Technologies
Best VR Headsets of 2025: My Favorite Hardware Right Now
The future may belong to glasses, but there are still great VR headsets, too. Here are my go-to options.
Our Experts
- Nearly 20 years writing about tech, and over a decade reviewing wearable tech, VR, and AR products and apps
Editors’ Note, Nov. 24: This list reflects my current choices for Best VR headsets for the holidays. Be sure to check out CNET’s top Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals too: Meta’s headsets are already getting discounts.
VR HEADSET DEALS OF THE WEEK
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$250 (save $50)
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$499 (save $1)
I’ve looked at VR and AR headsets for well over a decade, from Google Glass and the first demos of the Oculus Rift to peeks at the future of AR glasses and Android XR. Right now, VR has settled down to just a few players, but the landscape is changing fast. Apple’s newest mixed reality Vision Pro headset has a far faster M5 chip and works with Apple’s iPadOS apps and MacBooks, while the Samsung Galaxy XR is the first device running Google’s new AndroidXR operating system, which works with Google apps and the Google Play ecosystem. And Valve is back in the VR game with the Steam Frame, a new standalone headset I demoed that’s coming in 2026. It’ll play Steam 2D and VR games, and also stream from PCs.
But right now, VR is best enjoyed as something affordable, since the landscape is shifting so fast (and smart glasses are evolving functions that creep closer to what VR and mixed reality headsets can offer).
What’s the best VR headset overall?
The Meta Quest 3 offers mixed reality and improved display resolution and optics, and is $500 — $3,000 less than the Apple Vision Pro. However, the newer Meta Quest 3S, a lower-cost version of the Quest 3 for $300, is an even better buy for entry-level VR adopters. Even better, it’s often on sale for even less. I prefer the Quest 3, but there are plenty of people who will find the 3S to be a great choice for its price. I love these headsets because they’re by far the most affordable devices out there. While Meta could have a new headset next year, if you buy a Quest 3 or 3S now it’s still a heck of a lot of fun for its price as long as you can deal with living in Meta’s world.
The Quest 3 and 3S both have Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processors that produce better graphics and allow for higher-res color pass-through camera feeds than the older Quest 2, and both have redesigned controllers. Both can create mixed reality effects by blending what the cameras see with VR graphics that are overlaid in the headset to look like AR. The Quest 3 has better lenses and a higher display resolution, but I prefer the feel of the Quest 3S eyepiece on my face, and the 3S also seems to have slightly better hand tracking in low light.
The Quest platform has plenty of side benefits: It has hundreds of games and creative or productivity apps, and several great fitness programs for effective cardio workouts. It can connect to PCs and even double as a work device if you have some patience. It also has hand tracking that works without controllers, but controllers are included to give you two input options. The Quests can even play “spatial” 3D videos shot on newer iPhones. But as Meta clearly emphasizes smart glasses going forward, and Apple and Google embrace new ecosystems of their own, it’s a little unclear where Meta’s VR future truly lies. Treat it as a still-great game console and you should be fine.
Read more: The Best VR Games to Play in 2025
Best VR headsets of 2025
Best overall VR headset
Meta Quest 3
Pros
- Crisp high-res displays
- Improved new processor
- Mixed reality with better color cameras
- Smaller controllers with better haptics
Cons
- More expensive than Quest 2
- Few unique apps and games at launch
- Straps and comfort still aren’t great
- Still only 2-3 hours battery life
Meta’s upgraded VR sequel to the Quest 2 feels like a notable revamp, with improvements across the board: a slightly smaller design, better, clearer lenses, a higher-res display, smaller controllers with better haptics and higher-res color cameras that can mix the real world and the virtual together. This «mixed reality» is similar in spirit to what Apple’s Vision Pro and Samsung Galaxy XR does but in a lower-res form for a lot less money.
Although the Quest 3 has great upgrades, it doesn’t really change the equation much on the general way the headset and software function. That being said, the Quest 3’s display quality and graphics performance are stunning for its price. Quest apps and the OS are largely the same, and mixed reality is mostly a gimmick for the moment that’s only featured in a handful of new games and apps, although seeing your surroundings with the headset on (and even checking messages on your phone) is a lot easier now. The headset’s comfort level isn’t any better, and hand tracking still is fine but not perfect, although it’s getting better.
The Quest 3 may get supplanted by newer hardware next year, but it’s still a really good device right now. And its excellent display quality and improved wireless connectivity also make it a good choice for PC VR gamers: it works as a connected PC headset just like other Quest models do. And the Quest’s multi-use appeal — as a game console, a creative or work device, and even a fitness tool — give it tremendous versatility. It remains one of the most exciting gadgets you can buy for $500.
Best affordable VR headset
Meta Quest 3S
Pros
- Updated graphics and faster processor
- Improved color passthrough cameras
- Better hand tracking
Cons
- No improvement to lenses or resolution vs Quest 2
- Only 2-3 hours battery life
The Meta Quest 3S (Meta’s replacement to my longstanding Editor’s Choice headset, the Quest 2) is super-affordable at $300 and comes with updated graphics and color passthrough cameras that give the 3S the same gaming and mixed reality powers as the Quest 3. It’s a fantastic budget buy, but Meta cut corners on the display and lens quality with the 3S, choosing to use the same fresnel lenses and LCD display as the Quest 2. It’s perfectly fine for general VR and gaming, but the more expensive Quest 3’s notably clearer lenses and crisper resolution are my favorite for all-day use and for reading text.
Still,It’s by far the most impressive mixed reality device at this price available anywhere.
There is another unique advantage to the Quest 3S: its hand tracking is better in lower light than the Quest 3. That might be something that makes some apps work better, especially for viewing movies and shows casually when traveling.
Pros
- Vivid, high-res OLED display
- Comfortable fit
- Excellent controllers
- Realistic vibrations
- Powerful graphics potential
Cons
- Needs to be cabled to PS5
- Included earbuds are just OK
- Doesn’t work with old PSVR games
- Game library needs more exclusives
The PSVR 2 is less expensive now at $300 on holiday sales, but it still needs a PlayStation 5 to even work. It’s tethered, not wireless. And Sony hasn’t supported the PSVR 2 with enough unique games to justify its existence. The PSVR 2 is still a fun luxury if you’re a PS5 gamer who also owns a PC. Its HDR OLED display, graphics quality, built-in eye tracking and fantastic advanced controllers — which have the same vibrations and adaptive force-feedback triggers as the PS5 DualSense controllers — give this headset a premium feel that makes its best games perform at a different level. It has some exclusives like Gran Turismo 7, Resident Evil Village and Horizon: Call of the Mountain, but not enough.
The PSVR 2 lacks any social metaverse-type software so far and feels more like a headset designed to just launch and play VR games. Many of the games for this headset are ports of titles you could get on devices like the Quest instead. Sony hasn’t supported the PSVR 2 much, and a PC gaming adapter that gives the headset Steam compatibility is useful, but also clunky to connect with a necessary breakout box. It’s still fun as long as you keep expectations within reach and accept the games that already exist.
Pros
- Extremely fast M5 processor
- Better head strap for comfier fit
- Best-in-class audio-video quality
- Up to an hour more battery life than before
Cons
- Absurdly expensive
- Still not enough compelling apps
- Heavy, especially during long sessions
- Doesn’t work seamlessly with all Apple devices
The Apple Vision Pro is an amazing piece of tech and a bleeding-edge high-end mixed reality headset that also runs iOS and thousands of iPad apps, works without controllers using eye and hand tracking and can run multiple apps at the same time, along with being a virtual MacBook monitor. However, it’s way too expensive for anyone but XR professionals and early adopters, even with its newest M5 processor bump.
That being said, what the Vision Pro does is often remarkable. The newest model’s M5 processor makes the headset far faster at booting up and launching/switching apps. Its 4K micro-OLED displays are stunning, and videos and photos look fantastic. Apple’s device requires a tethered battery pack, is only made to work within Apple’s ecosystem and still doesn’t have enough unique apps to justify its price, though.
Compared to Samsung and Google’s new Galaxy XR headset, which costs less but runs Google’s Android XR and Gemini AI, Apple’s hardware for Vision Pro feels more advanced and finessed, and fits more comfortably on my face with a newly designed dual band strap.
Apple now has Google to compete with in the mixed reality computing space, but neither Google or Apple has solved all the challenges yet. Apple has a distinct edge with its collaborative tools and more advanced Persona avatars, and I find working in Vision Pro as a giant monitor extension to be really useful. It’s also unequaled as a personal cinema. Support for PlayStation VR controllers and Logitech’s wireless Muse stylus also give it extra versatility. But the Vision Pro still feels like it hasn’t maximized all the ways it could be a 3D creative tool yet.
Get ready for the most powerful Meta Quest yet. Dive into full immersion with brilliant 4K resolution and rich spatial audio, feeling like you’re inside your favorite games. Stream shows on giant vibrant screens anywhere in your home, or enjoy the ultimate experience with Infinite Display’s widest field of view. With premium comfort and wireless design, you can move freely in workouts or take your headset on the go. And when you buy a Meta Quest 3 now, you’ll get $30 in Quest Cash.
Other VR headsets we’ve tested
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.
How I test VR headsets
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.
Factors to consider when buying a VR headset
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.
VR headset FAQs
Technologies
Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Nov. 27, #430
Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Nov. 27, No. 430.
Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.
Fittingly, today’s Thanksgiving Day Connections: Sports Edition is mostly about football (although the yellow category covers all sports, really). If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.
Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.
Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta
Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: Grab some points.
Green group hint: Pass the turkey.
Blue group hint: Face your big rival.
Purple group hint: Playing with letters in team names.
Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups
Yellow group: Places where one scores.
Green group: Associated with the NFL on Thanksgiving.
Blue group: College football rivalry «cups.»
Purple group: NFL teams, with the first letter changed.
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words
What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is places where one scores. The four answers are end zone, goal, hoop and plate.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is associated with the NFL on Thanksgiving. The four answers are Cowboys, Lions, Madden and Turducken.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is college football rivalry «cups.» The four answers are Apple, Commonwealth, Governor’s and Territorial.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is NFL teams, with the first letter changed. The four answers are fills (Bills), Mets (Jets), pears (Bears) and yams (Rams).
Technologies
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, Nov. 27
Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Nov. 27.
Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.
It’s Thanksgiving, but I wasn’t too thankful for today’s Mini Crossword. It took me nearly four minutes to solve and has some very tricky clues. Read on for the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.
If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.
Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword
Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.
Mini across clues and answers
1A clue: Enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal
Answer: FEASTED
8A clue: Back half of a GOAT?
Answer: ALLTIME
9A clue: Sudden urge
Answer: IMPULSE
10A clue: Santa’s landing place
Answer: ROOF
11A clue: Abstain from eating
Answer: FAST
15A clue: Tough guy
Answer: BRUISER
18A clue: Ready to use without further assembly
Answer: TURNKEY
19A clue: Some pieces of [circled letters] at the Thanksgiving table
Answer: WINGS
Mini down clues and answers
1D clue: Inside the foul line, in baseball
Answer: FAIR
2D clue: Furry monster with a falsetto
Answer: ELMO
3D clue: Pet food brand
Answer: ALPO
4D clue: Thanksgiving side dish that can fill the [circled letters]
Answer: STUFFING
5D clue: Shop ___ you drop
Answer: TIL
6D clue: M M M M
Answer: EMS
7D clue: Billy ___ Williams, actor who played Lando Calrissian in «Star Wars»
Answer: DEE
12D clue: Requests
Answer: ASKS
13D clue: «Get what I’m saying?»
Answer: SEE
14D clue: Give it a go
Answer: TRY
15D clue: «I should mention …,» for short
Answer: BTW
16D clue: N.B.A. power forward ___ Hachimura
Answer: RUI
17D clue: Large coffee dispenser
Answer: URN
Technologies
I Found This Refurbished iPhone 15 for Just $449 at Woot This Black Friday
This used model is pristine and an unbeatable $281 off its list price.
Apple makes some of the best phones on the market right now, but their price tags make a lot of buyers wince. However, now that the new is out, you can save on refurbished previous-gen phones such as the iPhone 15. If you want to save as much as possible, then this Woot deal is one you want want to miss out on. You can make a refurbished 128GB iPhone 15 yours for just $449 when you use the coupon code GRAVY. This deal is available today only, so it’s especially important to act fast.
There are a few things you should know about this Woot offer before you place your order. Woot classifies these phones as «pristine,» which means that they’ve «never been in customer hands» and have been tested and ensured to have 100% battery life. They do come backed by a one-year limited warranty, but are not eligible for AppleCare and will not come in the original box. Also note that there’s only a single configuration available, which comes in black and has 128GB of storage.
As for the specs, you’ll get everything that made the iPhone 15 so popular when it launched in Sept. 2023, including a large 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with the Dynamic Island built in. The fast A16 Bionic chip has a 5-core GPU while the 48-megapixel main camera takes stunning photos. Emergency SOS via Satellite is included, should you find yourself in need of rescue beyond the reach of cellular connectivity as well.
If you’re not sure if this previous-gen model is for you, you can check out our list of all the best iPhone 17 deals for savings on Apple’s latest phones. You can also find plenty of other deals on the iPhone 15 and other previous-gen models in our full roundup of all the best iPhone deals.
MOBILE DEALS OF THE WEEK
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$749 (save $250)
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$475 (save $175)
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$499 (save $300)
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$900 (save $400)
Why this deal matters
Direct discounts on iPhones are exceedingly rare, so shopping refurbished is one of the only ways to score some savings without signing up with a carrier. This iPhone 15 is essentially new, but at just $449 you’re still getting it for around the same price as a used model, making this an incredible bargain.
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