2021 Gift Guide: Best VR Gear for Escaping into Virtual Reality

Thinking about expanding beyond the limits of traditional video games on your console or PC? Virtual reality headsets are finally moving into the mainstream, thanks to falling prices as well as an increased availability of games & apps. Check out some of our favorite VR headsets available during the holiday season.

Be aware that sale son these devices typically pop up during Black Friday sales. In addition, some companies will bundle packages of games together with discounts up to 50 percent off.

Best Wire-Free Experience: Oculus Quest 2

Hands down, the Oculus Quest 2 is one of the best VR experiences to introduce new users to the entertainment value of virtual reality games. Available in two storage size options (128GB and 256GB), the Quest 2 is an all-in-one virtual reality headset that doesn’t require PC connectivity. It comes with two touch controllers (powered by AA batteries), a spacer in case you have glasses and offers 1,832 by 1,920 resolution (per eye).

Battery life is a bit short, at 2.5 hours. However, an hour of playtime is probably the average length of time before the headset gets to heavy to wear. There are a number of accessories you can add to your Quest 2 to make it more comfortable to wear, in addition to extending the battery life by several hours.

During Black Friday 2020, a couple of the Oculus headsets were discounted between $20 to $50 and a few discounted game bundles hit the Oculus store. Look for similar discounts this year.

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Best VR for Console Gamers: PlayStation VR

Ideal for anyone that already owns a PS4 or PS5, the PSVR system has a large catalog of games and one of the highest refresh rates at 120 Hz. Downsides include one of the lowest resolution headsets on this list, 960 by 1,080 resolution (per eye) and a limited userbase for multiplayer games.

Games can be somewhat expensive, but sales occur significantly more often than games on the Oculus store. Some players have mentioned issues with motion controller tracking and issues sealing out light.

On the flip side, this is one of the least expensive VR headsets and often comes bundled with games. During Black Friday 2020, many bundles were discounted as low as $199. In addition, Sony is offering 3 free VR games with a PlayStation Plus subscription.

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Best VR for PC Gamers: Valve Index

While tethered to a PC, the Valve Index offers one of the best visual experiences due to a 120Hz refresh rate (and a 144Hz experimental mode). The Valve Index also offers some of the most comfortable to wear headsets and is compatible with some lower-tier graphics cards.

The Rift S offers 1,440 by 1,600 resolution (per eye) as well as 37.5mm off-ear speakers. Look for sales on the Valve Index  around Black Friday, but it will still be expensive compared to an Oculus headset.

It’s also the only headset with access to Half-Life Alex, one of the most impressive VR games on any platform.

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Best Headphones for VR: Logitech G333 VR Gaming Earphones

If you are looking for a good set of earbuds for your VR headset, the Logitech G333 are ideal for a few reasons. The short cable length keeps the cable away from your arms when swinging the controllers. It also comes with three options for silicone tips and and and aluminum housing.

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One Comment

1. 

   Stephen E Novak

   November 7, 2019 at 5:00 am

   Yeah but $400 for the Quest. I can’t help thinking VR is just 3D repackaged.

   Reply