Best VR headsets 2023: Top picks from Meta, Apple, Sony PlayStation and more

A top virtual reality headset can grant you access to countless gaming and entertainment experiences, but picking the right option can be tricky. 

In 2023, there are now accessible and high-quality headsets from a number of top brands, but knowing what you'll want to do with your device is the key to finding your best fit. 

Fancy the top VR headset for gaming? The Sony PlayStation VR 2 is our favorite option. Want an all-rounder that's also portable? The Meta Quest 2 is your best bet. Need something high-powered to sit alongside your PC? Consider the HTC Vive Pro 2.

As you can see, the best VR headset in 2023 actually depends on your needs - and let's not forget your budget, too. To help you figure out this and more, we've highlighted the top options available.

• How does VR actually work?
• Explaining the difference: Augmented reality vs. mixed reality
• Best AR devices you can currently own

How to choose the right VR headset

As we've already mentioned, finding the best VR headset is all about knowing what you'll actually be using it for. Sure, you'll want it to expand your horizons beyond just your initial interest, but there's plenty to consider before pulling the trigger and buying one. Here are a few points to consider.

The type of VR headset you need

The VR headset market in 2023 sees devices fall into one of the four main categories - PC VR gaming, console VR gaming, standalone VR, and mixed reality. 

Naturally, if you already own a high-powered PC or console, then picking a corresponding headset makes sense from a value perspective.

However, you may want something more affordable and versatile, in which case a standalone device might make more sense.

Features 

All VR headsets come packed with features, but some more than others. While price has a big influence on the quality of these, it's still crucial to decide the most important features for you.

Do you care about comfort over resolution? Is a jam-packed games library more important than the headset's design? It's important to understand your priorities. Otherwise, it can be easy to get sucked into the specs and finer points.

Price

Though VR headsets have become more accessible in recent years, prices still range from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000.

A higher price, as with anything, will generally mean the headset is more powerful and feature better build materials. But this doesn't necessarily mean it's better for you. 

Consider your budget before looking and aim to stick to it. After all, there are plenty of VR accessories and paid-for games and experiences that you also need to account for.

Performance

A more powerful VR headset paves the way for a smoother experience with more immersion, but this top-end performance is often reserved for devices tethered to a PC or console.

There's often a balance to strike between performance and practicality, so consider just how much you prioritize smooth visuals, fast refresh rates, and other specs.

Comfort and design

Wearing a VR headset for extended periods of time can be tiring on your neck and, depending on the fit, different parts of your face.

Since it might not be possible to test out headsets before purchase, consider weight, build materials, and other design factors.

After all, you won't want to use something if it's uncomfortable to wear for more than 10 minutes.

VR headsets coming soon

Apple

2023 is shaping up to be a pretty defining year for the world of VR, with new products expected from the industry's biggest players. Here are a few of the most high-profile headsets coming soon.

Apple Vision Pro

Release date: Early 2024

After years of rumors, delays, and plenty of false dawns, Apple Vision Pro is finally official. 

Unveiled during the encore of Apple's WWDC 2023 event, the 'spatial computer' is the company's first attempt at VR/AR hardware, and it's a pretty different proposition from rival devices. 

As was rumored pre-announcement, the price is lofty - beginning at $3,499 / £2,849 - and won't actually be available until early next year. 

It also has a pretty broad focus, which is to be expected from a first-generation Apple device, with the demonstration showing off a range of apps, content viewing, games, video calls, and productivity use cases.

Current rumors suggest that a more affordable version of the Apple headset will launch before the end of 2025, and will be joined by an updated Pro model with a faster processor, too.

This initial and upcoming Vision Pro headset, then, is seemingly Apple's way of allowing early adopters and developers the opportunity to figure out what everybody else should use this technology for.

Discover all the details with our complete guide to Apple Vision Pro.

Meta Quest 3

Meta

Expected release date: Fall 2023

Just getting out ahead of Apple, Mark Zuckerberg announced that the Meta Quest 3 headset would be arriving later this year for $499.

The Meta CEO didn't go into great detail regarding the technical specs of the upcoming headset, but we do know it's been redesigned significantly, with a 40% slimmer overall body and a next-gen Qualcomm Snapdragon chip powering the experience.

The controllers and haptics have also been upgraded, says Meta, with full-color mixed reality passthrough also available.

Base storage will also begin at 128GB, with Zuckerberg also suggesting that more storage options will be available, too.

No firm release date has yet been given, but, based on previous launches, we're expecting this one around October.

Samsung XR

Expected release date: 2023

After sitting out of the game for a few years, Samsung announced its return last year via a partnership with Google and Qualcomm. 

There was no timeline given for the XR platform to actually launch, and no product details have since emerged, but we'd suspect the fruits of this collaborative effort will launch in 2023 to help rival Apple Vision Pro.

Meta Quest 2

Wareable

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Easy to use, offered at an accessible price point, and featuring a superb library of games, the Meta Quest 2 is comfortably the best VR headset for most people.

Its versatility ensures it's a viable option for total beginners and those who are a little more experienced in the virtual realm, with the second-gen model providing a few incremental improvements from its predecessor, the Oculus Quest.

The standalone, wireless design is now sleeker and still very comfortable, with the performance boosted by improved resolution, faster performance, and even a 120Hz refresh rate in some apps and games.

With a raft of quality Meta Quest 2 accessories, as well, which includes the likes of a more premium headset strap and neat charging dock, the entire package here is well-rounded and easy to recommend. 

The downsides here are that the controller's battery life is still pretty short, and the Meta Quest Link cable, which allows you to turn the device into a bonafide PC VR option, isn't included and is pretty expensive.

In 2023, though, this is the most rounded option on the market - and even better now that it's been given a price cut ahead of the arrival of the Quest 3.

Sony PlayStation VR 2

Wareable

• Price: $549.99 / £599.99
• Buy from Sony

The successor to the original PlayStation VR, 2023 saw Sony finally release the much-rumored follow-up - and it brings plenty of improvements.

The resolution of Sony's PSVR 2 headset blows the original out of the water, and the updated Sense controllers are comfortable, superb at tracking movement, and provide really immersive haptic feedback. 

Given this lives in the PlayStation world, the titles on offer are also second to none - even if they are more limited than what you'll find, for example, in the Meta or SteamVR store. New titles 'Horizon Call Of The Mountain' and 'Gran Turismo 7' are the standouts, though more are expected over the course of the year.

The wired headset design also isn't too cumbersome, with just one cable connecting to the PlayStation 5.

This requirement for the current-gen console is the PSVR 2's biggest downfall, though, and means its appeal is immediately much narrower. Those with a PS4 can still consider the original PSVR, at least.

HTC Vive Pro 2

Wareable

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With the HTC Vive Pro 2, the clue is in the name. This is designed for those with a powerful PC and VR gamers who crave the best resolution on the market. 

You'll also need plenty of space and a fair bit of setup time, given that the room sensors are required to be placed in adjacent corners. If that sounds like a faff, you'll quickly forget all about it after strapping on the Vive Pro 2 for the first time.

The 120Hz refresh rate and 2,448 x 2,448px per eye resolution make it easily the best visual VR experience we've ever tested, with details really standing out in games and apps. Immersion is only furthered by the field of view, too, which can extend to 120 degrees.

Because of the price, we wouldn't necessarily recommend this to those who are completely new to VR, but it is without question the most complete experience you can buy.

There's a rich and growing library of PC VR games, it's comfortable to wear for long periods and there's a list of quality accessories compatible that can keep the experience fresh.

Valve Index

Wareable

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Though it doesn't quite hold the same standing in the PC VR headset rankings as it did when we tested it upon launch back in 2019, the Valve Index is still one of the best options to consider.

The price hasn't come down much in the years since arriving, which means it's still only an option to consider if you're serious about gaming with your headset, but we do rate it as a much better option than the original HTC Vive.

The Index's Knuckle controllers still hold up as great options, thanks to that immersive finger tracking, and access to SteamVR means it's instantly a great fit for avid gamers. 

The design is wired, setup is a bit of a nuisance, and you'll need to pick up the full 'Valve Index VR Kit' if you want the room-scale experience, but it's difficult not to have a soft spot for this one. It was ahead of its time, and that's why it still holds up as a viable option for enthusiasts who already own a solid PC.

Meta Quest Pro 

Wareable

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A more ambitious and less polished headset than its cheaper sibling, Meta's Quest Pro is far from perfect, but it does represent the top mixed-reality device on the market at present. 

It can run games and apps to a similar standard as Quest 2, the design is sleek and the controllers are really fun to use, but the full-color mixed reality capabilities mean this one is really aimed at designers, engineers, and creative types. 

Given that the key draw here is productivity, as well, it's a tad conflicting that it's standalone. It's not the most comfortable headset to wear, and battery life is pretty short, so we think Meta would have been better off making this completely PC-based.

And while the benefit of this standalone design means there's no need for a console or PC, the asking price is still astronomical - even with a recent price cut.

If you're an enthusiast, your money is probably best spent on a PS5/PSVR 2 or a PC/Vive combination - or, alternatively, you could wait for Meta's next hardware release.

This article was first published in November 2019. However, we update it frequently to reflect our most recent reviews and testing, as well as any news relating to upcoming VR headset releases.