Using virtual reality (VR) has been increasingly popular for simracing in recent years, with costs coming down and specs going up. VR is now a viable alternative to triple screens for simracing, so let's have a look at the best VR headsets for sim racing.

Top VR headsets for sim racing

• Pimax Crystal
• Pimax 8KX
• HTC Vive Pro2
• Varjo Aero
• Meta Quest 2
• Samsung Odyssey+

The rise of sim racing

Sim racing’s popularity can be attributed to several factors. One of the main reasons is the increasing popularity of eSports, which has led to a surge in interest in competitive gaming. Sim racing is a type of eSports that has gained a lot of traction in recent years, as it allows players to compete against each other in a virtual environment that closely mimics real-life racing. 

Plus, the COVID-19 pandemic has also played a role in the boom of sim racing. With many real-life racing events canceled or postponed due to the pandemic, sim racing has become a popular alternative for both fans and professional racers. It has allowed them to continue racing and competing, even when real-life events are not possible.

What’s more, it benefits from other factors, such as advancements in technology. Racing games such as Gran Turismo or Forza have attracted a large number of players, but even more hardcore sim racers try their hand at iRacing, Assetto Corsa, rFactor and Rennsport. 

What leads to great Sim Racing for VR headsets?

• Display
• Field of View (FOV)
• Performance Parameters
• Design and overall comfort
• Position tracking and range of motion
• Compatibility
• Price
• … 

When it comes to VR headsets for sim racing, there are a few factors to consider. One of the most important is the resolution of the display. Higher resolution can make the image clearer and more detailed, which contributes to less motion sickness or dizziness. For more, we need to care about such as a high refresh rate, less latency, and correct IPD (interpupillary distance) settings. Another important factor is the field of view (FOV). A wider FOV can give you a more immersive experience and make it easier to see your surroundings while racing. 

What’s more, a comfortable and well-designed headset can also make a big difference in your overall experience. Next, accurate and responsive position tracking can help make the experience more immersive and realistic. Then, make sure the VR headset you choose is compatible with your computer and the sim racing software you plan to use. At last, VR headsets can vary widely in price, but as we all know that you get what you pay for.

VR Headset suitable for simracing

High-end VR heads

Pimax Crystal

The Pimax Crystal has incredible clarity and with standard 35 PPD lenses and a wide FOV. This is able to give you an incredibly immersive experience and make it easier to see your surroundings while racing. The Pimax Crystal also has a high refresh rate of 120 Hz, which can help reduce motion sickness and make the image smoother and more comfortable to view. Additionally, the Pimax Crystal has a high resolution of 35PPD, which is the highest of the headsets mentioned here. This can make the image clearer and more detailed, which can be especially important when trying to read text on the screen. This lets you clearly see the buttons and triggers in the racing simulator.

What makes it better? The Pimax Crystal has a comfortable and adjustable head strap, similar to the Valve Index. Especially, the barrier in the back can balance the headset and let users feel less weight compared to its actual weight. Next, the Pimax Crystal has accurate and responsive tracking, such as eye tracking, automatic IPD adjustment, hand tracking, and body tracking.

What makes it unparalleled? The Pimax Crystal has a dual mode of PC VR and standalone, which means that it is compatible with a wide range of computers and sim racing software, even if you don’t have a powerful computer. The Pimax Crystal’s MSRP is 1599$, so it may not be the best choice if you are on a tight budget.

Overall, the Pimax Crystal has some impressive specs that could make it a great choice for sim racing, particularly if you value a wide FOV and high resolution. If possible, try out the headset before making a purchase to see if it is a good fit for you.

Pimax 8KX

The Pimax 8KX has a high-resolution display with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels per eye, which is higher than most VR headsets on the market. It also has a high refresh rate of 120Hz, which is sufficient for a smooth experience. Therefore, the display of the Pimax 8KX is excellent for sim racing. The Pimax 8KX has a wide field of view of 200 degrees, which is almost similar to the actual FOV of humans and much wider than any VR headset. This wide FOV is ideal for creating a sense of immersion and realism in sim racing.

Next, the Pimax 8KX requires a high-end graphics card and a powerful CPU to run at its full potential. However, if you have a powerful gaming PC, the Pimax 8KX is capable of running sim racing games at high settings and maintaining a high frame rate.

The Pimax 8KX has a comfortable fit design, which is important for extended gaming sessions. It also has good ventilation to prevent overheating. So, the design and comfort of the Pimax 8KX are excellent for sim racing. It also has support for SteamVR, which makes it compatible with a wide range of sim racing games. However, it does require a powerful gaming PC to run at its full potential.

The Pimax 8KX is affordable for sim racing if you get your hands on an outlet version. 

HTC Vive Pro 2

The HTC Vive Pro 2 has a high-resolution display with a resolution of 2448 x 2448 pixels per eye, which is lower than the Pimax Crystal but still higher than most VR headsets. It also has a high refresh rate of 120Hz. So, the display of the HTC Vive Pro 2 is excellent for sim racing. The HTC Vive Pro 2 has a wide field of view of 120 degrees, which is lower than the Pimax Crystal but still good for sim racing.

Plus, the HTC Vive Pro 2 requires a high-end graphics card and a powerful CPU to run at its full potential. It also comes with spatial audio and a comfortable ergonomic design to make sure you won’t start feeling it during an endurance race.

At last, the HTC Vive Pro 2 is also one of the most expensive VR headsets on the market, with a price tag of around $799. It is a good VR headset for sim racing if you don’t care much about the wide FOV and the super clarity.

Varjo Aero

The Varjo Aero has a high-resolution display with dual mini-LED displays with 35 PPD peak fidelity, which is what Pimax Crystal achieved. But it only has a field of view of 115 degrees, which is narrower than others above. It should be a pity in sim racing. It also only has a 90 Hz refresh rate.

Next, it has a 200hz eye tracking system( Auto-IPD), built-in fans to keep your face cool and built-in audio. It feels lightweight and offers very high detail indeed. It runs on SteamVR. The Varjo Aero requires a high-end graphics card and a powerful CPU to run at its full potential. 

Then, the Varjo Aero is the most expensive VR headset on this list, with a price tag of around $1,990. 

Overall, it is a nice choice for users who have enough budget and looking for a high-end VR headset that shows professionalism in simulators and cares less about the wide FOV.

Entry-level headsets

HP Reverb G2

The HP Reverb G2 has a resolution of 2160 x 2160 LCD panels per eye and a refresh rate of 90Hz, which is lower than the headsets above. The FOV of the headset is also important for creating a sense of immersion and realism in sim racing. The HP Reverb G2 has a FOV of around 114 degrees, which is wider than the Samsung Odyssey+.

With compatibility across both SteamVR and Windows Mixed Realit, the VR headset should be compatible with most gaming setups and sim racing games. The HP Reverb G2 is compatible with most sim racing games, but it is important to check the system requirements and compatibility information for a game on its official website or Steam page to determine if it supports the HP Reverb G2. The price of the VR headset is also an important consideration. The HP Reverb G2 is priced at around $600, which is much cheaper than the headsets above.

Based on the information provided, the HP Reverb G2 is a good option for sim racing, with a good budget to get an entry-level of the immersive experience of sim racing.

Samsung Odyssey+

The Samsung Odyssey+ with Windows Mixed Reality has a resolution of 1440 x 1600 pixels per eye and a refresh rate of 90Hz. And it has a FOV of around 110 degrees, which is wider than Meta Quest 2. 

The Samsung Odyssey+ is one of the more affordable VR headsets on the market, with a price tag of around $500. This makes it a great option for those on a budget who still want a good sim racing experience.

Overall, the Samsung Odyssey+ is a good option for sim racing, with a comfortable design. While it may not have the highest resolution display or the most powerful processor, it is still capable of providing a realistic and immersive sim racing experience. Additionally, its affordable price makes it a great option for those on a budget.

Summary

Ultimately, the choice of VR headset for sim racing will depend on your budget, preferences, and the specific sim racing games you want to play. It is important to consider factors such as display resolution, field of view, performance parameters, design and comfort, position tracking and range of motion, compatibility, and of course price when making your decision.