Virtual reality is experiencing a boom in 2020, with people looking to escape to the virtual world more than ever this year. But which VR headset should you buy this Christmas? The Oculus Quest 2, Valve Index, and HTC Vive each offer something unique, so here’s the virtual reality headset you should buy this year.
Oculus Quest 2
The Oculus Quest 2 is the perfect mix between portability and usability, allowing you to either play games untethered to your PC or hook up a cable to enjoy a larger library of high-quality VR games. The successor to the original Oculus Quest, the Quest 2 offers better performance across the board, making it the most popular VR option on the market.
Oculus Quest 2 VR Headset 64 GB & 256 GB
The Oculus Quest 2 is a significant step up from the previous version, with more powerful internals and a greater viewing experience. What’s more, it’s launched at a cheaper price than the first model. It’s the perfect entry point to wireless VR with a price tag that won’t break the bank.
Buy the Oculus Quest 2 64 GB at Amazon
Buy the Oculus Quest 2 256 GB at Amazon
Oculus Quest 2 Carrying Case
This sleek Oculus Quest 2 Carrying Case is not only great for when users are traveling with the headset, as it can also be used for general storage. It’s stylish, offers protection, and isn’t too pricey for an official Oculus product.
Buy the Oculus Quest 2 Carrying Case at Amazon
Oculus Link Cable for Quest 2 and Quest
Connecting the Quest 2 and Quest to a desktop PC unlocks a whole new world of potential. Though you can opt for a cheaper cable, we’ve found the Oculus Link Cable to be worth the price. It’s a lightweight solution that is hardly noticed during gameplay.
Buy the Oculus Link Cable at Amazon
SARLAR VR Stand for Quest 2 and Quest
It’s sometimes difficult to find a home for the Quest 2 and its controllers. Stands like this one from SARLAR offer a cheap and cheerful way of keeping VR hardware looking tidy.
Buy the SARLAR VR Stand at Amazon
Illuminated Charging VR Stand for Quest 2 and Quest
What’s better than a stand that holds your headset? A stand that holds your headset and also charges it! Battery anxiety can be avoided with this useful tool.
Buy the Illuminated Charging VR Stand at Amazon
AMVR Touch Controller Grip Cover for Quest 2 and Quest
Some additional grip for the controllers will help during intense gameplay or fitness sessions. The texture and straps on the AMVR Touch Controller Grips lower the risk of a player accidentally throwing a controller.
Buy the AMVR Touch Controller Grip Cover at Amazon
Topcovos Head Pad for Oculus Quest 2
When using the stock strap, the Quest 2 can be a little uncomfortable over longer periods. Add-ons like the Topcovos Head Pad give a generous amount of padding.
Buy the Topcovos Head Pad at Amazon
MASiKEN Silicone Cover Mask for Quest 2
For those who plan to use the Quest 2 for exercise, a silicone mask cover is a must-have. It prevents sweat from soaking into the Quest 2’s foam padding and can easily be removed for washing when the fitness session is complete.
Buy the MASiKEN Silicone Cover Mask at Amazon
Valve Index
The Valve Index is the high-end VR headset of choice. Offering arguably the ultimate VR experience on the market, this is for those with cash to blow on getting the best
Valve Index Headset
Arguably the most technically impressive VR headset on the market, the Valve Index has been going from strength to strength. The headset to own if you want to play games such as Half-Life: Alyx in the best possible quality, the Valve Index will set you back a pretty penny, but it’s worth it for VR enthusiasts.
Buy the Valve Index full kit at Amazon
Valve Index Face Cover
Your Valve Index is bound to get sweaty, with there being a number of fitness-focused and active VR games available to play with the headset. This washable face cover will help soak up that sweat, and add an extra layer of comfort for extended use.
Buy the Valve Index Face Cover at Amazon
HTC Vive
HT Vive Cosmos Elite Headset
The HTC Vive Cosmos Elite is a high-end VR headset for pristine virtual reality gameplay. Making use of lighthouse tracking, the Cosmos Elite provides up to 160 sq. feet of play space, allowing you to truly move around in a VR world. Unlike the standard Cosmos, the Cosmos Elite features a faceplate that grants the user more precise room-scale tracking.
Buy the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite at Amazon
HTC Vive Cosmos Headset
The HTC Vive Cosmos has the same specs as the Elite, minus the faceplate. A 2880 x 1700 resolution offers great visual quality, while the 90Hz refresh rate for its screen makes for fast and precise gameplay.
Buy the HTC VIVE Cosmos at Amazon
Virtual Reality System Tracker
The HTC Vive Virtual Reality System Tracker allows you to bring other objects into the virtual world. Attaching to supported accessories such as a tennis racket or a plastic gun, the System Tracker allows you to interact with VR games in new and exciting ways.
Buy the Virtual Reality System Tracker at Amazon
Face Cushion
Comfort is a big factor when it comes to VR headsets, and the KIWI design face cushion makes your HTC Vive much easier to use in lengthier play sessions. The accompanying cleaning kit will also ensure that you can clean up any of the sweat and dirt that’s likely to accumulate.
