Whether you’re looking for a VR headset that requires no extra equipment or have a fast gaming PC, our shopping guide will assist you in selecting the best VR headset for gaming or fun.
Contents
- 1 What is a VR Headset?
- 2 Top 7 Things to Look For When Buying a VR Headset
- 3 How much does a VR headset cost?
- 4 Do you require a standalone VR headset?
- 5 Is it better for a VR headset to be Wired or Wireless?
- 6 Tracking Your Movement in VR
- 7 What Resolution Should a VR Headset Be?
- 8 Who Should Buy a VR Headset?
- 9 What to Do After You Buy a VR Headset
- 10 FAQs
What is a VR Headset?
A VR gear is something you wear, like glasses or goggles that are too big for your eyes. The headset goes over your eyes and has two screens, or one screen that is split in half to show two pictures. You show each picture to one eye at a time so that the eye can’t see the other picture. Your brain sees the pictures as three-dimensional because each eye sees them from a slightly different angle.
Some VR headsets are made to work with expensive PCs that are ready for VR, while others have computer gear built in and don’t need a separate PC.
Top 7 Things to Look For When Buying a VR Headset
For people who are new to VR, there are a lot of glasses that look the same. To find the right one, you can use these 7 important factors:
- Price
- Standalone or Tethered
- Wireless or Wired
- Tracking Method
- Resolution
How much does a VR headset cost?
A number of factors affect how much a VR headset costs, such as whether or not you need a PC to use it, its resolution, how you handle it, and how it tracks your movements. To use the most expensive VR glasses, you need a very expensive computer.
As a general rule, here’s what to expect:
Price Range | Features |
<$300 |
|
$300-600 |
|
$600-1000 |
|
$1000-1200 |
|
$1300-1600 |
|
Do you require a standalone VR headset?
A separate computer is usually needed to run games on a VR headset, but some types have the computer power built right in. Some VR headsets on the market can work with or without a separate computer, but they aren’t very popular yet.
As soon as you connect a VR headset to a computer, the computer sends video and sound data to the headset. That means how well it works depends on how fast the PC is. If you connect a VR headset to a powerful PC, the frame rates will be faster, the graphics will be better, and there will be more characters and items on the screen at once. Some games can only be played on a PC that is ready for VR and not on a separate VR gear.
Is there a way to get the same basic VR experience without buying a PC that’s ready for VR? If not, a standalone VR headset can do the trick. There are a lot of the same games, but some have been changed so that they can run on the less powerful hardware built into standalone VR machines.
Is it better for a VR headset to be Wired or Wireless?
You can use one cord, several cables, or Wi-Fi to connect a VR headset to a PC that is able to handle VR. There are VR headsets that need an HDMI, data, and power wire and others that only need a USB-C cable to do everything. The cable has to stay linked at all times, no matter what. That can make the strings get tangled while you play, especially if you move around the room.
A wireless link is what you need for the best, most realistic, and safest VR experience. While standalone VR headsets are naturally wireless, some attached VR headsets can connect wirelessly to a PC that is ready for VR. If you want to transform a VR headset into a wireless VR headgear, an extra wireless accessory may be required.
Tracking Your Movement in VR
Some VR headsets have tracking built in, which lets you turn your head in real life and see your view change at the same time in the virtual world. For you to be able to do things like move your head forward and back or even get up and walk around, the VR gear needs to be able to track your movements in the real world.
You can track movement in VR in two ways: outside-in and inside-out. The names come from how your real-life movements are tracked.
To use an outside-in setup, you put a base station on your desk or somewhere else in the room. The base stations will then either follow you, or the VR headset will follow the base stations based on the technology inside the headset. When two or three of these trackers work together, they can see and calculate your movements in real-time. This lets you move around in a virtual area by moving around in the real world. This is called room-scale VR.
With an inside-out system, sensors built into the VR headset keep track of where things are in relation to you and your movement, which tells the system how fast and in what direction you’re moving. Also, these headsets can figure out where your VR tools are when you hand them to them. Even though these systems are easier to set up and use because they work right out of the box, they aren’t always as reliable.
What Resolution Should a VR Headset Be?
About 8K per eye would be the best quality for a VR headset, but that’s not possible yet. As a general rule, more pixels are always better. The problem is that VR device screens are very close to your eyes—much closer than you’d hold a phone—so lower resolutions make it more likely that you’ll be able to see individual pixels. It feels like observing the world through a screen door when that happens.
If you go below 1440×1600, you can really see the screen door effect. The effect is much weaker at 1832×1920, but it can still be seen. Although not everyone can see the screen door effect at 2448×2448, various people claim to be able to.
Who Should Buy a VR Headset?
People who play a lot of games should think about buying VR gear. Creative people, movie fans, and many other types of people should also think about buying one. It will be more useful to use VR headsets for other things, like work and socialization, as they become more common.
People like these should think about getting a VR headset:
- Gamers. There’s something new to be had if you’ve never played games in VR. There are games that you can only play in VR, as well as games that you can play in real life.
- Creatives. Virtual reality isn’t just for games; it can also be a great way to express your creativity. VR changes everything, whether you want to draw in a 3D art app or quickly make a prototype in real time.
- Cinephiles. A VR gear can give you a more realistic movie theater experience at home than most home theater systems, and it will cost you less upfront.
- Early adopters. If you got into VR early, it’s time to move up. Things are changing quickly in this field, so it’s time to make the most of wireless play, better quality, and everything else.
- Holdouts. If you were interested in VR at first but put it off because of low images, the screen door effect, or the cost of getting a PC that is ready for VR, now is the time to jump in. There is no longer a screen door effect with the best VR glasses, and you can get one that doesn’t even need a PC.
What to Do After You Buy a VR Headset
It will take some work on your side if you want to be ready to use your VR gear as soon as it gets here after never having one before. After you make your purchase, here are some things you can do right away and what to do when it gets to you:
Check to see if your PC meets the requirements. If you want to use a tethered VR headset, your video card, RAM, and other gear must meet the standards for that headset. If not, you’ll have to pay more.
Find your VR play area and clean it up. If your new headset allows room-scale play, you might want to clear out a space for VR that is safe for you and other people.
Buy any extras that you might need. If the tracking on your VR headset works from the outside in, make sure there are enough tracking points. You might also need to buy an extra HDMI or USB wire or the controllers on their own if you want to play while being connected.
Verify that the headset is compatible with your glasses if you wear them. To enable the use of your VR headset while wearing spectacles, you must purchase a spacer.
Make sure that VR feels good to you. It’s best to take your time when putting on the headset for the first time. Sit down first. A bad reaction can make some people feel sick or dizzy, and you don’t want to be standing up if that happens.
FAQs
- What is a VR headset, and how does it work?
- This FAQ provides an overview of what a VR headset is, describing it as a wearable device with screens that create a three-dimensional experience. It explains the concept of displaying two pictures, one for each eye, to create a 3D effect. Additionally, it mentions the distinction between VR headsets designed for use with high-end PCs and standalone options.
- How much does a VR headset cost, and what features can I expect in different price ranges?
- This FAQ outlines the price ranges of VR headsets and the corresponding features. It breaks down the cost and features based on different tiers, including standalone options and those that require a tethered connection to a PC. The information helps users understand what to expect within their budget.
- Do I need a separate PC for a VR headset, or are there standalone options available?
- This FAQ addresses the requirement for a PC when using a VR headset and introduces the concept of standalone VR headsets. It explains how connecting a VR headset to a powerful PC enhances the experience but highlights the availability of standalone options that don’t rely on external computers.
- Should I choose a wired or wireless VR headset, and what are the considerations?
- This FAQ discusses the connectivity options for VR headsets, comparing wired and wireless setups. It outlines the types of cables involved and the potential for tangling during gameplay. The FAQ also suggests that a wireless link provides the best and safest VR experience and mentions the possibility of transforming a wired VR headset into a wireless one with additional accessories.
- How does tracking work in VR headsets, and what are the different methods?
- This FAQ explores the tracking mechanisms in VR headsets, distinguishing between outside-in and inside-out methods. It explains how base stations are used in outside-in tracking, allowing users to move around in a virtual area. It also mentions the convenience of inside-out systems but notes that they may be less reliable. The information helps users understand how their real-world movements are translated into the virtual environment.