The Apple Vision Pro and some other top VR headsets are prohibitively expensive. Luckily, not all VR headsets are that pricey and can still deliver the immersive experience you're after. Just look at the Meta Quest 3, it’s an affordable standalone option offering crisp visuals, a comfortable fit, and a wealth of features, and we’ve found plenty of other budget-friendly VR headsets.
TL;DR – These are the Best Budget VR Headsets:
- Meta Quest 3 - Best overall
- PlayStation VR2 - Best under $600
- Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04 - Best under $100
- Atlasonix VR Headset - Best under $50
- Google Cardboard POP! - Best under $20
The introduction of the Oculus Quest – now owned by Meta – made waves in the VR world by offering a quality headset that didn’t require a gaming PC or console to function. That pretty much made the barrier to entry void, introducing VR headsets with advanced tracking, six degrees of freedom (6DoF), and high resolutions to the masses.
Even years later, beyond the Quest lineup, very few standalone options exist. So, if you’re looking to experience VR, it must be in conjunction with another platform. At least, some ultra-cheap options let you use the best smartphones as portals to the virtual world, allowing you to dip your toes in the water to see if you’d like to invest in a quality VR headset down the line.
To help in your search, we’ve found five affordable VR headsets, from barebone cardboard options to headsets with stunning panels and powerful processors ready to cruise through popular VR titles. Take a look below.
1. Meta Quest 3
Best Budget VR Headset
The Meta Quest 2 was an absolutely brilliant VR headset, and the Quest 3 only improves upon its greatness. Even with a price hike from its predecessor, the Quest 3 remains surprisingly affordable, and the impressive upgrades justify the higher cost.
To start, the Quest 3 comes with a brand-new processor, a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2, which is 50% more powerful than the chip found in the Quest 2. In our review, we were impressed by the polish and detail it brought to VR games like Red Matter 2. And more games are slowly being released to showcase the wild potential of this standalone device. Looking for a great PC VR headset? A link cable also makes it possible to hook up the Quest 3 to a gaming PC, while a sharp, full-color passthrough mode is included for mixed-reality gaming.
Beyond the upgraded processor are major improvements to visuals. The dual LCDs now offer a 2,064 x 2,208 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate for crisp, ultra-smooth action with minimal screen door effect. Meta also opted for pancake lenses this time around, bringing edge-to-edge clarity, and the 110-degree field of view makes for better immersion.
Comfort is key for long playing sessions. Luckily, the ergonomics on the Quest 3 are great. Though you aren’t losing weight compared to the Quest 2, the headset is less front-heavy and features a soft cloth head strap that keeps it firmly in place. Unfortunately, battery life suffers to keep the weight down, lasting less than 2.5 hours in testing. At least, Meta says goodbye to IR rings on the controllers, opting for a lighter, more balanced option with accurate tracking.
2. PlayStation VR2
Best Budget VR Headset Under $600
If you’re ready to take your PS5 gaming to another dimension, PlayStation VR2 is here, putting the original headset to shame with all its capability. Starting at $550, it’s not as budget-friendly as other options, but you get all the features you could ask for, from the built-in tracking cameras and eye tracking to the two tactile Sense controllers with adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. And setting up the device is simple, though not fully wireless—you just plug in a single USB-C, do a bit of calibration, and you’re ready to go.
From there, it’s hard to ignore the stunningly crisp visuals coming from the 4K OLED panels that offer HDR, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 110-degree FOV. And there’s plenty of power behind all that, bringing PC-level VR performance to a headset with more features and better specs than many pricier PC VR headsets. However, you can’t play original PSVR games. Luckily, the PSVR2 has PC support thanks to an adapter available for $59.99. You lose out on a few features playing on PC, but this functionality adds tremendous value to the device.
3. Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04
Best Budget VR Headset Under $100
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. It's a fun Nintendo Switch accessory to add to your arsenal and will set you back less than $100.
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.
4. Atlasonix VR Headset
Best Budget VR Headset Under $50
The Atlasonix VR Headset utilizes the best iPhones and Android phones 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 that goes for about $30 is a Bluetooth controller, so you can easily navigate and interact with VR apps.
5. Google Cardboard POP!
Best Budget VR Headset Under $20
Google Cardboard creations like the one from POP! are cheap because of the simple cardboard frame that holds your phone, a pair of lenses, and a button for some limited interaction inside VR. From there, you can download a Cardboard app along with tons of other online VR content, letting 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 your phone’s power. The version from POP! even includes a cutout, so you can take photos, as you play. It also adds other quality-of-life features like cushioning around your eyes, a velcro strap for easy access to your phone, and a band to keep it secure on your head. Best of all, you can score this headset for less than $20.
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 line up and PlayStation VR2, that have instant name recognition, most tend to come from smaller 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 or 3 and PlayStation VR2. 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 2/3, 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). PSVR2 also recently added VR support, but you'll still want a PS5 to makes the most of the headset. The Nintendo Labo VR relya on their consoles and only work on that 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.
Budget VR Gaming Headset FAQ
What's the Difference Between VR and AR?
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are terms often thrown around in the gaming world but have some distinct differences. AR is a much more accessible technology, as almost anyone with a smartphone can use it, delivering virtual features in the real world. A great example is Pokemon Go, where you use your phone's camera to navigate your environment, and virtual elements appear. Apple's Vision Pro also uses AR in a fun and innovative way. VR kicks things up a notch, eliminating the real world and opting for a computer-generated one. VR headsets blindfold you for a fully immersive experience. Some great VR game examples are Asgard's Wrath 2 for the Meta Quest or the PSVR 2 version of Gran Turismo 7.
What are some standalone VR headset options?
The majority of VR headsets require another device to function, be it a gaming PC, smartphone, or console, adding to your overall costs. The best option for standalone VR is the Meta Quest lineup of headsets that feature powerful processors to play games sans a connection, and the Meta Quest 3 is the best budget headset. Options beyond that are fairly limited, the Pico 4 is a direct competitor with the Meta Quest, while the HTC XR Elite is also ready to run VR apps and games without directly connecting to your PC. The Apple Vision Pro is an extremely powerful standalone device that easily integrates into Apple’s ecosystem while connecting it to the best MacBooks makes for a more innovative way to work.
When is the best time to buy VR headsets on a budget?
Although many high-end VR headsets never get discounted, the cheaper models will almost always get price reductions during a few different sales events every year. One of the overall best shopping events for VR discounts is Amazon Prime Day, which takes place in July every year. After that, Black Friday and Cyber Monday tend to have the best overall deals consistently. Both events tend to primarily offer Meta Quest deals, but sometimes other headsets are avaialable at a discount.
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.
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