5 Best Virtual Reality Headsets for Game Development

If you are looking for the best VR headset for game development endeavors in 2025, here are Onix’s top-5 VR headsets for games to target first:

 

1. Meta Quest 3/3S
2. PICO 4 Ultra
3. Sony PlayStation VR2
4. Valve Index VR Kit
5. Apple Vision Pro

 

We will compare the headsets for affordability, comfort, and ease of use. Our recommendations should hopefully help you choose the best VR headset for programming your viral game!

Onix, an XR development company, can provide experienced specialists to work on your project remotely or build your VR game from A to Z. We work with various VR headsets and games. For example, Onix has crafted InnerVR, a highly-rated meditation and relaxation game for the Meta Quest 3.

The InnerVR meditation app, developed by Onix, runs on the Meta Quest 3 and 3S.

 

Tips on Choosing the Right VR Headsets for Your Game

Here are Onix’s tips of selecting the best VR headset for game development:

 

1) Consider your game's specifics

There are two types of virtual reality headsets: autonomous (wireless) and linked to PC/laptops or game consoles. The platform/VR headset you choose should support your specific game and meet the future players’ needs. Ask questions like:

 

• Is it a single-player or a multiplayer game?
• Does it require maximum freedom of movement?
• Does it include advanced graphics that require extra support?

 

…and so forth. The answers will determine the necessary VR headsets’ characteristics. For example, you should choose wireless VR headsets for games like Onix’s goalkeeper VR experience and quality VR fitness sessions.

Hand-tracking limits interactivity options to the directions and a number of gestures. Additional sensors and manipulators should be utilized when more complex movements require more accurate tracking, e.g., surgeon training and similar simulators.

 

Read also: The Guide to Create Your VR Training Simulator

 

Games that use standard equipment can be accessible to anyone in the game stores, whereas companies with specific needs and goals, such as museums and other cultural institutions, can order and use experiences that employ additional equipment.

 

Read also: 4 Benefits of Virtual Reality in Construction Industry

 

PC VR and Sony PlayStation VR 2 headsets can achieve better-quality virtual reality thanks to more powerful graphics hardware, whereas the untethered Meta Quest’s lower performance calls for lower-level graphics.

For the Anija Mõis museum, Onix developed a VR game for the Meta Quest 2.

 

When choosing between particular wireless or PC-connected VR headsets, another rule of thumb for any software developer applies:

2) Follow the consumers

Players assess VR headsets by essential criteria like comfort, ease of use, immersion, controls, and price. For example, the headgear should minimize pressure on the ears and be comfortable to wear for extended periods without breaks.

Immersion is possible only with high-resolution screens with fast refresh rates ensuring sharp and smooth visuals. The best VR headset, with a resolution above 3,664 x 1,920 pixels, will remove the screen door effect and make your games feel genuinely immersive.

Read also: VR-Based Meditation App Development [Onix's Guide]

Field of view (FOV) refers to the extent of the virtual environment visible on the head-mounted displays (HMDs). A broad FOV is integral to a feeling of immersion. A good VR headset for gaming should have at least a 100° FOV.

Low latency, i.e. the delay between user input through a controller, head movement, or other methods, and the response on the head-mounted display (HMD), is also crucial to an immersive experience and in reducing motion sickness.

 

Inside-out tracking (tracking a user's movements in VR that originate in the headset) and outside-in tracking (motion tracking with external sensors) should ideally provide six degrees of freedom, i.e. abilities to look around and move in any direction in the game world.

 

3) Research the markets

It may be reasonable to target devices popular in specific regions. 

 

North America is one of the most promising markets for VR game developers due to the high gaming adoption, the activities of major players, such as Meta and Sony, and the availability of high-end VR devices and software. 

TriptoVR, a virtual tour app, was developed by Onix’s specialists for the Meta Store.

 

Another significant market is Europe, with a large gaming community and an increasing number of VR game developers. 

 

Read also: Onix at the Global Game Jam: Creating a Game with Unity in a Week

 

The Asia-Pacific region, with China being the largest gaming market in the world, will also likely see significant VR gaming market growth in the coming years. It will be driven by the increasing popularity of gaming and the growing middle-class population with disposable income.

 

However, in most cases, it's preferable to make a VR experience available on multiple platforms (devices) sold in as many countries as possible.

 

Our best VR headset list considers both players’ and game developers’ preferences and stretches across every platform and budget scope:

 

1. Meta Quest 3/3S
2. PICO 4 Ultra
3. Sony PlayStation VR2
4. Valve Index VR Kit
5. Apple Vision Pro

 

Meta Quest 3 & 3S

The Meta Quest 3 is undoubtedly Meta’s best product to date, easily the best stand-alone VR headset on the market, and probably the best VR system for gaming overall. Even with a price starting at $500, Meta Quest 3 is still seven times less expensive than its mixed reality (MR) rival Apple Vision Pro.

The Meta Quest 3 is not only a significant improvement over its predecessor, the bestselling Meta Quest 2, in terms of design, optics, and specs: Meta developed this AR/VR headset for games in the first place.

 

With the center of gravity located closer to the user’s face and a convenient head strap, the HMD is less likely to wobble and slide when the wearer plays games or works out. Its plastic casing is lighter on the head. The Touch Plus controllers are reasonably small and easy to hold. 

 

As a result, the wireless HMD is great for fitness and sports-themed gaming. For example, Onix created a goalkeeper VR game for the Meta Quest 3.

Meta Quest 3 is an excellent VR headset for games like Onix’s Goalkeeper Legend VR. 

 

Learn more: How to Implement VR and AR in Fitness in 2025 – Benefits & Use Cases
 

An IPD adjustment wheel for adjusting the distance of the LCD Pancake lenses to the eye ensures maximum eye comfort. The near-field speakers rest in the headband, and there are built-in cameras for MR experiences.

 

Using Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, the Meta Quest 3 can connect to anything with maximum features and speeds. The Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor delivers much better gaming performance. Thanks to video pass-through with 12ms of latency, it looks better and is smoother than most other autonomous VR headsets.

 

Finally, the Meta Quest 3 is widely available and offers access to a vast gaming library (it’s fully backward compatible with the entire library for the Meta Quest 2).

The Meta Quest 3 is arguably also the best VR headset for developers. It uses the Meta Horizon operating system based on Android. Everything is intuitive on Meta’s platform, and game developers can use a variety of software development kits (SDKs) and plugins inside game engines like Unity and Unreal.

 

Another reason to invest in game development for Meta Quest is an even more affordable Meta Quest 3S standalone VR headset. 

The Meta Quest 3S has color pass-through cameras and the same processor as the Meta Quest 3, but the display with a narrower FoV is less sharp. 

 

Still, the price of $300 will surely appeal to more gamers and organizations.

 

PICO 4 Ultra

PICO’s first all-in-one VR & MR headset is marketed as an “all-new mixed reality experience designed for comfort all day long” and sold at £529/€599.

3K resolution and the decoding latency of 2 milliseconds support ultra-clear game graphics.

 

The MR mode is facilitated by 4 environment tracking cameras, 2 32-megapixel color see-through cameras, and an iToF depth-sensing camera. The MR frame alignment up to 72 Hz ensures a smooth and natural experience.

A new PICO Motion Tracker (Waist Version) and ankle trackers facilitate accurate simulation of full-body movements and enhanced tracking performance for sitting and lying postures. These capabilities open new ways to play.

PICO 4 Ultra users can access SteamVR and 2D games through PC streaming and enjoy standalone VR apps. NVIDIA GeForce NOW is also available on the headset for cloud gaming.

TriptoVR is an example of Onix’s work with PICO VR. The app facilitates a stunningly realistic immersive adventure across the world’s most enchanting destinations from the comfort of the viewer’s home.

 

Unfortunately, PICO 4 Ultra isn’t sold in the US, which somehow limits a game’s target audience. 
 

Sony PlayStation VR2

Available at $400, Sony's PS VR2 enables PS5 owners to enjoy high-quality virtual reality without a high-spec PC.

PS VR2 is the best console-based VR option and one of the most comfortable headsets for long gaming sessions. It’s easy to set up, with only one cable needed to connect it to PlayStation 5. 

Dual 2K OLED HDR screens provide a high-fidelity immersive VR experience further enhanced by eye tracking, headset haptics, and accurate spatial tracking for pin-sharp responsiveness.

 

PS VR2’s excellent Cinematic Mode offers a new way to experience PS5 games. This value is even more impressive considering the cost, which is significantly lower than the costs of VR gaming on PC. 

PS VR2 isn't backward-compatible with the last-generation PS VR's software library, so it has a smaller selection of available games than the Meta Quest or PC-connected VR headsets.

Still, Sony’s headset maintains a solid fan base that relies on the brand’s history. It has set a high bar for future console-based VR headsets, so it will likely remain the audiences' favorite.

The benefits of PlayStation VR for developers include the ease of development and distribution due to its use of a single set of hardware specifications. This VR game platform steadily nurtures game developers, provides funding to support new partnerships and development projects, and helps make more games compatible with this VR headset. However, the Sony developer license required for work with this platform raises the entry threshold.

 

Valve Index VR Kit

Valve's Index VR Kit is arguably the best high-end VR solution for PC gaming.

For $999, consumers get a VR headset, two SteamVR base stations, and 'knuckle' controllers that can track every finger's movement.

 

The Valve Index boasts some of the best visuals among mainstream VR headsets and outstanding 3D surround sound. It’s also comfortable for extended play sessions. Its strapped controllers doubling typical motion controllers and hand/finger trackers are also super comfy.

Valve's excellent finger-tracking feature has great potential for future games and apps, and game creators should employ it more actively.

 

For example, Onix’s 3D Art department and Unity team developed Paintball VR – a game where users can enjoy thrilling paintball battles with others online. Users can create a room and allow others to join.

The Paintball VR game for Valve Index VR Kit showcases the skills of Onix’s developers in creating games with network interaction. 

 

As Valve owns Steam, Valve's Index Kit has an extensive library of games. It’s also cool that games developed for the Valve Index VR Kit are compatible with HTC Vive, another popular headset.

AHTS VR Simulator, a VR game built by Onix, provides a life-like immersive experience with realistic weather and sea vessel physics.

 

Read also: How to Create a VR Ship Simulator

The Index may be challenging to set up and requires a high-end GPU. Still, at this price range, a well-supported game library, superb image clarity, performance, and overall reliability fully compensate for some inconvenience.

 

Apple Vision Pro

Retailed for $3,499, the Vision Pro MR headset offers functionality similar to the Meta Quest 3 but with a higher display resolution, spatial audio playback, and processing speed. 

A combination of Apple’s chips ensures excellent head and hand tracking. The M2 chip is a Macbook-level processor more capable than Meta Quest’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2. The R1 chip was specifically designed to control and process the continuous data streams from the cameras, sensors, and microphones.

 

Micro-OLED displays provide a resolution of 24MP. Two speakers are embedded in the headset’s single strap as it passes by the ears. The spatial audio support includes Personalized Spatial Audio that works when the user turns their head.

 

The impressive technology holds immense promise for entertainment, learning, productivity, and other fields. For example, the Vision Pro’s 4K Micro OLED displays and dual-driver audio pods facilitate immersive 3D movie viewing experiences surpassing movie theaters or even live sports games.

Read also: How VR Is Changing the Entertainment and Film Industry

 

The Onix team also tapped into the Vision Pro’s capabilities when creating a virtual showroom for a Ukrainian automotive retailer.

 

“We wanted to give customers more than just a visual experience – we wanted them to feel like they were interacting with the car, even if it wasn’t physically there,” said Mykola Makarevich, Onix’s CMTO.

Onix built a VR car showroom that enables customers to scrutinize a car’s exterior, interior, and materials, customize them, and even take virtual test drives.

 

Read also: How to Use AR/VR in Marketing and Advertising in 2025

 

Apple’s visionOS looks and feels like something people see on their iPhones and iPads, which makes it comfortable and familiar for Apple customers. The Vision Pro supports a growing list of Apple Arcade games, and new apps are being produced by the hundreds.

 

The headset has a sleek design. One strap goes around the back of the user's head; its back end flares out to prevent any pressure points on the back of the head. The Fit Dial tightens the strap for a secure fit, and you can use an extra strap over the top of the head for a more stable fit.

 

Still, the Vision Pro is more front-heavy than the Meta Quest 3, leading to concerns over comfort during gaming and workouts.

 

Without the traditional controllers, the Vision Pro is not the best VR headset for development of familiar game formats, e.g., where the reliance on hand-tracking sensors may impact the game in dimmer environments. However, instead, they can leverage the Vision Pro’s superior eye tracking and audiovisual quality to create something new.

 

The Apple Vision Pro generally seems like the beginning of an entirely new proposition, so VR game developers who target the future should create apps for visionOS.

Onix also built a simulation of statistics for a NASCAR event for Apple Vision Pro.

 

Read also: VisionOs App Development: Use Cases and Opportunities

 

Being one of the best premium XR headsets also has pros and cons for game developers. On the one hand, the price limits the number of potential players. On the other hand, if a consumer paid the steep price for the headset and other Apple products, they may also be likely to pay more for an excellent game.
 

The "Apple Tax" also comes with multiple benefits, such as seamless integration with other Apple hardware and services. AirDropping files to and from the Vision Pro is smooth, and Mac Virtual Display gives your computer a 4K monitor to work with. 

Conclusion

There are serious reasons to focus on gaming VR for developers and entrepreneurs. Market Research Future predicts that The VR gaming market, valued at $47 billion in 2024, is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 24.8% and reach $346 billion by 2033.

 

Affordability, comfort, and ease of use are the priorities for most people wishing to explore VR. In this post, we have reviewed some of the best VR platforms for game developers and gamers:

 

• Meta Quest 3 should be the primary choice of most VR developers. It’s excellent for wireless gaming, facilitates mixed reality experiences, offers tons of games and entertainment, and is a perfect medium between functionality and price that most people in the primary VR markets will be able to afford and use.
• The Valve Index, arguably the best PC VR headset for gamers, is suitable for game developers who employ full room tracking and whose target audience is ready to invest in high-spec PCs, VR headsets, and accessories.
• PICO 4 Ultra is the best headset for PC VR gaming among more affordable options.
• Sony PlayStation VR2 is the best console VR headset, allowing owners of PlayStation 5 the advantages usually reserved for more expensive headsets.
• Apple Vision Pro, the priciest option on our list, is also the most impressive functionality-wise. The outstanding spatial computing makes it great for entertainment and productivity-oriented purposes.

 

We can conclude that the Meta Quest 3 is currently the best gaming MR headset in its price range, as well as the best VR headset for Unity development. The Meta platform’s maturity keeps it ahead of Apple regarding actual functionality. However, this may change over a couple of years when developers catch up with the Apple Vision Pro.

 

However, game developers should remember that it is pretty challenging to stand out on the Meta platform and difficult to get to the official Meta store.

 

More expensive PC-powered VR gaming appeals to a smaller audience, but getting a product to the Steam store is easier.

 

Read also: 8 Ideas for Mobile Game Development

Are you interested in virtual reality game development or supporting your business with a custom-built VR experience? Onix is here to help! Contact us today to start your journey into the virtual realm!

 

FAQ

What wireless VR headsets are there?

Meta Quest 3 and 3S, Apple Vision Pro, and PICO 4 Ultra are autonomous HMDs.

What is the best VR headset for gaming currently?

Meta Quest 3 is arguably the best VR headset for developers and gamers alike because it is wireless, comfy, relatively affordable, widespread, offers plenty of functionality, services, and games, and doesn’t require a premium gaming PC to run it.

 

What VR headset has the best screen?

Apple Vision Pro has the highest-resolution display on our list, with 3,660 x 3,200 pixels per eye, but resolution alone doesn’t determine a screen’s quality. Latency, refresh rate, field of view, and the structure of the optics are other essential factors. Moreover, visual perception largely depends on the human eye, so even the best technical characteristics may not be the best fit for a particular person.

 

What VR headset is best for full-body tracking?

Full-body tracking requires additional hardware that must be supported by the software; developers must plan this in advance.

 

Accurate body tracking is achievable with most Steam VR-compatible PC headsets, including the Valve Index and HTC Vive Pro 2. Players can also add HTC Vive Trackers to wrist and leg straps and belts for even better coverage.
 

What are the top 3 VR headsets for developers?

Our trio of the best VR headsets for developers are the Meta Quest 3/3S, Valve Index, and Sony PlayStation VR2.
 

Which VR headsets work with Unity?

All VR headsets listed in this blog work with Unity, as do other popular choices: Meta Quest 2, HTC Vive Pro 2, HTC Vive Cosmos, and HP Reverb G2.