Four completely different types of device all get called a "VR headset" - and they range from £20 to over £1,000. Here's what each one actually is, what it costs, and which one makes sense for you.
StandaloneSelf-contained, e.g. Meta Quest. Typically £250-£550. No PC or console needed.
PC-tetheredPlugs into a gaming PC. Headset from ~£300, plus a VR-capable PC (often £700+).
Console VRe.g. PSVR2, requires a PlayStation 5. Headset typically £400-£550.
Phone-basedYour own smartphone is the screen. Typically £15-£40. Nothing else required.
How much does a VR headset actually cost?
This is the single most-asked question about VR, and the honest answer is "it depends which category you're comparing." Roughly:
Standalone (Quest-style)~£250-£550 for the headset alone. This is the most popular category for serious home VR gaming, and the price includes everything you need to play.
PC VRHeadsets alone run ~£300-£1,000+, and that's before accounting for a gaming PC capable of driving one - often another £700-£1,500 if you don't already have one.
Console VR (PSVR2)~£400-£550 for the headset, on top of owning a PlayStation 5.
Phone-based~£15-£40. The whole reason it's this cheap: your phone is already doing the expensive part (screen, processor, sensors) - the headset is just optics and a strap.
Exact prices move around with new model releases and sales, so treat these as ballpark ranges rather than live pricing - always check the retailer directly for today's figure.
How do VR headsets actually work?
Every type does the same basic trick: two slightly offset images, one per eye, tricking your brain into perceiving depth - the same principle as an old-fashioned stereoscope. What differs is where the screen and processing power come from.
Standalone, PC and console headsets each have (or borrow) their own dedicated screen and processor built for the job. A phone-based headset skips all of that hardware entirely and uses the screen already in your pocket - your phone runs the VR app, renders both eye images, and the headset is just the lens housing that splits your phone's screen into a stereo 3D view and blocks out the room around you.
Which type should you actually buy?
If you
Want the best VR gaming experience
Standalone or PC VR. More expensive, but built for demanding, room-scale VR games.
If you
Already own a PS5
Console VR (PSVR2) is the natural fit - one extra purchase, no new PC needed.
If you
Just want to try VR properly, cheaply
A phone-based headset. You already own the expensive part - your phone.
The cheapest real way into VR: phone-based headsets.
No console, no gaming PC, no charging. If you've got a smartphone from the last few years, you already own the hardest part.
From £29.99Fits iPhone & Android120° Field of ViewNo Charging Needed
Whichever type you choose, three things drive comfort in practice: field of view (a narrow lens feels like looking through a tube), strap adjustability (a headset that shifts around ruins immersion fast), and, for phone-based headsets specifically, independent eye focus - since not everyone's eyesight is identical, a headset that only lets both eyes focus together will feel blurry to a lot of people, glasses or not.
Common questions.
How much does a VR headset cost?
It depends entirely on the type. Phone-based headsets like the VRG X7 Pro start around £15-£40. Standalone headsets (Meta Quest and similar) typically run £250-£550. PC-tethered headsets are usually £300-£1,000+ once you include a VR-ready PC. Console VR (PSVR2) is around £400-£550 plus the console itself.
How much is an Oculus / Meta Quest?
Meta's standalone Quest headsets have generally launched in the £250-£550 range depending on model and storage, with older models discounted over time. Always check current retailer pricing, as this changes with new releases.
What is the cheapest way to try VR?
A phone-based VR headset. It uses the smartphone you already own as the screen and processor, so the headset itself only needs to be the optics and a strap - which is why it can cost a fraction of a standalone or PC headset.
Do I need a powerful PC or console for VR?
Only for PC-tethered or console VR. Standalone headsets run everything onboard. Phone-based headsets use your smartphone's own processor, so no PC or console is needed at all.
Is a VR headset good for kids?
For an occasional, low-cost introduction to VR, a phone-based headset is a sensible starting point since there's little to break and nothing expensive at risk. For frequent, more demanding use, a standalone headset with parental controls may suit better - but costs considerably more.
What can I actually watch or play on a phone-based headset?
Any VR-compatible app or video, including YouTube VR, 360° videos, VR cinema apps and Google Cardboard-compatible games.
