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VR has come a long, long way. In the early days, and up until fairly recently, VR was somewhat of a novelty and primarily used by only the most devoted gamers and tech enthusiasts. The graphics were rough, chunky, pixelated, and the price for a headset was sky-high. But over the years, VR has evolved, and accessible headsets now offer a fully encompassing and innovative experience for everyone, whether you’re a gamer or not.

With VR, you’re not just playing the game — you’re a part of it. The 3D interactive world provides a sense of presence and immersion incomparable to playing on a regular screen. While the logical part of you realizes you’re standing in your house with a headset on, your brain is tricked into thinking you’re floating, flying, falling, or shooting zombies in the face.

But you don’t necessarily need a high-tech, high-end headset anymore either. These days, anyone with a smartphone can get in on the action. There are plenty of great fully decked-out VR headsets but there are also decent VR viewing goggles, which simply hold your phone in place to let you look around and view your virtual universe, using your phone’s built-in gyro sensor. The goggles also free up your hands, so you can navigate the game with a controller when necessary. We’ve included picks for both advanced and accessible headsets on our list.

Note that if it’s your first time using a headset, it’s best to ease into it. Avoid the intense and dizzying games like rollercoasters for your maiden VR voyage, as these can cause motion sickness, and turn you off from future experiences.

Meanwhile, shopping for a VR headset can make your head spin, but it’s really not as scary as it seems (unlike the hordes of VR horror genre games coming out right now). Whether you want a “game console”-style set where everything’s included or one that runs purely off your phone’s tech, we’ve selected our faves based on shopper reviews, price, product ratings to help you find the right headset for you and the VR world you’re looking to jump into.

Editor’s picks

An advancement on the Meta Quest 2, the new headset is more immersive and visual than ever before.

Rather than immersing you solely into the digital world, the new Meta Quest 3 blends your physical and digital realities for an AR gaming experience. The dual RGB camera delivers fuller, more vibrant colors to enhance your senses, bringing the game to life in your bedroom, living room, and beyond.

The new headset also has enhanced sound clarity for fuller bass performance and a louder volume range than the Quest 2. Whether your watching your favorite videos through the device or fully engaged in a game, the 3D spatial audio transports your senses for a richer experience.

For a limited time, the Quest 3 also comes with the new Asgard’s Wrath 2 (a $59.99 value) for free when you buy the 128GB device.

Promising Customer Feedback: “So, I started with the original Oculus Developer Kit 1, then on to 2, then the consumer Rift, Rift S, Quest 2, and temporarily had a Quest Pro (a great piece of tech, but too expensive..returned in 1 week). We’ve come a long way with Quest 3….

The clarity of the new “pancake” lenses are a marvel after dealing for years with the now primitive, Fresnel lenses. No more having to reposition the flipping headset around, over and over just to find that one tiny spot of clarity while their outer area remains blurry. These flat pancake lenses are just super clear all around, from edge to edge.

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The resolution bump from the Q2 is another nice welcome. The blacks are not jet black like you would find on an OLED screen (like the PlayStation VR2), but that would bring the cost up. When you’re playing games or experiences, you won’t even be thinking about it. Would you rather have fresnel lenses like PS2VR? I don’t think so. In addition to these new features, the fieild of view has widened on Quest 3, another upgrade that makes a difference.

The sound is beefier and louder. No more tin can alley like the Q2, and the fantastic spatial sound adds more to the immersion. I went back and played some older games, finding sounds that I’ve never quite heard on Quest 2, which really surprised me. The haptics are also very much improved over the Q2, though not as potent as I would have liked. The Pro controllers are more advanced in this department, as is the PSVR2.” —JC

If you’ve been casually looking around for a VR headset, or even know about the basics, there’s no doubt you’ve definitely heard of this one from Meta, and with good reason: it’s one of the most popular options for an all-in-one standalone headset that offers a full home VR experience.

You won’t need a phone or a PC to use it, though you do need a phone for the initial setup through the app. But otherwise, the processor, display, and audio are all built-in, and after setup, you’re good to get started. You also won’t need headphones, as the sound comes straight from the unit.

This set also includes two fully-tracked touch controllers for smooth and instant interactions, like picking up objects, in the VR games of your choice (this headset is compatible with a wide variety of games). It goes far beyond games, too, allowing you to attend concerts or even the Apollo 11 moon landing. You’ll even be able to work out with your new VR headset. You can also set guidelines for the perimeter of your room before playing, so you don’t crash into a wall or trip over the couch.

For gamers, or anyone really, who wants to get into serious VR but lacks a powerful PC to process the higher-end games, this is a winner.

Promising Customer Feedback: “The Meta Quest 2 has revolutionized my gaming experience like never before. This cutting-edge virtual reality headset has completely transformed the way I interact with games, movies, and even social experiences. From the moment I put it on, I was transported to a world of limitless possibilities, making it an absolute must-have for any gaming enthusiast.” —Man K. Wong

If you’re looking for a VR headset with impressive specs, go with the Valve Index. It’s considerably pricier than other options on our list, but its hefty set of features makes it well worth the price.

It’s got incredibly fast refresh rates and visuals (2880 x 1600) that rival every other VR headset on this list. It’s comfortable, too, with the ability for lens and headband adjustment, meaning you can customize your gadget as you please. In fact, the padded headset is the most comfortable option on this list. Plus, the Index (knuckle) controllers are accurate and quick to track hand movements — even finger tracking — without missing a beat.

The smart built-in speakers also deliver immersive audio, great for when you’re gaming, very similar to the Merta Quest 2. That said, unlike the Quest 2, which features an inside-out tracking system, you’ll have to set up base stations for accurate tracking on the Valve Index. This can sometimes be a frustrating and rather time-consuming process, especially fo you’re a newbie to VR and just want to start playing. You’ll also need a strong PC gaming setup to use this VR headset — you won’t be able to use it otherwise.

That said, it’s got the widest field of view and the best graphics of any VR headset out there. And, if you’ve got a stellar PC setup for tethered gaming, the Valve Index is unparalleled.

Promising Customer Feedback: “I set up and tested the headset and base stations and everything works great! I mainly bought this to use in VRC and am happy with how it was delivered, thank you very much!” —Jonathan Schoell

Released in 2022, the Meta Quest Pro is one of the best VR headsets with eye-tracking and face-tracking technology built inside. While it might cost more than the Meta Quest 3 and the Meta Quest 2 — it’s on sale for $897, or $103 off, at Amazon — the Meta Quest Pro is designed for pro use for collaborating or building experiences.

However, if you’re a VR enthusiast, then it’s also something to consider since the eye-tracking and face-tracking is more advanced and comes with the same access to the wide range of experiences and games in the Metaverse.

Meanwhile, the Meta Quest Pro is a standalone VR headset that doesn’t require a separate PC to operate it, while it’s completely immersive with nearly 4K resolution per eye at 90Hz refresh rate makes for smooth and seamless experiences. It comes with two Meta Quest Touch Pro Controllers for input precision.

Promising Customer Feedback: “Alright, let’s get down to it. The Meta Quest Pro. Oh man, where to begin. I’ll admit it, I was like a kid on Christmas morning when I got this. And, for about three weeks, I couldn’t put it down. I mean, we’re talking non-stop use. And now… Well, it’s kinda become a bit of a dust collector. But that’s on me, not the headset. Despite the lack of current usage, I’ve gotta say – this thing is a BEAST. It’s clear as day, and I’ve not used a VR headset yet that can hold a candle to it. It’s balanced, comfortable, and the mixed reality passthrough is absolutely next-level. I love it. Absolutely love it. I might not use it every day, but when I do, it’s a game-changer. So, if you’re on the fence about getting it, I’d say go for it.” —Cameron Chernoff

When paired with the PlayStation 5, the PlayStation VR2 is a formidable beast with upgraded motion controls and eye-tracking technology for an immersive experience when experiencing PlayStation’s strong library, which includes Horizon: Call of the Mountain, Gran Turismo 7, Jurassic World Aftermath, Resident Evil Village, No Man’s Sky, and much more.

The VR headset itself is comfortable and impressive with a pair of OLED displays (one for each eye) with 2K video resolution for sharp picture clarity with buttery smooth refresh rate of up to 120Hz for fluid motion and speed. It has 3D audio for even deeper immersion.

It also comes with two PlayStation VR2 Sense controller with detailed haptic feedback, responsive adaptive triggers, and precise finger touch detection. The Sony PlayStation VR2 is priced at $599.99 at Amazon.

Promising Customer Feedback: “I am a collector of VR headsets as I am a big fan of VR. I still enjoy my Meta Quest 2 but they quality on the PSVR2 is so much better. With games like Horizon: Call of the Mountain and Resident Evil Village, VR is finally becoming more and more like what I had always hoped it could be. I am hoping Sony will have a lot of PS4 and PS5 titles add a VR mode to their games because to me games become a lot more fun in VR. This headset is very comfortable to wear and very easy to adjust. I also have poor eyesight and my glasses fit in well and I don’t feel like they will get scratched up. I do still hope that they will come out with lenses for this headset as I would still prefer not to wear my glasses since prescription lenses are still far more comfortable.” —SonGokuTheWarrior

Priced at $548, HP Reverb G2 is a high-quality VR headset with dual 4K displays (one per eye) with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate for steady motion, and a wide 114-degree field of view. It was developed in collaboration with Valve, so it shares some of the features from the Valve Index VR headset — such as near-field speakers for immersive audio.

It has four sensors for more accurate VR tracking, while the HP Reverb G2 sits comfortably on your face with a rear strap for additional support and lux cushioning around the eyes and nose.

However, the VR headset isn’t wireless and comes with a long tether to connect to a gaming PC.

Promising Customer Feedback: “The G2 is simply awesome. It’s light weight, has great resolution and is super smooth! The face mask fits well and is comfortable and doesn’t let in any light. I give it 5 starts because of this… Even though you might have an issue with the cable I would still completely recommend this headset but know that you might need a new cable. But it’s totally worth it!!!” —John Fischer

The HTC Vive Pro 2 is designed with pro-level and VR enthusiast use in mind with a sharp and detailed 5K video resolution for its dual displays (one for each eye) with a smooth refresh rate of up to 120Hz and. a field of view of 120-degrees. It’s compatible with the SteamVR platform, while the headset has its own Viveport (which offers an unlimited subscription service called Viveport Infinity) overlay for apps, games, and experiences.

However, while the HTC Vive Pro 2 is impressive with the specs and experiences to back it up, it’s also one of the more expensive VR headsets at $1,300 at Amazon. Although that’s cheaper than the Apple Vision Pro and Valve Index, it’s way more than the Meta Quest 3 and PlayStation VR2. There may be better options for you, if you’re looking for something that’s less than $1,000.

Promising Customer Feedback: “I really like this headset so far. I’ve only used the original HTC vive since launch so the first time I put this one on I was shocked at the clarity. The headphones are wicked, even better than the deluxe audio strap. as for comfort, it feels fine. Kinda like the original but a slight heavier on the face and once I fine tuned it felt natural. The lenses are a bit smaller it seems but wider than the original so I just have to get used it. I’m getting the wire kit the put the wireless adapter on soon, so right now I’m back to playing tethered. Setup was easy just took a bit of time and the new base stations are rad. Better tracking? Yes please! The controllers feel good with a better trackpad(mine were worn bad).” —Nick

This headset works well with your phone: Just pop it into the tray, slide it in, and strap it on.

Though it’s minimal and relies fully on your phone’s tech, this unit has some valuable and practical features built-in. For starters, a little lined ruler helps you ensure your phone is dead-center before playing. Though you can’t access your phone’s buttons during use, padding helps prevent them from being accidentally pressed and interfering with (or unintentionally closing) your interactive experience.

Up top, levers let you adjust the location of each individual goggle – both left/right and front/back, depending on where your eyes are, which can make a huge difference in how truly immersed you feel in the game. The sliding door on the front exposes your phone’s lens for any augmented reality (AR) games that overlay the real world or in case you want to see your surroundings without taking the goggles off.

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Promising Customer Feedback: “I rated the BNext VR Headset 5 stars for what it is, an entry-level, affordable gateway to the world of VR. Just make sure your phone is equipped with an accelerometer and compatible with VR. With the right phone, The BNext VR Headset will give you access to the many 360 degree videos available on YouTube as well as the many new VR games available in the iTunes store and Google Play. I sat in delight as I floated to the edge of space attached to a weather balloon. Sitting in a swivel chair I could turn 360 degrees, look up and down and feel the experience. There are also some great roller-coaster VR games that work well with the headset that will also give you the sensation of movement.” —S. Dubin

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Customer reviews have been edited for length and clarity, and size availability is posted at the time of publication.