HP Reverb Review

With the launch of the HP Reverb, HP hopes to directly compete with other VR headsets, such as the HTC Vive Pro. While the HP Reverb boasts some significant improvements over its predecessors, like the Samsung Odyssey and Acer AH101, there are still a few areas where it falls short. In this review, you can read all the pros and cons of the HP Reverb. Want to order the HP Reverb? You can view it here.

The HP Reverb looks like a cross between the Google Daydream and the Oculus Rift S. The matte black design with a fabric texture on the front gives the headset a robust appearance. However, since the headset doesn’t look bulky, it luckily doesn’t appear as intimidating as other headsets in the same price range. The HP Reverb looks ready to wear right out of the box. This is partly due to the inside-out tracking; the headset only requires a single cable to connect to the computer. You put the headset on, perform a small setup procedure, and can start enjoying VR fun straight away.

But what really sets the HP Reverb apart from its competition is its high level of comfort. Weighing just half a kilogram, the HP Reverb is comparable to the Oculus Go. For a headset that needs to be tethered to a computer, this is incredibly light. This allows you to play with the HP Reverb for extended periods without feeling like you have a cumbersome headset on your head. Additionally, the Reverb has a large circular ring at the back. This ring ensures that the (light) weight of the headset is distributed even more evenly across your head.

The built-in headphones can be cushioned over your ears for a good audio experience. Another handy feature is the flip-up display of the HP Reverb. If you don’t want to play for a while or need to look around the room, you can simply lift the display a bit. This way, you don’t need to take off the headset if you want to have a drink or talk to someone; you can simply lift the display and carry on. Additionally, with Microsoft's "Flashlight" feature, you can look through the front camera, allowing you to see the real environment while wearing the headset.

The display of the HP Reverb is what makes the headset so impressive. With two 2160 x 2160 pixels per eye (for comparison: the HTC Vive Pro has a resolution of 1600 x 1400 per eye). This makes the HP Reverb one of the highest resolution headsets available commercially. Every detail is rendered down to the smallest points, which ensures that with the right VR game or app, hyper-realistic images can be displayed.

A high refresh rate of 90 Hz ensures that there is almost no motion sickness (see the image below for a comparison). However, there is a less-known "Mura" effect. This means that colours and brightness are not always consistently displayed. According to other users, though, this effect is minimal and occurs rarely.

Unfortunately, the controllers of the HP Reverb are somewhat disappointing. With the emergence of new Oculus touch controllers and the soon-to-be-released Valve Knuckles, the Mixed Reality controllers feel a bit outdated. The way you hold the controller, combined with the layout of the buttons, makes it feel slightly uncomfortable. Do the controllers do their job? Absolutely, but once you’ve gotten used to the Oculus Touch or Valve Knuckles, you won’t want to go back to the mixed reality controller.

As mentioned earlier, the HP Reverb uses inside-out tracking. This eliminates the need to set up external sensors around the room, as the headset automatically tracks. The downside of this type of tracking is that if the controllers move out of the headset's field of view, you may lose tracking. For many games, this is practically not a problem—you can, for example, play Beat Saber without losing tracking—but occasionally, this might be noticeable if you hold the controller behind your head or beside your side.

Despite the controllers, the HP Reverb is still the most impressive WMR headset on the market. Its high resolution is breathtaking, and combined with its high comfort level, the HP Reverb is highly suitable for longer play sessions. Businesses and other commercial entities can also benefit from the new HP Reverb. Its easy setup and tracking method, along with the extremely high quality, make the Reverb ideal for simulations and demonstrations.

So, are you looking for a VR headset with high user-friendliness, high resolution, and relatively low entry price? Then the HP Reverb is an excellent choice! Click here to order the HP Reverb.