The 10 best PC VR headsets of 2021

The HTC VIVE, released in 2016, is one of the pioneer VR headsets for PC. It is without a doubt one of the best VR headsets on the market and offers a great price-to-performance ratio. The VIVE headset has it all: room-scale, 6DoF controllers with haptic feedback, and comfort.

Pros:

• Extensive and positive feedback from the VR community
• Comes with VIVE Wand controllers and sensors (“lighthouses”)
• Precise positional tracking

Cons:

• VIVE Wand controllers don’t have finger tracking
• Complex installation/setup

Sony’s PlayStation VR headset, commonly known as the PS VR headset, works with PS4 gaming consoles. Its 110° FOV OLED display is supported by quite a good refresh rate of 120 Hz, an important spec that may prevent VR motion sickness for some users.

The PS VR headset doesn’t come with an external camera– which is necessary for positional tracking– or controllers. These items are available separately, although bundle purchases do exist.

Pros:

• Simple setup for users that already own a PS4
• High refresh rate

Cons:

• Hidden costs– camera and controllers sold separately (and PS4)
• Positional tracking isn’t as good as with other headsets

The HTC VIVE Pro is among the most expensive HMDs on the market. In comparison with the HTC VIVE, the Pro offers a 78% increase in screen resolution, more comfort, and other additional features.

One of the best options this headset has to offer is the HTC VIVE Wireless Adaptor, enabling users to benefit from the high-quality specifications PC VR has to offer, without the cables. It is also possible to use the VIVE Pro’s two front cameras to experience augmented reality.

Pros:

• AR-enabled
• Wireless adapter option

Cons:

• Doesn’t come with controllers or sensors
• Requires a very powerful PC

Oculus started out as a Kickstarter campaign back in 2012. Today, the Oculus Rift is one of the top gaming VR headset contenders in the industry.

We enjoyed playing with the Rift, although we did feel some pressure on the face and ended up with typical VR faces (our cheeks and foreheads were left with marks for a few hours).

Pros:

• Comes with two 6DoF controllers and two sensors
• Extensive and positive feedback from the VR community

Cons:

• Screen-door effect
• A lot of weight put on the face

The HMD Odyssey is a Windows Mixed Reality headset from Samsung, South Korea’s tech giant. To be clear, this headset is compatible with virtual reality, and not mixed reality (Windows’ Mixed Reality content platform name can be misleading).

This VR headset is quick and easy to install, as it doesn’t require any external sensors or cameras to detect its position. The Odyssey boasts AMOLED displays, contrary to most of its Windows MR counterparts that feature LCD screens.

Pros:

• Inside-out tracking without external sensors
• Built-in microphones and headphones

Cons:

• Doesn’t come with controllers
• No flip-up visor (vs. other Windows MR headsets)

The Dell Visor is another HMD that is part of the Windows Mixed Reality range. Most of these Windows MR headsets boast similar specs. This VR headset features a 110° FOV, a 90 Hz refresh rate, and optional controllers.

Just as other Windows MR headsets, the Dell Visor doesn’t require any external sensors or cameras to provide 6DoF positional tracking.

Pros:

• Inside-out tracking without external sensors
• Flip-up visor to quickly switch between real and virtual environments

Cons:

• Doesn’t come with controllers
• Software-only IPD adjustment

In comparison with its two previous colleagues, the Acer Windows Mixed Reality headset (Acer AH101) features a slightly narrower FOV of 100°.

According to users, this 6DoF virtual reality headset is lightweight and well-balanced. Also, the Acer Windows MR HMD comes with two controllers.

Pros:

• Inside-out tracking without external sensors
• Flip-up visor to quickly switch between real and virtual environments

Cons:

• Less room compared to other Windows MR headsets (ie. for eyeglasses)
• Software-only IPD adjustment

The VR1000-100 is HP’s take on Windows Mixed Reality, providing a more limited 90° FOV than others (100° is achievable with Windows MR Ultra).

This HP Windows MR headset features swappable cords to enable a quick and easy setup. Some users have reported flickering display issues as well as USB chipset incompatibilities.

Pros:

• Inside-out tracking without external sensors
• Flip-up visor to quickly switch between real and virtual environments

Cons:

• Not as comfortable as other PC VR headsets
• Display issues
• Software-only IPD adjustment

The Lenovo Explorer Windows Mixed Reality headset is lightweight and comfortable to wear, although its face padding is too thin and flimsy according to some users. Lenovo’s Windows MR HMD provides crisp images and a 110-degree FOV.

Pros:

• Inside-out tracking without external sensors
• Flip-up visor to quickly switch between real and virtual environments

Cons:

• Thin face padding
• Inferior build quality

The Razer HDK2 also referred to as the OSVR HDK2, is an open-source virtual reality headset. Razer is a gaming hardware brand that is well-known in the e-sports world. This HMD kit is mainly for developers and tinkerers, but it is also suitable for regular VR users. It’s possible to add a Leap Motion module to the HDK2 in order to obtain hand tracking.

Pros:

• Open-source and modular design
• Less demanding system requirements

Cons:

• Uncomfortable design
• Complex assembly