The virtual reality industry has changed markedly since the days of slotting a smartphone into a Google Cardboard – a headset that was literally made from cardboard. Now performance, display resolution and field of view have both improved, and there's more VR content than ever before.

The industry hasn't taken off in the way smartphones and even smartwatches did, but it also hasn't fallen by the wayside like 3D TV. With rumors of Apple planning to release its own mixed reality headset (potentially capable of virtual and augmented reality) in 2021, it could be argued the VR story is only just getting started.

There are a lot of variables between different types of VR headset. Some are wireless, while others need connecting to a computer or game console. Prices also vary considerably, along with how the headsets are controlled and what performance and features they have.

Meta Quest 3 128GB— Breakthrough Mixed Reality — Powerful Performance — Asgard’s Wrath 2 Bundle

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To help you better understand VR headsets, and work out which is right for you, here are 11 questions you should ask before you buy:

Tethered or wireless?

The Oculus Quest 2 is a wireless headset weighing just over 500 grams Oculus

Generally speaking, a VR headset tethered to a high-performance gaming computer will offer a better experience, with higher-quality graphics and more immersive gameplay. However, these headsets (from the likes of HP, Valve and HTC) tend to be expensive, and so is the PC needed to get the best out of them.

Another tethered option is the PS VR, which connects to the PlayStation 4 game console. While that remains on sale today, Sony has a new model, PS VR2 which has been developed for the PlayStation 5.

By contrast, wireless VR headsets have lower prices and less performance, but they are more practical and don't require a computer or game console to function. They are standalone, self-contained, and ready to be picked up and enjoyed. A great example of a wireless VR headset is the Meta Quest 3.

Wireless VR headsets allow for more freedom to move around, while tethered headsets don't have a battery that needs topping up every couple of hours.

A low-cost alternative to standalone headsets like the Meta Quest 2 is those that use your smartphone as their display and processor. These can cost as little as $25 yet offer a perfectly decent first step into the VR world.

Samsung Gear VR Virtual Reality Headset

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What are the minimum PC requirements?

If you go down the tethered VR headset route, then be prepared to buy a high-performance gaming computer to get the best out of it. Take the Valve Index headset by Steam, for example. This requires a minimum of:

• Dual-core processor with hyper-threading
• 8GB of RAM
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 / AMD RX480 graphics card
• DisplayPort 1.2 or newer and USB 2.0 or newer ports

However, for a better experience, Steam recommends the following:

• Quad-Core+ processor
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 or higher
• USB 3.0 port required for headset pass-through camera

Standalone headsets don't require a computer at all, and the PS VR works on any PlayStation 4 and 5 models.

What are base stations and lighthouse boxes?

The HTC Vive Cosmos Elite uses lighthouse base stations for movement trackingHTC

Some VR headsets attached to gaming PCs require devices called lighthouse boxes or base stations. These are used to let the headset track your movement through the room, and usually need installing in the upper corners of the area in which you want to use your headset.

This means putting them on a high shelf, using a tall tripod, or wall-mounting them. They also each need to be powered by a wall outlet.

High-end headsets like those from the HTC Vive range use base stations, and so does the Valve Index. Wireless options like the Meta Quest 2 and 3 instead use cameras and sensors mounted to the headset itself to track its environment. The Oculus Rift S sits in between, as it is a tethered PC headset but doesn't use base stations.

As an example of what base stations can do, the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite, with its two base stations, can be used in an area of up to 160 square feet.

HTC Vive Base Station

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What is the field of view?

Field-of-view is one of the most important metrics when considering a VR headset. A wider view means the VR content wraps further around your peripheral vision, creating a more immersive experience.

The field of view can be measured in three different ways: horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. For example, the hugely popular Meta Quest 2 has a field of view of 89 degrees horizontally, 90 degrees vertically, and 127 degrees diagonally.

Sticking with the more commonly used horizontal field of view, the more expensive Valve Index is the current market leader at 130 degrees, followed by the HP Reverb G2 at 114 degrees and the HTC Vive Pro at 110 degrees.

For console gamers, the PlayStation VR has a viewing angle of 100 degrees.

What is the resolution?

The PlayStation VR has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 Sony

Another key metric for VR headsets is their resolution. Because the displays are right in front of your eyes, a high resolution is important to reduce the size and visibility of individual pixels. A lower resolution causes pixels to be larger and more visible, creating a less smooth and more pixelated image.

If we look at the popular Meta Quest 2 again, we will see a resolution of 1832 x 1920 per eye and a refresh rate of up to 90Hz. That latter figure is important as it makes for smoother gameplay than the more common 60Hz refresh rate.

The tethered Valve Index headset has a slightly lower resolution of 1440 x 1600 per eye and a high refresh rate of up to 144Hz, with 80, 90, and 120Hz are also available.

As of early 2024, the current resolution champion is the HP Reverb G2, which has a resolution of 2,160 x 2,160 per eye.

The PlayStation VR2 has a 4K HDR resolution and refresh rate options of 90 and 120Hz.

PlayStation VR2 (PSVR2)

How much does it weigh?

Comfort is an important factor for VR headsets. Some can be fairly heavy but help offset this weight by using padded foam and comfortable straps that spread the weight easily over your head and the bridge of your nose.

Headsets have gotten lighter over the years, and today's are better balanced than previous models like the Samsung Gear VR that used a smartphone for its display. However, they are still quite substantial, with the Meta Quest 2 weighing 1.83 lbs. and the Valve Index tipping the scales at 15 lbs.. The PlayStation VR2 splits these two at 5.3 pounds.

The new Apple Vision Pro seriously undercuts these headsets and weighs 21.2–22.9 ounces (600–650 g) and varies depending on Light Seal and head band configuration. A separate battery weighs 353g, making it lighter even than an iPhone.

Meta Quest 2 — Advanced All-In-One Virtual Reality Headset — 128 GB

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If wireless, what is the battery life?

Tethered headsets are powered by connection to your computer or a wall outlet, so battery life isn't a concern. Wireless headsets have integrated batteries, and the Quest 2 lasts between two and three hours per charge, depending on its use.

What about mixed reality and augmented reality?

The Microsoft HoloLens is an augmented reality headsetMicrosoft

Virtual reality involves completely replacing your view of the outside world with an environment created by the headset (however, some headsets have a camera to offer a view out for when you aren't playing a VR game).

Augmented reality is similar to what smart glasses like Google Glass offer, where a digital interface is projected into the wearer's eyes on top of their view of the real world. Headsets like the Microsoft HoloLens use augmented reality to blend real and virtual environments, for example, by stitching virtual videos to the real walls of your room.

Mixed reality refers to headsets that can handle both virtual and augmented reality. For this article, we are talking exclusively about virtual reality (VR) headsets.

How does audio work?

Standalone headsets like the Quest 2 have their own integrated audio system, with speakers positioned to cover your ears like headphones. The Valve Index and HTC Vive Cosmos also have integrated audio, while the PlayStation VR does not, so you'll have to use your gaming headset instead.

Does it have its own hand controllers?

Hand controllers for an HTC Vive VR systemHTC

Some older VR headsets didn't have any hand controllers and were instead more like visual experiences than a conventional video game. Now, though, most headsets can be controlled with hand controllers.

Oculus and HTC headsets all work with their manufacturers' hand controllers, which include motion-sensing technology and can even be seen virtually from within the headset. The PlayStation VR headset works with your PS4 controller, and headsets tethered to computers are controlled with the keyboard and mouse or whatever gaming accessories you already have, like a steering wheel or joystick.

How much do they cost?

Prices for VR headsets in 2024 vary quite significantly. The Oculus Quest 2 is remarkably good value at $200, while the PlayStation VR can be had for a similar price. However, it is usually bundled with extra games and accessories and sold for a higher price. You might also want toget the PS VR 2 which is going for $600.

When looking at tethered headsets, prices begin to climb. The HTC Vive Cosmos is currently $694 the Cosmos Elite (two controllers and base stations) is $900, and the Valve Index is $1,000. The high-resolution HP Reverb G2 represents good value at $600.

HTC VIVE Cosmos

HTC VIVE Cosmos

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Read More:

• Apple mixed reality VR headset 'to have eye tracking and iris recognition'
• How Apple's mixed reality headset could weigh significantly less than its rivals
• Microsoft dashes hopes of Xbox VR headset (again)

Best VR Headsets for Under $100 by GearBrainwww.youtube.com