Since its initial release in 2020, Microsoft Flight Simulator has changed its naming scheme for the upcoming 2024 release, but the core gameplay remains the same. Virtual reality (VR) headset support was added soon after launch and is expected to remain for future updates.
Flying real-world aircraft in a 3D recreation of the entire planet Earth is a breathtaking experience anyway, but virtually inserting yourself into a cockpit with the best VR headset is on another level of immersion.
Officially, Microsoft supports a range of VR headsets from PC-centric brands like Valve and HP. However, standalone options from Meta work perfectly thanks to their integration with PC VR, making Flight Simulator more accessible than ever. Here are my top picks for the best overall VR headset and alternatives for your Flight Sim needs.
Recent updates
November 15, 06:30 AM ET: Meta's Quest 3 is still my top pick, and compatibility with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 shouldn't change, but I'll check upon its release.
The best VR headset for Microsoft Flight Simulator
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Best overall
While it's primarily advertised as a mixed-reality headset, the Quest 3 is by far the best value and most versatile VR option available today, with a comfortable and lightweight build. Works perfectly with desktop PCs or laptops via a companion app.
Best for PC
There aren't many brands more knowledgeable about the PC gaming space than Valve, and its Index headset is perfect for anyone sticking to PC-only gaming in VR. It requires base stations, but controller tracking is accurate and reliable.
Best budget
Although the Quest 3 is available, it hasn't necessarily replaced the Quest 2, which still offers an ultra-affordable entry point into VR and works with desktop PCs or gaming laptops. Choose this if you're a newcomer or are otherwise unsure about VR.
How to choose the right VR headset
The Quest 3 is still my top choice for VR in Microsoft Flight Simulator, and it's no surprise to see Meta rise to the top thanks to its unparalleled efforts in the virtual reality hardware and software scene. A versatile headset with more to offer than just PC VR gaming, you get full-color mixed reality with passthrough cameras for cable-free play powered by the headset or to help you get comfortably set up in your simulation rig and see exactly where your flight stick, pedals, and more are positioned.
Our friend Nicholas Sutrich at Android Central named it "the best VR headset you can buy" in his Meta Quest 3 review, and I'm still in complete agreement. Not only is it compatible with PC VR through a USB-C cable or wirelessly over Air Link with a reliable Wi-Fi 6 router or better, but it's also comfortable to wear, and the lenses have never been better. It's more expensive than its predecessor but has become the most accessible and best overall VR headset for many audiences, including simulation enthusiasts diving into the likes of Euro Truck Simulator 2 and Microsoft Flight Simulator.
You get a 2064 x 2208 resolution per eye with a 110-degree field of view (FOV) and an adjustable 58 - 71 mm interpupillary distance (IPD) range handled by a physical wheel and a digital readout. This all amounts to a customizable and high-quality viewing experience that shouldn't strain your eyes after a few hours of play. My IPD sits around 66 mm, and it's a much better solution than the three-notch adjustment found on the Quest 2. There's really nothing better for an across-the-board solution to playing Microsoft Flight Simulator in virtual reality than the Meta Quest 3.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is truly a futuristic gaming experience, made only better with a VR headset. Instead of staring into a monitor, you can inject yourself into a pilot's chair and take a good look around while you fly across the world. Adding VR to Flight Simulator takes an already PC-intensive game and ramps things up.
If you need an upgrade for your gaming setup, be sure to check out the best pre-built gaming PCs for Flight Simulator as well as the best gaming laptops for Flight Simulator.
Any of the above VR headsets will do a great job of wowing you within the game, and the last-gen Meta Quest 2 is an ultra-affordable option if you're unsure. Visuals, audio, controls, and tracking all come together to create something special, and it could be a literal game-changer that convinces you to upgrade later.
Should I wait for Black Friday or Cyber Monday?
As usual, Black Friday comes at the end of the month, this time on November 29, and Cyber Monday follows soon after on December 2, 2024. You don't usually have to wait for the actual days for savings, and VR headsets are likely no exception.
• Discounts on gaming laptops
• Our top-rated Windows laptops
• Early deals on gaming monitors
• Game Pass Ultimate discount
Cyber Monday is often geared more towards electronics and sticks with online storefronts, but that doesn't stop early deals from launching at the beginning of November and sometimes even earlier.
Meta's Quest 3 headset usually sells for around $499 at Amazon for a 512GB model bundled with at least one game, currently Batman: Arkham Shadow.
In the past, I've seen the headset itself drop as low as $429 during Amazon's Prime Day sales event in July, so a Black Friday or Cyber Monday equivalent isn't impossible.
For the budget option, Meta's last-gen Quest 2 is currently $409.99 at Amazon but has dropped as low as $299.98 in June this year. If you're unsure about VR in general, this is the one to hold out for. Get the Quest 2 as cheap as possible, and you'll still be able to sell it second-hand for a decent price, given its popularity.
