The best VR headsets for consumers and businesses

We often get asked: what is the best virtual reality headset? To answer this question accurately, it's important to first consider what you want to use the headset for. For instance, if you plan to use the headset specifically for gaming, then the HP Reverb G2 is a good choice. But if you want to use the headset for viewing simple 360-degree videos, you might want to consider other options.

First, you need to decide between a PC VR headset or a standalone VR headset. A PC VR headset, as the name suggests, connects to a computer. These headsets are always* wired and connect directly to your PC's graphics card, providing plenty of power for high-quality VR gaming.

A standalone VR headset is a headset with a built-in graphics processor. This means you don't need an external computer, and you're completely free of cables. However, the downside of a standalone headset is that they're less powerful than a PC VR headset, and the range of available VR apps and games is more limited.

HP Reverb G2: The HP Reverb G2 is the latest headset from HP. This headset, the successor to the earlier HP Reverb, builds on the successes of its predecessor. HP worked closely with Valve, known for the Valve Index headset, in the development of this VR headset. Some design elements, like the headphones, were adopted, resulting in the HP Reverb G2 being a very comfortable, high-quality headset.

Oculus Quest 2: Many VR enthusiasts are familiar with 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 VR games. The controllers work very well, and Oculus is constantly improving the headset. They now even offer the option to operate the headset completely without controllers, using the built-in hand-tracking. And if you want to use PC VR content? Then it's possible to connect the headset to your computer using an Oculus Link cable.

However, the Oculus Quest 2 does have a significant drawback: you always need to be logged in with an active Facebook account. This means the headset is not suitable for business users or users who highly value their privacy.

HTC Vive Pro: The HTC Vive Pro has been at the top of the business VR usage for years. The headset offers high quality, sturdy construction, and the best tracking on the market. Thanks to external sensors, the headset can track in full and highly accurate 360 degrees, making it ideal for advanced applications, such as free-roaming. *It is also possible to use the headset wirelessly, without any loss of quality, by adding the Vive Wireless Adapter.

In addition, HTC offers the option to purchase a business warranty directly with the headset: the Vive Enterprise Service. With this business warranty, you are allowed to use the headset commercially, and HTC offers (among other things) an expedited process for warranty and repair handling.

Varjo VR-3 and XR-3: Varjo is a company that is fully focused on the business VR market. Varjo's VR headsets, Varjo VR-3 and XR-3, are extremely high-quality VR headsets with the most advanced features currently available. With built-in hand and eye tracking, photorealistic resolution, and extensive software capabilities, the Varjo headsets are an excellent choice for the most demanding user.

Pico Neo 2: The Pico Neo 2 is the business answer to the Oculus Quest 2. This headset offers similar specifications to the Quest 2, but the biggest difference is that Pico specifically targets the business market (and is therefore not for consumer purchase), while Oculus targets the consumer market.

The Pico Neo 2 has a powerful built-in Snapdragon 845 processor that can play most VR games at good quality without being connected to a computer. It is also possible to stream wirelessly from a computer, so PC VR content can also be played on the headset.

Pico is 100% focused on the business market, and this is reflected in the App Store. There are few standard applications available, so we recommend that if you want to use the Pico Neo 2, you search for a VR application yourself and check if it is compatible with the Pico Neo 2.

HTC Vive Cosmos: The HTC Vive Cosmos was designed with practical convenience in mind. The headset has built-in tracking sensors, so you don't need to set up external sensors to track the controllers. The headset also has a smart flip-up design, so you can lift your screen without taking off the headset. This is ideal when you are developing an application and need to test something with the VR headset on.

HTC Vive Focus Plus.: The Vive Focus Plus was developed for business and professional VR users looking for a wireless, standalone VR headset to create content with. The HTC Vive Focus Plus works with the Vive Wave platform. This platform was specifically created for developers and allows the same content to be played on any Vive headset. So 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.