Best 5 VR headsets for movies (2023)

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Best 5 VR headsets for movies (2023)

What does the future of movies look like? There’ll be a million answers. But VR movies will undoubtedly be one of the most exciting possibilities the future holds. We, as viewers, will become actors in the story of a VR movie, and our actions and consciousness will change the course of the movie and its plot.

However, have you ever tried to watch VR movies on a VR headset? We’ve often heard complaints about VR, such as; “I cannot bear the small size of the screen”, “The resolution of the VR headset is too low”, or “I got tired and uncomfortable when I wear it for hours.”

Plus, you can check the guide on How to watch a movie on a VR headset and Best VR headset (2023) for the VR movies resource.

Here, we’re going to share with you several VR headsets, specifically for watching any type of movies in VR.

Overview

BRAND REASON TO BUY SPECS
Pimax Crystal Highest clarity 5760 x2880 pixels; 140°FOV
Pimax 8KX Widest field of view 7680 X 2160 pixels; 200°FOV
HTC VIVE Pro 2 Good alternative choice 4896 x 2448 pixels; 120° (horizontal) FOV
HP Reverb G2 Good audiovisual experience 4320 x 2160 pixels; 114°FOV
Oculus Quest 2 Good Budget 3664 x 1920  pixels; 100°FOV

Why do more people use VR headsets for movies?

Convenience & Time-saving

When you have a VR headset for movies, you do not need to go out to take a drive or take the subway, buy tickets, choose seats, and do a series of procedures in order to watch the movies. For you, all you have to do is press the button and sit on your sofa or bed, then you are ready to have an easy time.

Low-cost & More Resources

As we all experience, going to the cinema to see a movie is not just a fee in itself. The cost of Movie tickets, transportation fees, and other consumption in the cinema is more than 20 dollars per person. And for most people, it is a common thing to watch a movie. If you have one VR headset, you can get a lower price than the cinema and there are also free resources on the internet.


Source from: NetCredit

Immersive viewing experience 

VR headsets provide a more immersive experience than cinema because they allow the viewer to be fully immersed in the environment. In a cinema, the viewer is limited to a flat screen and a fixed perspective. With a VR headset, the viewer can look around and explore the environment in a more natural way. This creates a more engaging and interactive experience. You can watch movies at home with a VR headset just like you are alone in the entire theater, and you can even go to Mars to watch movies with the scene settings in the media apps. How to watch a movie on a VR headset? You can check the link and find some recommended VR media applications. If you want to find some real VR movies rather than 2D or 3D movies, you also can check the best VR movies here to get the advanced technology of VR movies.

What are they?

Pimax Crystal: Crystal Clarity

-Pros: 5760 x 2880 pixels; 140°FOV

The Pimax Crystal VR headset seems like the best option for watching movies. Any film you want to watch. 

Using glass lenses and QLED & miniLED panels with 5760 x2880 pixels, this VR headset will show you all the details you want to see in movies. The amount of pixels is the highest in any consumer VR headset, which also puts it clarity at 35 PPD with the 140° field of view. Then, local dimming dims dark areas, while keeping other areas bright and colorful. This creates a truly immersive experience.

Another benefit is that it comes with earphones attached, and a battery. Thanks to the dual standalone & PCVR mode, you can use it wirelessly through Wifi-streaming. You can also upload local movie files so you can watch them directly from the headset without the need of any computer or network. The Crystal has 256GB of storage, more than enough for loads of super-HD movie. 

While the Pimax Crystal is marketed towards VR enthusiasts and professional designers, its high resolution and wide field of view make it a good choice for watching movies as well. Ultimately, whether the Pimax Crystal is suitable for you depends on your personal preferences and needs. If you are looking for a high-quality VR headset with advanced features for movie watching, it is no doubt that the Pimax Crystal is a good investment.

Pimax 8KX: Widest field of view

-Pros: 8K, 200°FOV

-Cons: Requires a powerful PC

Regarding the Pimax 8K, it is a high-end virtual reality headset with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels per eye and a wide field of view of 200°. It is almost the same with the actual FOV of human and can help viewers to get the entirely immersive experience. However, it is more expensive and requires a powerful computer to run smoothly. If you are a VR enthusiast or a professional who needs high-quality VR visuals and super FOV for simulation, the Pimax 8K is definitely a good choice. However, if you are a casual user or don't have a powerful computer, you may want to consider other options.

It's important to consider your personal preferences and needs when choosing a VR headset. While high-end headsets like the Pimax Crystal and Pimax 8K offer advanced features and high-quality visuals, they may not be necessary for all users who just want a VR headset for general movies. Casual users may be satisfied with more affordable options that still provide a good viewing experience. But if you are serious about the clarity, FOV and other best specs of a VR headset, you just cannot miss Pimax Crystal and Pimax 8KX. 

HTC VIVE Pro 2: Alternative Great Choice

-Pros: 120°FOV, 2448 × 2448 pixels per eye,

-Cons: Expensive, a powerful PC


Source from: VIVE

The HTC Vive Pro 2 is a high-end PC VR headset developed by HTC and Valve. It is an upgraded version of the original HTC Vive Pro, with improved resolution, ergonomics, and tracking. The HTC Vive Pro 2 boasts impressive display updates, making it one of the most impressive mainstream options around. With a native resolution of 2448 x 2448 pixels per eye, coupled with the 120Hz refresh rate and 120-degree field of view, it offers a significant edge over ordinary headsets. However, it is important to note that to get the most out of this headset, you will need a high-end PC.

Ultimately, whether the HTC Vive Pro 2 is a good choice for you depends on your personal preferences and needs. If you are a VR enthusiast or a professional who needs high-quality VR visuals and advanced features, the HTC Vive Pro 2 may be a good investment. However, if you are a casual user or don't have a powerful computer, you may want to consider other options.

HP Reverb G2: Best Mid-range

-Pros: affordability

-Cons: relatively low resolution, 114° FOV, 90 Hz refresh rate


Source from: HP

The HP Reverb G2 VR headset seems like a good option for watching movies as a middle-range of VR headsets. It boasts relatively higher resolutions at 2160 x 2160 per eye, which beats the middle-range VR headsets in terms of visual quality. Additionally, it has mura-free LCD panels and fully immersive spatial audio, which can provide a more realistic and immersive experience for movie watching.

The HP Reverb G2 is also capable of gaming, but it also requires a tethered connection to a PC to run. If you're willing to spend a bit more money to get the best resolution VR headsets have to offer and aren't a heavy gamer, then the HP Reverb G2 is a great choice. It's also more comfortable than the Oculus Quest 2.0.

Oculus Quest 2: Good Budget

-Pros: standalone, ease of use, affordability

-Cons: low-power silicon, short battery life, relatively low resolution, 100° FOV


Source from: Meta

The Oculus Quest 2 (now called Meta Quest 2) seems like a good option for watching movies as a good budget VR headsets. It is cost-effective for 4k videos on Netflix, Youtube Videos and movies with such a lower price. It has a relatively high resolution of 3664 x 1920, and a 90 Hz refresh rate. Additionally, it has a 100° field of view, which can provide a better immersive experience for movie watching.

The Oculus Quest 2 is also capable of gaming, making it a versatile option. However, it's important to note that it can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, so you may want to consider purchasing the 'Elite Strap' or comfort mods to make it more comfortable.

Shopping Tips

When looking for the best VR headset for movies, there are several important features to consider.

FOV

Firstly, the field of view (FOV) is an important factor to consider. The higher the FOV, the more immersive your experience will be. Most headsets have a FOV of around 100-110°, but some high-end headsets like the Pimax Crystal and Pimax 8K have a wider FOV of 140° and 200° respectively.

Resolution

Resolution is also an important factor to consider. Higher resolution and pixel densities will result in better image clarity and less screen door effects. The HP Reverb G2 has one of the highest resolutions on the market at 2160 x 2160 per eye, while the Oculus Quest 2 has a resolution of 3664 x 1920. The Pimax Crystal and Pimax 8KX are also better than the others about the resolution.

Comfort

Comfort is another important consideration. While most headsets can be made comfortable with the use of comfort mods, it's important to consider whether you're willing to pay extra for them.

Price

Price is also an important consideration. High-end headsets like the Pimax Crystal and HTC Vive Pro 2 can be quite expensive, while more budget-friendly options like the Oculus Quest 2 are available.

Mode

Whether the headset is tethered or wireless is also an important consideration. If tethered, it's important to ensure that your PC can support the headset. For your attention, the Crystal is PCVR & standalone VR headset, which can satisfy your different needs of VR headsets. 

Others

Gaming is a factor to consider. If you plan on doing a lot of gaming, it's important to choose a headset with a high refresh rate. 

Summary

Ultimately, the best VR headset for movies will depend on your personal preferences and needs. If you're looking for a high-quality VR headset with advanced features for movie watching, the Pimax Crystal may be a good investment. If you're on a budget, the Oculus Quest 2 is a great option. It's important to consider your personal preferences and needs when choosing a VR headset.

Read more:
Best VR movies (2023 update)

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