Meta Quest Pro vs. HTC VIVE XR Elite: Are these the Best VR Glasses of 2023?

Recently at CES2023, the new HTC VIVE XR Elite VR Headset was unveiled. This Headset concerns the latest VR Glasses from the company HTC VIVE. The HTC VIVE XR Elite can be seen as a direct competitor for the earlier Meta Quest Pro. Both headsets support VR and AR/MR applications and are aimed at professional users. In this blog we compare the differences and similarities between the two premium VR headsets and give advice on what the right Headset is for which application.

Where a few years ago you could only choose between a handful of VR Glasses, the market has grown so much that several different VR headsets have been released from several brands. Sometimes there are huge price differences between the headsets. For example, you can already have a Meta Quest 2 purchase from €371 excluding VAT (MSRP) while other glasses are available from €2500 (and even rising to €11,500 excluding VAT such as VRgineers XTAL 3). The Meta Quest Pro and the HTC VIVE XR Elite cost €1489 excluding VAT (MSRP, Meta Quest Pro) and €1156 excluding tax (MSRP, HTC VIVE XR Elite). with at this price the Headset are in the higher segment VR Glasses.

Specifications of the Meta Quest Pro and HTC VIVE XR Elite

*This is the MSRP of the product at the time of release.

The HTC VIVE XR Elite contains a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 processor. The Meta Quest Pro contains a slightly newer and more powerful variant of this, the Snapdragon XR2+ processor. The biggest difference between these two processors lies in the fact that the XR2+ can dissipate the heat a little better. The processor heats up less than the XR2. In addition, there is a small boost in the performance of the processor, but you will hardly notice this in practice.

Where the HTC VIVE XR Elite is clearly better at, is the screen of the Headset. The resolution of the VIVE XR Elite is 1920 x 1920 pixels per eye, while the Meta Quest Pro has 1800 x 1920 pixels per eye. Both headsets support a refresh rate of 90 Hz, but images look a bit nicer and sharper on the VIVE XR Elite. The Meta Quest Pro does have a built-in eye tracker with foveated rendering. This is something the VIVE XR Elite is currently missing.

When you look at the Memory of the headsets, the Meta Quest Pro comes with with more memory storage by default. The Headset is currently only available in a with variant with 256GB storage and 12GB RAM. The VIVE XR Elite includes standard 128GB storage and the same 12GB of RAM as the Quest Pro. In practice, 128GB usually seems to provide sufficient storage, but it can still be useful when you keep multiple applications and files on the headsets.

Both headsets contain a battery that is incorporated into the headband at the back of the glasses. This battery lasts up to approximately 2 hours when the Headset is on and in use. With the Meta Quest Pro, the battery on the back cannot be removed or replaced without the Headset failing, but with the VIVE XR Elite this is is the case. When the battery is empty you can replace it with with a new battery, without the Headset failing ('hot swappable').

Design of the Meta Quest Pro and HTC VIVE XR Elite

The Meta Quest Pro looks a bit like the popular Augmented Reality Headset from Microsoft in terms of design; the Hololens 2. On the front of the Headset there is a screen with and a hood that sits against the forehead. On the side there is a strap that extends to the battery on the back of the Headset. When you wear the Meta Quest Pro on your head, it fits comfortably, but some users experience that the glasses hang a bit loosely on the face. In addition, the Meta Quest Pro comes standard without a facial interface that blocks the light. An interface that ensures that no light enters the screen must be ordered separately.

The design of the HTC VIVE XR Elite is completely different and also unique. The VIVE XR Elite is a combination of the previously released HTC Vive Flow and the HTC VIVE Focus 3. The VIVE XR Elite looks like large sunglasses when you look at the front. The Headset consists of two large lenses that sit over the eyes. At the back of the Headset, just like the Meta Quest Pro, a battery is incorporated in the headband. The VIVE XR Elite is a modular Headset. This means that you can disconnect and replace the battery located on the back of the Headset. When the battery is disconnected, you can also connect the Headset to an external power bank to power it. So this way you can use the glasses without a heavy battery and large headband on the back of the Headset, making the form factor even smaller.

The weights of the headsets do not differ much. The Meta Quest Pro weighs 722 grams (without headband) and the VIVE XR Elite weighs 625 grams (without headband). However, this difference in weight is clearly noticeable when you put on the glasses for a longer period of time. The VIVE XR Elite places much less pressure on the face and can therefore be worn comfortably for a longer period of time than the Meta Quest Pro.

Which Headset should you choose: Meta Quest Pro or HTC VIVE XR Elite?

Both VR Glasses are just very good headsets with very good hardware and specs. However, if you are looking for a Headset that can do more with Mixed Reality applications, then the Meta Quest Pro is a better choice. These glasses contain slightly more advanced sensors than the HTC VIVE XR Elite. But if you're looking for a Virtual Reality Headset that you can wear comfortably for extended periods of time, the HTC VIVE XR Elite is a good choice !

Want to buy Meta Quest Pro or HTC VIVE XR Elite?

Order the Meta Quest Pro or HTC VIVE XR Elite directly from Unbound XR. Click on the buttons below to go to the product pages of both products.

Frequently asked questions about the Meta Quest Pro and HTC VIVE XR Elite