Immerse Yourself Completely With the Best VR Headsets for Gaming and Beyond

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

To many people, virtual reality (VR) has seemed like a far-flung science fiction concept until recently. The technology became slightly more mainstream in the 2010s with the introduction of more consumer-friendly products like the Oculus Rift and Playstation VR, and streaming giant Netflix launching its own VR app. Reviews for these early products were mixed, some marveling at the possibilities, while others derided the lack of usable software. Most people agreed: VR needs more time.

Fast-forward to the 2020s and VR has become accessible and relatively affordable. From VR connectivity from your cell phone to robust systems like the Sony PlayStation VR2, many high-quality, affordable, intuitive VR headsets are worth the splurge today. Here's a breakdown of the best VR headsets of 2023.

Game on and check our picks for the best video game consoles, Nintendo Switch games, and gaming monitors.

The Best VR Headsets

• Best Overall: Sony PlayStation VR2

• Best Standalone: Meta Quest 2

• Best Upgrade: Valve Index

• Best Resolution: HTC Vive Pro 2

• Best for Nintendo Switch: Labo VR Kit

What to Consider

Console or PC?

Not all VR headsets connect to the same devices. For example, our best overall pick, the Sony PlayStation VR2, works exclusively with PlayStation. While some VR headsets are locked into gaming consoles, others are compatible with PCs, smartphones, or a combination of the two. Note what platforms you most commonly use, and check that your favorite VR headset is suitable.

You need processing power to get the best out of a premium VR headset for your PC. Before splurging on an expensive VR unit, check the device’s specs to see if your computer can handle it for the best performance. All VR brands list minimum specs for PC compatibility. Check them out if you’re considering a device from Meta, Valve, or HTC.

If you’re looking for a standalone VR unit with its own built-in software, and you have a Facebook account, consider the Meta Quest 2. It’s our only VR pick that doesn’t require tethering to a powerful game console or PC—though you can, if you so desire—and your best bet at trying the tech to see if it’s for you.

Space

Using a VR headset requires forfeiting your spatial awareness, so be mindful of the room you need when operating one. Meta suggests using its VR headset with a minimum 6.5 by 6.5 feet of space, while Valve and HTC recommend a play area of 5 by 6.5 feet. Make sure you’ve got plenty of room to move your arms and body while using VR or risk running into something, knocking over decor, falling, or, worse, having your fail go viral.

Connections and Controllers

Lastly, check what controllers and cable connections a VR headset requires. Some VR headsets track your motion via their included controllers for gaming purposes to relay in-game movement. This often means you’re plugging in a slew of cables. Ensure you’ve got the proper port to connect, plug in, and play with your device, whether it’s USB-C, USB 3.0, or a DisplayPort cable.

Not all VR headsets are sold with components you may deem essential. For example, the Meta Quest 2 is a standalone VR unit and doesn’t come packaged with a cable if you’d like to link it to your PC. Instead, the Meta sells its Quest 2 Link separately. The Vive Pro 2 offers additional tracking support with its standalone Tracker (3.0), also sold separately, which captures your full-body motion for a more accurate read.

It’s not a bad idea to purchase additional peripherals like controllers and cables if you’d like to customize your VR experience. Be mindful of what a headset includes and what other proprietary peripherals are available for it. There may be a separate piece that you need.

How We Selected

To find the best VR headsets, we relied on hundreds of hours of in-house play between Popular Mechanics consumer tech editor Hunter Fenollol and gaming contributor Harry Rabinowitz. For the products we couldn’t test ourselves, we performed intensive research, scoured content from expert sources like PC Gamer, PC Mag, Wirecutter, The Verge, CNET, Tom’s Guide, and Digital Trends, and read thousands of consumer reviews at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. As for the products themselves, we evaluated them on performance, design, software library, quality, and price.

Sony’s PlayStation VR2 is the most immersive VR experience, complete with a 4K HDR resolution, eye tracking, and haptic adaptive triggers that offer tactile feedback for digital actions like pulling the weighted trigger of a virtual firearm. The headset taps into the PlayStation 5’s mighty computing power, rendering photorealistic 3D environments.

Its premium performance is a fraction of the cost of comparable PC headset builds, plus it pulls ahead with feedback sensations within the headset itself. For example, you can feel rain pulsate over your face or the shot of a bullet bouncing off of your helmet in shooting games.

Its eye-tracking cameras are used for in-game controls and a process called Foveated Rendering, an advanced technique that displays graphics where your eyes are centered at the highest resolution while reducing the quality of your peripheral vision. It also frees up computing power so developers have more room to increase graphical textures or include more objects for much more realistic spaces that feel lived-in and jam-packed with object interactions. Not to mention Sony has a robust roster of exclusive games with titles like Gran Turismo, the Resident Evil 4 Remake VR mode, and Horizon Call of the Mountain that you won’t find on any other headset.

Read Our Full Review

The Meta Quest 2, formerly the Oculus Quest 2, is the best VR headset for beginners and the VR-curious. It’s one of the only VR headsets that runs as a standalone device without needing a PC or gaming console—though you could connect it to a PC or mobile device if you’d like. Its wireless freedom and affordable price make it an accessible entry point into VR.

The Meta Quest is simple, comfortable, and has great specs that provide a quality—though not stunning—VR experience. Unlike pricier headsets, the software in the Meta Quest is designed for simplicity. The Quest 2’s Guardian system guides users through its setup and creates a playspace wherever they are, no camera needed. Exiting the designated playspace turns on a passthrough, allowing you to see the real world and any potential obstacles you might be about to bump into.

The Meta Quest is compatible with many software, from gaming platforms like Meta and SteamVR to other apps like Google VR, Oculus TV, and more. It’s the most accessible VR headset for most people, so long as you have a Facebook account required for login.

The Valve Index delivers superior audio, tracking, and controls but is best if you’re familiar with gaming and technical gear. The Valve Index controllers set the system apart from the competition. They strap onto your hands, allowing for a full range of hand and finger motion. Because the Valve Index can track individual finger movements, it leads to a much more immersive, detailed experience when playing supported games like Half-Life: Alyx. Connected to a powerful PC, this headset can handle some truly stunning games like Elite: Dangerous and No Man’s Sky.

All of that precision leads to a complicated setup, however. The Valve Index has two base station sensors that you have to place around your room to build the VR playspace, while other parts of the setup require a computer. But the complicated setup is worth it if you’re more technically minded.

The Vive Pro 2 sets itself apart from the competition with transparent visual fidelity. It features a stunning display with a much higher resolution and field of view than any competition, including our best overall PSVR2. This makes the Vive Pro 2 especially suited to gaming, as most non-gaming VR software cannot effectively leverage such detailed resolutions.

As with the Valve Index, setup is rather complicated, with two base station sensors and plenty of PC steps. But once you’ve got everything set up, tracking and controls are excellent, and HTC offers tons of games and software through its VivePort Infinity platform.

Predictably, such a powerful VR headset is costly, and you have to pair it with a powerful PC. Anyone with one of the best graphics cards can feel confident connecting the HTC Vive Pro 2. Everyone else, however, is better off with one of our other recommendations.

The Nintendo Labo VR kit isn’t exactly virtual reality, at least not in the same sense as every other headset on this list. It’s much more in the spirit of something like Google Cardboard, LEGO, or even arcade games.

For starters, half of the experience of the Labo VR kit is in the assembly. It includes tons of cardboard that you assemble yourself into six different VR controllers, headsets, and oddities to play games with. Each creation takes hours to craft, but thankfully the Labo software includes detailed, 3D instructions you can touch through on your Nintendo Switch.

Also unique are the games—every one is designed to be played with two people. From controlling a bird looking for food to battling aliens with an oversized blaster, these games are short, fun, and kid-friendly. Some of the available 64 games aren’t exactly VR, but do utilize the unique controllers of the Labo Kit.

While it may not have the long-lasting appeal of a traditional VR headset, the Nintendo Labo Kit is innovative. It’s also one of the only kid-centric VR options.

You Might Also Like

• The Do’s and Don’ts of Using Painter’s Tape

• The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere

• Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?