What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects it on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £320 (~$426) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £272 (~$362) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £208 (~$277) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £144 (~$192) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £80 (~$107) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
Missing proprietary cables and power supplies, controller stick drift, and optical drives that spin but no longer read.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a VR headset is worth what is being asked:
- Scratched lenses, often caused by sunlight through the headset
- Face padding that is worn or unhygienic
- Discontinued platforms with shrinking software libraries
- Missing controllers, which are expensive individually
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Standalone headsets that need no gaming PC
- Lenses free of scratches, especially from sun exposure
- All controllers, straps and charging cables
- Platforms still receiving software support
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeit cartridges are common in retro titles and usually give themselves away on label print quality and the screws used on the shell.
Ask for a photograph of the console powered on with a game running, and for a list of exactly which cables and controllers are included.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about a VR headset, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Angle them to a light and photograph. Lens scratches are directly in the user’s field of view and are the most damaging fault a headset can have.
State it plainly. A PC-tethered headset is useless to a buyer without a capable computer, and this is the most common mismatch in the category.
Factory reset and unlink, then confirm. On several platforms the headset remains tied to the original account until you do it explicitly.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Inspect the lenses under bright light for scratches and burn marks
- Confirm both controllers pair and track properly
- Check the platform still receives updates
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- The headset and both controllers together
- The lenses close up, angled to reveal scratches
- The head strap, face cushion and all cables
- The model marking, plus any scuff, crack or worn strap
Details to confirm before you commit
- Brand, model, storage, and standalone or PC-tethered
- Whether both controllers are included and working
- Lens condition, described specifically, including any sun damage
- That it has been factory reset and unlinked from your account
Live VR headset listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse gaming for what is live now, or everything on the site — stock changes daily and new listings are free to post, so it is worth checking back.
When to buy
Peaks before Christmas, with a secondary lift in January. Values drop sharply when a new generation launches, so there is little advantage in holding.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have a VR headset sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell VR headset for what to photograph and how to price, or what VR headset is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used VR headset?
Around £58 to £208 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check a VR headset before buying?
Ask for a photograph of the console powered on with a game running, and for a list of exactly which cables and controllers are included.
Is buying a VR headset second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. Missing proprietary cables and power supplies, controller stick drift, and optical drives that spin but no longer read.
See also: all buying guides · VR headset value guide · selling VR headset · Gaming · condition grades.