If you’re sorting through high priced VR options, this guide highlights the headsets that deliver real value and the ones that might not be worth the premium.
Virtual reality offers one of the most unique ways to interact with software. Whether you’re playing intense games or meeting with others through your computer, using a high-quality headset will help immerse you completely in your experience. The history of virtual reality is filled with twists, turns, and technological improvements. Today, VR hardware has powerful options for those willing to spend more.
While most people are familiar with the Meta Quest 3, other companies have been making strides in the realm of VR. We still don’t have a concrete date on the next Meta headset, so this article focuses on other companies with their own hardware options. Here, you’ll be able to find some of the best VR headsets from major companies currently available today. While many of these companies have multiple VR options, this article will only look at the best of the best, the most capable and most feature-rich options you can find.PlayStation VR2 ($400)
The PlayStation VR2 is Sony’s latest virtual reality offering. Priced at $400, it offers OLED displays, a 2000×2040 resolution, a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz, and a 110-degree viewing angle. Although it’s designed for PlayStation, it’s not very difficult to get the headset working on your PC. For console-exclusive buyers, though, a PlayStation VR2 will be the best way to play virtual reality PS5 games.
While the PlayStation VR2 isn’t Sony’s first VR headset, it’s certainly the best. The original PS VR had a much lower resolution at 1920×1080, though it did also come with the benefit of working on PS4 consoles. The VR2 headset doesn’t have that bonus, and although the PS5 is backward compatible with most PS4 titles, the same can’t be said for VR games. However, some releases offer separate VR modes for both headsets, letting you make the most of the VR2’s improvements without locking you out of too much of your existing library.Valve Index ($999)
Even today, the Valve Index stands as a VR headset that’s actually worth buying — even if your budget isn’t quite unlimited. A full kit with the headset, base stations, and controllers is set at around $999, though the headset itself can be had for just $499. Its resolution isn’t the most impressive at 1440×1600, but it supports 144Hz and comes with its own speakers. Plus, whether you buy the full kit or just the headset, you’ll get a copy of „Half-Life: Alyx“ for free.
It should be noted that this headset won’t be the best option from Valve for long. The Steam Frame is set to release by early 2026, and it promises higher resolutions on top of wireless and standalone functionality. As a result of this new headset, the Index was discontinued. The kit is no longer available, though you can still get the older model’s hardware through separate purchases while supplies last. But if you’re willing to wait a couple more months, the Steam Frame will be the new best VR option from Valve.
