January 2023
VR Headsets: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of VR Headset rankings posted by key online experts, as of January 2023.
Summary
Between 11 Jan 2023 and 12 Jan 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 50 VR Headset endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
15 VR Headsets were endorsed in total, only 9 made it into this month's ranking (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included).
As of 12 Jan 2023, Oculus Quest 2 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed vr headset with 10 expert endorsements. 7 experts out of 10 recommended it as the '#1 vr headset' this month. It is followed by Valve Index and HTC Vive Pro 2 , with 7 and 6 expert endorsements respectively.
Brand breakdown
-
HTC:
3 VR Headsets
(#1 is HTC Vive Cosmos Elite )
-
Oculus:
2 VR Headsets
(#1 is Oculus Rift S )
-
Pimax:
2 VR Headsets
(#1 is Pimax 5K Super )
-
Valve Software:
1 VR Headsets
(#1 is Valve Index )
-
HP:
1 VR Headsets
(#1 is HP Reverb G2 )
Price breakdown
At a glance - January 2023 Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | VR Headset |
WIRED
|
Tom's Hardware
|
Tom's Guide
|
PCMag
|
CNET
|
Forbes
|
PC Gamer
|
BestReviews
|
TechRadar
|
Pocket-lint
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | Check price |
Oculus Quest 2
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
|
2
|
- | Check price |
Valve Index
|
-
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
|
3
|
- | $699 |
HTC Vive Pro 2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
7
|
3
|
1
|
3
|
4
|
|
4
|
- | $494 |
HP Reverb G2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
2
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
|
5
|
- | Check price |
Sony PlayStation VR
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
7
|
|
6
|
- | Check price |
Pimax Vision 8K X
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
|
7
|
- | Check price |
Meta Quest Pro
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
|
8
|
+1 | $2390 |
HTC Vive Focus 3
|
3
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
9
|
-1 | $744 |
HTC Vive Cosmos Elite
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
Sorted by price:
| Position in ranking | Price | VR Headset |
|---|---|---|
| #5 | $99.60 | Sony PlayStation VR [buy] [more info] |
| #1 | $333.33 | Oculus Quest 2 [buy] [more info] |
| #4 | $494 | HP Reverb G2 [buy] [more info] |
| #3 | $699 | HTC Vive Pro 2 [buy] [more info] |
| #9 | $743.99 | HTC Vive Cosmos Elite [buy] [more info] |
| #6 | $909 | Pimax Vision 8K X [buy] [more info] |
| #8 | $2390 | HTC Vive Focus 3 [buy] [more info] |
We ranked Oculus Quest 2 #1 in January 2023 because:
- 10 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR Headsets” rankings.
- Out of those, 7 experts ranked Oculus Quest 2 as #1.
Tom's Hardware
Best VR Headset
|
Pros
Amazing resolution
Much more powerful than original Quest
|
Cons
White picks up dirt and grime
Poor controller ergonomics
|
Tom's Guide
Best VR headset overall
|
Pros
Seamless all-in-one VR system
Can connect to PCs
Capable of room-scale VR
Large library of apps
|
Cons
Controllers aren’t rechargeable
Requires Facebook account
|
PCMag
Best Standalone Experience / Editors' Choice
|
Pros
No cables required
Sharp display
Powerful processor
Accurate motion tracking
Optional PC tethering with accessory cable
|
Cons
Short battery life
|
CNET
Best (and still most affordable) VR headset
|
Pros
Self-contained and wireless; great touch controllers; comfortable design for gaming; doubles as PC VR headset; plenty of apps
|
Cons
More expensive
|
Forbes
Best VR Headset Overall
|
Pros
Super accessible, no PC or smartphone required
High resolution all-but-eliminates the screen door effect
Good library of first and third-party games and experiences
|
Cons
Not as high refresh rate as PC-centric models
Inside out tracking has some occlusion issues
|
PC Gamer
The best VR headset
|
Pros
Oculus Link tethering
Improved graphics
Great price
Steady updates
|
Cons
Mandatory Facebook login
Fiddly strap
|
BestReviews
Best Bang for the Buck
|
Pros
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.
|
Cons
Must have a Meta account to use the headset.
|
TechRadar
The most accessible VR headset
|
Pros
Incredibly immersive experiences
Comfortable weight
Easy to use
|
Cons
Requires Facebook account linking
Can still cause motion sickness
|
Pocket-lint
Best standalone headset
|
Pros
Amazing value
Standalone
Comfortable
|
Cons
Facebook login mandatory
|
We ranked Valve Index #2 in January 2023 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR Headsets” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Valve Index as #1.
Tom's Hardware
Best VR Headset for PC
|
Pros
RGB subpixel array eliminates screen-door effect
Wider FOV than comparable headsets
Excellent audio quality
|
Cons
Very heavy
Less comfortable than the HTC Vive Pro
Cushions are glued on
|
Tom's Guide
The best controls and tracking in VR
|
Pros
Great build quality
Smartly designed controllers
Future expansion options
|
Cons
No charging cable in the box
Heavy
|
PCMag
Best for Excellent Controllers / Editors' Choice
|
Pros
Immersive, finger-tracking controllers
High, 120Hz refresh rate delivers smooth motion
Lots of VR software available on PC via SteamVR
|
Cons
Expensive
Occasionally frustrating tethered design
|
CNET
One of the best Steam VR hardware options
|
Pros
Futuristic controllers
high-quality headset
works with Vive hardware
|
Cons
Expensive
requires room setup and tethering cable
|
Forbes
Best Premium VR Headset
|
Pros
High refresh rate delivers smoother VR
High resolution gives crisp visuals
External Lighthouse sensors offer class-leading tracking
|
Cons
No official wireless option
It's expensive for the full kit
|
PC Gamer
The best VR headset for a premium experience on a gaming PC
|
Pros
Best in class hardware
Comfortable to wear
Virtually no SDE
|
Cons
Setup is awkward
Limited support for finger-tracking
|
TechRadar
The best VR headset
|
Pros
Widest field of view
'Knuckle' controllers great for tracking
Well-supported game library
|
Cons
Requires a high-end GPU
Still expensive compared to competition
|
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 January 2023 ranking
WIRED
Tom's Hardware
Tom's Guide
PCMag
CNET
Forbes
PC Gamer
BestReviews
TechRadar
Pocket-lint
We ranked HTC Vive Pro 2 #3 in January 2023 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR Headsets” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked HTC Vive Pro 2 as #1.
PCMag
Best for the Highest-Resolution VR
|
Pros
The best resolution for VR gaming
Smooth motion tracking
Works with Valve Index controllers
|
Cons
Expensive
Doesn't include necessary base stations or controllers
|
Forbes
Best VR Headset For PC
|
Pros
Big library of SteamVR content to play
Wireless option
Very high resolution
|
Cons
Wireless mode limits the resolution considerably
LCD screens don't offer the contrast of the first Pro's OLED
|
PC Gamer
The best display in a mainstream VR headset so far, but it'll cost you.
|
Pros
Awesome display
Precise tracking
Mature tracking
|
Cons
Ridiculously expensive
Takes time to setup
Gets hot in use
|
BestReviews
Best of the Best
|
Pros
Truly Immersive in our user testing.
New 4986 x 2448 resolution doubles previous model's.
Refresh rate of up to 120 Hz for smooth action.
New hard-plastic head mount improves fit and comfort.
|
Cons
Testers felt the 120-degree field of view was not quite wide enough.
Base stations lack mounting hardware.
|
TechRadar
The best high-resolution VR headset
|
Pros
Very high resolution
Wide field of view
Access to great games
|
Cons
Expensive
Can get hot
Lots of cables
|
Pocket-lint
Excellent alternative
|
Pros
Amazing display
Nice and comfortable
Plays nice with most games
|
Cons
You'll need a fancy PC
|
We ranked HP Reverb G2 #4 in January 2023 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR Headsets” rankings.
PCMag
Best for Simple, Tethered VR
|
Pros
High resolution for the price
Comfortable headset and controllers
Works reliably with SteamVR
|
Cons
Camera-based tracking has occasional hiccups
Much more expensive than the Oculus Quest 2, even when factoring the optional cable for PC tethering
Windows Mixed Reality is almost completely dead as a VR platform
|
CNET
Highest-Resolution PC VR Headset
|
Pros
Really sharp high-res display, great audio, comfortable design
|
Cons
Mediocre controllers
|
Forbes
Best Windows Mixed reality Headset
|
Pros
One of the highest resolution VR headsets available
Inside-out tracking makes makes it easy to setup and use day to day
Capable motion controllers come as standard
|
Cons
Inside-out tracking has some occlusion issues
Lacks high refresh rate of some other VR headsets
|
PC Gamer
The best VR headset from the Windows Mixed Reality group
|
Pros
Easy setup and long cable
Accessible physical IPD Toggle
No screen door effect
|
Cons
FOV below average
Limited tracking volume
|
BestReviews
High resolution
|
Pros
Screen resolutions of 2160 x 2160 pixels per eye afford exceptional picture quality.
The lenses can be adjusted to different eye distances.
Near-field speakers create more realistic audio than headphones.
|
Cons
Cameras need good lighting for best accuracy.
Head tracking can be inconsistent.
|
TechRadar
The best affordable VR headset for PC
|
Pros
No screen door effect
Easy to set up
Incredibly high-resolution lens
|
Cons
Motion Tracking lacks some precision
Requires a decent gaming PC
|
Pocket-lint
Excellent display
|
Pros
Great resolution levels
Works nicely with Steam
Solid pricing
|
Cons
Not the best controllers
|
We ranked Sony PlayStation VR #5 in January 2023 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR Headsets” rankings.
Tom's Guide
The best VR headset for consoles
|
Pros
Good gaming library
Fairly easy setup
Relatively affordable
|
Cons
Camera can be very exacting
Could be visually sharper
|
PCMag
Best for PlayStation Gamers / Editors' Choice
|
Pros
Immersive VR experience.
Works with non-VR apps and games.
Motion control support.
Low cost of entry compared with PC-based headsets.
|
Cons
Requires PlayStation Camera, which is not included.
Slightly less powerful than its main competitors.
Some motion-tracking hiccups when playing in brightly lit rooms.
|
CNET
Best bet: wait for PSVR 2 on PS5
|
Pros
Plenty of games
lower price
works with many PS4 controllers like the DualShock and Move.
|
Cons
Resolution isn't cutting-edge
Sony hasn't yet made great VR controllers that match the competition, but a new version may be coming next year.
|
Forbes
Best PlayStation VR Headset
|
Pros
Great library of PSVR games to pick from
The only real console VR experience available
Works with PS4 and PS5
|
Cons
PSVR2 is releasing in early 2023
The headset, controllers, and tracking have fallen behind newer designs
|
TechRadar
The best VR headset for consoles
|
Pros
Affordable compared to the competition
Near PC-quality performance
Good selection of games
|
Cons
Lacking required accessories in box
Poor job sealing out light
Spotty motion controller tracking
|
Pocket-lint
Plug and play fun
|
Pros
Works so easily with PlayStation consoles
Some great games to try
|
Cons
Not the biggest library to call on
|
We ranked Pimax Vision 8K X #6 in January 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR Headsets” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Pimax Vision 8K X as #1.
Tom's Hardware
Best VR Headset Splurge
|
Pros
Excellent clarity at full resolution
Wide FOV
|
Cons
Poor clarity at reduced resolutions
Requires RTX 3000 or better for 90 Hz
|
Pocket-lint
Best VR Headset
|
Pros
Some of the best specs you'll see
Ultra-wide field of view
Staggering gaming visuals
|
Cons
Requires a monster PC to run
|
We ranked Meta Quest Pro #7 in January 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR Headsets” rankings.
PCMag
Best for Pros and High-End Enthusiasts
|
Pros
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
|
Cons
Expensive
Meta Horizon's metaverse is often empty and sometimes buggy
Short battery life
|
BestReviews
Comfortable & Versatile
|
Pros
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.
|
Cons
The Metaverse itself fails to live up to the tech and other uses.
|
We ranked HTC Vive Focus 3 #8 in January 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR Headsets” rankings.
Tom's Hardware
Best Standalone VR Headset for Business
|
Pros
Widest FOV in a standalone headset
Well-balanced weight
|
Cons
Expensive
Mediocre controller ergonomics
|
We ranked HTC Vive Cosmos Elite #9 in January 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR Headsets” rankings.
PC Gamer
HTC goes back to base stations for improved accuracy
|
Pros
High resolutions displays
Accurate tracking
Includes Half-Life: Alyx and Viveport Infinity
|
Cons
First-gen controllers and base stations
Not massively innovative
|
BestReviews
Most comprehensive
|
Pros
Immersive graphics.
Accurate motion controls.
Optimized for premium VR PC gaming.
Detailed 2880 x 1700 resolution.
Crystal-clear stereo audio.
Comfortable fit.
|
Cons
Controllers can be difficult to use.
Some issues with the Viveport software.
|