What’s the best headset for VR porn in 2023? The latest Updates on PICO 5 and Valve Deckard

Alex Novak

Do you want to explore the world of virtual reality and discover the best headsets and VR glasses for watching VR porn? There are several excellent options currently available in the market. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore some of the top VR headsets available today. Then access VR porn with SexLikeReal through the DeoVR app (simply enter sexlikereal.com in the browser), to access thousands of videos with a single click, without any additional downloads or settings adjustments. [updated: Sept 2023]

NEW: You can even access the entire SLR library in smartphone POV, with full support for your interactive haptic sex toy (plus AR passthrough porn coming soon)!

This post will continue to be updated as new information emerges... Last update: August 2023

Recommended headsets for watching VR Porn

2022 and 2023 brought forth an impressive array of VR headsets, catering to a diverse range of needs and budgets. There are four notable contenders: the Meta Quest Pro, PICO 4, Meta Quest 3 and Apple's Vision Pro. We'll provide an overview of what makes them stand out, and in the case of upcoming releases, we'll keep you updated on our findings as we put them to the test.

1) Meta Quest Pro: The Ultimate Wireless Headset. Released in 2022 though it's still at the cutting edge of VR, this is for those seeking the pinnacle of wireless VR experiences. The Meta Quest Pro is a superb but expensive option, priced at $1500, but this headset brings exceptional visuals and color passthrough, setting it apart from its predecessor, the Quest 2. It's even capable of displaying 10-bit video. Some users have expressed concerns about comfort, which is worth considering before making the investment. If budget is no obstacle and you crave top-notch visuals, the Meta Quest Pro could be the perfect choice. However, we recommend waiting for the Meta Quest 3, which is due out later this year (see below). 

2) PICO 4: Another highly-regarded new standalone HMD. The specs and price point are impressive, coming in much cheaper than the Meta Quest Pro while offering better visuals compared to the Quest 2, thanks to the excellent new pancake lenses. However, if you're a passthrough fan, be aware that color passthrough on the Pico 4 is only mono, not stereo. 

Coming soon

1) Meta Quest 3: The Front-Runner with Mixed Reality Passthrough. The highly anticipated Meta Quest 3 has emerged as a potential front-runner in the VR headset market. Boasting remarkable mixed reality passthrough capabilities, this headset promises to provide an unparalleled level of immersion. Alongside its impressive visuals and comfort, the Meta Quest 3 comes at an affordable price, making it an enticing option for VR enthusiasts. We are eager to put it through its paces and will keep you informed with a comprehensive review once we have thoroughly tested this promising device.

2) Apple's Vision Pro: A High-End Contender. While information about Apple's Vision Pro headset remains scarce, its price point is noticeably higher than that of the Meta Quest 3. This cost might deter some users seeking a more budget-friendly option. Nonetheless, we are actively researching and gathering details about Apple's Vision Pro and its compatibility with VR porn through SexLikeReal. Keep an eye on this blog, as we'll provide a full account of our findings and offer recommendations once we have a complete understanding of this intriguing headset.

3) PICO 5: Rumored Successor to PICO 4. The PICO 5 is not yet confirmed, but leaked images of what looks like new PICO controllers have surfaced hinting that a PICO 5 is in development, meaning the PICO 4 could be getting an upgrade in the coming months. Based on the success of the PICO 4, a new model is likely to be a strong contender that we will be keeping an eye on. Full specs are not yet available.

4) Valve “Deckard”: Steam-based Mystery Project. A reigning champion in the high-end PCVR market, Valve is rumored to be developing a new VR system to succeed the Index. Codenamed “Deckard,” very little is known about the project so far. It could be a linear improvement Index 2, or it could be something different. Naturally, specs are not yet available. As we uncover more we will be sure to keep you up-to-date.

Ultimately, the Meta Quest Pro headset delivers much better visuals and the entire field of view is sharp, making it perfect for the best VR porn experience when teamed with high-resolution videos from SLR. This is also the best option for SLR's hugely popular passthrough videos, thanks to the improved visuals and color background when using the passthrough feature. 

SLR is now available on the Pico 4 via the DeoVR app (available in the Pico store). Many users report the image quality is greatly improved on the Pico 4 when compared to the Quest 2 and other headsets, although there are some minor issues to be aware of, such as purchasing problems and reports of light leakage. 

The VIVE XR Elite is a new all-in-one headset released in 2023, with 4K resolution overall - each eye has a 2K screen (2,048 x 1,080) which is slightly better than the Meta Quest 2 headset.  Reports about the comfort vary - some say it's the most comfortable headset on the market, while we've had first-hand reports of it being almost unbearable to wear. With this in mind, try to try it on first before you make a purchase. However, if you enjoy how it feels then it can work well for longer sessions, especially as the battery can be hot-swapped, but it comes at a high cost price ($1099 / £1299 / €1399). Ultimately, we do not recommend it for SLR as it does not allow for passthrough supported by DeoVR. 

Older and affordable models:

The Oculus Quest 2 is a more affordable all-in-one console headset that works wirelessly with 1832 x 1920 resolution per eye. This model natively supports 8K videos, the highest video resolution currently available. It’s an Android device that is locked to Oculus Home interface. Simply get DeoVR from Oculus Home and enter SexLikeReal.com in the DeoVR browser. Enjoy one-click streaming in the best quality. Quest 2 has all the capabilities onboard for the best video playback. It can also be connected via the Oculus Link cable to your desktop, but you don't want to use it for VR porn as video quality gets lowered. Right now, for price and quality, the Oculus Quest 2 is the best VR headset for porn - but the Quest 3 is coming out soon.

Desktop VR Headsets:

HP Reverb G2 possesses the best overall video quality display, offering 2,160 × 2,160 LCD panels per eye at 90Hz. Valve Index is known for its 144/122Hz screen. Pimax 8K offers a high resolution screen and 200º FOV. 

For a desktop set-up, you will need a system compatible with the Nvidia 10xx/20xx/30xx range of graphics cards (these have the same video decoding specs). Nvidia 30xx has the same video decoding specs as previous generations, providing no advantage for video playback unless AV1 support. If choosing another GPU manufacturer make sure it decodes 8192x4096@60FPS h.265 videos. 

Consider getting an Xbox controller to control videos like a pro with extended controller mapping offered by the SLR app. You can take full charge of how you watch the videos with a click of your fingertips.

Once you choose your headset and download the DeoVR app (enter sexlikereal.com in the browser), you can also augment your experience by connecting interactive sex toys like Kiiroo Onyx+ or The Handy so that you can actually feel what’s happening in the video. 

Access the entire SLR library in smartphone POV

Don’t want a VR headset but still want to enjoy the amazing content hosted at SLR? Now you can see it on your smartphone in non-VR POV AND use advanced features such as syncing the onscreen action with their interactive haptic sex toy. Plus AR passthrough porn is coming soon. Watch this video to see it in action. Use the SLR Haptics Connect smartphone app to see all the hot VR action in high-quality mono mode, all on your smartphone. Now anyone with a smartphone device can access a huge library of captivating VR scenes with a simple tap - plus other mind-blowing features only available at SLR. 

Not recommended headsets

Old mobile phone-based VR headsets such as Google Cardboard, iPhone VR and GearVR are no longer supported. Neither are: Oculus Go, PSVR (2016) or Daydream. The Meta Quest 1 is only capable of 4K video playback, while most newer videos reach 8K quality.

The second generation of Playstation VR (PSVR2) accompanying the Playstation 5 has been released but it is not recommended as the limitations of the Playstation ecosystem offer little option for VR porn.

Important: so-called 12K videos from other studios are actually inferior, stick to 8K

Although some VR studios claim to have created 12K videos, in reality these videos are of no benefit to the typical user - and may even make things worse. Your GPU or any other video decoder can't handle this resolution (or anything over 8192x8192@30FPS or 8192x4092@60FPS for side-by-side 180-degree VR video). In the best-case scenario, frames will be dropped, meaning a jerky awkward viewing experience. To avoid this, a 12K video has to be downscaled to 8K. The player will process what ever is put into it but the hardware has to be in place for 12K video. In other words, it's currently not worth looking for 12K VR footage. If your equipment is up to the task, stick to 8K for the best VR experience. 

Syncing Headsets With Haptic Devices

While VR porn is already very interactive, it’s still missing the physical side of sexual intimacy. Fortunately, technology is already filling in that gap, thanks to haptic devices like the Handy.

But which headsets are best for this experience? Technically, they all are, since syncing happens through the SLR app (or browser). If you have the Handy, you can sync your toy to the platform directly by entering your security key on your profile page. 

However, if you’re using a different haptics device (like the Lovense), you’ll have to sync up with the Haptics Connect app on your smartphone. Also, you’ll have to upgrade to an SLR + Scripts subscription to sync your devices correctly. 

Since this is all a bit more complicated, we highly recommend buying the Handy (or the SLR haptics device once it’s launched) so you can start feeling the difference immediately. 

Passthrough Scenes on a VR Device

Like haptic feedback porn, passthrough is another innovation that’s changing the entire landscape. Passthrough porn is when you’re able to make the model look like she’s there in your room, interacting with you in real life. Technically, another term for this would be “augmented reality” (AR) since you can see your actual surroundings with a digitally-projected image. 

Unlike haptic devices, though, the headset you choose matters a lot. For now, only the Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro, and Pico 4 have sufficient passthrough capabilities. The VIVE XR Elite has passthrough capabilities but it is not fully supported by DeoVR. 

Of those headsets, the Meta Quest Pro and the Pico 4 provide the best results because they offer high-resolution, full-color passthrough by design. The Meta Quest 2 is okay, although it renders your environment in black and white. 

Anything else you might need?

You should be all good with a decent headset. You might prefer watching newer videos as technology has greatly improved since the early days of VR porn. And make sure to have at least a 50Mbps fiber connection for unparalleled streaming. As resolution and bitrate are increasing all the time in VR it would be best to go for 200Mbps or higher. Simply run the SLR Speedtest to check how it works for you. If you are not happy with your speed test result let's get it fixed. 

What next to expect

Keep in mind that the Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro are due out in late 2023, and both of these devices could make VR porn - especially passthrough - even better, so stay tuned!

Want to try out SLR's vast library of adult content without a VR headset? The new SLR 2D flat app is out now, so you can explore it for yourself - and even use it with your interactive haptic sex toy!