May 2024
VR Headsets: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of VR headsets rankings posted by key online experts, as of May 2024.
Summary
On 3 May 2024, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 56 VR headset endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
15 VR headsets were endorsed in total, only 10 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 3 May 2024, Meta Quest 2 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed VR headset with 9 expert endorsements. 3 experts out of 9 recommended it as the '#1 VR headset' this month.
Brand breakdown
-
Meta: 3 VR headsets
(#1 is Meta Quest 2)
-
HTC: 3 VR headsets
(#1 is HTC Vive Pro 2)
-
Apple: 1 VR headsets
(#1 is Apple Vision Pro)
-
Playstation: 1 VR headsets
(#1 is PlayStation VR 2)
-
Valve Software: 1 VR headsets
(#1 is Valve Index)
Price breakdown
At a glance - May Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | VR Headset |
CNET
|
Forbes
|
PC Gamer
|
BestReviews
|
Tom's Hardware
|
Pocket-lint
|
WIRED
|
PCMag
|
TechRadar
|
Tom's Guide
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $198 |
Meta Quest 2
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
4
|
-
|
4
|
|
2
|
- | $500 |
Meta Quest 3
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
4
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
|
3
|
+1 | Check price |
Apple Vision Pro
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
1
|
4
|
2
|
|
4
|
-1 | $976 |
Meta Quest Pro
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
3
|
7
|
5
|
|
5
|
- | Check price |
PlayStation VR 2
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
5
|
5
|
3
|
|
6
|
- | Check price |
Valve Index
|
6
|
6
|
3
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
2
|
-
|
|
7
|
- | $751 |
HTC Vive Pro 2
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
7
|
6
|
-
|
|
8
|
- | Check price |
HP Reverb G2
|
5
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
|
9
|
- | Check price |
Pico 4
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
10
|
+1 | $1990 |
HTC Vive Focus 3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
We ranked Meta Quest 2 #1 in May 2024 because:
- 9 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR headsets” rankings.
- Out of those, 3 experts ranked Meta Quest 2 as #1.
CNET
Best affordable VR headset
|
High-res display
Great self-contained gaming experience
Doubles as PC VR headset
Works well with a handful of fitness apps
|
Only 2 to 3 hours of battery life
Not designed for younger kids
|
Forbes
Best VR Headset Overall
|
Doesn’t require additional hardware
High resolution
Good library of first and third-party games and experiences
|
Refresh rate not as high as on PC-centric models
Inside-out tracking has some occlusion issues
|
PC Gamer
The best budget VR headset
|
Oculus Link tethering
Improved graphics
Great price
Steady updates
|
Fiddly strap
Now $100 more expensive
Quest 3 is coming soon
|
BestReviews
Best Bang for the Buck
|
There are more than 350 games, media players, fitness apps, entertainment hubs, and more. The intuitive controls are easy to figure out. Untethered capabilities don't require a console or PC to set up. It can be connected to a PC for even more games options.
|
Must have a Meta account to use the headset.
|
Tom's Hardware
Best VR Headset
|
Amazing resolution
Much more powerful than original Quest
|
White picks up dirt and grime
Poor controller ergonomics
|
Pocket-lint
Best budget VR headset
|
Amazing value
Standalone
Comfortable
|
Not as impressive as wired headsets
|
PCMag
Best Affordable VR Headset / Editors' Choice
|
Doesn't require any cables
Sharp display
Powerful processor
Accurate motion tracking
Optional PC tethering via accessory cable
|
Short battery life
|
Tom's Guide
Best entry-level VR headset
|
Seamless all-in-one VR system
Can connect to PCs
Capable of room-scale VR
Large library of apps
|
Controllers aren’t rechargeable
Requires Facebook account
|
We ranked Meta Quest 3 #2 in May 2024 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR headsets” rankings.
- Out of those, 5 experts ranked Meta Quest 3 as #1.
CNET
Best mixed reality VR headset for $500
|
Crisp high-res displays
Improved new processor
Mixed reality with better color cameras
Smaller controllers with better haptics
|
More expensive than Quest 2
Few unique apps and games at launch
Straps and comfort still aren't great
Still only 2-3 hours battery life
|
PC Gamer
The best overall VR headset
|
Easy setup
Compact, comfy design
Great display
An actual affordable VR headset
|
Unproven Mixed Reality content
Expensive accessories
Modest performance upgrades
|
BestReviews
Feature-packed
|
Immersive 4K+ Infinite resolution that makes images pop. Responsive performance with balanced 3d audio and cordless operation. Provides access to more than 500 apps that offer gaming, social, fitness, entertainment, and wellness experiences.
|
Requires a Meta account. Battery life is average.
|
Pocket-lint
Best VR headset overall
|
Great passthrough quality for MR
Improved graphics and performance
Slimmed-down headset and controllers
|
More expensive than its predecessor
|
PCMag
Best Standalone VR Headset / Editors' Choice
|
Color pass-through cameras allow you to clearly see your surroundings
High-resolution picture
Powerful processor
Comfortable design
|
Short battery life
Lacks eye-tracking tech
|
TechRadar
The best VR headset overall
|
Vastly better graphics than Quest 2
Improved mixed reality
Incredible suite of software
|
Lacks eye-tracking
Disappointing battery life
|
Tom's Guide
Best VR headset overall
|
More comfortable design than Quest 2
Vibrant LCD display
Excellent Touch Plus controllers
Impressive full-color passthrough
|
Mixed reality features lacking
Short battery life
Hand tracking isn’t quite useful yet
|
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend VR headsets.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of VR headsets, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for May 2024 ranking
CNET
Forbes
PC Gamer
BestReviews
Tom's Hardware
Pocket-lint
WIRED
PCMag
TechRadar
Tom's Guide
We ranked Apple Vision Pro #3 in May 2024 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR headsets” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Apple Vision Pro as #1.
CNET
Best standalone VR/AR computer
|
Amazing micro-OLED display
A mostly fluid hand-eye control interface
Blends the real and virtual worlds impressively
iOS support folds in tons of familiar apps for work
Playing back personal 3D memories feels transporting
|
Extremely expensive
Hand-eye interface isn't always perfect
Not many VisionOS optimized apps yet
External battery and cord required for use
Doesn't work over glasses
|
BestReviews
Premium Mode
|
Turns your room into a space for movies and apps that can be expanded and arranged however you please. Each eye has a display with more pixels than a 4K TV. Features a 3D camera that captures spatial photos and videos. Apple's Light Seal and cushioned headband offer immersion and comfort.
|
The battery only lasts about 2 hours and requires an additional tethered pack to use.
|
Pocket-lint
Best productivity VR headset
|
Amazing picture quality
Passthrough quality and object permanence is second to none
Some impressive productivity-centric ideas
|
Eye-wateringly expensive
App library is sorely lacking
Users complain about comfort after longer use
|
PCMag
Best AR/VR Interface
|
Best AR/VR interface we've seen
Class-leading eye and hand tracking
No physical controllers needed
Sharp, colorful display
Outstanding video passthrough
Plenty of visionOS apps and features
|
Expensive
Short battery life
Front-heavy design gets uncomfortable
Gaps in iPad app compatibility
|
TechRadar
The best premium VR headset
|
Controls are intuitive and precise
Unmatched visual experience
Superb spatial video functionality
|
On the heavier side
Requires a battery pack
|
Tom's Guide
Best premium VR headset
|
Amazing eye- and hand-tracking interface
Jaw-dropping 3D movies and Apple Immersive Video
Impressive Spatial video and photos
Works magically with MacBooks
Great AR apps and experiences
|
Super expensive
Big apps missing like Netflix and YouTube
Personas need work
Tethered battery can be annoying
|
We ranked Meta Quest Pro #4 in May 2024 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR headsets” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Meta Quest Pro as #1.
Forbes
Best Enthusiast VR Headset
|
Impressive facial and eye tracking
VR visuals have enhanced color and contrast
Controllers are light and intuitive
|
Very expensive compared to its competition
The Horizon Metaverse will be more interesting once more people buy the headset
|
BestReviews
Best of the Best
|
The company's premier VR headset includes a high-quality screen and top-of-the-line control schemes for a comprehensive experience. There's 256 GB of onboard storage and 12 GB of RAM with spatial audio and movement/face sensors.
|
The Metaverse itself fails to live up to the tech and other uses.
|
PCMag
Best for Pros and Enthusiasts
|
Improved design with a more comfortable fit than the Quest 2
Cool eye- and face-tracking tech
Color pass-through camera
Rechargeable headset and controllers
Doesn't require a PC to operate
|
Expensive
Meta Horizon's metaverse is often empty and sometimes buggy
Short battery life
|
TechRadar
The best headset for comfort
|
Comfortable for long sessions
Impressive performance
Sleek controller design
|
Short battery life
One of the more expensive options
|
Tom's Guide
The best VR headset for working
|
Comfortable to wear
Doesn't isolate you from the real world
Convincing spatial audio
|
Very expensive
Short battery life
Working in VR is still unintuitive
|
We ranked PlayStation VR 2 #5 in May 2024 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR headsets” rankings.
CNET
Best high-end console gaming VR headset
|
Vivid, high-res OLED display
Comfortable fit
Excellent controllers
Realistic vibrations
Powerful graphics potential
|
Expensive
Needs to be cabled to PS5
Included earbuds are just OK
Doesn't work with old PSVR games
Game library needs more exclusives
|
BestReviews
Trusted Brand
|
Provides realistic experiences thanks to the 4K HDR resolution, vivid graphics, and spacious field of view. Straightforward to set up with a PS5 console. Offers "feel real" eye tracking, emotions, and other sensations. Impressive audio quality. Fun exclusive experiences.
|
A PS5 console is required which can make the set up fairly expensive.
|
PCMag
Best for PlayStation 5 Gamers / Editors' Choice
|
Excellent graphics and sound
Strong launch library
Useful eye-tracking tech
Lightweight build
Easy to set up
|
Not compatible with PlayStation VR games
|
TechRadar
The best VR headset for console
|
Superb image quality
Simple setup
Comfortable in-game experience
Pin-sharp responsiveness
|
Tom's Guide
The best VR gaming headset
|
Easy to set up
Great controls with haptic feedback
Gorgeous display
Overall excellent VR experience
|
Costs more than a PS5
Controller straps are awkward
|
We ranked Valve Index #6 in May 2024 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR headsets” rankings.
CNET
Still one of the best Steam VR hardware platforms
|
Excellent SteamVR compatibility
Good audio
Innovative controllers
|
Requires external room sensors for tracking
Display resolution lags behind current headsets
|
Forbes
Best VR Headset For Hand Controls
|
High refresh rate delivers smoother VR
Crisp visuals
External Lighthouse sensors offer excellent tracking
|
No wireless option
Expensive
|
PC Gamer
The most immersive VR headset
|
Best in class hardware
Comfortable to wear
Virtually no SDE
|
Setup is awkward
|
Tom's Hardware
Best VR Headset for PC
|
RGB subpixel array eliminates screen-door effect
Wider FOV than comparable headsets
Excellent audio quality
|
Very heavy
Less comfortable than the HTC Vive Pro
Cushions are glued on
|
PCMag
Best Controllers / Editors' Choice
|
Immersive, finger-tracking controllers
High, 120Hz refresh rate delivers smooth motion
Lots of VR software available on PC via SteamVR
|
Expensive
Occasionally frustrating tethered design
|
TechRadar
The best headset for PC gaming
|
Widest field of view
'Knuckle' controllers great for tracking
Well-supported game library
|
Requires a high-end GPU
Lots of cables and cameras needed
Can be tricky to get set up
|
We ranked HTC Vive Pro 2 #7 in May 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR headsets” rankings.
Forbes
Best VR Headset For PC
|
Big library of SteamVR content
Wireless option
Very high resolution
|
Wireless mode limits resolution
LCD screens lack contrast
|
Pocket-lint
Best VR headset for PC
|
Amazing display
Nice and comfortable
Plays nice with most games
|
You'll need a powerful PC to make the most of it
No standalone VR
|
PCMag
Best for the Highest-Resolution VR
|
The best resolution for VR gaming
Smooth motion tracking
Works with Valve Index controllers
|
Expensive
Doesn't include necessary base stations or controllers
|
TechRadar
The best high-resolution VR headset
|
Very high resolution
Wide field of view
Access to great games
|
Tends to run hot
Lots of cables
|
We ranked HP Reverb G2 #8 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR headsets” rankings.
CNET
Best PC VR headset for higher-res gaming
|
Higher-res display
Wider field of view
Great audio
|
Controllers feel cheap
No headphone jack
|
Forbes
Best Value VR Headset For PC
|
One of the highest resolution VR headsets available
Inside-out tracking makes it easy to setup and use
Capable motion controllers come as standard
|
Inside-out tracking has some occlusion issues
Lacks high refresh rate of some other VR headsets
|
TechRadar
The best budget VR headset for PC
|
No screen door effect
Easy to set up
Incredibly high-resolution lens
|
Motion Tracking lacks some precision
Requires a decent gaming PC
|
We ranked Pico 4 #9 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR headsets” rankings.
PC Gamer
The best alternate VR headset
|
Crisp visuals
Aces price to performance
Accurate tracking
Easy IPD and headset adjustment
Great colour passthrough
|
Difficult to buy in the US
A little front weighted
Struggles a bit streaming wirelessly
|
Pocket-lint
Best value VR headset
|
Extremely comfortable
Improved visuals
Great standalone and tethered performance
|
The standalone library is much smaller than Meta's
Not available in the US
|
We ranked HTC Vive Focus 3 #10 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR headsets” rankings.
Tom's Hardware
Best Standalone VR Headset for Business
|
Widest FOV in a standalone headset
Well-balanced weight
|
Expensive
Mediocre controller ergonomics
|