VR — or virtual reality for anyone born before 2000 — has fully captured our collective imagination.
Books like 1992’s Snow Crash first played with the concept of complete virtual worlds, and have fascinated sci-fi nerds for decades.
But, with more and more VR headsets making their way on to the market, virtual reality has moved from the realm of science fiction to that of actual reality.
And with thousands of virtual reality headsets flying off the shelves (more often virtual shelves, given the current circumstances) a ton of related infrastructure has grown around them, allowing us to inhabit new and amazing worlds.
It feels like a new frontier.
Best VR Headsets For VRChat At A Glance
- Meta Quest 2 (Best Budget)
- HTC Vive Pro 2 (Best Premium)
- Valve Index (Best Overall)
- HP Reverb G2 (Best Value)
What is VR Chat?
With the advent of virtual reality gaming, a new take on an old trend has emerged.
The concept of chat rooms – where a bunch of anonymous people hung out and talked to each other – has waned over the years.
But, VR has opened new doors.
One of the most expansive – and most popular – of the new roster of virtual chatrooms (though it’s so much more than that) is VRChat, where users create worlds where they and their friends (or total strangers) can explore and interact with one another.
The game is completely VR-driven, meaning players are immersed in the world of their choosing.
Players can explore each new world controlling a host of different avatars – from Shrek to a digitized version of themselves.
Without getting too deep into this, VRChat provides plenty of laughs and some really fun, crazy times for everyone involved.
Today, we’re going to be looking at some of the headsets that folks are using for this game, to find the best VR headset for VRChat.
We’ll be covering some of the unique features that make these VR headsets so special, as well as some of the places where they fell short.
So without further ado, let’s get to it!
Buckle up and get ready for the ride…
1. Meta Quest 2 (Best Budget)
Want to join your friends in VRChat, but find VR headsets expensive? Well, the all-knowing Zuckerberg has got your back Behold the Meta Quest 2, the follow-up to the original Oculus Quest and an excellent budget-friendly VR headset.
Budget doesn’t mean subpar, and the Meta Quest 2 proves that. It has 50% more pixels than the previous Quest with a resolution of 1,832 x 1920 pixels per eye. It also features a redesigned touch controller with improved ergonomics and sensitivity.
You have the option to use this headset standalone or with a VR-compatible PC. When it comes to VRChat, it’s much more preferable to use this headset with a computer so you can play the Steam version and make full use of the graphics processing.
When used standalone, you’ll be using the Oculus Store version of VRChat rather than the Steam version, which has quite a few limitations, such as less impressive graphics and fewer avatars and worlds to access.
The Meta Quest 2 can be even used as a wireless VR headset, with the help of Air Link (free software) or Virtual Desktop (paid). In this way, you don’t have to worry about any annoying cables hanging from your noggin.
The headset requires at least a 4th Gen Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a modern GPU from NVIDIA or AMD. You also need to have Windows 10.
The only setbacks of this headset are its relatively low battery life, which sits at about 2.5 hours, and an uncomfortable head strap. So we recommend buying a third party strap to make the experience more comfortable and immersive.
For more info, check out our review of the best standalone wireless VR headsets here.
Why we liked this product:
- The most affordable VR headset available
- Good resolution
- Accurate motion tracking
- Option for wireless usage
- Full body tracking (however, to buy trackers and base stations)
What we didn’t like:
- Lower battery life
- Requires some modifications to be more comfortable
2. HTC Vive Pro 2 (Best Premium)
Want the best possible resolution available for VRChat and VR gaming in general, as well as the most accurate body tracking available on the market? If you’ve got dough to spend, the HTC Vive Pro 2 headset is for you! Especially if you’re an active VRChat user and/or a VTuber.
The Vive Pro 2 headset is an updated version of the original Vive Pro. It has a much higher resolution, as well as a larger FOV (field of view). However, alongside these great updates… you also get a price update! (..upwards, not downwards.) It also is slightly heavier than the original Vive Pro, but nothing too uncomfortable.
Similar to the Meta Quest 2, you can also use it as a wireless VR headset — you just have to use a Vive wireless adapter (this will cost extra).
Also, for the absolute tracking experience, you can do eye tracking with the VIVE Pro Eye. This is great for someone who streams with a virtual avatar or wants to really emulate lifelike interactions in VRChat. (Cue virtual eyerolling!) The Vive Pro 2 can also be paired with Valve Index controllers for finger tracking — and right now these features are as close as you can get to the full virtual experience.
One significant downside of the HTC Vive Pro 2 is that it’s expensive. And if you want full body tracking to go along with it, you’ll need at least 3 Vive trackers, in addition to two base stations, all of which aren’t cheap.
But a whopping 2,440 x 2,440 pixels and a super smooth rate makes this headset worth it.
You’ll need a PC with a minimum of an Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD Ryzen 1500 CPU. It’ll require either a GeForce 1060 or Radeon 480 graphics card, and preferably a DisplayPort 1.4 interface for full resolution.
Why we liked this product:
- Amazingly high definition of 2,440 x 2,440 px per eye
- Many options for body tracking
- Large FOV
- Perfect for VTubers and VRChat users who want to emulate lifelike gestures and interactions
Smooth refresh rate
What we didn’t like:
- Expensive
- High specs requirement
3. Valve Index (Best Overall)
If you want the most immersive VRChat experience, then I highly recommend the Valve Index. And the cool part — it’s cheaper than the HTC Vive Pro 2.
It’s the best overall VR headset available thanks to its high resolution, large FOV at 130 degrees, super fast refresh rate, amazing tracking accuracy, and immersive audiovisual features.
The Valve Index setup isn’t cheap, but it costs less than the Vive Pro 2. The latter has sharper resolution — 2440 x 2440 px per eye compared to the Index’s 1440 x 1600 px per eye. However, the Valve Index delivers a smoother VR experience that the Pro 2 just can’t beat.
First of all, you have Valve’s knuckle controllers, which don’t require you to hold on to them, unlike the rest of the VR headsets on this list. They come with an adjustable strap that keeps them on your hands. The sensors on the controllers automatically detect the positions of your fingers. How cool is that!?
Also, to provide a better audio experience, the Valve Index uses speakers that target the ear canal. Maybe not what an ear doctor would recommend, but gosh darn if it isn’t the best audio you’ll find in a VR headset!
It has a large field of view at 130 degrees. Its refresh rates start from 80 Hz up to a crazy 144 Hz, which eradicates lag from existence. Pretty good job by Valve, if you ask me.
So if you want peak VRChat experience and can splurge a bit, the Valve Index is fantastic and that’s why we crown it our best overall VR headset for VRChat.
Why we liked this product:
- Great resolution and unparalleled audio quality
- Premium controls
- Super high refresh rate makes lag almost nonexistent
- Extremely accurate tracking
- Potential for full-body tracking
What we didn’t like:
- Expensive
4. HP Reverb G2 (Best Value)
Looking for something a bit more high-end than the Quest 2 but cheaper than the Vive Pro 2?
Enter the HP Reverb G2, which offers an eye-popping resolution of 2160 x 2160 px per eye — at a really good price! With the HP Reverb G2, you get an extremely sharp picture (even sharper than the Valve Index, which we’ll discuss later) and clear, loud audio.
By default, it works by default with Windows Mixed Reality, but if you want a better experience, we recommend installing Steam VR instead.
The Reverb G2 comes with two motion-detecting controllers, each equipped with grips that have LED-covered rings. The buttons on each controller are more ergonomically placed than the previous Reverb. So you can comfortably throw punches at people in VRChat with good accuracy! (Some users are that annoying.)
VRChat looks good on this headset. The controllers work smoothly and do what they’re supposed to do.
Also, as with other VR headsets, you can buy trackers and base stations for full-body tracking.
The only downside is that the headset is a bit on the heavier side, and can heat up quickly at times, which might not be the most comfortable experience. Kind of like having a large koala wrapped around your head for hours.
Why we liked this product:
- Super high resolution for the price
- Clear audio
- Ergonomic controls
- Cheaper than Vive Pro 2
What we didn’t like:
- Headset is a bit on the heavier side
- Heats up quickly during use
Is Full Body Tracking Worth It in VRChat?
Simply put, it depends. If you’re a frequent VRChat user who wants the immersive benefits of full body tracking and can afford it, it’s worth it.
VRChat can be fun with just basic hand tracking, and VR headsets can provide an immersive experience regardless. Most of VR is the audiovisual aspect of it, and the full-body is just the next level in terms of immersion.
How To Set Up Full Body Tracking in VRChat?
To set up full body tracking in VRChat, you’ll first have to get the equipment like a VR headset, trackers, and base stations. Some solutions bypass the use of base stations and require just trackers.
Once you’ve got your equipment ready, it’s time to begin.
Boot up VRChat and then click Calibrate in the Quick Menu. Make sure your height is set correctly in Settings; otherwise you’ll literally be breaking the laws of physics and walking through the floor. Nice!
Calibrate your playspace. Look down and separate your feet by the width of one of your feet. Check your hip tracker and make sure it’s in position. Then align your arms with your avatar’s arms. Lift your head, look directly forward, and click both triggers on your controllers simultaneously.
And you’re all set!
So Which Are the Best VR Headsets for VRChat?
If you’re looking for the best VR headset for VR Chat on a budget, the Meta Quest 2 is for you.
Looking for amazing visuals above all? If you can afford it, the HTC Vive Pro 2 is our recommendation. It’s the best VR headset in terms of graphics and resolution.
If you want to get the best bang for your buck, the HP Reverb G2 offers spectacular resolution at a good price.
And our overall best VR headset for VRChat is the Valve Index. If you want the best VRChat experience, this is the headset to get. It is unrivalled in terms of convenience, ease of use, and audiovisual experience.
So there you have it, the best VR headsets available for playing VRChat. See you in the virtual world!