Meta Quest 3 vs. PlayStation VR2 vs. PICO 4 vs. Meta Quest 2: what's the difference?

When it comes to VR headsets, gamers are absolutely spoilt for choice just now. And with the upcoming launch of the Meta Quest 3, the tech is about to level up again. But how does it stack up against other VR headsets like the PlayStation VR2, PICO 4, and Meta Quest 2? We’ll run you through what’s great about each one - making it even easier for you to pick…

What to look for in a VR headset

First things first though. What actually makes a VR headset good? Here’s some of the key things to think about…

• Controllers – They’re 50% of any great headset. Make sure they feel comfortable in your hands and look out for haptic feedback. This clever tech makes everything you interact with feel way more realistic.

• Immersion – With a larger field of view, high refresh rate and 4K resolution, you’ll be even more immersed in the game. They’ll all run and perform a lot better too, so you’ll feel like you’re actually there.

• Comfort – If the headset isn’t comfy, you won’t want to wear it for long. Adjustable head straps, extra padding and lightweight designs mean epic gaming sessions won’t tire out your head and neck too.

• Storage space – Bigger storage means more space for all your games. So, you won’t have to delete all of your favourites to make room for new titles.

The specs

Here’s what these four VR headsets look like side by side…

Meta Quest 3

Performance

The Quest’s 4K+ Infinite display fills your 110° field of view with ultra-realistic visuals, making gaming smooth and completely lag free. The Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor is twice as powerful as the Quest 2, and a beefy upgrade on the first gen version in the PICO 4. That’s a huge plus. There’s a reason why Meta are calling it their most powerful headset ever…

The 90 Hz refresh rate stops immersion-breaking blurring. It also helps you stay on top of enemy movements and pull off those all-important head shots. After all, every second counts during fast-paced battles. If you really want to take things up a notch, there’s even a 120 Hz experimental mode. That’ll definitely give you even more of an edge in combat.

Unlike the others, Meta Quest 3 combines virtual reality with mixed reality. A pair of RGB cameras lets you see your lounge while you play. This means you can play a digital board game on the coffee table right in front of you or slay a demonic horde that’s crawling out of a hole in the ceiling with axes, swords, and other deadly weapons.

Design

Meta have made VR gaming even more accessible with the Meta Quest 3. It’s a fully standalone gadget. So, there’s no need for a gaming PC or console. Just strap on the headset, grab the controllers and start playing right out of the box - completely wire free! They’ve also made it 40% slimmer than the Quest 2 and, weighing in at just 515g, it’s one of the lightest of our four headsets. You’ll certainly feel the difference during those marathon gaming sessions. And there’s an adjustable head strap to help you find the perfect fit.

Controllers

The Quest Touch Plus controllers have been completely overhauled too. TruTouch haptic feedback lets you touch and interact with every single object like it’s really there in your hands. So, you’ll feel the tension as you draw back a bowstring. Or the trigger under your finger as you blast away with a machine gun. It’s all designed to make your actions feel more in touch with what’s going on in the game. That makes for some satisfying gaming!

Or you can just ditch the controllers completely. Yes, really. Direct Touch hand tracking lets you use gestures to scroll, tap and move about. It’s a great feature for new players as it’s super intuitive.

Games

The Quest 3 will launch with 41 games and apps right from the start. Don’t worry about leaving behind all your apps and games from Meta Quest 2 either. The Quest 3 is completely backwards compatible. So, all your favourites will work straight away with the new headset. With an absolutely massive 500+ titles and experiences in the old Quest 2 library, you’ll always have something fresh to play.

One to play…

Asgard’s Wrath 2 sees you tracking down Loki, the Norse god of trickery and mischief, through ancient Egypt. Highlights include sword and sorcery combat that makes Lord of the Rings look tame. Battling back Loki’s minions could take up to 60 hours too, so there’s tons of great gameplay here. Thor-some!

Things are about to get even better too. You’ll get Asgard’s Wrath 2 completely free when you buy a Meta Quest 3 headset. Woah.*

*Asgard’s Wrath 2 is intended for mature audiences. Offer ends 27/1/24 terms apply. Eligibility and auto-renewal terms apply for trial subscriptions. See full terms. Click here for full T’s and C’s.

PS VR2

Performance

The PS VR2 takes full advantage of the power and graphics of the PS5. Two 4K OLED displays create vibrant, sharp images, which can run at up to 120 Hz for lifelike, smooth motion. Games sound as good as they look with Tempest 3D audio, making your experience all the more immersive. So, you’ll hear fighter planes diving overhead. Or the creak of a floorboard behind you as an ancient horror stalks you in a haunted house.

Design

If you like the look of the PlayStation VR2 though, you’ll also need to pick up a PlayStation 5. Otherwise, you won’t be able to run any games. It’s all just as easy to set up as the others - even with a console thrown into the mix. Just plug the single USB Type-C cable into the PS5 and you’re good to go. Cable power does mean that you’re not completely wireless, but you’ll get longer gaming sessions.

Not everybody has a huge front room, so the PS VR2 gives you three different ways to play. Once the headset has scanned your room and set your play area, you can tackle your objectives standing up or sitting down. If you don’t have a ton of space (or just aren’t feeling that energetic), you can kick back on the sofa and chill out.

Controllers

The PS VR2 comes with Sense controllers - which give you a responsive feel and performance. 14 IR LEDs send information back to the headset so it can track the movement and position of the Sense controllers. Like PlayStation’s console controllers, they can also be recharged in their own dock - which keeps things neat and tidy too.

Games

The PlayStation VR2 has a bunch of exclusive games that you can’t play on any other headset. And you can look forward to 100+ titles - from game updates to brand new experiences. They cover everything from first-person shooters to sci-fi adventures in deep space.

One to play…

Horizon Call of the Mountain is the next chapter in the Horizon series and has been designed from the ground up for VR. You’ll be making deadly climbs up gigantic mountains, navigating sheer drops and crumbling cliff faces. So, we hope you’re good with heights. If you aren’t, maybe just don’t look down…

PICO 4

Performance

PICO 4 packs a set of pancake optical lenses – with 4K+ resolution and a 90 Hz refresh rate (just like Meta Quest 3). And that techy double act makes everything you play feel more immersive. Especially when you see that there’s an 105° ultra-wide field of view. So, all those colourful alien worlds can be seen properly in all their graphical glory. Right in front of your eyes.

Plus, because of the 5300 mAh high-capacity battery, you’ll get plenty of gaming out of one charge. You can play for up to three hours without having to plug it back in. Which is more than enough time to get through a bunch of levels. So, you won’t have to hit pause on your campaign.

Design

PICO 4 is a hybrid piece of tech. It can be used standalone or can be hooked up to your PC. You can even cast the screen to a TV, tablet or phone if you want – letting you play everything your way. It’s extra comfy too. Because the battery is in the back of the headset, the front has been kept thin, which helps it feel lightweight and balanced while you’re immersed in the game. And when you can’t find the controllers, don’t panic. Just click the headset into see through mode. You’ll be able to spot them, and you won’t have to take the headset off to do it.

Controllers

The spatial positioning sensors in the headset even track the movement of your controllers with sub-millimetre accuracy. While you explore planets and castles, all your actions will be really precise. There are no more annoying moments where you can’t pick up that key you need for a quest. And you won’t be struggling to hit your targets either!

Games

With PICO 4, there are currently 150+ titles to download and try out from the Pico Store. And these span everything from sport and fitness games, to cinematic first person shooters and creepy horrors.

One to play…

Red Matter is a story-driven puzzle adventure game set during a dystopian cold war. You’ll jump into the boots of Agent Epsilon, an astronaut sent to investigate a shady research facility on one of Saturn’s moons. With high tech tools, you’ll uncover clues and decipher hidden messages. And the secrets you find will change everything…

Tech tip: With more space, you’ll be able to store even more games at once. At the moment, the average VR game takes up about 12 GB. And as graphics keep getting better, they’ll keep getting bigger. So, once you start downloading more and more titles, this can fill up your headset pretty fast. Go for something larger if you want to future proof your headset.

Meta Quest 2

Performance

While it’s not as powerful as Meta’s latest, its slightly older first-gen Snapdragon XR2 chip still packs a graphical punch. Clashing with Vader in a lightsaber duel looks just as realistic as a casual round of golf. And even when the action hits top speed, the gameplay stays seamless and smooth thanks to a hi-res display. Keeping you fully immersed in the game, no matter what you’re playing.

Design

Just like the new Quest 3, the headset is an entirely standalone bit of kit. There are no annoying cables flapping around here either. So, you won’t trip yourself up at the final moment during a tense boss battle. Plus, because it’s been out for a few years now, the Quest 2 is cheaper. Fire it up, and you’ll be able to dive straight into VR gaming for a great price.

The smart Guardian boundary keeps you safe as well. You can draw out your play area, and it’ll warn you when you get too close to the edge. Meaning you won’t accidentally whack a wall while you land a punch in the boxing ring. We can’t guarantee your character will be completely safe in-game though!

Controllers

The Quest 2 touch controllers are a big step up from the original Quest. They accurately translate all your movements straight back into the game. Making those fiddly moments – like picking the lock on a treasure chest – even easier and way more precise. They’re slightly bigger than the Quest 3 controllers though, as the circular rings add a bit of bulk to them.

Games

The Meta Quest 2 has one of the biggest VR game libraries going. And we really aren’t exaggerating. There are over 500 epic titles to play here. From the zombie slaying action of The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners. To the only slightly less stressful The Climb 2 - where you’ll scale skyscrapers and cranes to advance. It’s a pretty steep challenge…

One to play…

Beat Saber is kind of like a mash up between Guitar Hero and being a samurai. Sounds cool, right? Armed with two swords, you’ll have to slash incoming blocks – doing it all in time with the beat. So, stay sharp. Keeping up with the pounding EDM soundtrack is a proper workout though. You’ll definitely get a sweat on!

Still need a bit of help picking your VR headset? Then check out our virtual reality buying guide. And what’s the difference between AR and VR? We’ve got all the answers right here.