Standalone VR headsets are all the fad nowadays. Choices just like the Meta Quest Professional, Quest 3, or Apple Vision Pro ship distinctive experiences, all with out requiring a connection to a PC to operate.
And but, the class of PC-driven VR headsets stays. As long as you could have a robust PC, you’ll be capable to drive video output at greater than double the decision of a few of these lower-powered VR headsets for probably the most immersive VR as attainable. Listed here are the most effective choices you should purchase in the present day.
Pimax Crystal
The very best-resolution PC VR headset made for shoppers is the Pimax Crystal. It options shows with 2880 x 2880 pixels per eye, mini-LED backlighting, inside-out monitoring of controllers and the headset, and eye-tracking with foveated rendering.
At $1,599, the Crystal comes full, so that you solely want a Home windows laptop with a quick graphics card. If that sounds costly, it is perhaps as a result of PC VR headsets just like the Valve Index value round $1,000. Nevertheless, these programs require two controllers and a minimum of two base stations for monitoring, including $679 to the invoice.
I tested the Pimax Crystal and found it to be a reliable PC VR headset that provides crisp imagery, a wider-than-usual discipline of view, and general nice visible constancy. The one draw back is the load and bulk.
Weighing just below 2 kilos, the Crystal is the heaviest headset on this listing. The battery located within the again for stability, plush facial interface, and deluxe head strap assist cut back the strain. Nonetheless, it’s a giant, cumbersome headset. There’s even a standalone mode when wanted, although the app library is sort of restricted presently.
HTC Vive XR Elite
HTC’s Vive XR Elite is a standalone VR headset with a unique feature that makes it significantly attention-grabbing when related to a PC — the again comes off so you possibly can put on it like glasses. Because the headset is powered by the PC tether, there’s no want to fret about battery life when related.
I acquired an opportunity to do that headset briefly and was stunned by how mild it’s on this configuration. Usually weighing 1 pound, 6 ounces, the Vive XR Elite drops 8.5 ounces with the rear battery removed, making it one of many lightest choices out there. You may also hook up with a PC wirelessly.
The show decision is 1920 x 1920 pixels per eye, not as sharp because the Pimax Crystal’s, however the pancake lenses with built-in diopter adjustment gives good readability. Just like the Crystal, the HTC Vive XR Elite has inside-out monitoring and comes with controllers. With a $1,099 price ticket, it is a compelling PC VR headset in its personal proper, however there’s much more to love in regards to the Vive XR Elite. When utilizing the standalone configuration, you get two hours of battery life to maneuver round untethered and expertise color-mixed actuality gaming.
The Viveport library is massive in comparison with Pimax, however smaller than that of the most well-liked VR platform, Meta’s Quest.
Meta Quest Professional
The Meta Quest Professional didn’t have an excellent debut on the surprisingly costly launch value of $1,500. Meta realized its mistake and dropped the worth to $1,000, making it a extra enticing choice.
You may connect your Quest Pro to a Windows or Mac laptop computer for spatial computing, however you’ll wish to be sure you have a robust PC for gaming. Meta has a dependable wi-fi choice, however you may also use a high-speed USB-C cable to maintain the battery charged.
The 1800 x 1920 show decision is nice for gaming and acceptable for productiveness. Distinction and vibrancy are good due to mini-LED backlighting. The Quest Pro has a faster Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 1 chip, which is a bit speedier than the XR2 Gen 1 used within the Pimax Crystal and HTC Vive XR Elite.
The Quest Professional additionally has eye-tracking, foveated rendering, and a sturdy hand-tracking resolution that works properly with a rising variety of apps and video games.
I nonetheless desire my Quest Pro over the Quest 3 because it’s the one mass-produced VR headset designed to drift above my face, as a substitute of urgent into it. It additionally comes with the most effective controllers on this listing and a pleasant charging dock.
Meta Quest 3
No fashionable VR headset listing is full with out mentioning the amazingly affordable Meta Quest 3. Whereas its standalone mode is extra generally used, you possibly can join the Quest 3 to your PC and luxuriate in the identical Home windows apps and SteamVR library out there to different PC VR headsets.
The 2064 x 2208 show decision beats the Meta Quest Professional and HTC Vive XR Elite, although the Quest Professional has an edge in dynamic vary with its mini-LED backlighting.
I used to be amazed by the Quest 3’s unbelievable worth. It handles every part you’d ever need from a VR headset: standalone VR, PC VR, combined actuality gaming, and spatial computing. Whereas the Quest 3 doesn’t have the highest-resolution shows, it’s not far behind. It’s not the smallest or lightest headset, however the slim profile makes it snug, and there are many equipment to customise the match.
The $500 value isn’t the one cause the Meta Quest 3 is our prime choose for overall best VR headset available — it’s simply that good.
Bigscreen Past
Bigscreen Beyond represents a conflict of outdated and new know-how. It’s the world’s smallest and lightest PC VR headset that boasts vibrant micro-OLED shows with a decision of 2560 x 2560 pixels per eye, but it requires exterior base stations for monitoring.
The $999 value doesn’t embody audio, base stations, or controllers. That places your whole value at about $1,700. In case you already personal a Valve Index or older PC VR system that makes use of base stations, you would possibly be capable to preserve the fee down.
The Past ought to be among the many most snug VR headsets due to the exceptional five-ounce weight and customized facial interface. It is advisable get a scan with an iPhone with Face ID to put an order.
Regardless of being one of the vital costly headsets, the characteristic set is proscribed. The Bigscreen Past accommodates no battery, so plugging in is a requirement. It additionally lacks a combined actuality choice and there’s no standalone or wi-fi mode.
Which PC VR headset is greatest for you?
With so many decisions, it may be arduous to determine between these nice PC VR headsets. The Quest 3 is a good place to start out from each a versatility and value standpoint. In case you’re uncertain of what to do, you possibly can’t go improper with the Quest 3.
Nevertheless, in the event you don’t thoughts a cumbersome headset with restricted standalone potential and no combined actuality, the Pimax Crystal has the most effective specs for PC VR whereas costing lower than an entire Bigscreen Past system.
There’s good cause to contemplate the Bigscreen Past, although. For instance, in the event you already personal an older VR system just like the Valve Index, Pimax 8K, or HTC Vive headset, your base stations and controllers will work with the Bigscreen Past. That makes the worth extra enticing, on prime of the truth that it’s tiny and light-weight.
And lastly, in the event you just like the modern styling of the Bigscreen Past, however need extra versatility, the HTC Vive XR Elite has a glasses mode for PC VR, in addition to a superb high quality standalone mode and combined actuality capabilities.
Editors’ Suggestions
