VRChat is a free-to-play MMO and social networking platform that you can use to make new friends from all over the world.
The experience can be amplified and made more enjoyable if you have a VR headset to accompany it.
In this post, we provide our top 3 picks for the best VR headsets that you can use with VRChat in order to have the best possible experience on the platform.
Winner
Oculus Rift S
Oculus is one of the most established brands in the VR industry and for good reason. The Oculus Rift S boasts great performance for about half the price of most of its competitors.
Runner Up
Samsung Odyssey+
With its 3K anti-SDE AMOLED display and a wide 110-degree FOV, the Samsung Odyssey+ is a great choice for VRChat. Not only is it easy to use but it’s also highly comfortable as well.
Also Great
HTC Vive Cosmos
The HTC Vive Cosmos boasts inside-out tracking which means you don’t have to put external sensors for it to function properly. Not only that but you can pull it up to take breaks in between without having to take the entire headset off.
Now that you know a little bit about our picks, let’s delve deeper to help you determine the most appropriate choice for your needs.
Best VR Headset for VRChat - Top 3 Reviews
#1: Best All-Around VR Headset for VRChat - Oculus Rift S Review
If you want to have a pleasant time in the virtual world of VRChat, you want a VR headset that is user-friendly and easy to understand. That’s where the Oculus Rift S shines.
It’s very simple to install and operate with VRChat and you can have it up and running in no time.
Even though it’s one of the cheapest VR headsets out there, its quality is easily comparable to the most high-end virtual reality headsets in the market.
Factors to Consider Before You Decide to Buy Oculus Rift S
Price: As mentioned earlier, you can get the Oculus Rift S for an extremely reasonable price. While it’s not the cheapest VR headset out there, it’s definitely still a great budget-friendly option.
Design: The Oculus Rift S is fairly comfortable. However, you may notice some discomfort after longer VR sessions.
IPD (Interpupillary distance) range: The Oculus Rift S has an IPD range from 58 mm to 72 mm which is more than accommodating for most individuals out there.
- Built-in speakers
- Little to no compatibility issues
- Easy to use
- Ergonomic design
- Budget-friendly
- Only DisplayPort compatibility, no HDMI
Best All-Around VR Headset for VRChat
The best all-around VR headset for VRChat is the Oculus Rift S thanks to its great compatibility, reasonable pricing, and user-friendliness.
#2: Best High-End VR Headset for VRChat - Samsung Odyssey+ Review
The Samsung Odyssey+ is one of the most polished VR headsets we have had the pleasure of testing.
It comes with a 3K AMOLED display that enables stunning visuals so you can really take in the virtual world of VRChat in all its glory.
Not only that but it also comes with built-in AKG headphones so you don’t have to separately wear headphones either.
Factors to Consider Before You Decide to Buy Samsung Odyssey+
Price: As mentioned, the Samsung Odyssey+ is on the higher end of the spectrum which means that it’s fairly expensive. That being said, the high quality of the VR headset does justify the price.
Design: It features a highly sleek, polished design. Not only that but it’s also quite comfortable and will cause you little to no fatigue over longer gaming sessions.
IPD (Interpupillary distance) range: The Samsung Odyssey+ has an IPD range from 60 mm to 72 mm. This isn’t as high as the Oculus Rift S but it can still accommodate the majority of individuals out there.
- User-friendly
- Comfortable
- Sleek, attractive design
- Sturdy
- Does not require external sensors
- Expensive
Best High-End VR Headset for VRChat
The best high-end VR headset for VRChat is the Samsung Odyssey+ thanks to its highly polished, sleek design and user-friendliness.
#3: Best Ergonomic VR Headset for VRChat - HTC Vive Cosmos Review
The HTC Vive Pro was considered to be ahead of its time when it first came out and the HTC Vive Cosmos builds upon its design with further improvements.
It boasts inside-out tracking which means you don’t have to set up external sensors for it to capture movement properly.
Not only that but it has a visor that allows you to quickly remove it from your face without having to take it entirely off.
This is great if you want to take a break from the virtual world of VRChat for a few minutes but don’t want to take the entire VR headset off. It’s something that many people find annoying about other VR headsets and HTC has provided a solution to it perfectly.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy HTC Vive Cosmos
Price: While it’s not the most expensive VR headset out there, it’s still fairly costly and we do recommend you only go for this one if you intend to play more than VRChat with it.
If you need a headset solely for VRChat, we think you can get away with a cheaper option than the HTC Vive Cosmos.
Design: It features an extremely comfortable design that does not cause strain on your eyes or face even after extended periods of gaming.
Not only that but as mentioned earlier, its design allows you to pull it up from your face without having to take the entire headset off. This is extremely convenient when you just want to pause and look around your surroundings or take a quick break.
IPD (Interpupillary distance) range: The HTC Vive Cosmos features an IPD range from 61 mm all the way up to 73 mm. This is more than enough to accommodate most individuals out there.
- Stunning visuals
- No compatibility issues
- Does not require a lot of space to function
- Futuristic look
- Highly comfortable, ergonomic design
- Fairly expensive
Best Ergonomic VR Headset for VRChat
The best ergonomic VR headset for VRChat is the HTC Vive Cosmos thanks to its well-thought-out design. It does not cause any strain or fatigue on your eyes or face. Not only that but you can lift it up off of your face without having to take all of it off.
Best VR Headsets for VR Chat - Buyers’ Guide
In this section, we will discuss the different factors that you should think about when you try to decide which VR headset to get for VRChat.
Since there are many options available in the market, it’s a good idea to consider all the important factors so you can make an informed decision.
These factors are:
Price
The price is something that every consumer considers. This is true not only for VR headsets but pretty much any product that you intend to buy.
When it comes to VR headsets, there’s quite a wide variety to choose from when it comes to pricing. You have VR headsets as low as $200 whereas, on the other hand, you can spend up to $1500 on a VR headset as well.
If you want a VR headset only for VRChat, you may not need to spend a ton of money on a VR headset. This is because you’ll be able to experience VRChat to its fullest potential even with a fairly budget VR headset.
However, if you opt for a budget VR headset, ensure that it’s from an established and reputable brand. You don’t want to end up with a ripoff headset that’s made from mediocre and low-quality materials.
If you want to go for a more expensive virtual reality headset, you definitely can as long as you can afford it. However, even if you can afford it, we definitely recommend researching the headset thoroughly first.
Many expensive virtual reality headsets are expensive because they have excessive features that you will most likely never use. Be wary of this and don’t spend money on an overly expensive VR headset that has features you will never use.
Space Needed
The amount of space you will need to make your VR headset function properly is something that many consumers don’t think about.
If you live in a small apartment or home, then a VR headset may become difficult to use.
The thing you need to know is that there are mainly two types of VR headsets. The first ones are those that require external sensors or tracking devices in order to function properly. These are typically older models of VR headsets that came out a few years ago.
The newer ones are VR headsets that feature inside-out tracking. What this means is that they use the surroundings around them in order to determine movement and space. Hence, you do not need external sensors to make them function properly.
Obviously, the latter ones take up a lot less space than the former ones.
If you live in a cramped space, make sure to get a VR headset that comes with inside-out tracking capabilities.
Comfort and Design
When it comes to buying a VR headset for VRChat, it’s very important that that virtual reality headset is comfortable and ergonomic.
This is because a platform like VRChat can really make you lose track of time as you have a good time with your friends. For long, extended play sessions, you want a headset that is super comfortable and not over-bearing on your face or head.
It’s very important that you opt for a VR headset that features an ergonomic design that does not cause too much strain on your face, neck, or head. Not only that but it’s important that it does not cause too much eye strain over sessions either.
Speaking of eye strain…
Interpupillary Distance (IPD)
This is something that many consumers don’t think about when they buy a VR headset even though it’s extremely important.
The interpupillary distance (IPD) refers to the distance between your eyes and the screen of the VR headset. The ideal IPD for most men is 63 mm and it’s 61 mm for most women. However, this can vary slightly from person to person.
If the VR headset that you get does not support your preferred IPD, then you’ll face blurred vision with the VR headset and also have a lot of eye strain. Trust us when we say that it won’t be a pleasurable experience for you at all.
Many VR headsets out there have adjustable IPD where you can change the IPD within a certain range. This can be ideal if you intend to have the VR headset be used by multiple people inside your household.
If the VR headset that you intend to buy does not have an adjustable IPD, ensure that it supports whatever your ideal IPD is.
You don’t want to spend money on a VR headset that you can’t even use because it causes you eye strain, nausea, and motion sickness.
Field of View (FOV)
When it comes to VRChat, it’s a good idea to invest in a VR headset that has a wide FOV.
FOV refers to Field of View. The wider your FOV is, the more objects and individuals you’ll be able to see without having to look around. On the other hand, if you had a narrow FOV, that would require you to move around a lot more in order to properly take in your surroundings.
As you can probably imagine, a wide FOV is more appropriate for VRChat since you want to easily be aware of who’s around you and who’s talking at any given time.
Not only that but a wider FOV also mimics your real-life vision which is why it’s also generally more desirable.
It’s a good idea to get a VR headset with a FOV of more than 110 degrees or higher.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is VRChat?
VRChat is a Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) game that allows you to traverse through different player-built environments and interact with other individuals.
These individuals are also players just like yourself and you can use the game to make new friends from all over the world and have VR experiences with them.
Is a VR Headset Necessary to Play VRChat?
No, it’s actually not necessary for you to have a VR headset in order to play VRChat.
You can play VRChat using a regular PC with a mouse and a keyboard. The controls are similar to pretty much any other first-person game.
While you can play VRChat without a VR headset, the experience is certainly a lot better if you have one.
What are the System Requirements for VRChat?
You don’t need too beefy of a computer in order to play VRChat.
The system requirements are:
OS: Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10
Processor: Intel i5-4590/AMD FX 8350 equivalent or greater
Memory: 4 GB of RAM or greater
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970/AMD Radeon R9 290 equivalent or greater
DirectX: Version 11
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Storage: 1 GB of available space
Can I Run VRChat on a Laptop?
Yes, you can definitely run VRChat on your laptop assuming that your laptop fulfills the system requirements for the game that we have listed above.
Can I Run VRChat on a Phone?
Yes, you can actually run VRChat on your Android or iPhone.
The game allows you to use your phone as your VR headset in order to view VRChat in “VR” mode.
Final Verdict
It’s difficult for us to choose the best VR headset for VRChat for you since everybody’s needs and requirements can vary.
However, when it comes to the most appropriate VR headset for VRChat in our opinion, that has to be the Oculus Rift S. It does not cost too much but still provides you with pretty much everything you need to have a great VR experience on VRChat.
Do you agree? Which VR headset do you use for VRChat? Let us know in the comments section below.
