If you want to dive into the world of virtual reality, there are plenty of options currently available in the market.
In this post, we will compare two of the top contenders in the VR scene: The HTC Vive Pro 2 and Sony Playstation VR.
The goal is to compare their strengths and weaknesses so you can find the most appropriate one for yourself.
Features
Price
Space needed
Inter-pupillary distance (IPD) range
Field of View (FOV)
HTC Vive Pro 2
Does not use inside-out tracking. Hence, you need to set up external sensors for it to function.
57 mm to 70 mm
120 degrees
Sony Playstation VR
Requires an external sensor to be able to track your movements. Hence, you need a fair amount of space.
58 mm to 70 mm
100 degrees
Now that you have some idea of the features offered by both the contenders in our post, let’s delve deeper to find the best choice for you.
HTC Vive Pro 2 Review - Comfortable and Accurate
The HTC Vive Pro 2 entered the market 3 years after the release of the original Vive Pro model.
It improves upon it with a 5K display and a 120-degree FOV. Not only that but its design is as comfortable as ever and allows the user to adjust it as they wish to ensure it fits them properly.
The HTC Vive Pro 2 doesn’t make a lot of changes from the original when it comes to design. However, we do think that HTC went with the old “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach here.
The headset is extremely comfortable and you can also still move it off of your face like flip-up sunglasses without having to take the whole headset off.
- Easy to use
- Highly compatible with most systems
- Sleek, polished finish
- Very sturdy
- Highly ergonomic design
- Expensive
- FOV might be too wide for some games
Benefits of the HTC Vive Pro 2
When it comes to benefits, the HTC Vive Pro 2 definitely stands out in two areas: Comfort and Accuracy.
Its design ensures that users can adjust it very easily to the shape of their own heads. Not only that but the Vive headset also allows them to flip it up and take it off of their face without having to take the whole headset off.
This is great if you want to check something in the middle of a session but don’t want to take the entire Vive headset off.
Secondly, it’s highly accurate because unlike most other competitors of its generation, the HTC Vive headset still uses external tracking for maximum accuracy.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy the HTC Vive Pro 2
Price
The biggest downer about it is definitely the HTC Vive price. You have to dish out quite a bit if you want to get your hands on the HTC Vive Pro 2.
Design and Comfort
As mentioned above, the HTC Vive Pro 2 is one of the most comfortable headsets out there. If you want to feel comfortable during VR sessions, this is definitely the headset to go for.
Space Needed
Since it uses external tracking, you do need a fair amount of space to get it to work properly and accurately.
What Do the Customers Think?
We went through some of the reviews for the HTC Vive Pro 2 on Amazon to see what others had to think and weren’t surprised to see that the majority of consumers loved it.
People love how it’s suitable for a wide array of people and the stunning visuals that its 5K display is able to output.
Here’s what some customers had to say:
Best High-End Option
The best high-end option is the HTC Vive Pro 2 thanks to its ergonomic design, stunning visuals, and user-friendliness.
Sony Playstation VR Headset Review - User-Friendly and Affordable
If you already own a Playstation 4 or Playstation 5 console, then the Sony Playstation VR headset is really a no-brainer.
It’s an extremely affordable option that works with your console instead of with an expensive PC rig. Not only that but it offers you a great number of titles, many of which are exclusive to the Playstation console itself.
Ever wanted to play The Last of Us in VR? Well, you can with this headset. What’s even more exciting is that Sony is working tirelessly along with game companies to come up with more exciting exclusive VR titles for you to experience.
- Sturdy
- User-friendly
- Easy to set up
- Comfortable
- Affordable
- Needs a Playstation 4 or Playstation 5 console in order to work
Benefits of Sony Playstation VR
The number one thing that Sony Playstation VR has going for it is its insanely affordable price. If you already have a Playstation 4 or 5, all you need to do is buy the Sony Playstation VR headset.
If you buy both the console as well as the VR headset, it will still cost you less than what you pay for the HTC Vive Pro 2. Not only that but the HTC Vive Pro 2 is a computer-based system.
That means you need to have an expensive PC rig as well as the VR headset itself. This is something you won’t have to worry about if you go with Sony Playstation VR.
Hence, if you don’t want to spend a ton of money to get a high-quality VR experience, then PS VR is definitely an option worth considering.
Furthermore, Sony’s headset is highly comfortable and does not weigh on your head over extended gaming sessions. This makes VR experiences that much more pleasant and enjoyable.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Sony Playstation VR
Price
As mentioned earlier, the Sony Playstation VR headset is highly affordable, especially if you already have a Playstation 4 or Playstation 5 console. It comes with a Playstation camera as well as two wireless controllers.
Design and Comfort
The curved design of the Sony Playstation VR headset makes it extremely sleek and stylish. Not only does it look nice but it’s also quite comfortable to wear and doesn’t cause fatigue over long gaming sessions.
Space Needed
Both the Playstation VR headset and HTC Vive Pro 2 use external tracking. Hence, you need a fair amount of space to get it to work accurately.
Hence, make sure to keep that in mind before you buy one.
Interpupillary Distance (IPD)
The Sony Playstation VR headset features an interpupillary distance range from 58 mm to 70 mm.
In our opinion, this is more than enough to accommodate most individuals. It’s great if the Sony Playstation VR headset is something that will be used by many members of your household as it will be suitable for everyone.
What Do the Customers Think?
Similar to all of our comparison reviews, we wanted to check out what the general public had to say about the Sony Playstation VR experience.
We were pleased to see that most people love the Sony Playstation VR as it’s simple to set up and use. Not only that but it’s also comfortable and the wireless controllers provide HD haptic feedback which increases the intensity of your gaming sessions.
Here’s what some people had to say about Sony PS VR:
Best Affordable Option
The best affordable option is the Sony Playstation VR (PS VR) headset thanks to its affordable price and user-friendliness.
HTC Vive vs PlayStation VR - Buyers’ Guide
There are a ton of VR headsets to choose from in the market which is why it can be highly confusing to opt for a certain one.
Many consumers don’t understand what exactly to look for in a VR headset which is why they get overwhelmed and confused.
The key is to understand what type of VR experiences you want to have with your headset. This will help you understand your needs.
Once you figure out what your needs are, you can look for a VR headset that has features that can fulfill those needs.
Some factors you should consider when you choose a VR headset include:
Price
Naturally, you need to consider the price of the VR headset that you intend to buy. Obviously, you don’t want to spend an exorbitant amount of money on a VR headset but at the same time, you also don’t want to spend too little.
This is because if you opt for the cheapest VR headset you can find on the market, there’s a high chance that that VR headset won’t last you a very long time. This is because it might be cheap because it’s made from mediocre, low-quality materials.
It might also be poorly constructed or used. Hence, it may stop functioning after a short time, and then you’d have to buy a new virtual reality headset.
If you opt for a cheaper VR headset, make sure that you get it from a reputable and established brand in the industry.
Design and Comfort
VR sessions can be highly strenuous and you don’t want your VR headset to be overbearing or annoying to wear over long periods of time.
It’s very important that your headset sits snugly on your head and doesn’t cause you discomfort while you’re trying to play games. You don’t want it distracting you since not only can this be unpleasant but it can also affect your performance in-game.
Hence, make sure that you read reviews thoroughly to get an idea of what a certain headset feels like to wear. If you’re not ordering it online and buying it in person, it can be a good idea to wear one before you buy it to see how it feels.
Some headsets feel good to certain people while others don’t. Make sure that you experiment with different choices so you can find the perfect match for yourself.
It can also be a good idea to choose a headset that has adjustment options in terms of head width and length, etc.
Space Needed
There are mainly two types of headsets:
The first type is those that require external sensors in order to pick up your entire body’s movements so that they can be translated to your movements in-game.
The second type is those that use inside-out tracking. These types of headsets do not require external sensors and thus, require a lot less space compared to the first type.
Hence, if you don’t have a lot of space to work inside your apartment or home, it can be a good idea to go with the second type rather than the first type.
You should know, however, that headsets that use inside-out tracking are notorious for not being as accurate as the ones that use external sensors. Hence, it’s a compromise you may have to make if you don’t have a lot of space.
Interpupillary Distance (IPD)
The interpupillary distance or IPD is something that many consumers forget to consider. This can be disastrous as it’s extremely important for you to be aware of what the IPD is for the VR headset that you get.
If you don’t know what IPD is, it basically means the distance between your eyes and the screen(s) inside the VR headset. The ideal IPD can vary from individual to individual.
For most men, the ideal IPD is 61 mm whereas, for most women, it’s 63 mm.
That being said, it can still vary by a few millimeters from individual to individual based on the health of their eyesight, medical conditions, etc.
If you wear a headset that does not have the ideal IPD for you, your vision will be blurry and it will also cause a lot of eye strain. Not to mention nausea and headaches as well.
Hence, it’s very important that you first figure out what your IPD is and then get a headset that supports that particular IPD.
Most headsets can be adjusted slightly so that they can offer a range of IPDs. Your best bet would be to go for a headset that offers a wide range of IPDs if you can’t figure out what your ideal IPD is.
Field of View (FOV)
Last up is the field of view (FOV). The FOV refers to how much you can see at a certain time without having to look around by moving your head.
If the FOV is wide, you’ll be able to see a whole lot more of your surroundings without having to move around. On the other hand, if your FOV is narrow, you won’t be able to see much at a given time and will have to look around a lot more.
Most people prefer a wider FOV not only because it’s more efficient. It allows you to take in a lot more information without having to look around too much.
Not only that but a wider FOV also mimics true human vision. Hence, you will feel right at home wearing a headset that has a wide FOV.
Final Verdict
That’s it for the battle of HTC Vive vs Playstation VR.
As you can tell, both of them are meant for different audiences. Hence, there’s no real winner over the other.
It all depends on what your needs are.
If you’re looking for a high-end experience and have the money to spend, then go for the HTC Vive Pro 2.
However, if you’re looking for a standard but still high-quality VR experience, then definitely opt for the Sony Playstation VR headset.
Which one do you think is better? Which VR headset do you use? Let us know in the comments section below.