Jacqueline Thomas
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When you want to escape to virtual worlds, having a VR headset that connects to a great gaming PC can unlock even more possibilities. Some of the top VR games work on standalone headsets, but those devices are few and far between. Most games look and play better if your VR headset is hooked up to a capable PC.
TL;DR – The Best VR Headsets for PC:
The best VR headsets for PC offer sharp displays, comfortable designs, accurate tracking, and a seamless connection to a gaming PC or gaming laptop. Admittedly, finding a headset with all these capabilities doesn’t come cheap. However, the Meta 3S, an alternative to the Meta Quest 3, is a great cheap VR headset for PC for those on a tighter budget. But if you have a little more wiggle room, the Valve Index is the simplest option for Steam integration and even PS VR2 supports PC VR with minimal caveats.
Unfortunately, you often don’t get to try out these headsets for fit and functionality before purchasing. So, our experts have done the hands-on testing and research for you, ensuring you get the best VR headset for PC that suits your needs. Whether you’re after versatility or something ready to push graphics to the extreme, one of our five picks will fit your PC VR needs.
1. Valve Index
Best VR Headset for PC
Valve Index
6
The Valve Index is easily the best VR headset if you’re on PC, but it does cost a pretty penny.
Resolution (Per eye)
1440×1600
Refresh Rate
120Hz (144Hz experimental mode)
Powerful and convenient built-in speakers
Best-in-class finger-tracking
Our review of the Valve Index might be a few years old, but we still stand by our opinion that it is one of the most uncompromising PC VR headsets on the market. The 120Hz refresh rate and 1440×1600 resolution mean apps and games look crisp as you move around and turn your head – super handy when you’re dodging headcrabs in Half-Life Alyx or spotting sneaky xenomorphs in Alien: Rogue Incursion. The Index is also flush with premium padding and comfort dials that you can manipulate to create a snug fit. Even though it weighs 1.79lb, you rarely feel uncomfortable thanks to the well-constructed frame and ergonomic considerations.
Convenient and comfortable flip-down speakers flank your ears, and an easy-to-use passthrough system lets you quickly dip in and out of VR at will. The Index’s ties to Steam also make it a formidable choice for serious VR gamers who want access to an enormous library of games.
Unlike other options on our list, the Valve Index uses external ‘lighthouse’ towers to map the room for hyper-accurate tracking and roomscale VR. Naturally, this summons extra playspace considerations, but the results are worth it. Valve’s ‘Knuckles’ controller solution also deserves praise, offering peerless hands-free immersion finger tracking. The only downside is the price point, but in this case, you certainly get what you pay for – and the platform’s system seller (Half-Life: Alyx) comes bundled in.
Best Budget VR Headset for PC
Meta Quest 3S
3
Outstanding entry-level standalone/PC VR headset with major performance chops, handy full color passthrough, and more.
Resolution (Per eye)
1832 x 1920
VR gaming on PC doesn’t always need to be prohibitively expensive, and the Meta Quest 3S is proof of this. The Meta Quest 3S takes the Meta Quest 3 – which we reviewed and loved – and drops a few features along with the price while keeping everything else intact. Of course, the headset is primarily used as a standalone device that works seamlessly with games and entertainment found on Meta, making it seem like an odd pick for PC VR. But access to a Steam VR library or other PC VR titles is as simple as purchasing a link cable or using streaming apps like Steam Link or Air Link with a solid home Wi-Fi connection.
Furthering the case for using the Meta Quest 3S as a PC VR headset is its lighter, slimmer design, weighing a nimble 1.13lbs. It’s also easy to manipulate the headset’s fit using a fabric Y-strap. However, in IGN’s Meta Quest 3S testing, our reviewer found the strap would come a little loose with too much movement. Still, it’s comfortable enough on the head for longer periods.
The lenses are the biggest downgrade when comparing the Quest 3 to the Quest 3S. Rather than pancake lenses, the Quest 3S has 1832×1920, 20ppd Fresnel lenses, sacrificing clarity and causing distortion. At least full-color passthrough, well-balanced controllers, and top-notch head tracking are major upgrades over the Quest 2 (and a whole slew of other headsets). Given the Quest 3S is equipped with the same GPU, CPU, and RAM as the Quest 3, its performance is also similar, if not better for a seamless and snappy VR experience 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 fidelity
Intense hardware requirements
The HTC Vive Pro 2 keeps everything looking sharp and detailed with minimal screen door effect thanks to its 2448×2448 per-eye resolution. That’s paired with a butter-smooth 90 to 120Hz refresh rate ready to make the most of vibrant vistas and realism in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Its fast-switch LCD panels even support a 120-degree field of view for deeper immersion in all the action. However, these optics are demanding, so a beefy gaming PC is required to keep up.
The HTC Vive Pro may offer an impressive 5K resolution, but its design isn’t as revolutionary. Don’t get us wrong: This VR headset is comfortable enough, keeping weight well-balanced and offering supportive cushioning, an excellent adjustable head strap, and the ability to tweak the distance between lenses; it’s just a little bit clunky and a pain to set up. The headset requires two base stations and several cords just to get it powered on and working with your PC. Guess that’s the price you pay for unmatched fidelity.
Though the main focus of a VR headset may be visual, the HTC Vive Pro also excels in audio performance, so investing in a gaming headset isn’t necessary. Instead, headphones are built-in, producing booming hi-res audio to place you at the center of the action.
Although we haven’t reviewed the HTC Vive Pro 2 ourselves, we did go hands-on with the original HTC Vive Pro and were overall impresed by the image quality and comfort it provided.
4. HTC Vive XR Elite
Best VR Headset for Work and Play
HTC Vive XR Elite
2
If you need a VR headset that you can do mixed reality work on, check out the HTC Vive XR Elite
Resolution (Per eye)
1920 x 1920
Convenient wireless design
Highly adaptable and comfortable to wear
Not a native PC VR solution
Adaptability is a massive bonus when picking a PC VR headset, and the HTC Vive XR Elite is a smart choice if you’re looking for an HMD that suits both professional and casual settings and offers virtual, augmented, and mixed-reality experiences. If you want to get some work done at a virtual desk and experience the intensity of PC VR gaming, the XR Elite is worth considering.
The main caveat with the XR Elite is that you’ll have to use a link cable or the Vive Streaming app to access the PC VR library. The tradeoff here is the device’s portability and viability for working environments versus the raw power offered by true PC VR headsets like the Valve Index.
The HTC Vive XR Elite’s wireless design and unobtrusive speakers make it a great traveling companion, a solution for business trips and play sessions on the road. Although it’s not best in class, the 1920×1920 resolution per eye and 110-degree field of view provide bright and clear visuals. Like its HTC Vive Pro sibling, the XR Elite also offers multiple lens and band adjustments for a secure fit.
5. PlayStation VR2
Best VR for Console and PC
PlayStation VR2
7
Built-in tracking cameras, eye tracking, 4K OLED panels, and two tactile Sense controllers with adaptive triggers and haptic feedback come with this VR headset designed for the PS5.
Resolution (Per eye)
2,000 x 2,040
Some features only available on PS5
That’s right: The PlayStation VR2 works on PC. The VR headset, once exclusively for PlayStation 5, now can connect to another device with a PC adapter for $59.99. The setup is fairly simple: You just need to connect the adapter to the single USB-C cord that comes on the PS VR2. A DisplayPort 1.4 cable is also required and, like most headsets, you’ll need a gaming PC that meets the minimum requirements to run. Luckily, most budget gaming PCs fit the bill. From there, with a Steam account, you can play Steam’s impressive library of VR games.
There is a catch, as not all of the PS VR2 features will work when playing on PC. You will no longer get HDR support on the 2000×2040 per-eye OLED panels, but action should still look crisp in 4K with no screen door effect and feel immersive with the 120Hz refresh rate and 110-degree FOV. Other features like eye-tracking, adaptive triggers, headset feedback, and controller haptics won’t be available. Though these extras would be nice, we don’t think they’re deal breakers. You can still enjoy a comfortable fit, finger-touch detection, rumble, 3D audio, and see-through view when PC gaming.
Beyond a few caveats, our hands-on testing of PS VR2 shows that it’s a great option for PC VR. If you’ve got a PS5 and are on the fence about buying the VR headset, we think this new functionality makes a great case for the purchase. It’s expensive, costing over $600 with the adapter, but it’s still a steal compared to many of our other PC VR headset picks.
How to Choose the Best VR Headsets for PC
We’ve chosen these PC VR Headsets based on our expertise and experience with VR, as well as IGN reviews and consumer feedback. When buying a VR headset, there are more than just digital specifications to consider, with physical comfort being an essential facet of the experience. For example, comfort dials, airflow, and build quality impact how the headset will feel when used. However, it’s also necessary to consider the technology under the hood, with the efficacy of a headset’s parts correlating with performance in the games you wish to play.
Then there are quality-of-life features to consider, like the efficacy and style of a headset’s tracking solution or passthrough and refresh rate, which governs the fluidity you experience inside a given game.
PC VR FAQ
Do I need a powerful PC to use VR?
Like PC games, VR headsets and VR games have minimum and recommended system requirements that you’ll need to meet to get the associated applications working smoothly. If you’re jumping into PC VR to play a specific set of games, it’s worth investigating the system requirements before making any big purchases to ensure you’ll be able to make the most of your proposed headset. Generally speaking, you will need high-end hardware in your gaming rig, such as potent graphics cards and processors, to play the most demanding VR games. If building a gaming rig for PC VR is out of your budget, it’s worth considering some of the standalone headsets on the market, which work wirelessly without needing an external computer.
What VR headsets don’t require a PC?
VR headsets for PC are mighty capable, but if you’d like to play away from home or even in a different room from your computer, you’ll need to find another option. The Meta Quest 3S and the entire Quest lineup are great hybrid options that excel as standalone VR headsets. The Pico 4 works similarly to the Meta Quest and is great for those who don’t want a tether. We’d be remiss not to mention the Apple Vision Pro; it’s wildly powerful solo, and it seamlessly integrates into the Apple ecosystem, proving an innovative way to work on the best MacBooks.
PlayStation VR2 doesn’t require a PC. However, you’ll need the PS5 to enjoy the truly spectacular VR experience. Some ultra-cheap VR headsets also use the screen of your smartphone for a fun, more immersive experience that’s especially well-suited for children.
How do you ensure the best VR headset for PC experience?
Beyond having a powerful gaming PC and a capable, comfortable VR headset, consider these other factors too. A well-lit space ensures you have the most accurate tracking. You’ll also want the freedom to move around the area you’re playing in, so the space should be free of obstacles or furniture that could trip you up or get tangled in wires. It may be helpful to place a rug or other objects that indicate when you’re leaving the dedicated play area. Luckily, some headsets come with their own indicators.
When do VR headsets usually go on sale?
Almost all of the best VR headsets that are PC compatible will drop in prices a few different times every year. One of the overall best shopping events for VR discounts is Amazon Prime Day, which takes place in July every year. After that, Black Friday and Cyber Monday tend to have the best overall deals consistently. Both events tend to primarily offer Meta Quest deals, but sometimes other headsets are available at a discount.
Sarah Thwaites is a freelance tech writer at IGN, with bylines at GameInformer, TrustedReviews, NME and more.
Danielle Abraham is a Tech freelance writer based in Los Angeles who spends her free time creating videos and geeking out over music history.