September 2023
VR Headsets: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of VR headsets rankings posted by key online experts, as of September 2023.
Summary
On 3 Sep 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 53 VR headset endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
17 VR headsets were endorsed in total, only 8 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 3 Sep 2023, Oculus Quest 2 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed VR headset with 10 expert endorsements. 8 experts out of 10 recommended it as the '#1 VR headset' this month.
Brand breakdown
-
HTC: 4 VR headsets
(#1 is HTC Vive Pro 2)
-
Pimax: 2 VR headsets
(#1 is Pimax Vision 8K X)
-
Oculus: 1 VR headsets
(#1 is Oculus Quest 2)
-
Meta: 1 VR headsets
(#1 is Meta Quest Pro)
-
Valve Software: 1 VR headsets
(#1 is Valve Index)
Price breakdown
At a glance - September Ranking
Rank | Change | Price | VR Headset |
Tom's Guide
![]() |
PCMag
![]() |
TechRadar
![]() |
PC Gamer
![]() |
BestReviews
![]() |
Tom's Hardware
![]() |
Pocket-lint
![]() |
WIRED
![]() |
Forbes
![]() |
CNET
![]() |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
|
- | $500 |
![]()
The Oculus Quest 2 is a virtual reality headset that offers improved graphics, accurate tracking, decent battery life, and reasonably good comfort, making it suitable for various use cases and providing a diverse range of gaming experiences.
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
- | $995 |
![]()
The Meta Quest Pro VR headset receives positive reviews for its graphics, tracking system, comfort, and potential for business applications, making it a versatile and immersive VR headset.
|
3
|
5
|
5
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
1
|
3
|
5
|
3
|
3
|
- | Check price |
![]()
The Valve Index is a highly praised virtual reality headset that offers impressive graphics, accurate tracking, comfortable design, and a diverse content library, making it suitable for a wide range of users.
|
-
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
6
|
4
|
- | Check price |
![]()
The HP Reverb G2 VR headset offers impressive graphics, a comfortable design, and a comprehensive content library, although its tracking system may not be as strong as some other VR headsets.
|
-
|
6
|
6
|
4
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
5
|
5
|
- | Check price |
![]()
The PlayStation VR 2 is a highly praised VR headset with impressive graphics, comfortable design, accurate tracking, and a growing library of immersive games.
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
2
|
6
|
- | $790 |
![]()
The HTC Vive Pro 2 is a high-quality virtual reality headset with impressive graphics, accurate tracking, decent battery life, and comfortable wear, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
|
-
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
8
|
+1 | Check price |
![]()
The Varjo Aero VR headset is highly praised for its exceptional graphics capabilities, accurate tracking system, comfort, and comprehensive content library, making it a top choice for users seeking a highly immersive VR experience.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
+1 | $2390 |
![]()
The HTC Vive Focus 3 is a highly praised virtual reality headset with impressive graphics, accurate tracking, comfortable design, and a diverse content library, making it suitable for various applications.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
We ranked Oculus Quest 2 #1 in September 2023 because:
- 10 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR headsets” rankings.
- Out of those, 8 experts ranked Oculus Quest 2 as #1.

Tom's Guide
Best VR headset overall
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
|
PCMag
Best for Standalone VR / Editors' Choice
Doesn't require any cables
Sharp display
Powerful processor
Accurate motion tracking
Optional PC tethering via accessory cable
|
Short battery life
|
TechRadar
The best VR headset for most people
Incredibly immersive experiences
Comfortable weight
Easy to use
|
Requires Facebook account linking
Can still cause motion sickness
|
PC Gamer
The best VR headset
Oculus Link tethering
Improved graphics
Great price
Steady updates
|
-Fiddly strap
-Now $100 more expensive
-Next-gen Quest is coming this year
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Meta Quest Pro #2 in September 2023 because:
- 8 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR headsets” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Meta Quest Pro as #1.

Tom's Guide
The best mixed reality headset
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
|
PCMag
Best for Pros and High-End 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
|
BestReviews
Comfortable & Versatile
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.
|
Pocket-lint
Best VR headset
Superb visuals and sound
Excellent inside out tracking
Comfortable fit
Flexible uses
|
Hefty price tag
Fiddly base station
|
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
|
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 September 2023 ranking










We ranked Valve Index #3 in September 2023 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR headsets” rankings.

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
Still expensive compared to competition
|
PC Gamer
The best tethered 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
|
Forbes
Best VR Headset For Hand Controls
High refresh rate delivers smoother VR
High resolution gives crisp visuals
External Lighthouse sensors offer class-leading tracking
|
No official wireless option
It's expensive for the full kit
|
We ranked HP Reverb G2 #4 in September 2023 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR headsets” rankings.

PCMag
Best for Simple, Tethered VR
High resolution for the price
Comfortable headset and controllers
Works reliably with SteamVR
|
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
|
TechRadar
The best affordable 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
|
PC Gamer
The best mid-range VR headset
Easy setup and long cable
Accessible physical IPD Toggle
No screen door effect
|
FOV below average
Limited tracking volume
|
BestReviews
High resolution
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.
|
Cameras need good lighting for best accuracy.
Head tracking can be inconsistent.
|
Forbes
Best Value VR Headset For PC
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
|
Inside-out tracking has some occlusion issues
Lacks high refresh rate of some other VR headsets
|
We ranked PlayStation VR 2 #5 in September 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR headsets” rankings.

Tom's Guide
The best VR gaming headset / Editor's Choice
Easy to set up
Great controls with haptic feedback
Gorgeous display
Overall excellent VR experience
|
Costs more than a PS5
Controller straps are awkward
|
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 consoles
Superb image quality
Simple setup
Comfortable in-game experience
Pin-sharp responsiveness
|
Expensive
Occasional image ghosting
Poor controller battery life
|
We ranked HTC Vive Pro 2 #6 in September 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR headsets” rankings.

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
|
Expensive
Can get hot
Lots of cables
|
PC Gamer
The best display on a VR headset
Awesome display
Precise tracking
Mature tracking
|
Ridiculously expensive
Takes time to setup
Gets hot in use
|
Pocket-lint
Best VR headset for PC
Amazing display
Nice and comfortable
Plays nice with most games
|
You'll need a fancy PC
|
Forbes
Best VR Headset For PC
Big library of SteamVR content to play
Wireless option
Very high resolution
|
Wireless mode limits the resolution considerably
LCD screens don't offer the contrast of the first Pro's OLED
|
We ranked Varjo Aero #7 in September 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best VR headsets” rankings.

Tom's Hardware
Best VR Headset Image Clarity
Ultra-clear display
Adjustability
Automatic IPD
Standard USB-C cable
|
Headphones, base stations & controllers not included
Expensive
A little heavy
|
Pocket-lint
Premium PC VR headset
Incredibly clear display
Comfortable and immersive fit
Excellent features
Useful software
|
Very costly
Requires additional purchase to work
No built-in speakers
|
We ranked HTC Vive Focus 3 #8 in September 2023 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
|