Top 3 Best PC VR Headsets for Gaming

Top 3 Best PC VR Headsets in 2023
TIER	MODEL	PRICE	DISPLAY	REFRESH	FOV	AUDIO	TRACKING	COMFORT	IPD ADJUSTMENT
Best Overall	Valve Index	US	Great 1440 x 1600 Per Eye LCD	80Hz 90Hz 120Hz 144Hz	Best ~ 110-130°	Best	Best	Best	Yes (Mechanical) 58 to 70mm
Best Sims	HP Reverb G2	US	Best 2160 x 2160 Per Eye LCD	60Hz 90Hz	Good ~ 112°	Best	Good	Best (& Lightest)	Yes (Mechanical) 60 - 68mm
Best Value	Meta Quest 2	US	Great 1832 x 1920 Per Eye LCD	72Hz 90Hz (certain games) 120Hz (" ")	Average ~ 89-92°	Average (Headphones Recommended)	Great	Good (But Great With Add-On Strap)	Yes (Mechanical) 58 to 68mm

1. Valve Index (Best PC VR Headset Overall)

PROS

- High quality built-in speakers (no need for separate headphones)

- Very accurate tracking (comes with 2 external base stations)

- Best controllers on the market, featuring individual finger tracking

- Very comfortable out of the box (no need for add-on unlike Quest 2)

- Wider FOV than Quest 2 and Reverb G2

- Most flexible mechanical adjustment for IPD (Inter Pupillary Distance)

- Comes with a Free Copy of Half Life: Alyx

Because the VR industry moves fast, you can definitely consider the Valve Index a little outdated considering its release date and also the fact it's been outdone by both the Quest 2 and Reverb G2 in terms of resolution and image sharpness/clarity. That said, the Index still remains a fantastic high-end PC VR headset worth considering, and arguably the best headset for PC VR overall when you take into account all the pros and cons of the top headsets out there.

It does depend on what's more important to you though, which I understand can be difficult (or impossible) to know if you're new to VR (so I'll do my best to explain as much as I can). The HP Reverb G2 does have higher resolution, but the Index has better controllers, more precise tracking for past-paced games, a wider field of view, and higher refresh rates for the smoothest gameplay (up to 144Hz). The Index vs G2 is a tough decision without a doubt, because while the higher resolution of the G2 does increase immersion, the higher refresh rates, better tracking, and wider FOV of the Index does so too. It comes down to which features are more important to you.

As for the Index vs Quest 2 debate, it's another difficult choice. The Quest 2 is much more affordable, and offers wireless PC VR and the ability to play mobile VR games (that you can't access on a PC VR headset like the Index). But the Index is still the objectively better PC VR experience overall, as the Quest 2 is not a native PC VR headset and so has downsides when used as a PC VR headset (latency and compression, but I'll get to that next). The Index also beats the Quest 2 in terms of stock comfort (Quest 2 comfort out the box ain't as good and requires an add-on strap for the best comfort), higher refresh rates, superior built-in audio, and individual finger tracking.

So despite its age, the Index remains a solid option for high-end PC VR if you have the budget for it. Just keep in mind there's a chance Valve announces a successor to the Index at some point in the near future, as some interesting Valve patents have been filed indicating an "Index 2" (or whatever it'll be called) may be on the horizon. That said, if there is a Valve Index 2, it may not release for a while yet, so the original Index may have some decent legs left (assuming an Index 2 is even coming, as it's still speculation). Just thought I'd give you a heads-up about that. Anyway, let's move onto the next best PC VR headset for gaming, though you could just as easily have it as the top spot (and have the Index as number 2).

2. HP Reverb G2 V2 (Best PC VR Headset for Sims)

CONS

- Not as precise tracking as other headsets (a non-issue for many, but may be noticeable in fast-paced or competitive games)

- Can't do 120Hz or 144Hz like the Index

- High resolution means slightly higher GPU requirements than Index

- Image sweet spot not as good as Quest 2

The HP Reverb G2 replaces the original Reverb G1 and has outdone it in every way, instantly placing itself among the best VR gaming headsets on the market. In fact, you could argue it is now the best PC VR headset to beat right now given its advantages over the Valve Index, and as mentioned I could just have easily placed it as my number one recommendation (so take the ordering of this article with a grain of salt; very difficult to rank VR headsets as it's all about personal preference).

Featuring an impressive high-resolution display with noticeably better clarity and sharpness than PC VR headsets before it, the Reverb G2 takes immersion to the next level and has taken the VR enthusiast crowd by storm to firmly entrench itself as the clear best PC VR headset for virtual reality simulation games like Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, Assetto Corsa, Project Cars 2, iRacing, and DCS World. Also, while Star Wars Squadrons and Elite Dangerous are not technically sims, the G2 would also be the perfect headset for space flight games like these as well.

But the truth is, the G2 can also be a fantastic choice for any VR genre - if you can accept the downside of slightly less precise and reliable controller tracking when compared to the near flawless tracking of the Valve Index and Quest 2. The tracking issue is only a potential worry when playing competitive shooters like Contractors, Pavlov, Onward, Vail, or rhythm games like Beat Saber, or in situations where you have to grab things above or behind your head (such as grabbing items from your backpack or throwing grenades in Half Life Alyx).

If you do plenty of research on this issue as I have, you'll find that the G2's tracking issues really aren't that bad, and unless you do some strange moves in VR or are serious about competitive multiplayer shooters, it's unlikely to get in your way. See VR Flight Sim Guy's thoughts on Alyx with a G2 as an example of the G2 not being an issue for Alyx, but do your own research to find out if the G2 is right for you. Plus, HP released a new and improved V2 (Version 2) of the G2 headset which includes slightly better tracking. 

HP Reverb G2 v1 vs v2 (Differences)

In late 2021, HP released a version 2 of the HP Reverb G2, which includes the following improvements over version 1:

• The HP Reverb G2 v2 features a new cable design with a built-in power button, which eliminates USB issues on certain Ryzen motherboards.

• Additionally, the v2 has a redesigned faceplate with a removable spacer that can potentially improve field of view (FOV), depending on the user's face shape.

• The v2 also boasts slightly improved cameras with a wider vertical field of view, allowing for a greater range of motion with the controllers before tracking is lost.

So when buying a G2 just be aware that there are two versions and there's no reason not to get the most recent version 2 model.

All things considered the G2 is a beast, and cannot be ignored when on the hunt for the best PC VR headset. Especially if you love flight or racing sims. The unbeatable image quality and clarity is a huge plus that for many will outweigh the negatives, but if you absolutely want optimal tracking under all situations for fast-paced games then consider the Index or Quest 2 instead (the latter of which isn't far behind the G2 in terms of resolution and image sharpness). Let's move onto the third and final of the top 3 best VR headsets for gaming on the market today.

3. Oculus/Meta Quest 2 (Best Value PC VR Headset)

CONS

- Slight latency and image compression when playing PC VR games via your PC (see a variety of user opinions on this)

- Must have fairly good gaming GPU to avoid the compression souring image quality too much (mid-range GPUs may not cut it)

- Must also have good router and strong signal to play PC VR wirelessly without noticeable latency

- Not as comfortable out the box compared to other headsets (Elite Strap highly recommended)

- Average built-in audio (using your own headphones or earphones is recommended)

- Slightly lower FOV than Reverb G2 and Index

- 2 hour battery life when gaming wirelessly (but can buy extended battery pack to play longer)

- Quest 3 potentially being announced soon (and should release this year in 2023)

The Quest 2 has changed the VR landscape considerably since its release last year and has been a catalyst in bringing VR one step closer to mainstream adoption. It's not only the clear best value VR headset, but also the most versatile. Primarily marketed as a standalone, mobile VR headset (because it is), it can also function perfectly well as a PC VR headset if you have a decent gaming PC to hook it up to (which you can do so using either a cable or wirelessly, but I'll get to that).

If you're new to VR, there's basically two types of VR games/experiences. There's the mobile VR market, which are games and experiences of smaller scope and of lower graphical fidelity due to hardware limitations (as the game is running solely off the Quest 2's built-in hardware). These games (any game on the official Meta Quest store) run wirelessly on the Quest 2 without needing a PC at all, so you can be gaming at any place and any time without needing to be tethered to your PC with a cable.

Then you have the PC VR market, which is basically any VR game on Steam, and any game on the Oculus Rift exclusive store (like the great Lone Echo and Lone Echo 2). This is where you have the biggest and best VR games with the most impressive visuals, including titles like Half Life Alyx, Blade and Sorcery, Saints and Sinners chapters 1 and 2 (available in Quest version too), Red Matter 1 and 2 (also has Quest versions), Asgard's Wrath, Skyrim VR, No Man's Sky, Boneworks, Bonelab, Elite Dangerous, Fallout 4 VR, Star Wars: Squadrons, Hubris, all the VR racing and flight sims out there, and much more.

So, with "true" PC VR headsets like the Valve Index and HP Reverb G2, you can only play PC VR games (but not any mobile games). With the Quest 2, you have access to both - mobile and PC VR games. Definitely another advantage of the Quest 2, and over time we're sure to be treated to better and better mobile VR games that utilize the limited on-board hardware better.

That said, the objectively best, most immersive VR games with the best graphics are PC VR titles (and will remain so for the foreseeable future). To play PC VR with the Quest 2, effectively turning it into a PC VR headset, there are two ways. Both require a good gaming PC, and the better your specs the less noticeable the latency and image compression will be.

• Connecting to a PC using a special USB cable (called Oculus Link)
• Connecting to a PC wirelessly using special software (either AirLink or Virtual Desktop)

B: Wireless PC VR

As for running PC VR content wirelessly on the Quest 2 - using the official Oculus Airlink app or the third-party and very popular Virtual Desktop for Quest app - you need a strong PC to minimize latency and image compression, but you also need a good gaming router and a strong wireless signal where you'll be using the headset. You also want to avoid clogging the router with tons of devices while playing.

But with the right setup, wireless PC VR with the Quest 2 can have an unnoticeable amount of latency and compression, and in that case it's a fantastic experience as you get to play the best AAA VR games without wires. Check out Beardo Benjo's good tutorial to check it out in action. Also see VR Oasis's comparison of Airlink vs Virtual Desktop.

Final Thoughts on Quest 2 vs G2 vs Index

Overall, all things considered, if you're new to VR it's hard to ignore the Quest 2 for its value - it's the best VR headset for gaming if you're looking to stretch your money as far as possible.

The ability to play PC VR wirelessly is a big plus, and if you don't have a strong wireless signal to be able to do that smoothly, plugging the Quest 2 into a good gaming PC via the Oculus Link cable allows you to play all those great SteamVR games with minimal latency and compression to the point where it's unnoticeable to many. Yeah, you need a strong PC to minimize latency and compression, but you need a strong PC for the G2 and Index anyway, so that's not a downside to the Quest 2 and just a requirement for PC VR in general.

Plus, with a Quest 2 you get to play the many good mobile VR games out there, as well as Meta/Oculus exclusive titles. Mobile VR games aren't as good as PC VR games due to the huge technical limitations of what you can run on a mobile chipset, but there's still plenty of good experiences. All that said, the Index is the technically better option for VR enthusiasts who don't care for wireless and just want the absolute best PC VR experience, and the Reverb G2 is hard to ignore for VR sims with its unbeatable resolution and clarity (but still works just fine for any genre if you're okay with the potential for occasional tracking issue in the heat of the moment).

The Index and G2 are native PC VR headsets that'll give you the full PC VR experience without the latency and compression of the Quest 2, but whether either of these is worth spending the extra money on compared to the Quest 2 is a subjective call and how much you care for wired vs wireless VR. Whatever you decide, it's hard to go wrong with a Quest 2, a HP Reverb G2, or a Valve Index. If you're new to VR I'm sure you'll be blown away with any, and if you're here pondering an upgrade from a previous-gen headset like the Rift S, original Rift, HTC Vive, or Quest 1, you'll also surely be satisfied with either of these 3 great headsets.

Last but not least, keep in mind this year Meta will be releasing their new Quest 3 headset, and Sony is launching their PSVR2. There's no telling yet how good these headsets will be, and whether they're worth waiting for or not. But if you're not in a hurry to get into VR, it may be worth waiting to see how these new models pan out. Anyway, that wraps my thoughts on the current VR headset market, specifically for those wanting the best PC VR experience (and not just mobile VR). Hope the article helped a little and I'll see you in VR, friend.

See Also: Build the Best PC for Half Life Alyx

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