The best VR headset in 2023

Choosing the best VR headset isn’t the easiest choice. The field is both relatively niche and expanding in multiple directions. However, the current headset market breaks down into four major categories: Standalone VR headsets, mixed reality headsets, console VR gaming headsets and PC VR gaming headsets.

At the moment we only have a trio of virtual reality headsets on this list, as discontinuation of some headsets have left only a small group of the truly best.

Here are the best headsets we’ve reviewed so far. After you check them out, make sure to look at our guide to the best VR games so you have some fun VR experiences for your new headset.

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The best VR headsets you can buy today

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A photograph of the Meta Quest 2

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The Meta Quest 2 is a masterclass in incremental improvements over its predecessor, the Oculus Quest. As reviewer Michael Andronico concluded: “The Meta Quest 2’s price, game library and overall ease of use make it the best entry point into virtual reality yet.”

That’s because sports a slicker design, better display resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate in some games and apps, and faster overall performance. It also just feels like a neat yet rather well-made headset. Logitech even released speakers that can be attached to the Quest 2’s strap to provide a premium sound experience without taking you fully out of the real world.

It also does all this yet again with any cables, though you can connect it to a PC via the Oculus Link cable and get access to full-fat PCVR games; deputy editor Mike Prospero did just that with Microsoft Flight Simulator and the Oculus Quest 2.

With a starting of $399, it’s still one of the most affordable headsets out there, making its quality and versatility all the more impressive. It still remains the best way to get started with the world of virtual reality experiences thanks to its suite of apps and games on the Oculus Store. The Quest 2 a great headset for all kinds of VR experiences and can even help you workout.

See our full Meta Quest 2 review.

The PlayStation VR 2 on our reviewer, Roland Moore-Colyer Editor's Choice

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2. PlayStation VR2

The best VR gaming headset

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Reasons to buy

Easy to set up

Great controls with haptic feedback

Gorgeous display

Overall excellent VR experience

Reasons to avoid

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Costs more than a PS5

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Controller straps are awkward

Let’s be clear: this should really be a “1b” to the Meta Quest 2’s “1a.” The PlayStation VR2 is a phenomenal gaming VR headset and is the pinnacle for VR gaming at this point. The only reason we have it ranked lower here is that it is a bit narrower in scope than the Meta Quest 2 and costs significantly more. But if you want to play games in virtual reality, the PSVR 2 is the clear choice.

In fact, the big reason that the PSVR 2 succeeds so well at what it does is because it focuses solely on gaming. By not going the standalone headset route like the Quest 2, the PSVR 2 is able to harness the performance of the PlayStation 5 console and become a VR gaming rig on par with high-end PC VR gaming.

Ultimately, this results in an excellent VR experience. The display in the headset is gorgeous, the haptic feedback in the brand-new PSVR 2 controllers is impressive and features like eye tracking and foveated rending make this a truly next-generation VR headset. Our biggest complaint is the price tag — it costs more than a PS5 — but if you want to play games in VR the PSVR 2 is now the gold standard.

See our full PlayStation VR2 review.

Meta Quest Pro

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3. Meta Quest Pro

The best mixed reality headset

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Reasons to buy

Comfortable to wear

Doesn’t isolate you from the real world

Convincing spatial audio

Reasons to avoid

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Very expensive

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Short battery life

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Working in VR is still unintuitive

The Meta Quest Pro is effectively the grown-up version of the Quest 2. Though the Quest Pro can play games, it’s aimed at designers, engineers, scientists and creatives who frequently collaborate online. This is another step toward Meta’s goal of making the metaverse a reality and, questions about the metaverse’s viability aside, the Quest Pro is itself an impressive piece of tech.

The issue is that it may not be practical for most VR enthusiasts, let alone anyone looking to just get started experiencing mixed reality. Its features aren’t aimed toward gaming, meaning that there are better — and certainly less expensive — options for VR gamers.

At $1,499, you would be better off with a PS5 and PS VR or a gaming PC with a VR headset if all you want to do is play games. And if you want a versatile way to get into the world of VR, the Quest 2 can probably do most things you’ll need even if it isn’t as graphically powerful or come with full-color mixed reality capabilities.

Most likely, people waiting for mixed reality features like full-color augmented reality passthrough are better off waiting for the Quest 3. But if money is no object, there’s no denying that the Meta Quest Pro is a great VR headset.

See our full Meta Quest Pro review.

PlayStation VR

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If you want to play VR games on a console then the PlayStation VR system is a decent option given its lower price point. As reviewer Sherri L. Smith noted: “PlayStation VR delivers compelling games in a comfortable, easy-to-use headset that won’t break your budget.”

The semi-futuristic-looking headset is surprisingly comfortable, with a superb range of some of the best VR games. This includes games like Hitman 3, Stride and Star Wars: Squadrons among others.

If you have a PS4 or PS4 Pro, then PlayStation VR is definitely one of the more affordable ways to play VR games with decent-quality graphics since you don’t need an expensive gaming PC. Plus, even with the less-than-stellar Move controllers and graphics that fall a bit short of high-end PC graphics, you still get a relatively high-end VR experience.

One thing to also bear in mind is that the PlayStation 5 also has support for PlayStation VR but it has some issues. It doesn’t play as nicely with the Move controllers as its PS4 counterparts. Additionally, with the release of the PSVR 2, there won’t be new games coming to the PS VR headset. But if you want to just play VR games for the first time and you already have a PS4, the PS VR headset could be a perfect entry point.

See our full PlayStation VR review.

How to choose the best VR headset for you

Our picks for the best VR headsets are rather few, due to the fact that a lot of the top VR headsets of the past few years have been discontinued and replaced with one or two models. Yet, that’s not to say the choice is a completely easy one. The first thing to consider is what type of VR experiences you want and what hardware you already have.

Will VR work with PS5 and Xbox Series X?

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As it stands, if you want some virtual reality action on the PS5 or Xbox Series X you need to go with Sony. Only the PS5 supports VR in the form of the PS VR headset, and the PS VR2 is on its way, designed specifically for the PS5. Xbox Series X and Series S lack VR support entirely and there’s no hint that VR support will come in the near future. We hope this will eventually change given Windows 10 has baked-in VR support, but right now things don’t look too hopeful.

For those with powerful PCs and a dedicated virtual reality space, then headsets like the Valve Index (opens in new tab), which we have not reviewed, are worth considering. You can also do PC passthrough with the Quest headsets, but they won’t be as powerful gaming rigs as a high-end gaming PC combined with an Index headset.

People with less space and less powerful hardware should go for the Meta Quest 2. It offers an all-in-one VR experience and can be connected to a PC using a cable or wirelessly, though that can be a pricy extra. The Meta Quest Pro takes it even a step further, adding augmented reality to virtual reality for a full mixed reality experience. It’s pricey, but if you want everything mixed realty has to offer it’s you best bet.

For owners of the PS4 or PS4 Pro, the choice is a lot easier as your best option is the PS VR headset. If you have a PS5 then get the PS VR2. The gaming headsets utilize the console’s power to provide graphics above what standalone headsets can manage with their mobile chipsets for a cheaper price than PC VR gaming rigs. Unless you want to experience mixed reality or prefer VR apps and experiences to VR games, the PlayStation VR ecosystem is a great way to experience VR using some of your existing hardware.

What VR headsets are on the way

Currently, the PS VR2 is expected to release on February 22, 2023, making it the first major VR headset to launch this year. The HTC Vive XR Elite is also coming early this year with shipments set to begin in March 2023. Read our early hands-on impressions of the HTC mixed reality all-in-one headset.

Later in the year, we expect Meta to announce the Meta Quest 3, with the next-generation standalone headset expected to ship towards the end of the year.

How we test VR headsets

Meta Quest Pro

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Identifying the best VR headsets takes a suite of things to consider, from the hardware itself to the software the headsets will work with. We test and consider how easy it is to set up a VR headset and system, how well designed and comfortable the headset is, how well its interface works, and take a look at the accessories the VR headset can use.

We also take a look at how specific VR headsets work such and how easy the interface to use, as well as how head tracking performs and the quality of the controllers with the headsets.

A major part of initial testing involves evaluating how much space is needed to set up one of our picks for the best VR headsets to get the most out of them. This doesn’t apply to headsets that use a smartphone to power them, but in this case, we look at how easy they are to get working with an Android phone and well as how much software one needs to download and how well the phone fits inside the headset’s enclosure.

A product can look great but still be uncomfortable to use. Aside from testing out all the various content, we spend at least 30 minutes wearing each headset. We test to make sure any embedded air vents are keeping things cool. And if it does get sweaty, we see how well the face guard wicks away moisture. We also weigh the headsets, because even the lightest gadget can feel heavy after long periods of use. Finally, we test how adjustable the head straps are and how secure they feel.

As the de facto face of your virtual experience, the interface is vitally important. We test how responsive and intuitive the home page and subsequent menus are, as well as test special features, like voice commands and gesture control.

Whether it’s a traditional gamepad or something more elaborate, like the Rift’s Touch Controllers, we’re checking to see if the input devices are ergonomically designed; after all, no one wants hand cramps. We also test tracking and responsiveness in a number of games.

Hardware without great software is just an expensive paperweight. We not only examine the size of a device’s library but also scour the listings and test out some of the higher-end apps and titles. At this point, a good library should feature a number of games, apps, movies and other experiences.