I’ve covered VR headsets since the original Oculus Rift development kit debuted more than 10 years ago, and I’ve worn nearly every major headset released since then. I know the technology’s ins and outs (eye-tracking sensors, camera-based motion tracking) and I rate all of these products on their performance and value, so I know a good deal when I see one. Likewise, I’m the go-to expert if you’re looking for a less bulky wearable display in the form of smart glasses. If you’re curious about this technology, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the perfect times to dive in, so check out the best sales I’ve found.
And don’t forget to check out all the Best Early Black Friday Deals Available Now.
The Best Black Friday VR Headsets and Smart Glasses Deals
HTC’s Tethered and Standalone Vive Headsets
All of HTC’s consumer VR headsets are on sale for Black Friday, which is good news if you want to set up a streaming, PC-based VR system. The Vive Pro 2 remains one of the highest-resolution VR headsets we’ve tested, with a 2,448-by-2,448 image for each eye. It’s $499 (down from $699) for the standalone headset or $799.99 (down from $1,199) for a full kit with controllers and base stations.
We haven’t reviewed it yet, but the Vive XR Elite consumer standalone headset is also on sale. It’s discounted from $1,099 to $799.99 and includes the headset and controllers. Unlike the Vive Pro, the Vive XR Elite can function independently, featuring an interface similar to the Meta Quest headsets. It also works tethered to a PC.
Meanwhile, Vive offers a $149 discount on its Focus Vision VR headset and bundled DisplayPort wired streaming kit (gear for getting the best graphics and lowest lag from your tethered PC setup). You can pick them up for $999 instead of the usual $1,148. The headset has the XR Elite’s processing power, the Pro 2’s high resolution, and eye-tracking similar to the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest Pro.
I’m still testing both standalone Vive units, but they seem like capable VR headsets (and good alternatives to the Quest if you don’t want to use Meta’s ecosystem). Like the Meta Quest Pro, the Focus Vision’s eye-tracking feels like early technology with uneven software integration compared with the Apple Vision Pro.
Still, the promising headsets can be useful under the right conditions. The XR Elite and Focus Vision are especially compelling if you’re a vtuber, since they have optional face trackers that can translate your expressions to your digital avatar. The $199 Vive Full Face Tracker adds eye tracking and face tracking to the XR Elite, while a $99 accessory adds face tracking to the Focus Vision.
Recommended by Our Editors
Add VR to Your PS5 or PS5 Pro
If you have a PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 5 Pro, you can get high-end VR without a gaming PC or compromising on graphics and performance. The PlayStation VR2 uses the PS5’s power to offer an immersive experience with dozens of games to try (even if we’re still a bit bitter that it isn’t backward compatible with original PS VR games). It also has eye tracking, and is by far the most affordable headset available with the technology—even before the discount. It’s less expensive now at $349, down from its usual $549.99 price.
Viture’s Top-Notch Smart Glasses
Few full VR headsets are discounted for Black Friday, but you can still get a great deal on a wearable display. The Viture Pro, an Editors’ Choice pair of smart glasses, is on sale for $399, down from $499. Although a relatively modest sale, it’s still a good deal on a pair of glasses that display a bright, colorful 1080p picture resembling a 135-inch screen viewed from three meters away. It also has diopter adjustments, so you can use it if you’re nearsighted without getting prescription lens inserts. In addition, its outside lenses dim for privacy and to reduce distracting light.
Make sure to scope out our Black Friday hub for up-to-the-minute deals on the tech you want most.
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About Will Greenwald
Lead Analyst, Consumer Electronics
