VRChat is perhaps one of the most entertaining VR titles out there.
As the name suggests, this video game/ social experiment takes place in the world of virtual reality.
If you’re in a hurry, jump to our Editor’s Picks!
Now, of course, you can boot into the game without necessarily using a VR headset.
But that really won’t do the game justice.
So we’ve prepared a list of the best VR headsets for VRChat that you can find on the market.
Whether you’re a new player or someone who’s looking to enhance their VRChat experience, this article is going to help you find the best VR headset for VRChat.
We’ll also discuss the VRChat technology, the amazing features it provides, and the important factors in choosing the right VRChat headset along the way.
So stay with us to the end!
Best VRChat Headset for Screen
Samsung Odyssey
The Samsung Odyssey is the only non-smartphone VR headset from Samsung.
Their experience in the smartphone VR world translates well to this PC-connected Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) offering and competes very well with the Oculus Rift S and HTV VIVE when talking about VRChat.
You will get access to a plethora of apps and games from Steam VR, Oculus, and the Windows Store.
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best Overall VRChat Headset
HTC VIVE Pro
This headset is an awesome product that offers a wonderful and rich experience while not costing too much.
At an acceptable price point for most budgets, this headset REALLY delivers!
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best Budget VRChat Headset
Acer AH101-D8EY
The Acer AH101-D8EY is the only other WMR (Windows Mixed Reality) VR headset I recommend for VRChat.
The specs are similar to the Samsung but use an LCD instead of an OLED screen.
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best for Motion Tracking
HTC VIVE Pro
The HTC VIVE Pro has incredible internal and external tracking.
Internal eye-tracking cameras combined with external head-tracking cameras make looking around your environment feel much more realistic.
Additionally, the controllers have incredible accelerometer tracking.
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best for Value
Oculus Rift S
The Oculus Rift S ticks all the boxes when looking for the best possible VRChat headset.
It gives you great motion tracking, stunning audio quality, and hand controllers that are responsive and give you natural hand movements.
This headset without a doubt is the best deal.
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best Future-proofed VRChat Headset
HTC VIVE Pro
With this headset, you won’t have to worry about not being able to enjoy VRChat for a long time.
All the features and the modern tech used in this headset will ensure a great level of future-proofing.
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best for Picture Quality
Pimax 5K Plus
When it comes to picture quality, this headset is the king.
The AMOLED screen with its high resolution and magnificent color quality are what makes this headset so special.
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best for Audio Experience
Valve Index
This headset comes with amazing honeycomb-shaped off-ear speakers that guarantee you get the best sound while enjoying your game.
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best for Mods and Upgrades
HTC VIVE Cosmos
This headset is for those who are into upgrading and personalizing their VR headset.
Almost everything in this headset, from the visor to the display itself can be detached and upgraded.
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best VRChat Headset for Refresh Rate
Valve Index
For those looking for the best framerate possible, this should be your VRChat headset of choice.
A refresh rate of 80 to 144Hz will get you super-smooth gameplay while preventing motion sickness.
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best VRChat Compatible Headset for Beginners
Oculus Quest
This headset simply offers you the most convenient VR experience on the market.
If you want a great VR experience with a simple setup, Quest is for you!
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best for Per-Eye Resolution
HP Reverb
This headset is for those who truly value the details.
With an astonishing 2160×2160 pixels resolution per eye, this headset will provide you with all the details that you’re ever gonna need while playing VRChat.
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best for Average User
HTC VIVE
This is the little brother of the HTC VIVE Pro.
This model lacks the high-end features of the pro model, but in exchange, it’s a lot more suitable for the average user.
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
VRChat is a platform that boasts over 50,000 users and developers in its community.
It is a virtual reality (VR) platform and lets users create new VR experiences with custom worlds, avatars, and friends all over the world.
Simply put, this game shows you what it would be like to enter the wonderland.
A wonderland you can actually explore and interact with.
If you’re looking for the right VR headset to get the most out of the VRChat experience, you’ve come to the right place.
Each VR headset has a variety of features for watching movies, 3D and 360 content, ultimate theater experience, and other virtual reality experiences such as Beat Saber, Steam games, etc.
But only a handful gives you a specialized VRChat immersion.
Things like 3D spatialized audio, gameplay, world exploration, and full-body avatars are unique to the VRChat platform.
Buying the right VR headset for VRChat can be quite complicated.
In fact, there are many questions that need to be answered when buying a VR headset for VRChat such as:
- Do you have a powerful PC to connect your VR headset to?
- Does your PC meet the VRChat system requirements?
- What VR motion tracking does your VR headset support?
- Which VR headsets should you avoid?
As we go further into the article, we review every one of these headsets in greater detail.
That way, you’ll know about each one’s capabilities, pros, and cons.
By the end of this article, you’ll be able to answer all of these questions for yourself.
At the end of the article, I’ve included a Buyers Guide to answer your questions and help you make the right buying decision based on your condition.
I will also explain some of the VRChat terminologies you’ll need to know for accessing VRChat.
And Why not using a clip-on fitness tracker to track your activities during the game! So, I suggest reading our recent article on this!
Without further ado, let’s dive right in.
See also: Best VR Headsets for Movies
See also: Best Flight Sim VR Headsets
See also: Best VR Headsets for X-Plane 11
See also: Best VR Headsets for Sim Racing
See also: Best VR Headsets for iRacing
See also: Best VR Headsets for Elite Dangerous
See also: Best VR Headsets for Skyrim VR
See also: Best VR Headsets for Blade and Sorcery
See also: Best VR Headsets for Subnautica VR
See also: Best Boneworks VR Headsets
See also: Best VR Headsets for DCS World VR
See also: Best Roblox VR Headsets
See also: Best VR Headsets for Unity
What're the Best VR Headsets for VRChat in 2021?
Quick Answer:
- HTC VIVE Pro | Best Overall Headset for VRChat
- Oculus Rift S | Best VRChat Headset for the Value
- HTC VIVE | Best VRChat Headset for the Average User
- Samsung HMD Odyssey | Best VRChat Headset for Screen
- Oculus Quest | Best VRChat Headset for Beginners
- Acer AH101-D8EY | Best VRChat Headset on a Budget
- Valve Index | Best VRChat Headset for Refresh Rate
- HP Reverb | Best VRChat Headset for Resolution
- Pimax 5K Plus | Best VRChat Headset for Picture Quality
- HTC VIVE Cosmos | Best VRChat Headset for Mods and Upgrades
Comparison Table for the Best VR Headsets for VRChat
| VR Headset | View on Amazon | Our Rating | Native VRChat Compatibility | PC Connected | Motion Tracking | 3D Audio | Refresh Rate | Screen Type and Resolution | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HTC VIVE Pro |
 
|
4.7 / 5 | YES | YES | 6DOF | YES | 90 Hz | 2880 x 1600 AMOLED | ||||
| Oculus Rift S |
 
|
4.8 / 5 | YES | YES | 6DOF | YES | 90 Hz | 2560 x 1440 LCD | ||||
| HTC VIVE |
 
|
4.6 / 5 | YES | YES | 6DOF | YES | 90 Hz | 1080 x 1200 AMOLED | ||||
| Samsung HMD Odyssey |
 
|
4.4 / 5 | Windows Mixed Reality | YES | 6DOF | YES | 60 Hz & 90 Hz | 1440 x 1600 AMOLED | ||||
| Oculus Quest |
 
|
4.4 / 5 | Cross-Platform Only | NO | 3DOF | NO | 72 Hz | 2880 x 1660 OLED | ||||
| Acer AH101-D8EY |
 
|
4.3 / 5 | Windows Mixed Reality | YES | 6DOF | YES | 90 Hz | 2880 x 1440 LCD | ||||
| Valve Index |
 
|
4.8/5 | YES | YES | 6DOF | YES | 80 - 144Hz | 1440 x 1600 LCD | ||||
| HP Reverb |
 
|
4.6/5 | YES | YES | 6DOF | YES | 90Hz | 2160 x 2160 LCD | ||||
| Pimax 5K Plus |
 
|
4.7/5 | YES | YES | 6DOF | NO | 120Hz | 2560 x 1440 AMOLED | ||||
| HTC VIVE Cosmos |
 
|
4.5/5 | YES | YES | 6DOF | YES | 90Hz | 1400 x 1700 LCD | ||||
Best VR Headsets for VRChat in 2021
1. HTC VIVE Pro | Best Overall Headset for VRChat
On a consumer level, we should not include this VR headset here because it is built for commercial applications.
But if you are interested in the absolute best experience for VRChat and money is not an issue for you, then the HTC VIVE Pro is your best option.
VIVE Pro offers up to 100 square meters of Play Area which is huge!
It also uses an AMOLED screen.
That means it has a wonderful contrast, shows blacks deeper and whites much brighter.
The screen refresh rate is 90Hz which is an important factor.
A refresh rate of 90Hz is considered optimal and helps smoothen all the movements and animations.
The controllers are ergonomically designed and very comfortable to use.
The SteamVR Tracking Bases that come with the headset, can analyze your movement precisely.
That means your in-game animations will look much more realistic.
This headset benefits from an optimized center of gravity.
Meaning, you won’t feel floaty and weightless while playing.
This headset also uses a standard adjustable interpupillary distance (IPD).
This allows you to manually adjust the lenses based on your face shape and avoid putting unnecessary pressure on your eye.
The soft padded head strap will ensure your comfort.
It’s also adjustable to make sure the headset can fit on any head shape or size.
The faceplate is much bigger than usual faceplates in other headsets.
This removes the extra pressure on the face and also eliminates those red marks on your face.
The only downside to this headset might be the low FOV angle.
The field of view on this headset is only 110° which limits how much of the VR world you can see at a time.
For comparison, a human eye’s field of view is 180°.
The lower field of view may or may not cause motion sickness in some users.
If you can look past that, HTC VIVE Pro is one of the best VR headsets for VRChat you can buy today.
Tech Specs:
The specs on the HTC VIVE Pro are nothing short of amazing!
Just go and feel the Dual-OLED display with industry-leading 2880 x 1600 resolution.
Audio Specs:
The HTC VIVE Pro delivers 3D spatial audio with active noise cancellation.
As I mentioned before, the 2 most important aspects of using VRChat are the motion tracking and audio experience.
That is why we have named the HTC VIVE Pro as the best overall VR Headset for VRChat.
Motion Tracking:
Since the HTC VIVE Pro is technically a commercial-use VR headset, you’ll get the VIVE tracker that brings objects into your VR simulation.
This is ideal for motion capture, automotive, aerospace, and heavy equipment simulations, but it will be overkill for using VRChat.
Battery Life:
The HTC VIVE Pro, like its little brother the HTC VIVE, includes an easy-swap battery system.
This means you can explore VRChat worlds for up to 2.5 hours per battery.
Features and Benefits:
- This commercial-grade VR Headset is the best VRChat headset on this list but maybe overkill for casual play.
- This unit is the most future-proofed VR headset on our list; it won’t be trumped in features any time soon.
- Delivers a solid immersive experience in VRChat that will give you high-end motion tracking and audio experiences.
- If you don’t have the budget for this “professional” unit, you can purchase its little brother the HTC VIVE.
Pros
- Best overall VRChat Experience
- Best motion tracking experience
- 3D spatial audio
Cons
- Most expensive VR headset for VRChat
- Too many commercial grade features you will not use for VRChat
- Requires expensive add-ons like motion sensors
User Experience:
Let’s have look at Amazon users’ opinions on this VRChat headset.
1) They charge you $800for this thing yet the quality control is horrible.
When mine broke, they asked me to return it at my own expense.
2) It’s too addictive to use with XPlane 11.
It provides such a realistic experience to the user.
VR is not exactly life-like yet, but this is the closest we’ve got.
3) Many users praise it for the visuals.
But let’s be fair, the visuals are not that much better than other headsets.
They’re really good tho.
4) It’s gonna blow your mind, for as long as it works.
My headset just went out for no reason and is pretty much dead.
There’s no fix.
I have the warranty, but to get the free fix, I have to send the headset back to the seller with my own money.
5) Changing my rating from 5 stars to 1.
Although the headset itself isn’t bad, its customer support is non-existent.
6) All my friends have their minds blown.
This doesn’t replace our normal life, but holy crap it’s awesome!
It even solved my videogame addiction because I no longer crave those games.
Just spending time in VRChat.
Expert Opinion:
2. Oculus Rift S | Best VRChat Headset for the Value
Oculus Rift S only costs $400.
This price tag makes it a very attractive option for those on a budget.
It features an improved optical design.
This new design is aimed at reducing the eye strain and the screen door effect which could cause nausea and ruin the immersion.
Like other Oculus Rift headsets, this one too comes with the Oculus Insight tracking system.
This system tracks your precise body movements with the use of 5 internal and external cameras.
With the built-in accelerometers in controllers and the headset itself, you can have your exact movements transferred into the game.
The resolution is 2560 x 1440 pixels per eye which is a really impressive number.
This gets even more interesting when you remember this thing only costs 400 bucks!
You also can adjust the interpupillary distance easily to eliminate motion sickness.
Overall, this is a fantastic product and the attractive price point is what makes this such a good VR headset for VRChat.
Tech Specs:
The Oculus Rift S provides a hyper-realistic 2560 x 1440 resolution with an 80Hz refresh rate.
Although this is a bit lower resolution than the HTC models, it provides ample quality for VRChat.
The LCD screen may feel a bit of a letdown from the OLED screens you will find again with the HTC models, but rest assured you won’t be disappointed when playing inside VRChat virtual worlds.
Motion Tracking:
The Oculus Rift S gives you a 5’ by 11’ tracking radius for use in VR experiences like VRChat.
This isn’t a class leader; that distinction goes to the HTC VIVE Pro, but it provides ample room for VRChat immersion.
Audio Specs:
Many users have complained about the lack of on-ear headphones in lieu of open-air embedded speakers.
A few reviews I read about this were complaints that the embedded speakers didn’t give an immersive experience when participating in VRChat.
The quality of audio in these speakers felt weak and poorly made.
The good news is you can bring your own audio device, specifically a Bluetooth headphone set-up, and you will be just fine when chatting and talking to other virtual friends inside VRChat.
Battery Life:
Since the Oculus Rift S requires a PC-connected tether, you will not need to hassle with a battery.
Features and Benefits:
- One of the best motion tracking experiences for VRChat with a 5’x11’ tracking area.
- Hand controllers that let you participate in VRchat activities like rolling, pitching, yawing, and surging inside VRChat.
- Besides native VRChat compatibility you get 6 free titles: Robo Recall, Lucky’s Tale, Quill, Medium, Dead and Buried, and Toybox.
- The low-latency motion tracking gives you cutting-edge immersion inside VRChat.
Pros
- Best VRChat audio experience
- Will be able to access all of VRChat
- Large tracking radius for 2nd in class immersion
Cons
- Not the best audio experience, definitely BYOD (bring your own device)
- LCD screen may cause smudges and smears
- PC-tethering could be longer distance
User Experience:
Let’s see what users have to say about this VR headset on Amazon.
1) This is supposed to be an “Upgrade” from the last-gen.
Yet they’ve made it so that only the people with the right inter-pupillary distance can use it.
Refunded.
2) The resolution and picture quality have dramatically increased from the last headset.
The controllers are still the same shape, but lighter in weight.
You can’t adjust the IPD so that’s a downside.
3) Bad firmware causes far too many issues.
It literally makes the headset useless.
4) It requires Windows 10!?
Why?
So we can’t use it if we use Windows 7 or any other operating system?
5) The picture quality is great.
The setup process was also really easy.
The price is reasonable and the screen-door effect is also eliminated.
6) The original Rift had issues, but it was a fun device.
Now Rift S has made the tracking so much easier.
The quality is noticeably higher.
Loses 1 star for problems in audio quality.
Expert Opinion:
3. HTC VIVE | Best VRChat Headset for the Average User
The Pro has more sensors and therefore offers a better motion tracking experience; however, the HTC VIVE is a bit more optimized for consumer use.
This headset is quite similar to VIVE Pro, but it is the simpler version with fewer high-end features.
It’s very light and also has a very light-weight head strap which is very comfortable while playing.
It also has some face cushions that will take the overall comfort to the next level.
Tech Specs:
The specs on the VIVE are some of the highest in this class.
A 2160 x 1200 LCD resolution display and a refresh rate of 90 Hz give you one of the best VRChat immersive experiences.
The headset is light but sturdy; so long sessions inside VRChat will be comfortable.
The Room Scale VR has 2 base stations, meaning users will have up to 15’x15’ worth of real estate to play with inside VRChat.
Audio Specs:
The HTC VIVE gives you excellent audio with 3D spatial support.
Although it doesn’t come with built-in audio, you can go to HTC and purchase a separately connected audio jack.
Otherwise, you can bring your own headset device.
I recommend connecting a Bluetooth headphone set when using VRChat.
Battery Life:
Again, we do not worry about battery life with PC-connected VR headsets like the HTC VIVE.
This is a positive feature compared to stand-alone VR headset models.
Features and Benefits:
- Impressive motion tracking experience that lets you do the most interactions on VRChat.
- The high refresh rate of 90 Hz gives you an immersive experience in various VRChat worlds.
- 3D spatial audio support brings all the audio features you need in VRChat.
- Although not as high-end as the HTV VIVE Pro, you get most of the important VRChat features at a lower cost.
Pros
- Great VRChat experience
- 90 Hz refresh rate for full immersion
- 3D spatial audio support
Cons
- High cost; only for the most demanding VRChat user
- 2 base stations require a lot of home real estate
- BYOD (bring your own audio device)
User Experience:
Here are some Amazon user reviews on this VRChat headset.
1) It works pretty fine, but sometimes the screen goes black and when it comes back on, the screen is red which hurts the eyes.
Although, it goes away pretty fast
2) This is my first VR experience.
I’ve been using it for days and haven’t had any issues like headaches or anything.
It’s really a good device.
3) The device itself works just fine.
But man, contacting customer support was a nightmare!
They won’t pay for shipping even when their device has hardware issues.
4) Look, the VR experience on this headset is amazing.
But it has its own quirks and little things you need to get used to.
It’s a relatively old device after all.
5) It’s good, but you could just get an oculus.
Honestly, there’s less of a hassle with those devices and they work just fine out of the box.
6) The price tag is fine for an entry-level device.
But you could pay a little extra and get something a little more future-proof.
Or you could also get newer devices that are also cheaper.
Expert Opinion:
4. Samsung HMD Odyssey | Best VRChat Headset for Screen
Their experience in the smartphone VR world translates well to this PC-connected Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) offering and competes very well with the Oculus Rift S and HTC VIVE when talking about VRChat.
You will get access to a plethora of apps and games from Steam VR, Oculus, and the Windows Store.
Tech Specs:
The 1600 x 1200 display resolution per eye (2880 x 1600 total resolution) is crisper than that of the Rift and VIVE and also uses OLED technology as is the case with both of the higher-end models.
With a 110 degrees field of vision (FOV), this is the best offering for WMR VR headsets.
Since this is a WMR VR headset, you will need fewer requirements from a PC spec standpoint:
Intel i5 (must be 7th generation) CPU or better, and Intel HD Graphics 620 or greater for the video card.
The lowered specs will definitely sway those users looking for a VRChat headset without having to upgrade their PC.
Audio Specs:
The audio on the Samsung Odyssey does not disappoint.
It has a premium, built-in AKG headphones with 360 degrees of spatial sound.
The set-up process is easy and you can run with the built-in audio instead of running your own Bluetooth headphones and mic.
Motion Tracking:
The inside-out motion tracking on the Samsung Odyssey is one of its main selling points and the reason it earned my award for the best screen experience and most comfortable headset for VRChat in our review.
The motion tracking keeps pace with the more expensive Rift and VIVE models at a lower price point.
Battery Life:
Battery life is again a moot point as this VR headset model is tethered and powered by your PC.
Features and Benefits:
- Lower PC requirements than the Oculus Rift or HTC VIVE models.
- Most comfortable head strap on our list.
- The best Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) headset for VRChat.
- Get access to Oculus and Steam VR platforms.
- No need to set up external sensors or base stations with built-in motion controllers.
Pros
- Best Windows Mixed Reality VR headset
- Lower PC requirements than Rift and VIVE
- No external sensors needed
Cons
- Not true VRChat experience (WMR)
- Only non-smartphone offering from Samsung; may not be upgradable
- Low resolution screen
User Experience:
Now we’ll get to the user review for Samsung HMD Odyssey+ on Amazon.
1) It came with alkaline batteries instead of a li-ion.
Picture quality is fine, but we tested it on a super-powerful system so your mileage might vary.
Tracking issues happen randomly.
2) It was very comfortable right out of the box with no adjustments.
The picture quality is good, but you might see pixelation on horizontal lines.
3) After a quick test I can say the anti-glare screen has successfully eliminated SDE.
At only $300, this is a steal.
4) I had issues with the software.
Everything from audio to tracking is glitchy.
5) The packaging was totally lifeless and boring.
It’s was the most generic box.
Luckily, the headset makes up for it in performance.
6) This made me fall in love with gaming again.
For someone like me who’s a VR virgin (lol), this is just unreal!
The games are too real!
Expert Opinion:
5. Oculus Quest | Best VRChat Headset for Beginners
A big caveat when looking to use the Quest for VRChat is that it will only be able to access PC-only worlds in VRChat if the developers have released both PC and Quest versions of their app.
Meaning, if you are using a Quest to access a virtual world that the developer has not released both PC and Quest version (otherwise known as cross-platform version), the Quest user will not be able to access the world.
This is probably the most convenient VR headset on the market today.
You basically buy the product, unbox it, plug it in and you’re good to go!
It’s a standalone device with 64GB of internal disk space.
Meaning you can just turn it on and start playing without having to set anything up.
The most you’d have to do with this headset is calibrate the controllers and your play area which won’t take longer than 5 minutes.
With this headset, you can enjoy playing VRChat without any physical restrictions.
There are no wires to trip over or things you could unplug if you moved too far away.
This is freedom of movement at its finest!
The Oculus Guardian system can quickly scan your play area to protect you from moving into furniture and hurting yourself as you play.
After all, safety is always first, even when playing videogames!
This headset benefits from positional audio.
The audio is emitted from tiny speakers inside the headband.
This design helps you experience a great sound quality while you won’t even feel anything is put on your ears.
This headset also features the Oculus Insight tracking, which accurately tracks your body movements and puts them into the game.
Overall it’s a quality product with an easy setup process and some safety features that allow those without a PC, enjoy VR games and especially VRChat.
Of course, it’s not totally without flaws.
The per-eye resolution is only 1440 x 1600 which is relatively poor. The refresh rate and FOV also sit at a low 72Hz and 90° which aren’t great.
Still, depending on your budget and setup, this can be a very good VR headset for VRChat that you won’t regret buying.
Tech Specs:
The Oculus Quest shares similar but slightly lower specs as the Rift S – a 2880 x 1660 OLED display with a 72 Hz refresh rate.
This is still more than enough to have a great time in VRChat.
The Quest is primarily a game-playing VR Headset, but if you can get past the limitations and find some cross-platform environments, it will be a great choice.
Audio Specs:
I highly recommend BYOD (bring your own device); in this case, a Bluetooth surround set of headphones.
If you can’t afford a nice pair of Bluetooth headphones, there is a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack to plug into.
Battery Life:
Because the Oculus Quest is a stand-alone VR headset, you will have to worry about battery charge time when playing in a VRChat environment.
Users have reported an “average” battery life on the Oculus Quest.
The good news is you can purchase additional battery packs and have them fully-charged and ready for epic VRChat bingeing.
Features and Benefits:
- You will be limited to cross-platform VRChat environments, but those you find will look and play great.
- As the only stand-alone device on my list, you can get a great untethered experience given you find the right apps within VRChat.
- The battery life is average and will suit most VRChat users.
- The Oculus Quest headset is comfortable to wear for extended VRChat sessions.
Pros
- Limited VRChat experience (only access cross-platform virtual worlds)
- Future-proofed VR Headset for newer VRChat worlds
- Newest VR headset on the list
Cons
- Average battery life
- Inferior audio experience compared to Rift and VIVE models
- BYOD (bring your own audio device)
User Experience:
Let’s take a look at Amazon user reviews for the Oculus Quest.
1) It hurts my head.
It’s also a little too heavy which is only normal since it’s an all-in-one device.
2) It’s pretty and also powerful.
You can enjoy many of your previously owned VR games on this which is also great.
3) Since it’s not attached to a PC, you can move around freely.
Be sure to define your play area first.
A 6 by 6 feet square area is fine.
4) I’ve owned every single Oculus device before this one.
The only problem I have with this one is its heavyweight which puts Go and Rift to shame.
5) Unit died after 2 weeks.
It appears that it’s a known issue with the chargers and battery.
The customer service sucks.
6) It’s the most convenient VR hardware I’ve ever owned.
If you want to play VR games but don’t have a powerful PC, you have to buy this.
Expert Opinion:
6. Acer AH101-D8EY | Best VRChat Headset for Users on a Budget
This headset uses Microsoft’s Windows Mixed Reality platform.
This platform perfectly blends the line between the virtual and real world.
Windows Mixed Reality uses a combination of both augmented and virtual reality which is also known as mixed reality.
The result is that you can move around in a virtual world while interacting with real-world objects.
The Acer AH101 also has some pretty amazing tracking mechanisms. the inside-out tracking system makes alongside the 6DOF gives you all the freedom you need while playing VRChat.
This product also has an easy setup process and is technically a plug-and-play device.
It features a flip-up visor that you could open to quickly switch to the real world view.
The soft face pad and light-weight headband make it a very comfortable VRChat headset that you could use for hours.
Tech Specs:
The specs for the Acer are nothing to be shy about; a 2880 x 1440 resolution and 90 Hz refresh rate.
You’ll also get a whopping 100 degree Field Of View (FOV).
Audio Specs:
The Acer does not come with integrated sound, so you’ll need to have a Bluetooth headphones or earbuds for your VRChat immersive experience.
Motion Tracking:
The motion tracking you’ll get with the Acer is gyroscope, acceleratometer, and magnetometer.
You’ll get internal tracking camera that is inside out, VGA camera.
Battery Life:
External batteries are required for this VR headset.
2 AA batteries are needs at a time and can’t be replaced unless you power-down the unit.
Not ideal for longer VRChat sessions.
Features and Benefits:
- Great for WMR and Augmented Reality worlds, not my top choice for VRChat but definitely in competition with the Samsung Odyssey.
- 2 AA batteries are required at a time, but will last longer than expected.
- Motion tracking delivers 6 degrees of freedom in this unit.
- The high resolution and refresh rate crushes the competition at this price point.
Pros
- Great price point to value ratio
- High resolution rate compared to higher-cost models
- 100 degree FOV
Cons
- Not true VRChat experience (Windows Mixed Reality)
- Requires 2 AA batteries, cannot recharge while playing
- BYOD (bring your own audio device)
User Experience:
Allow us to see some Amazon user reviews on this VRChat headset.
1) This doesn’t live up to Vive products in any way.
Still, the pixel density and picture quality are just great.
The headset works great right out of the box.
2) Measure your IPD before you buy this thing.
It’s an awesome device, but if you don’t fall in the set IPD group this headset was designed for, you just can’t use it.
3) it is lighter than another headset which is an advantage.
You need a microphone if you want to communicate with others.
4) If you don’t wanna spend +$500 on something more professional, this is great.
But the software bugs and technical issues make this a hard buy.
5) It needs Bluetooth.
This means you probably have to buy an adapter to use this with your system.
This can cause issues itself.
6) The cable management is plain bad.
There’s a fixed cable on the side that can irritate your ears.
The controller also uses too much battery.
Expert Opinion:
7. Valve Index | Best VRChat Headset for Refresh Rate and Audio
2 of its best features are an industry-leading refresh rate and an immersive built-in sound system.
You can choose a refresh rate anywhere between 80 and 144Hz depending on what you’d feel more comfortable with.
No VR headset can top a 144Hz refresh rate.
This refresh rate can take your VRChat experience to the next level with the smoothest animations possible.
The refresh rate will never dip down no matter how many users you might be hanging out with or how wild their avatars look.
The index has an incredibly low persistence.
The illumination period of images ranges between an optimal 0.330ms to 0.530ms.
This improves the clarity of things you might be looking at, even when you’re shaking your head at crazy speeds to imitate one of those horror game zombies!
The interpupillary distance can be managed with ease via a manual dial. Yet other feature that prevents motion sickness and discomfort.
The Index also features canted optics.
Instead of the display being exactly perpendicular to your eyes, the screens jut out at an angle of 5°.
This gives you a FOV of 120° that closely resembles real life.
The Index is equipped with two off-ear audio speakers that are fully adjustable honeycomb panels.
This intriguing design makes you feel as though the sounds coming from the game truly originate from your environment instead of coming from headphones.
Contact-free headphones ensure that your ears will never experience discomfort.
If you’ve ever used over-ear headphones for a few hours constantly, you know what we’re talking about.
This headset is equipped with many features that ensure the comfort of your eyes, however, many features keep your head comfortable as well.
You can adjust anything in this headset from head straps to the visor and faceplate.
The faceplate in particular is very well designed. It’s ergonomic and connected to the display by several magnets. This makes it very easy to remove and return as it snaps into place.
If you want to experience the perfect refresh rate with a very comfortable headset, the Valve Index is your best VR headset for VRChat.
Tech Specs:
The valve index comes with some impressive specs.
Starting is its 1440 x 1600 per-eye resolution which isn’t the highest, but definitely on the higher end.
Next, there is the field of view of 120°, which is pretty impressive, but again, not the best on the market.
Then there’s the whole 80 to 144Hz refresh rate which makes this headset so unique.
Audio Specs:
The audio system here is very special.
It uses honeycomb-shaped off-ear speakers.
This system can create the perfect spatial sound around you.
The speakers are also contact-less which helps make the headset more comfortable.
Motion Tracking:
The motion tracking you will get with the here is a combination of a gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer.
There’s also internal tracking and also a VGA camera.
Battery Life:
This headset requires no batteries as it directly connects to your system.
The controllers, however, do require batteries and can last up to 12 hours of constant playing with 2 AA batteries.
Features and Benefits:
- The headset is more than capable to run any sort of VR game.
- You can adjust everything in this headset to make it more comfortable.
- You get 6 degrees of freedom in this unit thanks to Steam VR tracking stations.
- Canted optics and two-layered lenses improve FOV and picture quality.
- You have high-quality built-in microphones in this headset.
- The magnetic faceplate is easily removable.
- The unique honeycomb design of the speakers gives the illusion of 3D environmental sound.
- Low persistence maintains an optimal illumination period of 0.330ms to 0.530ms which improves the clarity of rendered textures.
Pros
- Industry-leading refresh rate
- Really comfortable and fully adjustable design
- Unique surround sound design
- Canted optics
- Ideal for long sessions
Cons
- Very expensive
- Relatively low per-eye resolution
- Not the best field of view
User Experience:
Let’s see what Amazon users who bought this VR headset for VRChat have to say about it.
1) The MSRP was set to $1000.
I’ve seen it go all the way up to $2000 thanks to scalpers.
It’s a great VR headset, but can’t recommend it at such a high price.
2) I had to buy it at twice the original price.
The unit itself is a beast, but I feel like I’ve been reaped off!
3) Fantastic product.
But please don’t buy from scalpers.
You should be getting the whole setup for $1000 WITH the Half-Life: Alyx game.
4) It’s a must-have for anyone who’s into VR.
This is by far the most powerful and feature-packed VR headset on the market.
5) It’s made by Valve and it comes with the latest Half-Life game.
Do I need to say anymore?
6) I ordered the base station but only got 1 instead of 2.
Can’t find how many of these are supposed to be shipped.
Expert Opinion:
8. HP Reverb | Best VRChat Headset for Resolution
It also has some pretty great additional features that make this a great VR headset for VRChat.
But let’s start with the biggest one, the resolution.
With an amazing 2160 x 2160 per-eye resolution which is 4320 x 2160 pixels in total.
Such a high resolution ensures you won’t miss a single detail of the amazing environments that VRChat has to offer.
Reverb is also extremely comfortable.
Comfort is the key when it comes to long usage and immersion, so this is important.
The faceplate is a removable leather that you can take out at any time and wipe down.
Although, the good news is that you won’t need to clean it very often.
This headset features a built-in ventilation system that runs from the visor to the faceplate of the head-mounted display.
This keeps your face cool, therefore prevent sweating which keeps the plate clean.
Additionally, this headset uses a unique off-ear audio system.
It has a set of surround speakers around your ears with a slight gap.
There are mixed reviews about the sound quality, but it sure as heck is comfy!
You can even adjust the speakers to get the best out of the sound system.
You’ll never need to worry about this headset not fitting correctly.
With the special screen panel that’s used in this headset, you can say goodbye to the screen door effect and motion sickness forever.
Additionally, the display is asymmetrical which increases the field of view slightly, a nice feature.
An internal microphone eliminates any need for an external microphone in case you want to talk to other VRChat players.
Tech Specs:
First up is the Reverb’s amazing 2160 x 2160 per-eye resolution.
This is the highest resolution you can get in a VRChat headset on the market.
The HP Reverb offers a 110° field of view, which is not the best, but still plenty.
Audio Specs:
The Reverb features fully adjustable off-ear audio.
This feature will ensure the comfort of your ears while delivering solid sound quality.
Motion Tracking:
The Reverb does not use any external sensors to track your head and hand movements.
It only allows you to set up a 25 square meters play area in your room.
Battery Life:
You just have to plug the headset into your computer; no need for batteries here.
You can get up to 20 hours of play with 2 AA batteries in your controller.
Features and Benefits:
- A high resolution of 2160 x 2160 per eye
- Very comfortable with built-in ventilation
- Impressive and adjustable off-ear audio
- Adjustable interpupillary distance
- An optimal refresh rate of 90Hz
- Integrated microphones
Pros
- Great price point to value ratio
- Highest resolution available on the market
- Amazing comfort features
- Up to 25 square meters of play area
Cons
- Battery life of controllers is questionable
- Relatively poor field of view
User Experience:
Now we get to some of the user reviews for HP Reverb on Amazon.
1) Hands down the highest resolution I’ve seen on a VR headset in years.
The image quality is crispy clear.
2) Unit can get really hot.
This will make you feel sick and nauseated very fast.
Windows Mixed Reality software isn’t my thing.
3) I’ve had 5 of these in 1 year.
Replaced every single one of them due to defective hardware.
It’s just too heavy for anyone who skipped the neck-day.
4) I was looking for the best VR headset I could afford and thought Reverb was it.
It wasn’t.
While the resolution is great, the colors look bad and I mean baaaaaad!
5) I’m a videogame designer myself.
Images are very very clear.
You have to install the Windows VR to Steam plugin to run all games effortlessly.
6) At first glance, everything seemed to work.
From the audio system to the tracking system, it just worked.
But then video problems started showing up and I couldn’t even use the device.
Expert Opinion:
9. Pimax 5K Plus | Best VRChat Headset for Picture Quality
With an incredible AMOLED screen and the best field of view in the market, this is a high-end product.
The resolution is 2560 x 1440 pixels per eye.
That’s not as much as Reverb, but it’s the second-highest per-eye resolution.
It uses an AMOLED screen.
AMOLED or more traditionally know as OLED, is an organic light-emitting diode.
This adds so much more depth to colors and makes them much richer.
The blacks are much deeper now and the whites much brighter.
Complementing this feature is its patented Brain Warp asynchronous reprojection, rapid head movement will never compromise the visuals of the game.
Textures are re-projected as you move your head to accurately portray the environment.
Discomfort won’t be an issue thanks to the comfortable head strap and the ergonomic face pad.
Equipped with a gyroscope and SteamVR motion tracking, all your movements will be perfectly mapped into the game.
There’s also that option to manually adjust the interpupillary distance to improve your VR experience.
No VR headset can top the picture quality that the Pimax 5K Plus offers.
With the best FOV, second-best resolution, and an amazing refresh rate, this is truly something to behold.
Do you want quality?
This is the best VR headset for VRChat.The Pimax 5K Plus the best VR headset for VRChat if you want the best picture quality.
With an incredible AMOLED screen and the best field of view in the market, this is a high-end product.
The resolution is 2560 x 1440 pixels per eye.
That’s not as much as Reverb, but it’s the second-highest per-eye resolution.
It uses an AMOLED screen.
AMOLED or more traditionally know as OLED, is an organic light-emitting diode.
This adds so much more depth to colors and makes them much richer.
The blacks are much deeper now and the whites much brighter.
Complementing this feature is its patented Brain Warp asynchronous reprojection, rapid head movement will never compromise the visuals of the game.
Textures are re-projected as you move your head to accurately portray the environment.
Discomfort won’t be an issue thanks to the comfortable head strap and the ergonomic face pad.
Equipped with a gyroscope and SteamVR motion tracking, all your movements will be perfectly mapped into the game.
There’s also that option to manually adjust the interpupillary distance to improve your VR experience.
No VR headset can top the picture quality that the Pimax 5K Plus offers.
With the best FOV, second-best resolution, and an amazing refresh rate, this is truly something to behold.
Do you want quality?
This is the best VR headset for VRChat.
Tech Specs:
The Pimax 5K features an incredible AMOLED panel.
This amazing panel produces some of the most vibrant colors and defined contrast available.
It also delivers a highly competitive resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels per eye which is the second-highest on the market.
The field of view is also an amazing 200° which is even more than the human eye can normally see!
Then there’s the 120Hz refresh rate which is a lot more than you’d need.
Audio Specs:
This is the biggest issue with the Pimax 5K.
It, unfortunately, does not have any kind of integrated audio, nor does it come with an audio kit.
You gotta use your own headphone.
Motion Tracking:
The Pimax uses SteamVR tracking stations and a hand tracking module that is attached to the front of the headset.
Battery Life:
The Pimax 5K is plugged directly into the system and uses no batteries.
The controllers, however, require 2 AA batteries that can last up to 10 hours of continuous play.
Features and Benefits:
- Amazing AMOLED display delivers rich and vibrant colors
- Incredible resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels per eye
- A 200° FOV which is the highest on the market
- Uses excellent SteamVR tracking
- 120Hz of refresh rate
- Dual Integrated microphones
Pros
- Amazing resolution
- Stunning AMOLED colors
- Great 120Hz refresh rate
- Undisputed champ of FOV, at 200°
Cons
- No integrated audio
- Requires external audio setup
- Expensive
User Experience:
Let’s read the Amazon user reviews on this VRChat headset.
1) Heard a lot of good things about the FOV of this headset.
Decided to give it a go and so far, I’m loving it.
2) The experience is overall buggy as hell.
Changing the refresh rate will close Steam VR and you’re forced to set everything up once again.
For this price, all you get is a nice FOV.
3) FOV is a major upgrade from the previous gen.
The 120hz refresh rate is also decent.
The drawback is the mediocre audio quality.
4) It’s everything I’ve been looking for.
I needed to upgrade from my original HTC Vive and this is the best I could’ve got.
5) This headset is compatible with Valve Index base stations.
That means you can source it from other channels too.
Expert Opinion:
10. HTC VIVE Cosmos | Best VRChat Headset for Mods and Upgrades
You could remove the visor from the front of the head-mounted display and replace it with a compatible one or even customize it.
Additionally, you could use compatible accessories to optimize your VR experience.
If you’re savvy enough and you can find compatible parts, you could upgrade the specs or add features to this headset.
Aside from its customizability, this headset has some great features.
It has 6 tracking cameras that ensure your actions are accurately tracked.
The headset also features an amazing user interface.
This interface makes it very easy to configure or calibrate settings and select the games you want to play.
With its soft cushioning around the face, you’ll be comfortable and there won’t be any sweating.
The Halo-style head strap grips your head effectively without causing discomfort.
This headset also features an integrated off-ear audio system that won’t cause discomfort in your ears.
These contactless headphones offer full surround-sound, so your immersion is further guaranteed.
One downside is the resolution of 1400 x 1700 pixels per eye which is just low.
The field of view is also severely limited to 110° which can and possibly will cause motion sickness.
All that being said, no other high-end VR headset is this customizable.
You can change just about anything from the faceplate hardware to the internal cushioning and the visor.
Go ahead, make your own Frankenstein monster!
Tech Specs:
The per-eye resolution for this headset is 1400 x 1700.
Not the best available, but it is passable.
The field of view is decent at 110°.
It’s not really good, but we’ve seen worse!
Lastly, the refresh rate is at an optimal 90Hz, ideal for most games and perfect for VRChat.
Audio Specs:
The Cosmos uses integrated over-ear headphones that mesh to your ears perfectly. They are very high-quality headphones that provide clear 3D spatial audio.
Motion Tracking:
The Cosmos uses internal and external cameras to track your movement. The headset is equipped with 6 motion tracking cameras to correctly monitor your head movement.
The controllers use accelerometers to sense hand movement.
These two mechanisms work together to provide you with accurate feedback relative to your movements.
Battery Life:
Once again, this product doesn’t use batteries so don’t worry about battery life.
The controllers on the other hand, like many others on the list, use 2 AA batteries and can last up to 14 hours of playtime.
Features and Benefits:
- Incredible audio setup with integrated over-ear headphones that offer 3D spatial sound
- A fully upgradable modular faceplate and customizable visor provide a fully personalized VR headset and experience.
- Many cameras and accelerometers increase the accuracy of your movement inputs
- Integrated microphones
- Immersive and convenient user interface
- Comfortable foam cushioning
Pros
- Great price point to value ratio
- Very comfortable
- Highly customizable
- Easily upgradable
- Great audio component
Cons
- Lower-end resolution per eye
- Relatively poor field of view
User Experience:
And here we get to the Amazon user reviews for the last VRChat headset on our list.
1) If you’re getting this headset as a casual user, go for it, it’s fun.
But if you’re a pro user in need of precise tracking, this thing will really disappoint you.
2) Controllers are heavy.
I can’t use it for fast-paced games like Beat Saber or else I’m gonna mess up my wrists.
The slippery texture can also mean controllers flying out of your hands and breaking stuff.
3) This is a terrible product on many fronts.
The setup process made me age like 50 years and even then, their experience is not smooth.
4) As many have said, it has tracking issues.
This is due to the headset not having base stations which makes setting it up so simple, but tracking performance will depend on how much light you have in your room.
5) Everything feels bulky yet cheap.
The software might be the only redeeming point in the whole package.
6) It’s a Vive product, so don’t even think about returning the product for fixes.
Tracking is just horrible no matter no much light you get in your room.
Expert Opinion:
Best VRChat Headets (2021) — Buyers Guide
VRChat PC Requirements
For the start, we should define the PC requirements for running VRChat coming from their own website:
- OS: Windows 8.1, Windows 10
- Processor: Intel® i5-4590 / AMD FX 8350 equivalent or greater
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce® GTX 970 / AMD Radeon™ R9 290 equivalent or greater
- DirectX: Version 11
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 1 GB available space
Unless you are running a PC at the above specs, you should focus on upgrading your PC or getting a new one before considering a VRChat-ready headset.
Now that we have outlined the minimum requirements for your PC, let’s talk about some VRChat terminology that you will want to be familiar with.
VRChat Terminology
Let’s discuss some terminology specific to the VRChat platform:
Worlds:
This option lets you see how many worlds VRChat has to offer.
Worlds are divided into sections so you can easily find worlds that you find fun and interesting.
All worlds are created by the VRChat content creator community.
Avatars:
You can change what you look like in any VRChat game.
These avatars range from robots, humans, skeletons, aliens, and more. You can also create your own custom avatar.
Social:
Since VRChat is all about discovering and communicating with others in a VR immersive world, this section allows you to find out who is in the current world you are visiting.
It is here you can find which of your friends is online or offline.
You can also see which room they are in currently and ask to join them or invite them into your world.
System:
These are your settings and preferences to help tune your VRChat experience.
Options like 3D environment, voice, and audio settings are included here.
Camera:
This section has two options: Panorama and VRChive Panorama.
Panorama will take a 360 degree “panorama” of the virtual world you are in.
VRChive Panorama will also take a 360 panorama but will instead save it to your pictures folder on the VRChive website.
Emote:
One of the many ways you express yourself in VRChat is animating your avatar.
There are currently 8 different “emotes” you can perform.
Emoji:
Let people know how you feel in the moment by using an in-game VRChat emoji.
Respawn:
This lets you go back to where you were when you first started your VRChat session. This is helpful if you get lost.
VRChat Environemnts
The only VR headsets that fully support all elements of VRChat are the Oculus Rift S and the 2 HTC VIVE models.
There are other VR headsets that support what’s called Windows Mixed Reality from brands like Acer and Samsung, which I will discuss more in-depth in the article.
But first, let’s talk a little bit more about WMR or Windows Mixed Reality.
Windows Mixed Reality:
WMR offers a mix of augmented reality and virtual reality.
They are great for mid to low-tier budgets because they require less powerful PCs and smartphones but still give you access to a lot of popular platforms like VRChat.
It is important to keep in mind that these headsets are generally made of cheaper materials and offer less “immersion” than the 3 VR headsets that work natively with VRChat.
With that said, there are some great options to choose from and I have listed my 2 best choices if you want to go down this route.
Cross-platform VRChat Worlds:
We should also note that developers for VRChat worlds are now creating 2 versions of their “worlds” – one for VRChat and one for Oculus.
Depending on the developer, they will have to upload 2 versions in order for users to access these “cross-platform” worlds with their Oculus Quest devices.
This is only relevant if you plan on using an Oculus Quest in VRChat as some worlds will not have the cross-platform functionality and therefore be inaccessible.
VRChat Headset selection
Now that I have given you an overview of VRChat terminology and made a few distinctions on the type of headsets that work within VRChat worlds, let’s go about choosing the best VRChat headset for you.
There is a lot to learn, so let’s jump in and get started!
I believe there are general 3 tiers when selecting the best VR headset for VRChat:
Tier 1 VRChat Headsets
First there are the best in class VR headsets for VRChat – HTC VIVE Pro and HTC VIVE, and the Oculus Rift S.
These will give you the most compatibility and immersive experiences within VRChat.
Tier 2 VRChat Headsets
Second are VR headsets like the Oculus Quest that will give you most of the first-tier benefits, with some limitations like having access to only those VRChat worlds that are cross-platform (meaning the developers made an Oculus version and a PC version).
Tier 3 VRChat Headsets
Third, you have the Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) headsets that can access VRChat with some limitations.
The headsets that fall into this tier are the Acer and Samsung units.
These will give you a great VRChat experience without having to upgrade your PC to a powerful video card.
Motion Tracking
The best VR headset for motion tracking is the HTC VIVE.
It comes with sensors out-of-the-box and gives you a 15’x15’ radius of immersive space.
If being truly immersed into your VRChat world, this is the best model to go for.
Audio
If audio is your most important buying factor, you have 2 main choices and they both come from HTC; the VIVE and VIVE Pro.
All the others require a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) to get the best audio experiences.
Cross-platform headset
Out of the all VR headset recommendations, the best cross-platform headset is the Oculus Quest.
Because the VRChat market is moving towards the Oculus platform for future releases, you will get the best value now and in the future by purchasing the Quest.
While you may miss out on some older worlds within VRChat that do not have cross-platform development, you will be sure to get the latest and greatest from both VRChat and Oculus as new worlds come online.
The VR world is a fast-moving technology and you don’t want to invest a VR headset for VRChat that will be obsolete in 1-2 years.
VR Headset Important Specs
Let’s have a look at the most aspects of VR headsets to help familiarize you with the technical terms.
These terms are wildly used by manufacturers and sellers to explain the capabilities of each product.
If you’re a newcomer in the world of VR, this section will help you:
Per-Eye Resolution
Resolution is the number of pixels that make up an image.
Determining this number on a PC screen is really simple.
Since VR headsets use two display screens that are essentially tiny monitors that share a fixed resolution, things get much more complicated.
Per-eye resolution is essentially the number of pixels that each eye can see.
Combining both panels, you get the total resolution.
This usually means doubling the number of horizontal pixels while leaving the vertical ones alone.
Interpupillary Distance
Interpupillary Distance or IPD for short is the distance between your pupils.
It seems simple enough, however, it is a very important setting to manage because the distance must feel natural to mitigate eye strain.
If, for instance, your IPD setting is too low, the images of the displays will converge too close to each other, and you will get an odd display that is disorienting.
This is what you’d see if you went cross-eyes.
As you can imagine, that won’t really be pleasant if it lasts for more than a few seconds.
If the IPD is too high, your eyes will not be able to settle on convergence, and you’ll end up feeling just as uncomfortable.
Applying the correct IPD is vital to having an enjoyable VRChat experience, or any kind of VR experience in general.
That’s why better headsets allow you to adjust this number manually.
Refresh Rate
The refresh rate is essentially the frame rate.
It is measured in the number of times the display updates and displays the next frame per second through a rotational unit called hertz.
The VR community agrees that the optimal refresh rate is 90Hz or above.
Anything lower will be considered less than optimal which can really cause some serious comfort issues and hurt your eyes.
Field of View
Your field of view is the angle through which you can view images.
This number for the human eye is around 180°.
When it comes to VR, your field of view is typically limited between 110-130°, as it is difficult to make such a wide field of view with such a compact display.
This is where Pimax 5K Plus stands out with its 200° FOV.
If a VR headset’s field of view is too low, it will cause problems.
Tunnel vision could lead to motion sickness and disorientation once the headset is taken off.
You would also need to move your head around more often to see other parts of the picture which itself can cause pain and nausea.
By now you’ve taken A LOT of information around the topic of VRChat headsets.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry!
We’re now going to wrap things up by answering the most frequently asked questions about VR headsets suited for VRChat.
What’s the best VRChat headset for my budget?
If you’re on a budget but still don’t want to compromise your experience go for Oculus Rift S.
What makes this such a good deal is how high the quality of this headset is.
This headset is well-equipped to significantly enhance your VRChat experience with loads of smart features.
Rift S also has an amazing 2560 x 1440-pixel resolution per eye and better yet, only costs 400 bucks!
So if you need to save some money, the Oculus Rift S is the best VRChat headset for you.
Why is comfort important in VRChat?
VRChat is an immersive game.
This means you might spend hours upon hours playing this game.
If you don’t want to suffer from things such as headaches, eye strains, or ear pains, you have to care more about comfort.
HP Reverb is one of the most comfortable VR headsets on this list.
This headset features very soft pads and head straps along with a built-in ventilation system.
Then there’s the HTC VIVE Cosmos.
This headset has a manual and UI-based adjustable IPD that you can easily adjust to your eyes.
Additionally, there is a menu in the user interface that you can use to adjust the setting and test it out before playing.
This headset mostly focuses on the comfort of your eyes which is not to be taken lightly.
When it comes to eliminating these issues, we also have Oculus Rift S.
The Rift S has an advanced display system that completely mitigates any problematic visual problems.
One other important factor when it comes to eye comfort is the refresh rate.
A higher refresh rate means what you see in the VR headset resembles the real world more closely.
This can help the immersion which in turn reduces the odds of getting motion sickness.
The Valve Index with its 80 to 144Hz variable refresh rate is the king of the market in this area.
We also have to talk about FOV or field of view.
The normal human eye has a FOV of 180°.
Unfortunately, many of the lower-end and more typical VR headsets only offer around 100 to 130° field of view which is just not good.
When it comes to the field of view, the Pimax 5K Plus is by far the best on this list and in the industry.
This one has a FOV of 200° which is even above what a regular human can see.
So as you can see, comfort is a very important subject when picking a VR headset unless you enjoy getting motion sickness and headache while playing.
Well, we don’t imagine you do, so pay very close attention to the things we mentioned above.
Which is the best VR headset for VRChat if the price isn’t an issue for me?
So you’ve got no budget constraints?
That’s good news!
In that case, you should go with either the Pimax 5K Plus or the Valve Index.
Each of these headsets offers something unique to itself on the market.
Valve Index is most notably famous for its over-the-top refresh rate that ranges from 80Hz to a whopping 144Hz.
Pimax 5K Plus on the other hand has the best FOV on the market.
At 200°, this headset’s field of view sits 20° above the regular human eye field of view which is remarkable.
Both headsets also benefit from fantastic ergonomic designs and very nice resolutions.
Can my PC handle a VR headset?
This really depends on what headset you want to use.
VRChat itself only demands 4GB of RAM to run.
By contrast, an HP Reverb needs at least 16GB of RAM to run and the rest might need 8.
Then there are standalone VR headsets such as Oculus Quest that don’t even require a PC at all.
Have a look at the general minimum requirements to run VRChat with a VR headset on your PC:
- Graphics card : NVIDIA GTX 1060/ AMD Radeon RX 480 or better
- CPU: Quad-Core Intel i5-4590 equivalent or better
- Memory: A minimum of 8GB random access memory (RAM)
- OS: Windows 10
- At least one USB 3.0 port
Which VRChat headsets offer the best sound experience?
The number one rule of immersion in VR is that sound is just as important as visuals.
That’s why we’d recommend Valve Index for the best sound experience.
Most other headsets offer nice but rather hit-or-miss sound systems.
Valve Index and its honeycomb-shaped speakers is the only one we can guarantee to sound amazing.
Should I even get a VR headset for VRChat if I’m new to this PC gaming?
If you’re new to playing PC games and especially VRChat, you actually should go ahead and buy a VR headset.
This way you can experience games the way they were meant to be experienced from the start.
For you, we’d recommend HTC VIVE Cosmos as it’s very user-friendly and comes in a package with many great features that will enhance your early VR experience.
This is the best place to start.
Best VR Headsets for VRChat (2021) — Conclusion
You’re now coming closer to the end of this journey through the sea of endless information about VRChat headsets.
Let’s have a quick summary to make sure you got everything right:
- If you have any budget constraints, then go for HTC VIVE, VIVE Pro, or the Oculus Rift S.
- Make sure that your PC has the recommended minimum specs required before purchasing a VR headset for VRChat.
- Make sure to only purchase VR headsets from trusted manufacturers and companies. Avoid suspiciously low or high price tags.
VR market has come a long way over the course of years.
We now have many, many VR headsets that can be selected on this market depending on what you’d need.
That’s why it can be a daunting task to select a VR headset in today’s market.
Our goal was to make this process much easier for you so you could make the best choice in the shortest time.
Hopefully, we’ve helped you end up with the best VR headset for VRChat and if we have, we hope you’ll enjoy the game.
See you on the other side!
