Virtual reality is more popular than ever, and as technology continues to evolve, affordable VR experiences are more accessible. You don’t need an expensive VR headset and powerful gaming PC to have a great time, though if you want a more hands-on, immersive experience, the price will rise quickly. However, we’ve arrived at a point where you can get your own small taste of Ready Player One for less than you think. With a smartphone in your pocket, there’s a good chance you have all the processing power you need to try VR for yourself.
The democratization of technology has led to a wide array of VR headsets with a range of functionality. Some offer a simple goggle design with special lenses and a place to slot in your phone, while others depend on your game console to function. There are even ones that act like a little standalone PC with motion tracking, audio, and a whole lot more. Therefore, deciding which is best can be confusing and even a little overwhelming. To help narrow your search, we’ve done the work to find the best VR headset for you.
TL;DR – These are the Best Budget VR Headsets:
Meta Quest 2
Best Budget VR Headset
The Meta Quest 2 has everything you need in a VR headset while remaining relatively affordable. Starting at $399, you get a massive library of immersive VR games, streaming apps to put you in your own theater, and a surprising amount of educational content for students of all ages to learn in an enrapturing fresh format. It does all of this as a standalone device that doesn't require a phone or PC, but if you have a gaming PC or laptop, you can connect it with a link cable and access thousands more PC VR experiences.
The Meta Quest 2 offers crisp visuals and minimal screen door effect while warding off motion sickness thanks to its high-resolution and 90-120Hz refresh rate. Since it runs without cables, you can use it anywhere, and its built-in camera warns you when you’re getting close to any obstacles in your environment. The controllers also have better haptic feedback than the originals with a larger design for extra thumb space—only people with smaller hands may find them harder to hold.
PlayStation VR
Best Budget VR Headset for Console Play
If you own a PS4 or PS5, PlayStation VR is your go-to choice and one of the only options to enjoy console VR, though the visuals aren’t the crispest, and tracking can be flaky. Released in 2016, PlayStation VR is no longer sold as a standalone device, but you can still pick it up as a bundle with one or more PSVR games for a surprisingly budget-friendly price. With that in mind, if you can wait a little longer and spend a bit more, the PSVR 2 launches at the end of February.
PSVR doesn’t boast room-scale tracking, but its combination of a headset and motion controllers gives you full motion tracking, while there’s visual tracking with the PlayStation Camera (which needs a free adapter for the PS5). Games feel smooth and lifelike thanks to its 120Hz peak refresh rate, though its resolution of 960 x1080 per eye and 96-degree field of view leaves more to desire visually. The headset also has an excessive amount of wires, but at least it's surprisingly comfortable despite its larger size.
Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04
Best Budget VR Headset for Kids
Rumors of a VR solution for the Nintendo Switch are older than the console itself, but that didn’t stop the Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04 from being a surprise when it came out in 2019. Depending on the kit you get, this cardboard-crafted headset allows users to create several different playful headsets, including a blaster, camera, bird, and even an elephant that lets you use its trunk to reach into VR. Each headset is related to an experience, making them even more immersive and sure to please kids—and kids at heart.
Since the Nintendo Labo VR kit is constructed of sturdy cardboard with a pair of plastic lenses that uses the Switch for its screen, you’ll need to set your expectations accordingly. There’s no fancy tech, so you only get the resolution and refresh rate on offer with the Switch, meaning individual pixels are visible, and action may not be the smoothest. It also doesn’t include any strap, therefore requiring one hand to hold the mask in place, causing fatigue for extended play periods.
Atlasonix VR Headset
Best Budget Smartphone VR
The Atlasonix VR Headset utilizes your smartphone to provide a VR experience but one-ups the competition in clarity, comfort, and field-of-view—and it also helps that it’s not made from cardboard. This headset features ample, breathable padding around the eyes and nose, keeping it comfortable on your face, while an adjustable strap helps distribute weight across your head. There’s even an eye protection system in place and a pair of sliders on top of the headset that allows you to adjust focal and pupillary distances, preventing strain and dialing in clarity for your eyes.
It’s simple to get started using the Atlasonix, as most phones up to 6.3 inches will slide easily into the padded slot. There’s no complicated setup or a mess of wires, while the plastic build should hold up pretty well over time. To top off this already high-value package is a Bluetooth controller, so you can easily navigate and interact with VR apps.
Google Cardboard
Most Affordable Budget VR Headset
The Google Cardboard is cheap because it consists of a cardboard frame that holds your phone, a pair of lenses, and a magnetic button for some limited interaction inside VR. However, a Cardboard app and tons of other online VR content let you make the most of the immersive viewing experience. Google also made plans for the headset publicly available, so there are many versions from other companies, or you can even make your own if you’re feeling crafty.
Like other smartphone headsets, the capabilities of Google Cardboard depend on how powerful your phone is, and it supports both Android and iOS devices six inches or less. You should have no issue putting it together, as it just takes three simple steps, and then you just slot your phone in to enjoy a reasonably spacious 90-degree field of view. But since the official version of this headset doesn’t use a strap or padding around the eyes, it’s best suited for shorter viewing sessions.
What to look for in a Budget VR Headset
Like other types of popular tech, finding the best budget VR headset can be a bit overwhelming if you don’t know what to look for. While there are a few headsets, like the Meta Quest 2 and PSVR, that have instant name recognition, most tend to come from small brands you may never have heard of before. Here are the things to lookout for to find the best VR headset.
The first thing to consider is what type of VR experience you’d like to have. If you’re on the hunt for in-depth virtual reality gaming, you’ll want to aim high and pick up the Meta Quest 2 and PSVR. If you’re more interested in movies and still-image exploration, phone-based VR is a safe and affordable bet. For smartphone-based VR headsets, we also recommend picking up a Bluetooth VR controller for easy and intuitive controls.
Platform: Investing in VR isn’t just about the particular headset, as it’s also about the ecosystem of apps and experiences available on it. Most budget VR headsets work together with your smartphone, making iOS and Android their platform. The Quest 2, on the other hand, is fully standalone and has an app store filled with content. It’s also able to connect to a PC, opening the door to even more experiences (if you have the hardware to support VR). PlayStation VR and Nintendo Labo VR both rely on their consoles and won’t work on any other platform. If you’re unsure what’s right for you, look at the games and experiences you would most like to try and choose a headset that supports them.
Some, like Google Cardboard, also offer curated content ecosystems of their own. These content hubs give you fast access to different apps that should work well with your headset right off the bat.
Design and comfort: Even the best VR headset will gather dust if it’s uncomfortable to wear. More affordable headsets often sacrifice comfort to keep prices low. And ultra-cheap options like Google Cardboard might be easy on the wallet, but they’ll be hard on the face.
For long wear enjoyment, look for a VR headset that has an adjustable stap and ample padding around the eyes. Short VR experiences can be enjoyed while holding the headset to your face, but anything longer or interactive is much better hands-free and hands-on with a controller.
Another consideration is how the headset handles your phone. The best options have padding around the edges to prevent your phone from getting scratched. Heat should also be taken in to account. Running VR apps can quickly cause even newer phones to get hot. Simple vents can ward off thermal throttling and keep your games running well.
With all that in mind, you don’t need to break the bank to have a great virtual reality experience. The most immersive games are found on the most expensive headsets, but there are still great experiences to be had, even if you only have a moderately powerful smartphone. With these tips, you should be able to find the budget VR headset that’s right for you and experience the beginnings of what the virtual world has to offer.
Chris Coke is a tech critic that cares way too much about mechanical keyboards. Check him out at IGN, MMORPG.com, or PC Perspective. Follow him on Twitter @gamebynight.
