Check out quick reviews below of the top five VR headsets, then scroll deeper for more helpful buying info and full reviews of those models, plus other high-ranking options.
Types of VR Headsets
Tethered: A tethered headset connects to a gaming PC or console to run your existing games. Because the processing is taking place in a device separate from the headset itself, the experience can be much more complex and intricate, giving it better imaging and spatial movement. This kind of headset will have six-degrees-of-freedom (or DOF, which we get into below) motion tracking, meaning that it can display both direction and position changes (forward and backward, lateral and vertical, and up and down). Unfortunately, it also must connect by a long cord, which can be a nuisance when you’re moving around. A tethered option will also be on the more expensive side, the most affordable being around $400—and that’s just for the headset. In order to run properly and efficiently, it also requires a powerful PC, Xbox, or PlayStation. Any PC running a tethered VR headset should have at least 16GB of RAM, plus a solid GPU and CPU, and could significantly add to the expense. But there’s a good range of decent gaming desktops if you don’t have one already and are looking to invest for use with a VR headset.
Standalone: This was the original format that brought VR gaming into our homes. These headsets function on their own without the need for a connected phone, console, or PC. While they began as a bit of a novelty, they’ve improved to handle impressive gameplay and are arguably also the future of VR. They’ll cost roughly the same as some tethered models, but can get up to around $600. And with advances in tech, they’re now able to do essentially everything that a tethered VR console can and sometimes with better optics and spacial movement. While the headset and controllers are wireless, they do require batteries and must be charged between uses. Though some games will only run on PCs or consoles, some standalone models (like the Oculus Quest) can also connect to a PC and double as a tethered headset, significantly broadening your gaming options.
Mobile: A mobile headset functions as a sort of shell for your phone, using lenses to separate the mobile screen into two images, one for each eye. While these do provide a basic VR experience, it’s somewhat limited as it uses only three degrees of freedom, which can track your direction but not position. Most don’t include a controller for gaming, but those that do usually only offer one controller with 3DOF. The upside is that they’re generally inexpensive and can come in under $100, so if you’re looking for a budget entrance into the VR experience, this is your best bet. Also be aware that you won’t be able to play the same games on a mobile device as you can on a tethered or standalone version. All of your games will be app-based, so it’s meant more for a visual experience than gaming interactions.
Degrees of Freedom
DOF determines how realistic your VR experience will be. If you want to be fully immersed, you’ll want to opt for 6DOF, which will allow you to move through space, not just change the direction you’re looking. If you’re simply interested more in viewing the game without realistically moving through it, you’ll be fine with 3DOF.
3DOF: 3DOF can follow the direction that you’re looking, so essentially up, down, left, right. But you cannot move around in the space.
6DOF: This will follow where you’re looking—again up, down, left, right—but you’ll also be able to move through the virtual space. So when you move, you’ll be able to get closer or farther away from something. This makes your experience look and feel much more realistic.
A Note About Light Leakage
Since VR technology is relatively new, there are still some flaws—the main one being light leakage. Since it’s not possible for the headsets to fit everyone’s face perfectly, there’s often an issue with some light seeping in from the bottom. It’s usually minimal, so most people are able to ignore it, especially when they’re focused on gameplay. But if you’re particularly sensitive to light, you may want to try a few options on before buying if you can, since there’s no real way to adjust the amount of light coming in if the headset doesn’t fit correctly.
However, having a little outside light isn’t always a bad thing. VR can be disorienting, and for those prone to motion sickness, it could cause some queasiness. Some people have found that looking down at the light at the bottom of the headset can help to reset their vision and prevent further disorientation.
