The latest innovation for 3D and augmented reality technology enthusiasts, the virtual reality headset or VR headset displays a staggering level of realism. No other equipment allows such an immersion in the heart of the game. Given the prices, it is important to take your time before buying. HTC, HP, Oculus, read our comparative guide of the best VR headsets and find what you need.
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Our selection
"The HP Reverb G2 is at the top of the list of consumer VR headsets with the best resolution. Its colorimetry and motion tracking accuracy…"
"The PlayStation VR offers an affordable and quality introduction to virtual reality. Most experiences won't be as crisp as on Oculus Rift or HTC Vive."
"A top-of-the-line choice for the general public, a top-of-the-line choice for professionals, the HTC Vive Pro 2 revolutionizes the world of VR headsets with a…"
"The Oculus Quest 2 is a significant improvement on the Quest in almost every area. As a result, the VR headset becomes much more accessible…"
The HP Reverb G2 is at the top of the list of consumer VR headsets with the best resolution. Its colorimetry and motion tracking accuracy are also its charm.
576 £ on AmazonThe HP Reverb G2 promises an ultra-realistic virtual immersion thanks to an exceptional resolution of 2160 x 2160 px per eye. No brand can do better in the consumer range! Reinforcing this resolution supported by an impeccable colorimetry, the 4 tracking cameras included in the improvements made to the Windows Mixed Reality tracking system accentuate the realism of this VR headset. The field of view is nevertheless limited to 114°, but the whole remains satisfactory.
In terms of ergonomics, the HP Reverb G2 is set to be used for hours. Larger ear cushions than its predecessor offer better comfort, and Velcro strips allow the headband to be adjusted. As for the controllers, gamers will be happy to find motion-sensing models that are really easy to hold. We only regret that even with two AA batteries each, the autonomy of the controllers of this VR headset only lasts about ten hours.
The PlayStation VR offers an affordable and quality introduction to virtual reality. Most experiences won't be as crisp as on Oculus Rift or HTC Vive.
383 £ on AmazonThe PlayStation VR virtual reality headset can be used with all PlayStation 4 models, including the original PS4, PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro. This VR headset is mostly made of curved white plastic, with a prominent visor that holds most of the electronics and a single thick headband that runs across the back of your head. It's quite heavy but not bulky either.
Like other VR headsets on the market, the PlayStation VR will have the daunting task of fully immersing you in a video game by producing two images simultaneously, then sending them to a headset a few feet away. But unlike competing devices, which require expensive graphics cards to do the job, the PlayStation VR does it using only the PlayStation 4's built-in GPU! It accomplishes this feat by using the PlayStation camera to track 9 different points of light on the headset, as well as lights on the Move controllers or DualShock 4, depending on the game you're playing.
A top-of-the-line choice for the general public, a top-of-the-line choice for professionals, the HTC Vive Pro 2 revolutionizes the world of VR headsets with a 5K RGB LCD display.
639 £ on AmazonThe HTC Vive Pro 2 has achieved a great feat in terms of resolution: with a 2.5K display per eye, the brand has managed to remove the 'grid' effect that we no longer see the lines of the pixels. The rendering of this VR headset is thus of a very bluffing naturalness; some users even report that it can be disturbing at the time of the first uses, more especially as one gains a field of vision to 120°. Indeed, the realism of the images, texts and forms brings an excellent immersive experience in the virtual world.
In terms of comfort, this VR headset certainly revives the design and adjustment mode of its predecessor, but the HTC Vive Pro 2 goes further with a thicker foam for better comfort during prolonged use and to satisfy those who must wear glasses. Objective achieved, even if the inside of the visor can quickly heat up! In terms of sound, this VR headset uses the same Hi-Res Audio system that offers a good spatial sound.
The Oculus Quest 2 is a significant improvement on the Quest in almost every area. As a result, the VR headset becomes much more accessible to beginners, while remaining comprehensive for experienced users.
359 £ on AmazonThe Oculus Quest 2 will take you into the worlds of gaming, accessing 360° video content and applications. It's similar to the original Oculus Quest in that it's a standalone, battery-powered headset so you can move freely through your physical and digital gaming spaces. This VR headset comes with 2 controllers, which now offer double the battery life of the controllers that came with the original Oculus Quest.
In addition, there are some slight redesigns from the original. The new design makes the controllers a little thicker in the hand and easier to hold, and the battery compartment cover slides less during intense gaming sessions. Oculus has upgraded the processor from the Snapdragon 835 to the Snapdragon XR2 derived from the Snapdragon 865. Even better, the new processor offers a significant performance improvement over the original Quest. It also gets an additional 2GB of RAM, for a total of 6GB. The display goes to 1920 x 1832 on each eye, compared to 1600 x 1440 before.
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The best entry-level VR headset
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| TOP OF THE TOP | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
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| OUR SELECTION |
HP Reverb G2
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PlayStation VR
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HTC VIVE PRO 2
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Oculus Quest 2
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The HP Reverb G2 is at the top of the list of consumer VR headsets with the best resolution. Its colorimetry and motion tracking accuracy are also its charm.
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The PlayStation VR offers an affordable and quality introduction to virtual reality. Most experiences won't be as crisp as on Oculus Rift or HTC Vive.
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A top-of-the-line choice for the general public, a top-of-the-line choice for professionals, the HTC Vive Pro 2 revolutionizes the world of VR headsets with a 5K RGB LCD display.
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The Oculus Quest 2 is a significant improvement on the Quest in almost every area. As a result, the VR headset becomes much more accessible to beginners, while remaining comprehensive for experienced users.
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Resolution
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2160 x 2160px / eye
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960 x 1080px / eye
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2448 x 2448px / eye
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1,832 x 1,920px / eye
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Display
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LCD
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OLED
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Dual RGB LCD
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LCD
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Refresh rates
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90 Hz
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120 Hz
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90 / 120 Hz
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90 Hz
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Field of view
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114°
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100°
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Up to 120°
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110°
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Integrated speakers
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Resolution is absolutely fundamental to the visual experience when wearing a VR headset.
A pixel is the smallest displayable unit of a digital image, and multiple pixels combine to form complete images, text and graphics. The resolution per eye is the number of pixels the VR headset can display, expressed as the number of pixel widths x pixel heights. For example: 1440 x 1700.
The lower the resolution, the less sharp the edges of the images will be. Too low, and the viewer will experience pixelation or the screen door effect. This is because the gaps between pixels are visible, creating a grainier, less sharp display if the resolution per eye is not high enough.
Another critical factor in the quality of a VR headset is its FOV field of view. This parameter measures the extent of the observable environment at any given time. The wider the field of view, the more impressive the visual experience is likely to be, as the viewer feels present in the virtual environment.
Most good quality VR headsets have a field of view between 100° and 110°. Human vision comes from two types of FOV: monocular, and binocular.
The monocular FOV is the field of view of a human eye. It consists of the angle between the pupil and the nose, and the view from the pupil to the side of the head. The binocular field of view is a combined field of view of both eyes. Most humans have a field of view of 200° to 220°.
The refresh rate is another basic factor in the quality of the user's VR experience. It describes the speed at which the headset displays images in frames per second or FPS. The faster the refresh rate, the smoother the VR experience will be.
If the refresh rate is too slow, there will be greater latency between frames, giving a jerky rather than fluid feel. In the context of a computer game, for example, this latency may not be an issue, but in a virtual reality setting, it will prevent the experience from being properly immersive.
This is also a criterion to consider, because generally speaking, VR headsets all share the same function, but they accomplish this in different ways. They all contain some form of display technology, which will influence the quality of the final image and, therefore, the VR experience for the headset wearer.
The main types of display are LCD, OLED and AMOLED. LCD or liquid crystal displays is a well established display option. Liquid crystals can adopt any number of sub-states, between a liquid and solid phase. Used in VR, AMOLED displays, as they have very deep blacks and supersaturated colors.
Position tracking is the last criterion not to be overlooked, as the more accurate it is on a VR headset, the more immersive the VR experience will be. The technology behind position tracking allows a device to estimate its position relative to the environment around it. It is essential in VR technology, as it allows the headset wearer to feel that they are moving through the virtual realm.
As with the refresh rate, any lag will disrupt this. High-end VR headsets offer true 1:1 position tracking. The type of positional tracking used by the headset can also affect performance.
There are two types of tracking, external tracking and internal tracking. When choosing, opt for external tracking, as it offers greater accuracy and reduced latency, while internal tracking offers greater mobility, but can have accuracy and latency issues.
Technology always has so many surprises in store for us, and a VR or Virtual Reality headset is one of those surprises. It consists in superimposing elements of the virtual world on the real world. In general, the helmet is like a wraparound glasses that covers the entire eyes. In this helmet, one has the impression of diving into another world.
The projected images are collected by the brain and then transformed into a 3-dimensional version. When the images are projected, we have a sensation of really living in the action under our eyes. Knowing that the images follow the movement and move with the user.
There is what is called a gesture recognition device. This allows you to control an environment with your fingers, without a joystick or mouse. This device must also have a minimum of 20 to 30 frames per second to create the necessary illusion. This one must display moving images at 90 frames per second and sometimes even 120.
So to use a VR headset, we need a powerful computer. In fact the principle is simple, the computer produces a 3D or 3 dimensional simulation of a world that the user will be able to navigate and manipulate and which will give him the feeling of being immersed in this world. So, make sure that the VR headset and the desktop monitor are both plugged directly into their dedicated GPU, not the motherboard.
It should be noted that the user should make sure that they have enough VR experience. There are several types and models of VR headsets, such as the HTC Vive, Oculus rift, etc. Since each headset has its own specific characteristics, it is important to always consult the official installation guide, in order to avoid adverse consequences of the device.
Virtual reality sickness is rare, but it can happen.
Virtual reality sickness can be very real: some people experience symptoms of motion sickness while using VR headsets, even when there is no motion. If you experience any of these symptoms while using a VR headset, stop using it immediately and seek medical attention.
Learn how it works.
Most VR headsets include one or more handheld controllers for navigating virtual environments. Before you start a VR session, learn what each controller button can do.
Play in a spacious area.
Especially if you are new to, or want to introduce, virtual reality to your friends. Make space around you to avoid bumping into furniture or the wall. This could be dangerous.
Turn off notifications.
Virtual reality headsets usually send notifications by default when friends come online or play games similar to the ones you're playing. Notifications that can be useful if you want to join someone for a game of Hover Junkers. But they can also be too distracting. So remember to turn them off before you start a game if you don't want to be disturbed.
Keep the headset clean.
Clean your virtual headset regularly. Especially if you let other people use it regularly.
Go to YouTube, the best option for viewing 360 and VR content. Select and open a video. Most of the time, a small icon marked "VR headset" will appear. In case it's not there, find it by clicking on the 3 dots in the right corner of the video content. When you press it, the video will split into 2 parts. Install your smartphone in the VR headset and you're done.
The Cardboard, created in 2014, is compatible with iOS and Android smartphones. It is a VR headset made of cardboard, whose internal elements such as lenses were easily found on the market. Currently, you can get this type of VR headset (complete) for less than €2. This is an affordable option for those who want to try out virtual reality without shelling out big bucks.
The VR headset can be entertaining, de-stressing and educational. However, it is not suitable for all ages. This restriction, imposed by the manufacturer, is usually found in the technical specifications or on the packaging of the headset. Some prohibit the use of the equipment by children under 12 years of age, others go up to 13-14 years.
Make sure that your play area is large enough and free of obstacles. At the very least, you'll need an area of 3m², or 2 x 1.5m. In most cases, manufacturers will recommend a well-defined area, as is the case with PlayStation's PSVR headset. Note that some headsets even give you the option to restrict the space available in the virtual world.
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