Best Virtual Reality Headsets to Choose in 2020

Are you looking for the best virtual reality headsets[1]?

In this article, we will break down the top VR headsets available while comparing them for price and performance.

Best VR Headsets to Choose in 2020

• Oculus Rift VR Headset

  Starting in the number one spot is the Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Headset. Built using the same technology that makes our smartphone displays so crystal clear, the Oculus Rift is the first and best of the VR kits.

  The unit comes with an Xbox One controller and an Oculus Remote, which gives you total control over any game you play. Connect the device to your PC or gaming console (via HDMI and USB), and the 4-meter long tether allows you to move around without risk of disconnection.

  The product comes with an accelerometer, gyroscope, and two built-in screens of HD 1080p resolution, one for each eye. The image is bright, clear, and crisp, with only a hint of the graininess normal for VR headsets. The peripheral vision is excellent, and there is almost no lag (latency) as you play.

  Your gaming experience will be far more immersive and richer thanks to the Oculus Rift, with surprisingly little interference or alterations of the games themselves. Once you get the device set-up and adjusted to your preferences (it takes a bit of fiddling), you almost forget you’re wearing it. It’s light and comfortable, yet large enough to wear glasses with. However, it only comes with one tracking camera, meaning you have less room to move around in.

  Thankfully, you can install an additional tracking camera (if you pay a bit more) to expand your movement space. The Oculus price is one of the biggest sticking points of this unit. At $600, it’s one of the costliest devices on the market. Still, given its amazing functionality and high quality, it’s worth the price!

• HTC Vive VR Headset

  If you’ve got a high-end gaming PC and want a VR kit to match, the Vive is the device for you. Created by Valve, it’s designed to be used with a wide range of Steam games. The unit’s motion controls are compatible with the most popular games, and you’ll find that the gaming experience is as immersive as it gets.

  If your PC has the right capacities, you’ll find that it’s an amazing way to bring your video games to life. The headset has two 1200 x 1080 screens (1080p resolution), giving you the highest-quality image for top-notch virtual reality. Two sensors hang on the wall to track your movements, allowing you total control over your games.

  When you reach the edge of your “reality cage” (the limits of the sensors), the headset alerts you to help you avoid bumping into anything. The unit requires a few cables to connect to your PC, limiting your movement. However, the two motion controllers and the light-emitting boxes help you to turn your living room into a fully immersive gaming environment. There are even built-in earbuds!

  The Vive can feel a bit clunky and heavy, but it fits fairly comfortably. It fits over glasses, though prepare for some lens fogging. Despite a few software bugs, it is lag-free, seamlessly integrated into Steam games, and offers a vivid VR experience. At $800, this is the most expensive on our list.

• Samsung Gear VR Reality Headsets

  If you are an Android user only, this is the VR unit for you. Designed by Samsung to be compatible with Samsung and other Android devices, the headset[2] offers a fully wireless design that sits comfortably on your head and weighs surprisingly little. While the resolution of the display is not as good as it should be, you’ll find that it’s wonderful for playing games on your Android device.

  With an extensive content library, it’s one of the most versatile of the headsets. Graphics are not as good as they should be, and there is the “screen door effect” with a bit of pixilation. However, the wide variety of available content (via the smartphone’s game, movie, and TV apps) will take your mind off the iffy resolution. It excels at gaming, and all of the smartphone games feel much more immersive and interactive thanks to this device.

  Warning: Take off the unit every 30 to 45 minutes to give your eyes a break and prevent motion sickness. You can’t use it with any other phones, but you’ll find that it fits any high-end Samsung smartphone (Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+, Note 5).

  Simply insert the phone into the micro USB dock, lock it in place, and you’re ready to start watching or gaming. The dock is adjustable to fit larger smartphones. The touchpad on your right temple makes it easy to control the device on your phone, and the controls feel intuitive and responsive.

  The VR unit will drain your phone’s battery drastically (20% per hour, give or take), so be aware of that when playing. If you leave the phone connected to the VR casing for too long, it can overheat. At $100, this is one of the best-priced virtual reality kits around.

  So there you have it: The best virtual reality headsets[3] to choose in 2020. Virtual reality isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. It is here to stay and improve the way we play games and the lens through which we see the world.