A VR headset is a big spend, and the choice mostly comes down to where you want to play: on its own, on a PlayStation 5 or on a PC. This page compares five headsets on Amazon Australia by what each listing says and by their rating counts.
The list is the Meta Quest 3S in two storage sizes, the Quest 3, the PlayStation VR2 and the PICO 4 Ultra. Each section gives the listing facts, the rating and who it suits.
Best VR headset overall: Meta Quest 3S 256GB
Best VR headset overall: the Meta Quest 3S 256GB, because it is an all in one headset with mixed reality, twice the graphics performance of the Quest 2 and more ratings than any other headset here.
The listing describes an all in one headset that blends digital objects into the room around you or goes fully into VR, controlled with Touch Plus controllers or by swiping with your hands. It describes a personal cinema with a giant screen, multiple screens for browsing the web and watching YouTube, and cast play to the TV for friends. Headphones connect by USB C, or by 3.5 mm with a USB C adapter sold separately. The listing says the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform gives twice the graphics performance of the Quest 2, and a three month Meta Horizon+ trial is included. This version is billed as double the storage. It holds 4.6 stars from 1,785 ratings, the most of any headset here.
It suits first time buyers who want games, workouts, films and time with friends from one headset. The honest catch: the 4.6 stars and 1,785 ratings look shared across Quest 3S storage sizes, so they describe the model more than this exact listing, and you pay for the extra storage, so choose the 128GB if you will not fill it.
Best step up: Meta Quest 3 512GB
Best step up: the Meta Quest 3 512GB, because the listing gives it nearly 30% sharper resolution, 2X graphical processing power and 512GB of storage.
The Quest 3 is the wireless headset for people who want the sharper picture its listing describes. The listing describes a 4K+ Infinite Display, the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, 8GB of RAM and two or more hours of battery life. Dual RGB colour cameras provide full colour passthrough, and a three month trial gives access to 100 plus games. A lithium ion battery is included. It holds 4.6 stars from 738 ratings.
It suits people who play often and want room for a big game library. The honest catch: it costs well above the Quest 3S 128GB, and the listing describes untethered play without mentioning a PC link, so check before planning around PC games.
Best value: Meta Quest 3S 128GB
Best value: the Meta Quest 3S 128GB, because it is the lowest priced way into a wireless headset here and shares the 4.6 star rating of the other Quest 3S listings.
The listing describes virtual reality without wires, 2X graphical processing power on the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor and 33% more memory, with 8GB of RAM. It lists two or more hours of battery life, dual RGB colour cameras for full colour passthrough, and a three month trial with access to 100 plus games. It holds 4.6 stars from 395 ratings.
It suits a first headset or a household that wants to try VR without the biggest spend. The honest catch: it has the smallest storage of the Quest picks, and the 395 ratings look shared with the 256GB listing, so treat the score as a guide to the Quest 3S range.
Best for PS5 owners: PlayStation VR2
Best for PS5 owners: the PlayStation VR2, because it is the headset made for the PlayStation 5 and the only console headset on this page.
The listing describes Sense technology that combines eye tracking, headset feedback and 3D Audio, with a PlayStation VR2 Sense controller. It describes 4K HDR visuals in compatible games and a 110 degree field of view, all made possible by the power of PS5. The listing gives its size as about 27.8 by 21.2 by 15.8 cm and its weight as 560 g. It holds 4.2 stars from 78 ratings.
It suits someone who already owns a PS5 and wants VR games on it. The honest catch: it is tied to a PS5, the listing says it is not recommended for 12 and under, and 78 ratings is a thin sample to judge it on.
Best non Meta standalone: the PICO 4 Ultra, because it is a standalone headset from a different maker with 12GB of RAM and access to SteamVR titles.
The listing describes mixed reality games on the Qualcomm XR2 Gen 2 chipset, hundreds of standalone VR apps and games, and thousands of titles from SteamVR and other top stores. It describes 6DoF tracking, 12GB of RAM, spatial video with two 32 megapixel cameras and a UHD 4K+ display. A counterweight on the back and a carrying strap are part of the comfort design. It holds 4.1 stars from 99 ratings.
It suits buyers who want a Quest alternative with SteamVR access. The honest catch: it is the lowest rated headset here, the listing describes the PICO Motion Trackers for full body tracking as additional, and it costs more than the Quest 3S 128GB.
How to choose a VR headset
Decide where you will play first
Three paths are on this page. The Quest 3S and Quest 3 listings describe wireless headsets that work on their own. The PlayStation VR2 is made for a PS5. The PICO 4 Ultra is a standalone headset whose listing also names SteamVR titles. If you only want to play flat screen games with a pad, our gaming controller guide is the better place to start.
Mixed reality or full VR
Mixed reality lets you see the room through the headset cameras and place digital objects in it. The Quest 3S and Quest 3 listings both describe dual RGB colour or full colour passthrough, and the PICO 4 Ultra listing describes mixed reality games. Full VR shuts the room out, which is what you want for deep games.
Room for games and memory
Games take room, so storage matters most in the Quest range: the 128GB Quest 3S is the entry point, the 256GB version is billed as double the storage, and the Quest 3 comes with 512GB. The Quest 3 and Quest 3S listings give 8GB of RAM, and the PICO 4 Ultra listing gives 12GB.
Comfort, battery and sound
The Quest 3 and Quest 3S listings give two or more hours of battery life. The PICO 4 Ultra listing describes a rear counterweight and a carrying strap for long sessions. For sound, the Quest 3S 256GB listing says USB C headphones plug in, and 3.5 mm headphones need a USB C adapter sold separately. Our gaming headset guide covers headsets for screen play.
Games and the trial
The Quest 3, Quest 3S 128GB and Quest 3S 256GB listings all include a three month Meta Horizon+ trial, and the 256GB listing says eligibility and auto renewal terms apply. The Quest listings describe 100 plus games in the trial catalogue, while the PICO 4 Ultra listing describes SteamVR and other stores.
Age limits and family use
The Quest 3S 256GB listing says accounts are for 10 plus, and describes parental controls, multiple users and daily usage checks. The PlayStation VR2 listing says it is not recommended for 12 and under. Check the age guidance before buying for children. For a room full of friends, the Quest 3S listing describes casting play to the TV, so a bigger screen from our TV guide helps.
What the ratings tell you
The Quest 3S, Quest 3 and PICO 4 Ultra numbers differ in size: 1,785, 738, 395, 99 and 78 ratings. Quest 3S ratings look shared across storage sizes, and the PlayStation VR2 and PICO 4 Ultra counts are thin, so a small gap in stars between them and the Quest range should not decide the purchase alone.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best VR headset in Australia?
For most people it is the Meta Quest 3S 256GB: an all in one headset with mixed reality, twice the graphics performance of the Quest 2 and 4.6 stars from 1,785 ratings. The Quest 3S 128GB is the lower entry point, and the Quest 3 512GB is the step up for sharper resolution.
What is the best VR headset for PC and Steam?
The PICO 4 Ultra is the pick here that names SteamVR: its listing describes thousands of titles from SteamVR and other top stores, on top of hundreds of standalone games. The Quest listings describe wireless standalone play and do not describe a PC link, so check that before buying for PC games.
What is the best VR headset for PS5 or Xbox?
For a PS5 it is the PlayStation VR2: the listing says its 4K HDR visuals and 110 degree field of view are made possible by the power of PS5. None of the five headsets here is described for Xbox, so an Xbox owner is better looking at the standalone Quest 3S 128GB.
What is the best VR headset for movies, and can I watch Netflix?
The Meta Quest 3S 256GB listing describes turning any room into a personal cinema with a giant screen, plus multiple screens for watching YouTube. It does not name Netflix, so check the app you want is offered before buying. The Quest 3 512GB listing adds a 4K+ Infinite Display.
What is the best budget VR headset in Australia?
The Meta Quest 3S 128GB is the lowest priced headset on this page and still describes wireless play, twice the graphics processing power, dual RGB colour cameras and a three month trial with 100 plus games. It holds 4.6 stars from 395 ratings, though that count looks shared with the 256GB listing.
Is a Meta Quest (Oculus) OK for a 7 year old?
The Quest 3S listing says accounts are for 10 plus and describes parental controls and daily usage checks, so a 7 year old is under the age it gives. The PlayStation VR2 listing says it is not recommended for 12 and under. Read the listing's child guidance before buying for a young child.
What is the difference between VR and AR?
VR replaces the room with a virtual world, while AR adds digital objects to the room you are in. Mixed reality sits between the two. The Meta Quest 3S listing describes blending digital objects into the room or dialling up VR, and the Quest 3 512GB listing describes dual RGB colour cameras for passthrough.
Should I buy the Meta Quest 3S or the Quest 3?
Choose the Quest 3S 128GB or 256GB for the lower entry point and the same 4.6 star rating. Choose the Quest 3 512GB if you want what its listing calls nearly 30% sharper resolution, a 4K+ Infinite Display and 512GB of storage. Both listings describe 2X graphical processing power.
Is the PICO 4 Ultra better than the Meta Quest 3S?
It depends what you want. The PICO 4 Ultra listing describes 12GB of RAM, SteamVR titles and full body tracking with additional PICO Motion Trackers, but it holds 4.1 stars from 99 ratings. The Quest 3S holds 4.6 stars from far more ratings, so it is the safer first headset.
