Controlling every aspect of our reality is a dream that most of us have, and VR technology is on the path to fulfilling this dream, however, virtually.
That being said, VR headsets might not have reached the feel of our real life. But they surely are on the way to do so. For now, I can only imagine what the future holds for VR technology development.
In this review of VR headsets, I’ve touched each & every aspect of current VR technology to get you the most suitable VR headset for gaming, movies & even learning. Besides that, if you’re really into VR gaming and playing Skyrim, you’ll love this article here. If you’re looking for VR headsets specifically for PCs, you can see those here.
So, let’s begin!
Best VR Headset 2021:
Here is the list of my top choices for quality VR headsets for PC, Android, Playstation, Learning & standalone technologies.
While I have featured the Quest 2 in this best VR headsets to buy list, however, starting with the original quest was the way to go. Oculus Quest is a completely standalone device that can offer mobility to another extent.
Even though it’s a standalone device, the tracking of this device is responsive. So, feeling the true essence of VR is the main thing that you will get with this device. There are some specs limitations in this VR headset, such as a 72 Hz max refresh rate.
However, these were improved in the later Oculus Quest 2 model. The thing to remember is even though this VR headset price might not seem compelling at first. But remember, with this headset you don’t need to invest in expensive gaming computers.
The only negative about this otherwise great quality VR headset is the comfort level. Since it’s heavy compared to the Oculus rift or the Oculus Go, you’ll feel the presence of this headset on your face.
Although still, if you’re looking for a credible long-lasting VR headset & don’t want to invest a hefty amount of money in gaming PCs, giving the Oculus quest series a shot is a considerable option. Comfort is compromising, however, not the features.
Especially the guardian, which can help you avoid tripping over coffee tables or any other thing. And with the 6 DOF, the rendering quality is impressive as well.
A tethered VR headset for PC gaming with an absolutely unimaginable comfort level. With Foveated rendering technology, this best VR headset for PC gaming can take you far away from reality. HTC Vive Pro is not just comfortable, it’s feature-loaded With a 110-degree FOV, 90hz Refresh rate & the boosted resolution, you will witness the true power for VR with this quality VR headset for PC.
The pricing of this device is not that attractive, however, the features & the visual quality can make it worth every penny. The only downside is that you require a heavy computer to run this VR headset for pc gaming. So, this is a perfect product for those who already own a PC well enough to handle this VR headset.
But as we have mentioned, with Foveated rendering, you can run this VR on medium-end GPUs with ease. Although when it comes to mobility, Standalone VR headsets might be a more viable option. But the VR headset for computers provides a superior viewing experience than the standalone ones.
And the best part is, you get a free 2-month Vive infinity access so you can enjoy over 700+ games which can justify the price a little. However, I do recommend opting for the full system to consider it as a good VR headset for PC
Already own a PS4 or planning on upgrading to a PS5? Want to get a VR headset cheap? Look no further. For PS4 & Ps5 users experiencing VR is not an issue. The options are still limited to one, however, it does not lack features.
In this review of VR headsets, you’ll find many quality VR headsets to buy for PC, standalone usage, or Mobiles. But as I have mentioned before that for consoles, this is the only option. What you get from this headset is a whopping 120hz refresh rate.
Yes, you heard it right, the refresh rate is smooth, however, the visual clarity isn’t as of now. Unlike some VR headsets for pc, the setup for this device is relatively easy and even at affordable pricing, it comes with all the necessary accessories for you to hook it up with ease.
The per eye resolution is low, it stands at around 960 x RGB x 1080 & the FOV is lower than some Vr headset for computers, which offers around 110 to 120 degrees of FOV. This one only offers 100, however, that is not a deal-breaker since it’s not that big of a difference.
But for a smoother refresh rate, they have compromised more on the resolution, which still makes it a blurry device. Nevertheless, it’s still an affordable option for PS users to experience the essence of VR immersion.
For most people, this is truly the best VR headset in 2021 when it comes to features, pricing & the immersive experience. And the good thing is, even being a standalone device, this can become the finest cheap PC VR headset as well.
Wondering how? Well simple, with an Oculus link cable you can use it with your pc, however, the functionality is only limited to Oculus apps. So make sure which one is compatible with your device through 5 Best VR Desktop Apps to Use in 2021. Nevertheless, the visual clarity of this VR headset is truly immersive. And the mobility it offers can help you get rid of all those extra accessories such as a base station or a constant tangling of wires.
Powered by a Snapdragon XR2, 6GB ram & 90hz refresh rate, this can easily outmatch some of the best VR headsets for Android, however, it might lag behind in some of the quality VR headsets for pc, and also some quality VR headset for movies. Especially with the adjustable IPD range of 58, 63, and 68mm.
Why? because of the low battery life it offers, It can only manage 2-3 hours of battery backup at max and takes around an hour to charge. But this is the only drawback that I’ve found so far, considering the price, the features that it offers are remarkable. With that, it definitely falls under the top 10 VR headsets for the price category.
And this quality VR headset brings another good news for people who wear glasses. It comes with a glasses spacer pre-included, which can provide you comfort & a quality viewing experience at the same time. All-in-all, this is a true bang for the buck product if you want to experience the true essence of VR headsets, and you will find this as our top contender in the Oculus Quest 2 Review 【Cheapest VR Yet】, Best VR for gaming & Best VR for beat saber guide.
Samsung HMD Odessy+ is one of the most popular qualities VR headset for pc gaming. Powered by the Windows Mixed Reality platform, this VR is also compatible with Steam VR. So, if you are looking for a VR headset for pc steam, this can be a quality option.
With this, you don’t need to spend your hard-earned money on extra accessories such as a base station, however, you still do need a good enough PC to run it smoothly. Nevertheless, with the replicating pixel technology, the visual quality of this Vr headset for pc gaming is pretty good.
Moreover, the comfort of this VR headset is also quite commendable since it’s lightweight. With the FOV of 110 degrees & a 90 Hz refresh rate, it can easily compete with some expensive counterparts in the market.
However, the initial setup of this device might take a while since you need to put some extra effort to find the sweet spot. But when you find it, you’ll be able to enjoy the immersion of a very low Screen door effect Virtual reality headset.
Another drawback that this device has is that some people complained that the controller tracking is not on par with many VR headsets for computers.
Only for consumers with the latest upgraded system
Mobile VR’s are a way to go if you just don’t want to invest your hard-earned money in a VR Headset. But the thing about mobile VR’s is, you’ll find a lot of options to choose from, some being high quality, some just cheap plastic knockoffs.
Merge VR/AR falls under the quality VR headsets for mobile, and if you are looking for the best VR headset for iPhone, or a quality VR headset for Android, Merge VR is a considerable option. While it’s not the cheapest device, yet it offers a premium viewing experience.
Moreover, this VR headset is comfortable & lightweight because of the foamy & stretchable build quality. So, wearing it for longer intervals is not an issue. And that is what makes it a quality VR headset for movies.
However, a few things to note though, you’ll have to pay for many good apps, and even if you want to experience AR, you need to invest extra money into additional accessories for it to work as an Augmented reality device.
Nevertheless, pairing it with a merge cube can provide your children with a fun learning experience, and considering the current situation, many parents can benefit from this device.
Have money to spare? Want to get the most premium headset that money can buy? Well, the Valve index is the most premium VR headset for pc steam. The owner of Steam is valve as well, and they have created a true marvel for us PC gamers.
The 144 Hz display, 130-degree field of view I consider as top-quality. Moreover, you also do get comfort, accurate tracking, and best of all unimaginable visual clarity. There are availability issues with this headset when it comes to Valve itself.
However, to get this premium VR headset for PC gaming, you can still opt for third-party vendors on Amazon. You will have to dig deep into your pockets though. Nevertheless, once you get your hands on this device, you can enjoy all the listed features.
While talking about features, you do get a non-existent Screen door effect, a Dual element lens to avoid any screen distortion, and strap & IPD adjustment for every head size. So, all-in-all, this is a perfect VR headset for pc gaming, however, affordability can be an issue.
Since it’s a tethered VR headset, you do need to invest in a high-end PC as well. The overall investment might seem like that it’s not worth it. However, as of 2021, this is still a quality market leader when it comes to VR devices. And it ranks on top on most of the vr headset reviews for pc.
When it comes to features, this might seem like a contender that falls in the lower bracket, yet it’s still a pretty reliable option to have for a VR device. Most of the time tethered VR’s are expensive, but this one falls under the affordable VR headset criteria.
Being the top seller at amazon for a very long time speaks volumes about the credibility of this VR headset. While this one only offers 80hz refresh rate and a lower overall resolution of 2560 x 1440. But the comfort & improved screen door effect still makes it one of the quality VR headsets for pc.
Moreover, you can run this VR headset on mind range pcs, however, the experience might not be as good as high-end pcs. Although, there are a few issues that I have heard about like the overheating issue.
Some people complained that this quality VR headset does get hot sometimes. Moreover, the provided cable is a constant complaint from the users because of the short size. However, you can solve the latter by ordering an extension.
And if talk about the speaker quality, built-in speakers are good enough to provide you with an optimal experience. Some people might be wondering if this is still considered the best VR headset 2021 since it’s old. To answer that question, it’s still the top seller & an amazing piece of technology. And if you are into games like VR chat, we have classified this headset as the best VR headset for VR chat.
Another top contender in the VR market for mobile users. Although this one might not have similar build quality as the Merge VR/AR box, however, you do get it for a better price. In this VR headset, you will find many amazing features such as blue light eye filter lenses & a 110-degree field of view which is comparable to some of the expensive PC/standalone headsets on this list.
Moreover, the issue with most VR boxes nowadays is, that phone sizes are increasing day by day, and even mid-tier phones are now above 6 inches. And most VR headsets cannot support mobiles over 6 inches.
However, this is not the case with this one, Desktek V5 can support up to 6.8-inch devices, which makes it a premium VR headset for Android & even iPhone. Moreover, with the IPD adjustment option, you can easily set the viewing experience according to your own eyes.
While it can be used as the finest VR headset for movies, however, this is not a very lightweight product & can hurt your eyes or nose for longer usage intervals. But at least, the build quality and viewing experience are better than most mobile headsets on the market.
The thing you need to understand about mobile VR is, that it’s not on par with the premium PC ones. However, they are still not bad and can give you an immersive experience.
Suitable for adding creativity to your young ones life
Great way to introduce your kids to VR
Activities are short, so expect reduced screen time.
Pros
Cons
Supplement for Virtual & home learning
None, since it's more of a learning device
Step by Step Guides
Struggling to teach your kids in the Pandemic? Or are you scared that they will fall behind in their learning curve? I understand keeping your kids focused on learning is hard enough, and I think that Virtual reality technology is the only way that can enhance this learning experience.
Unlike the Merge VR, Abacus is specifically designed for kids to learn by following step-by-step video guides, and activities by using a virtual reality device. You can use it without the VR as well, however, to keep the attention of your kids we recommend using the VR.
With this, you can work on over 30 plus science experiments all guided by Bill Nye himself which most kids love. Activities are not that long, so you don’t need to worry about the screentime of your kids.
While most people might question the presence of this kit in this guide, however, as I have mentioned in the beginning. I will try to cover each & every aspect of Virtual reality technology. It’s not only limited to entertainment.
And this science kit is a great way to teach & make your kids more creative, that’s why this is on this premium VR headsets list.
While we have listed many mobile VR headsets in this guide, yet, the more options you can choose from the better. This one also supports devices up to 6.53 inches and does provide a comfortable wearing experience compared to the Destek one that I’ve listed.
This one comes with blue light filtered lenses as well, so your eyes will be at ease while viewing. Moreover, the strap adjustment & lightweight of this device makes it a perfect fit for any age group.
The cost of this device will not leave a heavy dent on your pocket, and the pupil distance adjustment option can help you configure it according to your own eyesight. Although it’s not that hard to set up, however, when it comes to instructions they are poorly written as per most people.
All-in-all, it can be a perfect device for watching movies, using mobile apps or playing mobile games. It does come with an included Bluetooth remote that can be used to enhance your gaming experience. And as per reviews, the overall build quality is decent as well, so even it’s a cheap VR headset, the quality will not be an issue.
Can load small apps or games in the headset itself
110-degree field of view
Pros
Cons
Standalone headset that can be used with pc
Lower Refresh rate
Over 3 hours battery life
Only for consumers with the latest upgraded system
Although being an expensive VR headset, HTC Vive Focus plus is a non-tethered device that can still be used with steam VR & Viveport by wireless linking. With this device, you don’t need a base station since it has embedded sensors.
Moreover, it might not be as popular as the other two mentioned in this article, however, there is a good reason for that. First, the Oculus store has better apps/games than the Viveport & second, this one does have a lower field of view.
However, it’s still not a slouch when it comes to build quality. The first thing that impressed me about this device is the design. Well, it’s unique and stands out from the crowd with ease. The visuals are still sharper than most Android devices & the FOV of 110 degrees and the per eyes resolution of 2880 x 1600 at 615 PPI provide improved visual clarity.
I am not a big fan of its battery backup because of the 3 hours limitation, and the 2 hours charging time that it offers. But since it’s the latest product, I felt that it was important for it to be included in this review of VR headsets. At least you can still classify it as the best VR headset for VR chat or other similar small games.
The year 2020 has caused nothing but troubles for all of us, however, for technology it did a lot of positives. Virtual reality devices are now becoming more popular than ever because of the Pandemic.
And it doesn’t matter how you want to you a VR device, you will find ample amount of options in every category. As it is clear with this guide that how VR has developed & penetrated every aspect of our lives.
So, I kept that in mind and wrote this guide to touch each and every aspect that Virtual reality exists in. And I came up with this list of the best VR headsets in 2021. And I hope that you’ll be able to find your perfect pick from this guide. However, before you go, do check out our buyer’s guide & faq at the end of the article.
What to keep in mind while buying a VR headset?
As you might have noticed from that list, that most quality VR headsets are a hefty investment. So, I decided to keep this small buyer’s guide. In this guide, you will find the factors that you need to consider before investing in quality VR headsets.
Budget
As you might have noticed by reading this article that not all VR headsets fall under the same price range. It all depends on you, and your requirements. Budget is the first thing you need to consider even before looking for options. Once you have a budget in mind, you can easily single out the products that fall under that specific budget range.
However, I do recommend opting for tethered or premium standalone VR headsets to get the most incredible & immersive experience.
Tethered or Non-Tethered
Virtual reality headsets basically have two kinds, one is tethered means connected to a computer with a wire & the other one is non-tethered. Which are wireless, or completely standalone. While as of now most tethered ones provide a better performance, however, they do need a high-end pc to work well.
So, coming back to our first point, you need to invest extra to buy a tethered Virtual reality headset. However, if you already own a pc, you are good to go.
Platform
There are many tethered & non-tethered platforms that you can choose from. However, my point is your preferred way of using VR. If you want to just use it to watch movies, you can simply opt for Mobile VR headsets.
However, if you are looking for a premium immersive experience, PC PlayStation, or standalone VR is the way to go.
Features
A few things you need to remember when it comes to features. The first one is the field of view & the refresh rate of the device when it comes to premium headsets. There are some headsets such as Primax 5k that can offer a 200-degree FOV.
So, you’ll be able to enjoy movies & games like a theatre. Moreover, the second thing you need to consider is the comfort & battery life if it’s a standalone device. And the last thing you need to check is the IPD range.
You need to be able to wear the VR headset with glasses & adjust IPD if required to solve farsightedness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best vr headset?
Virtual reality technology has evolved a lot, and if it all depends on your requirements. If you are just wondering what is the best VR headset, then I’ll go with the Valve Index from this list. However, this list contains all quality VR headsets for different categories. Can you feel nauseated while wearing VR headsets?
While some people do feel nauseated at first when they experience Virtual reality for the first time, however, it’s not the case with most premium VR headsets. You’ll most probably feel nauseated with mobile Virtual reality headsets.
But the good news is when you get used to it, you’ll get rid of this feeling soon enough. And then you can enjoy the true essence of VR. What is the future of Virtual reality technology?
VR technology has revolutionized the entertainment industry a lot. However, my personal opinion is that it has yet to reach its full potential. While we can immerse ourselves completely into the current Virtual reality devices & forget about the real world.
However, I think when we actually start feeling the virtual world, that is when it will be perfect. At the very least if we can replicate some aspects of the Sword Art Online VR experience would be great. And I think that the rapid progression of technology will definitely aid in developing such technology soon enough.
Now that you know all about some of the quality VR headsets in 2021. It’s time for you to take a pick & immerse yourself into a private virtual world!
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