Thrifty Techies’ Selection of Budget VR

Not too long ago, virtual reality was in a rather awkward place. VR headsets were far too expensive, too few studios were developing games, and you almost always needed a top-of-the-line PC. Fortunately, that’s no longer the case. The tech is cheaper, game studios are finally seeing the merit in VR games, and hardware is relying less on computers.

Whether you have a real fascination with virtual reality or just a passing interest, here’s a look at the best budget VR headsets available right now.

Meta Quest 2

Best Overall
$199 at Amazon

VR Empire Headset

Best Value
$40 at Walmart

Sony PlayStation VR2

Best for PS5
$550 at Walmart

BNEXT VR Headset

Easiest to Use
$23 at Amazon

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  Source:Amazon

Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04 VR Kit

Best for Kids
$120 at Amazon

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Pansonite VR Headset

Most Versatile
$69 at Amazon

Misisi VR Headset

Best Lightweight VR Headset
$21 at Walmart

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Our Favorite Budget VR Headsets in 2023

Meta Quest 2

Best Overall

Fantastic all-in-one headset with an equally awesome price

$199$250 Save $51

The Meta Quest 2 is a surprisingly powerful all-in-one VR headset with two equally impressive controllers. It features a sharp display with a high refresh rate.

Pros

• All-in-one VR headset; no cables required
• Controllers have straps
• Really good library of games (and growing)
• Excellent motion tracking
• 128GB and 256GB storage options available

Cons

• Battery life is OK

$199 at Amazon $300 at Best Buy

Who says you need a powerful PC or even a console to enjoy VR? With the Meta Quest 2, you’ll be able to access a growing library of VR games at a resolution that isn’t a blurry mess. This VR headset is the complete package—no external hardware is needed.

That’s because the Meta Quest 2 features an impressive processor, two incredibly responsive controllers with haptic feedback, and a high-resolution display running at up to a 120Hz refresh rate.

The best part is that the Meta Quest 2 is completely independent of a PC and a tether, so you won’t get tangled accidentally. Instead, you create boundaries while wearing the headset, and if you come near it, you’ll come in virtual contact with a barrier.

VR Empire Headset

Best Value

Comfy VR headset for casual entertainment

The VR Empire Headset is a sturdy device with a nice mix of comfort and function, like breathable foam and built-in headphones. It’s perfect for kicking back with a movie or TV show.

Pros

• Comfortable
• Broad compatibility
• Delivers impressive sounds with the built-in headphone
• Adjustable focal and pupil distance

Cons

• Not ideal for users who wear glasses

$42 at Amazon $40 at Walmart

Functionality, comfort, and durability score high in the VR Empire Headset, making it a suitable pick for anyone who’s on a shoestring budget. Its 120-degree field-of-view is impressive, allowing you to view lifelike and sizeable images in your videos and games.

The comfort level is admirable since the headset has breathable foam that sits on the face without irritating the skin. You can also use the adjustable straps to find the perfect pick for maximum enjoyment. It includes well-performing headphones which enhance the audio quality for complete immersion. Although the included remote control isn’t for gaming purposes, it’s a great addition and lets you control the volume and pause/play whatever you’re watching.

You’ll appreciate the anti-blue light filter that protects your eyes from harmful blue light emitted by the screen. The two rotary knobs on the sides enable you to align and adjust the pupil distance to eliminate blurry images.

Sony PlayStation VR2

Best for PS5

Now your PS5 can do VR!

The PSVR2 is the most powerful companion for the PS5 given its 4K resolution, HDR, and 120Hz refresh rate. The motion controllers even feature Sony’s DualSense adaptive triggers for extra immersion

Pros

• Leaps and bounds ahead of the original PSVR in performance and design
• Controllers have built-in haptic feedback and adaptive triggers
• 4K OLED panels with HDR
• 120Hz refresh rate
• 110-degree FOV

Cons

• Limited to the PlayStation 5

See at Amazon $550 at Walmart $550 at Best Buy

It’s no secret that the PlayStation 5 is among the most powerful consoles of the current generation, but the PSVR2 takes what’s already there and turns your PS5 into a dedicated VR setup. While the original PSVR felt more like a test, Sony really leaned into it this time around.

For starters, the PSVR2 headset is drastically more powerful, thanks to the PS5’s internal hardware. The original PSVR was limited to 1080p, whereas the PSVR2 can go all the way to 4K and at a 120Hz refresh rate. It’ll look incredibly sharp and smooth, especially when you throw in its HDR support for better colors.

What’s arguably the stars of the show are the adaptive triggers. Sony took their revolutionary technology (used in the PS5 DualSense controller) and slipped it into the PSVR2. In addition to being accurate, the adaptive triggers add a subtle level of immersion you can’t find anywhere else.

BNEXT VR Headset

Easiest to Use

The easiest and cheapest way to experience VR

The BNEXT VR Headset lets you see sizable images with its large lenses. It fits most 4 to 6.3-inch phones and has a quality build and rotatable knobs.

Pros

• Elastic band
• Easy to follow user guide
• Includes video and gaming links
• Larger size lenses

Cons

• Can hurt your nose after some time

$23 at Amazon $23 at Walmart

The BNEXT VR Headset has outstanding features despite being a budget-level headset. The large-sized lenses are about 30 percent bigger than what other mid-range VR headsets offer, covering more image area while allowing quick brightness management. You’ll have access to an easy-to-control knob that enables you to adjust the lenses to achieve a suitable viewing angle.

Its wide field of vision allows you to view sizeable images, providing a similar experience to that of more prominent headsets. There’s also reduced distortion, so you won’t feel dizzy minutes after wearing the headset. When it comes to comfort, the BNEXT VR Headset stands out. The entire body is crafted from high-quality plastic, with every corner perfectly molded together to eliminate sharp edges that may cause discomfort.

Onboard are adjustable straps that make it easy for different users to achieve a snug fit. The headset is compatible with four to 6.3-inch Samsung and iPhone smartphones that sense angular activities.

Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04 VR Kit

Best for Kids

Turn your Nintendo Switch into a VR headset

The Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04 VR Kit features multiple “gadgets” you and your children can make. You can then take those creations and play games (which are included) that take advantage of the gadgets.

Pros

• Includes multiple VR gadgets
• Nintendo Switch cartridge with games

Cons

• You’ll need a Nintendo Switch

$120 at Amazon

The Nintendo Switch is already one of thebest handheld consoles for kids, so why not get more out of the system with the Nintendo Labo Starter Set? It takes the motion controls inherent with the console and turns it into a rather fun VR experience!

Unlike other VR headsets, the Nintendo Labo Starter Set requires some assembly but think of it as an arts and crafts session to enjoy with your kids. You fit the thick cardboard to the Nintendo Switch, and you’re on your way.

This particular Nintendo Labo set—which is one of many—features multiple cardboard creations such as a VR “blaster” and VR headset, to name a few. That’s in addition to a Nintendo Switch cartridge with software designed to work with it.

Pansonite VR Headset

Most Versatile

For anyone who wears glasses

The Pansonite VR Headset delivers excellent audio quality with its 360-degree sound support. It connects via Bluetooth and has aspherical lenses.

Pros

• Comfortable design
• Comes with a remote controller
• Adjustable lenses
• Built-in headphones

Cons

• Quite bulky

$69 at Amazon

The Pansonite VR Headset offers incredible features at a great price. It’s a popular choice among people who enjoy gaming and watching. Its lenses are adjustable in either IPD (from 60 to 70mm) or focal distance (37.5 to 46.5mm) to help you settle with the ideal viewing spot. The headset is safe for both kids and adults as it has a resin aspherical lens which makes corrected images less blurry, eliminating vertigo.

Audio performance is exceptional for a budget-level headset, thanks to the 360 degrees of sound support. The bass and mid-levels are satisfying, so you can fully immerse yourself in the VR world. You don’t need to deal with tangling cables when moving around since the headset connects to your phone via Bluetooth.

The T-shaped adjustable strap, wider nose section, and elastic headband make wearing the headset for long durations comfortable. They eliminate unbearable stress around your nose and the entire head, so you don’t need to pause a game to find the correct fit.

Misisi VR Headset

Best Lightweight VR Headset

Experience VR without hurting your neck

The Misisi VR Headset is equipped with an anti-blue light feature to protect your eyes from harmful blue light emitted from the screen. It’s lightweight and has adjustable straps.

Pros

• Breathable padding
• Adjustable pupil distance
• Compatible with large 5 to 7-inch phones
• Lightweight

Cons

• Mediocre remote controller

$31 at Amazon $21 at Walmart

If you want an affordable and high-performing smartphone-based headset, consider the Misisi VR Headset. With a 95 to 120-degree field of view (FOV), you’ll feel like you’re in an actual virtual environment. There’s a pitch adjustment wheel that allows you to tweak the distance between the object and the pupil as per your viewing needs.

The face rest part is covered with soft and breathable foam, ensuring unrivaled comfort when gaming for a long time. You can remove the outer cover while still keeping your phone intact to aid in heat dissipation. The adjustable straps withstand various adjustments without getting damaged, allowing different users to find their ideal fit.

The lenses have an anti-blue light, which blocks up to 72 percent of blue light to protect your eyes from complications even after staring at the screen for an extended time. Highly compatible, the Misisi VR Headset lets you enter the VR world with most 5 to 7-inch phones.

Choosing the Best Budget VR Headset

What matters most in choosing the right VR headset is understanding what you want out of the device. Is your aim to add a whole new level of entertainment to your home or just a fun oddity occasionally? In answering that question, you’ll fall into one of two camps.

On one hand, the Meta Quest 2 is by far the best budget VR headset around. Not only is it a powerful device for its size, it works completely independently of a PC and can access a robust VR library. In fact, you can tether it to a PC to access even more games!

On the other hand, if you’re looking for simple yet effective immersion, the VR Empire Headset is a fine alternative. You get a nice mix of comfort and functionality, like the breathable foam, the controller, and its compatibility with larger smartphones up to 7.3 inches.

Meta Quest 2

Best Overall

Fantastic all-in-one headset with an equally awesome price

$199$250 Save $51

The Meta Quest 2 is a surprisingly powerful all-in-one VR headset with two equally impressive controllers. It features a sharp display with a high refresh rate.

Pros

• All-in-one VR headset; no cables required
• Controllers have straps
• Really good library of games (and growing)
• Excellent motion tracking
• 128GB and 256GB storage options available

Cons

• Battery life is OK

$199 at Amazon $300 at Best Buy

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