Wireless VR vs. Tethered VR: Which Is Best For Your VR Training?

Organizations have 2 headset options for virtual reality (VR) training: wireless or tethered.

A wireless VR headset is cordless and can run entirely on its own power. Common benefits of wireless VR headsets include increased comfort and mobility, simple set up, and a lower cost compared to tethered devices.

A tethered VR headset operates only when connected to a PC through a cable connection. Common benefits of tethered VR headsets include screen-sharing capabilities, greater power, and higher-end graphics with real-time lighting and effects.

Key Points:

Wireless VR (Standalone): Offers high mobility, simple setup, and lower costs, making it ideal for scalable training; however, it typically has less processing power and lower graphical fidelity than tethered options.
Tethered VR (PC-Connected): Delivers superior performance with high-end graphics and real-time effects by connecting to a PC, but restricts movement with cables and requires a more expensive, complex hardware setup.
Decision Framework: Choose Wireless VR for ease of use and mass deployment, or Tethered VR for scenarios requiring maximum power, complex simulations, and screen-sharing capabilities.

When a coin flips, there are 2 options for you to pick between: heads or tails. Similarly, there are 2 types of virtual reality (VR) headsets for corporate training: wireless and tethered.

While wireless headsets offer greater mobility and usually cost less, tethered headsets deliver more power and higher-end graphics. How does your organization know which is best for you? We’re here to help you find out!

At Roundtable Learning, we work with organizations to implement innovative training solutions that meet their needs. With an immersive, hands-on training modality, like VR, we help take employee productivity and efficiency to new heights.

This article will compare and contrast wireless VR headsets and tethered VR headsets.

What Is A Wireless Virtual Reality Headset?

A wireless VR headset, also known as a standalone headset, is cordless and runs on its own power. Wireless headsets don’t require a connection to a VR-ready PC; therefore, they operate independently.

Optionally, for greater processing power, wireless headsets can include a cable for connecting to a PC. With a VR tool like SteamVR or Oculus Link, wireless headsets can act as tethered devices, allowing learners to set up and launch their VR activity on their PC. This ultimately allows headsets to use the PC’s higher processing power for higher frame rates, better graphics, etc.

Pros of wireless VR headsets include:

Increased comfort and mobility for learners
Simpler setup than tethered devices
Typically cost less than tethered devices

Cons of wireless VR headsets include:

Less power than tethered devices
Lower quality graphics and effects

How Do Wireless Virtual Reality Headsets Work?

Wireless VR headsets run completely out-of-the-box without needing a PC or any cables to operate. Cables will be included with your device for charging, but otherwise, wireless headsets don’t require any connection to operate.

Wireless headsets come with a simple setup and track learners’ movements through cameras and sensors mounted to the headset itself. These cameras and sensors use inside-out-tracking to estimate where learners are based on what’s around them.

For enterprise users who decide to use wireless VR headsets, you should consider the associated costs for maintaining headsets at different locations, as well as sanitizing your headsets.

What Are The Best Wireless Virtual Reality Headsets?

Oculus (Meta) Quest 2
Pico Neo 3 Pro
VIVE Focus 3

What Is A Tethered Virtual Reality Headset?

A tethered VR headset operates only when connected to a PC via a cable. While tethered headsets typically rely on a PC for power, some tethered headsets have wireless adapters for wireless connectivity.

Pros of tethered VR headsets include:

Convenient to share in-headset view to a larger screen for peers and other learners to view
More powerful than a wireless VR headset
Higher-end graphics with real-time lighting and effects (e.g. mirror reflections)

Cons of tethered VR headsets include:

Users are restricted in their movements and distance from the PC
Typically, they come at a higher cost
Require VR-ready PCs and additional equipment (e.g. base stations and lighthouse boxes)

How Do Tethered Virtual Reality Headsets Work?

Tethered VR headsets are powered by a cable connection to a PC that delivers the VR experience to the headset. Some tethered VR headsets require 2-3 additional devices, including base stations and lightboxes that are installed in the upper corners of a room to track learners’ movements. These devices give an external input to the headset, combined with sensors on the headset itself, to accurately track learners’ movements.

If you decide to use tethered VR headsets, your organization should consider designating a specific area in your office for learners to complete their VR activities.

What Are The Best Tethered Virtual Reality Headsets?

Oculus Rift S
HTC Vive Cosmos
Valve Index

Recommendation For A Virtual Reality Headset Based On Your Training Needs

Standard wireless VR headsets are the more popular option for giving learners an authentic VR training experience with an accessible, simple setup. In addition, wireless VR headsets are typically easier to scale than tethered options because they don’t require PC power and generally cost less.

Tethered headsets are the more powerful option, allowing learners to share their activity with others and experience higher-end graphics. While tethered devices typically come at a higher cost, they are the more powerful option, delivering high-quality VR immersion with positional tracking that responds to learners’ movements.

Perhaps not all of your learners can use wireless or tethered VR headsets. Luckily, there are alternative VR access options available, including:

Cardboard VR headsets – Cardboard VR headsets are inexpensive ($9 – $40 per headset), lightweight, scalable, and compatible with learners’ Android or iPhone devices.
How To Use A Cardboard Virtual Reality Headset For iPhone And Android?
Desktop or Mobile VR – Accessed through a URL, desktop or mobile VR allows learners to experience VR outside of a headset. On their computer, learners simply use their mouse and keyboard to interact with content. On their mobile devices, learners tap their screens and point them in different directions to experience the activity.

Which Virtual Reality Headset Type Is Best For You?

This article has reviewed the 2 types of VR headsets: wireless and tethered. We hope that you have a better understanding of the pros and cons of each VR headset type, as well as popular models for each.
Curious about the full capabilities of VR training? Our team of technology and learning experts is here to help! Reach out to our team or check out more of our resources on VR training today!

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