The best VR headsets for consumers and businesses

We regularly receive the question: what is the best virtual reality headset? To provide a good answer, it's important to first consider what you intend to do with the headset. For instance, if you specifically want to use it for gaming, the HP Reverb G2 is an excellent choice. However, if you plan to use the headset to showcase simple 360-degree videos, you might be better off choosing something else.

Firstly, it's essential to choose between a PC VR headset and a standalone headset. As the name suggests, a PC VR headset connects to a computer. These headsets are always wired and are directly connected to your PC's graphics card, providing significant power to play most content at high quality.

A standalone headset, on the other hand, has a built-in graphics processor, meaning you don't need an external computer and are completely free from cables. The downside is that standalone headsets are less powerful than PC VR headsets, resulting in a more limited selection of apps and games.

HP Reverb G2The HP Reverb G2 is the latest headset from developer HP. It's the successor to the previously released HP Reverb and builds on the successes of that model. HP developed this headset in close collaboration with Valve, known for the Valve Index headset. Certain design elements, like the headphones, have been carried over, making the HP Reverb G2 a very comfortable and high-quality headset.

Oculus Quest 2Many users are familiar with it: the Oculus Quest 2. This headset, released by Oculus / Facebook, is currently the most popular VR headset. It can be used completely wirelessly and offers a wide range of content. The controllers work very well, and Oculus is continually improving the headset. They now offer the possibility to use the headset without controllers, thanks to built-in hand tracking. If you want to use PC VR, you can connect the headset to your computer with an Oculus Link cable.

The Oculus Quest 2 does have a significant downside: you must always be logged in with an active Facebook account. This means the headset is not suitable for business users or those who value their privacy highly.

HTC Vive ProThe HTC Vive Pro has been a top choice for business VR use for years. It offers high quality, robust construction, and the best tracking on the market. The external sensors allow for full and highly accurate 360-degree tracking, making it ideal for advanced applications such as simulations. Additionally, it is possible to use the headset wirelessly without any loss of quality by adding the Vive Wireless Adapter.

HTC also offers the option to purchase a business warranty with the headset: the Vive Enterprise Service. This business warranty allows commercial use of the headset and provides an expedited process for support and repair handling.

Varjo VR-3 and XR-3Varjo is a company entirely dedicated to the business market. Their headsets, the Varjo VR-3 and XR-3, are extremely high-quality devices with the most advanced features currently available. With built-in eye and hand tracking, photorealistic resolution, and extensive software capabilities, these headsets are an excellent choice for the most demanding users.

Pico Neo 2The Pico Neo 2 is the business counterpart to the Oculus Quest 2. This headset offers similar specifications to the Quest 2, with the main difference being that Pico focuses specifically on the business market (and thus cannot be purchased by consumers), whereas Oculus targets the consumer market.

The Pico Neo 2 has a powerful built-in Snapdragon 845 processor, which allows most content to be played at good quality without needing to be connected to a computer. Additionally, it is possible to stream wirelessly from a computer, enabling PC VR content to be played on the headset.

Pico is 100% business-focused, which is evident in their App Store. There are few standard applications available, so we recommend that if you plan to use the Pico Neo 2, you check for compatibility with your desired app.

HTC Vive CosmosThe HTC Vive Cosmos is designed with practical convenience in mind. It features built-in tracking sensors, so you don't need to set up external sensors to track the controllers. The headset also has a clever flip-up design, allowing you to lift the screen without removing the headset. This is ideal when developing an application and needing to test something with the headset on.

HTC Vive Focus PlusThe Vive Focus Plus is developed for professional and business users seeking a wireless, standalone headset to create content with. The HTC Vive Focus Plus operates with the Vive Wave platform, which is specifically designed for developers and allows the same content to be played across different devices. Therefore, if you develop something with the HTC Vive Focus Plus, you can also play it without any issues on a Vive Cosmos or Vive Pro.