Since the world of virtual reality has only been growing in the recent years and it is a niche prospect, there aren’t many VR headsets you can choose from. However, TechTrends has narrowed down a list of the best VR headsets for 2022.
There has come a turning point in the world of the VR headsets. Although Oculus Quest 2, also known as Meta Quest 2, sits top of the list of the best VR headsets for 2022, there has been a rise in its price, which means the headset’s grip on the market is not as tight as before. These all suggest that there is a demand for alternatives on the market, even if it will cost more. In addition, Sony is going to release its next generation VR headset in 2023, so the list will definitely grow longer next year. To help you make a wiser decision, TechTrends put together a list of the very best VR headsets in 2022 that have great reviews. There is something for every budget so keep reading to find out which one best fits your requirements. Let’s jump into the list.
Best VR Headsets for 2022
When virtual reality was relatively new to many people, only those with a lot of cash to spare could afford one of the best VR headsets. Now, however, you can buy a quality tech ranging from $300 and $600. However, premium devices are still expensive, but for those keen on investing their money into it, we do have some impressive options available. Without further ado, let’s get to the list.
- Oculus Quest 2: The best VR headset for most people
- HTC Vive Pro 2: The best high resolution VR headset
- Valve Index: The best premium VR headset
- Pimax Vision 8K X: Best VR Headset Splurge
- HTC Vive Cosmos Elite: The best VR headset for room-scale tracking
- HP Reverb G2: The best Windows VR headset
1. Oculus Quest 2
Specifications:
- Resolution: 3664 x 1920
- Display: LCD
- Connection: USB-C, 3.5mm
- Field of View: 100°
- Recommended: None (PC optional for tethering)
The Oculus Quest 2 has had the market in hand for a while now. although it is known as the best VR headset for 2022 and has the greatest value for many players out there, its price has become more in August this year. It jumped from $299 / £299 to $399 / £399 for the 128GB model. The same increase has been done on the 256GB version, which is now worth $499 / £499. Despite all of this, it is still known as one of the most affordable options on the market, so if you missed the old price, it is still not that bad.
Moreover, this VR headset is quite comfortable, which is courtesy of its lighter form (503g vs the original 571g) as well as the wider area for resting the thumb on the controller. In addition, the resolution is also quite impressive. Therefore, you can roam around with no limiting tracking area and the setup is very flexible as well. This all-in-one unit has a speedy processor and a lot of RAM. In other words, you do not need to invest a lot in high-end gaming PCs in order to run things smoothly. Right from the box, everything is good to go, which makes this VR headset quite valuable.
Since many of the best VR headsets for 2022 cost more than $500 / £500 and also need another PC brain to work, the fact that this headset packs the tracking features, has high-resolution display, 90Hz framerate, and offers comfortable experience makes it a great choice.
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2. HTC Vive Pro 2
Specifications:
- Resolution: 4896 x 2448
- Display: LCD
- Connection: DisplayPort 1.2, USB 3.0
- Field of View: 120°
- Recommended Hardware: Intel Core i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 1500+, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 / AMD Radeon RX 5700+, 8GB RAM+, DisplayPort 1.4, USB 3.0
The next one on the list of the best VR headsets for 2022 is HTC Vive Pro 2. With a price tag of $800 for the headset alone, this is considered a big kids toy, not taking accessories and high-end PC into account. However, if you are willing to spend some extra money on your VR headset and are a specialist, this headset’s 4896 x 2448 resolution, Stream VR integrations and pinpoint motion tracking should not be missed. This resolution is top of the list on the market, providing clear visuals that will not be available on cheaper headsets. You are connected to a PC with a Link Box connection. In other words, the tripping threat is real.
However, the setup is somehow boring and takes a long time and wall mounting them is a better choice for getting the best effect, which needs even more time. In order to enjoy the full experience, you need to get two Steam VR base stations and motion controllers, which will cost an extra $600. However, it will be something extraordinary with the new level of tracking and motion at your disposal. If you are looking for a possibility to make your game look as best as it can when you are playing, then this is where you need to spend your money. In addition, the futuristic external aesthetic is quite impressive, and so is the lightweight design. The quality takes a couple of days to set in. We strongly recommend this as one of the best VR headsets for 2022.
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3. Valve Index
Specifications:
- Resolution: 2880 x 1600
- Display: AMOLED
- Connection: DisplayPort, USB 3.0, USB 2.0
- Field of View: 130°
- Recommended Hardware: Quad-core processor+, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070+, USB 3.0, SteamVR tracking base stations, DisplayPort 1.2
There are a couple of features that the Value Index offers, which are quite impressive. To begin with, there is the finger tracking system. Instead of focusing on per-controller tracking, this VR headset took a step towards a place no VR headset had gone, it added sensors for each finger with a touch-sensitive panel. The next one is a 120Hz refresh rate which lets the game slide across the screen but there will be no hint of a flicker. The Valve Index is perfect for those who are fully invested in the gaming space of PC, those who have the PC calling in the corner to be tested.
The headset’s price tag is £499 / £459, but you can have the whole kit for about $999 / £919, which is cheaper than the HTC Pro 2’s value with all its devices. However, those who buy this one favor tracking over resolution. We highly recommend Valve Index as one of the best VR headsets for 2022.
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4. Pimax Vision 8K X
Specifications:
- Connectivity: PC
- Display: 2x customized low persistence liquid (CLPL)
- Per-eye resolution: 3840 x 2160 (native), 2560 x 1440 (upscaled)
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz, 75 Hz (Native), 90 Hz (Native with RTX 3000 GPU) or 114 Hz (Upscaled)
- Weight: 2 pounds
The fourth one of the best VR headsets for 2022 is Pimax Vision 8K X, which is suitable for those comfortable with money. Certainly, there are many fancy headsets available on the market with a bunch of features, but nothing is like an ultrawide headset to give you the most enjoyable gaming experience. The 8K X has dual 4K screens, with one per eye. The refresh rate of this headset is 75Hz, but it can go as high as 90Hz for those who have an RTX 3000-series GPU for driving the pixels. The first and most important feature of this headset is the horizontal field of view, which is 170 degrees. We strongly recommend this wonderful VR headset.
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5. HTC Vive Cosmos Elite
Specifications:
- Resolution: 2880 x 1700
- Display: LCD
- Connection: DisplayPort, USB 3.0
- Field of View: 110°
- Recommended Hardware: Intel i5-4590 / AMD FX 8350+, Nvidia GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 480+, DisplayPort 1.2, USB 3.0 port
If you believe that the HTC Pro 2 was a little expensive for your budget, then the Vive Cosmos Elite system is among the best VR headsets for 2022 that costs a little less for those who need room-scale tracking instead of fancy features. Cosmos headset was launched by HTC to have very little fanfare for a couple of years and the headset is a total modular system on its own that can be upgraded with a different faceplate as well as StreamVR tracking base as you want. The Vive Cosmos Elite is the final form, making it one of the best VR headsets for 2022. However, its resolution is not as high as Oculus Quest 2, which is a cheaper option.
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6. HP Reverb G2
Specifications:
- Resolution: 4320 x 2160
- Display: LCD
- Connection: DisplayPort, USB 3.0
- Field of View: 114°
- Recommended Hardware: Intel Core i5, i7, Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5, AMD Ryzen 5+, DX12 capable graphics, DisplayPort 1.3, USB-C 3.0
The HP Reverb G2 might not be on that many people’s shopping list; however, it does have a sleeper hit on its hand with a price tag of $600. This VR headset is easier to find in the US and there might only be special editions that will cost £1,000 for those in the UK. The resolution is quite high but the new option it has is very unique. Why has nobody thought about a display that would flip up in order to show the surroundings. Although it might not be able to beat some of the other options on the list of the best VR headsets for 2022 when it comes to options and features, it still has a lot to love. There is no need for external tracking sensors since this headset does all of it itself with the use of cameras.
In addition, the setup is quite easy and it isn’t time-consuming like some other VR headsets. Since it is a Windows headset, connecting it to the PC is pretty easy, like plugging in and letting the windows install it.
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What is the best VR headset?
Many people consider the Oculus Quest 2 the best among the best VR headsets for 2022 since it is affordable and has many options and functionality, with a variety of services and games. However, if you need to have the one with the fullest options, we then recommend a headset like the HTC Vive Pro 2.
Are VR headsets worth it?
Some may not believe that having a VR headset is worth the money, even the best ones, while others might like the experience it gives them. However, now that there are more and more headsets available on the market and with the world of virtual reality growing, the prices are becoming less and less. Therefore, it might be worth investing in if you are eager to experience a new avenue in the world of gaming.
What do you need for VR?
To begin with, if you want to get into the world of virtual reality, a VR headset is required. For sure, it is easier said than done to find the best VR headsets for 2022; however, if you are determined to have a solid experience, while just beginning, then TechTrends recommends picking the Oculus Quest 2.