Traditional training can be costly, risky, and often fails to engage employees. VR training offers a new, effective way to teach critical skills at scale. But the big question remains—does VR training actually deliver a strong return on investment (ROI)?
In this ArborXR guide, answer that very question. Plus, we’ll explore the real costs of VR training programs and share a simple process for measuring the ROI of your own VR training programs.
The 4 Best VR Headsets for Training
HTC Vive Focus 3
Meta Quest 3
HTC Vive Pro 2
PICO 4 Enterprise
1. HTC Vive Focus 3
The first headset on the list is the HTC Vive Focus 3.
This is a standalone headset designed primarily for business and enterprise applications, making it an excellent choice for VR training. It features high-quality graphics, impressive ergonomics, and a suite of advanced business applications.
2. Meta Quest 3
Released in October 2023, the Meta Quest 3 is a versatile and affordable standalone VR headset from Meta. It’s designed to offer a more powerful and immersive VR experience compared to its predecessors.
With its high-resolution display, lightweight design, and mixed reality capabilities (powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 3 processor), it’s perfect for training employees in hands-on skills and creating immersive learning environments.
3. HTC Vive Pro 2
The HTC Vive Pro 2 complements the wireless Focus 3 in HTC’s VR lineup. Released in June 2021, this PC-powered headset prioritizes visual quality and performance over portability.
While it requires connection to a powerful PC, this tethered design enables the Vive Pro 2 to handle resource-intensive simulations with exceptional visual fidelity and responsiveness. This makes it ideal for specialized training scenarios that demand precise detail, like medical simulations, engineering workflows, and other graphics-heavy applications.
3. HTC Vive Pro 2
Released in December 2022, the PICO 4 Enterprise (or PICO 4E) stands out as a wireless VR headset built specifically for business applications.
It’s the first PICO headset to integrate face, eye, and hand tracking capabilities in a standalone device. Its combination of advanced features, lightweight design, and enterprise-focused tools makes it an efficient, scalable solution for VR training programs.
Which VR Training Headset Should You Choose?
There’s no such thing as a “perfect” headset for VR training—each device has its own strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right one depends on your company’s specific needs, goals, and challenges.
Let’s look at a few key considerations to keep in mind.
1. Headset Design
The design of a VR headset significantly affects its usability and performance.
- Comfort and Ergonomics: A lightweight headset with adjustable straps and proper padding is best for VR training. They ensure users stay focused without discomfort.
- Wired or Wireless Design: Wired headsets like the HTC Vive Pro 2, connected to powerful PCs, offer superior visuals and performance, making them ideal for detailed simulations. Wireless headsets, like the Meta Quest 3 or PICO 4 Enterprise, are easier to set up and allow more movement.
- Performance: A smooth and immersive training experience relies on high-performing headsets with quick processors, high-resolution displays, high refresh rates, and minimal latency.
2. Scalability and Cost
Scalability and cost matter when rolling out VR training across teams or locations. Therefore, it’s important to consider the option that best matches your budget and the size of your VR training program.
For example, it’ll be cheaper to acquire and manage standalone headsets like the PICO 4E across a large fleet. In contrast, tethered headsets like the HTC Vive Pro 2 may incur additional costs and require additional infrastructure.
3. Compatibility with Content
Your VR headset needs to work seamlessly with your training content to ensure success. Devices like the HTC Vive Focus 3 are highly versatile, offering broad compatibility with a wide range of VR training applications.
If you’re just starting your VR training programs or looking to scale existing ones, outsourcing to XR developers can save you time and effort. Check out our XR Directory—a curated, well-researched list of trusted developers.
It’s the easiest way to connect with the right experts who can create or adapt your VR training content to work perfectly with your headsets.
Manage Your VR Headsets for Training with ArborXR
Effective VR training needs more than just the right headsets—you need seamless device management and content delivery. That’s where ArborXR comes in. We make it easy to handle VR and AR devices at scale, so you can focus on delivering great training.
Here’s what we offer:
- Central Device Management: Control your entire VR fleet from one simple platform.
- Remote Content Deployment: Push out VR training apps to all your devices without touching them.
- Enhanced Training Experience: Create a clean, focused environment with VR Kiosk Mode that helps trainees stay on track.
Major companies trust ArborXR to power their VR training. When UPS used our platform to manage their VR deployment, they cut training time from 8 hours to just 2—a 75% improvement.
Wrapping Up
Choosing the right VR headset is key to effective training, but managing devices and content is just as important. With ArborXR, you can easily scale, deploy, and manage your VR training program.
Ready to streamline your training? Get started with ArborXR today.