What to Look for When Buying a Virtual Reality Headset in 2023
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Virtual reality (VR) is a fascinating way to travel using nothing more than the power of technology. With a headset and motion-tracking technology, VR lets you look around a virtual space as if you’re actually there, or play a game as though you’re in it. But which headset is right for you? Here are some factors to consider before you buy a VR headset in 2023.
Standalone or Tethered?
One of the first things to decide is whether you want a standalone or tethered VR headset. A standalone VR headset is a device that does not require any additional hardware attached or cables running out of the headset. It has its own processor, battery, and storage, and can run VR games and apps without any wires or PC. A tethered VR headset is a device that connects to a PC or console via a cable, and relies on the external hardware to run VR games and apps.
The main advantage of a standalone VR headset is that it is more portable, convenient, and affordable than a tethered VR headset. You can use it anywhere without worrying about wires or space, and you don’t need to have a powerful PC or console to enjoy VR. The main disadvantage of a standalone VR headset is that it has limited performance, battery life, and storage compared to a tethered VR headset. You may not be able to run the most demanding VR games and apps with the best graphics and performance on a standalone VR headset.
The main advantage of a tethered VR headset is that it can offer the highest-quality VR experience possible, with high-resolution displays, fast refresh rates, wide field of view, and accurate tracking. You can access the most immersive and realistic VR games and apps on a tethered VR headset, as long as you have a compatible PC or console. The main disadvantage of a tethered VR headset is that it is more expensive, cumbersome, and restrictive than a standalone VR headset. You need to have enough space to set up the headset and the external hardware, and you need to deal with wires that may get in your way.
Some examples of standalone VR headsets are the Meta Quest 2, the Pico 5, and the Meta Quest 3. Some examples of tethered VR headsets are the Valve Index, the HTC Vive Pro 2, and the PlayStation VR2.
Display
The display is one of the most important components of a VR headset, as it determines how clear and realistic the virtual world looks. The display consists of two factors: resolution and refresh rate.
Resolution is the number of pixels that make up the image on the screen. The higher the resolution, the sharper and more detailed the image. Resolution is usually measured by the number of pixels per eye, since each eye sees a slightly different image in VR. For example, the Meta Quest 2 has a resolution of 1832x1920 per eye, while the HTC Vive Pro 2 has a resolution of 2448x2448 per eye.
Refresh rate is the number of times the image on the screen changes per second. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother and more fluid the motion. Refresh rate is usually measured in hertz (Hz), which means cycles per second. For example, the Meta Quest 2 has a refresh rate of up to 90 Hz, while the Valve Index has a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz.
The ideal display for VR should have both high resolution and high refresh rate, as they both contribute to reducing motion sickness and increasing immersion. However, there is often a trade-off between them, as higher resolution and higher refresh rate require more processing power and battery life. Therefore, you may have to compromise on one or both factors depending on your budget and preference.
Field of View
Field of view (FOV) is another important factor that affects how immersive and realistic VR feels. FOV is the extent of the observable world that you can see at any given moment. The wider the FOV, the more you can see of your surroundings without moving your head. FOV is usually measured in degrees (°), which means angles from your eyes. For example, the Meta Quest 2 has a FOV of 90° diagonal, while the Valve Index has a FOV of 120° diagonal.
The ideal FOV for VR should be as close as possible to your natural FOV, which is about 210° horizontal and 150° vertical. However, most current VR headsets have much lower FOV than that, due to technical limitations and cost factors. Therefore, you may have to settle for less than optimal FOV depending on your budget and preference.
Tracking
Tracking is another crucial factor that determines how responsive and accurate VR is. Tracking is the process of measuring the position and orientation of your head and hands in the virtual space, and translating them to the corresponding movements on the screen. Tracking consists of two factors: degrees of freedom (DoF) and tracking system.
Degrees of freedom (DoF) is the number of directions that you can move in VR. There are two types of DoF: 3DoF and 6DoF. 3DoF means that you can only rotate your head and hands along three axes: yaw, pitch, and roll. 6DoF means that you can also move your head and hands along three axes: forward/backward, left/right, and up/down.
6DoF is the preferred type of tracking for VR, as it allows you to move freely and naturally in the virtual space. 3DoF is more limited and less immersive, as it only allows you to look around without moving your body. However, 6DoF requires more complex and expensive tracking systems than 3DoF, so not all VR headsets support it.
Tracking system is the method of measuring the position and orientation of your head and hands in VR. There are two types of tracking systems: inside-out and outside-in. Inside-out tracking means that the VR headset has cameras or sensors built into it that scan the environment and track your movements. Outside-in tracking means that the VR headset relies on external devices such as base stations or cameras that are placed around the room and track your movements.
Inside-out tracking is more convenient and portable than outside-in tracking, as it does not require any additional hardware or setup. However, inside-out tracking may not be as accurate or reliable as outside-in tracking, as it may have blind spots or lose track of your movements if the environment changes or has poor lighting. Outside-in tracking is more precise and consistent than inside-out tracking, as it can cover a larger area and track your movements more accurately. However, outside-in tracking is more cumbersome and restrictive than inside-out tracking, as it requires more space and wires to set up.
Some examples of VR headsets that use inside-out tracking are the Meta Quest 2, the Pico 5, and the HP Reverb G2. Some examples of VR headsets that use outside-in tracking are the Valve Index, the HTC Vive Pro 2, and the PlayStation VR2.
Controllers
Controllers are another essential factor that affects how interactive and intuitive VR is. Controllers are the devices that you hold in your hands to control your actions in VR, such as grabbing, pointing, shooting, or swinging. Controllers consist of two factors: design and features.
Design is the shape and size of the controllers, as well as how they fit in your hands. The design of the controllers should be comfortable and ergonomic, so that you can use them for long periods without fatigue or discomfort. The design of the controllers should also match the type of games or apps that you want to play in VR, such as shooters, racers, or simulators.
Features are the buttons, triggers, joysticks, touchpads, haptics, sensors, and other elements that the controllers have to perform various functions in VR. The features of the controllers should be responsive and accurate, so that you can execute your actions smoothly and precisely. The features of the controllers should also support different types of interactions in VR, such as gestures, finger tracking, hand tracking, or eye tracking.
Some examples of VR controllers are the Oculus Touch, which have a ring-shaped design with buttons, triggers, joysticks, touchpads, haptics, sensors, and finger tracking; the Valve Index controllers, which have a knuckle-shaped design with buttons, triggers, joysticks, touchpads, haptics, sensors, finger tracking, hand tracking; and the PSVR2 Sense controllers, which have a sphere-shaped design with buttons, triggers, joysticks, touchpads, haptics, sensors, and adaptive feedback.
Conclusion
Buying a VR headset in 2023 can be a daunting task, as there are many factors to consider and many options to choose from. However, by focusing on these five key factors: standalone or tethered; display; field of view; tracking; and controllers; you can narrow down your choices and find the best VR headset for your needs and preferences. Whether you want a standalone VR headset like the Meta Quest 2 for convenience and affordability; a tethered VR headset like the Valve Index for quality and performance; or something in between like the HP Reverb G2 for simplicity and balance; there is a VR headset out there for you.
Happy virtual reality!