Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

The best VR headsets for PC you can buy right now

Standalone VR headsets are all the rage these days. Options like the Meta Quest Pro, Quest 3, or Apple Vision Pro deliver exceptional experiences, all without requiring a connection to a PC to function.

And yet, the category of PC-driven VR headsets remains. So long as you have a powerful PC, you’ll be able to drive video output at more than double the resolution of some of these lower-powered VR headsets for the most immersive VR as possible. Here are the best options you can buy today.

Recommended Videos

Pimax Crystal

In this sideview of the Pimax Crystal, you can see the optional headphones.
Photo by Tracey Truly / Digital Trends

The highest-resolution PC VR headset made for consumers is the Pimax Crystal. It features displays with 2880 x 2880 pixels per eye, mini-LED backlighting, inside-out tracking of controllers and the headset, and eye-tracking with foveated rendering.

At $1,599, the Crystal comes complete, so you only need a Windows computer with a fast graphics card. If that sounds expensive, it might be because PC VR headsets like the Valve Index cost around $1,000. However, those systems require two controllers and at least two base stations for tracking, adding $679 to the bill.

I tested the Pimax Crystal and found it to be a reliable PC VR headset that offers crisp imagery, a wider-than-usual field of view, and overall great visual fidelity. The only downside is the weight and bulk.

Weighing just under 2 pounds, the Crystal is the heaviest headset on this list. The battery situated in the back for balance, plush facial interface, and deluxe head strap help reduce the pressure. Still, it’s a big, bulky headset. There’s even a standalone mode when needed, though the app library is quite limited currently.

HTC Vive XR Elite

The HTC Vive XR Elite on a white table.
Luke Larsen / Digital Trends

HTC’s Vive XR Elite is a standalone VR headset with a unique feature that makes it particularly interesting when connected to a PC — the back comes off so you can wear it like glasses. Since the headset is powered by the PC tether, there’s no need to worry about battery life when connected.

I got a chance to try this headset briefly and was surprised by how light it is in this configuration. Normally weighing 1 pound, 6 ounces, the Vive XR Elite drops 8.5 ounces with the rear battery removed, making it one of the lightest options available. You can also connect to a PC wirelessly.

The display resolution is 1920 x 1920 pixels per eye, not as sharp as the Pimax Crystal’s, but the pancake lenses with built-in diopter adjustment provides good clarity. Like the Crystal, the HTC Vive XR Elite has inside-out tracking and comes with controllers. With a $1,099 price tag, this is a compelling PC VR headset in its own right, but there’s even more to like about the Vive XR Elite. When using the standalone configuration, you get two hours of battery life to move around untethered and experience color-mixed reality gaming.

The Viveport library is large compared to Pimax, but smaller than that of the most popular VR platform, Meta’s Quest.

Meta Quest Pro

Alan Truly enjoying using a Meta Quest Pro
Alan Truly uses a Meta Quest Pro for spatial computing. An external battery extends the battery life. Photo by Tracey Truly / Digital Trends

The Meta Quest Pro didn’t have a great debut at the surprisingly expensive launch price of $1,500. Meta realized its mistake and dropped the price to $1,000, making it a more attractive option.

You can connect your Quest Pro to a Windows or Mac laptop for spatial computing, but you’ll want to make sure you have a powerful PC for gaming. Meta has a reliable wireless option, but you can also use a high-speed USB-C cable to keep the battery charged.

The 1800 x 1920 display resolution is good for gaming and acceptable for productivity. Contrast and vibrancy are good thanks to mini-LED backlighting. The Quest Pro has a faster Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 1 chip, which is a bit speedier than the XR2 Gen 1 used in the Pimax Crystal and HTC Vive XR Elite.

The Quest Pro also has eye-tracking, foveated rendering, and a robust hand-tracking solution that works well with a growing number of apps and games.

I still prefer my Quest Pro over the Quest 3 since it’s the only mass-produced VR headset designed to float above my face, instead of pressing into it. It also comes with the best controllers on this list and a nice charging dock.

Meta Quest 3

A profile shot shows Alan Truly wearing the Meta Quest 3.
Alan Truly wears the Meta Quest 3. Tracey Truly / Digital Trends

No modern VR headset list is complete without mentioning the amazingly affordable Meta Quest 3. While its standalone mode is more commonly used, you can connect the Quest 3 to your PC and enjoy the same Windows apps and SteamVR library available to other PC VR headsets.

The 2064 x 2208 display resolution beats the Meta Quest Pro and HTC Vive XR Elite, though the Quest Pro has an edge in dynamic range with its mini-LED backlighting.

I was amazed by the Quest 3’s incredible value. It handles everything you’d ever want from a VR headset: standalone VR, PC VR, mixed reality gaming, and spatial computing. While the Quest 3 doesn’t have the highest-resolution displays, it’s not far behind. It’s not the smallest or lightest headset, but the slim profile makes it comfortable, and there are plenty of accessories to customize the fit.

The $500 price isn’t the only reason the Meta Quest 3 is our top pick for overall best VR headset available — it’s just that good.

Bigscreen Beyond

A person puts on the tiny Bigscreen Beyond headset.
A person puts on the svelte Bigscreen Beyond headset. BigscreenVR

Bigscreen Beyond represents a clash of old and new technology. It’s the world’s smallest and lightest PC VR headset that boasts vibrant micro-OLED displays with a resolution of 2560 x 2560 pixels per eye, yet it requires external base stations for tracking.

The $999 price doesn’t include audio, base stations, or controllers. That puts your total cost at about $1,700. If you already own a Valve Index or older PC VR system that uses base stations, you might be able to keep the cost down.

The Beyond should be among the most comfortable VR headsets thanks to the remarkable five-ounce weight and custom facial interface. You need to get a scan with an iPhone with Face ID to place an order.

Despite being one of the most expensive headsets, the feature set is limited. The Bigscreen Beyond contains no battery, so plugging in is a requirement. It also lacks a mixed reality option and there’s no standalone or wireless mode.

Which PC VR headset is best for you?

With so many choices, it can be hard to decide between these great PC VR headsets. The Quest 3 is a great place to start from both a versatility and price standpoint. If you’re unsure of what to do, you can’t go wrong with the Quest 3.

However, if you don’t mind a bulky headset with limited standalone ability and no mixed reality, the Pimax Crystal has the best specifications for PC VR while costing less than a complete Bigscreen Beyond system.

There’s good reason to consider the Bigscreen Beyond, though. For example, if you already own an older VR system like the Valve Index, Pimax 8K, or HTC Vive headset, your base stations and controllers will work with the Bigscreen Beyond. That makes the price more attractive, on top of the fact that it’s tiny and lightweight.

And lastly, if you like the sleek styling of the Bigscreen Beyond, but want more versatility, the HTC Vive XR Elite has a glasses mode for PC VR, as well as a good quality standalone mode and mixed reality capabilities.

Alan Truly

Alan Truly is a Writer at Digital Trends, covering computers, laptops, hardware, software, and accessories that stand out as the most unique and effective solutions. Alan also researches and reviews VR headsets, AR glasses, AI, and robotics, the advances that can redefine how we live and work.

As a kid, Alan marveled at Star Trek, Popular Science, and other science news and sci-fi concepts on the horizon. Now, that future is fast approaching as we work from home, converse with computers thanks to AI, and visit the equivalent of a holodeck with VR and AR. The robot revolution began in factories but could soon reach our homes. What a time to be alive!

Alan's degree in Computer Science from Cal State Fullerton set him up for a diverse career centered around advanced technology. His first job in journalism was as a roving reporter and video editor at a cable TV station in Laughlin, NV before returning to California and starting a video production company specializing in computer animation. After the internet boom, Alan shifted to website design and marketing. He also spent several years as COO of a tablet accessory manufacturer, before returning to communications.

With bylines at Android Police, Peta Pixel, Mixed, and Screen Rant, Alan has written about every type of technology from mobile devices, watches, and tablets to drones, electric vehicles, and space habitats. It's all fascinating and all powered by computing.

Alan lives in Nova Scotia, Canada. A tech-enthusiast since his youth, he stays current on what is new and what is next. With over 30 years of experience in computer, video, and photo equipment, you can expect useful tips and insights in his writing. To stay flexible in mind and body, he practices daily yoga, light cardio, and eats a whole food diet, based on minimally processed plants.

When the weather is nice, and sometimes when it's not, Alan enjoys bringing tech on adventures with beach visits and woods walks. There's no better way to review an FPV drone, AR glasses, and 3D cameras.

Whenever the opportunity arises, Alan advocates for animal rights, green energy, and universal basic income to ease the burden of those without a voice and those who are less fortunate. In his free time, he catches up on the fascinating and unfolding UAP revelations that suggest humans aren't the only intelligent species in the cosmos.

This Lenovo ThinkPad is almost $1,800 off today!
A press photo of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11.

One of the best laptops for a busy computer-heavy workplace is the Lenovo ThinkPad. For years, this tried and true laptop and 2-in-1 has delivered a fast and reliable Windows experience to many a 9 to 5 go-getter. Processor speed and power evolve year over year, and new features are added to these laptops all the time. This also means you’ll be able to find discounts on older machines, which is precisely what we came across while scouring through Lenovo ThinkPad deals:

Right now, as part of Lenovo’s doorbuster sale, you’ll save $1,800 on the purchase of a brand-new Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 when you order through Lenovo.

Read more
Runway brings precise camera controls to AI videos
Gen-3 alpha advanced camera controls

Content creators will have more control over the look and feel of their AI-generated videos thanks to a new feature set coming to Runway's Gen-3 Alpha model.

Advanced Camera Control is rolling out on Gen-3 Alpha Turbo starting today, the company announced via a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Read more
Score the Dell XPS 15 for less than $1,000 during this sale
Dell XPS 15 9520 front view showing display and keyboard deck.

If you’ve been looking for laptop deals but feel disappointed with the results of your research, we know the pain. Searching for a new PC can take months, especially if you’ve got the time and energy to vet through numerous brands and models. Fortunately, there are a few tried and true PC names, one of which happens to be Dell. We see Dell laptop deals pretty regularly, but this one stopped us in our tracks:

Right now, when you order the Dell XPS 15 Laptop through the manufacturer, you’ll save $300. At full price, this model sells for $1,300.

Read more