Best VR Headset For Sim Racing

Pimax Crystal VR

Specs:

Resolution	5760 x 2880
Memory	256 GB
Size	11.02 x 4.25 x 5.31 inches
Weight	2.11 pounds
Color	Black only
Check Price	Amazon

First on the list is the Pimax Crystal VR headset. Bear in mind that Pimax doesn’t sell their headset separately. When you think of buying this VR headset, you will have to buy the whole kit in order to get it, which is already expensive enough. Price will be discussed later for now; we are going to be talking about the stunning visuals this VR headset has to offer.

The Pimax Crystal VR is quite possibly the best VR headset if you want to experience visual fidelity like never before. It has an amazing 5760 x 2880 resolution, which is the biggest resolution for a VR headset on this list. It is so impressive that you will be surprised to hear that the headset has QLED, which improves the visual fidelity even more.

Not only will you get a high resolution in the VR headset so you can see the little details, but you will also be able to see the colors pop with the QLED screen. Now imagine using this VR headset while playing F1 23. The colors and clarity on the screen will help make your drive so immersive, that you’ll probably forget you’re wearing a VR headset to begin with.

I should also point out that the VR headset has a 35 PPD. Without going into detail about what PPD is, it is essentially the horizontal pixels in your VR headset. If you have 35 PPD, you will have a clearer visual. But if you have 18 PPD, which is the standard for most VR headsets, you will notice that there are some black lines as you move around, so having a 35 PPD is a big plus.

Now, while the VR headset sounds fantastic in every way possible, there are a couple of things that might change your decision on getting this. First off, it’s very heavy. While the weight of the headset is 2.11 pounds, a lot of people are reporting that wearing this VR headset is too heavy to move around with, causing them to hurt their necks.

Another thing that will definitely cause you pain is the price tag. Let’s just say that the price is astronomically high. So high, that you can buy up to 2 retail prices PlayStation 5’s and still have enough money to buy an RTX 3090 graphics card. Yes, it is that expensive, and you will most likely be hurting your finances severely.

This is mostly because you are buying a full kit of the VR set, not just the headset. No doubt that if Pimax sold the VR headset by itself, it would be much cheaper compared to buying the full kit. But as of now, there is no way to buy this VR headset by itself, unless you’re able to find someone else that is willing to sell the VR headset.

Valve Index VR

Specs:

Resolution	1440 x 1600
Memory	No memory
Size	12.6 x 10.23 x 4.33 inches
Weight	1.78 pounds
Color	Black only
Check Price	Amazon

You know it would be here. You can’t have a VR list without the Valve Index VR. It is another piece of VR technology that has really taken the world by storm ever since it came out. People bought this VR headset because it was made by Valve, a very reputable game company that you may know runs Steam and created the Half-Life games.

The Valve Index VR sports an amazing refresh rate of 144hz. Most VR headsets can only go up to 30, maybe even 60 if they sacrifice graphical fidelity in their games. Being able to do 144hz is an achievement that really goes to show that Valve still has it and that they can make some innovations in the gaming industry if they want to.

It also has amazing 3D Spatial Audio, which is essentially an even better surround sound feature that is a reason a lot of gamers invest in good gaming headphones that include Spatial Audio. With the Valve Index pretty much including Spatial Audio, you can enjoy not only great gameplay and visuals, but you will also get amazing sounds that make you fully immersed in the game.

While all of that is nice and fancy, there are a couple of downsides that might make you not want to buy something like this. First off, it is very expensive. Not as expensive as Pimax’s Crystal VR headset (or kit), but it is up there. It’s understandable though, as Valve does not sell the headset by itself. You will need to either buy the full kit or just the VR headset and controllers. No option for headsets only.

Second of all, the resolution is a bit of a downgrade. While I said that the visuals are great, it still is. But you can really see that there is a downgrade when going from something like Pimax Crystal to Valve Index. The resolution is noticeably lower, sporting a 1440 x 1600 instead of the higher resolution that Pimax Crystal had. Also, the screen is LCD, which is the biggest downgrade of all.

While LCD screens are the standards for VR headsets, going from an OLED screen to an LCD screen will really make you see the difference. The colors are more washed out, the pixels are visible, and you can even see the black horizontal lines because the Valve Index uses an 18 PPD. Again, very standard stuff, but is a noticeable downgrade from the Pimax.

DPVR E4 VR

Specs:

Resolution	3664 x 1920
Memory	No memory
Size	11.34 x 7.68 x 4.65 inches
Weight	1.18 pounds
Color	White only
Check Price	Amazon

What we have here is the DPVR E4 VR. This one might just be an underdog because it has some features that may attract some people who are looking for something that is lightweight but has enough power in it to give you a visual spectacle, and boy does the DPVR E4 deliver because this VR headset not only is very light compared to other headsets, but it is also powerful.

Why do I say it’s powerful? Because it’s able to do two things that will impress you: have a 3664 x 1920 resolution while hitting a 120hz refresh rate. That’s right, this VR headset is able to get the perfect balance of visual clarity and fast refresh rate. While you’re playing racing sim games, you will no doubt see that it is fantastic when you use this VR headset.

All that while also being super light on the head. Some complaints from people over the years complain about VR headsets being too heavy to wear. You won’t have that problem with DPVR E4, as it is very light to wear and it doesn’t feel like you’re being weighed down by anything, allowing you to continue playing games without your neck hurting.

You know what’s the best part too? This is incredibly cheap compared to the last two VR headsets. While DPVR doesn’t have an option just to buy the VR headset by itself and you will need to buy it with the controllers, it is actually still very cheap compared to Valve Index and Pimax Crystal. It’s still expensive as it is a VR headset, but it is noticeably cheaper compared to the rest.

However, there are some bad things with this VR headset that may turn you away from it. First off, it’s not comfortable. Yes, this VR headset, while being super light compared to other VR headsets, is not comfortable to wear. Some people have reported that the VR headset isn’t comfortable to wear after long sessions of gaming, which is a downer.

Another bad thing about this VR headset is that the materials that make the VR headset are cheap and flimsy. It’s also why the VR headset is so light and cheap because the materials used to make it aren’t the same materials used to ensure that VR headsets are durable and comfortable for the user, which is another downer.

Not only that but there are instances where other users antivirus on their computer would detect that the VR headset has some virus, which is very scary considering that computer viruses have the power to really do serious harm to your computer. All in all, it’s a 50/50 gamble if this thing will be good for you or will be bad for you and your computer.

HTC Vive Pro 2

Specs:

Resolution	4896 x 2448
Memory	No memory
Size	13.2 x 13.1 x 7.3 inches
Weight	5.8 pounds
Color	Black only
Check Price	Amazon

HTC Vive Pro 2 is another VR headset that can really knock your socks off. If you’ve been around for a while now, then you will know that HTC’s Vive is a very big VR brand that a lot of people used back in the day. It’s still relatively big, but not as much as it is now due to other companies stepping into the VR gaming race. But the HTC Vive Pro 2 might just be something worth looking into.

First off, this is the first VR headset that you can actually purchase by itself. That’s right, you won’t have to spend thousands of dollars to buy things that you don’t need like controllers and base stations. However, I do have to warn you that the price for the Vive Pro 2 headset is still expensive. Not super expensive, but quite expensive.

The reason why it’s that expensive is because the Vive Pro 2 headset is a VR gaming beast. It sports a 4896 x 2448 resolution, which is essentially a 5K resolution. You can see all the pretty details in the game and enjoy the visuals as you race. But what really makes this better is the fact that the VR headset is able to clock in a 120hz refresh rate.

Again, this VR headset is a total beast because of how powerful it is. Being able to hit 4896 x 2448 resolution while also having a 120hz refresh rate is amazing and you can really see that when you are racing down an F1 track in F1 23 or another race track in Italy in Gran Turismo.

Now, while the VR headset is great, it comes with a few flaws that can really make one second guess themselves when about to purchase it. First off, the audio is a little bad. Not super bad where it sounds glitchy and robotic, but it sounds flat due to the lack of bass. Whenever you race down a track, it just sounds like a recording of a race rather than feeling like you’re in it.

One other problem is that the headset is very heavy. And I mean very heavy. This headset weighs 5.8 pounds, which is like a full pitcher of water. You can really feel how heavy the VR headset is when you need to turn or look up and down because the weight of the VR headset will almost pull you along with it due to the momentum.

It’s not a bad VR headset overall. It offers great visual fidelity with a fast refresh rate, but the issues that the VR headset has kind of make people doubt if it’s something they should buy. After all, sound is important, and being able to turn your head without feeling like a cinderblock is attached to your head is also important. These issues are easy to fix, and a lot of people hope it does get fixed in the future.

Meta Quest 2

Specs:

Resolution	1920 x 1832
Memory	128 GB (option for 256 GB)
Size	10.24 x 7.36 x 4.96 inches
Weight	1.83 pounds
Color	White only
Check Price	Amazon

If you haven’t been around for a long time now and are wondering why Oculus Quest isn’t a part of the list, that’s because they’ve been bought by Facebook of all companies and rebranded into the Meta Quest, which is why Meta Quest 2 is a part of this list. While you may be skeptical since it’s Facebook running the show now, you’ll find that Meta Quest 2 is actually still really good.

First off, let’s start with the fact that you can just buy a VR headset only. That’s great, but what makes it even better is that the price for the Meta Quest 2 VR headset is insanely cheap compared to the other VR headsets. So cheap in fact, you are able to buy a couple more games for the Meta Quest 2 after you get the Meta Quest 2. Full price.

I also want to point out the amazing audio this VR headset has. Now, while it’s not Spatial Audio level, it does have a 3D positional audio, which is essentially a watered-down version of Spatial Audio. What makes the audio good, however, is the haptic feedback. If you’re only buying the headset, that’s fine. But if you get the controllers as well, you will get the haptic feedback feature, which adds more immersion.

Other than what was mentioned, the Meta Quest 2 is rather plain and standard. Not really anything that makes it stand out compared to the other VR headsets. It has a standard refresh rate, standard resolution, standard weight, standard size, and standard visuals. It’s really only great because of the cheaper price compared to the other VR headsets.

To Sum Up

There are a ton of VR headsets out there that cater to different audiences. Not all of the VR headsets are going to be perfect. There’s always going to be some sacrifice to certain parts of the VR headset to improve another part. If you’re still not sure which VR headset is really for you, then consider the following:

The Pimax Crystal VR is a great VR headset if you really want to experience amazing visual fidelity. The high resolution, the QLED screens, and the high PPD really help ensure that when you’re racing, you will be able to see the graphical beauty of games like F1 or Gran Turismo.

The Valve Index VR headset is a great choice for those who don’t really mind the visuals but care more about the audio. Visuals may be good for the eyes, but what can really immerse a player into a gamer is audio, Valve really hit it out of the park with the Valve Index, as it sports Spatial Audio to really immerse you into the game.

With that said, DPVR E4 VR is the perfect middle road for those who want something powerful and reasonable while also getting a good deal out of it. The DPVR E4 is an underdog that really shines due to its being able to do high resolutions while also hitting a 120hz refresh rate for faster and smoother gameplay. Not only that, but it’s also cheap as hell!

On the other hand, the HTC Vive Pro 2 is for those who want to have the VR headset only at a good price. While the HTC Vive Pro 2 is a powerful VR headset with its high resolution and amazing 120hz refresh rate, it’s really catching the eyes of people because of how cheap it is while also being a powerhouse in VR headsets.

The Meta Quest 2, on the other hand, is just great for people who are on a budget. The Meta Quest 2 allows customers to buy the headset only at a really affordable price. If you don’t want the whole thing but just the headset, then this is for you. You will be saving a lot of money if you go with this option.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is VR or a controller better for racing sim games?

It all depends on the person. Some gamers love to play racing games but don’t really want to go through the hassle of setting up a wheel, pedal, handbrake, and VR headset every time and then clean it all up after the gaming session. Some just want complete immersion when playing, no matter the cost.

2. Should I get a VR headset only or the whole system?

If you’re planning on playing a lot of VR, then yes, you should get the whole system. VR is exceptionally fun to do any sort of workout. But if you don’t envision yourself playing a ton of VR games and just want to use the VR headset, then you don’t need to waste money and just get the VR headset instead.

3. Will VR be the norm in gaming soon?

Definitely not. VR is still very niche and not a lot of people have VR gear, despite it being available to the public for almost a decade now. Not everyone likes playing with their full body and only really likes to play with just the controller or a mouse and keyboard, especially those who work a full day and just want to relax.

4. Is it worth getting a VR system in 2023?

VR is steadily making improvements as time goes on, and soon we will have a ton of cool games that are only playable on VR. We already have fantastic games that are only on VR, but that’s still not enough to really make people go out and buy VR. Right now, it’s still a niche thing, and we won’t see VR be a worthy system to get unless more awesome games are being made for it.

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