Top 5 Best VR Headsets in 2025

Top 5 Best VR Headsets in 2025


The best VR headsets available right now

(Image Credit:CNET)

The top VR headsets may introduce you to a completely new and immersive gaming experience, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with the technology and unsure about which gear to buy. In order to assist you in making an informed choice, we have chosen our top choices. After all, VR may be a costly pastime, so we want you to feel secure about your purchase.

Although virtual reality is primarily focused on PCs, PSVR 2 and its finest accessories have made virtual reality accessible to console players. This is especially true considering that PSVR 2 is compatible with the top PS5 controllers.Even better, the PSVR 2 PC adaptor has made Sony’s headgear more affordable and compatible with SteamVR. For those seeking a more flexible, stand-alone VR experience, there is also the Meta Quest 3. Let’s just say that there are many choices for the top VR headsets available right now.

To provide you the assurance that you will get your money’s worth regardless of the headset you choose, we have tested and evaluated every device on our list and have only highlighted the best.

Table of Contents
THE QUICK LIST

BEST OVERALL

1. Meta Quest 3

BEST FOR PC

2. Valve Index

BEST BUDGET

3. HP Reverb G2

BEST PREMIUM

4. Apple Vision Pro

BEST FOR CONSOLE

5. PSVR 2



(Image Credit:CNET)

1. Meta Quest 3

One of the greatest VR headsets available right now is the Meta Quest 3. Whether you’re upgrading from older gear or experimenting with virtual reality for the first time, this headset is our top pick since it’s a big advance over the Meta Quest 2 and it’s reasonably priced compared to other headsets on this list.

Without the need for additional cameras or cables, the Meta Quest 3 is remarkably small. It can be enjoyed as a completely stand-alone experience without the need for any cords or additional components that might trip you up.Wearing the headset allows you to access all of its functions, including its home and storefront, making it a seamless experience that eliminates the need to remove it.

Therefore, Quest 3’s compatibility with the current Quest game library is beneficial. We believe that the fact that you won’t have to buy all those games again if you’re upgrading lessens the blow of the higher price tag. A broader 110-degree field-of-view is supported, and each eye’s pixel count is increased to 2,064 x 2,208 for crisper, richer images.

When utilizing the Quest 3 as a wireless, stand-alone device, we did discover that its battery life is a little disappointing at only two to three hours. Additionally, you may notice that you’re charging the gadget quite a bit, even though we definitely wouldn’t advise VR gaming sessions that continue this long. However, we appreciate that it can be used as a stand-alone device because it eliminates the need for complicated setup to play.


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2. Valve Index

Compared to its predecessors, the Valve Index is a next-generation system, making it one of the top VR headsets. We discovered it features a sharp display that functions well even with older GPUs, a larger field of view, a faster refresh rate, and ‘knuckle’ controllers from Valve that can follow every finger’s movement.

Although the Valve Index appears to be a high-end headset, it also necessitates a sophisticated setup (and a powerful PC) to match. The setup procedure for Valve’s headset, which necessitates multiple connections and a dual camera configuration to function properly, is really our least favorite feature.To guarantee a smooth experience, make sure you have adequate area and desk space in addition to a few free power outlets. But the procedure is worthwhile because you’ll be rewarded with an amazing wide field of view and complete Steam integration, which will make it easy to browse your current collection in virtual reality.

Compared to the HTC Vive and HTC Vive Pro, the Valve Index is a major improvement. Additionally, the Index has a screen with a significantly greater resolution and a faster refresh rate, which reduces the possibility of motion sickness or discomfort. We really adore the Index controllers, whose knuckle-shaped design works incredibly well for virtual reality gaming.


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3. HP Reverb G2

For those seeking a headset that is straightforward to set up and marginally less expensive than the HTC Vive Pro 2 or Valve Index, the HP Reverb G2 is a great choice. It’s a great substitute that preserves the visual magic of virtual reality games, albeit not being as accurate as the slightly more expensive options. If anything, the HP Reverb G2 surpasses visual standards, offers a completely unique experience, and is more affordable than its competitors.

The HP Reverb G2 is a really well-designed headset that offers amazing value for the money. The’screen door’ effect that many VR headsets have is avoided, and it’s quite simple to set up right out of the box.In contrast to Meta’s products, the Reverb G2 does require a PC, and the numerous wires are the only truly annoying thing about it. The high-resolution output of the headset also requires a reasonably capable PC. Additionally, there are many of games to choose from when purchasing this headset because it is compatible with Steam VR.

The resolution of the HP Reverb G2 is an astounding 2160 x 2160 (4K) per lens. For a reasonably inexpensive headset, that’s pretty amazing, and the image clarity ensures that you won’t experience smeary or image ghosting during playback. The motion tracking accuracy of the headset is a little disappointing because it isn’t quite as precise as other, more expensive choices.


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4. Apple Vision Pro

Apple’s Vision Pro is the best mixed reality and virtual reality headset available. We can affirm that it’s worth every cutting-edge dollar after spending a lot of time with the headset and inside Apple’s new visionOS platform, even though it’s the priciest consumer VR headset in recent memory and makes the Valve Index seem like a complete steal.

It is constructed from high-quality materials including carbon fiber and aluminum. It’s streamlined and resembles pricey snowboarding goggles more than an AR/VR headset. In contrast, all other headsets, including the Meta Quest 3, which is now our top pick overall, appear cumbersome.Even with the battery attached via a lengthy cable and left outside the gadget, it still weighs more than a pound. Finding the perfect fit can be difficult, but wearing Vision Pro for hours on end became simple as we switched to the Dual Loop Band that came with it.

Vision Pro stands out for more reasons than just appearance. In this buying recommendation, the stereoscopic images outperformed all competitors. 23 million pixels of incredibly sharp graphics are delivered via dual micro-OLED, 4K displays, whether you’re looking at a completely immersive experience or one that blends apps and other experiences into your real-world surroundings.Additionally, the M2 and R1 processor combination makes it an incredibly responsive platform. When it comes to spatial computing, Vision Pro is among the most intelligent mixed reality headsets (yeah, we said that). It comprehends your world, and when you leave an app in a different room of your home, it remains there till you return to it.


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5. PSVR 2

Back in 2016, the original PSVR had a number of issues, the majority of which were masterfully fixed with PSVR 2 last year. For any future console-based VR headsets, Sony has set the bar quite high. If you own a PS5, we highly suggest this product.

The PSVR 2’s attractive, rounded design complements the PS5’s appearance. With only one wire required to connect it to your PS5, it’s quite simple to set up in comparison to its PS4 version. By guiding you through capabilities like eye-tracking, room space visualization, and the new passthrough feature—which allows you to monitor your surroundings at any time with a single button click—the setup phase also serves as a tutorial.

Games like Horizon: Call of the Mountain, which are only available on PSVR 2, have amazing visual quality. PSVR classics like Tetris Effect, Rez Infinite, and Moss: Book II have also been faithfully ported, and they now look and play better than before. The device’s 2,000 x 2,040 panel resolution greatly aids in producing significantly better image quality. The’sweet spot’ of the headset may be difficult to locate and retain, therefore you may need to make adjustments while using it.

How we test VR headsets

Every VR headset we feature in our guide to the top VR headsets has been tested in a real-world setting and on a device that satisfies the manufacturer’s suggested criteria.

Every gadget is thoroughly tested using a variety of software that is offered in the store that goes along with the headsets. Since many of our reviewers have used various virtual reality hardware models, they are able to compare items with knowledge. Every item on the above buying list has undergone testing and approval before being added.

Best VR headset – FAQs

Does using VR require a PC?

With the variety of console-specific versions available now, you don’t always need a PC to use VR technology. There are many options to discover a VR headset that fits your setup or gaming area outside of PC-specific models because we have attempted to include items that are available on all platforms in our list of the top VR headsets, such as the PSVR 2 and the Meta Quest Pro.

What causes motion nausea in VR?

Many elements, particularly a broad field of view, low resolution, and motion blur in some games, can cause motion sickness when using virtual reality. Features like vignetting, which tightens the camera angle when in motion, and limited movement can counteract this. We advise taking a little pause if you’re beginning to get motion sickness.

Do virtual reality headsets harm your eyes?

Wearing VR headsets for long periods of time can be a little uncomfortable because they work similarly to strapping TVs up close to your face. We advise taking breaks and finding a comfortable position to stand or sit. Take a break from the VR headset until you feel comfortable enough to resume using it if you begin to experience any discomfort or blurred vision.


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