How to Choose the Best VR Headset for Gaming
Are you all set to enter the world of VR gaming? Hold on to your controllers: congratulations, you are now playing with the stuff of living-room battlefields, racetracks or galaxies far, far away.
However, before you start killing storm troopers or ripping the heads off zombies, there is one minuscule aspect to sort out: selecting the best VR headset. Do not worry, we have your back. Now, let me simplify it for you, nobody needs another headache while picking a VR headset.
1. Consider Your Console or PC Setup
Before we get into specifics, however — what platform are you gaming on? Are you a PlayStation person through and through, or do you prefer to play games on PC? This is important because not every headset is compatible with every system. For PlayStation fans though, the top contender would likely be the PlayStation VR headset.
If you want VR on your console, you’re looking at this, the PSVR, which works straight out of the box with your PlayStation 4 or PS5 and has some good games available alongside it. But if you happen to have a top-tier gaming PC, you’ve got plenty of options to choose from including the Valve Index and Oculus Rift.
2. Resolution Matters (No One Likes a Pixelated World)
Now, let’s talk about resolutions. Got to jump into a wild VR game but everything you look around you can see is fuzzy. Definitely not how you want to play the game, right? Resolution is a quality, sharp image does not make you a better player but will improve the gaming experience.
Aim for 1080p or better per eye when it comes to headsets. No other form can bring the experience to life like a Best VR headset, delivering high definition images for an incredible sense of immersion.
3. Comfort Is Key (Unless You Like Neck Strain)
So you’re gonna have this thing on your noggin for hours (and we mean hours if you are going full VR gaming marathon). Which means comfort is not just a nice-to-have — but a need to have. Look for features such as adjustable straps, lightweight design, and breathable padding.
And if your VR headset begins to feel like a brick molded to your face after 20 minutes, that should tell you something about having possibly made the wrong purchase. The last thing you need after gaming is a stiff-neck.
4. Tracking and Controllers (Because Waving Your Arms Like a Maniac is Fun)
After all, what use is a VR headset if it fails to accurately track your movement? The motion tracking technology present in the headset and controllers really help a lot. Find systems that use inside-out tracking (where the sensors are on the headset) or external sensors such as the PlayStation VR headset.
Better tracking results in more accurate movements, so when you swing that sword it actually feels like stamping the ground and not a hysterical chicken playing flail. And then there are the controllers to consider! Other VR headsets include specific controls that can be used to further immerse yourself in the experience.
While the PlayStation VR headset may not be as great, its controllers are solid and packed with haptic feedback that allows you to feel every impact—because what’s a little acceleration into oncoming traffic if you don’t feel it (not too much, though).
5. Price (Don’t Break the Bank)
While you have probably heard of the old adage, “you get what you pay for,” whenever it comes to a VR headset, that is not exactly true and fortunately we are not going to be selling a kidney to purchase one. Whatever the budget, there is something available.
The PlayStation VR headset is the best option if you already own a PlayStation console, but it also happens to be the more cost-effective of high-end systems. But for the best VR experience money can buy (if your wallet’s up for it), take a look at our high-end options like the Valve Index or Oculus Quest 2.
6. Game Library (Because What’s VR Without the Games?)
Third but certainly not least—what games do you want to play? You only get as good of a VR experience as the games you can play on it. For VR shooters that will have your heart pumping or racing cars in VR, ensure the headset has features made for those types of games.
PlayStation VR (PSVR) This content can be found on the PlayStation Store and is still great, especially if you buy some of the exclusives like Blood & Truth and Astro Bot Rescue Mission. Check compatibility with your most-played games
Final Thoughts
Finding the right VR headset for you does not have to be confusing. Simply think about your console, what you can spend and which games you’re interested in getting.
Whether you’re getting PlayStation VR or checking out a VR headset compatible with your PC, always prioritize comfort and performance.
And if all else fails, just remember—you are literally visiting another world, so it’s pretty much the best thing going. So now, grab your headset and prepare to lose yourself (not your lunch though). Happy gaming!
