The greatest virtual reality headsets can temporarily remove the sensation that your face is covered in a huge piece of foam and plastic. It will make you feel as though you are in the middle of a game even before you sit down on your couch.
The Meta Quest 3 is the best VR headset, based on our testing of dozens of models, ranging from the most well-known to the least well-known. Not only is it reasonably priced, but it’s also one of the few VR headsets that feels genuinely novel at the moment. However, the Meta Quest 3S is ready to go for a lot less money if you’re looking for something less expensive. It maintains the Quest 2’s optics while stealing the Quest 3’s excellent processor
We tested dozens of models, from the most popular to the least popular, and found that the Meta Quest 3 is the greatest VR headset. It’s one of the few VR headsets that seems truly innovative right now, in addition to being fairly priced. If you’re looking for something less costly, the Meta Quest 3S is available for a lot less money. It steals the superb processor from the Quest 3 while preserving the Quest 2’s aesthetics.
After investing in one of the best VR headsets, the next step is to decide which games are worth playing on it. Half-Life : Alyx shows what VR is capable of, but it will push the boundaries of your PC. There are plenty of other sci-fi games, such as No Man’s Sky, that are less intense. I recommend checking out the best VR PC games if you want to add more titles to your library in advance.
Table of Contents
- No 01 Meta Quest 3
- No 02 Meta Quest 2
- No 03 Meta Quest Pro
Top 3 Best Meta Quest VR Headsets In 2024
No 01 Meta Quest 3
The Meta Quest 3, the sequel to the wildly popular Quest 2 that is now nearing the end of its life, is the best VR headset overall. But because of its new lenses, smaller form factor, higher resolution panels, and increased processing power, this new model wins the top spot.
Instead of using bulkier Fresnel lenses, Meta’s most recent headset uses thinner pancake lenses, which helps make the entire device smaller. Although the included fabric strap is still subpar and we advise you to replace it with a better one, it is more comfortable to wear because it doesn’t protrude from your face as much.
Although you can use the Quest 3 without a tether, you’ll likely want to connect it to your gaming PC using a good USB Type-C cable in order to access your Steam library. Using Meta’s Air Link, that option functions best over a strong Wi-Fi connection, ideally Wi-Fi 6E or higher. Although it’s not nearly as good as a dedicated graphics card, the built-in Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor is sufficient for many of the VR games available in the headset’s store.
A 2064 x 2208 resolution LCD panel is installed in each eye, and in addition to improved passthrough cameras, the mixed reality and virtual images are of higher quality and clarity than in the Quest 2. Two tappings on the side of the headset quickly provides a detailed view of your surroundings.
A set of upgraded Touch Plus controllers, which do not have the noticeable ring around the hand like the older Quest 2 controllers did, are also included with the Quest 3. Despite the simpler design, controller tracking is as good as you would expect.
The ease of setup of Meta’s VR headset is one of its best features; it only requires a few steps on the headset and app to get going, and there’s no need to tinker with base stations. However, the Quest 3 only lasts for about two hours when playing wireless games and streaming videos, so you won’t be using it all day. About the same amount of time is needed to fully recharge, but you can use the headset while it’s charging via a USB cable.
Despite the controversies and eventual death of Mark Zuckerberg’s metaverse, we really like the Quest 3 for PC VR gaming. It is a lot more expensive than its predecessor but it’s ultimately the best overall VR headset money can buy. If you want something cheaper still, the Meta Quest 3S is your best bet.
In recent years, expectations for virtual reality have undoubtedly fluctuated. Although the grandiose vision of a comprehensive digital world has not yet come to fruition, the Meta Quest 3 is a reorientation of Mark Zuckerberg’s metaverse concept. Rather than a dystopian depiction like in “Ready Player One,” it alludes to the basics: engaging in immersive gaming, watching sports in virtual reality, and engaging in playful arm-waving. And to be honest, that’s all right.
There has been a lot of increasing competition since the Meta Quest 2 was the best VR headset available. The 2020 release of the headset has begun to feel a little dated because, in comparison to more modern devices, its once-impressive Gen 1 Snapdragon XR2 was beginning to feel like an antiquated relic.Heck, when we reviewed it, it was still called an Oculus Quest 2; that’s how old we are talking about.
The Meta Quest 3 is a massive upgrade from the Quest 2. It’s more powerful, its stunning 4K+ pancake lenses make games look phenomenal, it boasts excellent inside-out tracking, and it has a fairly idiot-proof setup. On top of that, it’s priced at only, making it one of the most affordable VR gaming headsets—or, I should say, “mixed reality headsets”—on the market.
Pros
- Compact, comfy design
- Easy setup
Cons
- Unproven Mixed Reality content
No 02 Meta Quest 2
The Meta Quest 2 is the greatest VR headset overall thanks to its improved specifications and appearance, as well as the vast selection of apps and games available.
In terms of appearance, the Meta Quest 2 is a stylish virtual reality headset. The Quest 2 is a lightweight, comfortable headgear that is 10% lighter than its predecessor, replacing the cumbersome goggles that are often included with VR headsets. The headset’s four camera sensors and straightforward strap give it a clean, uncomplicated design that makes it appear good both installed on the user’s head and simply sitting on a desk. Additionally, the Quest 2’s light gray color makes it visually appealing.
The seamless design of the headset is maintained by the strategically placed and minimalist button and port architecture. The headset has a USB-C port and headphone jack on the left for charging and music, a power button on the right side, and a volume rocker on the right underside. Without using the switch that was located at the bottom of the original Quest, you may manually pinch or spread out the three distinct viewing settings on the Meta Quest 2 by adjusting the lens spacing inside the headset.
Even while I was in virtual reality for more than an hour at a time, the Meta Quest 2, which weighed 1.1 pounds and measured 7.5 x 4 x 5.2 inches, felt light and comfortable. The headset’s adjustable elastic bands helped me to obtain the perfect fit for my head, and the ample foam padding made it easy to forget I had a piece of plastic strapped to my face.
Like the original Quest, the Meta Quest 2 is an all-in-one VR system that doesn’t require you to set up any external sensors or cameras — everything you need is right in the headset. The setup process only takes a few minutes; you’ll put the headset on, activate your account via the Oculus mobile app, establish your play area, and you’re good to go
Pros
- Sleek, comfortable design
- Impressive game library
- Intuitive controllers
- Good price
- Strong built-in audio
Cons
- Controllers aren’t rechargeable
- Link cable required for PC game
No 03 Meta Quest Pro
The Meta Quest Pro is a powerful VR headset meant to facilitate working in the metaverse.
The headset itself has a minimal amount of controls and buttons. The left side of the headset has a headphone jack, a USB-C port and a power button. It also has two dials, with one on the front lens and another on the battery pack.
In addition to being comfortable to handle, Metal Quest Pro’s controllers are easier to operate than the company’s earlier VR controllers. The controllers are equipped with self-tracking technology, which eliminates the need for the headset. As a result, their range of motion is 360 degrees. Even if you put your hands behind your back, the controllers are always being tracked. This makes other people’s hand movements look more natural and works great while you’re using them.
Better feedback is provided by TruTouch Haptics, another awesome feature. You will experience resistance on the buttons you push if you pinch or squeeze a virtual object. For instance, it feels natural to squeeze a rubber ball. Although it’s a good simulation, it’s clearly not the same as carrying out the identical action in real life.
After turning the headset on, you’ll receive a series of simple-to-follow tutorials that demonstrate how to properly adjust the headset. Before you know it, you’re ready to hop into some VR worlds.
You can use the Quest Pro practically anywhere you want without having to worry about running into anything because of its open-sided design, which lets you view your surroundings while wearing the headset. In contrast, Quest 2 advised that you be in a 6.5 × 6.5-foot area so that you could freely move around in virtual reality. The Quest Pro only advises you to make sure your arms have adequate space to move. It takes a few seconds to complete this particular setup step.
Pros
- Comfortable to wear
- Doesn’t isolate you from the real world
- Convincing spatial audio
Cons
- Very expensive
- Short battery life
- Working in VR is still unintuitive
What are VR lighthouses?
Your VR headset must be able to sense both the controllers in your hands and the headset itself in order to record your motions. Positional trackers, individually placed sensors, or base stations—also referred to as lighthouses—that are connected to your PC were utilized in the earliest VR headsets.
Although this is the most accurate tracking approach, it is also the most time-consuming, and unless they are permanently placed in a room, you will have to set them up and calibrate them each time you wish to play.
What is inside-out tracking in VR?
Because the headset can track both itself and the controllers nearby, inside-out tracking eliminates the need for additional sensors. At first, this approach damaged in-game immersion and wasn’t as responsive or effective.
However, the technology is now nearly as responsive as the lighthouse thanks to the greatest VR headset, the Meta Quest 3. and is unquestionably much more practical.
Please be aware that we may receive a commission if you buy something after clicking on the links in our stories. This helps to fund our work. Thank you for your support and attention. Feel free to look around further to find out more about how these commissions support our work. GreatReviewsoffiical