5 Best VR Headsets for Game Development

When seeking the best VR headset for game development, understanding the latest options can be crucial. According to Google's featured snippet, Meta Quest 2, Sony PlayStation VR, Valve Index, HTC Vive Cosmos, and Oculus Rift S are currently among the best VR headsets to consider.

If you are looking for the best VR headset for game development endeavors, here are Onix’s top-5 headsets to target first:

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1. Meta Quest 3
2. Valve Index VR Kit
3. Sony PlayStation VR2
4. Apple Vision Pro
5. PICO 4

Our picks reflect the current popularity of VR platforms. We will compare the headsets for affordability, comfort, and ease of use. Our recommendations should hopefully help you choose the best VR headset for programming your next viral game!

Onix-Systems, an XR development company, can provide experienced specialists to work on your project remotely or build your VR game from A to Z. For example, Onix has crafted InnerVR, a highly-rated meditation and relaxation game for the Meta Quest 3.

Tips on Choosing the Right VR Headsets for Your Game

Here are Onix’s tips of selecting the best VR headset for game development:

Consider Your Game's Specifics

Headsets can be autonomous (wireless) or linked to PC/laptops or game consoles. The platform/VR headset you choose should support your specific game and meet the future players' needs. Ask questions like:

• Is it a single-player or a multiplayer game?
• Does it require maximum freedom of movement?
• Does it include advanced graphics that require extra support?

...and so forth. The answers will determine the necessary VR headsets' characteristics. For example, quality VR fitness sessions are possible only with wireless headsets.

Hand-tracking limits interactivity options to the directions and a number of gestures. Additional sensors and manipulators should be utilized when more complex movements require more accurate tracking.

Games that use standard equipment can be accessible to anyone in the game stores, whereas companies with specific needs and goals can order and use experiences that employ additional equipment.

Read also: 4 Benefits of Virtual Reality in Construction Industry

PC VR and Sony PlayStation VR 2 headsets can achieve better-quality virtual reality thanks to more powerful graphics hardware, whereas the untethered Meta Quest's lower performance calls for lower-level graphics.

Follow the Consumers

Players assess VR headsets by essential criteria like comfort, ease of use, immersion, controls, and price. For example, the headgear should distribute its weight around the head well, minimize pressure on the ears, and be comfortable to wear for extended periods without breaks.

Immersion is possible only with high-resolution screens with fast refresh rates ensuring sharp and smooth visuals. The best VR headset, with a resolution above 3,664 x 1,920 pixels, will remove the screen door effect and make your games feel genuinely immersive.

Read also: VR-Based Meditation App Development [Onix's Guide]

Field of view (FOV) refers to the extent of the virtual environment visible on the head-mounted displays (HMDs). A broad FOV is integral to a feeling of immersion. A good VR headset for gaming should have at least a 100° FOV.

Low latency, i.e., the delay between user input through a controller, head movement, or other methods, and the response on the head-mounted display (HMD), is also crucial to an immersive experience and in reducing motion sickness.

Inside-out tracking (tracking a user's movements in VR that originate in the headset) and outside-in tracking (motion tracking with external sensors) should ideally provide six degrees of freedom, i.e., abilities to look around and move in any direction in the game world.

Research the Markets

It may be reasonable to target devices popular in specific regions.

North America is one of the most promising markets for VR game developers due to the high gaming adoption, the activities of major players, such as Oculus/Meta and Sony, and the availability of high-end VR devices and software.

Another significant market is Europe, with a large gaming community and an increasing number of VR game developers.

The Asia-Pacific region, with China being the largest gaming market in the world, will also likely see significant VR gaming market growth in the coming years. It will be driven by the increasing popularity of gaming and the growing middle-class population with disposable income.

However, in most cases, it's preferable to make a VR experience available on multiple platforms (devices) sold in as many countries as possible.

Read also: How to Create a VR Ship Simulator

Our list of the best VR headsets considers both players' and game developers' preferences and stretches across every platform and budget scope:

• Meta Quest 3
• Valve Index
• Sony PS VR2
• Apple Vision Pro
• PICO 4

Meta Quest 3 – Top VR Headset for Developers

The Meta Quest 3 is undoubtedly Meta’s best product to date, easily the best stand-alone VR headset on the market, and probably the best VR system for gaming overall. Even with a price starting at $499, Meta Quest 3 is still seven times less expensive than its mixed reality (MR) rival Apple Vision Pro.

The Meta Quest 3 is not only a significant improvement over its predecessor, the bestselling Meta Quest 2, in terms of design, optics, and specs: Meta developed this AR/VR headset for games in the first place.

With the center of gravity located closer to the user’s face, the head strap makes the headset sit more firmly on a wearer’s head, making it less likely to wobble and slide when they play games or work out. Its plastic casing is lighter on the head. The Touch Plus controllers are reasonably small, easy to hold, and convenient. As a result, the Meta Quest 3 is great for gaming and fitness.

Learn more: How to Implement VR and AR in Fitness in 2024 – Benefits & Use Cases

The dual LCD Pancake lenses provide roughly 30% better resolution than the Meta Quest 2 offered. An IPD adjustment wheel for adjusting the distance of the lenses to the eye ensures maximum eye comfort. The near-field speakers rest in the headband. Spatial positioning is also better than in the prior model, and there are built-in cameras for MR experiences.

Using Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, the Meta Quest 3 can connect to anything with maximum features and speeds. The Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor delivers much better gaming performance. Thanks to video pass-through with 12ms of latency, it looks better and is smoother than most other autonomous VR headsets.

Finally, the Meta Quest 3 is widely available and offers access to a vast gaming library (it’s fully backward compatible with the entire library for the Meta Quest 2).

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The Meta Quest 3 is arguably also the best VR headset for developers. It uses Meta's Quest operating system based on Android. Everything is intuitive on Meta's platform, and game developers can use a variety of software development kits (SDKs) and plugins inside game engines like Unity and Unreal.

Read also: Onix at the Global Game Jam: Creating a Game with Unity in a Week

Valve Index VR Kit

Valve's Index VR Kit is arguably the best high-end VR solution for PC gaming.

For $999, consumers get a VR headset, two SteamVR base stations, and 'knuckle' controllers that can track every finger's movement.

The Valve Index boasts some of the best visuals among mainstream VR headsets. Its speakers offer outstanding 3D surround sound, delivering a level of aural isolation without shutting the gamer off completely to external noises. It’s also comfortable for extended play sessions. Its strapped controllers doubling typical motion controllers and hand/finger trackers are also super comfy.

Valve's excellent finger-tracking feature has great potential for future games and apps, and game creators should employ it more actively.

As Valve owns Steam, a super large PC gaming platform, Valve's Index Kit has an extensive library of games. It’s also cool that games developed for the Valve Index VR Kit are compatible with HTC Vive, another popular headset.

Read also: How to Create a VR Ship Simulator

The Index may be challenging to set up and requires a high-end GPU. Still, at this price range, a well-supported game library, superb image clarity, performance, and overall reliability fully compensate for some inconvenience.

Sony PlayStation VR2

Available at $550, Sony's PS VR2 enables PS5 owners to enjoy high-quality virtual reality without a high-spec PC.

PS VR2 is the best console-based VR option and one of the most comfortable headsets for long gaming sessions. It’s easy to set up, with only one cable needed to connect it to PlayStation 5.

Dual 2K OLED HDR screens provide a high-fidelity immersive VR experience further enhanced by eye tracking, headset haptics, and accurate spatial tracking for pin-sharp responsiveness. PS VR2’s excellent Cinematic Mode offers a new way to experience their favorite PS5 games.

This value is even more impressive considering the cost, which is significantly lower than the costs of VR gaming on PC.

PS VR2 isn't backward-compatible with the last-generation PS VR's software library, so it has a smaller selection of available games than Meta Quest 2 or PC-connected VR headsets.

Still, Sony’s headset maintains a solid fan base that relies on the brand's history. It has set an extremely high bar for future console-based VR headsets, so it will likely remain the audiences' favorite.

The benefits of PlayStation VR for developers include the ease of development and distribution due to its use of a single set of hardware specifications. This VR game platform steadily nurtures game developers, provides funding to support new partnerships and development projects, and helps make more games compatible with this VR headset.

However, the Sony developer license required for work with this platform raises the entry threshold.

Apple Vision Pro

Apple Vision Pro retails for $3,499 and only at Apple Stores because Apple requires customers to get fitted for one upon purchase.

The Vision Pro MR headset offers functionality similar to the Meta Quest 3 but with a higher display resolution, spatial audio playback, and processing speed.

A combination of Apple’s chips ensures excellent head and hand tracking. The M2 chip is a Macbook-level processor more capable than Meta Quest’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2. The R1 chip was specifically designed to control and process the continuous data streams from the cameras, sensors, and microphones.

Micro-OLED displays provide a resolution of 24MP. The speakers, one for each ear, are embedded in the headset’s single strap as it passes by the ears. The spatial audio support includes Personalized Spatial Audio that works when the user turns their head.

The impressive technology holds immense promise for entertainment and productivity. For example, the Vision Pro’s 4K Micro OLED displays and dual-driver audio pods facilitate immersive 3D movie viewing experiences surpassing movie theaters or even live sports games.

Learn more: How VR Is Changing the Entertainment and Film Industry

Apple’s visionOS looks and feels like something people see on their iPhones and iPads, which makes it comfortable and familiar for Apple customers. The Vision Pro supports a growing list of Apple Arcade games, and new apps are being produced by the hundreds.

Learn more: VisionOs App Development: Use Cases and Opportunities

The headset has a sleek design. One strap goes around the back of the user's head; its back end flares out to prevent any pressure points on the back of the head. The Fit Dial tightens the strap for a secure fit, and you can use an extra strap over the top of the head for a more stable fit.

Still, the Vision Pro is more front-heavy than the Meta Quest 3, leading to concerns over comfort during gaming and workouts.

Without the traditional controllers, the Vision Pro is not the best VR headset for the development of familiar game formats. For example, developers should be careful with the reliance on hand-tracking sensors, which may impact the game in dimmer environments. However, instead, they can leverage the Vision Pro’s superior eye tracking and audiovisual quality to create something new.

The Apple Vision Pro generally seems like the beginning of an entirely new proposition, so VR game developers who target the future should create apps for visionOS.

Being one of the best premium XR headsets also has pros and cons for game developers. On the one hand, the price limits the number of potential players. On the other hand, if a consumer paid the steep price for the headset and other Apple products, they may also be likely to pay more for an excellent game.

The "Apple Tax" also comes with multiple benefits, such as seamless integration with other Apple hardware and services. AirDropping files to and from the Vision Pro is smooth, and Mac Virtual Display gives your computer a 4K monitor to work with.

PICO 4

The PICO 4 headsets are available for purchase at $430. This PC VR gaming option is more affordable than the Valve Index, although, as a downside, it’s difficult to buy in the US.

PICO 4's resolution and the sharpness provided by Pancake lenses facilitate vivid and immersive VR experiences.

360° surround stereo speakers provide 3D spatial sound. Sound positioning, calculated based on head movement, facilitates precise and realistic audio effects.

The SLAM omnidirectional system provides improved tracking and positioning on the headset and controllers. PICO 4's haptic motion controllers use vibrations or movements to convey more realistic tactile feedback during VR experiences.

The headset is a little front-weighted but offers a generally comfortable fit.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of vr race simulator. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Conclusion

There are serious reasons to focus on gaming VR for developers and entrepreneurs. Market Research Future predicts that the VR gaming market will reach $74.62B by the end of 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.72%.

Affordability, comfort, and ease of use are the priorities for most people wishing to explore VR. In this post, we have reviewed some of the best VR platforms for game developers and gamers:

• Meta Quest 3 should be the primary choice of most VR developers. It’s excellent for wireless gaming, facilitates mixed reality experiences, offers tons of games and entertainment, and is a perfect medium between functionality and price that most people in the primary VR markets will be able to afford and use.
• The Valve Index, arguably the best PC VR headset for gamers, is suitable for game developers who employ full room tracking and whose target audience is ready to invest in high-spec PCs, VR headsets, and accessories.
• PICO 4 VR is the best headset for PC VR gaming among more affordable options.
• Sony PlayStation VR2 is the best console VR headset, allowing owners of PlayStation 5 the advantages usually reserved for more expensive headsets.
• Apple Vision Pro, the priciest option on our list, is also the most impressive functionality-wise. The outstanding spatial computing makes it great for entertainment and productivity-oriented purposes.

We can conclude that the Meta Quest 3 is currently the best gaming MR headset in its price range, as well as the best VR headset for Unity development. The Meta platform’s maturity keeps it ahead of Apple regarding actual functionality. However, this may change over a couple of years when developers catch up with the Apple Vision Pro.

Read also: How AR/VR Technologies Impact eLearning Effectiveness

However, game developers should remember that it is pretty challenging to stand out on the Meta platform and difficult to get to the official Meta store.

More expensive PC-powered VR gaming appeals to a smaller audience, but getting a product to the Steam store is easier.

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Are you interested in virtual reality game development or supporting your business with a custom-built VR experience? On