PSVR 2 vs Meta Quest 2 – which VR headset should you go for?

PSVR 2 vs Meta Quest 2 – which VR headset should you go for?
Romilly Cotta Updated on by

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We’re considering PSVR 2 vs Meta Quest 2 to figure out which VR headset is best suited for you.

Sony’s PSVR 2 will be released today, ushering in the next generation of VR gaming headsets. It comes as the successor to the PSVR. If you’re wondering whether the PSVR 2 is worth the upgrade, we’ve compared them both to help you decide. We think it probably is, what with games like Gran Turismo 7 being added to the growing list of PS games that will be compatible with PSVR 2. If you want to be sure though, check out our comprehensive review of PSVR 2 that takes you through the headset’s newest features.

And what about the Meta Quest 2? Released back in October 2020, and succeeded by the considerably more expensive Meta Quest Pro, we’re eagerly turning our attention back to the Meta Quest 2. Formerly known as the Oculus Quest 2, it’s a great choice for those looking to immerse themselves in VR without being tethered to a PC or console. As a standalone, versatile headset, we’re interested to see if it will challenge PSVR 2 which was more of gaming focus.

You may be weighing up which VR headset to go for, and how it matches what you want out of your VR experience. Whether you’re interested in 3D art, VR gaming, or looking for a real cinematic experience at home, there’s no shortage of reasons to buy a VR headset.

With these uses in mind, we’re going to make things a little easier for you. We’ll be comparing the key features of PSVR 2 and Meta Quest 2. We’ll consider specs, design, performance and overall value for money. Hopefully, by the end, you’ll be better equipped to make your choice between the two.

So, let’s jump to it, Here are the differences and similarities between PSVR 2 and Meta Quest 2.

PSVR 2 vs Meta Quest 2 – specs

SpecsPSVR 2Meta Quest 2
ProcessorCustom 7nm AMD Zen 2 CPU (shared with PS5)Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2
ScreenHDR OLED panelsRGB LCD panels
Resolution2000 x 2040 per eye1832 x 1920 per-eye
TrackingFour external cameras for Inside/Out TrackingInside/Out tracking with 6 degrees of Freedom
Refresh Rate90Hz / 120Hz72Hz / 120Hz
Field of View110 degrees100 degrees
BatteryN/A cable connectionUp to 3 hours
RAM512MB DDR4 RAM (Shared with PS5)6GB
Storage826GB (Shared with PS5) 128GB / 256GB
Eye and Face TrackingOnly eye tracking No, only body tracking
Color Passthrough cameraNoNo
Weight1.2lbs / 0.56kg1.1lbs / 0.53kg

As you can see from the table above, there are a number of key differences between these two headsets which we’ll discuss.

Let’s start with screen panels and display. Sony has opted for HDR panels, manufactured by Samsung that enables a rich VR experience. With a 4K resolution featuring a VR and Cinematic mode, users will enjoy a pretty unbeatable vivid image thanks to the high pixel count and density. PSVR 2 boasts a considerably higher max resolution than Meta Quest 2, which is capped at 1832 x 1920 per eye. Though this is up to 50% higher than its predecessor, it simply cannot compete with PSVR 2’s impressive display.

Read More: PSVR 2 vs Meta Quest Pro – which one should you go for?

And what about refresh rate? This is an important feature to pay attention to if you’re interested in gaming, or else watching fast moving content. A refresh rate of at least 90Hz is ideal if you’re using your headset for extended periods of time, and want to avoid disorientation and nausea caused by image blur. We’re impressed to see PSVR 2 with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. You’ll be in for a treat playing racing games like Gran Turismo 7, and more. The Meta Quest 2 meanwhile can boast a 120Hz refresh rate, though only some games support this mode.

You’ll notice PSVR 2 has a slightly larger field of view, at 110 degrees. Though this doesn’t sound like a lot, the additional 10 degrees makes a huge difference. FOV refers to how much of the world you can see at any given point. So, the larger the FOV, the better.

PSVR 2 vs Meta Quest 2 – performance

Although yet to be released, PSVR 2 feels like a huge leap for VR with specs that clearly have the edge over the slightly older Meta Quest 2.

We’re seriously impressed at what’s on offer from PSVR 2. One of its standout features is eye tracking. It’s a feature that enables ‘foveated rendering’, meaning only the elements that are looked at are rendered.

Read More: Where to buy PSVR 2 and expected retailers

This means PSVR 2 will deliver more immersive VR experiences since virtual avatars can read more than just body language. It opens up the possibilities of truly terrifying gaming experiences, especially when you combine them with haptic feedback.

And what about Meta Quest 2? We’re pretty impressed with the performance of the Meta Quest 2, though it doesn’t have eye tracking or haptic feedback. Unlike PSVR 2, the headset is a standalone device. If you don’t already own PS5, this will probably come as an advantage.

PSVR 2 vs Meta Quest 2 – haptics

Another important area where the PSVR 2 comes on on top is haptics. This is because there’s none on the Meta Quest 2 whatsoever.

As we might expect with the recent release of the PlayStation DualSense Edge controller, the PSVR 2 has quite the focus on haptics. In case you’re unfamiliar, haptic feedback is a type of touch technology that provides simulated physical feedback, providing a more immersive experience, especially in VR.

Read More: Does PSVR 2 track eye motion?

The PSVR 2 will excitingly feature haptics both on the controllers and headset, meaning users will be in for a treat.

PSVR 2 vs Meta Quest 2 – gaming

We can’t help but believe the hype around PSVR 2 is well deserved. It looks like it’ll be a huge step for VR gaming.

With a refresh rate capable of reaching 120Hz, a 4K OLED screen, combined haptic feedback, we think VR gamers will be in for a super immersive treat.

Read More: Can you play PS5 games with the PSVR 2?

The only drawback we can see is that Sony has decided to exclude any backward compatibility for the PSVR 2. You won’t be able to play any of the games that you could on PSVR as PlayStation is aiming to isolate the new PSVR 2 from the newer games that are designed for next generation VR gaming. This is an important consideration to make if buying the PSVR 2 headset is already costing you an arm and a leg.

The Meta Quest 2 similarly packs a punch, thanks to its powerful XR2 processor. The available games are pretty awesome, and PC gamers will potentially value the Meta Quest 2 more since it can access Steam games. While we think the PSVR 2 games will be more realistic, we rate the massive selection of VR titles available via Steam.

PSVR 2 vs Meta Quest 2 – price

Price will be a major factor for people weighing up whether to go for the PSVR 2 or Meta Quest 2.

Things are looking pretty competitive, with a confirmed price of $550 for the PSVR 2. Meanwhile, the Meta Quest 2 is currently retailing for $349 via Amazon.

Read More: Is there a PSVR 2 pre-order bonus?

Meta Quest 2 is considerably cheaper than PSVR 2. The price difference only grows larger if you don’t own a PS5. However, PSVR 2 boasts a host of superior features, so we’re not exactly surprised by the steeper price tag. That being said, you’ll be starting your game library from scratch because PSVR games won’t be compatible with PSVR 2.

If you’re interested in a more in-depth breakdown of what you’re getting for $550, WePC have written a breakdown of the PSVR 2 price to help.

Final word

Overall, your final decision is dependent on your budget, and what you specifically want to get out of your VR headset.

The Meta Quest 2 is the cheaper and older VR headset of the two. It still offers a pretty decent performance, reaching 120Hz on some games. It also becomes considerably cheaper if you don’t already own a PS5.

However, if next-gen VR gaming is what you’re most interested in, then we’re putting our eggs in Sony’s basket. PlayStation has earned a great gaming reputation through the years, and we think the PSVR 2 will outshine the Meta Quest 2 in most areas.

Ultimately though, we recommend waiting for our independent review of PSVR 2 if you’re still on the fence, that way you’re making your final decision with confidence.