Best VR headset for the 360 experience

Best VR headset
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The best VR headset has been a hot topic amongst gamers for a while, but Virtual Reality technology has numerous applications for creatives and consumers too, not least communication through digital 3D environments – and for getting an immersive view of stills and photos shot with 360 cameras.

Attention on Virtual Reality (VR) comes in waves, usually associated with movies or major product announcements – Playstation VR turned a few heads, and rumors about Apple’s drawing board are doing so now. That said, the term VR is thrown around far less carelessly than in the past, with the world seemingly having agreed clear lines between fully immersive VR and alternatives which once would have been muddled in like Augmented Reality (AR) – where an image is projected over your real view – and Smart Glasses – which can be like Bluetooth headphones with a camera (see our best camera glasses guide). 

There are two distinct ways to deliver VR, in standalone form, using technology built into the headset – or via a connection to a PC which does the computing. The former is obviously more convenient, while the latter provides more power for graphics and a potentially broader social experience.

In terms of the best VR headset tech, we’re past sticking our phones to our faces in a cardboard box and getting eye strain; what you need to look out for are:

The best VR headsets 

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

(Image credit: Oculus)

1. Oculus Quest 2

Best budget all-in-one or PC VR goggles

Specifications

Connection: Wireless or PC Link
Resolution: 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye
Refresh: 90Hz
Field of view: 90˚
Degrees of freedom: 6
Motion tracking: 4 built-in cameras
Weight: 503g

Reasons to buy

+
Oculus Link option for desktop computer
+
Edge-to-edge clarity 
+
Oculus Link option for desktop computer

Reasons to avoid

-
Cloth strap presses ears
-
Link system sends compressed video
-
Lower field of view

The Oculus Quest 2 makes a fair claim for best VR goggles straight out of the gate since they offer their own standalone environment or a PC connection. With a RGB stripe panel of around 3664 x 1920 (shared between the eyes); there is a high resolution for the money backed up with a Qualcom XR2 processor to support the on-board interaction. There are three IPD settings (software settings – not ideal, but OK) and dioptre adjustments on offer for comfort, too.

The Quest has two hand controllers with movement tracking; if you encountered the previous Quest, they’re not significantly different but the battery life is notably longer and the thumb rest larger. 

For heavy users, there are two ‘Elite Headstrap’ options; both have a firmer grip on the back of the head and one even adds a battery. These are good options to have. Facebook dissenters will also appreciate that Meta-owned Oculus no longer requires an account.

Top tip: If you see the 64GB version, don’t buy it; Oculus have ditched it for 128GB without increasing the price!

(Image credit: HP)

2. HP Reverb G2

Mid-price headset with great resolution

Specifications

Connection: Wired
Resolution: 2160 x 2160 pixels per eye
Refresh: 90Hz
Field of view: 114˚
Degrees of freedom: 6
Motion tracking: 4 built-in cameras
Weight: 608g

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent visual clarity
+
Off-ear headphones
+
Windows Mixed Reality compatibility

Reasons to avoid

-
Switching from WMR to Steam fiddly
-
Velcro adjustment can trap hair

The HP Reverb G2 is a logical choice for commercial use. This headset is based on the Window Mixed Reality (WMR) platform built right into Windows 10, so is automatically recognised by the OS; in this space you can use communications platforms like AltspaceVR.

It offers dioptre and full manual IPD adjustment, has the convenience of not requiring external tracking, and enough resolution to almost entirely eliminate screen door effect. It’s easily possible to read text inside the VR environment; useful, but at the cost of requiring a PC graphics card capable of providing 4K graphics (then again, better graphics are a plus for everything in VR, so that’s hardly a complaint). 

The HP software is also capable of accessing Steam’s platform for gamers. The controllers are tracked using four built-in cameras, allowing you to really wave your hands around without the system losing them. The audio is provided by off-ear speakers which are held a little way from the ear; less distracting than headphones and offering a good range of tone. 

(Image credit: HTC)

3. HTC Vive Pro 2

VR system with eye tracking option

Specifications

Connection: Wired
Resolution: 2448 x 2448 pixels per eye
Refresh: 120Hz
Field of view: 120˚
Degrees of freedom: 6
Motion tracking: 4 built-in cameras
Weight: 608g

Reasons to buy

+
High refresh rate & 5K resolution
+
Rotary IPD adjustment
+
Dual built-in mic

Reasons to avoid

-
Not cheap
-
No significant change to 2016 wands

The HTC Vive Pro 2 is a powerful VR headset, with very high resolution from its dual RGB OLED and a full range of on-board sensors. The ergonomics include a broad IPD adjustment of 57-70mm with a pleasing rotary adjustment (no clunky steps).

The tracking requires ‘lighthouses’ placed around the room. Compatibility with Steam VR bases is included, and many would argue choosing the Valve Index’s controllers actually preferable. That option is appreciated, and in a commercial environment you can add up to 4 base stations for a vast 10 x 10m area of movement.

Vive is a flexible platform, and (limited to 90Hz) there is a wireless adaptor available for $250. Those looking to re-create real-life interactions might also be interested in the Pro Eye eye tracking option.

(Image credit: HTC)

4. HTC Vive Cosmos

High-quality VR without base stations

Specifications

Connection: PC Link
Resolution: 1440 x 1700 per eye
Refresh: 90 Hz
Field of view: 110˚
Degrees of freedom: 6
Motion tracking: 6 built-in cameras
Weight: 503g

Reasons to buy

+
Upgradeability
+
Attached headphone design is convenient
+
Firm plastic head hold

Reasons to avoid

-
Lenses could be better
-
Software can be irksome

The Vive Cosmos grants access to the high-spec VR HTC’s customer’s expect, without the inconvenience of placing base stations for tracking. Six cameras in the headset take over this job. For the most part it retains compatibility with the established series accessories, including the option of a wireless adapter. On the down-side, there has been little evolution in the controllers, but on the plus side a wireless system compatible with this is HTC’s Vive is an option. 

The headset cameras don’t hurt with tracking the controllers (fewer dead-zones) but the elimination of external ‘lighthouses’ when it comes to tracking both saves money and is a huge boon for portability.

We like that you can flip up the front of the goggles, helmet style, for a quick real-world view (be that to get a breath of reality or check your texts). 

(Image credit: Pimax)

5. Pimax Vision 8K X VR

High resolution and field of view

Specifications

Connection: Wired
Resolution: 3840 x 2160px per eye
Refresh: 75Hz Native (114Hz upscaling)
Field of view: 200˚
Degrees of freedom: 6
Motion tracking: Lighthouses
Weight: 2.2lbs / 998g

Reasons to buy

+
Ultra-wide field of view 
+
Excellent detail
+
Extensive configuration options

Reasons to avoid

-
Headset is enormous
-
Will require software maintenance
-
Upsampled resolutions 

Pimax’s range of powerful VR goggles are the result of Kickstarters and the firm caters firmly for the hardcore enthusiast niche. With a field-of-view not dissimilar to the real human experience, these goggles afford a broad perspective of the world you choose; the resolution all but eliminates the screen-door effect seen on lower resolution devices, too. 

Despite the angular shape, the materials are soft touch. Underneath they operate the Oculus platform, so will befriend plenty of VR accessories, but be prepared for a little bit of geeking out; Pimax’s roots are sometimes a little bit too clear when it comes to driver compatibility, though this is being worked on. You’ll also want a very powerful graphics card to drive these goggles; perhaps an RTX 3090 (which costs over twice what the goggles do).

On the plus side, the firm’s team are listeners, so the PiTools software is getting ever easier to cope with.

(Image credit: Valve)

6. Valve Index

The Steam gamer’s headset makes alternate worlds smooth

Specifications

Connection: Wired
Resolution: 1440 x 1600 per eye
Refresh: 80 - 144Hz
Field of view: 130˚
Degrees of freedom: 6
Motion tracking: Lighthouses
Weight: 809g

Reasons to buy

+
Finger Tracking
+
Separate adjustments for top and back of head
+
Top-notch audio

Reasons to avoid

-
Requires lighthouses
-
Older product

Steam is a gaming platform, and the Steam Index is designed with that in mind, but VR productivity includes game-like scenarios (who hasn’t sat in a meeting and wanted a plasma rifle?). The company’s own VR goggles design skews toward creating a smooth flowing environment, so the resolution isn’t the highest, but they’re capable of a relatively high refresh rate (reducing the risk of nausea), while the RGB pixel arrangement makes for excellent clarity.

The Valve Index uses external lighthouses for motion tracking, but the hand “knuckles” more than make up for any inconvenience there; the grip features individual finger tracking which – given the right software – can offer an amazing experience, though it is one largely skewed toward gaming via the Steams VR platform (Valve created Half-Life).

The field of view is broad, so play is more immersive and despite the fact this device is around two years old it’s still one of the most popular in VR. 

Read more

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Adam Juniper
Managing Editor

With over 20 years of expertise as a tech journalist, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge across a vast number of product categories, including timelapse cameras, home security cameras, NVR cameras, photography books, webcams, 3D printers and 3D scanners, borescopes, radar detectors… and, above all, drones. 


Adam is our resident expert on all aspects of camera drones and drone photography, from buying guides on the best choices for aerial photographers of all ability levels to the latest rules and regulations on piloting drones. 


He is the author of a number of books including The Complete Guide to Drones, The Smart Smart Home Handbook, 101 Tips for DSLR Video and The Drone Pilot's Handbook