00:00When the PSVR 2 launched in 2023, it broke my heart.
00:03On paper, it was the future of VR gaming.
00:06OLED displays, eye tracking, adaptive trigger support,
00:09and the headset even supports haptic feedback.
00:12Don't look down.
00:12But in practice, it costs more than a PS5,
00:15the library was mid at best,
00:17and honestly, it just wasn't very comfortable.
00:19That's why I ended up returning my original PSVR 2 pretty quickly.
00:23Fast forward a few years,
00:25and the PSVR 2 is regularly available open box for around $200,
00:28so I decided to revisit Sony's failed headset
00:32to see if time has healed the initial wounds.
00:35In this video, I'll tell what I learned
00:37and whether I think this headset is worth buying in the year 2026.
00:41Be sure to leave a like and subscribe
00:43for all things gaming here at Tom's Guide.
00:45Let's get into it.
00:50Let me start by reintroducing you to the PSVR 2.
00:53It's Sony's second-generation virtual reality headset
00:56with a stacked spec lineup.
00:57Dual OLED HDR displays and 110-degree field of view.
01:02It has two sense controllers,
01:04which bring the immersive haptics of the DualSense
01:06into the world of VR,
01:07including full motion and finger tracking.
01:10And because it's a single cable setup
01:12that runs directly to your PS5,
01:15it's still the fastest way to jump into high-end VR.
01:18And now, it's also one of the most affordable ways.
01:21The headset that once felt massively overpriced
01:24can now be found open-box for around $200,
01:27even closer to $150 during the holidays.
01:30And that's before bundle offers.
01:33Don't you guys think that changes the conversation entirely?
01:36Because now, if I'm looking at how I'm going to spend my money,
01:39the PSVR 2's features suddenly sound very appealing
01:43against headsets in the same price tier,
01:46especially for PS5 owners
01:47who already have the ecosystem ready to go.
01:51But the PSVR 2's initial lack of success
01:54wasn't just the cost.
01:56For example, one of my biggest issues was comfort.
01:59If you've got glasses like me,
02:01this headset was a real pain to adjust.
02:04And once you did,
02:05it wasn't exactly the most comfortable experience.
02:07Breaking the sweat here.
02:08It's taken some time,
02:09but these days,
02:10you can get some low-cost accessories
02:12that make the PSVR 2 more wearable.
02:15First, prescription lenses from Hans VR
02:18for $50 that pop in and out.
02:20No more needing to put on contact lenses
02:22or fight through comfort with glasses.
02:24Just a one-and-done solution
02:26to make those playing sessions
02:27simple and pleasant.
02:30Second, the Global Cluster CMP2,
02:33also around $50.
02:34It's a padding mod for your headset,
02:36and the difference in head pain and pressure,
02:38or lack thereof,
02:40is night and day.
02:41It's great that I can actually survive wearing it
02:44for more than five minutes now,
02:46but is there a reason to?
02:49The biggest improvement in PSVR 2 in 2026
02:52might honestly be the game library.
02:55Resident Evil 4 and 8,
02:56Horizon Call of the Mountain,
02:58and Star Wars Tales from the Galaxy's Edge
02:59are still some of the best VR games out there,
03:02but there are so many more options now
03:04that I am looking forward to checking out,
03:06like Little Nightmares VR Altered Echoes,
03:09Mist and Riven,
03:10and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024,
03:12with many, many others.
03:14And horror fans,
03:16there are a lot of great options with VR,
03:17but if you want something genuinely tense,
03:21Five Nights at Freddy's Help Wanted
03:22remains nightmare fuel in VR.
03:25Seriously guys,
03:26this is intense,
03:28as I found out for myself.
03:32F*** man.
03:33I know at least a few of you are thinking,
03:35Phil, what's the point of this?
03:36Why don't you just get a Quest?
03:38Value question.
03:39The Quest 3S is the default budget
03:41standalone option for VR gaming,
03:43but there are a few ways the PSVR 2 wins.
03:47The screen.
03:48Quests use LCD panels.
03:50They're sharp, but the blacks look gray.
03:51And the PSVR 2 has OLED HDR,
03:54so when you're playing Resident Evil,
03:55there's a level of immersion the Quest just can't touch.
03:58The power.
03:59The Quest's performance is impressive for a mobile chip,
04:02but the PSVR 2 is powered by your PS5 or PS5 Pro,
04:06so we're talking console quality textures
04:09and lighting all on your face.
04:10The price.
04:11Assuming you already own a PS5,
04:13again, you don't need to spend more than like $200 for a PSVR 2.
04:17Meta just raised the Quest 3 price by 50 bucks,
04:19and I certainly can't find a refurbished one for less than $300.
04:23So if you want a high-end gaming feeder
04:25and you already have a PS5 sitting under your TV,
04:28the PSVR 2 is the clear winner for the price.
04:33Me from three years ago wouldn't believe I'm saying this,
04:36but in 2026, I think the PSVR 2 finally makes sense.
04:40At least enough sense for the price.
04:43In fact, the price-to-performance ratio is pretty remarkable,
04:46especially in a world where the price of everything seems to be going up.
04:50If you already own a PS5, the PSVR 2 in 2026 is the best bang for your buck in virtual
04:55reality.
04:56Just don't buy it at MSRP and definitely don't skip the comfort mods.
05:00If you guys found this video helpful,
05:02help me out by dropping a like and hitting that subscribe button
05:05so you can be sure not to miss any other videos.
05:08And as always, I'm Phil Rodriguez, this is Tom's Guide,
05:12and I will see you in the next video.
05:32F**k, man.
05:32F**k, man.
05:32F**k, man.
05:32Here we go.
