Whether you’re new to gaming or not, you might have realised how cool virtual reality is. As time goes by, more and more VR headsets are hitting the market. Two of the most popular are the PSVR and Oculus Rift. They both offer a similar yet different gaming experience. They come with very different price tags too. We’ve compared them in-depth in our article – read ahead.
Price
When deciding which of the two is superior, you have to make note of their price. They’re both pieces of tech that aren’t cheap. You can find the Oculus Rift for around USD 650. Meanwhile, the PlayStation VR will be about $520. If you’re someone who’s looking to save, the PlayStation VR is probably the better choice.
That being said, you’ll have to spend an extra $50. You’ll need the PlayStation 4 Camera which is not included. If it’s any consolation, you can pick it up with the PSVR as a bundle. When sold together, you can snag the two for a considerable rate as bundles usually go for discounts. Unfortunately, it also doesn’t come with headphones.
The PlayStation VR is cheap when compared to other Virtual Reality headsets. The HTC Vive Focus is popular amongst users. It comes in at around $600.
Compatibility
You can only use the PlayStation VR on the PlayStation 4. This isn’t a big deal as it’s arguably the most popular console around. If you wait it out, you can snag it for cheap – many of its extras go on sale. This is the complete opposite of the Oculus Rift. You need a powerful computer to work it. It’s recommended that an Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti be present. Such a beast of a computer will cost you around $800-1000 which is why you could build it yourself, but this might be too much work.
Games
Although the price is a factor, the games you can play is probably more important. PlayStation is a giant in the gaming world. You have access to Sony studio’s many games – you get those produced by third-party developers too. We especially love PlayStation VR Worlds – it was developed by London Studios and consists of 5 intense minigames. It’s probably one of the best virtual reality games around.
The Occulus Rift has a good library as well. All PC developers are behind it. This is true for console ones as well – a good example of this is Edge of Nowhere by Insomniac Games. Although the library between the two is about the same size, you could say Oculus’ team made theirs more diverse.
Design
We’re not a fan of the Rift’s design. It looks like an awkward space helmet. We haven’t seen anyone that looks good in it. Yes, it’s eye-catching but for all the wrong reasons. That being said, it’s lighter than its counterpart. It comes in at 470 grams which is appreciated if you’re planning on gaming for hours. The PlayStation VR is much better-looking. But as you know, it’s heavier at 610 grams.
As mentioned, the PlayStation VR doesn’t come with headphones. They add to its weight. Some of the best PSVR headphones out there are super light, actually. The best ones are also as sleek as it.
Something noteworthy about the PSVR’s design is that it works well for people who wear glasses. This is because it puts most of its weight on your forehead. In general, the Playstation VR is known as one of the most comfortable Virtual Reality sets to wear.
Gaming Experience
They both have fixed displays. There is a 5.7-inch FHD+ OLED screen on the PSVR. On each eye, you’ll be getting a 960 x 1080 P viewing experience. Overall, its viewing experience is vivid too – it’s especially immersive as you’re met a 100-degree field of view. That being said, the Oculus Rift steamrolls it. The device comes with a 1080 x 1200-pixel screen for each eye.
Fluidity is important to virtual reality sets – they make the VR experience more realistic. You should know that the PSVR rocks a 120 Hz display. Meanwhile, its counterpart offers a 90 Hz one. If you didn’t guess, the more Hz the better.
Controllers
When using the PSVR, you’ll be utilizing the Play Station 4’s Sony Move Controllers. They aren’t the only controllers you’ll need. Some VR games make use of the DualShock 4 ones, but this shouldn’t be an issue. The shape of the Oculus Rift controllers is peculiar, to say the least – they look like spaceships. What we like about them is that their buttons feel good when pressed. Their spaceship-like construction makes them fit snuggly between your fingers too. There are also more useful extras with the Oculus than the PlayStation VR.
Setting-up
Like many, we believe the PSVR is easier to set up than its counterpart. The device is also easier to maintain. It’s a PlayStation 4 accessory, so if you use the device, knowing how to set it up isn’t a hassle. This doesn’t mean that the Oculus Rift is impossible to set up. It’s just that for a beginner, they’ll enjoy the Sony VR set more. Likewise, the Rift is harder to maintain.
Final Thoughts
Having run through everything, you can’t pinpoint which one is better than the other. But it’s easier to find a winner depending on the type of gamer you are. If you’re someone who owns a PlayStation 4, do not want to spend a lot, and are looking for a cool new experience, then the PSVR is worth your while. However, if you like VRs and want the most immersive experience, the Oculus Rift will do well. After all, the PSVR is much easier to set up than its counterpart.
As they’re virtual reality headsets, it shouldn’t surprise you that they might look strange. Thankfully, the PlayStation VR is more stylish. It also fits more comfortably. But it’s heavier and needs headphones to work. Now you’ll have a better idea of which device to pick.
Written by our Freelance Team ‘Valerie Ježková’.
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