Best VR Headset For 2021: From Oculus Quest 2 To Valve Index

2020 was a great year for VR gaming, with the launch of the Oculus Quest 2 and games like Half-Life: Alyx, but 2021 looks promising as well. With the recent announcement of Resident Evil 4 in VR, the Quest 2 continues to hold down the fort as the best VR headset out there, capable of both wireless gaming and wired PC VR–and with Oculus Air Link, it looks like you’ll be able to connect to your PC wirelessly as well. There’s never been a better time to jump into VR. Of course, there are a lot of different headsets that do a lot of different things, and the Quest 2 might not be right for everyone. It’s not quite as easy as picking a random headset and entering virtual reality. That’s why we’ve tested and collected the very best VR headset out there to make it easier for you to decide.

First thing that’s important to know is that some VR games are exclusive to specific headsets. Oculus and PlayStation VR both have their own storefronts that offer unique games, unavailable to HTC, Valve, and other companies’ headsets. Of course, you can still get an impressive experience with the Valve Index or HTC Vive line of headsets, especially considering the great library of VR games on Steam. Each VR headset has its advantages and unique qualities, such as high resolutions, AMOLED displays, and built-in speakers.

The Oculus Quest 2 is a powerful mobile VR headset that gives you great experiences without connecting to a PC–no sensors required. The Valve Index requires you to connect to a PC and use sensors, but it also provides the most high-end VR experience available today. And of course, there’s PlayStation VR, which has the benefit of being compatible with Sony’s first-party lineup of VR games. Each headset has its unique features and benefits, so you’ll need to decide which one is the best for you.

Whether you’re looking for a VR headset you can play anywhere (and want something better than Gear VR), a high-end headset for the most immersive experience and motion controls on your gaming PC, or something in between, there are plenty of VR goggles to choose from. While the early days of VR gaming made us choose between the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Gear VR, more companies have entered the space. Valve stepped out on its own with the Index, Samsung created a Windows Mixed Reality headset with the Samsung HMD Odyssey+, and Sony released its PlayStation VR, which has proved fairly popular among PS4 players and will be compatible with PS5.

Please note that all pricing seen below indicates the product’s standard list price and does not reflect any discounts or other price fluctuations, especially with the most popular headsets being consistently out of stock.

Quick look: The best VR headsets for 2020

For more guides on the best gaming tech out there, check out our recommendations our best gaming headsets, best gaming chair, and monitors, as well as our where to buy a Nintendo Switch guide. Also be sure to check out our guide to the best VPN services for streaming TV and movies. If you’re looking for a great PC to pair your VR headset with, make sure to take a look at our best gaming laptop and pre-built gaming pc articles too!