Last update on 2024-04-12 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Many Noteworthy VR headsets with controllers cost north of $1000, and this isn’t exactly pocket change. Even though these headsets give the most immersive VR experience, there are other models that offer a similar experience at a fraction of the price.
Before we look at some of these headsets, here are answers to some of your most pressing questions.
Do VR Headsets come with Controllers?
Some do while others do not. This also depends on the type of VR headset you go for. For example, smartphone and handheld VR headsets rarely come with controllers. Some come with remote controls, but that isn’t the same as an actual controller.
These VR headsets are quite easy to handle. They don’t feature inbuilt processors, sensors, internal storage, batteries, or a computer connection.
To use them, all you have to do is slide your mobile device into the cassette space of your VR device to enjoy your videos and games.
Read Do VR Headsets Come With Games?
This also means, unfortunately, that they’re severely limited and you can’t perform some high-powered tasks with them.
All tethered VR headsets and some standalone VR headsets come with controllers. These devices usually come packed with advanced hardware, processors, accelerometers, storage and inbuilt displays.
Therefore, these headsets offer a more immersive experience with better graphics and higher refresh rates.
These devices, despite all their benefits, have some downsides. They’re more expensive than smartphone VR headsets. They also require PCs and laptops with powerful CPUs and GPUs, and this locks out many VR enthusiasts who cannot afford them.
Read: Do VR Headsets Need A Computer?
Also, with the exception of some HTC VR headsets, mac users are locked out from this experience entirely. More on this at Does any VR Headset Work with Mac?
For a full VR experience, these tethered headsets need controllers. You can navigate through the virtual reality experience with ease.
Controllers ensure you can interact with all the objects and space in their virtual reality world.
You can manipulate items, play games and set up virtual reality spaces in your home or workplace using tracking systems that come with VR hardware.
What Do Controllers Do?
VR controllers help you interact with objects and space within a virtual environment. They give you hands-on digital access to the intangible world of virtual reality.
As you continue to explore virtual reality, you’ll encounter two types of controllers. Here they are:
6DoF or Six-degrees-of-freedom Controllers
With these controllers, you can access both positional and orientation data. This type of controller will allow you to manipulate VR space and objects with movement and rotation.
A fantastic example of a VR headset with such a controller is the HTC Vive Pro.
3DoF or Three-Degrees-of-freedom Controllers
This type of controller usually has more limits than a 6DoF controller. It can only manipulate orientation, but not position.
This means that your controller can only manipulate movement within a Virtual Reality space, but not rotation. Google Daydream is an excellent example.
What is the price range of VR headsets with controllers?
VR headsets with controllers are quite pricey. You may get some standalone VR headset kits for anywhere above $500. Above this price range are incredible options for you to explore.
Not only will you get outstanding standalone VR devices, you’ll also get a selection of premier tethered headsets.
However, you can get some pretty attractive deals at between $200 and $400. Many Oculus VR headsets fall within this price range, as well as devices like the PSVR. Some of these VR devices are standalone, while others are tethered.
Best Cheap VR Headsets with controllers
Oculus Quest 2
Last update on 2024-04-12 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
The Oculus Quest 2 is one of the best standalone VR headsets with controllers in the market right now.
You won’t need to break your bank to enjoy an immersive experience with this device. The Oculus brings you easy access to an immersive 360-degree movie and gaming experience, all with no form of tethering.
As the successor to the first Oculus Quest, this VR headset comes with an enhanced 6 GB RAM, a higher resolution single LCD panel display and improved refresh rate of up to 90 Hz.
You can get up to 1832 X 1920 pixels per eye, with 50% sharper images than the first Oculus Quest.
Three outer cameras help you track your physical positioning, so you don’t bump into a wall or furniture. It also takes after the lightweight design of its older sibling, which makes it easy to wear for extended periods.
The Oculus Quest 2 also has inbuilt speakers that give a clear unidirectional stereo output. This VR headset supports a standard 3.5mm jack, ideal for headphones of your choice.
This headset is quite easy to set up, and does not require a PC or smartphone. Depending on your use, this device will last you a respectable three hours.
It is also one of the suitable VR Headsets for Elderly
Pros:
- Lightweight construction makes it easy to wear for long.
- Easy to set up and use
- Offers an outstanding immersive experience
Cons:
- Can cause motion sickness
- Requires user to link their Facebook account
Oculus Rift S
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Next on the list is the Rift S, which works with your PC to bring you into the immense world of virtual reality. It also comes with two controllers. You can get it for just about as much as it costs to get an Oculus Quest VR headset.
Using a USB 3.0 port and a DisplayPort connection, you can bring your virtual world alive with the Oculus Rift S.
Just like the Quest, the Rift S also features a single LCD screen with a 2560 X 1440 pixel display that offers outstanding image quality.
Although the refresh rate is lower, this headset still runs games and 360-degree videos seamlessly.
Also, the toned-down nature of the Rift S allows you to use it without having to upgrade your computer hardware. This is particularly helpful to people who can’t afford to upgrade their PCs at this particular moment.
As for games and apps, the Rift S is backwards compatible with most games released for both the Rift and the Quest. You can now enjoy games you hadn’t played before, but at least on better hardware.
It also has outward facing cameras to help you map out your virtual space and prevent you from bumping into objects within your VR space. Setting this headset up is painless, and you’ll be up and running in no time.
Pros:
- Easy to set up
- Backwards-compatible with titles from preceding VR headsets
- Lightweight and easy to wear
- Can accommodate computers with lower specs
Cons
- High risk of motion sickness
- Lower refresh rate than its predecessor
PlayStation VR
Last update on 2024-04-12 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
If you have a PS4, a PS4 Pro or a PS5, get the PlayStation VR headset. It’s quite affordable to purchase, and you’ll get your money’s worth in experience.
You’ll enjoy access to major game titles and a seamless playing experience.
The cable. PSVR is a tethered headset, so you’ll always be tied to your console with a cable. It also features inbuilt speakers, and you can raise or reduce their volume whenever necessary.
This headset is also compatible with your 3.5m-jack headphones, so you won’t interfere with people around you.
With the PSVR, you get a 5.7-inch OLED screen with a FHD 1080p resolution. With its unique 100-degree field of view, you get a high 120Hz refresh rate. This display makes for a great image quality, especially when playing PS games.
A latency of less than 18ms helps you manage any motion sickness you may feel during gaming.
Unlike standalone VR headsets, the PSVR does not need any batteries, and you can enjoy your VR experience for extended periods.
Pros:
- Easy to set up and use
- Works extremely well with PS4 and PS5 consoles
- Higher refresh rates than counterparts
- Contains some major game titles
- Relatively inexpensive
Cons:
- You have to stay connected to your PlayStation all the time
- Does not have external facing cameras
Final thoughts and Best Pick
VR gaming is the future, and many companies are headed in that direction. As more people adopt this technology, better devices will emerge.
Much innovation will happen, and this will lead to better VR experiences. This innovation will push down the prices of VR devices, and hopefully, make some of the best devices in the market available for lower prices.
My best pick is the Oculus Quest 2. It won because of its standalone nature. It does not need to be tethered to any PC or smartphone, except with compatible apps.
It’s also lightweight and easy to use, which makes it favorable for extended usage. It’s controllers are ergonomic, and they feel natural in the hands when gaming.
