Choosing between PC-tethered and standalone VR headsets: display and tracking

[AvaVH]

I'm finally ready to invest in a VR headset, primarily for immersive simulation games and some creative applications, but I'm torn between the major options available now. My PC is powerful enough to handle high-end headsets, but I'm also drawn to the convenience and ecosystem of a standalone device. For users who have tried multiple systems, what are the current best VR headsets in terms of display clarity, comfort for long sessions, and controller tracking accuracy? How significant is the visual difference between OLED and LCD panels in practice, and is the higher resolution of the PC-tethered models noticeably better than the compressed wireless streaming of a standalone headset when using PCVR?

[Ronald82]

Short version: for a balanced mix of standalone ease and good PCVR integration, the Meta Quest 3 is hard to beat right now. If you care mostly about the best possible PCVR experience, the Valve Index still leads in tracking accuracy and build quality, but it’s pricey and a bit finicky to set up. For screen clarity, the HP Reverb G2 is hard to top on a budget, but it isn’t as comfortable or future-proof. And if you already have a PS5/PSVR library, PS VR2 also rocks with OLED-ish contrast and solid tracking.