In this article, we’ll look at the 6 best VR headsets in 2024, from the Apple Vision Pro to the Meta Quest 3 and many others.
What is the best VR headset? Immersing oneself in a completely different world can be as easy as wearing a mask. VR headsets are the future, and now are becoming increasingly more popular.
From Apple to Meta, the biggest companies in the world investing in this new market, and it’s only a matter of time before others join.
With the recent release of the Apple Vision Pro, interest in VR headsets has skyrocketed again. So let’s see the top 6 best VR headsets in 2024.
What makes a good VR headset
Before looking at the best VR headsets in 2024, it’s important to understand what makes one of these products valuable. After all, it’s often a very expensive item and not exactly a complete necessity. So why would anyone choose to buy a VR headset?
The first people who come to mind are gamers. People who love playing video games will have an enhanced experience with a VR headset. Indeed, many video game software houses started developing compatible versions of their games with VR.
So, compatibility with video games is an obvious factor to consider when buying a headset.
Immersion and quality of materials are also very important factors. A headset that does not fully cover the customer’s eyes will not be worth hundreds of dollars, even if the software inside is perfect.
Finally, the accessories coming with the headset are also a factor to consider. Although, as we will see, these change according to the different needs.
1. Apple Vision Pro
The newest and most attractive VR headset in circulation is the Apple Vision Pro. With this product, Apple is trying to revolutionize the VR market, with many referring to it as “the new iPhone”.
Apple Vision Pro is a headset designed for everybody, not just gamers. It does not come with other accessories, as all the commands can be done by pinching two fingers together. It also achieves full compatibility with other Apple products, allowing it to transpose the Mac’s screen into the virtual world.
There are many reasons to buy and try the Apple Vision Pro. However, the price is not one of them: in the US, it starts at $3,499, by far the most expensive VR headset on the market.
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2. Meta Quest 3
The Meta Quest 3 is the latest VR headset produced by Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Originally, the Meta Quest 3 was supposed to be the “gate” to the Metaverse, a virtual world where people could connect in many different ways, but that turned out to be a failure.
Still, the Meta Quest 3 is a very good product, especially for gamers. It’s very easy to connect and uses Touch Plus controllers for both hands. It has built-in WiFi and 2064 x 2208 resolution per eye.
In the United States, the Meta Quest 3 comes at $500, a very good quality-price ratio for a VR headset.
3. Meta Quest 2
Alternatively, the previous version of the same VR headset is also very valuable. Meta produced the Meta Quest 2 in 2020 and is still a very good product. The main differences with the Meta Quest 3 are the display, the processor, and the compatibility.
In the Meta Quest 2, the display comes at 1832 x 1920 per eye and is powered by a Snapdragon XR2 instead of the faster Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 on the Meta Quest 3. For casual gamers, however, the difference in performances will be minimal. Connecting the Meta Quest 2 to the personal computer can, however, be slightly trickier. However, once this process is done, users will be able to enjoy the product without further limitations.
For all these reasons, the Meta Quest 2 is the best choice for budget-tight customers. It comes in at $299.99 on Amazon.
4. Pico 4
For people looking for alternative producers, the Pico 4 is the perfect choice. It’s the best non-famous alternative to the Meta Quest 3. Similarly to the Meta headset, the Pico 4 mounts pancake lenses, meaning it can adjust to any face without sacrificing quality.
The Pico 4 also has a very high-resolution display, 2160 x 2160 per eye, and is fully adjustable. Customers who wear glasses will find no difficulty in using this VR headset.
Unfortunately, the Pico 4 is not easy to find in the United States. For European customers, however, it’s easily available on Amazon starting from $389.99 and represents a cheaper option to the Meta Quest 3.
5. Valve Index
The second-most expensive VR headset on this list, the Valve Index VR kit is designed for full immersion and total comfort. It boasts one of the best hardware on this list, perhaps even outclassing the Apple Vision Pro. This headset has everything: from the dual 1440 x 1600, 120 HZ display, to controllers with hand/finger tracking features.
The Valve Index kit also comes with external speakers which, paired with the top-notch audio quality of the headset itself, complete the full immersion experience. The only drawback of the Valve Index is its age. It was released in 2019, and it could become obsolete soon, especially with all the new products coming out recently.
In any case, the Valve Index VR kit comes in at $1,399.49 on Amazon US.
6. PlayStation VR 2
Finally, the PlayStation VR 2 is for hardcore gamers who want the full package from their favorite developer. Sony released this headset in 2023, making it compatible with the PlayStation 5. When combined, the prices of this headset and the PlayStation 5 essentially cover the expense of a full-fledged gaming PC, but also include VR capabilities.
The PlayStation VR 2 boasts a 4K display (2K per eye) and features some Sony-exclusive games like Gran Turismo 7 and Horizon VR.
In the United States, the PlayStation VR 2 starts at $549.99. When combined with the $578.70 Walmart price of the PlayStation 5, the whole set-up costs over $1,100.
