One of the best VR equipment for 2026

For my cash, video games like Topgolf’s Golf+ and Walkabout Mini Golf are the killer apps for VR headsets — and I’ve by no means golfed a spherical in my life. There’s simply one thing about the actions concerned with golf that translate completely to digital actuality. It already feels actual, however you’ll be able to at all times kick it up a notch by snagging a membership attachment. Golf golf equipment are lengthy and heavy, whereas VR controllers are squat and lightweight. Weighted membership attachments clear up this concern, and DeadEyeVR’s DriVR Elite is the one to beat, particularly if you need a extra bodily operate that higher mirrors real-world movement. The fake driver integrates with Meta Quest headsets and the iron core gives that much-needed heft. It’s not so long as the real-world counterpart, however that’s really an excellent factor on your home windows and furnishings. When you desire minigolf, take a look at the firm’s line of putters.

First particular person shooters are one other good style for VR, however commonplace controllers simply don’t lower it. For further realism, combine your controllers with a gun inventory attachment of some type. Equipment like this additionally pair effectively with controller grips, which assist hold every little thing safe throughout quick, bodily actions. We suggest this one from respected accent maker AMVR. It really ships with two gun stock attachments so you’ll be able to stay the dream of twin wielding like the final badass from a John Woo film. Additionally they look fairly cool, with an aesthetic that’s paying homage to the old NES light gun accessory. The one caveat? They are designed to work with newer Quest controllers, so the solely viable headsets are the Quest 3 and 3s. In case you have one among these headsets, nevertheless, you’ll completely begin shredding in video games like Arizona Sunshine, Inhabitants: One and, after all, the rhythm shooter Pistol Whip.

There are a shocking variety of nice VR video games by which a bow is the main weapon. In Loss of life: Unchained, Dungeons of Eternity and Survival Nation all characteristic sturdy archery mechanics, as a begin. The gameplay sometimes has you pull one controller again whereas holding the different in place, to mimic the motions of taking pictures an arrow. This is high quality, however cuts into the realism a bit. DeadEyeVR’s Shadow Shot accessory doesn’t simply really feel like utilizing a bow, it is an precise bow. The controllers connect on every finish and also you pull again and hearth. For real-life archers, the studying curve must be shut to zero. For newbies, this could possibly be an attention-grabbing manner to be taught the fundamentals of the sport.

Let’s get one thing out of the manner first: any pair of wired headphones will work with any VR headset. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 4 headphones aren’t particularly designed for VR headsets, however they’ve loads of options for lovers. They’ve 360-degree spatial audio, an actual game-changer for VR experiences, an AI-assisted microphone that reduces ambient noise and a totally customizable EQ, which turns out to be useful when streaming video or listening to music on a VR headset.

These are additionally wireless headphones with Bluetooth that join to nearly every little thing. However you should still need to plug in instantly when shuffling round a VR house to cut back lag. When going wi-fi, nevertheless, you’ll get 36 hours of use per cost and a quick-charge characteristic that juices up the headphones in simply quarter-hour.

Let’s be trustworthy: the head straps that ship with most VR headsets, together with the Quest line, aren’t that nice. That’s why individuals have a tendency to swap them out for extra comfy third-party merchandise. One other drawback with standalone VR headsets? The battery life is sometimes shorter than an influence nap. That’s why many customers change the default strap with an elite strap that provides each consolation and additional energy. The KIWI Design K4 presents round three hours of extra juice, with a snug and balanced design. The included battery really helps even out the weight steadiness, so utilizing this strap helps cut back pressure on the head and neck.

There’s no great spot to stash a VR headset. You possibly can plop it on a counter someplace, or strive to discover an unused drawer, however each of these choices aren’t precisely very best. That’s the place devoted stands are available as they provide a pleasant and comfortable dwelling for each the headset and its controllers, and may double as a easy charging dock when paired with a cable. This one by AMVR is our favourite. It’s budget-friendly, sturdy and, most significantly, encompasses a near-universal design. This stand will accommodate nearly any headset on the market, together with the Quest 3, the Pico 4, the PSVR 2 and even the Apple Vision Pro. There are facet brackets for controllers and a tray on the backside for different equipment (like the AVP’s battery pack).

From Supernatural to the boxing sim The Thrill of the Combat, train apps have develop into the de facto system sellers for VR headsets. When you’re severe about digital exercises, think about commonplace weighted exercise gloves. These are not particular VR gloves, nor are they notably techy. They’re simply well-made weighted gloves that give your exercises a lift. They’ll not solely enhance the efficacy of cardio exercises, however they might assist enhance muscle mass alongside the shoulders and arms as effectively. It goes with out saying they’ll add a little bit of immersion to boxing sims like Creed: Rise to Glory and The Thrill of the Combat. Ringside’s gloves are obtainable in two-pound and four-pound variations and, after all, can be utilized at the actual fitness center as well as to the digital one.

Although many video games permit you to sit and play, standing is actually the finest manner to immerse your self in action-heavy digital environments. It comes with some dangers, nevertheless, as you possibly can step over a pet or knock down an merchandise of furnishings. These headsets sometimes characteristic software program that daunts you from stepping outdoors of pre-determined boundaries, nevertheless it’s not foolproof, particularly in room-scale or full-body experiences the place you’re transferring extra aggressively. One thing like the Skywin VR Mat will let you recognize the minute you’ve stepped out of bounds. Plus, it’s thick, plush and much more comfy to stand on than a tough ground.

There are loads of these mats on the market, and so they work with any VR headset. We selected Skywin’s due to its 35-inch circumference, which is massive sufficient to transfer round in whereas being sufficiently small for house dwellers.

Shifting VR headsets from place to place could be irritating, as anybody who’s wrapped one up in T-shirts for a flight can attest to. You need a sturdy and sturdy carrying case that doubles as a great spot to retailer the headset and controllers when not in use. Casematix’s budget-friendly laborious case works with the authentic Quest, Quest 2 and Quest 3 out of the field. However the inside’s filled with easy-to-cut foam in case your headset has a singular design. You too can do the similar for equipment, together with cables, batteries and full-body monitoring add-ons. The carrying deal with is comfy to maintain and the laborious shell exterior is sturdy. The worth is additionally proper: this factor prices $35 and most first-party circumstances double that worth, with Meta’s proprietary circumstances working round $70.

Meta’s headsets are standalone, so you’ll be able to play tons of of video games with out attaching external {hardware}. Nevertheless, in addition they work properly with PCs, as long as you’ve gotten a hyperlink cable. This offers you wired entry to PC-exclusive video games from the Steam Retailer and elsewhere. The Quest 3 and 3s are highly effective, to make certain, however even they will’t run a few of the biggest PC VR titles, like the incredible Half Life: Alyx. There are many various hyperlink cables on the market, however Meta’s first-party launch is doubtless the finest one. It’s sturdy, over 16 toes lengthy and works with the total Quest lineup together with the just-released Quest 3s.

Standalone VR headsets assist cut back cable litter, however a devoted cable administration system finishes the job. NexiGo’s VR cable management system features a sequence of ceiling hooks and adhesive fasteners, as well as to conventional screws for a extra everlasting answer. Any cables on your headset grasp from the ceiling and keep out of the manner when not in use. There’s even retractable carabiners to enhance your vary of motion by round 5 toes or so. Even if in case you have a standalone headset, this is nonetheless nice for headphones and charging cables.

This is clearly a no brainer for these with wired headsets, as nothing ruins a play session like tripping over a cable and falling flat on your face. It’s additionally helpful for organizing chargers, spare cables or a VR cowl when your setup isn’t in use.