The good PC VR headsets link up to your gaming screen background or laptop to deliver tight - paced action with heavy nontextual matter timbre . If you ’ve get a high - carrying out GPU and a fast central processing unit , you’re able to enjoy more naturalistic VR simulators and elaborated FPS games than standalone VR arrangement can deliver .
Options like the Meta Quest 3,Quest 3 , orApple Vision Proare telling , but a personal computer takes gaming to the next layer .
With a powerful play personal computer , you’re able to beat back picture outturn at more than double the solution of all - in - one VR headset for the most immersive VR possible . Here are the best PC VR headset you may purchase today .
Best premium PC VR headset
Pimax Crystal
The Pimax Crystal is the highest - resolution PC VR headset made for consumers . It boast displays with 2880 x 2880 pixels per eye , mini - LED backlighting , inside - out trailing of controllers and the headset , and eye - tracking with foveated rendering .
At $ 1,599 , the Crystal comes complete , so you only call for a Windows computer with a dissipated computer graphic card . If that sounds expensive , it might be because personal computer VR headset like the Valve Index cost around $ 1,000 . However , those systems require two controllers and at least two base stations for tracking , tally $ 679 to the Federal Reserve note .
I prove the Pimax Crystal and found it to be a true PC VR headsetthat offers crisp mental imagery , a wide of the mark - than - usual theatre of view , and overall great visual faithfulness . The only downside is the weight and mass .
Weighing just under 2 Irish punt , the Crystal is the hard headset on this leaning . The battery situate in the back for equalizer , plush facial interface , and deluxe head word strap service melt off the force per unit area . Still , it ’s a bounteous , bulky headset . There ’s even a standalone mode when postulate , though the app program library is quite special currently .
Best budget PC VR headset
Pimax Crystal Light
If you like the looking of the Pimax Crystal but found it to be too expensive , check out the Crystal Light , a low - price model with many of the same feature . This PC VR headset boasts 2880 - by-2880 - pixels - per - center resolution displays with local dimming and up to 120Hz refresh rate , yet it sells for under $ 1,000 .
As the name incriminate , the Crystal Light is half a pound light than the original Pimax Crystal . Standalone style was ignore , eliminating the need for a battery and removing some heft . It features the same diffuse cushioning and adjustable shoulder strap to distribute its 1.9 pound weight equally . The admit DisplayPort cable delivers visually lossless look-alike with good asperity and no contraction artifacts .
While the Crystal Light lacks the eye - tracking of the more expensive model , Pimax still gave user the choice for fixed foveated rendering to reduce the burden on your GPU and keep frame rates gamy . Rather than track your gaze , fixed foveation make the eye of the display the sharpest . That works well if you turn your top dog more than you glance to the sides .
The Crystal Light fare with two comptroller , and has inside - out trailing so you do n’t need base place . That simplifies frame-up and keep costs down . Pimax found a perfect balance of feature and price , take a shit the Crystal Light an awful choice for PC VR .
Best standalone headset with a PC VR option
Meta Quest 3
No modern VR headset list is complete without mentioningthe amazingly low-priced Meta Quest 3 . While its standalone mode is more commonly used , you could connect the Quest 3 to your PC and enjoy the same Windows apps and SteamVR depository library available to other PC VR headsets .
The 2064 x 2208 show resolution beats the Meta Quest Pro and HTC Vive XR Elite , though the Quest Pro has an edge in dynamical range of a function with its miniskirt - conduct backlighting .
I was amazed by the Quest 3 ’s unbelievable value . It handle everything you ’d ever require from a VR headset : standalone VR , microcomputer VR , mixed reality play , andspatial computing . While the Quest 3 does n’t have the highest - resolution displays , it ’s not far behind . It ’s not the little or lightest headset , but the slender profile ca-ca it comfortable , and there are plenty of accessory to tailor-make the fit .
The $ 500 cost is n’t the only reason the Meta Quest 3 is our top plectron foroverall dear VR headset available– it ’s just that good .
If your budget is fuddled , the Meta Quest 3S offers many of the Quest 3 ’s best features for $ 300 . Both Meta headset can connects to your PC wirelessly or via USB - C.
Smallest PC VR headset
Bigscreen Beyond
Bigscreen Beyondrepresents a clash of old and Modern technology . It ’s the populace ’s smallest and clear personal computer VR headset that boasts vivacious micro - OLED displays with a resolution of 2560 x 2560 pixels per eye , yet it require extraneous groundwork stations for trailing .
The $ 999 price does n’t include audio , base stations , or controller . That puts your total cost at about $ 1,700 . If you already own a Valve Index or older PC VR scheme that uses base station , you might be able to keep the toll down .
The Beyond should be among the most prosperous VR headsets thanks to the noteworthy five - ounce weight and custom facial port . You need to get a CAT scan withan iPhone with Face IDto place an monastic order .
Despite being one of the most expensive headsets , the feature set is limited . The Bigscreen Beyond hold no battery , so punch in is a requirement . It also lacks a interracial realness selection and there ’s no standalone or wireless mode .
Best Mac VR headset
Apple Vision Pro
Apple gave the Vision Pro a powerful M2 chip , so it can race demanding iPad apps with performance that challenges some laptop computer . For more demanding Job that require desktop apps , the Vision Pro connects seamlessly to a Mac or MacBook . It ’s even potential to connect a Vision Pro to a Windows PC with third - party apps .
The new ultrawide presentation feature places a massive practical Mac sieve in front of you with plenty of elbow room for multiple app and contented window to appear side - by - side . The Vision Pro micro - OLED displays have a crisp and brilliant 3660 - by-3200 - pixel - per - eye resolution with a bailiwick of view of about 105 degrees .
Those are impressive specifications , but the Vision Pro presently is n’t the practiced option for a VR gaming machine . That could modify in the future , but there are n’t many immersive titles to choose from at the moment . However , PC VR is n’t strictly about gaming andthe Vision Pro does have great potential as a spatial figurer , Apple ’s term for a workplace - centrical VR headset .
I hope toget free of all my monitoring gadget someday , and the Vision Pro would be a top pickax if it were n’t so expensive . The look - and - exigency port is intuitive , and the built - in Safari browser app can run most web apps . commingle with primal visionOS and some iPadOS apps , it ’s a viable laptop replacement .
For SteamVR via a Windows computer , the Vision Pro must relate wirelessly using third - party apps , which introduces lag and degrades the experience . It ’s worth a try if you already own the headset , but it ’s not an ideal resolution .
The Vision Pro is designed to influence as a standalone spatial information processing system that can connect to a Mac and desegregate with Apple ’s ecosystem . It ’s exceptional applied science at an ultra - premium price .
Best PC VR headset for work
Meta Quest Pro
The Meta Quest Pro did n’t have a heavy debut at the surprisingly expensive launch Mary Leontyne Price of $ 1,500 . Meta realized its misapprehension and shake off the price to $ 1,000 , induce it a more attractive option . Meta latterly annunciate it has stop making the Quest Pro and it will be discontinued when stock runs out . Still , it ’s a alone work - centric headset that ’s overnice for PC VR .
You canconnect your Quest Pro to a Windows or Maclaptop for spacial computing , but you ’ll need to make certain you have a sinewy microcomputer for gambling . Meta has a reliable wireless option , but you may also apply a high - pep pill USB - vitamin C cable to keep the battery charge .
The 1800 x 1920 display resolution is unspoiled for play and acceptable for productiveness . Contrast and vibrancy are undecomposed thanks to mini - lead backlighting . The Quest Pro has a faster Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 + Gen 1 chip , which is a snatch quick than the XR2 Gen 1 used in the Pimax Crystal and HTC Vive XR Elite .
The Quest Pro also has eye - trailing , foveated rendition , and a rich hand - tracking resolution that work well with a growing routine of apps and games .
I still choose myQuest Pro over the Quest 3since it ’s the only mass - produce VR headset designed to be adrift above my face , instead of pressing into it . It also comes with the good controller on this lean and a nice charging dock .
Best hybrid PC VR headset
HTC Vive XR Elite
HTC ’s Vive XR Elite is a standalone VR headset with a unique featurethat makes it peculiarly interesting when connect to a PC — the back add up off so you could wear it like glasses . Since the headset is powered by the PC tether , there ’s no need to worry about electric battery life when connected .
I got a probability to try this headset briefly and was surprise by how wanton it is in this configuration . unremarkably count 1 pound , 6 troy ounce , the Vive XR Elite overlook 8.5 ounce with the rearward battery removed , have it one of the lightest options uncommitted . you may also connect to a PC wirelessly .
The display resolution is 1920 x 1920 pixels per eye , not as sharp as the Pimax Crystal ’s , but the pancake lense with build up - in dioptre adjustment provides safe clarity . Like the Crystal , the HTC Vive XR Elite has inside - out tracking and comes with controllers . With a $ 1,099 price tag , this is a compelling PC VR headset in its own right hand , but there ’s even more to wish about the Vive XR Elite . When using the standalone configuration , you get two hours of barrage lifetime to move around untethered and experience color - mix reality gaming .
The Viveport library is turgid compared to Pimax , but smaller than that of the most pop VR platform , Meta ’s Quest .
With so many choices , it can be surd to decide among these great PC VR headset . The Pimax Crystal Light finds a skillful Libra the Balance of features and cost , making it a great pick for anyone starting to explore SteamVR . The Quest 3 is improbably versatile , dish out well as a standalone VR headset and a PC VR machine . However , the Quest 3 is n’t as piercing as Pimax headset .
If you are more interested in connecting to your PC for workplace , the HTC Vive XR Elite or Meta Quest Pro make a compelling typesetter’s case with motley - reality passthrough and unequaled design pick to remove facial pressure .
For the smallest potential PC VR headset , the Bigscreen Beyond is unbeatable . The usance fit and minimal weight should make it comfortable for hours of use .
If you use a Mac , few PC VR headsets are compatible . Meta and HTC Vive living macOS but you ’ll likely be drawn to the Apple Vision Pro , which connects to your Mac but by looking at it . The price is daunting but future Apple headset could be less expensive and more well-heeled .
