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Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Best VR Games to Play in 2025
Years come and go, but virtual reality is still a place where some of the most interesting and immersive games exist, if you're curious enough to wear a headset. Thanks largely to the Meta Quest, which remains the most popular VR headset product line in existence, there are lots of fascinating, sometimes extremely active, and compelling games to play. And it's not just on the Meta Quest, which now has a newer line of upgraded-graphics headsets (the Quest 3 and Quest 3S). The PlayStation VR 2 has a solid number of excellent games, PC VR remains a place with many classics, and even Apple's Vision Pro has a couple of good ones. Read more: CNET's Best VR Headsets The number of great VR games each year feels like it's slowing down, but there are still lots of gems. The good news is VR games actually age well. Some of my favorite VR games from years ago are still ones I play regularly. VR's latest trick has been mixed reality, blending passthrough color camera feeds with VR graphics to make it feel like games are bleeding into your real world. Some of the games on this list dabble in mixed reality, too. Here's my top list right now, with information on which platforms they're available on. If you've ever had the urge to be Batman, this is the best VR Batman experience ever made. Arkham Shadow throws you into a beautiful-looking underworld with controls that let you quickly fight, glide with batwings, and use a bunch of tools. It's been given away free with Quest 3S purchases, but it's well worth buying on its own, even if you're not getting it for free. Release date: Oct. 21, 2024Genre: AdventureDeveloper: CamouflajPlatforms: Quest 3S, Quest 3 See at Meta One of the biggest and most visually rich RPGs you can play in VR, Asgard's Wrath II is also full of first-person action. This Egyptian-themed game, full of gods and beasts, has a mix of puzzles and combat and a lot of secrets to discover. There's a ton to do, with cinematic worlds and puzzles and a roguelike mode that randomly generates battles in case you somehow finish the dozens-of-hours main story. The graphics aren't quite as good as the PC-only first game in the series, but few Quest 2 or Quest 3 games have looked better. Release date: Dec. 15, 2023Genre: RPG/AdventureDeveloper: Sanzaru GamesPlatforms: Quest 2, Quest 3S, Quest 3 See at Meta Don't ask me, ask my kids. The most popular game in VR for years is this weird free social game that uses your arms to propel you through a bunch of worlds that feel as pixelated as Minecraft. The brilliance of Gorilla Tag is its system of arm-driven movement, but its staying power is in its Minecraft-like social universe. Release date: Feb. 12, 2021Genre: ActionDeveloper: Another AxiomPlatforms: Quest 2, Quest 3S, Quest 3, Steam, PSVR 2 See at Meta Much like Beat Saber, Synth Riders is a rhythm-based music game. Synth Riders is a bit more forgiving, asking you to match hand movements to certain positions rather than swinging a virtual saber. It's also one of the few big VR games to also live on Apple's Vision Pro. If you happen to have a Vision Pro and wanted a Beat Saber-like experience, this is your best chance. Release date: June 21, 2018Genre: ActionDeveloper: Kluge InteractivePlatforms: Quest 2, Quest 3S, Quest 3, Steam, PSVR 2, Vision Pro See at Meta Assembling 3D puzzles is a surprisingly challenging experience, and Puzzling Places lets you slowly assemble 3D scans of real places to create immersive models you can expand and peek your head into. Each puzzle can be set up with different amounts of pieces, ramping difficulty up or down as needed. A mixed-reality mode floats the puzzle pieces in your real-world environment, too. Whether you play on Quest, PSVR 2 or Vision Pro, it's always fun. Release date: Sept. 2, 2021Genre: PuzzleDeveloper: Quest 2, Quest 3S, Quest 3, Steam, PSVR 2, Vision Pro See at Meta Valve's long-awaited sequel to its dystopian first-person sci-fi franchise, which debuted right alongside Valve's Index headset in 2020, is still one of the best things you can play in VR. Set between the events of the first Half Life and Half Life 2, Alyx puts you behind the hands of resistance fighter Alyx Vance, following her journey as she takes the fight to the alien Combine forces. Series fans will be familiar with the world setting and various familiar enemies, but its VR nature makes this game dramatically more immersive, frightening and visceral. From aiming shots at shambling zombies to throwing tin cans at pigeons, Half Life: Alyx makes superb use of VR to make an existing series feel fresh and exciting. Release date: March 23, 2020Genre: ActionDeveloper: ValvePlatforms: Steam See at Steam This PlayStation VR 2-exclusive game, made as a VR-focused spin-off of Sony's futuristic and robo-pocalyptic Horizon games, is one of the most beautiful and intense VR experiences next to Half-Life: Alyx. Most of the game involves climbing up mountains and shooting enemies with your bow and arrows, with some puzzle solving thrown in. The game's use of optional eye tracking, rich visuals and uncanny details throughout make it a PSVR 2 must-have. Release date: Feb. 22, 2023Genre: AdventureDeveloper: Sony Interactive EntertainmentPlatforms: PSVR 2 See at Playstation All of the already-fantastic Gran Turismo 7 racing game on PS5 is playable on Sony's PlayStation VR 2 headset, making this one of the best PSVR 2 games and one of the best VR games anywhere. Just a couple of caveats: The races are the only part that snap into VR, and GT7 doesn't work with the Sense controllers (you need to use the DualSense controller or a compatible wheel), but the level of driving detail is absolutely stunning. Release date: March 4, 2022Genre: RacingDeveloper: Sony Interactive EntertainmentPlatforms: PSVR 2 Another PS5 game that has a complete PSVR 2-compatible upgrade, Resident Evil Village looks stunning and takes advantage of the PS5 graphics and the PSVR 2 display to create one of the most detailed immersive horror games yet. The translation to VR isn't always perfect, but it's still an amazing demonstration of how good VR gaming can look. Release date: Feb. 22, 2023Genre: HorrorDeveloper: CapcomPlatforms: PSVR 2 See at Playstation No Man's Sky is a game that's only gotten more and more spectacular with age, becoming an endless space adventure with a ridiculous amount of things to do. The entire game can be played in VR, and the results are often jaw-dropping. For sheer play value alone, this is worth adding to your VR collection. The PSVR 2 upgrade is one of the headset's best games. Release date: Aug. 9, 2016Genre: AdventureDeveloper: Hello GamesPlatforms: PSVR 2, Steam See at Playstation ILM Immersive has made several iconic VR games (if you haven't played Vader Immortal, you should try that too). Tales From The Galaxy's Edge is more free-roaming in its level designs, and is set in the wilds of Batuu, the planet from Disney's Star Wars theme parks. It's also more shooter-based, with some well-designed weapon mechanics. If you want to feel like you're living a Star Wars life for a while, this is your first VR destination (check out Star Wars: Squadrons for another good option for Steam VR). It's almost like a virtual Disney parks souvenir. Release date: Nov. 19, 2020Genre: AdventureDeveloper: ILM ImmersivePlatforms: PSVR 2, Quest 2, Quest 3S, Quest 3 See at Meta Two lightsabers, slashing to music. Beat Saber is a music-rhythm movement and dance game that's done so well, it's already in arcades. Slash blocks in particular directions, avoid bombs, duck obstacles and suddenly it's a workout. It's a great rave-dance VR lightsaber workout, and with its frequent music packs and upgrades, it's become one of the all-time VR classics. Release date: May 1, 2018Genre: Rhythm ActionDeveloper: Beat GamesPlatforms: PSVR 2, Quest 2, Quest 3S, Quest 3, Windows See at Meta Moss: Book II follows much the same format as the original Moss game, a platformer in which you guide adorable mouse Quill through various puzzles. This sequel sees a continuation of Quill's story, with fresh puzzles, wider, more interactive environments and beautiful visuals. The original Moss and Moss Book II are both fantastic, and you should play them both. But you might as well pick the newest one if you're a newcomer, since it stands on its own and has improved graphics. Release date: March 31, 2022Genre: AdventureDeveloper: PolyarcPlatforms: PSVR 2, Quest 2, Quest 3S, Quest 3, Steam See at Meta My overall favorite VR game just might be mini-golf. Walkabout's multiple golf courses are brilliantly designed, with extra-hard challenge modes and hidden golf balls to collect. The game's golf physics are perfect. The multiplayer modes are great for having friends join in online. Several increasingly good courses keep arriving as DLC, from one based on Jim Henson's Labyrinth to Wallace and Gromit course to a series of Jules Verne courses. Every time a new course comes out, I get excited. Seriously, you have no idea how good VR mini-golf is. And the Meow Wolf course is absolutely wonderful. Release date: March 24, 2020Genre: AdventureDeveloper: Mighty CoconutPlatforms: PSVR 2, Quest 2, Quest 3S, Quest 3, Steam See at Meta A bow and arrow, and waves of evil creatures. In Death Unchained's roguelike design, which changes the experience every time you play, is a challenge of pure survival and some incredibly satisfying archery mechanics. It won us over the moment it arrived on the scene, and remains one of the best arcade-like games on the Quest (it's just called In Death on PC). Release date: July 23, 2020Genre: ActionDeveloper: SuperbrightPlatforms: Quest 2, Quest 3S, Quest 3, Steam See at Meta Tabletop role-playing vibes come to this excellent turn-based VR game that cross-plays to any other platform. The clever design lays out a 3D dungeon map you move through while playing cards from your hand that deal damage. Along with Walkabout Mini Golf, this is the best casual multiplayer VR experience you can have. It's also almost like playing D&D in VR. Release date: May 6, 2021Genre: AdventureDeveloper: Resolution GamesPlatforms: Quest 2, Quest 3S, Quest 3, Steam, PSVR 2, Vision Pro See at Meta Ever dream of being Iron Man? This game will have you hovering around in a jetpack, using your hands to aim and blast through a series of missions that are surprisingly kinetic and fun. Iron Man was originally a game on the PlayStation VR, but the move to Quest is far more fun because there are no wires to worry about getting tangled in. Release date: July 3, 2020Genre: ActionDeveloper: CamouflajPlatforms: Quest 2, Quest 3S, Quest 3, Steam See at Meta If you love zombies and survival action, Saints & Sinners and its Chapter 2 sequel are the way to go. These games look great on the PC and also play well on the Quest and PSVR 2. Survival horror and a surprisingly deep adventure make this and the original game must-haves. Release date: Jan. 23, 2020Genre: ActionDeveloper: Skydance InteractivePlatforms: Quest 2, Quest 3S, Quest 3, Steam, PSVR 2 See at Steam Named after the real-life cognitive phenomenon and designed by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, the creator of Rez Infinite and the classic Lumines, this is Tetris in VR. And it's incredible. Music and visuals sync with your moves to create synaesthetic, hypnotic flow gaming. It's also a great way to show off the PSVR 2's high-contrast display. On the PSVR 2 and PC, it doubles as a 2D game. Release date: Nov. 9, 2018Genre: PuzzleDeveloper: EnhancePlatforms: Quest 2, Quest 3S, Quest 3, Steam, PSVR 2 See at Playstation The multiplayer battle royale experience of Population One is very Fortnite-like. In fact, it's extremely Fortnite-like. That's a good thing. There are few large-scale multiplayer VR games right now, and this is one of the best. Dropping down from above, navigating the shrinking map, climbing and hunting for supplies, and excellent controls make this a must-play team shooter. Plus, there are constant season updates. Release date: Oct. 22, 2020Genre: ActionDeveloper: BigBox VRPlatforms: Quest 2, Quest 3S, Quest 3, Steam See at Meta Ping-pong in VR is a workout. The table tennis physics in Eleven Table Tennis are superb, making this one of the most realistic simulations you can have in a headset. The difficulty levels ramp up to some seriously unforgiving levels, too. Get good at this, and you might just improve your ping-pong game. Release date: Feb. 27, 2020Genre: SportsDeveloper: For Fun LabsPlatforms: Quest 2, Quest 3S, Quest 3, Steam See at Meta VR is a great format for escape room experiences. I Expect You to Die is a game you can play seated, leaning over desks and flipping switches, using telekinetic powers to control items from afar. The puzzle designs can be as challenging as any escape room I've ever been in. The series has three games now, but you might as well start with the newest one. Release date: Aug. 17, 2023Genre: PuzzleDeveloper: Schell GamesPlatforms: Quest 2, Quest 3S, Quest 3, Steam See at Meta You have no idea how intense VR rock climbing can be until you've tried The Climb 2. You use your hands to reach up and grab ledges, grab ropes and zipline. It sounds easy, and yet discovering ledges, holding the right grip and keeping focus can be a real challenge. It's also absolutely beautiful. Release date: March 24, 2021Genre: ActionDeveloper: CrytekPlatforms: Quest 2, Quest 3S, Quest 3 See at Meta One of the best VR games only requires one person to wear a headset. In Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, one player is in a tiny room, faced with a fiendish bomb to defuse. Everyone else has the hilariously complex bomb defusal manual and both sides have to describe the bomb, and the instructions, before it explodes. A party game classic. Release date: July 26, 2015Genre: PuzzleDeveloper: Steel Crate GamesPlatforms: Quest 2, Quest 3S, Quest 3, Steam See at Meta With or without VR, Superhot has a brilliant conceit: Time only moves when you move. Which means you can be utterly surrounded by enemies bristling with machine guns or ones ready to slice you into pieces, and still defeat them all by -- oh so slowly -- brushing their weapons aside, dodging bullets, throwing pots and pans, etc. Every level plays like a puzzle as much as a shooter, and you come out looking like an action hero every time. Release date: Dec. 5, 2016Genre: ActionDeveloper: Superhot TeamPlatforms: Quest 2, Quest 3S, Quest 3, Steam See at Meta That's a totally subjective question, but my personal answer for "Best VR Game Ever" is Walkabout Mini Golf: its collection of immersive mini golf courses are phenomenal, and it's a great multiplayer soclal game to try. But Half Life: Alyx also remains one of the most impressive immersive adventures available in a headset. VR always feels like it's somewhere in between life and death. Meta's Quest headsets remain strong sellers, but the state of VR games overall feels like it's stalled out a little since it's not as profitable a territory for developers compared to mobile or standard PC/console designs which can be ported to other hardware more easily. Good VR games tend to not be very playable out of a VR headset, although there are a good handful of 2D games that have VR-playable modes. Absolutely. In fact, VR gaming is one of my favorite ways of getting fit. If you play a game like Beat Saber and track your heart rate, you'll see the impact. Just keep in mind that sweating in VR can easily happen, and you should get a silicone sweat-resistant face mask for yours if you're considering getting super-active. CNET has a wide variety of writers with decades of collected experience playing games and experiencing VR. While we're not always able to catch everything that's new, we pay attention to how much time we spend in VR games and how much of an impact they make on us. We jump between all the VR platforms to help make our decisions.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
Best VR Headsets of 2025: My Favorite Hardware Right Now
I've looked at VR and AR headsets for well over a decade, from Google Glass and the first demos of the Oculus Rift to peeks at the future of AR glasses and Android XR. Right now, VR has settled down to just a few players: Meta, Apple, Sony, Valve, HTC and Pico, with Google's looming Android XR partnership with Samsung waiting in the wings. In the world of AR and smart glasses, there could be a lot of changes coming: the Xreal One glasses, for instance, or the promise of Meta's Orion project. But right now, VR is extremely good -- and still limited in how much it can do. I find my own use of VR headsets bouncing between Meta's Quest 3 and the Apple Vision Pro. But it's pretty clear there's one great VR headset pick of the moment, and it comes in two differently priced flavors. The Meta Quest 3 offers mixed reality and improved display resolution and optics, and is $500 -- $3,000 less than the Apple Vision Pro. However, the newer Meta Quest 3S, a lower-cost version of the Quest 3 for $300, is an even better buy for entry-level VR adopters. I prefer the Quest 3, but there are plenty of people who will find the 3S to be a great choice for its price. The Quest 3 and 3S both have newer, faster Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processors that produce better graphics and allow for higher-res color pass-through camera feeds than the Quest 2, and both have redesigned controllers. Both can create mixed reality effects by blending what the cameras see with VR graphics that are overlaid in the headset to look like AR. The Quest 3 has better lenses and a higher display resolution, but I prefer the feel of the Quest 3S eyepiece on my face, and the 3S also seems to have slightly better hand tracking in low light. The Quest platform has plenty of side benefits: It has hundreds of games and creative or productivity apps, and several great fitness programs for effective cardio workouts. It can connect to PCs and even double as a work device if you have some patience. It also has hand tracking that works without controllers, but controllers are included to give you two input options. The Quests can even play 'spatial' 3D videos shot on newer iPhones. Meta's upgraded VR sequel to the Quest 2 feels like a notable revamp, with improvements across the board: a slightly smaller design, better, clearer lenses, a higher-res display, smaller controllers with better haptics and higher-res color cameras that can mix the real world and the virtual together. This "mixed reality" is similar in spirit to what Apple's Vision Pro will do but in a lower-res form for a lot less money. Although the Quest 3 has great upgrades, it doesn't really change the equation much on the general way the headset and software function. That being said, the Quest 3's display quality and graphics performance are stunning for its price. Quest apps and the OS are largely the same, and mixed reality is mostly a gimmick for the moment that's only featured in a handful of new games and apps, although seeing your surroundings with the headset on (and even checking messages on your phone) is a lot easier now. The headset's comfort level isn't any better, and hand tracking still is fine but not perfect, although it's getting better. The Quest 3 is likely to be the best VR headset in its price class for the next few years. Its excellent display quality and improved wireless connectivity also make it a good choice for PC VR gamers: it works as a connected PC headset just like other Quest models do. And the Quest's multi-use appeal -- as a game console, a creative or work device, and even a fitness tool -- give it tremendous versatility. It remains one of the most exciting gadgets you can buy for $500. See at Best Buy The Meta Quest 3S (Meta's replacement to my longstanding Editor's Choice headset, the Quest 2) is super-affordable at $300 and comes with updated graphics and color passthrough cameras that give the 3S the same gaming and mixed reality powers as the Quest 3. It's a fantastic budget buy, but Meta cut corners on the display and lens quality with the 3S, choosing to use the same fresnel lenses and LCD display as the Quest 2. It's perfectly fine for general VR and gaming, but the more expensive Quest 3's notably clearer lenses and crisper resolution are my favorite for all-day use and for reading text. The Quest 3S also comes with a free game, Batman: Arkham Shadow, adding to its value. There is another unique advantage to the Quest 3S: its hand tracking is better in lower light than the Quest 3. That might be something that makes some apps work better, especially for viewing movies and shows casually when traveling. See at Amazon The PSVR 2 is expensive ($550), and needs a PlayStation 5 to even work. It's tethered, not wireless. And Sony hasn't supported the PSVR 2 with enough unique games to justify its existence. The PSVR 2 is still a fun luxury if you're a PS5 gamer who also owns a PC. Its HDR OLED display, graphics quality, built-in eye tracking and fantastic advanced controllers -- which have the same vibrations and adaptive force-feedback triggers as the PS5 DualSense controllers -- give this headset a premium feel that makes its best games perform at a different level. It has some exclusives like Gran Turismo 7, Resident Evil Village and Horizon: Call of the Mountain, but not enough. The PSVR 2 lacks any social metaverse-type software so far and feels more like a headset designed to just launch and play VR games. Many of the games for this headset are ports of titles you could get on devices like the Quest instead. Sony hasn't supported the PSVR 2 much, and a recent PC gaming adapter that gives the headset Steam compatibility is useful, but also clunky to connect with a necessary breakout box. It's still fun as long as you keep expectations within reach and accept the games that already exist. See at Best Buy The Apple Vision Pro is an amazing piece of tech and a bleeding-edge high-end mixed reality headset that also runs iOS and thousands of iPad apps, works without controllers using eye and hand tracking and can run multiple apps at the same time, along with being a virtual MacBook monitor. However, it's way too expensive for anyone but XR professionals and early adopters. The 4K micro-OLED displays are stunning, and videos and photos look fantastic. Apple's device requires a tethered battery pack, is only made to work within Apple's ecosystem and doesn't have many unique apps yet at launch that do more than act as floating 2D screens. The Vision Pro could very well be the start of a whole new chapter in headsets and may turn into the best product in this whole category over time, but not right now for most people. At its current price and software limits, you're better off waiting and trying a free demo instead. And, now that it's been around for over a year, it's hard to tell when Apple will update this headset to something with newer processors. The Quest 3 and 3S are far cheaper tickets to explore similar ideas in the meantime at a huge discount. Apple stands alone in the category of "standalone mixed reality computer headset" because, really, nothing else out there does exactly what the Vision Pro does. Most VR headsets to date have focused on games and individual immersive creative and work apps to explore ideas in mixed reality. Apple's Vision Pro takes a very different path by folding in almost all of iOS. Having familiar Apple services and thousands of iOS apps floating in virtual workspaces feels like a future where our existing devices and VR/AR finally dovetail. The Vision Pro also has a phenomenal micro-OLED display that plays movies incredibly well. The hand/eye tracking feels futuristic too and, at its best, it's far more of a mouse/trackpad replacement than Meta's hand tracking on Quest. Its mixed reality capabilities are the best we've ever seen, with passthrough cameras that are the best quality of any standalone device. The Vision Pro needs more apps to make the most of its potential and lacks many of the games and fitness experiences that Quest offers. As a work device, once some of the early software quirks are ironed out, it's got incredible promise -- it can act as a surprisingly great virtual monitor for Macs, too. As a fancy travel home theater for someone with $3,499 to spend, it's also fascinating. At this price, no matter how stunning the experience can be, it's a product most people should wait on or simply try a demo of first. Keep in mind that the Vision Pro doesn't work with glasses (you'll need Zeiss prescription lens inserts, a separate $100-$150 purchase), and the headset has its own tethered battery pack that has to be used along with the device, making it feel less self-contained than the Quest. See at Apple Valve's headset isn't as cutting-edge as it was when it debuted in 2020, but its Steam VR and Vive hardware compatibility, excellent audio and fancy controllers still make it hardware worth considering. Valve's "knuckle" controllers are pressure-sensitive and can track all five fingers, making them almost like gloves. Not all apps make the most of them, but Valve's hardware is mix-and-match compatible with the HTC Vive, which also is built on the Steam VR platform. The Index headset has excellent audio, but its display resolution is no longer as good as competitors'. The Index also needs external "lighthouse" boxes similar to the HTC Vive for tracking, meaning you need to set those up in a room first. It's not as self-contained as the Quest 2 or HP Reverb G2, which can track the room with in-headset cameras. It's also definitely not wireless, but if you already have some older HTC Vive hardware, you could add on parts of the Index to mix and match. It feels like this hardware could be due for an upgrade sooner than later. See at Steam Meta Quest Pro: This older, outdated, eye-tracking-equipped Quest headset can track facial expressions and has a crisp display, but the less expensive Quest 3 already makes it obsolete with its better graphics, cameras and display resolution. HTC Vive XR Elite: The glasses-like design of the XR Elite is a sign of the future, but the software and performance of this headset don't justify its price. PlayStation VR: The original PSVR still works on the PlayStation 4 and 5, but it's not compatible with PSVR 2 games and hardware. It still has some great games to discover, but its lack of dedicated controllers and awkward setup feels ancient. Although mainstream VR headsets have been around for nearly a decade, the apps they run and the computers, phones and game consoles they work with keep changing. I run key apps and software on the headsets, using them mainly in standalone mode if they're designed to be self-contained, or with a PC, game console or phone if they're primarily meant as connected peripherals. I use the headsets for a mix of work, gaming, fitness and creative uses, and stay attentive to where the headsets have pain points (moments of discomfort, feelings of disconnect or sensations of nausea or distortion). Using technology like VR can often be a highly subjective experience, but by being attentive to details I find I can discover where each product is uniquely useful. Comparison is also key: I've looked at pretty much every wearable AR and VR device of the last 15 years and also covered a lot of the wearable tech, phone and computer landscape. How these devices work as game consoles, fitness devices, work accessories and social tools are all key areas. I also think about displays, audio, controllers and accommodations for eyeglasses. VR and AR sometimes feel like product categories that never quite seem to become mainstream, but change is coming fast to the headset landscape. Google and Samsung are introducing a new VR/AR platform later this year called Android XR. Samsung's Project Moohan is a Vision Pro-like headset that will also run Google's Gemini AI and plenty of Google Play apps. Expect Android XR to forge a bridge between Android phones and headsets and glasses, although it's hard to tell how fast that shift will happen. Samsung's headset, which doesn't have a price or release date yet, looks to be the only Android XR device in 2025. Android XR could be the future, but right now, it's hard to tell whether you should wait for it. Qualcomm's future plans for VR and AR lean on phones as a way to power smaller glasses, but so far there aren't any of these smaller devices that we'd recommend. In the meantime, Apple's $3,499 Vision Pro headset -- a self-contained, standalone VR/AR device that Apple is positioning as a full spatial computer -- is the highest-price device on the consumer market, with a very different pitch than games-focused devices like the Meta Quest. Its ability to run all sorts of iOS apps and have multiple apps open at once make it a unique option, and its possibilities as an iOS mixed reality computer, paired with its fantastic display quality and unique input method of hand-eye tracking, might make it a promising device for creators, researchers and anyone with a large enough wallet to pay for a high-end personal cinema on their face. It also emphasizes things like computing and video quality instead of what are still the Quest's greatest strengths: gaming and fitness. But it's over a year old now, and Apple could be shifting to a more affordable version in the next couple of years. The Vision Pro isn't the only mixed reality VR headset out there: Expect more in this category, which blends VR with video of your surroundings using color passthrough cameras that feel almost like augmented reality. The Quest 3 is the most affordable mainstream mixed-reality VR headset, and Apple's is the most expensive. Samsung's Project Moohan will also feature mixed reality, and I expect plenty more to come. Sony's $550 PlayStation VR 2 delivers a great console gaming VR experience for PlayStation 5 owners and includes eye tracking like Apple's Vision Pro, but isn't wireless and is still a relatively expensive accessory (it costs more than the PS5 itself). It's more expensive than both the Quest 2 and Quest 3, and still needs a PS5 to work, but costs far less than a Vision Pro (although it serves a completely different purpose and relies on a limited set of PlayStation VR games to even function). Its more limited library and functions make it less versatile than a Quest, but a fun Quest alternative for anyone deep into Sony's PlayStation 5 ecosystem. However, the PSVR 2 right now feels like it's not really where the future of headsets is heading. For PC owners, there are several options. You could use a Quest 3, Quest 3S, PSVR 2, or consider several existing devices. The biggest previous players in the PC VR gaming scene (Microsoft, Valve and HTC) have been quiet on that front, especially now that Microsoft has discontinued most of its mixed reality efforts and VR headset compatibility. That could change again soon. A PC-connected VR headset can offer the most versatile collection of software for an immersive VR experience, and it also lets you use that headset for creative and business tools. Steam is clearly the best conduit for PC VR right now. The cost of a new VR headset is going up these days. If price is your biggest concern, the Quest 3S currently offers the best value in VR: a completely wireless experience, with access to a great library of fantastic games. Right now, the Quest 3 and Quest 3S are great devices to try without spending a lot. The Apple Vision Pro, on the other hand, is an extremely expensive new product you definitely should wait on (but try a demo of). With a Google and Samsung's Android XR headset arriving later this year, plus possible entries from HTC and maybe even Valve on the horizon, there could be many headsets on the way that are better than what's here at the moment. VR is a technology that's still in flux. The Meta Quest 3 models are a very safe buy right now, though, and Meta isn't expected to have a new Quest headset in 2025. It really depends on whether you're connecting to a PC or not, and whether you plan to do work with it. There are plenty of Steam VR PC-compatible headsets, but they vary in display resolution. Higher is better, and so is a larger field of view. Headsets can refresh at up to 120Hz now, and the faster they refresh, the more natural and smooth VR movement feels. Do you want a headset that works as an Apple services-connected computer, like Apple's Vision Pro? For fitness, remember that the Quest is the best option with its various accessories, apps, and fitness app hook-ins. For gamers with a PlayStation 5, the PSVR 2 is the best option, and it also has a PC VR adapter now. Also, consider the app libraries: The Quest has a lot of exclusive games, and Steam-based PC-connected headsets have lots of compatibility with work apps and experimental tools. The PSVR 2 has its own library of games that aren't backward-compatible with original PSVR games. The old world of phone-based VR headsets -- like the Samsung Gear VR and Google Daydream -- is basically dead. A good number of the current iPhone, Android and VR app options don't even work with the old mobile VR goggles. The Quest does have a phone app for streaming content for a parent to monitor and can receive phone notifications and sync some health data for workouts. Apple's Vision Pro doesn't connect to iPhones at all, except to AirPlay an iPhone's display in-headset. Google's Android XR should connect phones and future headsets, starting with Samsung's Project Moohan, but we may not see a ton of new devices for Android XR until next year. VR headsets can get dusty and grimy. Take extra care with the lenses, which should be cleaned gently with microfiber cloths the same way you'd treat glasses (but don't use liquid cleaners). A slightly damp paper towel (just wet with a bit of water) can help clean off exteriors. It's a good idea to invest in a case or bag to protect the headset from dust and keep your headset covered when not in use. Take extra care not to expose your VR headset to bright sunlight: The sun can damage VR displays if beams hit the lenses of the headset. To be safe, I keep mine in cases, turn the lenses away from windows, and cover them with an old t-shirt or towel if I don't have a case.
