the VR headset for all of you graphics addicts
Resolution (Per eye)
2448 x 2448
Superb graphical constancy
Intense {hardware} necessities
The HTC Vive Pro 2 retains the whole lot trying sharp and detailed with minimal display door impact because of its 2448×2448 per-eye decision. That’s paired with a butter-smooth 90 to 120Hz refresh fee able to benefit from vibrant vistas and realism in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Its fast-switch LCD panels even assist a 120-degree discipline of view for deeper immersion in all of the motion. However, these optics are demanding, so a beefy gaming PC is required to maintain up.
The HTC Vive Pro could provide a powerful 5K decision, however its design isn’t as revolutionary. Don’t get us mistaken: This VR headset is snug sufficient, retaining weight well-balanced and providing supportive cushioning, a wonderful adjustable head strap, and the power to tweak the space between lenses; it’s just a bit bit clunky and a ache to arrange. The headset requires two base stations and several other cords simply to get it powered on and dealing together with your PC. Guess that’s the worth you pay for unmatched constancy.
Though the primary focus of a VR headset could also be visible, the HTC Vive Pro additionally excels in audio efficiency, so investing in a gaming headset isn’t vital. Instead, headphones are built-in, producing booming hi-res audio to position you on the heart of the motion.
Although we’ve not reviewed the HTC Vive Pro 2 ourselves, we did go hands-on with the unique HTC Vive Pro and had been general impresed by the picture high quality and luxury it offered.
4. HTC Vive XR Elite
Best VR Headset for Work and Play
HTC Vive XR Elite
2
If you want a VR headset that you are able to do blended actuality work on, take a look at the HTC Vive XR Elite
Resolution (Per eye)
1920 x 1920
Convenient wi-fi design
Highly adaptable and cozy to put on
Not a local PC VR resolution
Adaptability is a large bonus when selecting a PC VR headset, and the HTC Vive XR Elite is a brilliant selection in the event you’re searching for an HMD that fits each skilled and informal settings and affords digital, augmented, and mixed-reality experiences. If you wish to get some work accomplished at a digital desk and expertise the depth of PC VR gaming, the XR Elite is price contemplating.
The primary caveat with the XR Elite is that you simply’ll have to make use of a hyperlink cable or the Vive Streaming app to entry the PC VR library. The tradeoff right here is the gadget’s portability and viability for working environments versus the uncooked energy supplied by true PC VR headsets just like the Valve Index.
The HTC Vive XR Elite’s wi-fi design and unobtrusive audio system make it an awesome touring companion, an answer for enterprise journeys and play periods on the street. Although it isn’t finest in school, the 1920×1920 decision per eye and 110-degree discipline of view present shiny and clear visuals. Like its HTC Vive Pro sibling, the XR Elite additionally affords a number of lens and band changes for a safe match.
5. PlayStation VR2
Best VR for Console and PC
PlayStation VR2
7
Built-in monitoring cameras, eye monitoring, 4K OLED panels, and two tactile Sense controllers with adaptive triggers and haptic suggestions include this VR headset designed for the PS5.
Resolution (Per eye)
2,000 x 2,040
Some options solely accessible on PS5
That’s proper: The PlayStation VR2 works on PC. The VR headset, as soon as completely for PlayStation 5, now can join to a different gadget with a PC adapter for $59.99. The setup is pretty easy: You simply want to attach the adapter to the only USB-C wire that comes on the PS VR2. A DisplayPort 1.4 cable can also be required and, like most headsets, you’ll want a gaming PC that meets the minimal necessities to run. Luckily, most price range gaming PCs match the invoice. From there, with a Steam account, you may play Steam’s spectacular library of VR video games.
There is a catch, as not all the PS VR2 options will work when taking part in on PC. You will not get HDR assist on the 2000×2040 per-eye OLED panels, however motion ought to nonetheless look crisp in 4K with no display door impact and really feel immersive with the 120Hz refresh fee and 110-degree FOV. Other options like eye-tracking, adaptive triggers, headset suggestions, and controller haptics received’t be accessible. Though these extras could be good, we don’t suppose they’re deal breakers. You can nonetheless take pleasure in a cushty match, finger-touch detection, rumble, 3D audio, and see-through view when PC gaming.
Beyond a number of caveats, our hands-on testing of PS VR2 reveals that it is an awesome possibility for PC VR. If you’ve bought a PS5 and are on the fence about shopping for the VR headset, we expect this new performance makes an awesome case for the acquisition. It’s costly, costing over $600 with the adapter, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a steal in comparison with a lot of our different PC VR headset picks.
How to Choose the Best VR Headsets for PC
We’ve chosen these PC VR Headsets based mostly on our experience and expertise with VR, in addition to IGN opinions and shopper suggestions. When shopping for a VR headset, there are extra than simply digital specs to contemplate, with bodily consolation being an important side of the expertise. For instance, consolation dials, airflow, and construct high quality affect how the headset will really feel when used. However, it’s additionally vital to contemplate the expertise beneath the hood, with the efficacy of a headset’s components correlating with efficiency within the video games you want to play.
Then there are quality-of-life options to contemplate, just like the efficacy and elegance of a headset’s monitoring resolution or passthrough and refresh fee, which governs the fluidity you expertise inside a given recreation.
PC VR FAQ
Do I want a strong PC to make use of VR?
Like PC video games, VR headsets and VR video games have minimal and really useful system necessities that you simply’ll want to fulfill to get the related functions working easily. If you’re leaping into PC VR to play a selected set of video games, it’s price investigating the system necessities earlier than making any massive purchases to make sure you’ll be capable of benefit from your proposed headset. Generally talking, you’ll need high-end {hardware} in your gaming rig, comparable to potent graphics playing cards and processors, to play probably the most demanding VR video games. If constructing a gaming rig for PC VR is out of your price range, it’s price contemplating among the standalone headsets in the marketplace, which work wirelessly while not having an exterior laptop.
What VR headsets don’t require a PC?
VR headsets for PC are mighty succesful, however in the event you’d prefer to play away from dwelling and even in a unique room out of your laptop, you’ll want to seek out an alternative choice. The Meta Quest 3S and the complete Quest lineup are nice hybrid choices that excel as standalone VR headsets. The Pico 4 works equally to the Meta Quest and is nice for many who don’t need a tether. We’d be remiss to not point out the Apple Vision Pro; it’s wildly highly effective solo, and it seamlessly integrates into the Apple ecosystem, proving an modern approach to work on the finest MacBooks.
PlayStation VR2 doesn’t require a PC. However, you’ll want the PS5 to benefit from the really spectacular VR expertise. Some ultra-cheap VR headsets additionally use the display of your smartphone for a enjoyable, extra immersive expertise that’s particularly well-suited for youngsters.
How do you guarantee the most effective VR headset for PC expertise?
Beyond having a strong gaming PC and a succesful, snug VR headset, contemplate these different components too. A well-lit area ensures you’ve probably the most correct monitoring. You’ll additionally need the liberty to maneuver across the space you’re taking part in in, so the area needs to be freed from obstacles or furnishings that might journey you up or get tangled in wires. It could also be useful to position a rug or different objects that point out if you’re leaving the devoted play space. Luckily, some headsets include their very own indicators.
When do VR headsets normally go on sale?
Almost all the finest VR headsets which might be PC suitable will drop in costs a number of totally different occasions yearly. One of the general finest purchasing occasions for VR reductions is Amazon Prime Day, which takes place in July yearly. After that, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are inclined to have the most effective general offers persistently. Both occasions are inclined to primarily provide Meta Quest offers, however typically different headsets can be found at a reduction.
Sarah Thwaites is a contract tech author at IGN, with bylines at GameInformer, TrustedReviews, NME and extra.
Danielle Abraham is a Tech freelance author based mostly in Los Angeles who spends her free time creating movies and geeking out over music historical past.
