PlayStation is a household name when it comes to console gaming. After the release of the PS4, Sony introduced PlayStation VR for new VR games.
But even with all the hype, it can be hard to judge the performance of such a VR headset. This is why in today’s post, we’ll discuss the PlayStation VR in detail.
Moreover, we’ll also compare some market alternatives and establish a performance benchmark for it.
PlayStation VR
PlayStation VR is a next-generation VR device that enables you to experience the virtual reality world of PS4 and PS5. You can explore and play various VR games with the help of motion controllers. Moreover, the PSVR headset comes with a high-performance display panel.
Alternate #1
HTC Vive
The HTC Vive is a modern take on VR experiences. It has directional audio with haptic feedback for total immersion. You can pair it with several devices. Furthermore, it comes with two motion controllers.
Alternate #2
Google Daydream View
Google’s Daydream View VR headset is specifically designed for next-gen smartphones. It is compatible with Android and Apple products. Besides that, it has a built-in VR system for smooth motion controls.
Quick Summary of the Main Product
The PlayStation VR is an add-on accessory for PS4 and PS5 gaming consoles from Sony. You can use the PS VR headsets to experience anything related to VR.
It lets you play games, watch videos, and explore various features of PlayStation in VR.
Moreover, PlayStation VR offers near-perfect motion tracking.
How does the PSVR motion tracking work?
It uses a combination of a PlayStation camera and the move controllers. The camera setup itself has dual lenses. It can easily detect your position in the room.
Besides that, both lenses can act as HD cameras for superb image quality. Sony revealed that you can take images or record videos in 1080p.
When was the PlayStation VR released?
The first version of Sony PlayStation VR was released back in 2016. Since then, it has gotten minor software updates for a seamless VR experience.
Not only that, the newer versions are better integrated with VR titles that involve open VR worlds.
Features and Benefits
Controllers
The PlayStation VR headset comes with two individual move controllers. These controllers are designed like sticks for better grip and tracking.
Both move controllers have separate control buttons for individual use. You can use either controller to navigate your way through VR mode.
Why does the move controller have a ball on it?
Each analog stick has a motion detector on its top end. It helps the PlayStation camera to easily track your movements even if you are far away from the camera.
We must also mention that PlayStation move controllers can also be used without the VR headset.
Compatibility
One major benefit of the PlayStation VR is the ability to play every VR game available on the PlayStation store. You can choose and buy any game from a leading digital publisher.
Moreover, all the PlayStation VR games are compatible with every version of the PSVR. You can play some of the games without the PlayStation camera as well.
How do I check if a game is compatible with PSVR?
You can simply check the details on the PlayStation store. It specifically mentions if a title is compatible with the PlayStation virtual reality headset or not.
For example, the Batman: Arkham VR even states which software version you need to play the game. It is quite handy to know before you buy a title.
Comfort Level
The PlayStation VR headset is quite bulky itself. This is mainly because it has all the systems built into it. However, Sony has countered this problem with cushions and pressure points.
The entire cushion lining covers your forehead, eyes, and nose. Even after extended use, you don’t feel any fatigue in these specific areas.
Is the cushion sweat-resistant?
We noticed that the cushions are covered in sweat-absorbent fabric. Moreover, you can easily remove it and clean it easily.
Battery
Another plus point of the PlayStation VR is its battery life. It comes with a Li-ion built-in battery. You can recharge with a micro-USB. The newer versions also feature a USB Type-C port.
Besides that, you can charge it with your PS4 or use a wall charger. The only downside of using a wall charger is that you have to use the right power plug.
How long does the PSVR battery last?
You can use the PSVR for up to 6 hours after a full charge. You can increase the battery life by using it at a lower resolution but it shows signs of the screen door effect.
As for the charging time, it normally takes up to an hour to fully charge from your console.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy PlayStation VR
Price
The first aspect of all the VR headsets is their price. The same is the case with PlayStation VR. Because of its built-in features, the PSVR is quite expensive.
There are multiple versions you can buy from Amazon or the official PlayStation store. All the VR options have different prices as well.
What is the base price of a PSVR headset?
The retail price for a PSVR headset is considerably high. It comes with a headset and two motion controllers. Other than that, it also includes a charging cable as well.
The only downside is that you have to buy the PSVR camera separately. However, if you purchase a complete package, it is 25% cheaper than buying a camera separately.
What is the price of the camera itself?
A standalone camera can cost you somewhere between is quite cheap. In our opinion, it is better to pay extra and the complete package.
Durability
The PlayStation VR headset is made from highly-durable and eco-friendly materials. The DualShock controllers are made from the same materials.
It uses a combination of plastics for high resistance to moisture and other external factors. Besides that, it has fine white paint that doesn’t fade.
Is PSVR hardware durable?
In terms of performance, all the hardware used in PSVR is quite durable. We tested it under several conditions and found no visible difference.
We must also mention that the PSVR headset comes with a 1-year warranty. So, even if you find any malfunction, you can replace it free of cost.
What is the average life of a PSVR display panel?
To put it simply, it depends on your usage. If you use it on a regular basis, the display panel can easily last 3-4 years without any drop in image quality.
Specs
Another thing to keep in mind before you purchase the PlayStation VR headset is the specs. Even though the headset itself is quite old now, it has some powerful hardware.
It features a 110-degree field of view with a 1080p OLED display panel. On top of that, the OLED panel has a 90Hz-120Hz refresh rate.
What about the PS camera?
The camera setup itself has two separate 1080p lenses that are able to capture and record at 60 FPS.
We must also mention that the PlayStation VR headset also offers a 3D sound output. You also connect a microphone through the microphone port.
Advantages and Disadvantages of PlayStation VR
Following are some of the upsides and downsides of PSVR that you can experience. Let’s check them out.
Advantages of PlayStation VR
- Sweat-free structure
- Anti-stress design
- Comfortable head strap
- Inline remote controls on both sticks
- No region locks on the headset device
Disadvantages of PlayStation VR
- It is only compatible with PS4 and PS5
- You can’t pair it with a gaming pc
- Easy to use
- Versatile VR content
- Video-game compatible
- Long battery life
- Highly durable
- Can cause motion sickness
Social Proof
After our thorough inspection, we decided to look at some of the online reviews for PlayStation VR. We found that many people were satisfied with the performance of this VR headset.
Many customers stated that it has complete immersion and was easy to get used to. Furthermore, some people also praised the Sony PSVR for its battery life.
PlayStation VR Alternatives (Recommendations)
#1: Best Versatile VR Headset - HTC Vive VR Headset
VR headsets usually face compatibility issues with other devices. This is why we handpicked the HTC Vive virtual reality headset.
You can pair it with a gaming PC, a smartphone, or a laptop. Moreover, it has a built-in HD display for top-tier image projection.
Does HTC Vive come with a built-in battery?
We noticed that HTV Vive has a high-performance Li-ion battery. You can use the HTC Vive for 5-6 hours on a full charge.
We must also mention that HTC Vive is completely compatible with the Steam store. Other than that, HTC Vive also works with titles available on Epic Games and the Origin store.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy HTC Vive VR Headset
Price
You can find various versions of the HTC Vive for different prices. However, the base price is in the high range. The base package includes the headset, two controllers, and two cameras.
In terms of money to value, HTC Vive can be expensive for some. On top of that, the base price is a little too much for just a headset.
Can I get a cheaper version of the HTC Vive?
You can purchase older versions of the HTC Vive from Amazon or a local vendor. The only catch is that its software might not be just as good.
Specs
After a thorough inspection, we found that the HTC Vive is powered by high-performance hardware. It has an NVIDIA GeForce 1060 graphics processor.
On top of that, it has a 5th-gen Intel Core i5 paired with 4GB of RAM. We also noticed that it has an HDMI port for an HDMI cable connection.
What is the screen resolution of the HTC Vive?
The display panel of the HTC Vive is dual AMOLED. It has 1080×1200 pixels per eye. Furthermore, it has a 110-degree field of view with a 90Hz refresh rate.
Audio
The HTC Vive comes with built-in headphones. We noticed that both headphones are equipped with spatial sound.
You can experience every single sound effect of virtual reality in 3D. Moreover, you can also turn on the haptic feedback with sound for complete immersion.
- Powerful hardware
- 360-degree motion tracking
- Long battery-life
- Comes with tech tutorials
- Two separate controllers
- Quite expensive
Best Versatile VR Headset
The best versatile VR headset is the HTC Vive VR Headset. This is because the HTC Vive features compatibility with consoles and PCs. You can enjoy VR content from both platforms. Moreover, it has long battery life.
#2: Best Smartphone VR Headset - Google Daydream View VR Headset Review
High-performance VR headsets for a smartphone are hard to come by. This is why our team selected Google’s Daydream View VR.
It is a compact VR headset that is compatible with Android and iOS phones. You can simply insert your phone into it and enjoy the world of VR.
Does it have a display panel?
The Google Daydream headset doesn’t have its own separate display panel. It uses your phone’s screen as a source and turns into a VR with the help of special lenses.
Moreover, you can adjust the position of each lens individually to get the right focal distance. The buttons for it are located on the bottom of the headset.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Google Daydream View
Price
The Google Daydream view is quite moderately priced compared to other headsets. You can purchase for a cheap price on Amazon.
In some cases, you can even buy it at a lower price during sales like Black Friday. It is quite affordable and easy to find.
Specs
Google’s Daydream might seem compact but it packs a powerhouse for its size. It has a built-in Snapdragon 835 processor with a 64GB storage unit.
Other than that, it has a VR-optimized dual-lens setup that can display up to 2560×1440 pixels. We must also mention that it comes with an integrated accelerometer.
Audio
Google Daydream doesn’t have its own headphones. However, you can use the 3.5mm audio jack to connect your wired headphones with it.
Besides that, you can also use wireless headphones by connecting them directly to your phone.
- Compact
- Easy to wear
- Easy to carry
- USB Type-C charging port
- Separate remote control
- Doesn’t support phones with Android 11
Best Smartphone VR Headset
The best smartphone VR headset is the Google Daydream View. You can use this headset to pair your phone and experience the world of VR. Moreover, you have the freedom to select the audio output hardware of your own choice.
Buyer’s Guide
Following is a list of factors that you need to keep in mind before you purchase a VR headset. Let’s check what they are.
Price
The first thing you need to keep in check is the price of a VR headset. Even though you can find numerous options for different prices, it is still good practice to compare the prices.
For example, the PSVR and PSVR2 are identical VR headsets from Sony. However, PSVR2 costs $100 more than its predecessor.
So, in terms of money-to-value, you have to evaluate the features a headset provides.
What is the ideal price of a VR headset?
Your sweet spot should be between $300 to $500. In this range, you can get all the benefits of a powerful headset and save some money as well.
Specs
The next thing you should keep an eye out for is the specs of a VR headset. It includes the display panel, resolution, lens adjustment, and the OS it works on.
You have to carefully inspect these elements because they can impact your virtuality reality experience as a whole.
What are the ideal specs for a VR headset?
We suggest that you get a VR headset with a 1080p display panel, 3-5 hours of battery life, and a built-in audio output system.
Compatibility
Lastly, before you purchase any VR headset, you should keep an eye out for its compatibility with other platforms.
For example, Sony PSVR headsets are only compatible with Sony products. So, if you want to pair it with a PC, you can’t. This can limit the utility of your VR headset.
Moreover, you should also look out for the compatibility of VR games. Headsets like Oculus Rift have limited support for PC games.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What games are compatible with PSVR?
Every VR game available on the PlayStation store is compatible with the PSVR. Games like London Heist, STAR WARS, and Resident Evil are available in the store. You can further check the compatibility under the game details section as well.
Are Oculus Rift and HTC Vive similar to Valve Index?
Both the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift are somewhat similar to Valve’s VR headset. They feature a headset with a built-in display panel and pair of handheld controllers. However, Oculus Rift isn’t entirely compatible with some of the Steam store titles.
Does PlayStation VR work with Sony laptops?
The newer models are compatible with PlayStation VR and PlayStation VR 2. However, you need to download the VR app on your laptop to fully access the features of the headset. The only downside is that you can’t access PlayStation store titles on your laptop.
How do I enable my PlayStation Move controllers?
You can find the best tech tutorials to set up PS Move handheld controllers for every game on PlayStation’s official website. Moreover, you can also learn how to use the controllers individually for navigation.
Wrapping Things Up
With this, we come to the end of our PlayStation VR review. We hope this information proves to be beneficial for you.
PlayStation Virtual Reality Headset is your way to access the world of VR on your PS consoles. You can pair it with PS4 or PS5 and play numerous games. Besides that, PSVR has near-perfect motion tracking along with the ability to record in 1080p.
Do let us know what you think about PlayStation VR in the comments section below.
