4 Best VR Headsets of 2023, Tested by Experts

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The most immersive games you've ever played.

Whether you’re a gamer or interested in getting started, virtual reality headsets are a unique way to take your experience to a new level and immerse yourself in another reality. VR headsets aren’t only for gaming though — some sets give you the opportunity to watch videos, movies and participate in fitness activities or other immersive experiences. When choosing a VR headset, it’s important to choose one that offers the content you’ll most enjoy, as well as the right connectivity options. For instance, certain VR headsets are standalone devices that don’t require a connection to an external device, while others must be used alongside a gaming console or PC. To help, our Media & Tech experts evaluated the most popular VR headsets on the market so you can find the right one for you, including picks from Oculus, Steam, PlayStation and more.

The engineers and product analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Media & Tech Lab test everything from video games to gaming consoles, smart glasses to smart home devices. When reviewing the best VR headsets, our Media & Tech Lab pros evaluated each model for a variety of factors such as ease of set up, ease of use, comfort and design (both of headset and controllers), intuitiveness, performance, battery life, connectivity options and much more. According to our experts, these are the best VR headsets of 2023 to help transport you to another time and place.

Once you’ve reviewed our top picks, continue reading to learn more about what to look for when shopping for a VR headset and check back soon for updates on Apple’s highly anticipated VR headset, the Apple Vision Pro.

The Meta Quest 2, formerly known as the Oculus Quest 2, is the best VR headset for most people for a few reasons. First, its value is hard to beat. Second, it’s a standalone device that doesn’t require the purchase of an additional gaming console. That means that all you need is the headset and its controllers to get started (no cellphone or PC required)! Our pros found it extremely easy to set up once you create a Meta account or connect through Facebook — it only took our test engineer Alec Scherma around 30 minutes — and we were impressed by the intuitive controllers, excellent controller tracking and the wide variety of games and other immersive experiences available.

Though the Meta Quest 2 can start to feel heavy after prolonged use and doesn't always seal properly against the face (especially if wearing glasses), it remains relatively comfortable and is 10 percent lighter than the previous iteration. In Lab tests, Scherma found the headset’s performance both fast and responsive, and described the graphics as what you would expect from a VR headset: “nothing exceptional, but decent.” For the best quality, he suggests finding games that are optimized for VR.

Check out our Meta Quest 2 review for more details about our experience testing this headset, and keep an eye out for future updates regarding the imminent release of the Meta Quest 3 (or Oculus Quest 3).

While this may not be the cheapest VR headset on this list per se, it’s a worthy investment for PlayStation fans who already own a console and are familiar with the PS ecosystem and popular gaming library. “If you already have a PS5 and you don’t want to purchase separate equipment, this is a quality enough headset for you to enjoy the variety of games available," Scherma says. Though we wish a cable connection wasn’t required as this limits where you can use your headset, Scherma found it fairly easy to set up and points out that the controllers are not only intuitive and comfortable, but they’re a huge improvement over Sony’s first VR headset. “I like how easy it is to charge the controllers with the provided dock,” Scherma says. He does warn, however, that the headset is heavier than most.

Other testers like how the headset is able to scan the room automatically and create play boundaries, as opposed to having to draw them yourself. There's even a handy button you can press when you want to remove yourself from the VR world and see your space. And unlike other headsets on this list, this model comes with wired headphones that you can use alongside your headset, so you’re truly immersed in the game with surround 3D audio that doesn't bother anyone around you.

Though the Valve Index requires a PC and several wire connections, what sets it apart from other VR headsets is that it connects to Steam’s vast gaming platform and community, which features more than 30,000 games and VR titles. This headset is one of the more expensive on this list and a better choice for gaming enthusiasts versus novices, due in part to the more complex nature of set up. “You need a lot of space and a powerful PC to properly take advantage of all the headset’s features, and if you don’t have the correct ports on your PC you’ll need adapters,” Scherma says.

Our test engineers like the headset’s vast field of view plus the two included cameras that enable you to better map out the room you’re playing in for a more immersive experience and better tracking. Speakers are integrated into the headset to offer surround sound, and the screen’s resolution is crisp. While the headset may feel heavier than others, it remains comfortable and well-constructed. We also love the intuitive controllers, which strap onto your hands and feature finger-tracking that pulls you further into the game.

If you’re looking for a standalone VR headset that doesn’t need to connect to anything and gets rid of all pesky cables, this is the one. You can use it at home or take it with you on the go, making it an excellent choice for VR enthusiasts. Scherma was impressed not only by how easy it was to charge, but how comfortable and lightweight it was to wear. “I didn’t need to wear glasses while using it because I could individually adjust each eye to match my prescription,” he says.

Our pros like that the headset includes controllers but can be used with your hands, which Scherma found “surprisingly accurate and useful.” And though the setup was initially a bit confusing, once you’re able to access the tutorial on how to operate the headset and controllers, it should be smooth sailing from there. Head to the Viverse content library to browse among 1,600+ games that you can play with your headset.

When testing VR headsets, our experts rely on years of gaming experience and industry knowledge to assess each pick. We start by removing each headset from its box and reviewing its materials and construction. Next, we set up each VR headset and take note of how easy it is to get up and running, whether it requires a connection to an external device like a console or PC or features multiple cables. We then use each VR headset and evaluate how comfortable it feels while on, including how intuitive the controllers are. Once we start playing, we evaluate the screen's resolution, graphics, tracking, the zippiness of performance and we consider specs like the headset's battery life, refresh rate, field of view and more. We also take into account whether the headset provides access to a wide variety of games or content.

✔️ Wired vs. wireless: Do you want a standalone VR headset that doesn't require connection to an external device like a PC or gaming console, or do you not mind being tethered? Keep in mind that standalone devices are more portable and can be used in any space, whereas wired ones will be more of a hassle to move.

✔️ Comfort: Does the VR headset feel comfortable while on? Is it heavy? You'll likely be wearing your headset for a few hours, so make sure it feels lightweight. Also consider how comfortable the controllers are to grasp, and whether they feel intuitive to use.

✔️ Content: Before purchasing a VR headset, ask yourself what you want to use it for. Is there a particular game that you want to play in VR? Make sure that the headset you choose has access to the games and content that you want.

✔️ Resolution: You'll want to choose a VR headset with high screen resolution for the best gaming experience. Overall, the higher the resolution, the better picture quality you can expect.

✔️ Refresh rate: Refresh rate is measured in Hertz (Hz) and indicates how often the image on the screen refreshes. When gaming on your VR headset, you'll want the highest refresh rate possible to ensure zippy performance. Our pros recommend anything above 60 Hz, though 90 Hz is ideal.

✔️ Audio: Most VR headsets have speakers built in, while some have integrated headphones (or feature audio jacks so you can use them with your own wired speakers). If you want the most immersive experience, opt for a headset that features surround sound.

Media & Tech Analyst Olivia Lipski covers consumer electronics and gadgets like the Samsung The Frame TV, computer monitors and more for GH. She stays on top of the industry's latest innovations and helps readers make better buying decisions by testing and reviewing the best products to hit the market. Over the past few months, she’s been familiarizing herself with the world of VR by using various headsets and playing VR games in her home.

Testing for this story was overseen by Alec Scherma, the Good Housekeeping Institute’s test engineer. He helps create and implement new product testing methodology across home, cooking and cleaning appliances, wellness, tech products and more. He graduated from Drexel University’s College of Engineering with a B.A. in mechanical engineering. He has lifelong experience gaming, playing almost every console that has come out, as well as testing various video game consoles in the GH Media & Tech Lab.

Olivia (she/her) is a media and tech product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, covering tech, home, auto, health and more. She has more than five years of experience writing about tech trends and innovation and, prior to joining GH in 2021, was a writer for Android Central, Lifewire and other media outlets. Olivia is a graduate of George Washington University, with a bachelor's degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.

Alec Scherma (he/him) is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s test engineer, where he helps to create and implement new product testing methodology across home, cooking and cleaning appliances, wellness, tech products and more. He graduated from Drexel University’s College of Engineering with a B.A. in mechanical engineering.

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