Virtual reality has come a long way since the introduction of the first Oculus Rift in 2016. More VR headsets have become available in the market since, and the technology has branched beyond gaming and entertainment into medicine and education, among other disciplines.
The top VR headsets allow users to explore computer-generated, three-dimensional environments — and this is sometimes done in conjunction with props or the physical environment to ensure highly realistic results.
What Factors Go into a Great VR Experience?
For you to have the best VR experience while playing, you must consider specific factors related to how VR works in tandem with you, the user. These factors include the Head Mount Display (along with its respective field of view), inside-out tracking, latency, resolution, and refresh rate, among other factors.
The VR headset’s field of view refers to the extent of the environment (or the extent of the game world) that is visible inside the Head Mount Display. Inside-out tracking uses external sensors to track the movements of the user and translates it into the VR environment. Latency, on the other hand, is the delay between user inputs and the response displayed on the headset.
Lower latency is crucial in VR as it reduces nausea. Resolution is also an essential factor to consider in VR headsets. Since the display is closer to the user’s eyes, high-resolution is preferred to lessen pixelation and the screen door effect.
Refresh rate refers to the number of images a display is capable of showing per second. This factor is as vital as latency since lower refresh rates can cause freezing and stuttering of images which can induce nausea while using the VR headset. If you want an immersive VR gaming experience, understanding how virtual reality works is a must along with knowing what aspect of your rig or games you want to focus on.
The Best VR Headsets for Gaming
HTC Vive Pro HMD VR Headset ()
The HTC Vive Pro VR Headset is a complete VR system designed by HTC and Valve, making it one of the best VR headsets in the market. This headset features dual front-facing cameras, a 110-degree field of view, and dual 3.5” AMOLED displays with a 2880 x 1600 total resolution and a 90 Hz refresh rate for delivering smooth and detailed graphics. It has integrated headphones that provide active noise cancellation and 3D spatial audio for an immersive VR experience.
The HTC Vive Pro is powered by SteamVR, giving you access to various VR games using Valve’s Steam client. The HTC Vive Pro also features the Chaperone system to let you use the headset freely without having to worry about bumping into walls and other objects by tracing your play area and warning you when you’re going beyond its boundaries. The overall build of the Vive Pro is ergonomically designed to give maximum comfort to the user since it has an improved center of gravity and additional weight support. This makes it easy to adjust and comfortable to wear for prolonged periods. Play VR headset games seamlessly with the HTC Vive Pro VR Headset.
Key Features:
- Hi-Res Headset (HMD) and 3D Spatial Audio
- Re-engineered ergonomics
- Latest SteamVR Tracking System
- Wireless Powered by Intel WiGig
- Hi-Res and 3D spatial audio
- Higher display resolution
- Easy-to-use headset and cable design
- Chaperone technology
HTC VIVE Pro Eye Headset ()
The HTC VIVE Cosmos comes loaded with six camera sensors, a wide field-of-view that provides exceptional inside-out tracking, and a 2880 x 1700 combined resolution, giving you an immersive and highly powerful gaming experience. The unit is designed for play right out of the box, with an easy setup and pairing instructions.
The Cosmos’ LCD panels and high pixels eliminate the dreaded screen door effect of the gaming experience, and the on-ear and fitting headphones will keep you immersed in the game fully, without discomfort from wear.
Key Features:
- Vive Cosmos PC Based VR Headset with controllers and cable
- Features refined inside-out tracking
- Graphics include 2880 x 1700 combined pixel resolution
- Cleaning cloth
