The best VR headsets – A rundown

The Oculus Quest offers all the joys of VR gaming without the requirement of a high-spec PC or console. The headset packs all of the processing power, and the player is given control over their content via intuitive hand tracking or two Touch controllers.

The Quest offers one 1,400 x 1,600-pixel OLED screen per eye, a 72 Hz refresh rate and integrated audio. The Quest grants the user access to Oculus's great catalogue of entertainment titles, though some of the more demanding titles are reserved for the PC-powered Rift.

There are no external sensors to set up, as the in-built room scanner and intelligent Guardian boundary system allow virtual borders to be placed around a play zone, which will subtly notify the player in-game when they are nearing edge with a translucent mesh. Available with an internal memory of either 64GB or 128GB.

The Rift S is a remarkable headset offering a premium VR experience. It's PC-powered and offers brilliantly crisp visuals via the two 1,280 x 1,440-pixel resolution LCD screens with 80Hz refresh rates. Oculus have learnt from the flaws of the original Rift and made some tweaks with the setting up and ease of use with the S, allowing anyone with a PC capable of running the gear to access premium quality VR worlds.

Like the Quest, it's loaded with internal tracking, meaning that you don't have to set up an army of external sensors around the room. Oculus Touch controllers included, but there's no hand tracking…yet. By piggybacking off of the connected PC's processing power, the Rift S offers unfettered access to the Oculus and SteamVR catalogue.

The PSVR is the go-to console gaming headset. There's not all that much choice in this area, but luckily Sony hasn't used this an excuse to be lazy. Inside the headset, there's a sharp 5.7-inch 1920 x 1080 OLED operating at 120fps. The integration of gamepad console gaming and VR worlds is pretty flawless, and the games available maximise immersion without relying too heavily on room movement – this might also be down to the headset's wired connection.

A necessary part of the headsets tracking is the PS camera (not included in the PSVR bundle), which is largely reliable but can be a little strict with boundary limits. The headsets been around for a few years now, and even though some of the PC-powered offerings might've surpassed its baseline performance, there's a huge array of quality (and affordable) titles available for the PSVR. The PSVR has been confirmed to work with the PlayStation 5. A PSVR 2 is likely to make an appearance in the coming years.

The Valve Index is arguably the premier VR headset – it runs with two 1,440x1,600 LCD screens, kicking out a 120Hz average refresh rate (though 140Hz+ is possible for experimental works) and offers both a razor-sharp image and a huge 130-degree field of vision.

Valve are truly leading the way in terms of visual capabilities. The off-ear audio is particularly comfortable, and the controllers offer up great functions, with triggers, thumb buttons, grip sensors and finger tracking all adding to the immersive possibilities (take note, competitors).

The setting up of the headset can be very fiddly, with the sensor base stations needing placement within the room – this seems like a step backwards after Oculus's successful inbuilt sensors (take note, Valve). If you're switching from the HTC Vive ecosystem, you can purchase the headset unit individually for a reduced cost and use your pre-existing Vive sensors and controllers – they were originally developed by Valve.

The HTC Vive Pro is one of the most powerful VR options available. HTC has loaded this PC-powered headset with two 2,880 x 1,600-pixel AMOLED screens with 90 Hz refresh rates, offering pin-sharp visuals and a 110-degree field of vision. The headset also includes certified high-resolution speakers, which create a powerful soundstage for an intense and immersive user experience.

The potential sensor range is huge, as additional sensors can be arranged to create a usable space of 100m2 – ideal for multi-user VR play. The Pro Full Kit includes two sensors, two controllers and the headset, which is wired. A wireless kit is available at a higher price point.

The HTC Vive Pro will allow the user to access the full SteamVR range, but in truth, this unit feels very much geared towards the professional development market rather than the gamer and experience-led audience. If you're upgrading from the original Vive, you can purchase the headset unit individually for a reduced cost and use your pre-existing sensors and controllers.

The Oculus Go is an ideal starting point for those who may be cautious about stepping into a VR world. The unit sits, with an elegant awkwardness, at the juncture between the now obsolete smartphone-based headsets of yore and the Oculus Quest.

Inside, the Go has one 2,560 x 1,440 display, which offers a satisfyingly clear image akin to your high-end smartphone. There's one controller provided, which is wireless and intuitive but limited in functionality, but if you've got a Bluetooth gamepad, it can be hooked up. The headset effectively works straight from the box and provides access to a whole range of Oculus entertainment suites and games (a nice selection of which are free).

Unlike the Rift S or Quest, the Go pays no attention to the room, tracking movement only via the head. Available with an internal memory of either 32GB or 64GB.

The bonkers but fun Nintendo Labo VR Goggles and Blaster – it looks like a prank, but it's real. The basic premise is that the undocked console is placed into a holder, which then uses the JoyCon and Switch's inbuilt motion sensors to replicate the VR experience.

The headset offers some compatibility with Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, along with some other experience-specific (and therefore restricted) titles and extras.