The Best Oculus Alternatives in 2022

With restrictions that the pandemic caused, many were trapped inside their homes for months in most parts of the world. But, thanks to Oculus, some people didn’t miss too much from the outside world. 

With this, many gamers around the world still got a chance to explore the world and even get to meet other people without having to risk their health and go outside of the comfort of their homes. Because of this, Oculus still receives a good amount of attention even as countries start to lift their restrictions.

Apart from the opportunity to explore the world around you, Oculus also lets you play different titles and has the power to fully immerse you in every game. Thus, giving you a gaming experience like no other.

Furthermore, it is comfortable to wear and very lightweight, so you’ll really feel as if you’re the main character in the game you’re playing.

The best thing about the Oculus is that it’s not merely for gaming. With this, you can also get a chance to watch your favorite movies and feel like you’re really part of it.

However, such experiences come at a price. And, unfortunately, Oculus doesn’t come with a cheap price tag. That is one of the huge letdowns for many gamers.

Its features aren’t perfect at all either. It doesn’t have the longest battery life and some of its models are still not as powerful as their PC-powered counterparts.

The good news, though, is that you have plenty of Oculus alternatives to choose from in the market today. Whether you’re planning to buy your first VR headset or want to make a switch, here are some of the best options that you could go for.

Because it employs Galaxy smartphones with 2,560 x 1,440 screens vs the Rift and Vive’s 2,100 x 1,200 panels, the Gear VR technically beats the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift in terms of raw resolution.   However, that isn’t the complete tale. The Gear VR must adapt to work with a variety of Galaxy smartphones, many of which were not designed with VR in mind. The panels on the Rift and Vive are designed specifically for virtual reality, with 90 Hz refresh rates that provide smoother, more realistic motion than the 60 Hz that Android offers. The graphics on the Gear VR are engaging and fluid, and the internal motion sensors on the smartphones are generally accurate. Because of this, the graphics look more realistic. Hence, better gaming and/or viewing experience. However, it requires a specific adapter. But, overall, if you have a compatible Galaxy phone, the new Samsung Gear VR is a viable, accessible, and affordable method to experiment with virtual reality, and anyone with even a passing interest in VR should strongly consider giving it a try. The updated headset, aside from the USB-C adapter and support for the Galaxy Note 7, doesn’t add anything new to the table. There’s no incentive to acquire the latest Gear VR if you already have one and a Galaxy phone that works with it. If you’ve recently purchased a Note 7, however, the Gear VR offers a compelling virtual reality experience without the expensive costs or extensive PC hardware requirements of the Vive or Oculus Rift.

Pros

• Good quality video
• More realistic

Cons

• Specific adapter needed

Specification

• Price $35.90
• Product Dimensions 9.33 x 4.09 x 6.71 inches
• Compatible Devices Galaxy Smartphones
• Item Weight 10.4 Ounces

When using a virtual reality headset, the most effective method to lose immersion is for the equipment to be uncomfortable. With the Freefly, you won’t have to worry about that. The 3-strap harness of the Freefly keeps the headset in place comfortably. This takes a lot of the weight and pressure off your face.   Where the goggles rest on your face, the Freefly offers soft-leather wrapped padding. The breathable cushioning makes the headset comfortable to wear for long periods of time. In terms of vision, the Freefly VR headset has a 120-degree field of view, which is incredible. Even with the most costly VR equipment, this is the most comprehensive field I’ve seen. The Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, for example, only have a 110-degree field of view. This has an impact on how immersive your experience is. The VR panels fill not only your frontal vision but also your peripheral vision thanks to their wide field of view. This gives it a more realistic sense as if it were a real setting. However, the Freefly VR controller doesn’t come with instructions, so it’s more for those who have owned a VR headset before. But, overall, if you’re not new to using a VR headset, the Freefly VR is worth buying.

Pros

• Perfect vision
• Comfortable to wear

Cons

• Controller no instructions

Specification

• Price $14.99
• Product Dimensions 7.48 x 4.72 x 5.51 inches
• Compatible Devices Iphones, Galaxies, Notes
• Item Weight 12.6 ounces

Sony is a brand that techies surely know, but when it comes to VR headsets, Sony seems to be a newbie in the market. Despite that, the brand delivers. The company created an excellent piece of gear that works well with its gaming console. PSVR is a terrific method to get virtual reality into your home if you currently own a PlayStation and are interested in it. The head-mounting mechanism on Sony’s platform is comfortable and simple to modify. Because of its mechanical relief mechanism and the way the visor floats in front of your face, the headset is also the greatest solution we’ve seen for people who wear glasses.   In terms of the visuals, unfortunately, it’s not that sharp compared to the leading VR headsets today. However, thanks to its RGB subpixel arrangement, it’s hard to tell that its display resolution is lower than the Oculus. Another drawback is its price. Apparently, the Sony PlayStation VR costs around $399. But, If you can afford one, we don’t believe you’ll be dissatisfied with the hardware. Just don’t anticipate much in the way of substance in the early stages. In virtual reality, developers are still discovering what works and what doesn’t. 

Pros

• AMOLED screens
• Guaranteed to impress friends

Cons

• Visuals not as sharp

Specification

• Price $399.00
• Product Dimensions 7.36 x 7.28 x 10.91 inches
• Compatible Devices PS4, PS4 Slim, PS4 Pro, and PS5
• Item Weight 6.85 pounds

The Oculus Quest 2 improves on practically every aspect of the original at a lower price, making it the best $300 VR headset for both newcomers and veterans. The Quest 2 has the same Guardian system as its predecessor, allowing you to define limits around your play area so that the headset can alert you if you’re about to leave it (and perhaps bump into something). It works nicely, remembering the particular regions you select or allowing you to create a stationary circle for games that don’t involve much movement or walking. The headset’s four cameras are constantly monitoring the world around you to establish where you are while internal sensors maintain your orientation, ensuring that head tracking is extremely accurate. The controllers, which contain internal motion sensors, are likewise tracked by the cameras. Like the original Quest, it’s a full six-degrees-of-freedom (6DOF) experience that feels highly immersive. The improved display quality is obvious, with everything seeming sharper than it did on the original Quest. If you look closely enough, you can see pixels, but only barely. Finally, the overall experience is considerably more clear and clean. One weak point of it, though, is its outer design. Unfortunately, the Oculus Quest 2 isn’t sweatproof. So, you might need to be a little extra careful when playing.

Pros

• Realistic effects
• Viewfinder is very good

Cons

• Not sweat proof

Specification

• Price $199.98
• Product Dimensions 10.24 x 7.36 x 4.96 inches
• Compatible Devices Android-based operating systems
• Item Weight 1.83 pounds

The HP Reverb G2 replaces the original HP Reverb. The initial Reverb got a lot of criticism, including inadequate inside-out tracking due to only two tracking cameras and low-quality optics, which resulted in an unsatisfying experience. HP incorporated all of the input into the updated Reverb G2, which now features four integrated tracking cameras and Valve lenses. The HP Reverb G2’s 2160 x 2160 pixels per eye resolution was one of the highest on the market when it was debuted; however, since then, higher-resolution headsets have been released. The Vive Pro 2, for example, offers 2448 x 2448 pixels per eye, while the Varjo Aero has even more at 2880 x 2720 pixels per eye. The HP Reverb G2 has a 90 Hz refresh rate, which guarantees that visuals are displayed smoothly. The Varjo Aero also has this refresh rate. However, it is dwarfed by the Vive Pro 2, which has a refresh rate of 120 Hz. 90 Hz is widely considered to be a sufficient refresh rate for a smooth VR experience, and with a price tag that’s around $558.91, it’s quite expensive. It might not be the first that comes to the mind of gamers when thinking about the best Oculus alternatives. Still, it’s worth the price, considering its freshness of color and depth of field.

Pros

• Color was very good
• Great depth of field

Cons

• Not impressed with this generation

Specification

• Price $558.91
• Product Dimensions 7.95 x 3.32 x 2.95 inches
• Compatible Devices Smartphones
• Item Weight 6.78 pounds

The HTC Vive Focus 3 is yet another great Oculus alternative. It has a great screen, excellent performance, an impressive field of view, and phenomenal tracking. The Focus 3 appears to be a more premium VR workhorse than the Quest 2 at first glance. The Focus 3 appears like an expensive pair of ski goggles fashioned into a VR device, but the Oculus headset features flimsy cloth straps and a basic goggle style. Although the magnesium alloy frame is technically plastic, it feels more durable than the Quest’s fragile case. While Oculus went for a sleek and curvy Apple device look, HTC Vive decided for sharper lines and a more intricate design. The headstrap on the Focus 3 is significantly more complicated, with a plastic frame, plenty of padding, and a rear dial to tighten things up.   It’s also slanted around the sides so that it never comes in contact with your ears, which contributes to a more pleasant VR experience. The back half of the strap may appear bulky, but that’s because it also stores the battery pack for the Focus 3. Putting a little more trash in the trunk helps to balance the weight of the headset, so it doesn’t rest awkwardly on your nose like some previous VR headsets. But, of course, its outward appearance isn’t the only thing commendable. However, it’s not perfect. Users complain about its short battery life. 

Pros

• Great hardware
• Good solid quality

Cons

• Battery life

Specification

• Price $1,300.00
• Product Dimensions 14.6 x 13.3 x 4.9 inches
• Compatible Devices Smartphones
• Item Weight 5 pounds

If you already have an Oculus headset, you can just go for the KIWI design head strap for Oculus to give it a great upgrade. This offers better support for the Oculus, resulting in an enhanced gaming experience. The KIWI design head strap for the  Oculus is also ideal for those who are wearing glasses. This design makes putting on and taking off the head strap a breeze, especially for people who wear glasses. Of course, it’s comfortable to use. This is because its side straps are made with polymer material, which is also eco-friendly and very sturdy. However, it can only offer limited adjustment options. But, for a price of $43.98, it’s worth considering as you don’t have to buy another VR headset.

Pros

• Great upgrade
• Excellent quality

Cons

• Little adjustment options

Specification

• Price $43.98
• Product Dimensions 8.7 x 8.5 x 2.48 inches
• Compatible Devices Android-based operating systems
• Item Weight 13.4 ounces