Virtual reality, or VR for short, was supposed to be the next big thing in tech. While it hasn’t quite gotten there yet, it’s surely come a long way. If you’re just getting into VR, and you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a high-end headset, start with this list of affordable headsets.
FYI: if you’re curious about Apple’s extended reality (XR) headset, see what we think about the Vision Pro.
Meta Quest 3s
PlayStation VR
PICO 4
Meta Quest 3
PlayStation VR2
Our Criteria
While we considered pricing in this list of affordable headsets, it’s not very helpful if you pay little for something and it still doesn’t provide value for money. Having a VR headset that will last you at least a few years (and potentially has sell-on value) is also important. To help you make the best possible buying decision, we considered multiple aspects when choosing the best affordable headsets for this list.
Comfort
Playing VR games is no fun if your headset feels clunky or starts to hurt within a few minutes of wearing it. We therefore factored design into our criteria, while also assessing what the product is made of.
Battery Life
VR headsets are notorious for not having a long battery life compared to other tech products, but it’s still an important consideration. Many of these headsets can compete with more expensive options in this area, and we factored battery life into our criteria so that you could balance this and its features.
Features
When assessing the best affordable VR headsets, we looked at controllers and other features (e.g. spatial awareness). You may need to make trade-offs in some areas, but you should be able to choose based on your deal-breakers.
Resolution
You don’t want to play VR games without high-quality screen resolution, and as a result, this was a very important consideration. 90Hz was our minimum threshold.
1. Best Overall: Meta Quest 3s
Price: $299.99
The Meta Quest 3s is a lighter version of the flagship Meta Quest 3, and we think it’s the best VR headset when balancing affordability and features. You’ll get a high-resolution definition of 1832 x 1920 pixels, and with the Meta Elite Strap, it should fit around your head comfortably.
The Meta Quest 3s’s controllers come with TruTouch Haptics, making it easier to navigate the games you play. Moreover, you can get Batman: Arkham Shadow as a part of your package. The headset is available with 128GB or 256GB of storage.
Good to know: fascinated by the metaverse? Check out the best metaverse games you can play right now.
2. Best for Unique Catalogs: PlayStation VR
Price: $399.99
You may be familiar with the PlayStation VR, if you’ve been a dedicated PS4 gamer. Considering how long it’s been since its launch, you could be wondering why it’s on the list. Yet, even after the popularity of the PlayStation VR2, the original PS VR remains a fan favorite (if you’re able to find one), thanks to its slightly lower price and a separate library of VR titles.
The 5.7-inch OLED display is limited to a 1920 x 1080 resolution, but you still get support for 120Hz. For head tracking, you’ll need to buy the PSVR Camera separately, as there’s no inside-out tracking available here. While you can play most of the games using the DualShock 4 controller, the PS Move controllers will enhance your gameplay (also sold separately).
3. Best for Performance: PICO 4
Price: $705.10
This could be blurring the line between budget and premium, but the PICO 4 is one of the best VR headsets you can buy. While not available in the US officially (due to the US heat on its manufacturer, TikTok parent company ByteDance), you can find it on Amazon or even import one from Amazon UK. The specs and performance just may convince you to do it.
Compared to the Quest 2’s fresnel lenses, you’re getting pancake lenses with a whopping 4320 x 2160 resolution in each eye. With a 90Hz refresh rate and the Qualcomm Snapdragion XR2 under the hood, the result is a much sharper viewing experience, with less noticeable artifacts.
It’s also much lighter than many other VR headsets, while still having novelty features, like 6 DoF (degrees of freedom) inside-out tracking.
Tip: Are you still not sold on the VR hype? Read through the awesome things you can do with a VR headset.
4. Best for AR and VR: Meta Quest 3
Price: $499.99
The Meta Quest 3 could be the best standalone VR headset you can buy right now. There are many reasons for that: the Snapdragon XR Gen 2 chip, a 2064 x 2208 resolution in each eye, pancake lenses, and color pass-through cameras. Besides the upgraded processor and resolution over the Meta Quest 2, the color cameras allow for AR experiences on this VR headset, resulting in a whole new experience.
Comfortable to wear for longer sessions, the Quest 3’s upgraded capabilities allow for more powerful VR games, as well as entry-level mixed-reality experiences. Just like Quest 2, connecting the headset to your PC for higher quality VR is possible with Meta Quest Link. You get a set of Touch Plus controllers in the box for excellent hand tracking.
FYI: loved Pokémon Go? Learn all you need to about augmented reality.
5. Best for Playstation Lovers: PlayStation VR2
Price: $549.99
The upgraded PlayStation VR2 launched in early 2023, taking full benefit of the PS5’s powerful hardware. Apart from the 2000 x 2040 resolution in each eye, OLED display, and comfortable design, the headset now comes with inside-out tracking for a much more advanced and immersive VR experience.
Just like the PS5’s DualSense controller, the PS VR2 Sense controllers have advanced haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, precision tracking, and touch detection. This new headset is a far cry from the capabilities of the PS VR, and could be perfect for you if you’ve made the upgrade to the PS5.
While you won’t be able to play any of the PS VR titles, the PS VR2 library is strong, with titles like Horizon: Call of the Mountain, Jurassic World Aftermath, Gran Turismo 7, No Man’s Sky, and Resident Evil Village.
If you feel like you’re unable to afford the Vision Pro, you’ll find plenty of cool headsets for VR gaming that don’t cost $3,500. VR headsets are still worth buying, even if you’re looking for an entry-level option, and many have excellent (and expanding) game catalogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of VR headset do I need to play Steam VR on my gaming PC?
You’ll need a headset compatible with SteamVR or Steam Link. The Meta Quest 3, for example, works with Steam Link.
What do you need to use a VR headset?
Your headset needs to be compatible with the games console you plan to use, and you should also have controllers. You can sometimes play with wires, but this isn’t necessary most of the time.
Do VR headsets require a PC?
No; you can also use VR headsets with your PlayStation or another gaming system.
Image credit: Unsplash
