Oculus Rift / Rift S
Oculus Rift and Rift S in 2026: PCVR hardware that still works
Oculus Rift and Rift S remain practical choices for PC-based virtual reality in 2026. Meta has moved to its standalone Quest range, but these older headsets still connect directly to a computer for SteamVR, the Oculus PC app, flight simulators and browser-based VR.
Rift and Rift S technical specifications
| Specification | Oculus Rift CV1 | Oculus Rift S |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking | External Constellation sensors | Inside-out tracking with five cameras |
| Display | Dual OLED panels | Single fast-switch LCD |
| Resolution | 1080 × 1200 per eye | 1280 × 1440 per eye |
| Refresh rate | 90Hz | 80Hz |
| Optics | Fresnel lenses | Improved Fresnel lenses |
| Audio | Integrated over-ear headphones | Integrated pipe audio |
Rift CV1 uses OLED panels, giving it deeper black levels. Rift S has higher resolution and inside-out tracking, so it needs no external sensors. Both use a wired PC connection, with no wireless video compression.
2026 prices and availability
Both headsets are legacy hardware. Second-hand listings are the main buying option, and condition matters most around the headset cable, lenses and tracking hardware.
| Model | 2026 status | Estimated price | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oculus Rift S | Legacy mainstream | $120–$180 | Budget PCVR and flight simulators |
| Oculus Rift CV1 | Legacy enthusiast hardware | $80–$110 | OLED black levels |
| Rift S tether cable | Rare accessory | $60–$90 | Replacement or repair |
Why use Rift or Rift S?
- Direct PC connection: Rift S uses DisplayPort, so the video feed has no Quest Link compression artefacts.
- Comfort: Rift S uses a halo-style strap designed with Lenovo for long sessions.
- Low weight: Neither headset carries a battery or standalone processor.
- PCVR support: Both work with SteamVR and the legacy Oculus PC app.
What to check before buying
- Meta no longer adds new features to the Oculus PC software.
- Rift and Rift S tether cables can wear out and are harder to replace.
- The display resolution is low beside newer 4K-per-eye headsets, so screen-door effect is easier to see.
- Rift CV1 requires external Constellation sensors for room tracking.
Stream VR content with Rift or Rift S
- Start the Oculus PC software and connect your headset.
- Open Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.
- Go to xnight.net.
- Choose video, then click Play.
- Select VR Mode in video player.
- Put on Oculus Rift or Rift S. Browser sends VR feed to headset.
Firefox support for WebXR may be limited in 2026, so Edge or Chrome is the safer browser choice for this setup.
Download files for local playback
- Open browser on PC.
- Go to xnight.net.
- Choose file, then click Download.
- Open downloaded file in PCVR player such as Skybox VR or DeoVR.
Local playback avoids browser buffering and suits high-resolution 3D files. A Rift or Rift S with working cable remains an inexpensive route into SteamVR and wired PCVR.
