HP Reverb G2: An Honest Take From a Flight Sim Pilot

VR headset reviews have gotten complicated with all the sponsored opinions flying around. As someone who bought the HP Reverb G2 specifically for flight simulation and has logged hundreds of hours in it across MSFS, DCS, and IL-2, I learned everything there is to know about this headset’s strengths and weaknesses. Today, I will share it all with you.

What Makes the G2 Stand Out

The Reverb G2 was built through a collaboration between HP, Valve, and Microsoft. That three-way partnership shows in the final product — you get HP’s hardware manufacturing, Valve’s audio design, and Microsoft’s WMR software platform all working together. It’s an unusual combination that produces some interesting results.

The Display Is Genuinely Outstanding

Probably should have led with this section, honestly. At 2160 x 2160 pixels per eye, the G2 has one of the sharpest displays in consumer VR. For flight sims, this is the feature that matters most. I can actually read cockpit instruments without leaning forward. Runway numbers are legible from altitude. The screen door effect is practically gone.

The field of view sits around 114 degrees. Not the widest available, but wide enough to feel immersive without causing the edge distortion you get with some wider-FOV headsets. The 90Hz refresh rate is adequate — not thrilling compared to 120Hz or 144Hz options, but smooth enough for sim flying where head movements are moderate.

Audio That Surprised Me

The off-ear speakers are borrowed from Valve’s Index design, and they’re excellent. Sound hovers near your ears without touching them. You get spatial audio that helps with directional awareness — I can hear engine sounds change based on my head position relative to the aircraft. The fact that you can also hear real-world sounds around you is a genuine safety benefit. My wife can tell me dinner’s ready without me ripping the headset off.

Comfort Over Long Sessions

Weight distribution is well-thought-out. The headband adjusts easily, and the face gasket accommodates different face shapes without creating pressure points. I’ve done three-hour sim sessions without major discomfort, which is more than I can say for some competitors. The materials feel durable without being heavy.

Where It Falls Short

The tracking. I have to be honest about this. The inside-out tracking uses four cameras on the headset, and while it works fine for most VR activities, it struggles when your hands move behind your body or to the edges of the camera coverage area. For flight sims specifically, this matters less since your hands are typically in front of you on a HOTAS. But for standing VR games, the tracking limitations show.

The controllers are functional but unremarkable. They get the job done with buttons, thumbsticks, and capacitive sensors, but they don’t match the Index Knuckles for finger tracking or the Quest controllers for ergonomics. For sim use, I rarely touch the controllers anyway — everything goes through my flight stick and throttle.

PC Requirements Are Real

That resolution comes at a cost — your GPU has to push a lot of pixels. An Intel Core i7 or equivalent and at least an NVIDIA GTX 1080 are minimum recommendations, but honestly, you want more than the minimum. I run a 4070 Ti and still have to manage settings carefully in MSFS to maintain smooth frame rates at full resolution. Keep your drivers updated and expect to spend some time optimizing.

What Users Actually Say

That’s what makes the Reverb G2 endearing to us sim pilots — it delivers the visual clarity we need where it matters most. The sim community has largely embraced this headset as one of the best options for cockpit VR. The resolution advantage is real and tangible in daily use.

General VR gamers are more mixed in their opinions. The tracking limitations bother people who play a lot of standing, room-scale games. But for seated experiences — and flight sims are the ultimate seated VR application — the G2 is hard to beat for the price.

How It Compares

Context matters, so here’s where the G2 sits relative to its main competitors:

• Oculus Rift S: Lower resolution but better tracking coverage with its five-camera system. The G2 wins on visual quality; the Rift S wins on tracking reliability.
• Valve Index: Better audio (same design), wider FOV, and superior controllers with finger tracking. But the Index costs significantly more and requires Lighthouse base stations. The G2 matches or exceeds it on resolution.
• HTC Vive Pro: Professional-grade build quality and ecosystem. Priced for enterprise users, though, which makes it hard to recommend for home sim setups unless budget isn’t a concern.

The G2 slots in as the resolution champion at a competitive price point. If visual clarity is your top priority — and for sim flying, it should be — the value proposition is strong.

Setup and Daily Use

Getting the G2 running is straightforward. Plug in via DisplayPort and USB, install Windows Mixed Reality, and you’re rolling. The WMR platform gives you access to its own app library, plus full SteamVR compatibility, which is where most sim content lives anyway.

Cable management matters. The G2 is a tethered headset, and the cable can be annoying if you’re not organized about it. I run mine through a ceiling-mounted cable management system that keeps it out of the way during seated use. Worth the small investment in clips and retractable spools.

Taking Care of It

Clean the lenses regularly with a microfiber cloth. Sweat and skin oils accumulate on the face gasket — wipe it down after every session. Store the headset away from direct sunlight, because UV exposure through the lenses can damage the display panels. A dedicated case or wall mount keeps it safe and dust-free between sessions.

Software Updates Matter

HP has pushed regular firmware and software updates that have improved tracking, performance, and compatibility since launch. Check for updates periodically. SteamVR updates also affect performance, so keep both platforms current. The headset has genuinely gotten better over time through software alone, which speaks well of HP’s commitment to the product.

Final Verdict From a Daily User

The HP Reverb G2 carved out its niche in the VR market by delivering exceptional visual clarity at a reasonable price. For sim enthusiasts who prioritize being able to read instruments and spot targets at distance, it remains one of the best options available. The tracking limitations are real but largely irrelevant for seated sim use. The audio is excellent, the comfort is solid, and the value is hard to beat.

If you’re building a VR flight sim setup and visual fidelity is your priority, the G2 should be near the top of your list. It’s not perfect, but it excels where it matters most for our use case.