PCMag has covered virtual reality since the original Oculus Rift Development Kit launched more than a decade ago. Since then, we’ve tested every major VR headset, including experimental AR devices like Google Glass and the Microsoft HoloLens (not to mention the growing variety of smart glasses). These days, there are headsets in every shape, size, and price, ranging from the entry-level, wire-free Meta Quest 3S to the class-leading Apple Vision Pro. We’ve thoroughly tested all of these models, evaluating them for their graphical capabilities, motion tracking, software library, comfort, user experience, and value. The Meta Quest 3 is our top pick for standalone headsets, but it’s far from the only model we recommend. Read on for our other recommendations, followed by everything you need to know about buying a VR headset.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
September 29, 2025: With this update, we removed the Meta Quest Pro, which is no longer available for purchase. Our remaining picks have been vetted for currency and availability.
- 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
The Quest 3 is an expensive Meta headset, but its higher resolution and wider field of view justify the price compared with the company’s lower-cost options. Additionally, it’s a well-equipped standalone VR headset, featuring a color pass-through camera for mixed reality and a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor.
Want to experience VR without cables? This is the standalone headset for you. The picture is sharper and wider, which goes a long way. When factoring price and specs, the Quest 3 is the best overall device for getting into VR without investing in a tethered headset and a PC (or a super-expensive Apple Vision Pro).
Type
Standalone
Resolution
2,064 by 2,208 (per eye)
Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Motion Detection
6DOF
Controls
Meta Quest Touch Controllers
Hardware Platform
Standalone
Software Platform
Meta
Learn More
Meta Quest 3 Review
- Inexpensive
- Fast processor
- Color pass-through camera
- Works standalone or tethered to PC
- Many apps and games
- Occasionally grainy display
- Controllers must be in view of the headset for accurate tracking
The Meta Quest 3S is the least expensive way to get into VR without making major compromises. It’s a standalone VR headset with color pass-through cameras and the same processor that powers the higher-end model. In fact, it’s nearly identical except for the display, which isn’t nearly as sharp or has as wide a field of view. Still, it looks good for the price.
This is the ideal introductory VR headset if you don’t want to spend half a grand trying out the technology. It has everything you need for a strong VR experience, although its picture quality isn’t as good as its more expensive sibling.
Type
Standalone
Resolution
1,832 by 1,920 (per eye)
Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Motion Detection
6DOF
Controls
Meta Quest Touch Controllers
Hardware Platform
Standalone
Software Platform
Meta
Learn More
Meta Quest 3S Review
- Excellent graphics and sound
- Strong launch library
- Useful eye-tracking tech
- Lightweight build
- Easy to set up
- Not compatible with PlayStation VR games
The PlayStation VR 2 is a significant upgrade over the original, combining the PlayStation 5’s power with new eye-tracking and motion-control technology that makes VR games even more immersive. Plus, the lightweight headset has impressive specs, including a sharp OLED display that delivers a 2,000-by-2,040-pixel image to each eye.
The PS VR2 is designed for gamers who are committed to Sony’s next-generation vision of virtual reality. After all, the headset’s not inexpensive at nearly $600, and it lacks backward compatibility with original PlayStation VR games. However, this comfortable and impressive hardware has its own strong library.
Type
Tethered
Resolution
2,000 by 2,040 (per eye)
Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Motion Detection
6DOF
Controls
PlayStation VR2 Sense
Hardware Platform
PlayStation 5
Software Platform
PlayStation 5
Learn More
Sony PlayStation VR2 Review
- 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
Valve’s PC-tethered VR headset is pricey, and doesn’t stand out much from the competition. The headset is just one part of the VR experience, though, and the Valve Index really impresses due to its other major component: the controllers. They’re revolutionary, able to track individual finger movements and make games (that take advantage of the feature) much more immersive than the standard trigger grips on other controllers. It’s fantastic to see your fingers wiggle in Half-Life: Alyx.
Although the headset isn’t outstanding, it still offers crisp, smooth graphics with a high refresh rate. The system integrates with Valve’s Steam store through SteamVR, offering an extensive library of VR games, even if only a tiny fraction of them support finger tracking.
This is the go-to VR headset for use with PCs, thanks to its strong performance and revolutionary controllers. If you’re just starting with VR on PC, go with this one. If you already have a SteamVR-compatible headset, such as the Vive Pro 2 and its base stations, you can buy the controllers for $280 to breathe new life into your VR experience without investing in the full Valve Index system. You can also use the Valve Index controllers with the Quest 3, 3S, or Pro headsets, though you’ll need an $80 Meta Quest Link Cable and the $300 base stations.
Type
Tethered
Resolution
1,600 by 1,440 (per eye)
Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Motion Detection
6DOF
Controls
Valve Index Controllers
Hardware Platform
PC
Software Platform
SteamVR
Learn More
Valve Index VR Kit Review
- 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
The Vision Pro is Apple’s first foray into AR and VR, though the company is careful to describe it as a “spatial computer” rather than a headset. Whatever you call it (we consider it an AR/VR/mixed reality headset), the Vision Pro is an incredibly ambitious device that’s good for work or play. The headset relies entirely on eye and hand tracking for controls that enable a far more intuitive and natural control system than any we’ve tested. As a first-generation device on a newly launched platform, VisionOS, it’s surprisingly full-featured, with some of the best hardware ever put into a consumer-available, head-mounted display.
People with deep pockets. The Vision Pro costs $3,500, several times more than any other headset we’ve tested. That’s expensive, even for early adopters. If you’re willing to spend that much money on a new AR/VR experience, go for it. Just recognize that Apple will probably make even better and/or less expensive versions in the next few years. In addition, the Vision Pro has a few software omissions and stability issues that can be fixed with patches, but the headset’s front-heavy balance can’t.
Type
Standalone
Resolution
22 million pixels
Refresh Rate
100 Hz
Motion Detection
6DOF
Controls
Eye and hand tracking
Hardware Platform
Apple M2
Software Platform
Apple VisionOS
Learn More
Apple Vision Pro Review
- The best resolution for VR gaming
- Smooth motion tracking
- Works with Valve Index controllers
- Expensive
- Doesn’t include necessary base stations or controllers
The HTC Vive Pro 2 targets enthusiasts and professionals with the sharpest VR picture available at 2,448 by 2,448 pixels per eye. It works with SteamVR and has its own VR software store (Viveport). The store offers the subscription-based Viveport Infinity service (starting at $5.99 per month), which provides unlimited access to VR experiences—a nice bonus.
If you want the best VR experience available without diving into pro-level extremes, the Vive Pro 2 combined with Valve Index controllers is the combination to get. It’ll cost you at least $1,300 before factoring in a PC with the necessary specs to take full advantage of the headset’s capabilities, but you’ll enjoy amazing visuals and controls.
Type
Tethered
Resolution
2,440 by 2,440 (per eye)
Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Motion Detection
6DOF
Controls
None Included
Hardware Platform
PC
Software Platform
SteamVR
Learn More
HTC Vive Pro 2 Review
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The Best VR Headsets for 2025
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Buying Guide: The Best VR Headsets for 2025
Which VR Headset Is the Best?
Modern VR headsets fit under one of two categories: tethered or standalone.
Tethered headsets, such as the HTC Vive Pro 2 and Valve Index, are physically connected to PCs. Their cables make them a bit unwieldy, but by putting all the video processing in a box you don’t need to directly strap to your face, your VR experience can be much more complex. External or outward-facing cameras provide full 6DOF (six degrees of freedom) movement tracking for your head and hands, thanks to motion-sensing controllers.
The least expensive tethered options are currently around $400, and that’s before addressing the processing issue. For example, the HTC Vive Pro 2 and Valve Index require powerful PCs to run. On the console side, the PS VR2 requires a PlayStation 5.
Meta Quest 3S (Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Standalone headsets offer the most incredible physical freedom by eliminating cables and the need for an external device to handle processing. The Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S use outward-facing cameras to provide 6DOF motion tracking and similar 6DOF motion controls. They lack a dedicated gaming PC’s processing power, but their high-end mobile processors push detailed, smooth graphics. They also support PC-tethered VR with an optional cable.
The Apple Vision Pro is the most advanced standalone headset, and the most advanced headset overall. Apple doesn’t refer to its hardware as a VR headset, but rather a “spatial computer.” It relies entirely on eye and hand tracking for control and has the most intuitive interface we’ve seen in testing. It’s also an incredible $3,500, which is a huge ask compared with any other headset on this list. It’s also a first-generation model on a new platform, even if the platform (VisionOS) is built on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
VR Headsets vs. Smart Glasses
You may have seen other headsets emerge over the past few years, including the Magic Leap One and Microsoft HoloLens. They aren’t on this list for a few reasons. The most significant one is that they’re augmented reality (AR) headsets, not virtual reality headsets. There’s a difference.
Apple Vision Pro (Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
AR headsets are designed to let you view your surroundings through transparent lenses, rather than completely replacing your vision with a computer-generated image. They project images over whatever you’re looking at, but those images are designed to complement and interact with the surrounding area. For instance, you can make a web browser pop up in the middle of a room or watch animals run around your coffee table. It’s a fascinating technology.
Recommended by Our Editors
The Apple Vision Pro is the closest to a comprehensive AR headset. It uses pass-through cameras instead of transparent lenses, so your view of your surroundings won’t be as clear as that of transparent displays. However, they still show everything around you in color and scan those surroundings to properly place virtual objects in that space. Meta’s headsets also have color pass-through cameras and can track your environment, but they’re less clear to see through.
Meta Ray-Ban Display (Credit: Meta)
The real future of augmented reality probably won’t be bulky headsets, though. They’ll be smart glasses, specifically display-based smart glasses. They use tiny projectors to display images on lenses built into devices that are no larger or heavier than ordinary glasses. They’re much easier to put on, take off, and wear for extended periods than full headsets. But the trade-off is that their fields of view are significantly smaller, occupying a rectangular area in front of your vision rather than fully spanning it. The smart glasses category is still in its early stages of development. It has yet to provide a fully polished augmented reality experience comparable with the Vision Pro, but a few have proven useful solely as wearable displays. Upcoming models from Meta and Rokid show considerable potential as full AR glasses that can overlay information about whatever you’re looking at.
With that in mind, we’ll continue to track the best new VR headsets as they are released, so please check back soon for updates. And after you find the right headset, check out our list of the best VR games.
