6 Best Apple Vision Pro Alternatives[2024]

With a sky-high price tag of $3500, Apple's new Vision Pro mixed reality headset is far from accessible for most consumers. Thankfully, there are some compelling alternatives that provide a similar experience at a more palatable price point. From mainstream brands like Meta to ultra-premium options by Varjo, let's explore 6 of the best alternatives available today for the Vision Pro.

1. Meta Quest Pro

The Meta Quest Pro packs impressive specs like Snapdragon XR2+ chipset, 12GB RAM, and 256GB storage into a beautifully designed 722g body. It offers a high-resolution 1800×1920 display per eye, 90Hz refresh rate, pancake lenses and great inside-out tracking. Though it can't match the Vision Pro's displays, the Quest Pro provides a more consumer-friendly experience via Meta's ecosystem and dual Touch controllers.

Pros:

• Sleek, comfortable design

• Powerful performance

• Good battery life

• More affordable

Cons:

• Lower resolution and contrast than Vision Pro

• Fewer pro apps currently

Check the Latest Price: Amazon

2. HTC Vive XR Elite

With a stunning 110-degree field of view and precisely calibrated weight distribution, the 625g HTC Vive XR Elite offers best-in-class visual immersion. It packs the Snapdragon XR2, 12GB RAM, 128GB storage and inside-out tracking with two side cameras. While not as sharp as the Vision Pro, its 1920 x 1920 LCD displays with mini-LED backlight still provide amazing visuals. At $800 cheaper than the Vision Pro, it's a worthy alternative.

Pros:

• Extremely wide field of view

• Great weight balance

• Dual controllers included

• Much more affordable

Cons:

• Lower resolution displays

• Doesn't support lidar/depth sensing

Check the Latest Price: Amazon

3. Varjo X-4

The professional-grade Varjo X-4 boasts ultra-high 3840x3744 resolution on dual mini-LED displays, exceeding the Vision Pro's sharpness. It includes lidar and stereo cameras for advanced mixed reality and photorealistic passthrough. At 51ppd pixel density, its image quality sets it apart, ideal for 3D design and simulation use cases. Only downside you get is that it relies on the processing power of a host computer to generate the images and track the user's movements.

Pros:

• Best-in-class display resolution

• Photorealistic mixed reality

• Targeted at professional use

Cons:

• Much more expensive

• Requires high-end PC

Check the Latest Price: Amazon

4. Pimax Crystal

The Pimax Crystal renders impressively sharp and colorful 2880×2880 visuals on its mini-LED screens. With eye tracking, IPD adjustment, up to 120Hz refresh rate and 140-degree FOV, it provides an extremely immersive VR experience, especially when connected to a gaming PC. While the Vision Pro likely has better contrast, the Crystal costs less than half, delivering great value for high-end PC VR users.

Pros:

• Sharp displays with good colors

• Smooth experience with eye tracking

• Wide field of view

• More affordable for consumers

Cons:

• Requires tethered connection to PC

• Bulky external tracking box

Check the Latest Price: Amazon

5. XREAL Air 2 Ultra AR Glasses

Weighing just 80g, the XREAL Air 2 Ultra are incredibly lightweight and comfortable AR smart glasses. They allow hands-free control through intuitive hand tracking, eye tracking, and voice commands. With a 52-degree field of view on their Sony micro-OLED displays, these futuristic glasses offer a peek into the AR future. Their versatile connectivity over USB-C, HDMI or Wi-Fi provides flexibility.

Pros:

• Extremely lightweight at 80g

• Hand, eye and voice control

• Good FOV for size

• Versatile connectivity

Cons:

• Limited apps and functionality currently

Check the Latest Price: Amazon

6. Meta Quest 3

The budget-friendly Meta Quest 3 delivers compelling VR capabilities at just $500. While it lacks the premium features of the Vision Pro, its Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset provides solid performance. With two 1832×1920 LCDs, 120Hz refresh rate and inside-out tracking, it offers an easy entry point to VR gaming and entertainment through Meta's content ecosystem.

Pros:

• Very affordable at $500

• Good performance for price

• Established content ecosystem

• Lightweight 515g design

Cons:

• No eye or face tracking

• Lower resolution displays

Check the Latest Price: Amazon

Conclusion

In closing, while nothing can fully replicate the premium capabilities of Apple Vision Pro right now, alternatives like the Quest Pro and Vive XR Elite come remarkably close for consumer use. For professionals needing cutting-edge visuals, the Varjo X-4 and Pimax Crystal are worthy choices too. And the XREAL Air 2 Ultra provides a lightweight AR glasses option. At their lower price points, all 6 deliver great value compared to the $3500 Apple Vision Pro.

Explore more topics:

• 10 Apple Vision Pro Secrets & Hidden Features!

• How to Watch YouTube on Apple Vision Pro[2 Methods] 

• Apple Vision Pro vs 4K TV: Which Offers the Better Movie Watching Experience?