Samsung Galaxy XR: Samsung and Google’s new blend of Google Android XR OS and Samsung headset design is like a lower-cost (but still $1800) version of Apple Vision Pro and runs camera-enabled Gemini, but it doesn’t have many dedicated apps yet and its interface doesn’t feel fully baked.

Meta Quest Pro: This older, outdated, eye-tracking-equipped Quest headset can track facial expressions and has a crisp display, but the less expensive Quest 3 already makes it obsolete with its better graphics, cameras and display resolution.

HTC Vive XR Elite: The glasses-like design of the XR Elite is a sign of the future, but the software and performance of this headset don’t justify its price.

PlayStation VR: The original PSVR still works on the PlayStation 4 and 5, but it’s not compatible with PSVR 2 games and hardware. It still has some great games to discover, but its lack of dedicated controllers and awkward setup feels ancient.

Although mainstream VR headsets have been around for nearly a decade, the apps they run and the computers, phones and game consoles they work with keep changing. I run key apps and software on the headsets, using them mainly in standalone mode if they’re designed to be self-contained, or with a PC, game console or phone if they’re primarily meant as connected peripherals.

I use the headsets for a mix of work, gaming, fitness and creative uses, and stay attentive to where the headsets have pain points (moments of discomfort, feelings of disconnect or sensations of nausea or distortion). Using technology like VR can often be a highly subjective experience, but by being attentive to details I find I can discover where each product is uniquely useful.

Comparison is also key: I’ve looked at pretty much every wearable AR and VR device of the last 15 years and also covered a lot of the wearable tech, phone and computer landscape. How these devices work as game consoles, fitness devices, work accessories and social tools are all key areas. I also think about displays, audio, controllers and accommodations for eyeglasses.

VR and AR sometimes feel like product categories that never quite seem to become mainstream, but change is coming fast to the headset landscape.

When it comes to VR productivity, Google and Samsung have made a new leap into Android XR to challenge Apple and the Vision Pro. The Samsung Galaxy XR is the first of a wave of VR and AR devices and glasses in Google’s software ecosystem, and you should expect Android XR to eventually forge a bridge between Android phones and headsets and glasses, although it’s hard to tell how fast that shift will happen. The Galaxy XR could be the first of many new Android-ready VR headsets, though, and some could end up being big competitors to Meta Quest.

Apple’s Vision Pro, now in its second iteration, hasn’t changed its price or its general proposition. But the M5-equipped model is definitely better. Still: will we see Apple make lower-cost devices or glasses soon? It’s unclear.

If you’re interested in VR for gaming, the Quest headsets are still the way to go. But change is coming. Valve’s Steam Frame standalone headset, coming in 2026, could be the biggest news in a while. The Snapdragon-powered VR portable can also play Steam Deck games via Steam OS, and has controllers that sport full d-pad and button layouts. Valve’s headset doesn’t have a price yet, but it could be well worth waiting for. It also might signal other standalone VR headsets gaining Steam OS support, too.

Meanwhile, Sony’s $550 PlayStation VR 2 doesn’t feel like the product I expected it would be when Sony introduced it nearly three years ago, but there are a number of great games you can play on it. Its older displays and tethered connection make it feel dated, though.

For PC owners, there are several options. You could use a Quest 3, Quest 3S, PSVR 2, or consider several existing devices. Or, you could wait for the Steam Frame, which also streams games via PCs with a new dedicated wireless connection. Steam is clearly the best conduit for PC VR right now, and the Steam Frame could be the best bet to hang on for.

One thing you should keep in mind: the cost of a new VR headset is going up these days. If price is your biggest concern, the Quest 3S currently offers the best value in VR, a completely wireless experience, with access to a great library of fantastic games.