The best VR headsets to buy 2019: Top virtual reality gear
The idea of virtual reality or VR isn't new of course. It's been circulating in the tech space for a number of years, but recently, the technology has broken through some of the long-standing barriers.
In recent years, these VR headsets have become more and more accessible both in terms of price and usability. It might have started with devices like Google's Cardboard opening the door for anyone with a smartphone, but even the high-end headsets are now easier to use and more appealing too.
Modern gaming machines are also more capable and can help deliver lifelike virtual environments in the comfort of your home and this makes it a much more exciting time for VR.
We've listed some of the top VR systems available in this feature.
The best VR solutions we'll be covering include these - prices range dramatically as we cover all bases.
- Oculus Rift S
- Oculus Rift
- HTC Vive
- HTC Vive Pro
- Oculus Quest
- Windows Mixed Reality
- PlayStation VR
- Samsung Gear VR
- Google Daydream View
- and many more...
HTC Vive Cosmos
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The HTC Vive Cosmos is one of the latest additions to the HTC VR headset line-up. It's also seemingly a competitor to the Oculus Rift S as it features inside-out tracking and an easier setup process than previous Vive headsets. It also has a modular faceplate meaning it can be upgraded in future. Specs-wise it's one of the best VR headsets on the list, we also found it comfortable, capable and fun to use.
It is pricey, but has a nice feature set that makes it worth considering. It is also considerably cheaper than the HTC Vive Pro and a great alternative if you're considering that headset but were put off by price.
Oculus Rift S
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The Oculus Rift S is the newest flagship VR headset from Oculus. It's intended as a replacement of the original headset (which is still a great buy if you can get it second hand) and features a number of enhancements that make it well worth considering.
The Rift S is a tethered virtual reality headset that requires a decent gaming PC to run, but delivers a fantastic gaming experience with brilliant visuals, audio and room-scale play. This headset is designed with "inside-out" tracking meaning all the sensors are built right into the device and as such, it's one of the easiest PC tethered headsets to use.
The best part is the Oculus Rift S is compatible with Rift games and you can buy new experiences from Steam or the Oculus store. This means there's access to thousands of games, so plenty to play. It's also comfortable, capable and fantastic fun to boot.
Oculus Rift
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Oculus Rift, over time, has probably commanded more attention than any other VR system. It first launched as a Kickstarter project and then acquired by Facebook, before going on to becomes one of the most exciting VR systems of its time.
It's now been replaced by the Oculus Rift S, but is still worth buying if you can find it for a bargain price.
The system comprises a headset that's loaded with sensors, offering a display for each eye and integrated headphones. It comes with a camera to add more movement detection information and ships with bespoke Oculus Touch controllers. You will also need a high-spec PC to run Oculus Rift, however, and this isn't included in the asking price for the kit.
The result is a canny VR system and one that's capable of creating some amazing VR worlds and games.
Oculus Rift is definitely in the premium VR category. We loved this VR device when we reviewed it and have carried on using it for multiple game reviews since.
If you're considering purchasing the Oculus Rift, we've also put together a list of the best games to buy for it.
Read our full review: Oculus Rift
HTC Vive
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Like Oculus Rift, HTC Vive is a full system VR experience that requires a powerful PC to run.
HTC Vive uses sensors that can be mounted on walls to map your location in the physical space, integrating this into the virtual world. The downside is that you'll also need a big enough play space to use it in that fashion.
The headset integrates a range of sensors, presenting the slick visuals to your eyes and you have to wear additional headphones to complete the picture. There are bespoke Vive hand controllers and their locations are also mapped within the 3D space, offering plenty of versatility when it comes to immersion and interactivity.
We've experienced a wide range of different environments within HTC Vive, from climbing Everest to maintaining robots in a Portal-style setting and we've been blown away. However, setting the device up is tricky, so sensor placement is paramount.
There are plenty of amazing experiences available on the HTC Vive and it's a brilliant system to own. You can also enhance your experience with a variety of upgrades and additional accessories that make VR gaming even more enjoyable.
Read our full review: HTC Vive
HTC Vive Pro
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The HTC Vive Pro is the upgraded and enhanced version of the HTC Vive and is pitched by HTC as the "professional-grade" VR headset. With an increased pixel density, enhanced resolution and improved audio which includes Hi-Res certified headphones and spatial sound capabilities, this headset is the pinnacle of the VR experience.
The HTC Vive Pro needs a powerful machine to run well, but it will truly blow your socks off. This is headset takes the solid foundations of the original Vive headset and improves upon them in every area. It's more comfortable, more visually stunning and offers an incredibly immersive gaming experience.
This headset does come with a hefty price tag though, almost as much as the gaming PC you'll need to run it. It's also available to buy on its own - but in order to get it to work you also need to purchase the tracking base stations and controllers at extra expense or with the Vive Pro Starter Kit for £1048/$1099. It's more of an upgrade for current Vive owners than something you'd buy outright unless you have a lot of spare cash. You do get what you pay for though and this headset is no doubt the very best VR experience currently.
If this package doesn't sound appealing enough, you can always splash an extra bit of cash on another version of the Vive Pro that has eye-tracking built into it as well. The HTC Vive Pro Eye is a nod to the future of VR and controller-free experiences and gaming too.
Read our full review: HTC Vive Pro review: The best VR experience, bar none... if you can afford it
Oculus Quest
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The Oculus Quest is a new headset from Oculus that represents a middle-ground for virtual reality gaming. It's a standalone device that packs some clever hardware that allows for six degrees of freedom movement thanks to built-in tracking. It doesn't need to be tethered to a gaming PC or phone in order to run and yet is capable of delivering some impressive gaming experiences.
The Oculus Quest is also cross-compatible with the other Oculus headsets, meaning if you own one, you can play with friends who own an Oculus Rift with no troubles at all. The Quest is bigger and better than the Oculus Go (featured elsewhere in this list) and is a perfect mid-level device for those looking to get into VR gaming in a serious way.
Read our full review: Oculus Quest review: A cable-free VR experience that's surprisingly satisfying
Acer AH101 Windows Mixed Reality
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This is a bit of a Windows Mixed Reality bucket. Windows Mixed Reality is a newcomer to VR. It needs the latest version of Windows 10 to run, but the idea is to bring VR to the masses, by making the hardware more affordable, the software standard and the PC requirements more accessible.
Although we've seen a number of headsets and have reviewed the Acer and Asus headsets in detail. Acer succeeds in bringing the price down although there are some compromises along the way and the materials do feel a little cheap. The design is good, but there's a little too much light leakage from the back which brings the experience down.
You can get your hands on the Acer headset for around £400/$400 so it's a cheaper option. In the Black Friday sales, the price dipped even lower. The PC requirements are also lower than with the Vive and Rift too, making this headset more accessible to the masses.
WMR headsets can now access the full library of VR games on Steam thanks to Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR. This means you can play a mass of brilliant virtual reality games without spending a fortune.
Read the full review: Acer AH101 Mixed Reality Headset
Asus Windows Mixed Reality Headset
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If you're considering a WMR headset then the Asus version is another option. It features an easily adjustable fit, with a flip-up visor which allows for easy on/off access and brilliant comfort. It's also incredibly easy to set up and use.
Like the Acer WMR headset, it's not as good specs-wise as the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift, but that doesn't matter when it's easy to use and simple to power too. We really liked the funky looking design of this headset which really makes it stand out from the crowd.
The only downside to the flip-up visor design is the amount of light it lets in from behind, which can sometimes we be distracting.
Access to a large library of VR games via Steam should certainly have some pull. As should the reasonable pricing.
Read the full review: Asus Windows Mixed Reality Headset review
Sony PlayStation VR
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Rather than presenting a complete VR system, Sony's PS VR is an accessory for the PS4, PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro consoles, meaning it is less costly to own than something like Oculus Rift or HTC Vive.
The headset itself is around £200 ($268) and the fact that the console is less pricey than a high-end gaming PC keeps costs down further. PlayStation VR uses the same technologies as the others, although its screen resolution is lower than those used by HTC and Oculus.
It tracks the movement of your head and uses the PlayStation Camera, in combination with your regular PS4 controller or PlayStation Move motion controls, to present the VR experience. This is an extension of your PS4, which is likely to see it as an easy VR choice for many.
There is a hearty line-up of content available, with Resident Evil 7, Driveclub VR, Skyrim VR, Doom VFR, Gran Turismo Sport and others all supporting PS VR.
PlayStation VR removes plenty of barriers to virtual reality because it's an accessory to an existing platform. It brings immersive gaming to your existing console and is widely available.
Read our full review: PlayStation VR
Samsung Gear VR
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Samsung was one of the early movers on VR, launching the Gear VR headset, co-developed with Oculus, and designed to support a smartphone, rather than needing a connection to a PC or console.
There have been several versions of Gear VR, supporting a number of different smartphone models from Samsung, with the handsets neatly sliding into the tray at the front. Internally there are lenses to split the display between your eyes and with Samsung's latest devices offering very high-resolution displays, this translates into slick visuals.
Gear VR is available for under £100, and there's an optional controller too. You'll need to make sure it's going to fit your chosen Samsung smartphone. The newest version is compatible with a variety of devices including the Galaxy Note 9, S9, S9+, Note8, S8, S8+, S7, S7 edge and more
Gear VR opens the door to mobile devices, but you'll need to supply the Samsung smartphone.
Oculus Go vs Samsung Gear VR vs Oculus Rift: What's the difference?
Read our full review: Samsung Gear VR Consumer Edition
Oculus Go
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Oculus Go is an all-in-one headset based on a mobile platform. It's a step up from the Samsung Gear VR in that it doesn't require a phone to run. It also has better specifications that include a high-resolution display (2560 x 1440 WQHD resolution) and wireless spatial audio. With a reasonable price tag, the Oculus Go is an affordable and easily accessible way to get into virtual reality.
This headset is compatible with all the experiences currently available for the Samsung Gear VR - meaning over 1,000 games, apps, videos and more. It's also remarkably easy to pick up and use, so a great starting point for anyone looking to get into VR without all the expense that comes with other devices that require a phone or gaming PC to run.
Read our full review: Oculus Go review: Affordable VR for the masses
Google Cardboard
Google Cardboard was first unveiled in 2014, as quite literally a folding cardboard container into which a smartphone could be placed. The beauty of Google Cardboard is two-fold: firstly, the hardware cost is almost minimal, often free, and secondly, it's universal, supporting a wide range of smartphone models - essentially, anything that will fit into the front and stay secure.
Google Cardboard is something of a breakaway success, allowing people to sample VR content (be that from Google or elsewhere), without having to invest in a more substantial system: Google reported that five million Cardboard viewers had shipped up to 2016.
Google has a range of applications for the device, and has highlighted VR for development and investment in the future. Importantly, Cardboard is not only this cardboard viewer, but also the name of a VR platform from Google, now superseded by Daydream.
Cardboard is really an ad hoc VR viewer: there's no head strap and if there was it would be uncomfortable to wear, instead intended to be held to the face to view the content. There are a range of Cardboard apps for content, as well as being able to view 360 environments such as Google Street View or watching 360 content on YouTube.
Cardboard makes perfect sense: if you want to dip your toe into VR without spending a fortune, this is a good place to start.
Read our full review: Google Cardboard
Microsoft HoloLens
Microsoft surprised everyone when it entered the world of virtual and augmented reality. It unveiled the Microsoft HoloLens headset, which works with Windows Holographic, a technology that adds 3D images in the world around us all. Technically this is more augmented reality than virtual reality, but it's playing in the same space as some of these other systems, with Microsoft calling it Mixed Reality.
Microsoft wants to introduce augmented reality objects into every aspect of our world. Obviously, that won't happen with the naked eye, but users wearing HoloLens will be able to see holographic images overlaid onto real objects in front of them. A full Windows 10 system is built into the headset and it runs off a battery, so it's completely untethered.
The headset displays digital images into your real-world field of view. You can then view and even interact with these digitised-objects as if they were in the room with you. Using Kinect-style tech to recognise gestures and voice commands, the system features a 120-degree field of vision on both axis and is capable of high definition visuals.
Read our full preview: Microsoft HoloLens
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