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If you live near a target, you probably do a lot of your technology-based shopping from Target. Target has a large selection of headsets that updates frequently. In most cases, you can find a variety of headsets in the store that can fulfill your VR gaming needs. This article is the definitive list of the best Target VR headsets that are available in the store.
Bottom Line Up Front
The best VR headset available in Target is the Oculus Quest 2. The headset is readily available and is one of the latest headsets on the market. It is versatile and has a solid display, with lightweight construction and one of the most comfortable head straps. The headset is also usable as a standalone device, meaning it doesn’t need a PC or a PC VR set of games to function and comes with a store dedicated to itself.
However, apart from this, I will list out the other top pick of headsets available in Target, along with some of the alternatives you can get as resale items at other stores like GameStop or online at eBay.
My Top Picks
- The Oculus Quest 2 is the clear winner as the best VR headset available in Target. It’s a complete package that can work with or without a PC and lets you do the most with the headset’s features and options.
- The PlayStation VR is a headset meant specifically to play the VR games available for the Playstation 4 series of consoles. It’s also usable as a screen or HDMI output device with your PC or even an Xbox One.
- The HTC Vive Pro 2 (Alternative) is a complete VR rig that aims to be the most comfortable headset with one of the best displays on the market. While it’s not listed on the Target website, you can find it at alternate retailers like eBay.
Selection Criteria
To select the best VR headsets from Target, I’ve chosen to use certain criteria that set the standard for how good a headset is.
Firstly, the display of the headset is an extremely important factor in how good it is to use. It’s important to keep in mind the glare, the contrast ratios as well as the nature and refresh rates of the displays.
Secondly, the compatibility of the headset is extremely important, especially when considering how easily it connects to a PC and whether it is compatible with other consoles or as a standalone device.
The weight of the headset and the head strap design is also very important. It should not be stressful on your neck to use a VR headset.
The price of the headset is important to consider whether users can shell out the money needed for the headset or if they’d be happier with a more budget option.
Lastly, the controllers that come with the headset and how well they work with the headset and the console that it connects to.
Best Target VR Headset
Meta Quest 2
The Meta or Oculus Quest 2 has an 1832 x 1920p display that goes up to 120Hz. It’s an LCD panel, and that means reduced glare at the cost of some deeper blacks. It’s a solid display, though it’s not the sharpest in the market.
The headset can work as a standalone device with no need to tether it to a PC. It can, however, be tethered with the use of a Link Cable or the use of the Oculus Air Link. It’s compatible with PCs and can also work on its own through the apps and games available on the Oculus Quest store that are made specifically for the Quest series of headsets.
The Oculus Quest 2 weighs about 500g. It’s already a lightweight headset. However, it is the head strap of the headset that really makes it comfortable to wear. The lightweight padding of the head strap sits very comfortably on top of your head. Moreover, the halo-style strap makes the weight of the headset distribute itself evenly on top of your head, so one side of your neck is not strained more than the others.
The headset starts at a price of $299 for the base 128GB version. This is an excellent pricing point considering how versatile the headset is and the many features it is packed with.
The Controllers on the Oculus Quest 2 are interactive and over gesture recognition to some extent. However, since there are no base stations on the headset, it is not possible to register any input behind the user.
Overall, this headset is affordable, lightweight, versatile, and very user-friendly. It accommodates all types of users, from light gamers to experienced VR gamers. It’s an excellent option to pick up from your nearest Target store.
Pros
Weight, Headstrap, Price,
Cons
Display resolution, Controllers
Playstation VR
The Playstation VR is available in Target as a bundle with some games.
This headset sports a 960 x 1080p per eye display. However, it is an OLED panel, meaning all black pixels will not light up, and they will remain completely dark. This makes for excellent viewing quality, especially for high contrast games and other content. The display can also operate between 90Hz and 120Hz.
The headset is meant to be used exclusively as a device for PlayStation VR games. However, there are software workarounds to enable the headset to be used on your PC for VR gaming. Apart from that, users can also use it as an HDMI output device, allowing them to essentially turn it into a VR screen for any content that comes out of an HDMI port.
The headset weighs in at 624g. However, the strap of the headset is designed exceptionally well, ergonomically speaking. The strap rests on top of your head in such a way that no part of the headset is touching your nose, cheekbones, or eyes. This makes it a very comfortable wearing experience and leaves your face free of stress for extended gaming sessions.
The headset was released at a price of $399 and is available on target for $350 as part of a gaming bundle with VR games for the PlayStation. It’s a good price reduction. However, you have to account for the fact that the headset is meant to be used with the PlayStation, and the PC gameplay can cause issues since they stem from a third-party application.
The controllers on the headset are PlayStation Move controllers and the AIM controller for the first-person shooter games. These controllers are fairly interactive, and since Sony has to make them only for their games, the development is smooth, and it doesn’t cause any hiccups when gaming on the Playstation. However, they can’t be used on the PC or other devices since they’re controllers from Sony meant for PlayStation VR.
A headset is an excellent option if you want something for your PlayStation device. The selection of games is good, and the headset is a well-constructed device that runs very smoothly since the development is by Sony.
Pros
Smooth for PlayStation VR games, Very comfortable, Affordable
Cons
Compatibility with other devices, Controllers
Alternatives
While these headsets are the only ones presently listed on the Target website, I’d like to offer two alternatives that are excellent Vr headsets that you can consider and purchase from alternate sites like GameStop, eBay, Amazon, or even a local store that offers these items for resale.
HTC Vive Pro 2
The HTC Vive Pro 2 is aimed at being the most comfortable and powerful gaming system for VR users.
The headset houses a Dual RGB low persistence LCD panel with 2448 x 2448p per eye. The panel is excellent for high contrast content, with the screen almost verging on something close to an OLED or AMOLED panel. The display also scales up to 120Hz, which is a refreshing refresh rate to see on the newer headsets.
It’s a tethered headset that needs to be set up with base cameras and connected to your PC in order to function. It cannot function as a standalone headset.
The headset weighs in at 850g. However, it has one of the most comfortable head straps available on the market, and it will not make you feel like you’re wearing such heavy equipment even after extended use.
The headset starts at a price of $750. However, the full kit costs about twice as much. It is a premium headset, but it has the latest hardware and the best internals of any headset on the market.
The Controllers are very interactive, including controls for hand gestures with finger tracking. The headset also has base station cameras, which means all controller input around you will be registered.
It’s the overall VR experience, with the only issue being the price. If you can afford it, it’s an excellent investment to make and will last you a long time.
Pros
Display, Controllers, Headstrap
Cons
Weight, Price
Valve Index
The Valve Index aims to be the most comprehensive VR kit available in the market.
The display on the Valve index offers a dual LCD panel with a 1440 x 1600p resolution per eye. However, the refresh rate of the display goes as high up as 144Hz, which is the highest of any headset on this list. This makes it an excellent choice for users that want to view action-packed content and react in the fastest time possible. I personally prefer refresh rate to resolution, so this is one of the best displays out there, in my opinion.
The headset is a tethered headset that needs to be set up with base cameras and connected to your PC in order to function. It cannot function as a standalone headset.
The Valve Index is 809g in weight. The head strap isn’t great, which does mean it is one of the more uncomfortable headsets on my list. However, if you can look past the comfort aspect, then you still get one of the very best displays in the market for the trade-off.
The headset starts at a release price of $1000. It’s on the expensive side, but this comes with the full kit.
The controllers are designed with hand input in mind to make the user feel truly immersed. These are some of the most advanced controllers on the market, and they track hand movements very well with almost no jitters.
A headset is a great option for someone who wants to value their refresh rate and have a complete and comprehensive VR package in hand for the long run.
Pros
Refresh Rate, Display, Controllers
Cons
Weight, Price
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: Are all the Latest Headsets Available in Target?
Answer: Unfortunately, not. The only two headsets available in Target stores at the moment are the Meta Quest 2 and the PlayStation VR Bundle. However, you can find other headsets at local retailers or alternate stores like Amazon, BestBuy, eBay, or GameStop.
Question: Is Target the Best Store to Purchase VR Headsets?
Answer: This one is a subjective question. However, my personal opinion is that it is not. I’m always happier purchasing my technology from either Amazon or from BestBuy. I feel that these two have a wider variety as far as selections are concerned. Moreover, they generally have more availability as well, which means that you’ll not have issues finding stuff on these websites, at least as far as technology is concerned.
Question: Does Target Deliver?
Answer: Yes! Target has a number of delivery options, including same-day delivery. It’s likely that you have a target store near you anyway. However, if you find yourself unable to travel to the store, you can have your headset delivered to you.
Conclusion
The best VR headset available in Target is the Meta Quest 2. While this is partly true because they have a very limited collection listed on their website, the Meta quest 2 is an excellent headset. It’s lightweight, extremely comfortable, and versatile. It can serve as a standalone headset or be tethered to your PC for more intense PC VR gaming. It’s one of the most user-friendly headsets on the market, which means that it is great for all types of users looking to purchase a new VR headset.
While Target has a limited collection, there’s no shortage of stores that can provide you with the latest headsets. If you look at my top picks, there is the HTC Vive Pro 2 that you can’t find in Target. However, the PlayStation VR is an excellent option for you if you’re looking specifically to buy from Target and also own a PlayStation device compatible with VR games.
There are alternatives to Target, but if it’s the nearest store, your options are limited in the VR department. However, you can always opt to buy something from BestBuy, Amazon, eBay, or GameStop if you need a specific headset.
Hope you find what you’re looking for, and Happy Shopping!
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