What PC VR headsets best balance fidelity and comfort for seated sims?

[SavannahIR]

I'm finally ready to dive into PC-based VR, primarily for immersive simulators like Microsoft Flight Simulator and Half-Life: Alyx, but I'm overwhelmed by the current headset options and conflicting reviews. My PC has a powerful graphics card, so I want to maximize visual fidelity and comfort for longer sessions, but I'm unsure if the high cost of a premium headset is justified over a more mainstream model. For enthusiasts who have used multiple headsets, what are your current VR headset recommendations for someone focused on detailed, seated experiences, and how significant are the practical differences in factors like field of view, screen-door effect, and lens clarity between the leading models when you're actually in the game? I don't care about standalone features.