What are the best VR headsets for gaming? Well, that’s a tricky question. While VR gaming still hasn’t taken off in the way that many assumed it might have by the year 2025, it’s still a growing niche market with plenty of options, including everything from big hitters such as the PlayStation VR 2 to the more affordable Meta Quest 3S. The aim of this guide is to help you find which is the best for you.
Our list takes everything into account, from the value for money to the quality of the build and the visuals. Admittedly, there aren’t too many options to choose from, but we’re confident that all the picks we’ve included are worth at least trying, no matter whether you’re a VR veteran or you’re taking your first step into virtual reality. Still, if you’re second-guessing that step, we’ve also got a guide to the best gaming phones, so you can find something to play on that you don’t have to wear over your face.
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Meta Quest 3
The best VR headset for gaming overall.
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| Display | LCD Pancake (2064 x 2208 pixels per eye) |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB |
| Field of view | 110 degrees (horizontal) 96 degrees (vertical) |
| Compatibility | PC, Android, and iPhone |
- Stunning display
- Comfy and compact design
- Easy to use
- Mediocre battery life
- Relies on strong Wi-Fi when wireless
When it comes to both value and the gaming experience, the Meta Quest 3 is the best VR headset for gaming by some distance. It feels comfy on your head, the vivid LCD Pancake display is closer to your eyes than ever without inducing any sort of immediate strain, and the Touch Plus controllers feel great to use in all the best VR games. It’s also remarkably easy to set up, which might help persuade some VR naysayers. Rarely does a generational upgrade feel as revolutionary as the leap from the Meta Quest 2 to the Meta Quest 3.
It’s not a massive surprise how impressive the Quest 3 is, considering the amount of resources Meta has poured into making VR hardware and software. Of all the VR headsets we’ve tried, the Quest 3 feels the most refined. You can tell that a lot of thought has gone into every aspect, from the compact and foldable design to the stellar gaming experience. Although I’ve personally never felt the desire to go all in on VR, using this headset is the closest I’ve come to making the leap and leaving my Steam Deck behind.
Admittedly, while the Meta Quest 3 is great, it’s still not perfect. The roughly two hours of battery life limits how long you can use it without having to plug in, no matter whether you’re gaming or streaming. It’s also reliant on a strong Wi-Fi connection to communicate between the headset and your PC if you’re hoping to play wirelessly, which can get a little irritating if you just want to sit back on the couch and hop into a game.
Meta Quest 3S
The best budget VR headset for gaming.
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| Display | LCD (1832 x 1920 pixels per eye) |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB |
| Field of view | 96 degrees (horizontal), 90 degrees vertical) |
| Compatibility | PC, Android, and iPhone |
- Affordable
- Great performance
- Solid battery life for the price
- Narrower field of view than Quest 3
- 256GB storage limit
For under $350, the Meta Quest 3S is a fantastic option for those who want to get in on the VR gaming fun without taking too big a hit to the wallet. Considering it’s intended as an affordable alternative to the Meta Quest 3, the 3S has a lot of the same hardware and specs as its older sibling console, including the powerful Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip and 8GB of RAM. However, in a win for the 3S, it has a longer battery life than the Quest 3, beating it out by just under 30 minutes.
Just like the Quest 3, the 3S is incredibly simple to set up, taking less than an hour or two, and it’s just as easy to use when you’re up and running thanks to the intuitive Horizon OS software. It also has access to all the Quest 3 exclusives, including Batman: Arkham Shadow and Asgard’s Wrath 2, so you’ve no shortage of great games to play from the get-go.
The biggest difference between the Meta Quest 3S and the 3 is that the budget VR headset is limited to 256GB of storage, while the 3 goes up to 512GB. This is only really a problem if you’ve got a massive library of games, but as most know, games are only getting bigger, so it could become an issue further down the line. It’s also worth noting that the 3S has a slightly narrower field of view than the more expensive 3, with some blurring on the edge of the display. Still, you can’t have everything for $300. Fortunately, what you do get is pretty great.
PlayStation VR2
The best VR headset for console gamers.
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| Display | OLED (2000 x 2040 pixels per eye) |
| Field of view | 110 degrees |
| Compatibility | PlayStation 5 |
- Brilliant OLED display
- Easy to use
- Cool design
- PS5 reliant
- Few exclusives
Our apologies to the Nintendo Labo: VR Kit, but the PlayStation VR2 is easily the best VR headset for console gamers. Not only does it look the part, with its Sense controllers and pure white headset that look almost like something lifted from a sci-fi film, but it also offers fantastic visuals with its OLED display and much-improved movement tracking and field of vision compared to the original PSVR.
When I first checked out the PSVR2, I thought it looked like it might be pretty uncomfortable, but that’s not at all the case. The headset slides on nicely, leaving enough room to not irritate your face while you’re trying to concentrate on a game, and the adjustable strap should fit everyone who wears it (including big heads like me). Like the Meta Quest 3 and 3S, it’s also super easy to set up and is as close to plug-and-play as we’ve seen in a VR headset.
The biggest caveat to the PSVR2 is that it’s entirely dependent on already owning a PlayStation 5. So, if you don’t have the Sony console, you’re going to have to spend upwards of $1,000 to get both the home console and the VR headset before you can start gaming. We also haven’t seen nearly as many PSVR 2 exclusives as we anticipated more than a year after the launch, but in all honesty, you could say the same thing for the PS5 itself, and that could change in the future.
How we chose the best VR headsets for gaming
When putting together our list of the best VR headsets, we consider a lot of things. First and foremost is value. Even the cheapest option on our list is around the $300 mark, but every pick feels like it’s worth the money you spend on it, with no glaring issues that might lead you to feel buyer’s regret.
We also think about how comfortable a VR headset is while you’re wearing it. That’s one of the reasons that we don’t have a much longer list, as while some of the lesser-known VR headsets are technically capable, they lack the ergonomic prowess of the likes of the PSVR 2 or the Meta Quest 3.
Finally, each VR headset’s display is a massive factor, as you’re going to get closer to it than you would with even any handheld gaming console. All the options we’ve included have great displays that don’t strain the eyes, even if some are better than others.
Do I need a PC to use a VR headset?
For both the Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S, you don’t strictly need a PC to use the console, but if you want to have the best possible gaming experience, we’d recommend pairing it with a pretty powerful PC. While the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip inside both devices is one of the better VR chips, it still doesn’t compare to the power of a proper gaming PC, which takes the visuals and performance to the next level.
For the PlayStation VR2, you don’t need a PC, but it’s useless without a PlayStation 5. The PSVR2 is essentially a very fancy PS5 accessory, so if you don’t have the base console, don’t buy one, unless you’re also willing to shell out around $500 for the home console.
That’s our guide to the best VR headsets for gaming. If you’re still not sure whether you’re ready to make the plunge and step into virtual reality, be sure to check out some more gaming options with our guides to the best handheld consoles and the best Steam Deck alternatives for some great tech that you don’t have to wear. Or, if you’re feeling more old-school, see our list of the best retro handhelds.