Best vr headsets for 2025 and what are the best for:
Best Affordable VR Headset: Meta Quest 3S
Best Overall: Meta Quest 3
Best for Pros and Enthusiasts: Meta Quest Pro
Best Next Gen VR/AR Headset: Apple Vision Pro
Best Controllers: Valve Index VR Kit:
Honorable Mention: Sony Playstation VR2
Honorable Mention: HTC VIVE PRO 2
META QUEST 3S: Best Affordable VR Headset
Meta Quest is a name you’re likely to hear repeatedly in the VR headset market. There’s a good reason for that, as the company is considered to be cutting edge in this technological area. The best affordable headset we’ve found is the Meta Quest 3S. It starts at $299.99, a pretty reasonable price point for this piece of hardware.
Specs: The display has a resolution of 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye. The refresh rate is 120 Hz. As far as optics, you get Fresnel lenses that have three positional interaxial adjustment distances (IAD).
The processor is a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2. You get 8 GB of RAM. The performance is impressive, as you get GPU processing power that is two times faster than what the Quest 2 offered.
You can get it with either 128 GB of storage or 256 GB. The battery life for a full charge is about 2.5 hours.
Pros
- It’s Budget-Friendly: Most users can afford the $299.99 price point.
- You Get an Improved Processor: The Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip is a noticeable upgrade over the Quest 2.
- You Get PVC VR Compatibility: It can connect to a PC so you can easily play VR games, which should expand your game library.
Cons
- A Narrow View Field: The field of view is narrower than the Quest 3.
- The Battery Life Isn’t Great: If you want expanded gaming, the 2.5 hours might not work for you.
- It’s Not the Most Comfortable: Some users may find it heavier and more cumbersome than some other options.
Why We Picked It: The price is this headset’s main selling point, as it affords you an entry point into this market that several other models and brands can’t match.
META QUEST 3: Best Overall
The Meta Quest 3 is probably the best overall VR headset we tried. It retails at $499.99 for the version with 512 GB of storage.
Specs: The resolution of the model is 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye. The refresh rate is up to 120 Hz. You get pancake lenses for the optics. The field of view you get is 110 degrees horizontal and 96 vertical.
The processor is the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2. You get 8 GB of RAM. The storage options are either 128 GB or 512 GB. The mixed reality high-fidelity color passthrough is another notable feature that users appreciate.
Pros
- You Get PCVR Support: This version can connect to a PC for easy gameplay and experiences from SteamVR.
- Users Seem to Like the Mixed Reality Features: This headset seamlessly overlays virtual objects onto the real world. The result is a more immersive experience.
- The Imagery and Passthrough Are Better: The more detailed passthrough and sharper display highlight the technological leap forward for this headset.
Cons
- A Higher Price Point: The improvements come with a higher price tag, especially as compared to the Quest 2.
- Comfort Issues Remain: Once again, some users complained of the heft and weight of this model, though that’s seemingly less of an issue if you are using it for shorter gaming sessions.
- There’s Limited Battery Life: Like other Quest models, you’re not getting much more than 2 hours of battery life from one charge, or a little under 3 for media viewing.
Why We Picked It: Even though some might find the price point prohibitive, this is probably the best all-around VR headset on the market today. The high-fidelity color passthrough and improved mixed reality experience are standouts, marking this as a clear top-of-the-line model.
Meta Quest Pro: Best for Pros and Enthusiasts
The Meta Quest Pro is our pick for a VR headset for pros and enthusiasts. The price is $499.99, though you can find it at other price points depending on your preferred features.
Specs: The processor for this headset is the Snapdragon XR2+. It comes with 12 GB of RAM. The internal storage is 256 GB. The display is 2x LCD, 1800 x 1920 resolution per eye. The refresh rate is 90 Hz.
The battery life is about two hours. The Touch Pro controllers have Snapdragon 662 mobile processors. They come with built-in rechargeable batteries that get you up to eight hours of life.
Pros
- Users Seem to Like the Controllers: Many users have commented that they like the heft of the controllers.
- It’s Comfortable to Wear: Some users say the comfort level when wearing this model is better than what you get with others.
- You’re Not Completely Isolated from the Real World: Unlike some other headsets that are immersive to the point where you’re not aware of what’s happening around you, this one allows you to remain cognizant of your surroundings.
Cons
- It’s Expensive: You’ll be lucky to locate one at the $499.99 price point. This model is popular, so you might only be able to find it at a higher price tag.
- Working in VR isn’t Intuitive: If you’re using it for work, some users complain it’s not the most intuitive.
- The Battery Life is Short: The two-hour battery life doesn’t give you a lot to work with.
Why We Picked It: If you’re looking for a VR headset capable of bridging the gap between what pros and enthusiasts who are new to this space are looking for, this is probably the model for you.
Apple Vision Pro: Best Next Gen VR/AR Headset
This model is one of the more expensive on the list, at $3,499, or $291.58 per month on the Apple website. This is one the most sought-after models because of all its impressive bells and whistles.
Specs: The display type is a Micro-OLED. It has 23 million pixels. The resolution is 3.660 x 3,200 pixels per eye. The refresh rates are 90 Hz, 96 Hz, and 100 Hz.
It comes with an M2 chip. There is also an R1 chip that serves as a dedicated, real-time co-processor you’re meant to use for spatial tracking and advanced vision. You can get one with 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB of storage.
Pros
- It Comes with Excellent Facetime Capabilities: You can connect with someone via Facetime with life size video tiles.
- It’s Ideal for Connection or Collaboration: Whether you’re talking to your spouse who’s overseas or a work colleague, it feels like they’re right next to you.
- It’s Incredibly Intuitive: The interface is easy to learn and master. The hand movements allow you to pick from among many menu items with no issues whatsoever.
Cons
- The Price is Quite High: This seems obvious enough. Not everyone can afford $3,500, even if you’re paying on the installment plan.
- It’s on the Heavier Side: Like several others on this list, some users don’t like the weight.
- You Have to Pay Even More for the Accessories: If you want accessories, like the Zeiss lenses, those will cost you more.
Why We Picked It: This headset delivers an incredible experience when talking to someone or watching content. The price point will probably turn off some potential buyers, though. $3,500 isn’t going to be doable unless you have significant disposable income.
Valve Index VR Kit: Best Controllers
If controller quality is what you’re after, consider the Valve Index VR Kit. The price ranges anywhere from $684-$2,553, depending on where you get it. You can find them on Amazon, eBay, and elsewhere.
Specs: The headset comes with dual 1440 x 1600 LCDs. They have full RGB per pixel. There is also low persistence global backlight illumination at 0.330 ms at 144 Hz.
It also comes with dual-element canted Fresnel lenses. Their combined resolution is 2880 x 1600. The full RPG panels have support refresh rates of 80, 90, 120, or 144 Hz.
Pros
- You Get a High Refresh Rate: The headset has one of the highest refresh rates available, so you get a smoother VR experience without that motion sickness feeling.
- The Controllers Are Innovative: The finger tracking ability that you get with the Knuckles controllers make your VR interactions feel more natural.
- You Get Superior Tracking: The lighthouse tracking system that comes with this model gives you reliability and precision from the controllers and headset.
Cons
- It’s Wired: This model is wired to a PC, which some users will find prohibitive.
- It’s Expensive: This is another one of the more expensive models on this list, so casual VR fans might look for a more budget-friendly model.
- There Are Base Station Complications: The external base stations need power outlets and a dedicated area, which might annoy some users.
Why We Picked It: The Valve Index VR Kit might be the answer if you’re not entirely satisfied with the controllers that come with other models. These ones are more intuitive than most. However, there’s also the higher price point to think about, which will make you pause if you’re not ready to drop some serious green to support your hobby.
Sony Playstation VR2: Honorable Mention
The Sony PlayStation VR2 can be found for $400 or less. Some Target locations have it for $349.99.
Specs: The controller that comes with the VR2 is the bespoke PlayStation VR2 Sense controller with DualSense. The camera is 4 x outward facing and 2 x inward facing for eye-tracking capabilities.
It was created for the PlayStation 5, though you can also use it on a PC. The dimensions are 212 x 158 x 278 mm, and it weighs 560 grams.
Pros
- It’s Easy to Set Up: Many users report that in terms of setting it up, you’re not going to have a much easier time.
- You Can Use It with a Strong Launch Library: The PSVR2 is usable with a relatively large library of popular games, including exclusive titles.
- It’s Comfortable: PlayStation seems to know what users want in the area of comfort. You can use it for hours without feeling the weight to be burdensome.
Cons
- It comes with a Wired Connection: Like some others on this list, it’s a wired headset, which somewhat restricts your movement.
- The Game Library is Limited: Though the launch library gives you several options, it’s still nowhere near what you’ll get with some other VR headsets.
- You can’t Use It with Older Games: Some users were irritated when they heard that the headset was not usable with original PlayStation VR games.
Why We Picked It: The PlayStation VR2 is somewhat of a mixed bag. The price point is considerably lower than some others on this list, and it’s relatively comfortable and easy to set up. However, it’s a wired headset, which users detest. Also, once you’ve played through the specific set of games intended for it, you may be at a loss until PlayStation decides to release more.
HTC VIVE PRO 2: Honorable Mention
You can find the HTC VIVE PRO 2 for as low as $499.00 some places, though others have it for as much as twice that. The company boasts that you get next-gen visuals with this model, though discerning shoppers might consider that description little more than a buzzword.
Specs: This model comes with 5K resolution. There’s a wide 120 degrees of view. The refresh rate is 120 Hz. It also comes with a mini DP to DP adaptor.
You get an all-in-one cable with it, as well as a screen with dual RGB low persistence LCD. The resolution is 2448 x 2448 pixels per eye, or 4896 x 2448 pixels combined.
Pros
- It Works with Valve Index Controllers: You might look at this as a pro or con depending on whether you like Valve Index controllers. Most users seem to appreciate them.
- The Motion Tracking is Smooth: At this price point, you’d be hard pressed to find better motion tracking.
- The Resolution for VR Gaming is Excellent: If gaming is what you have in mind, the resolution makes this a clear standout.
Cons
- Some Might Find It Too Expensive: If you can find it for a relatively low price, you might jump on that deal. It costs upwards of $1K on Amazon at the moment, though.
- It Doesn’t Come with Everything: This model does not automatically come with controllers or the base station, so you will need to tack on that extra expense.
- It’s Tethered: This is another tethered option, which some users don’t like.
Why We Picked It: Some users rave about this model, pointing out that it works great with its bespoke controllers and that it yields jaw-dropping gameplay. It’s tethered, though, and you also have to purchase some of the components separately.