How to Choose the Right VR Headset?

Virtual reality is becoming increasingly popular. But what is the best virtual reality headset to buy? And what should you consider when purchasing a VR-headset? In this blog, we explain step-by-step the most important aspects of a VR-headset and what key factors to keep in mind when purchasing one.

• Oculus Quest 2 : the Oculus Quest 2 is currently the most popular choice for a virtual reality headset. This is because the headset is completely wireless and can be used without a computer. Additionally, thanks to the relatively low purchase price (available from €288 excluding VAT), the headset is accessible to everyone exploring VR-wereld for the first time.
• HP Reverb G2: the HP Reverb G2 is the most popular choice when you are looking for a VR-headset in combination with a computer. The advantage of a PC-gestuurde VR-headset is that the headset can provide a much higher image quality. Additionally, you usually have a lot more choices in terms of software and games (compared to a standalone VR-headset like the Oculus Quest 2).
• HTC VIVE Pro 2 : the HTC VIVE Pro 2 is a popular choice for users looking for a VR-headset with high quality that utilises external tracking (for example, with full-body tracking). Additionally, the HTC VIVE Pro 2 is available with a so-called “business edition”, making the headset a good choice for business users and VR arcades.
• Varjo Aero : the Varjo Aero currently has the highest image resolution of any virtual reality headset. This headset is intended for the “prosumer”: consumers looking for a professional headset. Due to the high image resolution, the Varjo Aero is mainly used in sim-games and other applications where clear vision is crucial.

Standalone VR: Standalone virtual reality, or All-in-One VR, is a virtual reality headset that is not connected to a computer with a cable. The headset contains its own processor chip, making it fully “standalone”. The advantage of a standalone headset is that it is completely kabel-vrij, you don't need an extra computer to use the headset, and the purchase price of a standalone headset is relatively low (compared to a PC VR headset). The disadvantages of a standalone VR-headset are that the resolution is usually lower than a PC VR-headset and fewer games and applications are available for these headsets.

Examples of Standalone / All-in-One VR Headsets include:

• Oculus Quest 2
• Pico Neo 3 Pro
• HTC VIVE Focus 3

PC VR: a PC VR-headset is a virtual reality headset that you connect to a computer with a cable. This cable allows you to utilise the power of your PC. As a result, you generally get better image quality than with a standalone headset. Additionally, a PC VR-headset usually uses the SteamVR-gaming platform, where you can find the most comprehensive overview of games and applications for virtual reality.

Console VR and Smartphone VR: Lastly, there are also Console VR and Smartphone VR to consider. A console VR-headset is a headset that you connect to a gaming-console. Currently, the only console VR-headset is the PlayStation VR headset. This VR-headset connects to the PlayStation 4 (or 5). A release for the new PlayStation VR 2 has been announced, but it is not yet known when it will be launched.

A Smartphone VR Headset is a VR-headset where you can insert a mobile phone. The VR-headset, therefore, does not have a built-in processor like a All-in-One VR headset; instead, the content is played on the mobile phone. Due to the limited capabilities of a mobile phone, a smartphone VR-headset is generally only used for watching 360-graden videos, not for gaming-toepassingen.

To determine which VR-Headset is suitable for you, it can be useful to look closely at the specifications of the headset. For example, do you mainly want to use the headset for playing flight simulators? Then a headset with a high resolution is important. But if you find it more important to use the headset without cables, you will automatically look at a standalone / all-in-one headset. In this way, there are several specifications to consider when purchasing a headset.

Resolution : the image resolution is one of the most important specifications to ensure the quality of a VR-headset. The image resolution is always displayed in a number of pixels. The higher this number of pixels, the sharper the image quality.

Refresh rate : the refresh rate indicates how smoothly images can be played. With a low refresh rate, the image will be choppier than with a high refresh rate. The refresh rate is always displayed in a number of Hz.

Tracking Method : the tracking method determines how the VR-headset and controllers are tracked in space. Generally, there are two possibilities: inside-out tracking and external tracking. With inside-out tracking, tracking cameras are built into the headset itself. These cameras see where the headset is in space and track the controllers. The advantage of inside-out tracking is that you no longer need separate sensors. The disadvantage of this tracking method is that it is less accurate than external tracking.

With external tracking, you use external tracking sensors (also known as base stations or lighthouses). These base stations are placed opposite each other in the corner of a room. The base stations emit a signal that is picked up by the headset and controllers. This tracking method provides the most accurate form of tracking. External tracking also makes it possible to use full-body tracking with HTC VIVE trackers.

To determine the right VR-headset, it is helpful to first think about whether you want to use a VR-headset with or without a computer. This way, you can eliminate about half of the VR-headsets, making it easier to choose the right headset. Then you can think about which specifications are important. For example, do you find it important that the headset has good image resolution? Or do you want to move a lot with the headset, making it important that the headset has good tracking? Based on these questions, you can choose the right VR-headset.