Many of the best VR headsets cost a pretty penny – the Apple Vision Pro will set you back an eye-watering $3,500. But not all VR is so prohibitively expensive, allowing you to experience immersive virtual worlds for less than you might expect.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Budget VR Headsets:
With the Oculus Quest – now owned by Meta – came a VR headset that didn’t require a gaming PC to function. That, paired with its fair price, broke down the barrier of entry into VR, making it far more accessible 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.
Still, whether you’re after a true VR experience with advanced tracking, six degrees of freedom (6DoF), and high resolutions that headsets like the Meta Quest 3S or PlayStation VR2 can offer, or something that just lets you dip your toes into this world, we’ve got you covered. Our experts have carefully selected five budget-friendly VR headsets. A few of our picks are pretty basic and require a smartphone to function, but they can be stepping stone before investing in a pricer option.
1. Meta Quest 3S
Best Budget VR Headset
In our hands-on review of the Meta Quest 3, we found it delivered an absolutely brilliant standalone VR experience. What we didn’t love? The major price hike from the Quest 2. Luckily, Meta came up with a solution: the Meta Quest 3S, which pretty much combines its two predecessors into one affordable yet capable VR headset.
Horsepower isn’t a problem with the Quest 3S, and that’s thanks to its CPU, GPU, and RAM. Those internals are the same as the Quest 3 and a major upgrade over the Quest 2. In our testing of the Meta Quest 3S, it consistently cruised through games like Blade & Sorcery: Nomad and Supernatural with ease. In fact, it had a slight bump in performance compared to the Quest 3, which is likely due to the lower-resolution lenses.
Unfortunately, the Quest 3S's lenses got a downgrade from the pancake lenses found in the Quest 3. Instead, Meta opted for the Quest 2’s Fresnel lenses with 1832×1920 pixels per eye resolution and 20ppd. Clarity and immersion won’t be as great as the more expensive headset, but there’s still a 120Hz refresh rate and minimal screen door effect for a pleasant VR experience. However, the full-color passthrough mode will be a welcome addition for those into mixed-reality gaming,
The design of the Quest 3S is quite similar to the Quest 3. The comfortable, lightweight controllers are exactly the same, while the headset weighs 1.13lbs and feels well-balanced on the head. A cloth strap makes for a relatively secure fit. Battery life takes a hit to keep the weight down, averaging about 2 hours in testing. But if you’re okay with a wire, a link cable makes it possible to hook up the Quest 3S to a gaming PC.
2. PlayStation VR2
Best VR Headset Under $600
If you’re ready to take your PS5 gaming to another dimension, our hands-on review of PlayStation VR2 shows how it puts 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 PS VR2 has PC support thanks to an adapter available for $59.99. We did hands-on testing of the PS VR2 PC adapter, and while you lose out on a few features playing on PC, the functionality adds tremendous value to the device.
3. Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04
Best 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.
We originally reviewed the Nintendo Labo Variety Kit when it first came out and loved how it brought out our creativity, which is very much at the soul of any Labo product from Nintendo.
4. Atlasonix VR Headset
Best 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 it off, it comes with a Bluetooth controller, so you can easily navigate and interact with VR apps.
5. Google Cardboard POP!
Best VR Headset Under $20
Google Cardboard creations like the one from POP! are super 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. Google 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
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 3S or 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 3S, 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). PS VR2 also recently added VR support, but you'll still want a PS5 to makes the most of the headset. The Nintendo Labo VR rely 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 accessibly inexpensive, but they won't be terribly comfortable.
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 Pokémon 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 3S 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.
