Do you want to try VR gaming but can't decide which device to pick? Here's our guide so you can get the best one for you.
Virtual reality seems to be the future of gaming. But taking the next step into the future of technology can be daunting, especially when there are so many great VR headsets out there. The two most popular VR headsets on the market are the PS VR and the Meta Quest 2 (previously known as the Oculus Quest 2).
These are probably among your options if you want to get into VR. So, if you can't pick between the two, here is a detailed comparison to help you figure out which headset is best for you.
Several small design elements make a big difference between the PS VR and Meta Quest 2.
The first and biggest difference is that the PS VR has a wired connection that plugs into your PlayStation.The cord is very long, allowing for a wide range of movement, but you can still get tangled up in it, especially while playing a fast-paced FPS game.
The Meta Quest 2, on the other hand, is its own console with the computer residing in the headset. This eliminates the need for wires, giving you more freedom while gaming. You can do as many 360-degree turns as you desire without worrying about tripping over any cords.
The downside to having a wireless VR Headset is the battery life. The Meta Quest 2 has approximately 2 hours of playtime. And as they say, time flies when you're having fun. Since the PS VR connects directly to your PlayStation, it draws power from it so you can play indefinitely.
The ability to do a complete 360-degree turn may sound like a given when playing in VR, but that's not always the case. The PS VR controllers have brightly colored glowing balls on top of them, which the camera tracks for movement. Think of them like a lightsaber, but minus the danger, and instead of a blade; it's a ball.
Since the camera tracks these glowing balls to find the location of your controllers, if you aren't facing the camera or your hand is behind your back, the camera will lose track of the light. This can cause some glitches at very inopportune moments.
The Meta Quest 2 controllers work very differently. It uses an inside-out tracking system; the controllers and the headset are fitted with infrared LED lights. The headset constantly uses these lights to triangulate the movement of the controllers.
Since the Meta Quest 2 uses the headset to track the controllers, they will always be in range, even if you are doing those 360-degree spins we discussed earlier.
An incredible feature that the Meta Quest 2 has that the PS VR doesn't is hand-tracking. The Meta Quest 2 can track the movement of your hands, down to each finger, forgoing the need for controllers. There are already a lot of games available that support hand-tracking, with plenty more on the horizon.
The PS VR has a padded halo that is easily adjustable to the shape of your head. Since the PS VR doesn't contain a lot of hardware, it is well-balanced. This, combined with the customizable halo strap, makes the PS VR extremely comfortable.
Because the Meta Quest 2's CPU is inside the headset, it is significantly heavier. The default Meta Quest 2 uses an elastic band to attach to your head, which is not very comfortable or sturdy.
You can purchase an Elite Strap add-on, an adjustable plastic halo akin to the PSVR. This makes the headset significantly more comfortable but costs an extra $49.
Another thing to note when picking a VR headset is whether you wear prescription glasses or not. The PS VR has plenty of room for your face and your glasses, so you don't need to worry about that. The Meta Quest 2, however, is much smaller and doesn't provide much wiggle room for your glasses.
You can combat this issue by purchasing prescription lenses that attach to the inside of the headset. This solves the problem, but it is yet another add-on you must purchase separately and be considered in the product's total price.
OLED screens are widely considered superior to LCD because they can shut off pixels when they're not in use. This makes for deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. But despite the Meta Quest 2 having an LCD screen, it is undeniably superior in terms of graphics.
The Meta Quest 2 has also solved one of the problems plaguing VR headsets; the screen door effect. The screen door effect is a grid-like pattern that blankets the screen and is quite noticeable in-game. This effect is significant in the PS VR but is more or less nonexistent in the Meta Quest 2.
The Meta Quest 2 is far superior to the PS VR in terms of graphics, which is unsurprising because the PS VR is four years older.
We have all seen the videos of VR users flinging themselves off a virtual plank into the unforgiving embrace of a wall or even their TV. So what has been done to combat this issue in VR headsets?
The only safety features the PS VR has are the controller's wrist straps and the cord connecting you to your PlayStation. There are no sensors or anything of that nature to warn you that you are millimeters from punching your TV in the face, and spatial awareness is difficult when you are in the midst of a zombie apocalypse.
The Meta Quest 2's solution to protect you and your belongings is its built-in Guardian Mode. Guardian Mode allows you to outline your play area before you begin gaming. The headset will alert you when you leave this boundary, so you can make your way back to safety before you catapult your Mom's favorite vase off the shelf.
Since the Meta Quest 2's camera is built into the headset, you can tap the side to activate the camera to get an idea of your surroundings. This is much more convenient than taking the headset off, like in the case of the PS VR.
Games are undoubtedly the essential feature of any gaming console. You could have the best features the world has ever seen, but they would be meaningless without games. The good news is that both headsets have a robust library of games.
The PS VR has a dedicated section in the PlayStation store filled to the brim with exclusive games to play on your PS VR, including exclusives you can't get anywhere else. It's hard to argue with PlayStation's library. They are a massive company with the means to release new games constantly on any of their available systems, and they do just that.
The Meta Quest 2 has its own store where you can purchase VR games. It is missing some incredible exclusive titles available to the PS VR, but it has a few exclusives. Furthermore, some games are available in both libraries.
In addition, the Meta Quest 2 also has a Virtual Desktop where you can stream from your computer. This allows you to play any number of games on the Meta Quest 2, use your browser, or even watch movies.
Now that you have all the information regarding the PS VR and Meta Quest 2, the cost is the last thing to weigh. The price of these two consoles used to be quite comparable. But as of August 1, 2022, the price of the Meta Quest 2 is increasing by about $100 due to increased production costs.
This brings the Meta Quest 2 to $399 for the 128GB version and $499 for the 258GB version. This price is for the default version of the Meta Quest 2, not including any extra cost you may want to fork out for the Elite Strap or prescription lenses.
The PS VR, on the other hand, comes to around $349 and usually includes a game. The PS VR is cheaper than the Meta Quest 2, but you also have to consider that it requires a PlayStation. If you don't have a PS4 or PS5, the PS VR will be significantly more expensive.
Hopefully, you have found your choice in our comparison. The Meta Quest 2 is a next-gen console with superior graphics and specs. The PS VR is showing signs of age and will soon be replaced with the PSVR 2, but it is slightly more affordable as long as you have a PlayStation 4 or 5 and still a great VR headset.
Ultimately it is up to you! Will you choose the Meta Quest 2 or wait to see what the PS VR 2 has in store?
Laura-May Randell is a Lvl 29 Kiwi gamer and writer, armed with a Bachelor of Arts, and far too much gaming experience.
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