Our Experts Written by Scott Stein Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement How we test I started with CNET reviewing laptops in 2009. Now I explore wearable tech, VR/AR, tablets, gaming and future/emerging trends in our changing world. Other obsessions include magic, immersive theater, puzzles, board games, cooking, improv and the New York Jets. My background includes an MFA in theater which I apply to thinking about immersive experiences of the future. Expertise VR and AR | Gaming | Metaverse technologies | Wearable tech | Tablets Credentials Nearly 20 years writing about tech, and over a decade reviewing wearable tech, VR, and AR products and apps See full bio Table of Contents I've looked at VR and AR headsets for well over a decade, from Google Glass and the first demos of the Oculus Rift to peeks at the future of AR glasses and Android XR. Right now, VR has settled down to just a few players: Meta, Apple, Sony, Valve, HTC and Pico, with Google's looming Android XR partnership with Samsung waiting in the wings. In the world of AR and smart glasses, there could be a lot of changes coming: the Xreal One glasses, for instance, or the promise of Meta's Orion project.But right now, VR is extremely good -- and still limited in how much it can do. I find my own use of VR headsets bouncing between Meta's Quest 3 and the Apple Vision Pro. But it's pretty clear there's one great VR headset pick of the moment, and it comes in two differently priced flavors. Our Picks Best overall VR headset Meta Quest 3 View details $500 at Walmart View details Best affordable VR headset Meta Quest 3S View details $299 at Amazon View details Best high-end console gaming VR headset with PC benefits PlayStation VR 2 View details $504 at Amazon View details Best standalone VR/AR computer The Apple Vision Pro View details $3,499 at Apple View details Best Steam VR hardware Valve Index View details $999 at Steam View details Table of Contents What's the best VR headset overall?TheMeta Quest 3offers mixed reality and improved display resolution and optics, and is $500 -- $3,000 less than theApple Vision Pro. However, the newer Meta Quest 3S, a lower-cost version of the Quest 3 for $300, is an even better buy for entry-level VR adopters. I prefer the Quest 3, but there are plenty of people who will find the 3S to be a great choice for its price.The Quest 3 and 3S both have newer, faster Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processors that produce better graphics and allow for higher-res color pass-through camera feeds than the Quest 2, and both have redesigned controllers. Both can create mixed reality effects by blending what the cameras see with VR graphics that are overlaid in the headset to look like AR. The Quest 3 has better lenses and a higher display resolution, but I prefer the feel of the Quest 3S eyepiece on my face, and the 3S also seems to have slightly better hand tracking in low light.The Quest platform has plenty of side benefits: It has hundreds of games and creative or productivity apps, and several great fitness programs for effective cardio workouts. It can connect to PCs and even double as a work device if you have some patience. It also has hand tracking that works without controllers, but controllers are included to give you two input options. The Quests can even play spatial 3D videos shot on newer iPhones.Best VR headsets of 2025 Photo Gallery 1/1 $500 at Walmart Pros Crisp high-res displays Improved new processor Mixed reality with better color cameras Smaller controllers with better haptics Cons More expensive than Quest 2 Few unique apps and games at launch Straps and comfort still aren't great Still only 2-3 hours battery life Display LCD, 2,064x2,208 pixels per eyeEye tracking NoProcessor Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2Works with glasses Yes Full Review Read full review