Webwut

Technology Blog

VR

3 Best VR Headsets For Unreal Engine (Guide)

Editor Choice
HP Reverb G2 VR Headset With Controller,...
HTC Vive Cosmos Elite Virtual Reality...
HP Reverb G2 VR Headset With Controller,...
HTC Vive Cosmos Elite Virtual Reality...
Editor Choice
HP Reverb G2 VR Headset With Controller,...
HP Reverb G2 VR Headset With Controller,...
HTC Vive Cosmos Elite Virtual Reality...
HTC Vive Cosmos Elite Virtual Reality...

Last update on 2024-02-24 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.

Unreal Engine is one of the most powerful development tools you’ll ever encounter. You may have come across it before, you just didn’t know it.

Developers have used it to build games like Mortal Kombat 11 and Robo Recall, but it can do so much more.

Besides creating incredible PC, console and mobile games, Unreal Engine can also create stunning cinematic experiences, design visualizations, virtual and augmented reality simulations.

Additional Reading: 3 Popular VR Headsets for NVIDIA

In this article, we look at the features and capabilities of Unreal Engine and how you can use VR to work with this real-time technology to develop incredible programs and simulations.

Does Unreal Engine support VR?

Unreal Engine fully supports VR. Games and simulations built in the Unreal Engine environment have stellar performances on VR platforms because of the Forward Shedding Rendering feature.

What to Look For when Buying VR Headset for Unreal Engine

Before buying a VR headset for use with Unreal Engine, you must consider some essential things.

First, Unreal Engine is quite a potent development tool. It requires robust hardware to run.

Second, not all VR headsets will work with Unreal Engine. With that in mind, let’s look at the minimum requirements of the VR headset:

VR Headset Requirements

For a fully immersive experience, you’ll have to use either a tethered or standalone VR headset.

With a few notable exceptions, mobile VR headsets fall short of the required specifications. Therefore, they’ll not do you much good here.

Here are some features to consider when looking for a VR headset:

Screen Resolution

High-Resolution VR headsets will give you the best experience, offering crystal clear pictures when playing games or running simulations.

Unreal Engine has the capability of rendering images in quality as high as 4K, therefore, you must have a VR headset to match. Ideally, go for a headset that offers at least 2160 X 1200 pixels in video quality.

Refresh Rate

High Refresh rates are essential for smooth video rendering. To ensure that you have seamless 360-degree video streaming and stutter-free gameplay, target VR headsets with at least a 60 Hz refresh rate.

Most tethered and standalone headsets will easily meet this requirement.

Connectivity

Connecting your VR headset to your computer should be easy. Many standalone headsets like The Oculus Rift and Rift S can easily connect to your computer using wireless connections.

Tethered VR headsets like the HTC VIVE Pro have USB, HDMI, and DisplayPort output cables that connect to your computer.

Controllers

Controllers help you navigate your Virtual Reality space with maximum control. Not only do they help with movement, they also help with rotation.

You can also manipulate objects within the simulation using your controllers. You’ll require these devices for an engaging experience within the Unreal Engine VR environment.

PC Requirements

Here are the minimum requirements for your PC to run Unreal Engine:

  • Windows 10 64-bit Operating System
  • 8GB+ RAM
  • Quad-Core Intel Processor or Higher; AMD
  • Graphics card compatible with DirectX 11 or DirectX12

While these requirements seem rather tame, make sure that your PC or laptop meets the recommended specs for your VR headset of choice. 

Best VR Headsets for Unreal Engine

Oculus Rift + Touch

Product currently unavailable.

The Oculus Rift came into existence in 2016 after a successful Kickstarter campaign. Since then, it’s gone from being obscure to being one of the frontline VR headsets in the market.

Its most notable feature is its ability to track finger and hand gestures.

This VR headset features a 2160 X 1200 (1080 X1200 per eye) pixel resolution, delivering stunning full HD images and videos to each eye of the viewer. 

That’s exactly what HTC VIVE offers. It comes with a 90 Hz refresh rate, which makes all videos and games render seamlessly in the VR environment.

It also comes with a pair of controllers that help the user navigate the VR simulations with little effort.

 Pros:

Cons:

  • Cable connection to computer limits movement
  • Uses DisplayPort only, no HDMI
  • LCD screen instead of AMOLED

HP Reverb G2 Headset

Last update on 2024-02-24 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.

Microsoft and Valve collaborated to build the HP Reverb G2 headsets, one of the premier headsets in the market to date.

The G2 is an excellent VR headset for gaming, making it an automatic contender for the best VR headset for Unreal Engine.

The Reverb offers an unrivaled high-resolution LCD display, giving 2160 X 2160 pixels per eye. You can render high-quality videos, games, and imagery and enjoy a crystal-clear simulation.

It also features two motion controllers and an outstanding tracking camera. With these features, you can manipulate your VR environment with ease.

A 90 Hz refresh rate ensures this headset streams video and games in a seamless fashion.

You can connect the G2 to your computer using a DisplayPort cable.

Pros:

  • High screen resolution
  • High refresh rate
  • Comfortable to wear
  • Easy to set up

Cons:

  • Controllers need upgrading
  • Relatively more expensive than other headsets

HTC VIVE Cosmos

Last update on 2024-02-24 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.

HTC and Valve developed the Cosmos and introduced it to the market in 2019. This VR headset comes with 2 handheld controllers that help the user to navigate the 3D space.

It weighs just about 470 grams, the lightest in the HTC VIVE headset series.

The Cosmos delivers an outstanding 1700 X 1440 pixels per eye, offering high-quality video and image display.

A 90 Hz refresh rate, only matched by the Reverb G2, ensures seamless streaming of video and games.

It comes with a pair of functional controllers that help you navigate and manipulate your virtual reality environment.

The Cosmos connects to your computer using a link box, a USB 3.0 cable and through the DisplayPort.

Pros:

  • High-quality display
  • Requires no external sensors
  • Improved controllers

Cons:

  • Expensive VR headset
  • Requires a full-size DisplayPort 1.2 cable

Conclusion and Best Pick

Unreal Engine is one premier development tool that developers have used to build incredible games and VR simulations.

Therefore, VR headsets will work with it. Select the appropriate VR headset for Unreal Engine. Most smartphone VR headsets, except for Samsung Gear, don’t support this tool.

My best pick is the HP Reverb G2 headset. It balances the Oculus Rift and the HTC VIVE Cosmos.

It also offers the richest HD display, giving the highest resolution. It’s quite easy to set up and use. Besides that, it offers an incredible refresh rate that ensures seamless rendering of games and videos.