These Are the Best VR Headsets You Can Buy in 2024
As 2024 approaches, the virtual reality landscape is changing. While big players like Apple, Sony and Meta are making major moves in this space, consumer sales have fallen sharply— according to CNBC , sales of VR headsets and AR glasses in the US fell by almost 40% in 2023 as of for November 2023. 25. (Sales weren’t as strong in 2022 either.)
However, tech giants seem to see widespread adoption of virtual and augmented reality technologies on the horizon. If the future is yours, here are the best VR and AR headsets you can buy.
Best VR headset overall: Meta Quest 3
Meta Quest 3 sums up the state of the entire VR/AR world in 2024 – it’s amazingly amazing technology, but an amazing, must-have app for the device has yet to arrive.
However, if you like to stay on the cutting edge of the experience that electronics can provide and don’t want to spend your savings, you can’t do better than the Meta Quest 3. This VR headset surpasses its predecessor in almost every way – processing power, graphics capabilities, ergonomics, usability, etc. – but the most significant improvements come from the Quest 3’s set of front-facing cameras. They turn “virtual reality” into “augmented reality” by creating the illusion that different screens and app menus occupy real space around you. This makes the experience much less nauseating, claustrophobic and overwhelming, whether you’re gaming, training, or using a virtual version of your PC.
The Quest 3’s standalone experience is worth the price of admission on its own, but its ability to connect to a PC, wired or wireless, opens up yet another virtual world for tech-minded users. Its performance as a PC-powered VR monitor is comparable to much more expensive PC-only headsets. In short, Quest 3 will become the industry standard for virtual reality in early 2024, for better or worse.
Best Budget VR Headset: Meta Quest 2
The “latest generation” Meta Quest 2 VR headset costs $249. However, the system’s black-and-white pass-through cameras only allow for the most basic augmented reality capabilities, and you won’t be able to take advantage of all the features of the most advanced VR/AR apps.
But if you want to try out a few VR games, maybe see what virtual workouts are like, or meet a new friend over VRChat, Quest 2 is a good choice. Setup is a breeze, the base model’s 128GB of internal storage is more than enough, and the VR capabilities are fantastic. The Quest 2 is the best choice for entry-level VR, mainly due to its excellent battery life, but the system can also connect to a PC.
The hottest AR headset of 2024: Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses
The overall state of VR headsets can be disappointing, but a glimmer of light is coming from an unexpected source. Thanks to the coolness of TikTok, eyewear maker Ray-Ban’s line of Meta Smart Glasses is having a moment. They don’t do much, but that’s a feature, not a bug. Even calling them AR might be a stretch, but if you want to stream high-quality video and audio directly to Instagram or Facebook, take photos without a camera, make calls without touching your phone, or listen to music without plugging in headphones, these glasses will make it possible. Plus, they don’t look stupid.
Best High-End VR Headset of 2024: Bigscreen Beyond
One of the biggest barriers to widespread acceptance of virtual reality may simply be how unnatural and heavy the devices feel strapped to your face. Bigscreen Beyond solves this fundamental problem by scanning users’ faces and providing each user with a customized headset. This means that the device is comfortable and has absolutely no light leaking around the edges. The Beyond is very light, weighing about 5 ounces, which is about a quarter of the weight of the Quest 3.
However, light weight does not mean lack of power. With a 2560×2560 (6.5MP) resolution per pancake lens per eye and a 75Hz, 90Hz refresh rate, Bigscreen delivers the latest VR experience, but it doesn’t come cheap. The base unit costs $1,000, twice as much as the Meta Quest 3, and that doesn’t include the controllers and charging station, which cost up to $1,600. Add to that some headphones (the Beyond doesn’t have built-in audio), prescription lenses, and a fairly powerful computer, which you’ll need to take full advantage of the Beyond, and you’ve got the price – who knows, really, but if you have to ask, this headset not for you. But if you want a comfortable and better VR experience, look no further than BigScreen Beyond.
The most anticipated VR headsets of 2024: Apple Vision Pro and new Sony headset
When it comes to the best VR headset of 2024, the question is still up in the air: both Sony and Apple are planning to release better, more “serious” VR/AR hardware this year. Apple’s Vision Pro is scheduled to release on February 2, and Sony just announced its own mixed reality headset at CES this year, due out in 2024. Both headsets are competing for the same market: not gamers and hobbyists, but designers, engineers, and other professionals. Both are standalone devices with impressive hardware and intriguing capabilities. Sony has experience in this area—the company’s Sony VR 2 headset earned rave reviews when it launched in February—but don’t discount Apple’s ability to create technology that’s worlds better (and usually more expensive) than anything else on the market. market.