A virtual reality (VR) headset is a head-mounted device that immerses users in virtual environments through 3D near-eye displays and positional tracking, commonly used for gaming, simulators, and training. These devices employ stereoscopic displays, stereo sound, and sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes for precise head tracking, offering either three or six degrees of freedom; some, like the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3, are "mixed reality" headsets that also integrate the real world. While many rely on PCs, "standalone" models run apps directly, and low-cost options like Google Cardboard utilize smartphones.

Early attempts by companies like VPL Research in the 1980s and products like the 1994 Forte VFX1 and 1997 Sony Glasstron faced commercial failure due to technological limitations. The modern VR era truly began with the 2012 crowdfunding for the Oculus Rift, which Facebook acquired for $2 billion in 2014 and released in March 2016. This was quickly followed by the Valve/HTC Vive and PlayStation VR in late 2016, marking a significant re-emergence of consumer VR technology.