The Best VR Headsets of 2021

Recent events have proven technology can be a great asset in reducing great distances between people worldwide. Virtual reality has been a great alternative during a time where in-person contact was kept to a minimum. VR is ever-evolving, and if you are looking to purchase a headset, this is a great place to start. We have chosen what we consider are the four best VR headsets of 2021. Each has its unique strengths and advantages, so you are bound to find one that fits your needs perfectly.

What to look for in a VR Headset

For a budget-friendly find, choose a standalone HMD headset which is usually much cheaper than a VR-ready gaming PC.

• Test if your PC or smartphone can handle the headset you want to buy beforehand. Steam has a free test to see what your PC can handle.
• Regarding specs, bigger is better. The greater the headset’s refresh rate and FOV (field of view), pixel density, and total resolution, the better the games will look.
• Make sure you have enough physical space to play the game. The Oculus Rift S, for example, requires a 3×3 foot area.
• If you wear glasses, check how comfortable each set is for specs-wearers. Some offer glasses spacers.
• Choose carefully if you want a mobile, PC, or standalone headset. It will affect the gaming experience, so make sure you can consider this prior.
• VR headsets offer a range of controllers, so be sure to find one that feels right and fits your needs.
• Go for 6DoF tracking if you want to play more complex games. 3DoF tracking offers a minimal range of motion which can limit your experience.
• Choose a VR headset that provides a FOV of between 100- and 120-degrees.

Oculus Quest 2

The best standalone VR

The Oculus Quest 2 has an LCD of 3664 x 1920. It has new, improved graphics, Oculus Link tethering, and has a great price point of $399.00. The Quest 2 presents magnificent clarity for the price of an entry-level headset. You can enjoy many games rendered by the Snapdragon XR2 chip or any game beamed from your PC with Oculus Link. You can also hardwire into the headset directly with any USB C cable compatible with the headset.

More than a simple standalone VR headset, the Quest 2 is kind of like the swiss army knife of VR. It’s capable of up to a 90Hz refresh rate and is one of the quickest setups we will be talking about today. You can go from opening up the box and running in VR in a matter of minutes with inside-out tracking and hand tracking built-in. It’s self-contained and wireless, has great touch controllers, and offers a comfortable design for gaming.

Oculus Rift S

The best VR headset for an extensive game library

The Oculus Rift S has an LCD of 2560 x 1600. From a general viewpoint, the Rift S is of slightly less high quality than the Quest 2. At $419, it has a lower fidelity image quality, a decreased refresh rate, and uses LCD lenses instead of OLED. It also doesn’t have built-in headphones and uses a single display instead of a dual.

The great advantage of the Rift S is its enormous library of games. It supports inside-out tracking, which means you don’t have to find a place for external sensors in your space. It’s an excellent choice for a reliable VR headset and a great way for PC users to try VR. The Rift S is quite comfortable and has high-end optics (although not as high performance as the Quest 2). The Rift S provides some outstanding performance, but it’s basically been surpassed by the Oculus Quest. While it is still available at certain retailers, the overall product has been discontinued.

HTC Vive Cosmos

The best headset for a higher-end option

At $700, the HTC Vive Cosmos is the high-end option on this list. It has an LCD with a resolution of 2880 x 1700 and a refresh rate of 90 Hz. It offers a field of view of 110 degrees, and it comes with 1st generation Vive Controllers. It’s safe to say the Vive Cosmos has high-resolution displays and very accurate tracking.

It includes the Half-Life: Alyx game and Viveport Infinity subscription service. It’s designed to address some of the problems of the original HTC Vive Cosmos while sticking to the core design. The dual 4.3-inch displays are gorgeous, and the included games mean you can get started right out of the box.

The modular nature of the headset makes it unique, which justifies its high price. When new Cosmos tech comes out, owners can simply buy new faceplates and attach them to the existing headset, which can offer savings over time. However, it only provides first-gen controllers and base stations.

Sony Playstation VR

The best affordable headset

The Sony PVSR headset isn’t new, but it’s still the only head-mounted display for gaming consoles. This in itself means it offers an immersive experience for console users. Sometimes it can be found on sale for as low as $200, and with games included. Sony has produced many great VR games, and the setup is quite simple. All you need to play them is the PSVR and a PS4, and the automatic configuration will walk you through the rest.

Unfortunately, the PSVR is starting to show its age compared to other headsets on the market. Its resolution is definitely not cutting-edge; it has basic tracking and poorly designed motion controllers. But the lower cost and easy implementation can offer a budget-friendly alternative for those looking to get into VR without spending a ton.

Hopefully, this list has helped give you an idea of what kind of VR headsets you can find on the market. There are plenty of different options to choose from, so finding the right fit shouldn’t be an issue. Whether you are a hardcore gamer or just want something fun to use every once in a while, VR headsets offer a fun and exciting experience for all.

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