Overview of all VR headsets in 2020

In 2020, there are so many Virtual Reality glasses on the market that it may be difficult to choose one. In this blog, we therefore explain which VR glasses are currently available and what the advantages and disadvantages of these glasses are.

The HTC Vive Pro has been on the market since 2018, but still remains at the top of the virtual reality landscape. With its high image resolution of 1440 x 1600 pixels per eye and the use of external sensors, the HTC Vive Pro continues to be the number 1 choice for business and professional VR users. The HTC Vive Pro sets itself apart from other VR glasses by the ability to use the headset wirelessly (in combination with the wireless bundle) and by the reliable tracking on large playfields (max. 10 x 10 meters). The HTC Vive Pro is currently mainly used in VR arcades that make use of free-roaming. 

The newer HTC Vive Pro Eye uses a new eye-tracking technology, allowing the user's field of vision to be rendered more sharply and even offering the possibility to use the headset hands-free. This headset is mainly used for professional VR users and developers, as not every standard VR game is compatible with hands-free motion controls. Like its predecessor Vive Pro, the Vive Pro Eye uses external sensors, so that the VR headset can be used in a space of up to 10 x 10 meters.

The HTC Vive Focus (Plus) is HTC's first stand-alone VR headset. This headset uses a built-in processor, meaning the headset does not need to be connected to a computer. This means that the headset does not need any cables and can run VR apps and content entirely on its own power! The HTC Vive Focus (and newer Focus Plus) are mainly used by VR developers. This is due to the fact that the Vive Focus comes with the so-called 'Vive Wave' platform. On this platform, developers can develop VR apps and easily play them with the Vive Focus.

The HTC Vive Cosmos is HTC's latest VR headset. This headset uses inside-out tracking, unlike the Vive Pro and Vive Pro Eye. With this method of tracking, there are multiple cameras built into the VR headset. These cameras can determine the movements of the controllers and the position of the headset in a room, making it no longer necessary to hang or place external sensors. However, this method of tracking does have a small disadvantage; the tracking method proves to be less reliable than tracking with the help of external sensors. This makes the HTC Vive Cosmos less suitable for use with multiple people in a large room, as the built-in cameras can lose position and thus do not track the controllers well. On the other hand, the HTC Vive Cosmos is the first VR headset to use inside-out tracking in combination with a wireless adapter. This makes the Vive Cosmos the very first computer-controlled VR headset that can be used completely wirelessly and without external sensors!

The HTC Vive Cosmos Elite and Vive Cosmos Play are the new additions to the current Vive Cosmos line. With the Vive Cosmos, you use external base stations, as with the HTC Vive Pro, making the tracking of the headset and controllers more reliable. The Vive Cosmos is a complete package that comes with Vive controllers and Vive base stations 1.0.

The Oculus Rift S (by the company Oculus, acquired by Facebook) was released at the beginning of 2019. The Rift S is a direct successor to the original Oculus Rift; one of the first consumer VR headsets. The combination of ease of use, high image resolution and relatively low price makes the Oculus Rift S a very popular headset among consumers experiencing VR for the first time. The Rift S seems 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 way for the future of virtual reality. The Oculus Quest is one of the first standalone VR headsets powerful enough to play full VR games. Due to its relatively low purchase price, the Oculus Quest is also quite affordable for VR enthusiasts, making it one of the popular VR glasses of the moment. The downside of the Oculus Quest is that the game library is quite limited, as not every VR game can be played on the Quest platform. When games are too graphically heavy, they look grainy and static on the Quest, providing an unpleasant gaming experience. But for games like Beat Saber, SuperHot VR, and The Climb, the Oculus Quest is a very nice headset that is highly accessible for every VR player!

The Oculus Go is actually the precursor to the Oculus Quest. The Go is a smaller, lighter, and less powerful standalone VR headset. Because the headset is less powerful, it is mainly used for viewing VR videos and images. The light weight and handy size make the Oculus Go an ideal mobile VR headset that you just put on or show to someone. The Oculus Go is therefore frequently used by consumers looking for a basic VR experience or by professionals who want to show a VR video or their own content.

The HP Reverb is the second VR headset from the well-known brand HP. The HP Reverb is a Windows Mixed Reality headset, which means that the headset operates on a Windows platform (instead of via Steam like the HTC Vive Pro or Oculus Store like Oculus does). But don't be scared; it's definitely possible to game on a WMR headset and play other VR applications! The HP Reverb is characterized by its ultra-high image resolution of 2160 x 2160 pixels per eye. The HP Reverb is therefore mainly used by VR users who are looking for the highest image quality, for example for playing simulation games or viewing VR videos or other applications. 

Pimax VR is a new and upcoming brand that has managed to conquer a large part of the VR market in a short period of time. The glasses are immediately characterized by their striking appearance. The bright blue stripe running across the headset gives the glasses a very futuristic feel. But in addition to the external features, the glasses from Pimax VR offer something unique: a field of view of a whopping 200 degrees! Comparable glasses such as the HTC Vive Pro and Oculus Rift S offer a field of view of an average of 110 degrees, so the Pimax VR with its wider view 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. This headset turned out to be the deciding factor for many VR users to really switch to virtual reality. With its high image resolution of 1440 x 1600 pixels per eye and an exceptionally high refresh rate of 120 Hz, the Valve Index offers a fantastic gaming experience for every user. In addition to the image of the Valve Index being incredibly sharp and smooth, the headset is also extremely comfortable and suitable for longer gaming sessions. With this headset, Valve has listened to user feedback, and tried to create the perfect VR headset. And they largely succeeded! In addition to the headset, Valve also released a new pair of controllers: the Valve Knuckles. These controllers offer individual finger tracking, so as a user you no longer 'old-fashioned' hold a controller, but actually use your hands in the virtual world!

The Samsung Odyssey+ is perhaps a slightly older headset (released in 2017), but still popular with many VR users. The Windows Mixed Reality headset is characterized by its high comfort and sharp image resolution, making the headset ideal for use in simulation games where you keep the headset on for a longer period of time. It is therefore not strange that the Samsung Odyssey+ has received the nickname "The Mercedes of VR headsets". With its ease of use and relatively low price, the Samsung Odyssey+ is still a very good choice for users who want to upgrade their old set or experience a high-end VR experience for a not too high price.