Overview of all VR headsets in 2020

In 2020, there are so many Virtual Reality headsets on the market that it may be challenging to choose one. In this blog, we explain which headsets are available at the moment and what the advantages and disadvantages of these headsets are.

The HTC Vive Pro has been on the market since 2018 but still ranks at the top of the virtual reality world. With a high resolution of 1440 x 1600 pixels per eye and the use of external sensors, the HTC Vive Pro remains the number one choice for business and professional users. The HTC Vive Pro stands out from other headsets due to the possibility of using the headset wirelessly (in combination with the wireless bundle) and its reliable tracking in large play areas (up to 10 x 10 meters). The HTC Vive Pro is currently mainly used in industries that utilise virtual reality.

The newer HTC Vive Pro Eye uses advanced eye-tracking technology, which allows the user's field of view to be rendered more sharply and even enables hands-free use of the headset. This headset is mainly used by professional users and developers, as not every standard game is compatible with eye-tracking motion controls. Like its predecessor, the Vive Pro Eye uses external sensors, allowing the headset to be used in a space of up to 10 x 10 meters.

The HTC Vive Focus (Plus) is HTC's first standalone headset. This headset uses a built-in processor, so it does not need to be connected to a computer. This means that the headset requires no cables and can play games and content entirely on its own! The HTC Vive Focus (and the newer Focus Plus) is mainly used by business users. This is because the Vive Focus comes with the so-called 'Vive Wave' platform. On this platform, developers can create content and easily play it with the Vive Focus.

The HTC Vive Cosmos is HTC's latest VR headset. Unlike the Vive Pro and Vive Pro Eye, this headset uses inside-out tracking. With this tracking method, several cameras are built into the VR headset. These cameras can determine the movements of the controllers and the position of the headset in a room, so it is no longer necessary to set up external sensors. However, this tracking method has a small drawback; it is less reliable than tracking with external sensors. Thus, the HTC Vive Cosmos is less suitable for use with multiple people in a large space, as the built-in cameras may lose position and fail to track the controllers accurately. On the other hand, the HTC Vive Cosmos is the first VR headset to use inside-out tracking in combination with a wireless adapter, making it the very first standalone headset that can be used wirelessly and without external sensors!

The HTC Vive Cosmos Elite and Vive Cosmos Play are the new additions to the current Vive lineup. With the Vive Cosmos, you use external base stations, much like with the HTC Vive Pro, making the tracking of the headset and controllers more reliable. The Vive Cosmos is a comprehensive package that includes controllers and base stations 1.0.

The Oculus Rift S was released by Oculus (a company acquired by Facebook) at the beginning of 2019. The Rift S is a direct successor to the original Oculus Rift, one of the first consumer VR headsets. Combining ease of use, high resolution, and a relatively low price, the Oculus Rift S is a very popular headset among consumers new to VR. The Rift S appears to be one of the most popular VR headsets at the moment and is mainly used by consumers.

With the arrival of the Oculus Quest, Oculus has paved a new path for the future of virtual reality. The Oculus Quest is one of the first standalone VR headsets that is powerful enough to play complete games. Its relatively low purchase price makes the Oculus Quest affordable for most consumers, and it is one of the most popular headsets on the market. However, a limitation of the Oculus Quest is its relatively limited library, as not every game can be played on the Quest's platform. When games are too graphically demanding, they appear grainy and static on the Quest, resulting in a less enjoyable gaming experience. But for games like Beat Saber, SuperHot VR, and The Climb, the Oculus Quest is an excellent headset that is highly accessible to every VR player.

The Oculus Go is actually the predecessor to the Oculus Quest. It is a smaller, lighter, and less powerful standalone headset. Due to its lower power, this headset is mainly used for viewing videos and pictures. Its light weight and handy size make the Oculus Go an ideal mobile VR headset that you can easily put on or use to show something to others. For this reason, the Oculus Go is also widely used by consumers looking for a basic VR experience or by professionals who want to showcase a product or their own content.

The HP Reverb is the second standalone headset from the well-known brand HP. The HP Reverb is a Windows Mixed Reality headset, meaning it operates on the Windows Mixed Reality platform (instead of via Steam like the HTC Vive Pro or the Oculus Store like Oculus does). But don't worry; it is certainly possible to game and play other content on a Windows Mixed Reality platform! The HP Reverb is characterised by an ultra-high resolution of 2160 x 2160 pixels per eye, making it mainly used by professional users looking for the highest image quality for applications such as simulation games or viewing videos or other applications.

Pimax VR is a new and emerging brand that has quickly captured a significant share of the VR market. The headsets are immediately noticeable for their striking appearance. The distinctive stripe running across the headset gives it a very futuristic feel. But besides the external design, Pimax VR headsets offer something unique: a field of view of no less than 200 degrees! Comparable headsets like the HTC Vive Pro and Oculus Rift S offer an average field of view of 110 degrees, so the Pimax VR is certainly an attractive choice for anyone looking for a special VR headset.

Valve (known from the game platform Steam) released the much-discussed Valve Index headset in 2019. For many professional users, this headset was the decisive factor in truly transitioning to virtual reality. With its high resolution of 1440 x 1600 pixels per eye and exceptionally high refresh rate of 120 Hz, the Valve Index offers a fantastic gaming experience for every user. In addition to the incredibly sharp and smooth image, the Valve Index is also exceptionally comfortable and suitable for longer play sessions. Valve listened to user feedback to try to create the perfect VR headset, and to a large extent, they succeeded! Besides the headset, Valve also released a new pair of controllers: the Valve Knuckles. These controllers offer individual finger tracking, meaning you no longer 'hold' a traditional controller but actually use your hands in the virtual world!

The Samsung Odyssey+ might be an older headset (released in 2017), but it is still popular among many professional users. The Windows Mixed Reality headset is characterised by its high comfort and sharp resolution, making it extremely suitable for simulation games that require the headset to be worn for extended periods. It is no surprise that the Samsung Odyssey+ has gained the nickname "With its ease of use and relatively low price, the Samsung Odyssey+ remains a good choice for users looking to upgrade their old set or experience a high-quality VR experience at an affordable price.