The Lightweight Champions: Bigscreen Beyond 2 vs. Pimax Dream Air
The battle for the future of PC VR is getting lighter. For years, enthusiasts have had to choose between high-end features and a headset that doesn’t feel like a neck workout. Now, two contenders are vying for the lightweight crown, each with a radically different philosophy: the Bigscreen Beyond 2 and the Pimax Dream Air.
The Beyond 2 is the evolution of the world’s smallest VR headset, doubling down on its impossibly small and light form factor. The Pimax Dream Air, along with its sibling the Dream Air SE, is Pimax’s ambitious attempt to cram flagship-level features into a package that barely tips the scales. This is the ultimate showdown between bespoke comfort and feature-rich design.
Round 1: Weight and Comfort
This is Bigscreen’s home turf. The Beyond 2 weighs an astonishing 107 grams. It’s so light it’s easy to forget you’re wearing it. The design still relies on a custom-molded facial interface based on a 3D scan of your face, ensuring a perfect, light-sealed fit. For long sessions, especially in simulators, this is the undisputed champion.
The Pimax Dream series is impressively light, but can’t quite match the Beyond 2. The high-end Dream Air comes in under 170g, while the Dream Air SE is just under 150g. While incredibly light compared to older headsets, they are still noticeably heavier than the Beyond 2. Pimax uses a more traditional strap design, which offers more out-of-the-box flexibility for multiple users.
Winner: Bigscreen Beyond 2. Its featherweight design and custom fit remain in a class of their own.
Round 2: The Visuals
This is where the fight gets complicated. Both the Bigscreen Beyond 2 and the Pimax Dream series use modern Micro-OLED panels, offering perfect blacks and vibrant colors. The key difference is the resolution.
The Beyond 2 features a resolution of 2560x2560 per eye. Thanks to new and improved pancake lenses, it boasts fantastic edge-to-edge clarity and a wider Field of View (FoV) than its predecessor, at around 108° horizontal.
The Pimax Dream Air swings for the fences with a staggering 3840x3552 resolution per eye, using the same Sony Micro-OLEDs found in the Apple Vision Pro. This gives it a significant advantage in raw pixel density and sharpness. Its FoV is comparable, at a claimed 110° horizontal.
However, Pimax also offers the Dream Air SE, which uses the same 2560x2560 resolution panels as the Beyond 2, making it a much more direct competitor.
Winner: Pimax Dream Air (flagship). Its resolution is simply in another league. However, the race between the Beyond 2 and the Dream Air SE is effectively a tie.
Round 3: Features and Ecosystem
This is a knockout blow from Pimax. The Bigscreen Beyond 2 is a minimalist headset. It has no built-in tracking, no audio, and no controllers. It is a slave to the SteamVR ecosystem, requiring you to purchase base stations and controllers separately. This adds significant cost and complexity.
The Pimax Dream series, by contrast, is packed with features. Both the Dream Air and Air SE include:
- Built-in Eye-Tracking: For social VR and potentially Dynamic Foveated Rendering.
- Integrated Audio: No need for separate headphones.
- Flexible Tracking: This is the killer feature. You can buy a version with inside-out SLAM tracking (no base stations needed) that includes controllers, or a cheaper Lighthouse-based version if you already have a SteamVR setup.
Winner: Pimax Dream Air (and SE). It’s not even close. Pimax offers a complete, feature-rich package out of the box.
The Price of Immersion
- Bigscreen Beyond 2: Starts at $1019 for the headset only. A full setup with base stations and controllers will push the total cost to $1500-$1700.
- Pimax Dream Air SE: The direct competitor. The Lighthouse version (headset only) is $899. The SLAM version with controllers is $1199.
- Pimax Dream Air (flagship): The premium option starts at $1899 for the headset only.
When comparing a full setup, the Pimax Dream Air SE offers a far more compelling value proposition than the Bigscreen Beyond 2. For a lower total cost, you get a headset with the same resolution but with far more integrated features.
Tale of the Tape
| Feature | Bigscreen Beyond 2 | Pimax Dream Air (Flagship) | Pimax Dream Air SE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 2560x2560 | 3840x3552 | 2560x2560 |
| Display Type | Micro-OLED | Micro-OLED | Micro-OLED |
| Weight | 107g | <170g | <150g |
| Tracking | Lighthouse only | SLAM or Lighthouse | SLAM or Lighthouse |
| Eye-Tracking | No (Optional 2e) | Yes | Yes |
| Audio | No (Optional Strap) | Integrated | Integrated |
| Price (HMD) | ~$1019 | ~$1899 | ~$899 |
Conclusion: Purity vs. Practicality
This isn’t a simple choice. These headsets represent two divergent paths to lightweight VR nirvana.
The Bigscreen Beyond 2 is for the VR purist. It’s for the dedicated sim racer or social VR user who prioritizes absolute comfort and the lowest possible weight above all else. They are likely already invested in the SteamVR ecosystem and are willing to pay a premium for a bespoke, minimalist device that melts away during use.
The Pimax Dream series is for the practical enthusiast. It’s for the user who wants a lightweight headset without sacrificing the features we’ve come to expect in 2025. The flagship Dream Air is a spec-chaser’s dream, offering incredible resolution in a light package. But the real star might be the Dream Air SE. It matches the Beyond 2 on its home turf of resolution and weight while delivering a knockout blow on features and value.
For most people, the Pimax Dream Air SE looks to be the smarter choice, offering a more complete and versatile package for less money. But for those few who chase the absolute pinnacle of comfort, the Bigscreen Beyond 2 remains a unique and compelling proposition.
