{"id":871385,"date":"2026-08-25T22:08:31","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T22:08:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/871385\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T22:08:31","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T22:08:31","slug":"best-vr-headsets-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/871385\/","title":{"rendered":"Best VR headsets in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a id=\"elk-tabletopwidget\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c9e4c17c-9fc6-11f1-af0a-1fd0b648a444\">The best VR headsets can be your introduction to a bespoke and immersive gaming experience. We know interfacing with VR headsets can be daunting, so we&#8217;ve gone ahead and selected our top picks &#8211; all expertly tested and reviewed on-site &#8211; to help you make an informed purchasing decision. VR can be an expensive hobby, after all, so being able to buy with confidence is paramount.<\/p>\n<p>While VR devices are predominantly PC-oriented or standalone, <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/sony\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/sony\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-article-category=\"gaming\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/sony\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sony<\/a>&#8216;s PSVR 2 and by extension the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/gaming\/playstation\/best-psvr-2-accessories-2023-must-have-kit-for-your-vr-headset\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/gaming\/playstation\/best-psvr-2-accessories-2023-must-have-kit-for-your-vr-headset\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-article-category=\"gaming\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/gaming\/playstation\/best-psvr-2-accessories-2023-must-have-kit-for-your-vr-headset\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">best PSVR 2 accessories<\/a> have made virtual reality accessible for console players, doubly so given compatibility with the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/best\/best-ps5-controllers-in-2023\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/best\/best-ps5-controllers-in-2023\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-article-category=\"gaming\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/best\/best-ps5-controllers-in-2023\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">best PS5 controllers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c9e4c17c-9fc6-11f1-af0a-1fd0b648a444-2\">During the review process, we analyze everything from graphical prowess and visual clarity to features like motion tracking, camera passthrough and the quality of each headset&#8217;s game library. Above all, though, value for money is incredibly important to us, and we wouldn&#8217;t recommend a VR headset in this guide if we didn&#8217;t think it was worth your hard-earned cash.<\/p>\n<p>Latest Videos FromTechRadar<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-c9e4c21c-9fc6-11f1-88f2-27847d74f795\"\/>Best VR headsets in 2026<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-xs leading-5 mb-2 text-left py-2 md:px-4\" id=\"how-we-test\">\nWhy you can trust TechRadar<\/p>\n<p>We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you&#8217;re buying the best. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/news\/how-we-test\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/news\/how-we-test\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Find out more about how we test.<\/a>\n<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-the-best-vr-headset-overall\"\/>The best VR headset overall<\/p>\n<p>Image 1 of 3<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Rk8jdnBvsLGiDFRLej6Vra-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"Meta Quest 3\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk8jdnBvsLGiDFRLej6Vra.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk8jdnBvsLGiDFRLej6Vra.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk8jdnBvsLGiDFRLej6Vra.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Meta)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/9PviZzTvj4up6iFadzxiwc-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"Hamish Hector wearing the Meta Quest 3 with the Razer attachments on\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9PviZzTvj4up6iFadzxiwc.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9PviZzTvj4up6iFadzxiwc.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9PviZzTvj4up6iFadzxiwc.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/QWNBshZMVrKwmfpLEaUTsc-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"The Meta Quest 3 with the Razer attachments on\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QWNBshZMVrKwmfpLEaUTsc.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QWNBshZMVrKwmfpLEaUTsc.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QWNBshZMVrKwmfpLEaUTsc.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n<p>The best VR headset overall<\/p>\n<p>Specifications<\/p>\n<p>Availability : Out now<\/p>\n<p>Wired? : No<\/p>\n<p>Additional Equipment Needed?: No, standalone<\/p>\n<p>Resolution: 2064 x 2208 per eye<\/p>\n<p>Field of view: 110 degrees<\/p>\n<p>Refresh rate: Up to 120Hz<\/p>\n<p>Reasons to buy+<\/p>\n<p>Vastly better graphics than Quest 2<\/p>\n<p>+<\/p>\n<p>Improved mixed reality<\/p>\n<p>+<\/p>\n<p>Incredible suite of software<\/p>\n<p>Reasons to avoid-<\/p>\n<p>Lacks eye-tracking<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<\/p>\n<p>Disappointing battery life<\/p>\n<p>Buy it if<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u2705 You want a mixed reality machine: Mixed reality isn\u2019t perfect on the Quest 3, but it is very good (especially when you\u2019re in a bright room).<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u2705 You can afford it: The Quest 3 is far from the priciest VR headset, but it&#8217;s also not as cheap as the Quest 2 was at launch.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t buy it if<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u274c You have a Meta Quest Pro: In terms of mixed reality, the Meta Quest 3 is a substantial improvement over the Meta Quest Pro; however, it doesn\u2019t offer much of an upgrade in other areas<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c9e4c4ba-9fc6-11f1-9fe7-330b7b1d22dc\">The Meta Quest 3 is the new king among the best VR headsets you can buy today. A significant improvement over the Meta Quest 2 and coming in at a relatively affordable price point among other headsets in this list, it&#8217;s easy to recommend as our top choice whether you&#8217;re upgrading from prior hardware or diving into VR for the first time.<\/p>\n<p>The Meta Quest 3 is impressively compact, requiring no extra cameras or wires during play. It can be played as an entirely standalone experience, free from cables or extra bits that could run the risk of tripping you up. All the headset&#8217;s features can be accessed while wearing it, too, including its home and store front, providing a seamless experience that doesn&#8217;t require you to take the headset off.<\/p>\n<p>It helps, then, that the Quest 3 is compatible with the existing Quest game library. If you&#8217;re upgrading, you won&#8217;t need to purchase all those games all over again, which we feel takes some of the sting out of the chunkier price tag. Other improvements include support for a wider 110-degree field-of-view and an increase to 2,064 x 2,208 pixels per eye for a richer, sharper image quality.<\/p>\n<p>We did find that the Quest 3&#8217;s battery life is a bit of a stinger at just 2-3 hours when using it as a wireless, standalone device. And while we obviously wouldn&#8217;t recommend VR gaming sessions that last this long, you might find that you&#8217;re charging the device up quite frequently. Still, we love the option to use it as a standalone device as it means there&#8217;s no complex setup in order to play.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-the-best-headset-for-pc-gaming\"\/>The best headset for PC gaming<\/p>\n<p>Image 1 of 4<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ZXW78ZFDzLJMyJwy4Va5A9-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"Valve Index\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZXW78ZFDzLJMyJwy4Va5A9.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZXW78ZFDzLJMyJwy4Va5A9.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZXW78ZFDzLJMyJwy4Va5A9.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/XZSrMBdo497BD8xUJfmNUd-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"Valve Index controller in hand\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XZSrMBdo497BD8xUJfmNUd.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XZSrMBdo497BD8xUJfmNUd.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XZSrMBdo497BD8xUJfmNUd.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/r5fxFkaQim5fTTBaDsdgzd-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"Side of Valve Index headset\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5fxFkaQim5fTTBaDsdgzd.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5fxFkaQim5fTTBaDsdgzd.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5fxFkaQim5fTTBaDsdgzd.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/NFaGKcfWNaqbhMkBMbVwyc-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"Valve Index\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NFaGKcfWNaqbhMkBMbVwyc.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NFaGKcfWNaqbhMkBMbVwyc.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NFaGKcfWNaqbhMkBMbVwyc.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The best headset for PC gaming<\/p>\n<p>Specifications<\/p>\n<p>Availability: Available through Valve&#8217;s Steam store<\/p>\n<p>Wired?: Yes<\/p>\n<p>Additional Equipment Needed?: Yes, PC<\/p>\n<p>Resolution: 1440&#215;1600 per eye<\/p>\n<p>Field of view: 130 degrees<\/p>\n<p>Refresh rate: Up to 144Hz<\/p>\n<p>Reasons to buy+<\/p>\n<p>Widest field of view<\/p>\n<p>+<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;Knuckle&#8217; controllers great for tracking<\/p>\n<p>+<\/p>\n<p>Well-supported game library<\/p>\n<p>Reasons to avoid-<\/p>\n<p>Requires a high-end GPU<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<\/p>\n<p>Lots of cables and cameras needed<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<\/p>\n<p>Can be tricky to get set up<\/p>\n<p>Buy it if<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u2705 You want a seriously powerful headset: Despite being a few years old, the Valve Index still impresses as one of the more powerful VR headsets out there.<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u2705 You want VR on Steam: The Valve Index&#8217;s Steam VR compatibility means hundreds of VR games are supported.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t buy it if<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u274c You don&#8217;t have much space: Valve Index is quite complicated to set up, requiring several cables and cameras to function properly.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c9e4c7a8-9fc6-11f1-a19e-81f06440dab1\">The Valve Index is one of the best VR headsets because it represents a next-gen system compared to its predecessors. We found it has a crisp display that runs well even with older GPUs, a wider field of view, a higher refresh rate, and Valve\u2019s &#8216;knuckle&#8217; controllers, which can track the movement of every finger.<\/p>\n<p>The Valve Index certainly looks the part of a high-end headset, but that means it also requires a complex setup (and a powerful PC) to match. In fact, our least favorite thing about Valve&#8217;s headset is the setup process, which requires several wires and a dual camera setup to work properly. Make sure you have enough desk and room space (not to mention a few free power outlets) to ensure a seamless experience. The process is worth it, however, as you&#8217;ll be treated to impressive wide field-of-view and full Steam integration, making browsing your existing library in VR a cakewalk.<\/p>\n<p>The Valve Index is a significant upgrade over both the HTC Vive, and the HTC Vive Pro. The Index also offers a much higher-resolution screen and a better refresh rate which in turn lowers the risk of discomfort or motion sickness. We&#8217;re also huge fans of the Index controllers, their knuckle-shaped design proving to be a fantastic layout for VR play.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-the-best-budget-vr-headset-for-pc\"\/>The best budget VR headset for PC<\/p>\n<p>Image 1 of 4<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/KAw22gaqaEWgpy9K7VcLz9-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"Hamish hector drawing a bow in VR while wearing the Meta Quest 3S.\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KAw22gaqaEWgpy9K7VcLz9.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KAw22gaqaEWgpy9K7VcLz9.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KAw22gaqaEWgpy9K7VcLz9.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/FQfLd7dYFLbVYdrQ8dowjM-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"Meta Quest 3S hands on\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FQfLd7dYFLbVYdrQ8dowjM.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FQfLd7dYFLbVYdrQ8dowjM.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FQfLd7dYFLbVYdrQ8dowjM.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future \/ Lance Ulanoff)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/QULTrMYPp4vq8TSSGa7xLo-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"Meta Quest 3S hands on\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QULTrMYPp4vq8TSSGa7xLo.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QULTrMYPp4vq8TSSGa7xLo.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QULTrMYPp4vq8TSSGa7xLo.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future \/ Lance Ulanoff)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/LLcyVDWQKQQmhrY7KeDhoA-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"Meta Quest 3S hands on\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LLcyVDWQKQQmhrY7KeDhoA.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LLcyVDWQKQQmhrY7KeDhoA.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LLcyVDWQKQQmhrY7KeDhoA.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future \/ Lance Ulanoff)<\/p>\n<p>The best budget VR headset for PC<\/p>\n<p>Specifications<\/p>\n<p>Additional Equipment Needed?: No (standalone)<\/p>\n<p>Resolution: 1832 x 1920 per eye<\/p>\n<p>Field of view: 96 degrees horizontal, 90 degrees vertical<\/p>\n<p>Refresh rate: 120Hz<\/p>\n<p>Reasons to buy+<\/p>\n<p>Very affordable<\/p>\n<p>+<\/p>\n<p>Good specs<\/p>\n<p>+<\/p>\n<p>Fantastic Horizon OS software<\/p>\n<p>Reasons to avoid-<\/p>\n<p>Bulky shape<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<\/p>\n<p>Poorer visuals than we\u2019d like<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<\/p>\n<p>IPD presets instead of granular adjustments<\/p>\n<p>Buy it if<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u2705 You&#8217;re on a budget: In the high-end VR headset space, you&#8217;ll find it hard to buy a quality VR headset that&#8217;s cheaper than this.<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u2705 You want a standalone device: Like the Quest 3, the Quest 3S doesn&#8217;t need a PC or external device in order to function. Just hook it up to your head and you&#8217;re good to go.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t buy it if<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u274c You want high resolution: The Quest 3S&#8217;s resolution gets the job done, but isn&#8217;t quite as crystal clear in terms of image quality as its Quest 3 counterpart.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c9e4ca96-9fc6-11f1-819f-73f925cbc2f8\">The Meta Quest 3S is easily the best VR headset entry point for buyers on stricter budgets. It&#8217;s a relatively cheap headset that we can actually confidently recommend, so long as you&#8217;re okay with it being slightly pared down in terms of specs when compared to the beefier Meta Quest 3.<\/p>\n<p>That said, there are a number of things the Quest 3S goes pound for pound with when compared to the Quest 3. It boasts the same Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, has 8GB RAM, similar storage options (128GB and 256GB), and ever so slightly better battery life. It&#8217;s a touch lighter as well, though that&#8217;s not a difference you&#8217;re likely to notice.<\/p>\n<p>The Quest 3S also benefits from Meta&#8217;s excellent Horizon OS software which houses the headset&#8217;s storefront, and supports handy features like passthrough. It&#8217;s updated on the regular, too, with enhancements and features coming frequently each year.<\/p>\n<p>Overall resolution and image quality isn&#8217;t quite as clean as you&#8217;d find on the Meta Quest 3, and it opts for a single LCD display instead of two. But we think these are reasonable trade-offs when you consider that the Quest 3S is the significantly cheaper product of the two.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-the-best-premium-vr-headset\"\/>The best premium VR headset<\/p>\n<p>Image 1 of 3<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2KHor4eoyfVkhAsFcpoBdc-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"Lance Ulanoff wearing Apple Vision Pro\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2KHor4eoyfVkhAsFcpoBdc.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2KHor4eoyfVkhAsFcpoBdc.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2KHor4eoyfVkhAsFcpoBdc.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/25dqiK4uo4qAu2zFFg7mda-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"Apple Vision Pro\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/25dqiK4uo4qAu2zFFg7mda.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/25dqiK4uo4qAu2zFFg7mda.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/25dqiK4uo4qAu2zFFg7mda.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future\/Lance Ulanoff)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ydVCfgaFCkZF4J9qm3d3Ri-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"Apple Vision Pro in use\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ydVCfgaFCkZF4J9qm3d3Ri.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ydVCfgaFCkZF4J9qm3d3Ri.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ydVCfgaFCkZF4J9qm3d3Ri.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future\/Jacob Krol)<\/p>\n<p>The best premium VR headset<\/p>\n<p>Specifications<\/p>\n<p>Wired?: Yes<\/p>\n<p>Additional equipment needed?: Battery pack<\/p>\n<p>Resolution: 4K per eye<\/p>\n<p>Field of view: Around 100 degrees<\/p>\n<p>Refresh rate: 90-100Hz<\/p>\n<p>Reasons to buy+<\/p>\n<p>Controls are intuitive and precise<\/p>\n<p>+<\/p>\n<p>Unmatched visual experience<\/p>\n<p>+<\/p>\n<p>Superb spatial video functionality<\/p>\n<p>Reasons to avoid-<\/p>\n<p>On the heavier side<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<\/p>\n<p>Requires a battery pack<\/p>\n<p>Buy it if<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u2705 You want to work, play and live differently: Vision Pro is an adept content and entertainment machine. It\u2019s great for communication, and it can integrate work in ways no other mixed reality set has done before.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t buy it if<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u274c Money is tight: This is a very expensive piece of hardware and while we think it\u2019s worth the price, it might be hard to justify the cost if you just want to play some games.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c9e4cd98-9fc6-11f1-aa87-8f926c5c390d\">There&#8217;s never been a mixed reality or VR headset quite like <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/apple\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/apple\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-article-category=\"gaming\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/apple\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Apple<\/a>\u2019s Vision Pro. It\u2019s the most expensive consumer VR headset in recent memory and makes even the Valve Index look like an absolute bargain, but after spending considerable time with the headset and inside Apple\u2019s new visionOS platform, we can say it\u2019s worth every bleeding edge dollar.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s built out of exquisite materials like aluminum and carbon fiber. It\u2019s sleek and looks more like expensive snowboarding goggles than it does an AR\/VR headset. Every other headset, including our current overall top pic, the Meta Quest 3, look clunky by comparison. It\u2019s still over a pound and that\u2019s with leaving the battery outside the device and connected through a long cable. Even though it can be a struggle to find the right fit, once we switched to the included Dual Loop Band, it became easy to wear Vision Pro for hours.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not just the look that set Vision Pro apart. The stereoscopic visuals beat all comers in this buying guide. Dual micro-<a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/oled\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/oled\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-article-category=\"gaming\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/oled\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">OLED<\/a>, <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/4k\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/4k\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-article-category=\"gaming\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/4k\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">4K<\/a> displays deliver 23 million pixels of ultra-sharp imagery whether you\u2019re looking at a fully immersive experience or with apps and other experiences blended into your real world. And it\u2019s a wickedly responsive platform thanks to the M2 and R1 chip combo. Vision Pro is one of the smartest mixed reality headsets when it comes to spatial computing (yes, we said it). It understands your world and when you leave an app in another room in your house, it stays there, and you can visit it later.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-the-best-vr-headset-for-console\"\/>The best VR headset for console<\/p>\n<p>The best VR headset for console<\/p>\n<p>Specifications<\/p>\n<p>Availability: February 22, 2023<\/p>\n<p>Wired?: Yes<\/p>\n<p>Additional Equipment Needed?: Yes: PS5 console<\/p>\n<p>Resolution: 2000&#215;2040 per eye<\/p>\n<p>Field of view: 110 degrees<\/p>\n<p>Refresh rate: Up to 120Hz<\/p>\n<p>Reasons to buy+<\/p>\n<p>Superb image quality<\/p>\n<p>+<\/p>\n<p>Simple setup<\/p>\n<p>+<\/p>\n<p>Comfortable in-game experience<\/p>\n<p>+<\/p>\n<p>Pin-sharp responsiveness<\/p>\n<p>Reasons to avoid-<\/p>\n<p>Occasional image ghosting<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<\/p>\n<p>Poor controller battery life<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<\/p>\n<p>Can be tough to find its &#8216;sweet spot&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>Buy it if<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u2705 You&#8217;re interested in console VR: PSVR 2 is really the only console-based option at present, but sets a high bar for future hardware.<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u2705 You want some exclusive VR experiences: From Horizon: Call of the Mountain to Gran Turismo 7, PSVR 2 has some excellent VR experiences you can&#8217;t play anywhere else.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t buy it if<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u274c You&#8217;ve just bought a PS5: Bizarre as that sounds, PSVR 2 is still quite an investment even after its substantial price drop, making it a hard sell if you&#8217;ve only just picked up a PS5.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c9e4d086-9fc6-11f1-bf2f-cba00b12ef47\">The original PSVR had its share of shortcomings back in 2016, most of which have been brilliantly addressed last year with PSVR 2. Sony has set a phenomenally high bar for any future console-based VR headsets, and comes highly recommended from us if you own a PS5.<\/p>\n<p>PSVR 2 has a pleasing, rounded silhouette that matches the aesthetic of the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/reviews\/ps5\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/reviews\/ps5\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-article-category=\"gaming\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/reviews\/ps5\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">PS5<\/a> console. Compared to its PS4 counterpart, it&#8217;s phenomenally easy to set up, with just a single wire needed to connect it to your PS5. The setup phase doubles as a tutorial, walking you through features like eye-tracking, room space visualization and the new passthrough feature that lets you view your surroundings at any time at the press of a button.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c9e4d0f4-9fc6-11f1-8376-73208a26b765\">PSVR 2 exclusive games like Horizon: Call of the Mountain seriously impress with stellar image quality. Meanwhile, solid ports of PSVR favorites like Tetris Effect, Rez Infinite and Moss: Book II return looking better and playing more responsively than ever. The device is massively helped by its 2,000 x 2,040 panel resolution, allowing for much clearer image quality. You may struggle to find and maintain the headset&#8217;s &#8216;sweet spot&#8217; though, meaning you might find yourself readjusting the headset during sessions.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-the-best-high-resolution-vr-headset\"\/>The best high-resolution VR headset<\/p>\n<p>Image 1 of 4<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/3W9WmZzA7uTnZyrSzNUG57-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"HTC Vive Pro 2\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3W9WmZzA7uTnZyrSzNUG57.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3W9WmZzA7uTnZyrSzNUG57.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3W9WmZzA7uTnZyrSzNUG57.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/FqqevrQuUiT7Lr4rHmchj7-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"HTC Vive Pro 2\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FqqevrQuUiT7Lr4rHmchj7.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FqqevrQuUiT7Lr4rHmchj7.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FqqevrQuUiT7Lr4rHmchj7.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/9SLBwQacm57Sf9d8G5F6V7-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"HTC Vive Pro 2\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9SLBwQacm57Sf9d8G5F6V7.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9SLBwQacm57Sf9d8G5F6V7.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9SLBwQacm57Sf9d8G5F6V7.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sGYy9isj2aJGpQvdN6hNN7-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"HTC Vive Pro 2\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGYy9isj2aJGpQvdN6hNN7.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGYy9isj2aJGpQvdN6hNN7.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGYy9isj2aJGpQvdN6hNN7.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n<p>The best high-resolution VR headset<\/p>\n<p>Specifications<\/p>\n<p>Availability: Out now<\/p>\n<p>Wired?: Yes<\/p>\n<p>Additional Equipment Needed?: Yes, high-spec PC<\/p>\n<p>Resolution: 2448&#215;2448 (5K) per eye<\/p>\n<p>Field of view: 120 degrees<\/p>\n<p>Refresh rate: 120Hz<\/p>\n<p>Reasons to buy+<\/p>\n<p>Very high resolution<\/p>\n<p>+<\/p>\n<p>Wide field of view<\/p>\n<p>+<\/p>\n<p>Access to great games<\/p>\n<p>Reasons to avoid-<\/p>\n<p>Tends to run hot<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<\/p>\n<p>Lots of cables<\/p>\n<p>Buy it if<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u2705 You&#8217;re want ridiculously high resolution: The Vive Pro 2&#8217;s &#8216;5K&#8217; resolution is worth the price of admission here, offering gorgeous, clear visuals more effectively than competing headsets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u2705 You want premium features across the board: High resolution, high refresh rate and an impressively wide field of view, the Vive Pro 2 is stacked with high-end features.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t buy it if<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u274c You don&#8217;t have a high-end PC: The Vive Pro 2&#8217;s system requirements are astronomical compared to many other headsets we&#8217;ve listed here.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c9e4d3e2-9fc6-11f1-88ab-d549cd56ad43\">It doesn&#8217;t come cheaply, but if you&#8217;re after the very best in PC VR visual fidelity, the HTC Vive Pro 2 should sit near the top of your list thanks to its borderline absurd &#8216;5K&#8217; resolution. Just make sure you&#8217;ve got a seriously powerful PC to make the most of this admittedly experimental headset.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s admittedly difficult to recommend the Vive Pro 2 as a commercial headset. The wired headset requires several cables for it to function properly, meaning managing it as part of your PC gaming setup can be stressful. Plus, all that power means it can start to run hot after just a short session, so we&#8217;d say it&#8217;s best enjoyed in shorter bursts.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve been harsh on the Vive Pro 2 so far, but we can&#8217;t ignore the strengths it boasts over other headsets in this list. The Vive Pro 2 is capable of outputting a &#8216;5K&#8217; resolution (that&#8217;s an astronomical 2448 x 2448 pixels per eye), a 120-degree field of view and a 120Hz refresh rate. Yes, you will need an ultra-powerful PC to make the most of it, but the Vive Pro 2 is capable of providing some of the most accurate and immersive visuals of any headset on the market right now.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-the-best-headset-for-comfort\"\/>The best headset for comfort<\/p>\n<p>Image 1 of 3<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/26e7CjeNpMjpyVq6EDuUN6-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"Meta Quest Pro\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/26e7CjeNpMjpyVq6EDuUN6.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/26e7CjeNpMjpyVq6EDuUN6.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/26e7CjeNpMjpyVq6EDuUN6.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/wAmtVtxMXevGM3pofgDBZP-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"The Meta Quest Pro\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wAmtVtxMXevGM3pofgDBZP.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wAmtVtxMXevGM3pofgDBZP.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wAmtVtxMXevGM3pofgDBZP.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Meta Quest Pro, which Apple will soon be competing with<\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/YfGiSaoufAEBRhtMtXqJgP-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"The Meta Quest Pro\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YfGiSaoufAEBRhtMtXqJgP.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YfGiSaoufAEBRhtMtXqJgP.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YfGiSaoufAEBRhtMtXqJgP.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n<p>The best headset for comfort<\/p>\n<p>Specifications<\/p>\n<p>Availability: Out now through retailers like Amazon<\/p>\n<p>Wired?: No<\/p>\n<p>Additional Equipment Needed?: No<\/p>\n<p>Resolution: 1800&#215;1920 per eye<\/p>\n<p>Field of view: 106 degrees<\/p>\n<p>Refresh rate: 90Hz<\/p>\n<p>Reasons to buy+<\/p>\n<p>Comfortable for long sessions<\/p>\n<p>+<\/p>\n<p>Impressive performance<\/p>\n<p>+<\/p>\n<p>Sleek controller design<\/p>\n<p>Reasons to avoid-<\/p>\n<p>Short battery life<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<\/p>\n<p>One of the more expensive options<\/p>\n<p>Buy it if<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u2705 You prize comfort in a VR headset: The Quest Pro is simply one of the most pleasant VR headsets to wear, making for a blissfully comfy gaming experience.<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u2705 You want access to a huge library: Quest Pro shares its library with previous iterations. If you&#8217;re upgrading from Quest 2, then your existing library will carry over, too.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t buy it if<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u274c You want more battery life: The Quest Pro&#8217;s one significant flaw is its relatively low battery life, maxing out at a meager two to three hours on a full charge.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c9e4d6da-9fc6-11f1-8af4-ebaa90e7b74f\">The Meta Quest Pro, the company&#8217;s latest and arguably greatest headset, is certainly one of the more expensive VR options currently on the market, but it&#8217;s not like you won&#8217;t get your money&#8217;s worth. The headset&#8217;s comfortable design and sleek controllers are easy to use from the get-go, and you don&#8217;t need any external equipment to get set up.<\/p>\n<p>The Meta Quest Pro, in essence, is a souped-up version of the Meta Quest 2. The improved controllers are a particular highlight here, featuring a sleek, comfortable design that feels more premium than similar motion-based gamepads. And comfort really is the key word here, as the Quest Pro is well-suited for longer gaming sessions thanks to a cushioned headband.<\/p>\n<p>The Meta Quest Pro&#8217;s hand-tracking shows an improvement over the Quest 2. While not quite as accurate as the Valve Index or even PSVR 2, it&#8217;s a welcome upgrade that helps most VR games play even smoother than before. One slight drawback, however, is the headset&#8217;s relatively short battery life when used standalone.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-the-best-meta-quest-alternative\"\/>The best Meta Quest alternative<\/p>\n<p>Image 1 of 4<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/uAZSfZH5N5NB4Lt3n4qUdf-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"Pico 4 Ultra and its controllers on a table\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uAZSfZH5N5NB4Lt3n4qUdf.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uAZSfZH5N5NB4Lt3n4qUdf.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uAZSfZH5N5NB4Lt3n4qUdf.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CmacEfa7Kq3NJARUJ5wG7N-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"Pico 4 Ultra's front cameras are prominent as it rests on a table\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmacEfa7Kq3NJARUJ5wG7N.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmacEfa7Kq3NJARUJ5wG7N.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmacEfa7Kq3NJARUJ5wG7N.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/QaokVqqDuaBmNmirJ24p2N-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"Pico 4 Ultra's battery is prominent as it sits on a table\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaokVqqDuaBmNmirJ24p2N.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaokVqqDuaBmNmirJ24p2N.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QaokVqqDuaBmNmirJ24p2N.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/xrB8J49dWyC8Y2vuRvXKLf-1200-80.jpg\" alt=\"Pico 4 Ultra controlelrs lying on a table, you can see the complete button layout for them\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xrB8J49dWyC8Y2vuRvXKLf.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xrB8J49dWyC8Y2vuRvXKLf.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" class=\"image-wrapped__image image__image\" data-slice-image=\"true\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xrB8J49dWyC8Y2vuRvXKLf.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n<p>The best Meta Quest alternative<\/p>\n<p>Specifications<\/p>\n<p>Availability: UK only<\/p>\n<p>Wired?: No<\/p>\n<p>Additional Equipment Needed?: No<\/p>\n<p>Resolution: 2,160 x 2,160 per eye<\/p>\n<p>Field of view: 105 degrees<\/p>\n<p>Refresh rate: 90Hz<\/p>\n<p>Reasons to buy+<\/p>\n<p>Fully standalone<\/p>\n<p>+<\/p>\n<p>Better specs than the Quest 3<\/p>\n<p>+<\/p>\n<p>Reasonably priced<\/p>\n<p>Reasons to avoid-<\/p>\n<p>Not available outside the UK<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<\/p>\n<p>Less software support<\/p>\n<p>Buy it if&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u2705 You want the closest experience to the Quest 3: As an all-in-one VR headset, the Pico 4 Ultra offers an experience that is about as close to the Meta Quest 3 as possible. It&#8217;s a great alternative if you want a headset without Meta&#8217;s software.<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u2705 You will use the motion trackers: The Pico 4 Ultra is fully compatible with Pico&#8217;s motion trackers. Although they are sadly sold separately, they are very accurate and a great fit for VR gaming or fitness.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t buy it if&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\">\u274c You live outside the UK: Unfortunately the Pico 4 Ultra is exclusively available in the UK. There is also no word on a US or Australia release, really limiting your options if you&#8217;re outside of the region.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c9e4d9d2-9fc6-11f1-b36f-9b586fbf1c33\">If you live in an area where the Pico 4 Ultra is readily available, then it&#8217;s well worth considering as a Meta Quest 3 alternative. This all-in-one VR headset boasts better specs than the Meta Quest 3, with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM compared to the 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM found in the Quest. Both headsets use the same chips, but this is a very decent spec boost given the fact that the Pico 4 Ultra is only marginally more expensive.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s also very simple and intuitive to use, performing well in a wide range of games including Arizona Sunshine 2 and Angry Birds VR. Just bear in mind that some Meta Quest 3 titles, like the exclusive Batman: Arkham Shadow, will not be accessible at all via the platform.<\/p>\n<p>In terms of comfort and design, there are really very few ways to fault the Pico 4 Ultra. Its lightweight and well-balanced and even features an in-built fan to try and help prevent the lenses from fogging up while you play. If you want to free yourself from the Meta ecosystem, then you really can&#8217;t get many close alternatives that are much better than the Pico 4 Ultra right now.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-best-vr-headset-faqs\"\/>Best VR headset &#8211; FAQsDo you need a PC to use VR?<\/p>\n<p>Not necessarily. While many VR headsets certainly require hooking up to a PC &#8211; like Valve Index &#8211; plenty of the cheaper options are standalone like the Meta Quest 3. That means they can operate wirelessly, without needing a device like a PC. Some, like PSVR 2, are also designed with consoles in mind first (in PSVR 2&#8217;s case, that&#8217;s the PS5).<\/p>\n<p>Why can VR result in motion sickness?<\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s a range of factors that can contribute to motion sickness through VR use, especially wide field of view, low resolution, and motion blur with certain games. This can be offset with features like limited movement and vignetting, which tightens the camera angle when in motion. If you&#8217;re starting to feel motion sickness coming on, we recommend taking an immediate break.<\/p>\n<p>Are VR headsets bad for your eyes? <\/p>\n<p>VR headsets are essentially like strapping TVs up close to your face, so wearing them for extended periods of time can cause discomfort. We recommend taking breaks and standing or sitting in a comfortable position. If you start to feel any discomfort, irritation or blurred vision, take some time away from the VR headset and be sure to give your eyes a rest. If it&#8217;s your first time with the tech, you may be surprised at just how much of a strain it can put on your eyes.<\/p>\n<p>Are cheap VR headsets worth it?<\/p>\n<p>Typically I would say no. Cheaper VR headsets will often lack features like passthrough, and will more than likely operate at a much lower resolution. A blurry VR image can exacerbate the motion sickness and eye strain these devices can cause, so I would recommend opting for something at least moderately more up to spec, like a Quest 3 or PSVR 2.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-how-to-choose-a-vr-headset\"\/>How to choose a VR headset<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c9e4dd2e-9fc6-11f1-85ab-270bfe5ad5a1\">VR headsets fall across the entire budget spectrum, and each can come with its own set of features and game libraries. As a result, it can be difficult to make a choice if you&#8217;re a first-time buyer.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re new to VR, then your safest bet will be to focus on getting yourself a Meta Quest 3. We consider it to be the jack-of-all-trades VR headset, boasting a massive library of games, impressive features and standalone support, meaning you can use it entirely wirelessly.<\/p>\n<p>More premium setups, like we see with the Valve Index, require a more complex setup process, but the experience is ultimately worth it with crystal clear visuals and pinpoint accuracy.<\/p>\n<p>For console players, PSVR 2 is your best bet, and not simply because it&#8217;s really the only game in town when it comes to console VR. PSVR 2 has recently received a permanent price drop, and with a library of games that&#8217;s still growing, it&#8217;s an ideal first-time headset and makes for a fantastic social experience with friends at home.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-how-we-test-vr-headsets\"\/>How we test VR headsets<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c9e4de0a-9fc6-11f1-b893-97317adbf7da\">Every VR headset that we include in our best VR headsets buying guide has been reviewed in the environment and on a machine that meets the recommended specifications of the manufacturer.<\/p>\n<p>Each device is tested extensively across a range of software available in the headsets&#8217; associated store. Many of our reviewers have experience using different ranges of virtual reality hardware, enabling them to make informed comparisons between products. No device in our buying list above has been included without first being tested and reviewed.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-multimodelreview\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Round up of today&#8217;s best deals<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The best VR headsets can be your introduction to a bespoke and immersive gaming experience. We know interfacing&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":871386,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[49,48,61,260,261,262],"class_list":["post-871385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-virtual-reality","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-technology","tag-virtual-reality","tag-virtualreality","tag-vr"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/871385","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=871385"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/871385\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/871386"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=871385"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=871385"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=871385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}