Virtual reality headsets have become an essential part of the gaming and exploration experience. Consumers can find a variety of virtual reality headsets on the market, each offering different features over a wide price range. In this article, let's take a look at the best VR headsets and their value for money.
Meta Quest 2
The Meta Quest 2 was released on October 13, 2020 under the name Oculus Quest 2. It is estimated at 14.8 million headsets sold worldwide since its release at a price of 449€. Among all the headset presented here, it is the most financially accessible headset. Autonomous headset because wireless, the Meta Quest 2 allows great freedom of movement, it is even possible to delimit a play area for small spaces. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to navigate, even for people who aren't trained in VR. However, the image quality may have its limits and therefore not be as accurate as one might imagine.
Meta Quest Pro
The Meta Quest Pro, the second Meta headset was released on October 25, 2022 at a price of 1,799.99€, it is then much more expensive than the first model presented. Improved version of Meta Quest 2, it offers several additional features such as eye tracking or facial reaction analysis, and it retains its autonomy from a computer. More powerful than the Meta Quest 2, it offers improved graphics, but also the possibility of doing Augmented Reality by superimposing virtual elements on the real one.
Cosmos
The Cosmos is the 4th headset for PC from the HTC brand, released in 2019 at a price of 799€. It offers a very immersive gaming experience with a very wide colour spectrum and the integrated motion technology that allows optimal precision and responsiveness, so games are very realistic. However, this pinpoint-accurate headset requires massive computing power that isn't in everyone's budget.
Lynx R1
The Lynx R1 from Lynx is the first French VR/AR headset! Released in 2022, it is the most versatile headset on the market by being autonomous and connectable to a PC, but also by combining virtual reality and augmented reality.
Regarding the price, it is announced at 530€ for individuals and 950€ for professionals with resale possibility.
HTC Vive XR Elite
The HTC Vive XR Elite headset is HTC's newest virtual reality headset. The first orders should be shipped in February 2023. This headset, sold at a price of 1,399€, competes with the Meta Quest Pro, released a few months ago, by offering a similar experience. Lighter than the Meta Quest Pro, 625g against 722g, it is possible to detach the battery for better portability.
PSVR 2
Initially announced in 2022, component supply difficulties have prompted Sony to postpone the release date of its new PSVR2 headset to February 2023. This new headset will be an add-on to the Playstation 5 and can only be used with this console. This new version brings some improvements compared to the first PSVR. First of all, it offers better image quality, the field of vision is wider and offers eye tracking. In addition, like the Meta Quest 2, it is possible to define its play area and the transparent view allows us to see its environment when we are not in play. This new helmet also allows greater freedom of movement since it is connected with only one cable to the console, against several connections in the previous version. However, this extension has a cost, you will have to spend 600€, in addition to the console, to benefit from this improved gaming experience.
At Nootty, we have chosen to make our solution compatible with Meta Quest 2, because it allows our customers, kitchen designers, fitters, to go directly to their customers, without the need for a dedicated area and above all without a computer! In addition, the financial commitment is lower compared to the experience it offers and especially compared to other headsets on the market.
There is a wide range of virtual reality headsets on the market, the six headsets selected for this article offer different features for an ever more immersive experience. It is up to the consumer to choose the headset that best suits their needs and their budget.