Helmet Sleep Funny Internet Virtual Reality
Who should get this
Virtual reality can make you feel like you've been transported to another world—or at the very least like you are experiencing a wonderfully novel piece of technology. Short films, puzzles, social networks, and other types of VR entertainment are available. But if you're not into video games, the only VR-ready medium that can offer hours of immersive entertainment, you may grow bored fairly quickly. With that in mind, only gamers or technophiles with fairly deep pockets should seriously consider a VR setup at this time.
Virtual reality games are different from games on traditional consoles like the Xbox and PlayStation. Motion-tracking controllers, which bring your hands into the virtual world, are more intuitive for beginners: Swinging a sword feels more like swinging a sword, throwing a mug at a robot feels (kind of) like throwing a mug, ducking for cover can require real ducking. This makes play more immersive and intuitive than with regular video games, where your movements rely on your pressing the right combinations of buttons on a controller. For example, I've never been a fan of Halo or Gears of War, but I immediately had fun playing shooter games in VR. On the other hand, an experienced gamer (but VR beginner) told me during testing that he was annoyed that VR still had a learning curve at all.
If you decide to try VR, go in with an open mind and a sense of adventure, and remember that it's still a developing technology. There are already some great VR experiences, like the heart-pumping Beat Saber. But you're still basically a guinea pig helping developers figure out how the headsets should be used. Expect your headset to become obsolete within a matter of years.
Outside of pandemic times, it's a good idea to go to a store to test a few VR systems for yourself; Meta and HTC publish maps of locations where you can test headsets. If you're skeptical of VR and can't try it ahead of time, you have trouble enjoying the experience at the store, or you aren't completely excited about the idea of exploring at home, a VR headset is probably not for you.
How we picked
While searching for VR systems to test, we read comparison guides from PCMag, Wired, and CNET. We also interviewed Road to VR co-founder Ben Lang and former Svrf CEO Sophia Dominguez on what to look for in a VR headset.
We considered only headsets that were built for home use, had the ability to track hand and body movements, and had controllers—without those features, you lose most of the magic of VR. We think the best headsets also have the following features:
- Room-scale tracking: Whether the sensors are built into the headset or meant to be mounted on a wall, the headset you buy should come with the ability to track you across an area the size of an average living room.
- Freedom of movement: The headset can switch between corded and cord-free experiences, which allows for maximum freedom of movement and portability.
- Variety of content: Games and applications should be available across a variety of genres. There should also be evidence that developers are continuing to develop for the headset.
- Comfort: The headset should sit snugly on a variety of face shapes without being painful. It shouldn't feel too heavy or get too hot. While we usually conduct a test panel to check for fit on different face shapes, during the pandemic we've relied on forums and other journalists' reports instead.
- Industry-leading specs: The screen resolution, sensors, weight, and size should be in line with those of other top VR headsets. Good display specs in particular assist in creating a better VR experience because they help you forget that you are looking at a screen instead of something real.
- Good controllers: The controllers should be comfortable to hold, and they shouldn't have overly complicated button layouts.
- Built-in sound: Although audiophiles who already own high-end headphones will appreciate a headphone jack, most people don't already own headphones that are nice enough for VR (and good sound really does make VR more immersive). Headsets with high-quality built-in headphones or speakers eliminate an extra accessory to buy and still leave open the option of swapping in your own pair if you care to.
How we tested
As VR has matured, we've continued to test new models against old favorites. In an initial round of testing in 2016, we set up and tested the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, and then had four VR beginners (with gaming experience levels ranging from zero to expert) use each system too. In 2018, we tested the standalone Oculus Go and the Lenovo Mirage Solo against mobile VR headsets. We also tested the Vive Pro against the Rift. In 2019, we added the Oculus Quest to our testing lineup and pitted the Rift against the Rift S. We tested the Meta Quest 2 and Vive Cosmos Elite in 2020. In 2021, we tested the Valve Index, HTC Vive Pro 2, HTC Vive Focus 3, and HP Reverb G2.
Though we used to have separate picks for PC, standalone, and mobile VR headsets, we've grown convinced over the years that cordless headsets like the Meta Quest 2 are the best option for anyone looking for their first headset. As a result, while we continue to test and discuss the latest PC-connected and mobile headsets, we only recommend them for a specific niche.
I spend at least three hours in each VR system myself. Comfort is important, especially for first-timers. VR should maximize immersion—the sense that you're in a virtual world. Discomfort is one of the quickest ways to break that sense. I noted where each headset concentrated weight on my head, and how my level of comfort changed over the course of a long VR session.
I also carefully evaluated each system's hand controllers, because intuitive controls make games feel much more real. Controller designs vary slightly, with different buttons and a different feel in your hand.
Our pick: Meta Quest 2
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Meta now requires you to log in with a Facebook account to use their headsets. People who are against using Facebook or having their Facebook identity connected to their account might consider it a dealbreaker. There's nothing stopping you from using a burner account, but that might not be acceptable to some on principle and Facebook requiring users to use their legal name will still raise privacy concerns. If you fall under that category, an HTC headset might be more to your liking.
No one has gotten the strap quite right on a VR headset. I usually wear my long hair down or in a ponytail and have yet to use a strap that doesn't slide around or bunch up my hair. The Quest 2's strap lacks padding and doesn't distribute weight on the back of the head as well as a halo-style strap, and we think many people will choose to upgrade to the Elite Strap. However, we didn't find it so irritating that it detracted from our gameplay.
Although the Quest 2's Touch controllers are the most comfortable to hold and use, they lost sight of our hands more often than headsets that use exterior sensors you place around the room to track the location of your body and hands. The Quest 2 is built with inside-out tracking, which means the headset uses cameras to track lights emitted by the controllers. Throw your hands behind your back and you might find your virtual hands no longer respond when you move the controllers. In my experience, as long as the room was well lit and I kept the controllers in front of me, this didn't seem to be much of an issue.
As is the case with any other VR headset, it feels hot inside the Quest 2. The foam face pad can quickly become soaked with sweat when you play an active game like Beat Saber. If you plan to share the headset with friends, it may be a good idea to pick up a few disposable masks.
We found the new way to adjust the Quest 2's lenses puzzling; instead of a lever on the outside of the headset to change interpupillary distance to account for different faces and eyesight, you have to reach into the headset and push directly on the lenses. That means you can't adjust it with the headset on and are at a higher risk of dirtying the lenses.
Finally, it's worth questioning whether you're willing to drop $300-plus on what is still very much an emerging technology. While the Quest 2's price tag might sound incredibly cheap compared with the competition, it's likely you'll want to tack on a few accessories that come standard with more expensive headsets. To get the most out of the Quest 2, you'll also want to buy a PC and Link cable. Then, there are the extra accessories to consider.
Upgrade pick: HTC Vive Pro 2 headset with Valve Index Controllers
Upgrade pick
If you want a more powerful headset that pushes VR closer to its current bounds (or want to avoid a headset affiliated with Facebook), we recommend buying the HTC Vive Pro 2 Headset and pairing it with Valve Index Controllers and two HTC SteamVR Base Station 2.0 units. You'll need a fast gaming computer—and be willing to spend five times more than it would cost to buy a Quest 2—but you'll be rewarded with the crispest screen, detailed position and motion tracking in a whole room, and access to VR's best games. This headset isn't a level-up for the VR industry as a whole, but it does offer a step forward in specs at a price that would have been a dream just a decade ago.
While the Quest 2 focuses on freedom of movement and ease of use with its standalone design, the Vive Pro 2 seeks to bring your body and hands into VR in as much detail as possible. Setup involves placing two HTC SteamVR Base Station 2.0 devices in elevated locations; you can either mount them on a wall or set them on a shelf. Then, they communicate with your headset and controllers to create a strong sense of presence within VR. When you move your hands or take three steps, so does your in-game body.
Using the Vive Pro 2 and the Base Station 2.0 devices, our hands never disappeared or floated away like they sometimes do while using a Quest 2. If you have four base stations, your VR play space can expand to as large as 33 x 33 feet. There's also the option to add a wireless adapter to the headset for $350, though it limits the Vive Pro 2's resolution and refresh rate. It's tough to imagine spending that much on an already expensive headset, but a cord can be a distracting bummer after the freedom of using a cordless Quest 2 (especially in larger room setups).
SteamVR has a huge library of VR games for the Vive Pro 2, including the adrenaline-pumping Half-Life: Alyx and perennial favorite Beat Saber. For those already used to using Steam, it's an especially easy way to manage a library of VR games.
The Vive Pro 2 has a 5K screen, meaning each of the two LCD screens it floats in front of your eyes have a resolution of 2448×2448 pixels. The Quest 2 is noticeably less sharp at 1832×1920 pixels per eye. The Pro 2's field of view is notably wide at 120 degrees, and it can reach a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz (or 90 Hz if you're using the headset wirelessly). In practice, that means you'll still be aware that you're staring at a screen; we sometimes noticed flares of light when we looked at high-contrast images like white text on a black background. But the colors and blacks look crisp, in-game action is smooth, and the experience is convincing enough that you can focus on what you're doing instead of what you're seeing.
Weighing in at 850 grams, we did notice the bulk of the Vive Pro 2 more than the 503-gram Quest 2. We've also seen complaints online that some face shapes don't mesh well with Vive headsets, though we didn't have a panel of testers with more physical variations try this one out because of pandemic restrictions. However, we find halo-style headsets especially helpful for adjusting fit. We also like the Vive Pro 2's foam face cushions, which wipe clean easier than the one included with the Quest 2.
The wand-style controllers included with the full Vive Pro 2 Full Kit are fine; it's a design that HTC has sold for years now, though we've found them a bit awkward to use. We think it's worthwhile to spend a bit more and buy Vive Pro 2 accessories à la carte so you can swap in a pair of Valve Index Controllers instead. The Valve Index Controllers can track each individual finger, have both a joystick and a trackpad (most controller sets have only a single trackpad), and are more comfortable to hold. They're widely considered the best VR controllers made.
The Vive Pro 2 headset comes with on-ear headphones. We think they're good enough for an immersive VR experience and didn't think twice about using them. But if you're an audiophile, it's possible to remove them and use USB-C headphones instead. Or, you could consider getting the cheaper Valve Index headset for its slightly superior audio quality.
What about mobile VR?
Using a mobile VR headset is a bit like cracking open a Cup Noodles container when you're in the mood for ramen: wildly underwhelming but cheap, and okay in a pinch. Mobile headsets are essentially a plastic shell that have a slot for a high-end smartphone; for less than $50, they give you access to content like short movies, adventure games, and puzzles for adults and kids. They're easy to set up compared with a high-end desktop VR headset, and they are portable enough that you can wear them on a plane or bring them to a friend's house for show-and-tell.
Mobile VR headsets are just too underpowered to compete with a headset like the Quest 2. But if you need the cheapest headset possible, we think the Merge VR Headset is the best VR headset that uses a phone as its screen. Of the seven cheap headsets we tested, it offers the best combination of low cost, comfort, and adjustability. It can also be used for augmented reality or paired with extras like Merge's curated VR library or the Cube augmented-reality accessory. The quality won't blow your mind, but it's good enough for a few experiences.
However, you should buy a mobile headset only if you are determined to try basic VR experiences as cheaply as possible. In most cases, the point of using VR is to be transported to a virtual world where a movie or game feels nearly real. Mobile headsets aren't powerful enough to do that; they can't run high-end games or track your hands. The space has also seen an incredible amount of turmoil, with discontinuations of flagship headsets like the Google Daydream View and Samsung Gear VR. It's hard to say which headsets will still be around in a year.
Mobile VR headsets can still make sense in certain niche cases, such as in education, real estate, or training scenarios where a lot of inexpensive headsets are needed; however, once you build in the cost of buying a phone to go with each headset, headsets like the Quest 2 are actually cheaper.
Getting ready for VR
If you want to use the Quest 2 or a PC headset to their full potential, you need a powerful gaming computer and, ideally, an empty room to set it up in. (The Quest 2 will suggest virtually marking off a 6.5-by-6.5-foot area, minimum, though you can play games with less than that if you're sure you won't run into anything). Both Meta and HTC have pages featuring compatible VR-ready PCs and bundles, and both list minimum and recommended PC specs (Meta's list is here, and HTC's is here) for use with their systems. Both headset makers also offer tools that you can download to test whether your current PC is VR-ready. The headsets have similar requirements, so a PC that works with one should work with the other.
A desktop PC with the bare-minimum specs to run a VR headset costs about $800 without a monitor, mouse, keyboard, or speakers. It's worth spending more if you can. If you prefer to build your own rig, IGN and Logical Increments offer decent parts lists for several budgets.
Other headsets we like
If you aren't after the best possible headset specs and would like to spend a bit less on a PC-tethered headset, we think the Valve Index offers a great middle ground. For $1,000, you get a headset, the widely beloved Valve Index Controllers, and two base stations, allowing for a more accurate and immersive room-scale VR experience than a Meta Quest 2 can provide. We also think the Index audio sounds a hair better than the HTC Vive Pro 2's. However, the Vive Pro 2 has a better screen and added options like the ability to go wireless. There's also some evidence that an Index 2 is on the way.
What to look forward to
Sony will be releasing a new version of its VR headset, called the PlayStation VR2. This headset is similar to the original PSVR, but it will be compatible with the PS5 and won't require a special adapter to use. The PSVR 2 will be a bit lighter than the original, and will support haptic feedback, 4K HDR, and eye tracking to follow your line of sight in-game. No price or release date has been disclosed yet, but we'll evaluate the PSVR 2 for PlayStation owners when more information is available.
The competition
PC headsets
HTC has built many headset models, some of which we've recommended in the past. We think the Vive Pro 2 makes the most sense for people who like to play video games, but if the specs on a different HTC headset better meet your needs, it's likely a good buy. We've always been impressed with the quality of Vive-branded headsets. They also benefit from access to the huge library of Steam VR games.
Windows Mixed Reality headsets, in our experience, have less reliable tracking and less content, and worse controllers than Meta and HTC headsets. However, the HP Reverb G2 is the best option currently available.
Pimax has diversified its headset line to include 8K and 5K options, plus eye tracking. But after we tested the company's headsets at the CES trade show, we were not convinced that they were polished enough to compete with our picks. We plan to test their 12K headset in 2022.
Standalone headsets
If you can swallow spending $1,000 more to avoid a Meta-branded gadget, the HTC Vive Focus 3 is the best standalone VR headset available. Its screen is higher resolution and has a wider field of view than the Meta Quest 2. However, we still prefer the Quest 2's controllers.
The original Quest is still a fantastic headset that can also be used with a Link cable to transform into a PC headset. However, with the launch of the Quest 2, it's no longer available. Still, we wouldn't turn down a used Quest for the right price.
The discontinued Oculus Go had enough games and experiences to entertain you for hours, but its screen, controllers, and content are nowhere near those of the Quest 2.
The discontinued Lenovo Mirage Solo shared many of the original Quest's best traits, thanks to built-in sensors that allow six degrees of freedom tracking, rather than the three that the Oculus Go and mobile VR headsets offer. However, the single controller was stuck in three degrees of freedom, and we much prefer the controller options from Meta.
Sources
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Sam Machkovech, Review: We do not recommend the $299 Oculus Quest 2 as your next VR system, Ars Technica , September 16, 2020
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Jess Grey, The Best VR Headsets to Try (and Some to Avoid), Wired , September 20, 2020
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Scott Stein, The Best VR Headsets for 2020, CNET , September 8, 2020
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Will Greenwald, The Best VR Headsets for 2020, PCMag , October 14, 2020
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Scott Stein, Oculus VR will soon require you to have a Facebook account, CNET , August 18, 2020
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Adi Robertson, Vive Cosmos Review: Not Out of This World, The Verge , October 10, 2019
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Adi Robertson, Valve Index Review: High-Powered VR at a High-End Price, The Verge , June 28, 2019
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Ben Lang, co-founder of Road to VR, phone interview , November 18, 2016
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Sophia Dominguez, former CEO of Svrf, phone interview , November 17, 2016
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-standalone-vr-headset/
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