Best Virtual Reality Headsets

The HTC Vive Pro has been described as the most complete gaming package and, truth be told, drawing comparisons between this product and its VR competition is not easy. It's not easy because the package is, indeed, quite complete. Sure, the price is also not very modest, so we will not be comparing this device to Oculus Go and even Oculus Quest because we're talking about different price brackets here. Where premium, complete VR packages are concerned though, the Vive Pro is hard to compete with. Everything starts with the device's resolution since the more pixel density you're working with the sharper the graphics will be, reproducing crisp visuals and detailed imagery. The headset gives you two AMOLED 3.5" displays, with native resolution reaching 2880 x 1600 (1440 х 1600 on each eye) and the refresh rate capping at 90 Hz.

The best thing about the Oculus Quest is that the device is a standalone gaming platform. You don't have to connect the headset to your PC. There are no wires to worry about here.

In fact, you'll be able to take the headset and controllers with you and play VR games anywhere you want. You'll have no issues playing standing up and/or sitting down. You'll have no issues playing in spaces big and/or small. The company's Guardian system is able to remember your play space's boundaries and help you avoid nearby objects while you're in the virtual reality experience.

Bottom line, we're dealing with arguably the most practical and convenient virtual reality headset on the market today.

You'll be able to set the system up in seconds. The free Oculus app is compatible with most iPhone (iOS 10 or higher) and Android (6.0 Marshmallow or higher) smartphones. Of course, that's far from the model's only appeal. At the end of the day, what matters is how fun and immersive the system is and this particular system is plenty fun and ridiculously immersive.

The company's Insight tracking system instantly translates your movements into the virtual world. You won't need any external sensors. The system couldn't care less about which way you're facing. You'll be able to look around, duck for cover, and turn the tide of the battle from just about anywhere in your play space.

The Samsung HMD Odyssey+ definitely has its moments compared to the model's predecessor as well as every other VR headset on the market right now. As far as we're concerned, it all starts with the visuals. There's just something about the model's merged double 3.5-inch AMOLED screen setup with a 3K display (that something is an incredibly realistic all-around view). At the same time, the headset's 110-degree viewing angle gives you that fluid and immersive virtual experience whenever you glimpse over/around the surroundings.

Sometimes, it is the little details that raise the overall experience. Other times, it is the company's Anti-Screen Door Effect tech that works wonders effectively delivering more than twice the display's resolution pixel count. Among other features, this technology will make your VR adventures crisp, clear, and as seamless as they come.

Given that the audio part matters just as much as the video part, the people behind the HMD Odyssey+ headset made sure to arm this model with the company's best tech.

Equipped with robust built-in headphones that are tuned by AKG, this headset for PC lets you experience equally rich and dynamic 360-degree spatial sound, providing audio so natural it will make you feel like actual real-life sounds are coming at you from all directions. There's also the built-in mic that you can use to chat with teammates as well as control your PC via Cortana.

The Sony PlayStation VR is pretty much the promised land for VR on consoles. In some ways, the system isn't necessarily as polished and refined as its Oculus/HTC competition. But this headset doesn't really compete with these platforms.

First and foremost, the price brackets are completely different. This headset is 2-3 less expensive compared to Oculus Quest and HTC Vive. At the same time, compared to the latter, the headset doesn't work independently. You'll need a PS4 to use the headset. Of course, that's still great (on the cost-value front) compared to HTC Vive since the latter is much more expensive and requires a solid rig to run its games.

Now that we've covered logistics, let's talk features and specs because the model is no joke in these departments.

The custom 5.7-inch OLED screen will let you see and experience hyper-real 3D environments come to life. The headset is able to deliver 120 frames per second, so you'll be able to enjoy ridiculously smooth visuals and just as ridiculously low latency that, combined, will create the most immersive virtual reality experience.

The model's 360-degree immersion works wonders making you an actual part of the living, breathing virtual world with its seamless field of view. Whichever way you turn, the virtual world is still there.

Provided you don't own a PS4 console, the Oculus Go Standalone Virtual Reality Headset is the most affordable quality VR headset you can find. It is definitely the most affordable standalone virtual reality headset that can still tussle with the best VR headsets on the market today.

As you'd imagine, that standalone refers to the fact that you can use the headset without connecting this thing with some other device. Of course, it is all about cutting the cord. You'll still have to link the headset with your smartphone to play games and stream your favorite content. You will, however, be able to do that using the built-in Wi-Fi module, so, again, you won't have to deal with any cords. Plus, you can always take this very much portable headset with you wherever you go and enjoy quality virtual reality experience just about anywhere you want.

As far as the overall experience is concerned, there's not that much to cover here. On one hand, the headset is pretty good at bringing virtual experiences to life, delivering rich details and vibrant color with the company's best-in-class lenses. The crystal-clear optics work together with the optimized 3D graphics module to provide the highest visual clarity that 200 bucks can buy.

On the other hand, the available games definitely cater more to the casual crowd. They're fun and engaging but not necessarily challenging.