Meta Quest 2 vs PSVR2: What to know before you buy

There are so many ways to embrace consumer-level VR now. How do you even choose?

That’s the question I’ll attempt to answer today as I lay out the merits of both the PlayStation VR 2 and the Meta Quest 2 headsets. These are two very different “competitors” in the VR space, but with the Quest 2 coming in at $400 and PSVR2 coming in at $550, they’re easily the two most affordable options around. 

But what exactly do you get with each headset? Let’s dig in and find out.

PSVR2 vs. Meta Quest 2: Specs

Sony’s headset is handsome.
Credit: Kyle Cobian/Mashable

When it comes to specs, there’s really no contest between PSVR2 and Meta Quest 2. But you have to apply some context to understand why that’s not necessarily a bad thing for the headset on the losing end of the argument.

Our friends at IGN(Opens in a new tab) put together a handy little chart for comparing VR headset specs, but I’ll give a rundown here, too. PSVR2’s lens resolution (arguably the most important spec) is as good as you’ll get in any sub-$1,000 headset, coming in at 2000×2040 per eye. By comparison, Quest 2 has a lens resolution of 1832×1920 per eye. 

That’s not a huge drop-off, but PSVR2’s lenses are OLED, while Quest 2’s are LCD. That gives PSVR2 an advantage in image quality.

Both headsets have “inside-out tracking,” which means you don’t have to set anything up to make them work. That stands in contrast to something like the original PSVR, which used a separate camera peripheral for motion tracking. PSVR2 and Meta Quest 2 are both more freeing in this regard. 

But so is Meta’s!
Credit: Zlata Ivleva/Mashable

That said…Quest 2 does have one major advantage when it comes to freedom. It’s completely wireless with all of its horsepower inside the headset itself. PSVR2, on the other hand, needs to be connected to a PlayStation 5 (which is $400 or $500 on its own) via USB-C at all times to work. The upside is that it can use the PS5’s power to create better-looking experiences than the Quest 2 on its own. However, Quest 2 can connect to a sufficiently powerful gaming PC, unlocking access to PC-exclusive VR games.

Looking at other miscellaneous specs, each headset has its ups and downs. PSVR2’s 110-degree field of view trumps Quest 2’s 90-degree equivalent, but Quest 2 has built-in speakers for audio, while PSVR2 asks you to use wired headphones. PSVR2 has a really nifty eye-tracking feature, which Quest 2 does not have. PSVR2 has haptic sensors in its headset and controllers, Quest 2 doesn’t. You get the idea.

At the end of the day, just by virtue of being newer and more advanced, I gotta give it up for PSVR2. But there are definite advantages to going with Quest 2, as well.

Winner: PlayStation VR2

PSVR2 vs. Meta Quest 2: Games

VRChat needs to be seen to be believed.
Credit: VRChat

This is where things get much tricker for Sony’s headset, as the comparison isn’t really fair. One headset has had years to build up a content library, while the other is just getting started.

Needless to say, Quest 2 wins this category. There are just too many great VR games, apps, and experiences on the Oculus store(Opens in a new tab). Beat Saber, Among Us VR, and Bonelab are all some combination of popular and well-regarded. Plus, you get a whole suite of non-gaming apps, like the beautifully chaotic VRChat.

Still, let’s give PSVR2 some flowers here. The launch lineup is about 30 games deep and features enhanced versions of Quest games like Beat Saber and Star Wars: Tales From the Galaxy’s Edge. There’s at least one big exclusive in Horizon: Call of the Mountain, a game that takes advantage of the PS5’s horsepower to give you something the Quest 2 can’t. PSVR2 may not have a singular killer app yet, but if Sony properly supports the platform over the next few years, its library could eventually grow to rival Quest 2.

Winner: Quest 2

The verdict

Once the dust settles, the choice between PSVR2 and Quest 2 is more philosophical than objective. What do you want out of VR? Do you want a pure gaming experience with the greatest specs possible, or something more versatile and affordable, with a much larger library of experiences?

If you don’t already have a PS5, the answer is clear. Get a Quest 2 for less than half the total cost of a PS5 and PSVR2 and go to town. Experience the cacophonous joy of VRChat and break a sweat in Beat Saber. Relish in the lack of a wire protruding out of your head. It’s a great headset for those who are VR-curious.

Thing is, so is PSVR2. If you already have a PS5, PSVR2 is a gateway to high-end console VR games that aren’t as easy to get on Quest 2. Its superior specs, haptics, and eye tracking could  eventually unlock uses for VR that Quest 2 can’t really replicate. You just have to have faith that Sony will follow through on its end and support PSVR2 for years. 

A chill just ran down the spine of every PlayStation Vita owner after reading that last sentence.

Anyway, as someone who cares about technological advancements and wants the greatest VR I can get in this price range, I have to go with PSVR2 for the overall winner. Don’t get it twisted, though: It’s a very close race, and there are plenty of good reasons to go with Quest 2.

Winner: PlayStation VR2