With so many VR headsets on the market, choosing the right one for education can be difficult. We know it’s a significant investment, and you definitely want to avoid any missteps. That’s why we created this article—to help you navigate those choices and find the best VR headset for your needs.
In this ArborXR guide, we’ll review four excellent VR headsets that transform the traditional classroom experience.
How to Find VR Content for Your Program
Before purchasing headsets for your program, it’s important to think about content—the foundation of any successful VR program. First off, we highly recommend you work with experts. Partner with a skilled VR content provider, and seek their input when sourcing or developing content.
Why?
XR developers and ISVs bring professional know-how in both VR and education to the table, ensuring your programs hit the mark. Plus, many providers offer support throughout your initiative—that means ongoing updates, training, and technical advice.
You can get content from these providers in two main ways:
- License Pre-made VR Content: Quick and easy, but can get pricey over time and usage rights might be limited.
- Custom VR Content: Takes longer to create, but gives you complete control and customization.
If you’re looking for XR developers to help with effective educational content, check out our education-approved XR developer directory. It’s a great starting point in your search for trusted, talented XR developers and ISVs.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a VR Headset for Education
Content Availability & Compatibility
Before investing in hardware, you need to make sure that’s compatible with any and all VR content you want to use.
Many developers (especially in education) have historically focused on creating content for Meta Quest headsets, but alternitives like PICO are picking up steam in this space. Ultimately, you’ll be able to find or create educational content for almost any headset—it’s just a matter of confirming that it’s aligned with your goals.
Check out our XR developer directory for reliable, vetted enterprise partners.
Durability
VR headsets used in education are likely to experience more wear than those used for personal entertainment.
You need to be looking for headsets built with durable materials and designed to withstand frequent use. Factors like cable reinforcement, head strap adjustability, and overall build quality are important to look into.
Provisioning and Kitting
Are you buying devices in bulk with setup and kitting included? Or will you provision devices yourself? This choice will affect the device to choose.
For example, Meta’s consumer devices still require unique Meta accounts for each device in a fleet. This makes setup somewhat difficult in an educational context, because you’ll need to create a number of fake student accounts and store the login information for each.
The 3 Best VR Headsets for Education
- Meta Quest 3
- HTC Vive Pro 2
- DPVR P1 Pro Ultra 4k
Meta Quest 3
From a price standpoint alone, Meta Quest 3 is a top choice for education—this headset is very affordable (less than half the price of the ThinkReality VRX).
But beyond the price, there is a lot going for it in educational contexts.
What We Love
- Mixed reality capabilities: Blends physical and digital worlds for hands-on learning experiences.
- Soft adjustable strap: Provides a comfortable fit for extended wear, reducing fatigue and distractions.
- Hand tracking: Enables intuitive interaction with virtual objects for engaging learning.
- 3D surround sound: Creates a more immersive learning environment, enhancing spatial awareness and improving audio cues in educational content.
- 4K+ Infinite Display with 25 PPD and 1218 PPI: Delivers sharp and clear visuals, reducing eye strain and improving focus on educational content.
- 110-degree horizontal and 96-degree vertical field of view: Provides a wider perspective for immersive learning experiences.
Pricing
Meta Quest 3’s pricing starts at $500 on the Meta website. The cost can vary based on the add-ons like carrying cases and Elite Straps.
Important Note About the Meta Quest 3 Headset
Using the Meta Quest 3 headset with a third-party MDM can be challenging. Unlike devices from makers like HTC, which are pretty much plug-and-play, Quest 3 requires you to set up a unique Meta account for each headset before you can onboard them into your MDM.
This process can take 10 to 20 minutes per device, which isn’t scalable. If you’re purchasing from third-party resellers or distributors, some might offer to handle the setup for you—but expect to pay a bit extra for the convenience.
Alternatively, you can create Meta Quest user testing accounts to skip this step, though you won’t have access to native Quest content. This might be a good workaround if you’re not planning to use Quest content.
HTC Vive Pro 2
HTC, like Lenovo, is another brand that pays good attention to the educational side of VR. They’ve been teaming up with different partners, including VictoryXR, to create custom VR content for students of all kinds.
However, the HTC Vive Pro 2 is a great headset option for schools. It’s budget-friendly and packed with features that make learning more exciting and compelling.
What We Love
- Crystal Clear: With 5K resolution, users can see in exceptional detail—for complex, visual topics like anatomy, engineering, or art.
- Wide View: The 120° field of view makes virtual environments feel more natural and immersive for students.
- Easy on the Eyes: Adjustable IPD and a high refresh rate (120Hz) minimize eye strain, perfect for longer study sessions.
- Realistic Experience: High-res visuals and 3D spatial sound bring lessons to life, making them more engaging and memorable.
- Comfortable Fit: Its ergonomic design suits various head sizes and is comfy enough for extended use so students stay focused.
Pricing
HTC Vive Pro 2 currently costs $799.
DPVR P1 Pro Ultra 4k
Last but not least—DPVR P1 Pro Ultra 4k.
This award-winning VR headset is powerful, customizable, and suitable for various educational uses. Here’s why we think it’s a great value option for schools looking to experience the benefits of XR on a budget.
What We Love
- Surround Sound: The immersive audio adds an extra layer to learning, making virtual environments feel more natural and engaging.
- 3DoF Tracking: It offers basic head movement tracking, which is excellent for applications like geography, where complex movement isn’t necessary.
- 100-Degree Field of View: While not as wide as some top-end models, the 100-degree FOV can still help students navigate virtual worlds comfortably.
- 4-Hour Battery Life: It has a decent battery life that ensures uninterrupted sessions—no need for constant recharging during class.
- 3840×2160 Resolution: The high resolution makes details crisp and clear, ideal for subjects that need precise visuals, like science and surgery.
Pricing
The DPVR P1 Pro Ultra 4K is currently available for $599 when you buy direct.
Manage Your VR Education Headsets in One Location
If you’re planning to launch a VR program at your school, this article covers everything from finding content to choosing a headset.
But don’t forget—managing those headsets is key. You’ll need a system to install apps on all headsets at once, track their locations, see who’s using them, and see what users are seeing in the headsets. Plus, you’ll want to control the VR experience, from customizing learning environments to locking students into specific apps as needed. That’s where a VR device management platform like ArborXR comes in. Ready to try ArborXR? Start your 30-day free trial today and see how it can simplify your VR device management at your school.