There are four manufacturers battling to be crowned as the best VR to buy: PlayStation, Valve, Oculus, and HP. As more competition enters the market, consumers have more options as to which VR headset to buy the decision gets harder and harder. Everyone producing headsets is raising their game to exceed user expectations and to become the best. Each company makes a great VR headset, so deciding what virtual reality headset to buy will depend on what features you want most in your VR headset. Compare the details and decide which one is a good fit for you.

Sony PlayStation VR

PlayStation’s VR headset is one of the most affordable options out there. It can be bought on sale for between $200 and $300. They offer a huge selection of games and it’s compatible with a PS4 controller. It should be noted that you need a PS4 to use this headset.

Reasons to buy this headset:

• An affordable price tag.
• Great game selection.
• Compatible with dual shock controllers
• Plays your favorite PS games in VR.

Reasons to pass:

• The graphics aren’t as strong as other systems.
• It will become outdated when PlayStation launches its PS5 VR headset.
• The VR controllers aren’t as intuitive as other models.

Valve Index

Valve’s virtual reality headset is really unique. A few “lighthouses” need to be set up in your play space to create a safe movement area. The controllers are amazing, responding to knuckle pressure that allows you to simulate the movement of all ten fingers. This headset will require a PC with good memory and a graphics card to operate.

Reasons to buy this headset:

• The VR glove-like controller is cutting edge.
• Excellent audio and visual display.
• Compatible with your Vive hardware for mix and match options.
• Play Steam games using this headset.

Reasons to pass:

• This isn’t a wireless headset. It will be tethered to your PC.
• This is one of the most expensive headsets priced at around $1,500.00.
• You’ll need a strong PC to use the headset and the space to set up the required equipment

HP Reverb G2

This is another PC-compatible headset that runs on Windows. It’s got an extremely comfortable design and has the best graphics of all the other options out there. This is a great choice for PC gaming enthusiasts that want to experience high sound quality and the beauty of VR. It’s priced around $450.00.

Reasons to buy this headset:

• The best graphics on the market.
• A comfortable headset with great weight balance.
• The perfect choice for PC gamers.

Reasons to pass:

• The controller isn’t the best option out there.
• Doesn’t include a headphone jack.
• Prone to tracking errors.

Oculus Quest 2

The Oculus Quest is often listed as the best-selling VR headset. Priced at around $300.00, it’s super accessible with a wireless headset that doesn’t require a PC or video game console to run games. Play games through apps that download directly to the headset.

Reasons to buy this headset:

• A super-accessible wireless setup.
• High-resolution graphics and built-in audio speakers.
• Light and comfortable headset.
• Intuitive controllers with a big range of movement.
• Capable of connecting to your PC

Reasons to pass

• A Facebook account is required to use the Oculus Rift.
• The game selection isn’t as broad as other headsets.

More VR Resources:

• VR Headsets: The Ultimate Buying Guide
• The Best VR Headsets of 2021
• Pocket-Lint’s top VR Picks
• PCMag’s Top VR Headsets

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When you’re considering buying your own VR system, you may be asking yourself “where can I buy a virtual reality headset?” With so many different VR console headsets out there for gaming and entertainment, there is a variety of both online and in-person retail options available for whichever model of VR headset you’re considering.

Shopping Big Box Stores for a New VR Headset

Depending on your budget and the model you’re hoping to get, where to buy a virtual reality system may vary. While you can easily find them all at most major online retailers, like Amazon and Newegg, some models are also sold in-store and online at big-box retailers, including Target, Walmart, and Best Buy. Customers can also go straight to the source to buy their preferred virtual reality technology and any other equipment they need for their headset online from the company that created the system they are purchasing.

Shopping Used VR Headsets

When shopping secondhand sites, such as eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, and similar online shops, you’re dealing with individual sellers. You can never be sure you’re getting the best deal because even when the initial price looks good, you may be paying more money for shipping. These secondhand sites are not always known for good customer protection, so if you receive a broken system, your package is lost in transit, or you don’t receive anything at all, it’s harder to put in a ticket to get your money back.

Considerations When Choosing Where to Buy a VR Set

Determining where to buy a virtual reality headset doesn’t have to be difficult. Keep in mind your personal budget and the cost of other games and equipment you plan to buy for your headset and check out a variety of different sources to find the best possible deal. It’s important to know that when you’re searching online for a headset it can be better to spend a little more to shop from a verified online store because, in the end, you will more likely be getting a more affordable system.

Where to Buy an Oculus Quest 2

• Oculus
• Amazon
• Best Buy
• GameStop

• Target
• Walmart
• Newegg

Where to Buy an HTC Vive Cosmos

• Amazon
• Lenovo
• Newegg

• Adorama
• Microsoft
• Walmart

Where to Buy an HTC Vive Pro Eye

• Amazon
• Lenovo

• Newegg
• CDW

Where to Buy an HP Reverb G2

• Amazon
• HP Store

• Walmart
• Staples

Where to Buy PlayStation VR

• Amazon
• Newegg

• PlayStation
• GameStop

Where to Buy an HP Reverb G2

• Amazon

• STEAM

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As this industry grows, there are plenty of different virtual reality (VR) systems on the market and more being added all the time, ranging from simple goggles that integrate with a smartphone to high-end setups with full-body tracking. But which virtual reality console is the best for your needs? The answer will depend on a range of factors, including your price range, compatibility with any existing software or hardware you want to use, and what level of capabilities you want from your virtual reality game system. Examine the pros and cons of some of the top systems out there today to determine the right VR console for you.

Oculus Quest 2

The Oculus Quest 2 is a seamless all-in-one virtual reality system that has a large library of apps. It has a slick and intuitive design with fast performance and great resolution, allowing it to deliver a great VR experience without the need for a powerful computer or a bunch of cables. While it doesn’t need a PC, you can still link it to one to make full use of the library of games available on PC. You do need a Facebook account to use your Oculus Quest 2, though, so if you currently don’t have one, you’ll have to make a new account in order to use this virtual reality set.

HTC Vive

The HTC Vive is a stellar VR gaming system with smooth graphics and adaptable and easy-to-use touch controllers that allow you to move around your room with your headset instead of just standing in one place. Merged with Valve’s Lightroom technology, the HTC Vive allows you to map out a space you can move through for your games without walking into a wall or tripping over something. This VR setup is not ideal for people who live in a smaller apartment, as it requires plenty of space to move around in, as well as a powerful PC to run the experience.

HP Reverb G2

The HP Reverb G2 was created by HP as an alternative to some of the bigger-name virtual reality systems. This VR game set, like other systems, requires a powerful PC to get the best possible resolution but can be run at half-resolution if your PC isn’t as high-end. It has some of the best audio options on the market and is more lightweight and comfortable than other headsets. Unlike other systems, though, the Reverb G2 does not use infrared tracking and instead uses light tracking, which means the controller batteries in this VR set die faster than in other systems. Using light tracking also means that your game is affected by bright sunlight in the room, which can change your in-game experience.

PlayStation VR

If you’d prefer a VR game console over just a headset, the PlayStation VR is your best bet. It is the only VR system that connects to a video game console, combining a comfortable headset with a PS4, PS4 Pro, or PS5, which allows you to use a variety of PlayStation games on your headset. Compared to other systems, the PlayStation VR is much more affordable while still giving you a high-end VR experience. It can also use many of the same games as other VR setups.

Valve Index

After their partnership with HTC to create the Vive headset, Valve went off to create their own VR system and succeeded in this endeavor with the Valve Index. This VR game machine is a high-quality build with the best controllers of any system out there today, and it comes with great expansion options. The images on the Valve Index are incredibly crisp, and the controllers strap on and can be adjusted to the size and shape of your hands, making them more comfortable and intuitive to use. The downsides of this system are that it’s much heavier than others and it doesn’t come with a charging cable, which, considering the hefty price tag, is a bit of a letdown.

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In the realm of virtual reality, Oculus is a big name. Many would list the Oculus Quest as the best VR headset out there, and the company has certainly made big strides in what VR can do for gaming, simulations, and socialization. The virtual reality Oculus Quest 2 headset is one of the few models that doesn’t need wires and doesn’t need a console or PC to run games. Everything it has to offer is contained within the headset.

Who Created Oculus?

The technology used to create the Oculus VR headset was created by Palmer Luckey. He developed the headset with the co-founders of Scaleform. The first game to launch on this prototype was Doom 3: BFG Edition. A Kickstarter was launched to gather funds and give out “dev kits” for backers. The idea of a high-quality, accessible VR headset was so exciting to fans that the Oculus team reached their funding goal within hours of launching the campaign.

Doesn’t Facebook Own Oculus?

Yes, although the company that owns Oculus would later change its name to Meta. After releasing the developmental prototype, Oculus was sold to Facebook for $2 billion, and production moved rapidly from there. The Facebook sale was criticized by some people in the tech industry, but that didn’t stop the popularity of Oculus from spreading. Today, the Oculus headquarters are located in Menlo Park, near Facebook’s.

What Are the Different Oculus Models?

There have been a few models since the Oculus launched, but today, the options are the Oculus Quest 2 headset and the Rift S. The biggest difference between them is that the Rift S must be paired with a PC and the Quest 2 is PC-optional. The Quest 2 attaches to the head with soft straps, while the Rift S has a halo band; opinions vary on which option is more comfortable. The last big difference to consider is the price tag: The Rift S costs more.

Popular Oculus Games

The Oculus game selection really stands out, encompassing some of the best VR titles out there as well as some options that are unique to this system. Some of the most fun and unique games available for Oculus headsets include:

• Jurassic Park: Aftermath
• Resident Evil 4
• Population: One
• Beat Saber
• Job Simulator
• Superhot VR
• Gorn
• Epic Roller Coasters
• Echo VR
• Gun Raiders
• Onward

How Comfortable Is an Oculus Headset?

Oculus products are considered to be among the more comfortable headsets. Each Quest 2 headset has a spacer for glasses and a strap that adjusts vertically and horizontally. If the Oculus doesn’t feel comfortable to you, there are a lot of affordable mods available to help you get the perfect fit. Counterweights, new face pads, and new straps can all make a huge difference to the comfort of your headset. A bonus to adding a counterweight system is that many of these include a space to hold a battery pack, so you can enjoy hours of gaming without taking a break to charge the headset.

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Not every virtual reality (VR) system requires a PC, but many of them work best when you connect a high-powered computer to them. The Oculus Quest 2, for example, is a system for virtual reality without a PC, but being able to connect your headset to your computer means that you will be able to access the games stored on your computer that have VR capabilities. Other systems. like the Valve Index and HTC Vive headsets, do require a PC in order to get the best, most immersive gaming experience possible.

Virtual reality is a relatively new technology, especially in the world of gaming, and it can require technically demanding PC builds to run your VR headset well enough to get the best digital experience possible. This is why it’s important to consider whether you have a VR-ready PC before you buy a new headset for your home. Not every computer has the capabilities to run graphics-heavy VR software. You may want to check out other PC builds for VR to see how yours stacks up or consider looking into buying a new computer to fit your needs.

On the other hand, if your computer isn’t up to the task and you don’t want to upgrade, you could always choose to use VR without a PC. An Oculus headset doesn’t need a PC hookup at all, and an HP Reverb can run on a computer with less power if you don’t mind having a lower resolution while gaming.

How VR-Ready Is My PC?

It’s hard to tell at a glance if your VR headset for PC is compatible with your current equipment. There are free and easy ways to determine if your laptop or desktop computer has the specs necessary to make your VR experience possible. VR gaming is more resource-intensive than traditional gaming because it needs to render graphics in a much higher resolution than the standard 1080p, and VR games have to be rendered in 3D with a high frames-per-second (FPS) rate in order to make them feel more immersive.

Of course, you may not even need to upgrade your computer at all: If you already have a high-end gaming rig or you’re planning to build one, you are likely well-equipped for any of the current VR systems on the market right now. Also, note that you can use VR with a PC, but at the moment, MacOS is not supported by most systems. If your primary computer is a Mac, you may want to consider getting a new gaming PC to ensure compatibility.

Valve Index Recommended Specs

• CPU: Quad Core+
• Video Card: NVIDIA GTX 1070/AMD equivalent or greater
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Video Output: DisplayPort 1.2
• USB Ports: USB 2.0 port (USB 3.0 required for camera pass-through), DisplayPort v1.2
• OS: Windows 10, SteamOS, Linux

HTC Vive Recommended Specs

• CPU: Intel Core i5-4590/AMD FX 8350 or greater
• Video Card: NVIDIA GTX 1060/AMD Radeon RX 480 or greater
• Memory: 4 GB RAM
• Video Output: HDMI 1.4/DisplayPort 1.2
• USB Ports: USB 2.0
• OS: Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows 10

HP Reverb Recommended Specs

• CPU: Intel Core i5, i7/AMD Ryzen 5 or greater
• Video Card: NVIDIA GTX 1080/AMD RX 5700 or greater
• Memory: 8 GB
• Video Output: DisplayPort 1.3
• USB Port: USB 3.0
• OS: Windows 10 (may require latest updates)

How Does VR Connect to a PC?

Each system comes equipped with a VR to PC cable. Depending on which system you choose, you may get a different cable, but many come with an HDMI cable or a USB cable designed for connecting VR to a PC. Your headset should have a spot where you can plug one end of the cable in without it being in your way while you play, and the other end should be able to connect to your computer. In some cases, like with Oculus headsets, for example, you may have to install an app onto your computer that you’ll have to launch when you’re ready to play.

If you’re unsure how to set up your specific VR and PC combination, read the setup guide for the headset you buy to ensure that you are setting it up to the specifications required by Oculus, Valve, HP, or HTC.

Which VR Headset for PC Should I Buy?

When it comes to VR vs. PC and whether or not you should choose a headset based on the specs of your computer, it’s important to consider how you’ll use your VR system and where you’ll use it. In some cases, it’s not necessary to have top-of-the-line specs if you only plan to use VR to watch movies or play simple games. Some models, like the HTC Vive, also require a lot more space, so if you have a small apartment or game room, it might not be a good idea to buy that model. At the end of the day, all that matters is that you’re getting the VR game system that works best for you and your needs, no matter what that may be.

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PlayStation has legions of fans worldwide, so it’s no surprise they’ve made their mark on the virtual reality gaming industry. VR for PS4 and PS5 are both available, and the Mirror mode lets friends and family join the fun by showing what you’re seeing on your TV screen. PlayStation’s VR experience is an enjoyable one for those new to VR gaming and longtime gamers alike.

The Basic PlayStation VR Hardware

• A small camera set up under the TV screen captures your 3D depth of motion.
• The headset is comfortable and has nine LEDs that make a precise tracking system.
• You’ll need a PS4 or PS5 console to run your VR system. The PS5 system is backward-compatible with any PS4 VR games you might own.
• You can use your standard DualShock controllers with PlayStation VR or the Move motion controllers. These look like two small wands and give you more immersive control over your gaming environment.

It’s worth mentioning that unlike with other consoles, the only headset that’s compatible with PlayStation VR is Sony’s headset. Consoles like the Switch can be played through third-party headsets, but the software that runs PlayStation VR is not compatible with other headsets.

Setting Up PlayStation VR

You will need four additional items to set up PlayStation VR:

• HDMI cable
• USB cable
• AC adapter
• VR connection cable

Once these items are connected and the headset and console are both powered on, you will need to configure your camera. The camera will need to be placed on a level surface. From here, you can configure it in the Settings menu. Make sure your camera is angled and focused at where you will be playing your game so the system can properly track the controller movements.

Popular Games for PlayStation Virtual Reality

Many PlayStation favorites can be played in virtual reality. For those shopping for a headset, you might even be able to find a bundle set that includes a game. Some popular games for PlayStation VR include:

Doom 3

Star Wars: Squadrons

Vader Immortal

Beat Saber

Hitman 3

Minecraft

Beat -Saber

Song in the Smoke

Wanderer

Zenith

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