Varjo Aero
| Varjo Aero | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-Mounted Display |
| Subtype | PC VR |
| Platform | SteamVR |
| Developer | Varjo |
| Manufacturer | Varjo |
| Announcement Date | October 21, 2021 |
| Release Date | Q4 2021 |
| Price | $1,990 USD |
| Website | https://varjo.com/ |
| Predecessor | Varjo VR-3 |
| Successor | Varjo XR-4 |
| System | |
| Storage | |
| Display | |
| Display | Mini-LED (dual) |
| Resolution | 2880x2720 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 115° |
| Optics | |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | SteamVR Lighthouse (external) |
| Eye Tracking | Integrated (200 Hz) |
| Audio | |
| Audio | 3.5mm jack (no integrated) |
| Connectivity | |
| Device | |
| Weight | 487g (headset) + 230g (headband) |
The Varjo Aero is a professional-grade PC-tethered virtual reality head-mounted display developed by Varjo, announced October 21, 2021 and released Q4 2021 at $1,990 (no subscription). Varjo's first prosumer headset featuring dual mini-LED displays at 2880x2720 per eye, industry-leading 35 PPD peak clarity with variable resolution aspheric lenses, 115° field of view, 200 Hz eye tracking, automatic IPD adjustment, and active cooling for extended use. Discontinued 2024, succeeded by XR-4 series.
History and Development
Varjo announced the Aero on October 21, 2021, shipping Q4 2021 at $1,990 without annual subscription (unlike enterprise Varjo headsets). Positioned as "professional-grade VR for prosumers," the Aero brought Varjo's ultra-high-resolution technology to enthusiasts, simulation users, and professionals at a more accessible price point than their $5,000+ enterprise headsets. Discontinued in 2024 as Varjo consolidated around the XR-4 series.[1]
Design and Hardware
Display
Mini-LED excellence:
- 2880x2720 per eye resolution
- Dual mini-LED displays
- 150 nits brightness
- Individual color calibration
- 99% sRGB / 95% DCI-P3
- 90 Hz refresh rate
- 115° field of view
Pixels Per Degree
- 35 PPD peak (center)
- Variable resolution lenses
- Human-eye-like foveation
- Edge-to-edge clarity
- Industry-leading sharpness
Optics
- Variable resolution aspheric lenses
- Non-Fresnel (no god rays)
- Edge-to-edge clarity
- Major improvement over consumer optics
Eye Tracking
- 200 Hz tracking rate
- Automatic IPD adjustment
- Foveated rendering support
- Gaze analytics
IPD
- Automatic adjustment
- 57-73mm range
- Eye tracking driven
- Optimal per-user fit
Tracking
- SteamVR Lighthouse required
- 2.0 recommended / 1.0 compatible
- External base stations
- 6DoF tracking
Cooling
- Active cooling
- Fan-based thermal management
- Extended session support
- Comfortable temperature
Comfort
- 487g headset
- 230g headband
- 717g total
- 3-point precision fit
- Optimized ergonomics
Audio
- 3.5mm audio jack
- No integrated audio
- External headphones required
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 2880x2720 mini-LED x2 |
| PPD | 35 peak |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
| FOV | 115° |
| Eye Tracking | 200 Hz |
| IPD | 57-73mm (auto) |
| Tracking | SteamVR Lighthouse |
| Weight | 717g total |
| Price | $1,990 |
Reception
Praise:
- 35 PPD exceptional clarity
- 2880x2720 resolution
- Variable resolution lenses
- No god rays
- Aspheric optics
- 200 Hz eye tracking
- Auto IPD convenient
- $1,990 prosumer pricing
- No subscription required
- Active cooling
Criticism:
- $1,990 still expensive
- External tracking required
- Base stations extra cost
- No integrated audio
- 90 Hz only
- SteamVR ecosystem only
- Now discontinued
- XR-4 successor[2]
See Also
References
- ↑ "Varjo Aero". Varjo. https://varjo.com/products/aero.
- ↑ "Varjo Aero Review". Tom's Hardware. https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/varjo-aero-review.