Game on: Here are the best VR headsets of 2016

After what feels like an eternity of waiting, we are finally living in the age of VR. Consumer versions of both the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift have been officially released, Sony’s PlayStation VR is just around the corner, and that’s not to mention the dozens of other VR headsets that are either out now or out soon. These are all the virtual reality headsets that you need to know about:

HTC Vive wins the first battle in the VR war

Most complete and best overall VR experience

Software partnership with Valve

Requires a high-end GPU

Price: $799

Together with a headset and two base stations, the Vive also includes two motion controllers in the box. This is important, since it allows the Vive to offer a more immersive experience than a traditional controller. The headset itself contains two 1080p screens which makes for a crisp image.

PlayStation VR is the promised land for virtual reality on consoles


(Image: AP)

Works only with PS4

120Hz refresh rate

Can cause severe motion sickness

Price: $399

Available from October 2016, you can power the PlayStation VR using a standard PlayStation 4. But don’t rush out to preorder just yet. Rumours have been circulating that the upcoming PS4 refresh, the PlayStation 4.5 may come about to offer a more complete VR experience.

Razer OSVR HDK 2 is improved now, but still far from the Oculus Rift


(Image: AFP)

Open source

Your miles may vary

Third-party hand tracking devices

Price: $399

Everything about the platform is open and freely available. You can even download the 3D files and create your own headset, if you like. However, Razer has done the hard work for you with its own OSVR hardware, which will see the release of its second Dev Kit in July.

Microsoft HoloLens feels like the future of computing


(Image: Reuters)

Stellar build quality

Hologram resolution is impressive

Field of view needs improvement

Price: Unknown

Microsoft surprised us when it showed off its HoloLens last year, which technically isn’t VR, but rather a holographic computing device. It’s augmented reality. Instead of immersing the player in an entirely computergenerated world, it adds interactive holograms to the space you already inhabit.

Despite some hiccups, Oculus Rift will take your breath away

It has backing from Facebook

No motion controls (yet)

No room-scale tech

Price: $600

Compared to the HTC Vive with its roomscale technology and two motion controllers, the Rift may feel like a paired down VR experience in comparison. Still though, at $200 cheaper than the Vive, the Rift offers a compelling mid-range virtual reality option for those with less space to spare.

Samsung Gear VR is smaller and lighter


(Image: Reuters)

Good build quality

Works with the popular phones

Price: $199

Powered by technology from Oculus, the Samsung Gear VR was effectively the first VR headset on the market. It isn’t the best quality virtual reality experience available, but it is one of the easiest to get up and run quickly.

Find the future of mixed and VR in Sulon Q

AR mixed with VR

Mobile processing limitations

Having to worry about battery life

Price: Unknown

Scheduled to be available later this year, the Sulon Q is a combination of an augmented reality and virtual reality, but what’s interesting is that it is completely tether-less, meaning it has no wires connecting you to your PC or console. With a 2560 x1440 resolution screen, the Sulon Q has a higher resolution than both the Vive and the Rift.