Best VR headsets 2023: Meta, PlayStation, and Valve make the cut

Overview

Best value

Meta Quest 2

Jump to Details

$299.99 Best Buy

Best gaming library

PlayStation VR2

Jump to Details

$549.99 PlayStation

Best for power and performance

Valve Index VR Kit

Jump to Details

$999 Steam

After careful hands-on testing, we feature our favorite gear and gadgets as Mashable Selects products in our dedicated shopping guides.

UPDATE: Sep. 29, 2023, 5:00 a.m. EDT This story has been updated in the wake of Meta's Quest 3 announcement.

Virtual reality (VR) is a relatively new frontier of entertainment that has yet to attract mainstream appeal. But with more industry giants throwing their hats into the metaverse as of late — looking at you, Apple, Sony, and Meta — an intrigue exists for gamers and techies in pursuit of next-level immersion.

After a period of hands-on testing, we've decided to recommend the Meta Quest 2 ($299.99), the PlayStation VR2 ($549.99), and the Valve Index VR Kit ($999). All three VR headsets are consumer-friendly devices that felt comfortable during hours of use, supported a breadth of features and content upon unboxing, and performed well at their respective price points.

While sourcing contenders for this roundup, we chose to test VR headsets that are making waves in the small-but-growing market, whether they're known for their libraries, innovations, or both. All of them are true, dedicated VR headsets with built-in screens, as opposed to mobile headsets that require a smartphone. (Some, but not all, are tethered headsets that require a connection to a separate console or PC.) We also excluded enterprise-level units that are designed for business and commercial use.

We're in the process of testing the HP Reverb G2 and will update this roundup accordingly with the final results of our trial. We also plan on taking a closer look at the all-new Meta Quest 3, which formally launches on Tuesday, Oct. 10. (Preorders were live in the Meta Store and at most major retailers at the time of writing.) Mashable tech and games reporter Alex Perry was impressed by its full-color Passthrough feature, higher-resolution lenses, and upgraded processor when he tried it during a short press event this fall.

"My brief time with the Quest 3 certainly left me feeling confident that the final product will (at the very least) be better than Quest 2," Perry writes, though he expressed concerns about its battery life and price.

Speaking of which: We've also updated the price of the Quest 2, which dropped $100 to $299.99 in June 2023 when its successor was first announced. It remains our top budget pick — in fact, we think it's an even better value than before.

Here's a deeper dive into the best VR headsets we've tried.

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Meta Quest 2

Best value

$299.99 Best Buy

We were blown away by the sheer convenience of the Meta Quest 2. What it lacks in power, it makes up for with a seamless design that fits effortlessly into your life.

The Quest 2 is an all-in-one VR headset, meaning you don't have to tether it to any sort of hardware before you jump in. (However, you can always pick up a Meta Quest Link Cable if you want to play games that demand more processing power.) Not only is this a huge bonus when it comes to setup, but it also gives you the ability to move around freely — you can walk anywhere without getting clotheslined by an annoying wire. The hardware itself is well-made, and the comfort factor is definitely there. It's a little bit front-heavy, but it never hampered the playing experience. It also comes with a glasses spacer, which is a nice addition for those who need it. The only thing we didn't love about the Quest 2 was the head strap, which was a pain to adjust at times.

The Meta Quest 2's UI is one of the best we used — it's really immersive, allowing you to create an avatar and set different virtual worlds as your home base for launching games and apps. (We wish you didn't have to make a Meta account to use it, though.) We also really enjoyed the new Direct Touch feature that lets you interact with certain UI elements using your actual finger. The Meta game library is impressive and includes most of VR's greatest hits, and it's nice to have the PC link option if you want to play more demanding titles like Half-Life: Alyx and Asgard's Wrath.

Finally, we'd be remiss not to mention the Meta Quest 2's audio capabilities. You can pair it with headphones via Bluetooth, but the built-in speakers are already pretty awesome. They point toward your ears instead of covering them, but they sound like on-ear headphones, which feels like a magic trick when you hear it for yourself.

As we already said, the Quest 2 is certainly the weakest of our picks when it comes to power, but its pop-on-and-play design is the selling point here, and it's a marvel in that regard.

Recommended games:

Buying Options

$299.99 from Best Buy

The Good

The Bad

Details

PlayStation VR2

Best gaming library

$549.99 PlayStation

The PlayStation VR2 just oozes next-gen. (Or, current-gen now, we suppose?) We love the synergy it has with some of the PlayStation 5's best features — namely, haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. They add another layer to the overall experience, and made for some of the most immersive VR moments we had while testing. The headset also creates a great seal over your eyes that blocks out any light, which only heightened the immersion factor.

Beyond that, one of the biggest reasons to pick up a PSVR2 is the library of great games you'll have at your disposal. You'll recognize some of the usual suspects, but exclusive titles like Horizon Call of the Mountain, Gran Turismo 7, and Resident Evil Village's VR mode put this headset in a league of its own. (More titles are on the way, too). Because it uses the power of the PS5, you get some pretty impressive graphical fidelity when you're strapped in. Horizon is an absolute spectacle in this respect, and was a standout during the review process.

The PSVR2's hardware isn't perfect, but it's more good than bad. The headset itself is generally comfortable, allowing for a bunch of adjustments so you can customize it to your preferred fit. (It's also the most glasses-friendly model out of our picks.) We also liked the included headphones, which sound great and can be tucked into the headband when you're not using them. We're torn on some of the trade-offs here, though — the front of the headset is a little plasticky and hollow, but it does keep the headset feeling lightweight. The seal we mentioned earlier is also fantastic for immersion, but the lack of ventilation can make things sweaty. These weren't major shortcomings for us at the end of the day, but are features to take into consideration before buying.

Lastly, the elephant in the room: A PS5 is required for using the PSVR2, and there's no way around it. You're in a good spot if you already have one, but if you don't, you're looking at a huge upfront investment. This chips away at its accessibility. Still, we see PSVR2 as a must-have if you're at all interested in VR, especially if you're looking for exclusive and immersive experiences.

Recommended games:

Buying Options

$549.99 from PlayStation

The Good

The Bad

Details

Valve Index VR Kit

Best for power and performance

$999 Steam

The Valve Index isn't for everyone, but if you're a PC gamer who values power over everything else, this is the best VR headset to pair with your setup.

Let's get this out of the way first: You're going to need a decent rig to use the Index since it's a tethered model. (Pro tip: Use this handy test to figure out if your setup can support it before you buy one.)

One thing that's immediately obvious when you hop into the Index for the first time is the striking graphical capabilities. We played through Half-Life: Alyx on it, and we can honestly say it's one of the most technically impressive VR experiences available (even three years post-release). You can play it on other VR headsets, but it's never going to look as good as it does on this thing.

But its technical finesse doesn't end there: The Index also has the best motion tracking we encountered thanks to some internal and external sensors, which were speedy and accurate. Its lenses have a good amount of adjustment options, and it's also decently glasses-friendly. The Index's controllers are easily the strongest of this bunch, too, with best-in-class finger tracking, a comfortable design, and next-level security. Oh, and the audio that comes from the headset's moveable ear speakers is just... wow. Nothing big to complain about when it comes to comfort, although it can feel a bit heavy after a while.

The Index's biggest flaw comes down to the fact that it's a lot, both in terms of time and money. It's $999 if you want the complete Valve Index VR Kit with a set of controllers and motion-tracking base stations, and the setup process is a pain. But we can't say it isn't worth it.

We don't recommend starting with an Index if you're a VR newbie, but if you're a PC gaming enthusiast with money to burn and a curiosity for boundary-pushing tech, you probably won't regret snagging one.

Recommended games:

Buying Options

$999 from Steam

The Good

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Details

Topics Gaming PlayStation Virtual Reality Meta

How we tested

During our testing period, we spent at least two hours exploring apps and playing games with each headset. We also set aside additional time to examine their hardware and user interfaces. Some factors we took into consideration when picking our finalists include:

Battery life: Probably self-explanatory, but a great VR headset shouldn't shut down after just an hour of use. Some models (like the PSVR2 and Valve Index) are "tethered," meaning they have to be wired to a power source, so battery life isn't a factor there. But when it comes to wireless headsets (like the Meta Quest 2), it's something to consider as you weigh your options.
Comfort: A VR headset is basically worthless if it isn't relatively comfortable. The best models are lightweight and come with plenty of cushioning to avoid putting any pressure on your nose. (You probably won't be able to avoid the big, red — albeit temporary — outline around your eyes, though. We have lovingly deemed this condition "VR face.")
Adjustability: Related to comfort, but just a tad different. This one refers to the extent to which a user can customize a VR headset to match their desired fit and preferences — anything that makes the device more "you." Headsets that are glasses-friendly got extra points in our book.
Unique features: Some VR headsets have features that others don't, like PSVR2's eyeball tracking, the Meta Quest 2's all-in-one design, and the Valve Index's finger tracking.
Content library selection: Most VR headsets are compatible with the same apps and games, but some have exclusives you can't experience anywhere else. This is especially the case with PSVR2, which is the only model that supports Sony titles like Horizon Call of the Mountain and Gran Turismo 7.

Aside from our three recommended picks, we also tested the brand-new HTC VIVE XR Elite ($1,099), a convertible mixed-reality headset that made a splash at CES 2023. We liked the designer look and feel of its build and loved the fact that it has an adjustable interpupillary distance and diopter dials (you can wear it without contacts or glasses if you fall within a certain prescription range). It also supports full-color passthrough meaning you have the option to see the actual world around you while wearing it, though the quality is pretty grainy.

With that being said, there are several big reasons the VIVE XR Elite isn't on our list of recommendations. The removable face cushion that surrounds its lenses is flimsy and easily detached during play, and it can press uncomfortably against your sinuses when the headset is worn with its battery pack. Its fan got quite loud, making it sound like an old MacBook trying to run The Sims. Our testing unit didn't ship with any wall plugs for its charging cables, so we had to make do with spares lying around the house. Its hand motion controls are cool but hit-or-miss in the accuracy department; we couldn't get a piano-playing app to work because it wouldn't recognize a pinch. It also has a limited selection of apps in its store, and prominent promised features like eye tracking and depth sensing are still in the works. What's more, its display caps out at 90Hz — even the Meta Quest 2 has a 120Hz refresh rate.

Our tester VIVE XR Elite featured pre-release hardware, so some of those kinks may be ironed out over time, but we don't think it's worth the $1,100 at this point. We'll revisit it down the road to see if that changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

A VR headset is a wearable device with a built-in processor unit, display panel(s), lenses, and speakers. They tend to look like extra-bulky ski goggles with a frame or straps that fit over your head, and they're able to simulate an immersive 3D environment while creating a seal around your eyes that blocks out your actual surroundings. Basically, they make it feel like you're actually inside an on-screen world. (So much so that your brain may interpret the on-screen visuals as real action, causing motion sickness — more on that below.) They typically come with a set of handheld controllers, which you can use to interact with virtual spaces and objects, as well as cables for charging and/or tethering.

Depending on what kind of VR headset you have, it may require a separate rig or power source to work. Wireless models can be played on their own once they're charged, whereas tethered models need to be connected to a compatible console or PC for graphical power, game data, and storage. This is a sort-of-hidden fee that can dramatically increase the total cost of your VR system.

Beyond that, you shouldn't need any separate equipment to use a VR headset — though you will need enough space to create an unobstructed play boundary that lets you move around freely and safely. Meta, PlayStation, and Valve all recommend a minimum of about 6.5 feet by 6.5 feet for "room-scale" VR, where you're stepping and looking around while you play (as opposed to just sitting or standing still).

VR isn't a contact sport, but certain games and apps involve a fair amount of physical activity. (You will break a sweat in Beat Saber.) You can easily bump into and trip over things if you're not careful, which just underscores the importance of creating a large enough play boundary.

You may also experience VR-induced motion sickness after using a headset for a while. It's so common that most VR games show a warning about it upfront so players know what they're getting themselves into. What happens is almost like a type of vertigo: Your eyes and ears are sensing that you're moving (because that's what's happening in the virtual world), but your muscles and joints think otherwise. Those mixed signals can confuse your brain and cause you to get sick real quick, or at the very least disorient you.

Thankfully, there are some easy ways to fix VR motion sickness. The simplest one is just by taking breaks when you start to feel a little queasy. Reorient yourself for an hour or so to remind your body that you're not actually scaling a mountain or driving a racecar, then hop back in. Also, facing a fan while you play can help your brain better understand your IRL positioning outside of the headset, cutting down on that confusion.

Eye strain is another issue that can bother VR users, and it's a much harder problem to escape. VR is very blue-light-heavy, so after spending some time in a headset, your eyes can get tired — maybe even a little sore. It's the same kind of sensation you experience while adjusting to a new pair of glasses or staring at a computer screen for too long. The best way to remedy this is, again, just by taking breaks. If your eyes are hurting, take that as a sign that you should pop back into the real world for a little bit and touch some grass. Give your peepers some rehab time.

Dylan Haas

Lead Shopping Reporter

Dylan Haas is a Lead Shopping Reporter for Mashable, where he covers all things gaming, pets, fitness, sleep, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day. Before joining the team at Mashable, Dylan received a B.A. in Communications from Pace University and contributed to publications like Paste Magazine, Bandsintown, and others following a brief stint as a marketing and management assistant in the music industry.

When he's not writing or testing products, you can find Dylan playing lots of video games, working out, spending time with loved ones (especially his dog, Stevie), or watching reality TV. Follow him on X at @iamdylanhaas, or send him an email at [email protected].

Haley Henschel

Senior Shopping Reporter

Haley Henschel is a Chicago-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable who reviews and finds deals on popular tech, from laptops to gaming consoles and VPNs. She has years of experience covering shopping holidays and can tell you what’s actually worth buying on Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Her work has also explored the driving forces behind digital trends within the shopping sphere, from dupes to 12-foot skeletons.

Haley received a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and honed her sifting and winnowing skills at The Daily Cardinal. She previously covered politics for The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, investigated exotic pet ownership for Wisconsin Watch, and blogged for some of your favorite reality stars.

In her free time, Haley enjoys playing video games, drawing, taking walks on Lake Michigan, and spending time with her parrot (Melon) and dog (Pierogi). She really, really wants to get back into horseback riding. You can follow her on X at @haleyhenschel or reach her via email at [email protected].