top of page

Virtual Reality Headsets

Virtual Reality headsets are head-mounted accessories that allow you to experience a game in Virtual Reality. With glasses that completely enclose your eyes, head tracking software, ambient sound, and motion controls, they quite literally let you experience the game as if you were "inside" it. 

 

These headsets were pioneered by the Oculus Rift, which released for PC in 2016.  Soon after, competitors launched their own models, like the HTC Vive or the Steam Index. Even Sony launched its Playstation VR for the PS4, which you can find here.

Now, you can´t just plug in the headset and "jump" into any game. VR games have to be designed for VR, they have to be made from the ground up to take advantage of the headset.

 

Luckily, more and more VR games are getting made today, and there are stores that sell not only games but movies and "pictures" too. The Steam VR store, Microsoft Mixed Reality, Viveport and Oculus Store are a few of these shops.

 

Unfortunately, while there has been a whole slew of new VR games, many are done to "cash in" on the trend. As a result, the number of games that are actually well made and fun to play is on the minority. But they're quite a few outstanding experiences that make the headsets worth their asking price.

VR is quite taxing on your computer. While the minimum requirements vary from headset to headset, as a general rule of thumb. If your computer doesn't have at least 8 Gb of RAM and an NVIDIA GTX 1050Ti or an AMD Radeon RX 470 (or higher) graphics card, then the VR will now work, or it will run poorly.

 

Not all of the headsets require a PC to work, however. The disadvantage for these "independent" headsets is that they only have access to the "in-house" store. All the games on Steam´s VR are unavailable to them.

Here is the list of VR headsets available for the PC and standalone. Click on their model or picture to go to the offsite store page of each one.

Model
Characteristics
Additional Warning
Company
Oculus Go
Only the Oculus Go headset.
Doesn't need the PC to work.
Oculus
AH101-D8EY Windows Mixed Reality Headset
A VR headset for Windows Mixed Reality.
No
Acer
HMD Odyssey+
The Odyssey headset plus controllers. Comes with 2 months of free Infinity subscription.
No
Samsung
Windows Mixed Reality Headset
A VR headset for Windows Mixed Reality. Comes with two controllers.
No
Acer
Vive
The VIVE headset, plus controller and trackers. Comes with a free trial of Viveport.
No
HTC
Oculus Rift S
A Rift S headset and its controllers
Uses DisplayPort, so will not work on computers with only HDMI ports (like some laptops)
Oculus
Oculus Quest
The Oculus Rift headset plus Touch controllers
Doesn't need the PC to work.
Oculus
Oculus Rift + Touch
The Oculus Rift headset plus Touch controllers
No
Oculus
Vive Cosmos
The Vive Cosmos headset and two controllers. Comes with 6 free months of Infinity.
Uses DisplayPort (or USB-C), so will not work on computers with only HDMI ports (like some laptops)
HTC
5K VR headset
5k High Definition VR headset.
Doesn´t come with controllers, but you can use the Vive controllers (and base) with it.
Pimax
VIVE Pro
The VIVE pro headset, plus controller and trackers
No
HTC
Index
The Index headset and two controllers.
Uses DisplayPort, so will not work on computers with only HDMI ports (like some laptops)
Valve
VR headsets

Virtual Reality Accessories

VR accessories

Here we have additional accessories to complement your VR headset. For the Vive, there is an adapter to play wirelessly, specially made earbuds, trackers, and the base station (that works with other VR headsets).

 

There are also standalone controllers for the Vive and the Oculus, in case you want to replace one or have a spare. Finally, there is a travel case for the Oculus Quest, so you can haul it around without damaging it. Here´s the list of VR accessories:

Model
Characteristics
Additional Warning
Company
Wearable Gaming Hand
A glove that acts as a wearable motion control for VR games
Only works with the Vive, for now it only works as a mouse.
Captoglove
Oculus Quest Travel Case
A case to carry your Oculus Quest without harming it
No
Oculus
Oculus In-Ear Headphones
Headphones for the Oculus headset.
No
Oculus
Oculus VR cover
A facial interface with removable foam to prevent your headset from building up sweat and dirt.
No
Oculus
Wireless Adapter - Vive Pro Add-On
Allows you to use your Wireless adapter with your Vive pro
Useless without the Vive wireless adapter
HTC
Oculus Sensor
A standalone sensor for the Oculus Rift
No
Oculus
Vive Audio Strap
A strap for the Vive headset with built-in headphones
Needs a Vive headset.
HTC
Vive System Tracker
Attach to another accessory (like a racket) so that it is detected in VR
Needs a Vive headset.
HTC
Vive Base Station
The base with witch the Vive would not work. Can work with some others VR headsets like the Index
No
HTC
Vive Controller
A motion controller for the Vive
Needs a Vive headset.
HTC
Oculus Touch
Motion controls for the Oculus rift
Requires Oculus headset
Oculus
Vive Wireless Adapter
Allows you to play with the Vive wirelessly. Allows multiple VR headsets to connect to the same PC.
Not compatible with the VIVE Pro
HTC
bottom of page