Virtual reality has made it very easy for us to experience all of those events, occasions, and places as if we were there. However, most VR headsets cost thousands of dollars, which not everyone has lying around to spend.
However, everyone is familiar with the well-known VR headsets on the market, such as the Valve Index or HTC Vive. However, there are many underrated VR headsets that not many people know about. In comparison to popular VR headsets, they are relatively inexpensive.
So, to make your dream of experiencing virtual reality come true, I’m going to tell you about the 11 low-cost VR headsets with controllers.
There is a lot to learn in this post, so be sure to stay until the end to get the most out of it. It’s time for the topic to be discussed, so let’s get started.
TABLE: OUR TOP TESTED PRODUCTS IN A GLANCE
| PRODUCT | Amazon Links |
| Meta Quest 2 | https://amzn.to/3vVJtCz |
| Meta Quest Pro | https://amzn.to/3QGZeH9 |
| Sony PlayStation VR | https://amzn.to/3iytGGR |
| Valve Index VR Kit | https://amzn.to/3GyiIJj |
| HTC Vive Pro 2 | https://amzn.to/3IJGGUS |
| HP Reverb G2 | https://amzn.to/3X6WuFw |
Cheap VR headsets under $100 / £100
| Cheap VR headsets under $100 / £100 | Why We Love it |
| Merge VR | This virtual reality headset is designed for use with smartphones. It is made of a soft, flexible, and durable material that is comfortable to wear and can fit a wide range of head sizes. |
| Google Cardboard | It is a low-cost, DIY solution for experiencing VR that uses a smartphone as the display and processing power, and a cardboard viewer as the headset. |
| Pansonite 3D VR Headset | It is designed to work with smartphones and allows users to experience virtual reality content by inserting their phone into the headset and using it as the display. The Pansonite VR headset features a lightweight design, adjustable lenses and a head strap, and a built-in touch button for controlling the phone. |
| ReTrak Utopia 360 | The Utopia 360 features a lightweight design, adjustable lenses and a head strap, and a built-in touch button for controlling the phone. It also includes a built-in set of earbuds that can be used to provide an immersive audio experience while using the headset. |
| Google Daydream View | The Daydream View features a lightweight and comfortable design with a fabric exterior and a head strap for a secure fit. It also includes a wireless controller, which allows users to interact with virtual objects and games. The controller can also be used as a remote for basic phone functions like volume and play/pause. |
Best for a Standalone VR Experience
Meta Quest 2
Why We Picked It
The first best VR Headset that I have for you is Oculust Quest 2 which has now become a Meta Quest. This is because the Oculus brand was quite popular for making the best VR headset in the world.
However, as you guys know, seemingly, for any company that seems to be doing well, Mark Zuckerberg or Facebook acquires it. So, the same happened to the Oculus as well.
Talking about the features, Meta Quest comes with a responsive controller and 128Gb storage which allows you to download lots of immersive games in it.
The best thing about Meta Quest 2 is that it provides you with a 3D viewing experience even when the object is moving very fast.
Even though this VR headset isn’t at all for people on a budget as it can still cost you $300+ but still, the price is worth it.
Who It’s For
This VR headset is the best for those who want to enjoy immersive VR games and any type of immersive movie as well. It’s also a good choice for those who have money to invest in the best VR headsets.
Pros
- Responsive Controllers
- Smooth display even on fast-moving videos
- Wireless
- The sharp display is awesome
- Easy to use
Cons
- Requires Facebook account
- Battery life isn’t so long.
Best for Pros and High-End Enthusiasts
Meta Quest Pro
Why We Picked It
If you are a professional and do have a $1,000 budget, MetaQuest Pro is the best option for you. The VR headset includes 256GB of storage, 12GB of RAM, 10 advanced VR/MR sensors, and spatial audio to elevate your immersive video-watching experience.
Moreover, this VR headset has the ability to multitask, as it has a resizable screen on which you can easily organize your tasks. For meetings and social events with friends, Meta Quest Pro also has Meta Avatars that transfer your genuine facial expressions into virtual reality.
Who It’s For
This VR headset is the best for all the professionals out there who want to do virtual meetings, do heavy work, or want to enjoy eye and face tracking.
Pros:
- Resizeable screens
- Sharp display
- Easy to use and control
- advanced VR/MR sensors
Cons:
- Expensive.
- You may have to buy separate head straps to reduce head pain.
Best for PlayStation Gamers
Sony PlayStation VR
Why We Picked It
If you’re a gamer, then Sony’s Playstation VR is the way to go. This is one of the cheapest VR headsets with controllers. Sony PlayStation VR is a virtual reality headset developed and produced by Sony Interactive Entertainment for use with the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 gaming consoles.
The device allows players to experience games and other content in a fully immersive virtual reality environment. It uses a combination of motion sensors and high-resolution displays to create an incredibly realistic and responsive experience.
Who It’s For
Sony PlayStation is a cheap VR headset with controllers for PS4. Thus, this VR is the best for all those people who play PlayStation games. To get the most out of this VR, you should have a PlayStation console.
Pros:
- It’s affordable
- Immersive gaming experience.
- Large library of games
- The PlayStation VR is compatible with the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5
Cons:
- Limited tracking:
- Less powerful hardware:
- Motion sickness:
- Limited room space:
Best for Excellent Controllers
Valve Index VR Kit
Why We Picked It
The Valve Index is a virtual reality (VR) headset developed and produced by Valve Corporation, a company known for developing the Steam platform and the Half-Life series of video games. The device is considered a high-end VR system and is aimed at the gaming market.
The kit includes the headset, two controllers (Index Controllers), and two base stations. The Index headset features a high resolution and high refresh rate display, as well as a wide field of view, making it one of the most advanced consumer VR headsets on the market. In short, Valve Index VR is the best and cheapest VR headset with 2 controllers.
Who It’s For
If you have a PC and you want to game on your VR headset, then the Valve Index VR kit is the best choice for you. because the VR has a high refresh rate and resolution.
Pros:
- High-resolution displays
- High, 120Hz refresh rate delivers smooth motion
- Lots of VR software available on PC via SteamVR
Cons:
- It can be expensive.
- Requires a powerful computer to run
Best for the Highest-Resolution VR
HTC Vive Pro 2
Why We Picked It
The other best VR headset that I have for you is the HTC Vive Pro 2. It features a high-resolution display, improved audio, improved comfort, and a wider field of view compared to its predecessor, the Vive Pro.
It also includes inside-out tracking, which eliminates the need for external sensors to track the headset’s movement. The Vive Pro 2 aims at professional and enterprise users, but it is also available for consumers.
Who It’s For
This is the best VR headset for those who want to enjoy the immersive VR experience of watching movies and playing games as well. However, this VR headset would be best for people who have enough money to spend.
Pros:
- Wider field of view
- inside-out tracking
- improved audio
- Comfortable to use
Cons:
- Expensive
- Doesn’t include necessary base stations or controllers
Best for Simple, Tethered VR
HP Reverb G2
Why We Picked It
HP Reverb G2 is a virtual reality headset developed by HP. It features high-resolution displays, improved optics, and a comfortable design.
It is compatible with a wide range of VR content and platforms, including SteamVR, Oculus, and Windows Mixed Reality. It was announced in May 2020 and made available for purchase later that year.
Who It’s For
If you want to experience crisp, sharp, and the best VR experience on your computer, then trying out HP Reverb G2 is the best choice for you.
Pros:
- High-resolution displays:
- Improved optics:
- Comfortable design:
- compatible with a wide range of VR content and platforms
Cons:
- Can be quite expensive.
- Camera-based tracking has occasional hiccups
- Limited VR application support:
Compare SpecsThe Best VR Headsets for 2023 table
| OUR TOP TESTED PRODUCTS | Meta Quest 2 | Meta Quest Pro | Sony PlayStation VR | Valve Index VR Kit | HTC Vive Pro 2 | HP Reverb G2 |
| Type | Standalone | Standalone | Tethered | Tethered | Tethered | Tethered |
| Resolution | 1832 by 1,920(Per eye) | 1,920 by 1,800 per eye | 1,080 by 960 per eye | 1,600 by 1,440 per eye | 2,440 by 2,440 | 2,160 by 2,160 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 120 HZ | 90HZ | 120 HZ | 120HZ | 120HZ | 90HZ |
| Motion Detection | 6DOF | 6DOF | 6DOF | 6DOF | 6DOF | 6DOF |
| Hardware Platform | Standalone | Standalone | Playstation 4 | PC | PC | PC |
| Software Platform | Oculus | Meta | Playstation 4 | SteamVR | SteamVR | SteamVR |
| Where to Buy | $349.00 at amazon:
$399.00 At Walmart |
$1,499.00 At amazon
$1,499.99 at Best Buy |
$299.00 at Amazon
$269.99 at best buy |
$1,369.49 at amazon
$999.00 at steam |
$1375 at amazon
$799.00 at Lenovo |
$499 at HP |
Final Words
Now you know about the best top-rated low-cost VR headsets with controllers that you can get your eyes on. I’ve reviewed them for you in this piece of writing.
That’s all I had for you. If you have any more questions related to the topic, write to us and we’d love to help you out.
