The best VR headsets, according to hackers
7 VR headsets were recommended on Hacker News between November 2025 and November 2026. We rank them by how many separate people recommend each one, and 1 earns the Hacker Approved badge.
Top pick
The most recommended VR headset with the badge. Each figure is 10 people. RecommendsCriticizes One comment
Open Linux device with root access
A light, well-balanced standalone VR headset running open Linux with root access, fast wireless PC streaming and eye tracking, though critics cite its high price, low resolution and poor passthrough.
We may earn a commission. It never changes the order.
We may earn a commission. It never changes the order.
All 7 VR headsets, ranked
Select a column heading to sort. Approval share is recommenders out of everyone who gave an opinion; the tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs. Months counts the months, out of 13, in which someone recommended it.
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valve Steam Frame | 162 | 74 | 69% | 11 | — | Approved |
| 2 | Meta Quest | 106 | 98 | 52% | 11 | 4 yrs14 owners | — |
| 3 | Oculus VR headset | 21 | 36 | 37% | 9 | — | — |
| 4 | Valve Index | 15 | 10 | 60% | 6 | — | — |
| 5 | Bigscreen Beyond 2 | 10 | 5 | 67% | 3 | — | — |
| 6 | HP Reverb G2 | 6 | 0 | 100% | 5 | — | — |
| 7 | Pico 4 | 5 | 0 | 100% | 2 | — | — |
How we rank
Rank is the number of separate people who recommend a product in a Hacker News comment over the past year. Someone who praises the same VR headset in five threads counts once.
The badge goes to VR headsets that at least 10 people recommend, with recommenders outnumbering critics at least 2 to 1, recommended in at least 4 of the 13 months.
Rankings are never for sale. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes the order.