VRChat is a virtual reality social platform that allows players to interact with others as 3D character models. With the help of special goggles, you can be transported into another world by simply logging in and playing games or talking live with other users from all over the globe.
Do you want to find the best VR headset for your time on VRChat? We have compiled a list of some of the top headsets, highlighting their pros and cons as well as offering our own advice when it comes down to buying.
Our top picks
1. Oculus Quest
The Oculus Quest is one of the newest VR headsets on this list and it’s perfect for anyone who wants to get back into virtual reality.
This VR headset is a standalone device with 64GB of internal disk space. This means you don’t have to worry about setting it up, as soon as you plug the product in and turn on your console or PC, it will automatically be ready for use.
With this headset, the most you’d have to do is calibrate your controllers and play area which will only take less than five minutes. You don’t have to worry about wires tripping you up, or anything getting unplugged if you move too far away from your computer.
The VR games are safe for play thanks to the Oculus Guardian system which can quickly scan out-of-bounds areas for furniture so nothing gets in the way of your experience. After all, it is important that no one gets hurt playing video games.
The Oculus Insight Tracking accurately detects your movements and places them into the game, allowing you to experience a fully immersive gaming session. The audio is emitted from tiny speakers inside the headband so that even when wearing this headset for hours on end, it won’t feel like there’s anything up against your ears.
The Oculus Quest has a low per-eye resolution of only 1440 x 1600. The refresh rate and FOV sit at 72Hz, 90° respectively which isn’t great if you’re looking for the best experience in VRChat.
Pros
- Powerful and beautiful. It’s got great rendering capability and a great frame rate.
- Fantastic display. Minimum screen door effect and high resolution
- Portable
- Headset tracking is flawless, and controller tracking is very good even around the edges
Cons
- Heavy
- Short battery life
- Screen sharing isn’t very good in quality or reliability
2. Valve Index
The Valve Index is a VR headset that will make your VRChat experience so much fun. It has some of the best features in the industry. For one, its refresh rate can go up to 144Hz and its built-in sound system lets you hear everything around you while still being immersed in what’s going on inside your virtual world.
The 144Hz refresh rate will make your virtual experience seamless with no lag. With a smooth-looking avatar, you’ll feel like you’re talking to them in real life. The headset can also be worn for hours without any discomfort. The faceplate, in particular, is very easy to adjust. It’s designed ergonomically with the visor connected by magnets, this makes removing and returning to it fairly simple.
The illumination period of images ranges between an optimal 0.330ms to 0.530ms, improving the clarity even when you’re shaking your head at crazy speeds. The interpupillary distance can be managed with ease via a manual dial too, preventing motion sickness and discomfort in turn.
The Valve Index is the best VR headset for experiencing a refreshingly comfortable and immersive experience in VRChat.
Pros
- Industry-leading refresh rate
- Really comfortable and fully adjustable design
- Unique surround sound design
- Canted optics
- Ideal for long sessions
Cons
- Very expensive
- Relatively low per-eye resolution
- Not the best field of view
3. HMD Odyssey by Samsung
If you’re looking for the ultimate VR experience, it’s hard to beat an HMD Odyssey. With a 110-degree panoramic view and crisp OLED display with high refresh rate, this is one of best headsets out there for gaming or watching movies in virtual reality.
With state-of-the-art AKG headphones and 360-degree surround sound, the HMD Odyssey is one of the most immersive gaming headsets you can buy.
The Samsung Odyssey is an affordable VR headset for those who love to get an immersive experience without breaking the bank. With more competitors emerging in this space all the time, it’s refreshing to see one that has mastered motion tracking so well.
Pros
- Outstanding visuals
- Outstanding sound quality
- Easy setup, Plug, and Play
- Quality feel
- No battery needed as it is PC tethered
- Low PC requirements
- Comfortable to wear
Cons
- Poor ventilation around your eyes
- A little heavy
- Slight light leak around the bottom
- Hand tracking is a little annoying
- Short cables
- Failure to show real-time volume and IPD markers on the screen
- Poor battery life on controllers
What is VRChat?
VRChat is more than just a social media platform, it’s an experience. It is not only a virtual reality but hyper-reality at its finest with animations that are so life-like you could lose yourself for hours of playtime.
VRChat is a platform that attempts to simulate reality and it does so almost flawlessly. Avatars are hyper-realistic, lip movements can be seen in detail as well as hand gestures which adds an even more immersive experience for the user.
VRChat Minimum Requirements
Interested in the VRChat experience? The minimum requirements for VRChat are listed below:
- Operating System – Windows 8.1 and above
- Processor – Intel i5-4590 or AMD FX 8350 and higher
- Memory (RAM) – 4GB
- GPU – NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon R9 290 and higher
- DirectX Version 11
- Network – Stable Broadband Connection
- HDD space – Minimum 1GB available space
If your PC doesn’t meet any of these requirements and you are looking to purchase a headset for VRChat, it is highly recommended that you upgrade your computer before purchasing.
Can you use VRchat with no VR Headset?
VRchat is a platform that you can access without the use of any VR gear, but if you’re looking for an immersive experience and want to chat with other players, we recommend investing in a headset.
Can You Use VRchat for Free?
The VRchat platform is free for all users and allows you to have a social gaming experience like no other. It takes the best of both worlds, social networking, and virtual reality, combining them into one awesome product.
You can experience the world of virtual reality in many different ways, but all VR headsets work by immersing you in a completely new environment. Some are made to be used with smartphones and others for PCs, although they vary in their functionalities.
What are the different types of VR headsets?
Tethered VR Headset
Tethered headsets are the most powerful VR option, able to transmit high-quality signals from your console or PC directly to you.
With a tethered headset, when it comes down to games and other media consumption options that require power – they will be available on the highest level of quality possible.
A downside is tethering limits movement in some ways as players can’t roam freely without risking tripping over themselves with wires trailing behind them like spider webs.
Untethered VR Headset
Untethered headsets are the best way to enjoy VR because they offer a more immersive and realistic experience. They’re also wireless, so you don’t have to worry about getting tangled in your cord or tripping over it compared to tethered devices.
Smartphone VR Headset
Smartphone headsets are the most common and affordable form of VR headsets. However, these devices have higher limitations than other types of VR headsets in terms of compatibility, features, and performance.
For that reason alone it’s important to recognize this type isn’t nearly as powerful as the other two types mentioned above.
Features should you look for in a VR Headset
A VR headset can be a costly investment, but you don’t want to regret your purchase after. When deciding which product is best for you, it’s important not to rush into any decisions. You should take time and consider each one carefully so that when making a decision between options such as price or features, there are no regrets later on about what could have been.
Purpose
If you’re looking for a headset to use with VRChat, or any other game that requires virtual surround sound and head tracking accuracy, make sure it is compatible.
PC hardware requirements
One of the most important considerations when purchasing a VR headset is to make sure that you have all the necessary hardware on your computer. For example, Valve’s Index requires Windows 10 OS or later, at least 8GB memory, and with an Nvidia GTX 970 GPU or better.
Check if it will be compatible before making any purchase decision.
Viewing Area
The space between your eyes and the screen is where all of the action happens. Without enough room, you’ll feel sick from looking at an unfocused display for too long. For all of the people who wear glasses, you need to make sure there is enough room for them.
If you want to avoid straining your eyes while using a VR headset, it’s important that the lenses are at an appropriate distance from each other and not too close. This will help ensure long-term eye comfort for years to come.
Material
VR headsets are manufactured with a variety of materials. Some use cardboard while others consist only of plastic. The lenses vary in design as well and can be made from synthetic material or glass.
Don’t just consider how the headset looks when you’re making your purchase, focus on what kind will suit your needs instead.
Motion Tracking
The feature that makes the VR experience so immersive is its motion tracking system. This system uses acoustic and graphical sensors to allow you to interact with other players in a virtual world, as well as communicate using your voice or expressive hand gestures.
The precision of this system is down-to-the-nanosecond, which means an even more realistic experience than ever before.
Final thoughts
With technology constantly changing, it can be a difficult decision to choose the best VR headset for your needs. Newer models are always being released and improving.
There are so many VR headsets out there, but they all have their own strengths and flaws. Once you know what your needs are for buying a device, it should be easy to make an informed decision on which one is right for you.