The Best PC Virtual Reality Headsets under $1540
Oculus Go
★ Top Choice
BUY NOW
From $216
Features
- Portable & Easy to use: Ready when you are. Experience portable, all-in-one VR. That means no PC, phone, wires or hassles.
- Viewing with Friends: Watch with friends. Meet up in VR with friends and fans from around the world to catch live sports, concerts, or just your favorite TV show.
- Built-In Audio: Surrounded by sound. Spatial audio drivers are built right into the headset, providing dramatic, immersive sound without the need for bulky or tangled headphones. Oculus Go also features a 3.5 mm audio jack.
- Controller: Effortless control. Whether it's navigating to your favorite shows or to a far-off land, the intuitive controller makes getting there a cinch.
- Personal Viewing: The littlest, big screen. Crystal clear optics and state-of-the-art 3D graphics make your headset feel more like a personal theater.
Pros
- ⊕ No cables.
- ⊕ Good value.
- ⊕ No PC required.
- ⊕ Tons of content.
- ⊕ Great controllers.
Cons
- ⊖ No spatial tracking.
- ⊖ Three degrees of freedom.
- ⊖ Not as powerful as the Rift.
- ⊖ Battery only lasts two hours.
Specs
- PPI: 538.
- Weight: 485g.
- Per-eye Resolution: 1280x1440.
- Connectivity: Smartphone.
- FOV: ~100 degrees.
- Refresh Rate: 60-75Hz (depending on the app).
- Display: 1x 5.5-inch low-persistence LCD.
Best Affordable Standalone
The 9 Best Virtual Reality Headsets of 2020 - lifewire.com
Mentioned
Best VR Headsets - bestreviews.com
HTC Vive Pro
♥ Runner Up
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From $699
Features
- DESIGNED FOR COMFORT – Enhanced ergonomics of the headset allows for greater comfort in VR for longer game play.
- ENHANCED GRAPHICS - Super-rich colors and sharper than ever details: 2880 x 1660 and 615 PPI.
- VIVEPORT INFINITY – Get 2 months of unlimited VR play of 700+ games & apps. Code included in box.
- IMMERSIVE AUDIO - Feel sound all around you with hi-res, high impedance headphones with active noise cancellation.
- REAL-LIFE MOVEMENT - 360-degree controller and headset tracking covers your movements to the millimeter, floor-to-ceiling.
- DEFINE YOUR PLAYSPACE - Use VIVE seated, standing, or in a space up to 22'11"' x 22'11" with supporting base stations.
Pros
- ⊕ Good sound.
- ⊕ Flawless tracking.
- ⊕ Built-in headphones.
- ⊕ Incredibly powerful.
- ⊕ Stunning resolution.
Cons
- ⊖ Heavy.
- ⊖ Expensive.
- ⊖ Expensive.
- ⊖ DisplayPort only.
- ⊖ Setup is difficult.
Specs
- Platform: PC.
Oculus Rift S PC-Powered VR Gaming Headset
Best Bang for the Buck
BUY NOW
From $740
Features
- Ergonomic design: keep your head in the game thanks to a Halo headband redesigned with speed in mind. Rift S stays securely and comfortably in place with a quick twist of the Fit wheel, so it can take-or double take-your fastest reactions.
- Improved optics: Stare down the competition with next-generation lenses and a sharper display. Improved optics deliver bright, vivid colors and reduced “screen-door” effect.
- Oculus insight tracking: take a step forward with Oculus insight. It translates your movements into VR No matter which way you're facing and provides room-scale tracking without external Sensors.
- Oculus touch controllers: arm yourself with our updated Oculus touch controllers. Your slashes, throws and grab appear in VR with intuitive, realistic Precision, transporting your hands and gestures right into the game.
- Top VR gaming library: Blast, slash and soar your way through the top library in VR gaming. Oculus Rift S lets you play hundreds of games and exclusives already available in the Oculus store, with so much more to come.
Pros
- ⊕ Excellent value.
- ⊕ Massive library.
- ⊕ Very comfortable.
- ⊕ Inside out tracking.
- ⊕ Great, deep library of games.
Cons
- ⊖ Cameras add a little bulk.
- ⊖ LCD screen in place of OLED.
Specs
- Display: LCD.
- Refresh Rate: 80Hz.
- Resolution: 2560 x 1600.
- Field of View: 110 degrees.
- Controller: Oculus Touch.
- Connections: DisplayPort/Mini DisplayPort, USB 3.0.
Best Mid-Range
The 9 Best Virtual Reality Headsets of 2020 - lifewire.com
Most Powerful VR Headset
The 10 Best Gifts for Techies in 2020 - lifewire.com
Reviewed
Oculus Rift S Review - lifewire.com
Best Bang for the Buck
Best VR Headsets - bestreviews.com
Oculus Rift
BUY NOW
From $1539.88
Features
- Integrated VR Audio: Rift features an integrated VR audio system designed to convince you that you're truly there. The integrated headphones are removable in case you want to use your own. There is also a high-quality internal microphone for social experiences.
- Tracking System: The headset is tracked by our IR emitter constellation tracking system for precise, low latency 360-degree orientation and position tracking. The tracking system is designed to track you whether you're sitting down or standing up.
- Includes Oculus Rift headset with built-in headphones and mic, sensor, remote, Xbox One Wireless Controller, Lucky's Tale cables.
- Ergonomics and Design: The advanced ergonomic design improves the headset's overall balance and stability. The strap architecture offloads the overall weight, allowing the headset to rest comfortably.
- Custom Display and Optics: Rift uses custom display and optics technology designed specifically for VR, featuring two AMOLED displays with low-persistence. The technology enables incredible visual clarity as you explore virtual worlds.
Pros
- ⊕ VR pioneers.
- ⊕ Facebook backing.
Cons
- ⊖ Room-scale isn't as good.