6 best VR headsets for all user experience levels

Oculus Go Stand-Alone Virtual Reality Headset

Already a little on the “older” side since it was released just over two years ago, the Oculus go is best for people who just want to watch VR videos rather than play immersive games due to it’s fairly average video quality and limited degrees of freedom (DoF, on which there is a great guide available here). However, it is a fully self-contained meaning you don’t need to hook it up to a phone or PC, so if you’re looking to spend minimal money on a starter headset, this could be your best bet. As one reviewer writes, “This is the casual VR, but don't let that fool you, it is still a completely incredible and fun experience!”

Oculus Quest

With the big bump in price comes a product more formulated for the needs of a serious gamer who wants an immersive experience through six DoF and, according to several reviewers, a fantastic speaker system that enhances the gameplay experience while allowing you to maintain spatial awareness outside of your virtual experience. The downsides seen throughout the reviews are relatively tame, with most noting that all the “really cool” games will still have to be purchased after plunking down more than 500 bucks, and the battery life only gives you about two hours of play time with more demanding games using even more battery.

Oculus Rift S

If Oculus seems to be a recurring theme thus far, it’s because they are consistently at the top of the game when it comes to VR headsets compared to other companies trying to keep up. The Rift S, despite initial claims from some users that it wasn’t ready for the market, has since undergone a few updates that left many buyers thrilled with its performance. There are also improvements to the machine’s overall design. “This headset is waaaaaaaaay more comfortable than the original rift,” one reviewer notes of their experience. “The knob to tighten/loosen the strap is much easier to use, and I'm even able to fit my glasses without them scratching the lenses, which I didn’t have the room to do so in my old rift.”

Improved controllers are also a bonus, as the company explains: “Your slashes, throws and grab appear in VR with intuitive, realistic Precision, transporting your hands and gestures right into the game.”

BNext VR Headset

This model is for the less-invested consumer, as the low cost and lesser-known status would indicate, but it still manages to rake in the positive reviews on Amazon where it is a best seller. While not a standalone model, the BNext is compatible with smartphones containing gyro sensors (that's many of them) and “comfortable, extended wear design” makes it easy to get lost in your viewing or gaming experience without any nagging pains.

“I wasn't expecting much in the way of VR, but I was pleasantly surprised,” one happy user says of the product, “I've found there are all sorts of VR out there. VR 1.0 is more like 3D and all you see is a 3D image that doesn't move when you move your head. VR 2.0, as I call it, is 180 degrees (or close to it) field of view. You can look around and in games control your environment to some extent. VR 3.0 as I call it, is full 360 degrees of video. You can stand up and look around in a full circle. These goggles work for all three kinds of virtual reality.”

Valve Index VR Kit

As a top-of-the-line model, this kit has everything you need including well-reviewed, intuitive controllers, beautiful design, and no need for modifications means you can play it straight away after unboxing. The only downsides to be found throughout reviews (such as in this one) are that the unit needs to be used in conjunction with a PC for the regular refreshes happening in the games, and the thousand-dollar price tag makes it less accessible for gamers without much disposable income. If you can’t afford the full setup though, it’s possible to buy the sleek controllers or headset separately and build from there.

Sony PlayStation VR

This model was created to be used along with your PlayStation console, so setup is a seamless and easy “plug in and play” experience that works just fine with a standard PS4, but will provide cleaner visuals for those with the pro version of the console.

Sony’s biggest selling point on this model is “Games Come First,” so every thought that went into creating the headset started from the perspective of a gamer and followed through in a way that prioritizes that over viewing VR content. User reviews are generally very positive despite the newness of the technology used to create it, as one says of the product, “This is very much a first generation product, but Sony is off to a great start... If you want to know what it's like to plug in to the Matrix, face off against a shark, fly high above like Superman, stand tall with the powers of a god - this is the easiest way to get a taste of that.”