Meta Quest 2 Vs PSVR: Which VR Headset Is Better?

It's a chaotic world out there, and in an effort to remove oneself from that chaos, video games are an excellent form of escape that have skyrocketed from a niche hobby into a mainstream lifestyle. This has greatly been helped by the huge technological advancements that have made video games more immersive than ever before. In a step to make them even more engaging, virtual reality games have gradually become a fixture of the gaming landscape. In order to experience these virtual worlds, you have to buy a headset for access.

But what headset should you buy? While there are several different options available, among the more popular platforms are the Meta Quest 2 and PlayStation VR. And if you're looking for a VR headset to pick up, these two headsets are likely the ones that you've heard the most about and will be choosing between. Each one comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, but which VR headset is the right one for you? Here's a basic overview of both the Meta Quest 2 and PSVR, and which one the experts suggest you get.

Originally released under the Oculus branding in 2020, the Quest 2 is Meta's (formerly known as Facebook) virtual reality gaming platform. Arguably one of the more recognizable VR platforms on the current market, the Meta Quest 2 is also one of the better pieces of VR tech you can get your hands on. The Quest 2 runs on an Android operating system and can be used as a standalone VR set or in conjunction with a PC. The VR platform has an extensive library of games, some of which you'd be foolish to not play. It is also completely wireless, allowing players some wiggle room when playing their games.

Contributing to the Quest 2's popularity is its price point. Upon release, the platform's 64 GB and 256 GB models sold at $299 and $399, respectively. However, Meta made the controversial decision in 2022 to increase these prices by $100 each due to what the company deemed to be issues with costs in manufacturing and shipping. The platform also requires you to have a Facebook account in order to use it. Nonetheless, the Meta Quest 2 remains one of the more affordable and versatile VR platforms on the current market and will likely continue to be successful for the foreseeable future.

Historically speaking, virtual reality gaming has more or less been exclusive to self-contained or PC platforms. However, Sony was among the first companies to launch a VR platform for the average console gamer in 2016 with PlayStation VR, or PSVR as it commonly known. Unlike the Meta Quest 2, PSVR cannot be used as a standalone headset and requires one own a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 in order to use it. It also isn't wireless as it comes with a chord that must be plugged into the PlayStation console at all times. Despite these drawbacks, the PSVR platform is more than formidable.

The PSVR supports some of the best games in the industry, including titles like "Resident Evil Village," "No Man's Sky," and even "Hitman 3," all of which boast impressive visuals that will immerse any gamer who chooses to explore them. PSVR also retails for the consumer friendly price of $299, making it one of the most affordable VR platforms available and a full $100 cheaper than the most affordable version of the Meta Quest 2. All in all, it's an impressive compliment to the PlayStation platform and one you must try at least once.

So now that you've gotten a basic overview on both the Meta Quest 2 and the PlayStation VR, you're probably asking yourself which one is worth your hard-earned money. And the general consensus among VR experts seems to imply that by and large, the Meta Quest 2 is the way to go. According to Harry Baker of UploadVR, the Quest 2 is head-and-shoulders above PSVR in terms of specs and entry requirements. They also mentioned that the PSVR will soon be supplanted by the upcoming PlayStation VR2. "Quest 2 is a current, near top-of-the-line piece of hardware, whereas PSVR is already out of date in almost every aspect, and will soon be superseded by PSVR 2," Baker said in his review. "When you factor in the cost of the headset, controllers, and console needed for PSVR, the Quest 2 remains a significantly cheaper and future-proofed option — it's what we'd recommend for almost everyone."

Luke Kemp of Space came to a similar conclusion, saying: "The Quest offers a higher resolution image, at 1832 x 1920 per eye versus PlayStation VR's 960 x 1080. If you're wondering, yes, the difference is very noticeable." So if you're in the market for a very good VR headset and are stuck between the Meta Quest 2 and PSVR as your options, popular opinion dictates that the Meta Quest 2 has won the battle for now.