CheckMag | Thanks to the PlayStation VR2 PC adapter, one of the best PC VR headsets is also the cheapest

The PlayStation VR 2 launched in February of 2023 with a $529 starting price. (Which thankfully has dropped to $407.39 on Amazon*). Somewhat expensive considering the console it works with launched at $499 and even now, only offers a handful of games you would actually want to play.

The PC by comparison has a huge selection of VR games, dating as far back as the experimental VR in Alien Isolation. It has seen headsets from Dell, HP and Asus in the form of the now defunct Windows Mixed Reality, with Meta, Valve and HTC becoming the main players that support the PC space. Of course, there are outliers such as Bytedance and Pimax, but these probably aren’t at the top of the vast majority of peoples shopping list when looking to get into PC VR.

For a long time, the Valve Index offered the best PC VR experience out there, with a resolution of 1400 x 1600 per eye, 120hz refresh rate, a field of view of 130 degrees and individual finger tracking. This was considered the pinnacle of PC VR and even in 2024 (4 years after its release) it still holds up.

Then there is the Meta Quest 3, a more accessible and cheaper version of the Quest Pro, offering a higher resolution, “experimental” 120hz refresh rate, (90hz as standard) and the ability to run PC VR titles wirelessly, although the latency for those without WiFi 6 often makes the experience unplayable. Paying for the Meta Quest Link cable resolves this issue, but that will set you back another $79 if going for the official one.

Amazingly, Sony is giving us the PSVR 2 PC adapter. A simple box that lets you plug your PSVR2 headset into a PC. The PSVR 2 is equipped with a higher resolution than the Index and very close to the Quest 3, but has no need for base stations. It also includes individual finger tracking similar to the Index and missing from the Quest 3, a non-experimental 120hz refresh rate (unlike the Quest 3) and all the cables needed (apart from the adapter) to get you started in the box. A quick comparison of these 3 headsets should give you all the information you need in terms of how much of a value proposition the PSVR2 actually becomes.

Even if you went for the Quest 2, which offers a significantly sub par experience when compared to the other headsets on this list, by the time you have added a Meta Quest Link cable you are still looking at $430. Even without the cable, the Quest 3 is still more expensive than both the PSVR2 and the adapter box. With Meta’s headsets you do get standalone VR, but that significantly increases the weight and isn’t much use for anyone looking to plug into their gaming PC. Depending on how you feel about Meta, the Quest may not be on your list at all.

Of course there are a few limitations. Currently there is no support for eye tracking, headset feedback, HDR or the PS5 pro controllers adaptive triggers and currently the headset only supports Steam VR. But even without these features the PSVR2 stands head to toe with the more premium offerings.

Sony seems to be really embracing PC gaming, with the release of a number of PS exclusives and now giving us access to their headset as well. This seems to contradict Hermen Hulst's statement that Sony is tempting users away from PC's with their single player narritive games. Either way, the PSVR 2 has excellent hardware, and the fact that it can be used on a PC by purchasing a low cost adapter makes it one of the best and cheapest choices for PC VR gaming currently on the market.