How do you choose the right VR headset?

Virtual reality is becoming increasingly popular. But what's the best virtual reality headset to buy? And what should you pay attention to when purchasing a VR headset? In this blog, we'll explain step by step what the key points are of a VR headset and what important things to look out for when buying 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. And thanks to the relatively low purchase price (available from €288 excluding VAT), the headset is accessible to anyone who wants to venture into the VR world for the first time.
• HP Reverb G2: The HP Reverb G2 is the most popular choice when looking for a VR headset in combination with a computer. The advantage of a PC-driven VR headset is that the headset can deliver a much higher quality image display. In addition, you generally also have a lot more choice 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 high-quality VR headset that uses external tracking (for example, for full-body tracking). In addition, the HTC VIVE Pro 2 is available with a so-called "business edition", making the headset a good choice for business users and, for example, VR Arcades.
• Varjo Aero: The Varjo Aero is currently the virtual reality headset with the highest image resolution. This headset is intended for the "prosumer": consumers looking for a professional headset. Due to the high image resolution, the Varjo Aero is primarily used for sim games and other applications where sharp vision is important.

Standalone VR: Standalone virtual reality, or All-in-One VR, is a virtual reality headset that is not connected to a computer by a cable. The headset has its own processor chip, which allows it to be used completely "standalone". The advantage of a standalone headset is that it is completely cable-free, 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 Headsets). The disadvantages of a standalone VR headset are that the resolution is usually lower than a PC VR headset and there are fewer games and applications available for the headsets.

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

• 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 use the power of your PC. As a result, you generally have better image quality than compared to a standalone headset. In addition, a PC VR headset usually uses the SteamVR gaming platform. Here you will find the most complete overview of games and applications for virtual reality.

Console VR and Smartphone VR: Finally, there is Console VR and Smartphone VR. A console VR headset is a headset that you connect to a gaming console. At the moment, the only console VR headset is the PlayStation VR Headset. This VR headset is connected to the PlayStation 4 (or 5). A release for the new PlayStation VR 2 has been announced, but it is not yet known when exactly it will be released.

A Smartphone VR Headset is a VR headset where you can slide in a mobile phone. Therefore, the VR headset does not have a built-in processor like an All-in-One VR Headset, but the content is played on the mobile phone. Due to the limited capabilities of a mobile phone, a smartphone VR headset is usually only used for viewing 360-degree videos, and not for gaming applications.

To determine which VR Headset is suitable for you, it may be useful to pay close attention to the specifications of the headset. Do you want to use the headset mainly for playing flight simulators? Then a headset with a high image resolution is important. But do you find it more important that you use the headset without cables? Then you automatically end up with a standalone / all-in-one headset. In this way, there are several specifications that you can pay attention to when purchasing the headset.

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

Refresh Rate: The refresh rate says something about how smoothly images can be played. With a low refresh rate, the image will be a bit more jerky than with a high refresh rate. The refresh rate is always displayed in a number of Hz.

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

With external tracking, you use external tracking sensors (also called base stations or lighthouses). You place these base stations opposite each other in the corner of a room. The base stations send out a signal which is received by the headset and controllers. With this method of tracking, you have the most accurate form of tracking. External tracking also makes it possible to use full-body tracking using HTC VIVE trackers.

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