The Best VR Headset

You can spend thousands of dollars chasing the best specs in a custom vr viewers, but we think comfort and ease of use are more important elements for most people who want to explore VR. With that in mind, the Meta Quest 2 is the clear winner. It combines good-enough specs with the ability to use it cord free, but you can also plug it into a computer, which opens up even more options for how and where you can use it. The controllers are intuitive and easy to hold. It can track you as you move around a room. And it doesn’t take much time to set up. Additionally, the Quest 2 has a wide selection of compatible content because you can download games, movies, and other experiences from both the Meta Quest Store and SteamVR libraries. (The Meta Quest Pro, released in 2022, is too expensive and lacks the right features for anyone primarily interested in playing games.)

For players searching for the latest and greatest VR headset for playing video games, we think the HTC Vive Pro 2 headset paired with Valve Index Controllers and two HTC SteamVR Base Station 2.0 units is the best combination. The Vive Pro 2 has the crispest screen we’ve tried (though you’ll need a powerful computer to max out its abilities), while the Valve Index Controllers combine comfort with the best hand tracking we’ve experienced. Together, they provide an especially immersive VR experience.