Top 5 Best PC VR Headsets for Gaming

Top 5 Best PC VR Headsets for Gaming
TIER	MODEL	USAGE	PRICE	DISPLAY	REFRESH	FOV	AUDIO	TRACKING	COMFORT	IPD ADJUSTMENT
Best Overall	Meta Quest 3	PCVR + Mobile VR	US	Best 2064 x 2208 Per Eye LCD	72Hz 90Hz (certain games) 120Hz (" ")	Very Good	Very Good	Best	Good (But Great With Add-On Strap)	Yes (Mechanical) 58 to 70mm
Close Second	Valve Index	PCVR	US	Very Good 1440 x 1600 Per Eye LCD	80Hz 90Hz 120Hz 144Hz	Best	Best	Best	Best	Yes (Mechanical) 58 to 70mm
Best for Sim Racing/Flight	HP Reverb G2	PCVR	US	Best 2160 x 2160 Per Eye LCD	60Hz 90Hz	Good	Best	Good	Best (& Lightest)	Yes (Mechanical) 60 - 68mm
Best Value	Meta Quest 2	PCVR + Mobile VR	US	Great 1832 x 1920 Per Eye LCD	72Hz 90Hz (certain games) 120Hz (" ")	Good	Good	Good	Good (But Great With Add-On Strap)	Yes (Mechanical) 58 to 68mm
Best Cheap PCVR	Oculus Rift S	PCVR	Buy Second Hand Under ~ $150	Good 1280x1440 Per Eye LCD	80Hz	Good	Good	Good	Very Good	Yes (Software) 58 to 72mm

1. Meta Quest 3 (Best VR Headset Overall)

PROS

- Best headset overall across most specs and metrics (and is tied in certain regards to other headsets)

CONS

- Comfort isn't the greatest out of the box (Elite Strap highly recommended)

- Requires a decent modern GPU for smooth PCVR using Link Cable (due to image compression processing)

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

Meta's latest Quest 3 is arguably the best VR headset made to date, with excellent quality lenses that boast sharp visuals and a high resolution. While primarily marketed as a standalone console that can play games wirelessly directly from the built-in processor, you can also connect it to a PC (using the official Link Cable) and play all of the higher-quality PCVR games on Steam. Most people getting into VR should just get a Quest 3, no matter their usage in VR. So if it's within your budget, keep it simple and don't overthink your choice of headset as the Quest 3 is all-around a great buy for PCVR and for its exclusive library of standalone games (eg Batman Arkham) as well as the experimental mixed reality experiences that only the Quest 3 allows.

That said, there are certain circumstances when you'd want to consider the other options on this list, such as wanting the slightly better clarity and resolution of the HP G2 for sim racing/flight games (though Quest 3 is still great for sims). Or if you have an old GPU and don't want to upgrade it, as using PCVR with the Quest 3 and the Link Cable is more demanding on your GPU than say using a Valve Index or Rift S, not only because they have smaller resolutions and therefore less pixels to render, but also because the Quest's USB Link Cable requires extra processing from your system for image compression, whereas PCVR-native headsets like the Index or Rift S use a DisplayPort cable instead that doesn't require compression).

Confused About PCVR vs Mobile VR

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's built-in hardware). These games (any game on the official Meta Quest store) run wirelessly on the Quest 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). Plus all the great VR mods like Luke Ross's Cyberpunk 2077 mod (highly recommended). PCVR is where you have the biggest and best VR games with the most impressive visuals, including titles like Half Life Alyx, Metro Awakening, Alien Rogue Incursion, 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, and 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 3 (or Quest 2), you have access to both - mobile and PC VR games. Definitely another advantage of the Quest, 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, 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)

A: Tethered PC VR

Using the Oculus Link cable allows you to turn the Quest from its primary design as a mobile VR headset into a PC VR headset. But be aware it's not like having a direct DisplayPort cable connected to your PC. Instead, it's a USB cable, and the data from your PC has to be compressed, which can lead to latency (slowness) and slightly lower visual quality resulting in a less crisp image than using a true PC VR headset (this can be mitigated with a high-end GPU though).

How noticeable the latency and image compression is will differ from system to system and person to person. If you do your research you'll see some people say they can't notice the difference (between Oculus Link and a "true" tethered PC VR headset), but it's usually those with really good PCs. With a mid-range GPU, the compression can be quite noticeable when comparing the experience directly to a true PC VR headset.

B: Wireless PC VR

As for running PC VR content wirelessly on the Quest - 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 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.

2. Valve Index (Close Second)

PROS

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

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

- Most functional controllers on the market, featuring individual finger tracking

- Very comfortable out of the box (no need for add-on unlike Quest 3)

- Wider FOV than Quest 3 and Reverb G2

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

- Comes with a Free Copy of Half Life: Alyx

CONS

- More expensive than Quest 3

- Glare issues can be annoying to some people in some games (but not Alyx)

- Longer setup than other headsets

- Needs more space than other headsets

- Over 4 years old now (and an Index successor a potential in near future)

You can definitely consider the Valve Index fairly 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 PC VR headset worth considering depending on your situation and wants/needs - if you get it at a good price that is, as it's more expensive than the overall superior Quest 3.

But the Quest 3 is NOT superior in every facet, with the Index still leading on certain metrics like comfort out of the box, FOV (Field of View), refresh rate compatibility, and also the Valve knuckle controllers are a favorite within VR enthusiast circles. By the way to help anyone deciding between a Quest 3 vs Valve Index, this poster wrote a helpful summary on Reddit.

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

PROS

- Higher resolution than Quest 2 and Valve Index

- Best clarity makes it ideal for VR simulations (flight sims, racing, etc)

- Sharpest image in a consumer VR headset today

- High quality built-in audio (exact same speakers as Valve Index)

- Cheaper than Valve Index (and arguably better value)

- Very comfortable out of the box (and lighter than Index)

- Slightly wider FOV than Quest 2 (but less than Index)

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 3. 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 3 instead (Quest 3 is about on par with the G2 in terms of resolution and image sharpness).

4. Meta Quest 2 (Best Value PC VR Headset)

PROS

- Most affordable, value for money VR headset

- Very good resolution (higher than Index, but lower than Reverb G2)

CONS

- Comfort isn't the greatest out of the box (Elite Strap highly recommended)

- Requires a decent modern GPU for smooth PCVR using Link Cable (due to image compression processing)

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

- 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)

If on a budget and wanting to save money, the Quest 2 is still a viable option these days even long after the Quest 3 has taken the throne. The Quest 3 visuals are clearer, sharper, and with higher fidelity than the Quest 2, but as someone who has owned both and compared them extensively, the difference in-game isn't hugely noticeable most of the time. Sure, you can see the difference when you look closely, but for the average gamer the difference isn't so big that I can comfortably still recommend the Quest 2 as a budget option to have a great PCVR experience (using the Link Cable or wirelessly using Airlink/Virtual Desktop).

5. Oculus Rift S (Best Cheap PC VR Headset)

While it's been discontinued for a while now, if you're on a tight budget wanting to get into PC VR and don't care for mobile VR, buying a used Rift S is still an option worth considering for the right type of person. Just make sure to test it before buying so that there's no issues with the display or cable. Personally, I think the Rift S holds up well these days, and is totally fine to get your feet into PCVR. It's also the headset I played through Half Life Alyx with, and the headset did not downgrade the experience in any day (I later replayed the game on a Quest 2 and then a Quest 3 and the difference in overall experience wasn't that noticeable).

The Rift S is also less demanding of a headset given its lower resolution relative to more recent headsets, as well as it's 80Hz refresh rate (both these factors lower the demands on your GPU to hit a consistently smooth frame rate). So you can run it more easily on an average gaming PC. That said, if you're on a budget the Quest 2 would probably be a better option as a cheap PCVR headset, and a used Quest 2 wouldn't cost you much more than a used Rift S.

See Also: Build the Best PC for Half Life Alyx

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