For most PC gamers, I rank the Tobii Eye Tracker 5 first because it combines eye and head tracking without requiring anything to be worn. The TrackIR 5 with TrackClip PRO is my stronger choice for dedicated flight and racing simulation players who value responsive 6DOF head movement more than gaze control. Buyers who want the same Tobii hardware for several displays should examine the Tobii Eye Tracker 5 Value Pack, since its spare mount and case make relocation less awkward.
The main choice is not simply which tracker has the longest feature list. It is whether a game supports gaze input, head movement, or both, and whether I am willing to wear a clip. Tobii offers a cleaner, contact-free desktop setup, while TrackIR provides a mature simulator-focused approach with detailed profile tuning. The Pimax Crystal Super sits in a different category: it places eye tracking inside a complete high-resolution VR headset, bringing far greater immersion at a much higher hardware and performance cost.
Complete the kit
Key Takeaways
- The Tobii Eye Tracker 5 ranks first because it tracks both gaze and head movement without a wearable clip, making it the most broadly approachable desktop option here.
- TrackIR 5 with TrackClip PRO is the better simulator-focused package when responsive 6DOF head tracking matters more than true eye tracking.
- The Tobii Value Pack does not improve tracking performance over the standard Tobii model; its value comes from the case and second mounting kit.
- The base TrackIR 5 can cost less than the TrackClip PRO bundle, but its included reflector-based setup is less convenient for players seeking the most active, consistent tracking arrangement.
- Pimax Crystal Super is the only full VR headset in this comparison, so it makes sense only for buyers who want VR visuals as well as integrated eye tracking.
| Tobii Eye Tracker 5 |  | Best Overall | Tracking Type: Eye and head tracking | Operating Systems: Windows 10 and Windows 11 | Supported Games: 170+ titles according to supplied information | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| TrackIR 5 Head Tracking System with TrackClip PRO |  | Best for Serious Simulator Players | Tracking Technology: Infrared optical motion tracking | Degrees of Freedom: 6DOF: yaw, pitch, roll, X, Y, and Z | Tracking Target: Active TrackClip PRO | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Tobii Eye Tracker 5 Value Pack |  | Best for Multi-Setup Portability | Tracking Type: Eye and head tracking | Compatible Devices: PC, desktop, and compatible laptop setups | Connectivity: USB | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| TrackIR 5 Head Tracking System |  | Best Value for Head Tracking | Tracking Type: Optical head tracking | Degrees of Freedom: 6DOF | Sensor: USB optical sensor | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Pimax Crystal Super VR Headset |  | Best Premium VR Option | Product Type: PC VR headset | Resolution: 3840 x 3840 per eye | Field of View: 140 degrees | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| eye tracking accessories for PC gaming | Tracking Type | Eye Tracking |
|---|---|---|
| Tobii Eye Tracker 5 | Eye and head tracking | — |
| TrackIR 5 Head Tracking System | — | No |
| Tobii Eye Tracker 5 Value Pack | Eye and head tracking | — |
| TrackIR 5 Head Tracking System | Optical head tracking | No |
| Pimax Crystal Super VR Headset | — | Integrated |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Tobii Eye Tracker 5
The Tobii Eye Tracker 5 takes my top position because it provides the lineup’s most balanced combination of eye tracking and head tracking in a slim desktop peripheral. It reads gaze and head movement without a hat, reflector, or illuminated clip. That contact-free design matters during long sessions and makes the tracker easier to share than either TrackIR package.
Compared with the TrackIR 5 with TrackClip PRO, Tobii offers more types of input and less equipment on the player’s head. Supported games can use gaze for camera control, target awareness, interface interaction, or streaming effects, while head tracking supplies the larger view movements familiar to simulator players. TrackIR remains attractive when fine-grained 6DOF tuning is the priority, but Tobii is the more versatile starting point for someone moving between flight, space, driving, and action games.
The drawback is that value depends heavily on native game integration. A title may support only some Tobii features, and unsupported games will not suddenly gain useful gaze controls. The sensor also needs suitable placement beneath the display, so unusually large, curved, or wall-mounted screens can complicate installation. Windows-only support narrows its appeal further. Even with those limits, I place it above the Value Pack because both use the same core tracker and the standard package is the more direct purchase for a single gaming station.
Pros:- Combines eye and head tracking in one desktop sensor
- Requires no wearable marker or clip
- Supports more than 170 games according to the supplied product information
- Adds Windows Hello biometric sign-in support
Cons:- Full usefulness changes from one supported game to another
- Limited to Windows 10 and Windows 11
- Monitor size and placement can affect mounting practicality
Best for: PC gamers who want both gaze and head tracking without wearing a clip or reflector.
Not ideal for: Players using unsupported games, non-Windows systems, or display layouts that lack a suitable mounting position.
- Tracking Type:Eye and head tracking
- Operating Systems:Windows 10 and Windows 11
- Supported Games:170+ titles according to supplied information
- Example Games:Star Citizen, Microsoft Flight Simulator, War Thunder, Euro Truck Simulator
- Wearable Required:No
- Lighting:Designed to operate across varied lighting conditions
- Security Feature:Windows Hello biometric support
- Platform:PC
Our verdict“This is my best all-round pick for buyers seeking contact-free gaze and head input across a varied PC gaming library.”
TrackIR 5 Head Tracking System with TrackClip PRO
I rank the TrackIR 5 with TrackClip PRO second and make it my simulator specialist. Its optical sensor captures six degrees of freedom: yaw, pitch, roll, and movement along three axes. In a cockpit, those inputs let a player lean toward instruments, look around a canopy, or check mirrors through natural head motions rather than a thumb stick or mouse.
This package differs from the standard TrackIR 5 later in the list because it includes the active TrackClip PRO. The illuminated clip attaches to a headset and gives the camera a distinct tracking target. That can produce a dependable signal in a carefully arranged setup, and it is the bundle I would choose over base TrackIR for frequent flight, racing, or space-sim sessions. Its customizable curves and profiles also allow small real-world movements to become larger in-game camera movements.
TrackIR is not an eye tracker, however, so it cannot tell where the player’s gaze lands. That places it behind Tobii for broader input flexibility. The clip introduces a cable and requires compatible headgear, while direct sunlight or other infrared sources can interfere with optical tracking. Configuration may also feel demanding to a newcomer because sensitivity curves, camera position, and centering all affect the result. For a dedicated simulator station, though, its precise head-control focus is a strength rather than a missing extra.
Pros:- Captures full 6DOF head movement
- TrackClip PRO supplies an active tracking target
- Offers customizable profiles and response curves
- Low-latency design suits cockpit camera control
Cons:- Tracks the head rather than the eyes
- Clip adds a cable and must attach to compatible headgear
- Mounting, lighting, and profile setup may require adjustment
Best for: Flight, racing, combat, and space-sim enthusiasts who want tunable 6DOF head control and already wear a headset.
Not ideal for: Buyers seeking true gaze tracking, wireless wearability, or a plug-in setup with little calibration.
- Tracking Technology:Infrared optical motion tracking
- Degrees of Freedom:6DOF: yaw, pitch, roll, X, Y, and Z
- Tracking Target:Active TrackClip PRO
- Connection:USB
- Primary Uses:Flight, racing, combat, and space simulation
- Mounting:Magnetic base with adjustable legs
- Profiles:Customizable software profiles
- Eye Tracking:No
Our verdict“I recommend this bundle over base TrackIR for committed simulator players who prioritize responsive, adjustable head tracking.”
Tobii Eye Tracker 5 Value Pack
The Tobii Eye Tracker 5 Value Pack occupies a narrow but useful role: it is the best option here for moving one tracker between locations or compatible displays. The package adds a protective carry case and extra mounting kit, reducing the friction of transporting and reinstalling the sensor. That makes sense for a player who alternates between a desktop and a compatible laptop station or carries gaming hardware to events.
Tracking performance should not be the reason to choose it over my first-place Tobii pick. The core device still provides the same contact-free head and gaze detection, and the extra hardware does not expand game support or improve accuracy. I rank the Value Pack below the standard model because many buyers will leave their tracker beneath one monitor, making the case and spare mount unnecessary expenses. When regular relocation is part of the plan, the bundle becomes easier to justify.
It also shares the standard Tobii model’s limitations. The game must expose useful tracking features, the sensor needs a workable line of sight, and USB routing can constrain placement. The supplied listing details contain less specific compatibility information than the standalone product description, so I would verify the intended display and game before buying. Compared with TrackIR, there is no clip to pack or wear, but careful alignment beneath each screen is still needed after a move.
Pros:- Includes the same combined eye and head tracking concept as the standard model
- Carry case protects the tracker during transport
- Additional mount supports a second installation point
- No wearable tracking marker is required
Cons:- Extras do not improve sensor performance or game support
- Costs may be harder to justify for one fixed display
- USB and display placement still limit setup flexibility
Best for: Tobii buyers who regularly move between compatible PC gaming stations and want a case plus a second mounting option.
Not ideal for: Single-desk gamers who can leave the standard Tobii Eye Tracker 5 permanently mounted.
- Tracking Type:Eye and head tracking
- Compatible Devices:PC, desktop, and compatible laptop setups
- Connectivity:USB
- Included Accessory:Protective carry case
- Mounting Extras:Additional mounting kit
- Wearable Required:No
- Color:Black
- Power:Listing identifies battery power; confirm configuration before purchase
Our verdict“This pack is worth choosing over standard Tobii only when its case and spare mount will be used regularly.”
TrackIR 5 Head Tracking System
The base TrackIR 5 Head Tracking System is my value-oriented head-tracking pick. It retains the optical sensor, 6DOF movement capture, magnetic monitor mount, and profile controls that make the more expensive bundle appealing. For a buyer who wants cockpit camera control but does not need the TrackClip PRO, this package covers the central function without paying for that active accessory.
The distinction from the second-place TrackIR bundle is meaningful. This version does not include TrackClip PRO; it typically relies on the standard reflector arrangement supplied with the system. Passive reflectors avoid adding another powered device, but they still need to be worn and can be more sensitive to how the camera and surrounding light are arranged. A TrackClip PRO purchased later also reduces the initial savings.
Against either Tobii package, base TrackIR offers neither gaze detection nor a marker-free experience. Its appeal rests on simulator-focused head control and the ability to tune response profiles for different vehicles. Supported-title checks remain necessary, and calibration can take time if the default curves feel too fast or too restrained. I place it fourth because it offers strong functional value within its niche, while its less complete tracking package creates more compromises than the three products above it.
Pros:- Provides full 6DOF head movement capture
- Retains customizable profiles and response curves
- Magnetic monitor mount simplifies camera positioning
- Can cost less than the TrackClip PRO bundle
Cons:- TrackClip PRO is not included
- Passive tracking still requires a worn reflector
- Supported games and calibration must be checked
Best for: Budget-conscious simulator players who want 6DOF head tracking and are comfortable using passive reflectors.
Not ideal for: Players who want eye tracking, a marker-free setup, or the TrackClip PRO included from the start.
- Tracking Type:Optical head tracking
- Degrees of Freedom:6DOF
- Sensor:USB optical sensor
- Operating System:Windows
- Mount:Magnetic monitor mount
- Software:Profile and response-curve customization
- TrackClip PRO:Not included
- Eye Tracking:No
Our verdict“I see this as the sensible lower-cost TrackIR route, provided the missing active clip is an acceptable compromise.”
Pimax Crystal Super VR Headset
The Pimax Crystal Super is the outlier in my ranking because it is a complete PC VR headset with integrated eye tracking, not a small accessory for a conventional monitor. Its claimed 3840 by 3840 resolution per eye and 140-degree field of view target buyers who want cockpit-scale immersion, wide peripheral visibility, and gaze-aware VR features in one premium system.
Compared with Tobii Eye Tracker 5, Pimax places tracking and displays directly in front of the eyes. That creates a much more enclosed experience and can support features such as dynamic foveated rendering, where rendering resources concentrate around the gaze point when the software supports it. Tobii is far easier to add to an existing monitor setup, while TrackIR lets a player retain a normal screen and lighter headgear. Pimax belongs on the shortlist only when VR itself is the goal.
The tradeoffs are substantial: high-resolution VR can impose heavy GPU demands, the headset is physically larger than every other device here, and setup involves more than attaching a sensor beneath a monitor. Game support for eye-driven functions and foveated rendering can vary, too. I rank it fifth because it solves a different, more expensive problem, not because it lacks ambition. For a well-equipped simulator enthusiast committed to premium VR, it can be the most immersive choice in the group.
Pros:- Integrates eye tracking into a full PC VR headset
- Offers 3840 by 3840 resolution per eye according to supplied specifications
- Wide 140-degree field of view supports peripheral visibility
- Includes inside-out tracking and spatial audio
Cons:- Requires far more spending and PC performance than desktop trackers
- Larger and more involved to wear and configure
- Eye-tracking benefits depend on software support
Best for: High-end PC VR enthusiasts who want integrated gaze tracking, wide-field visuals, and cockpit immersion.
Not ideal for: Monitor-based players, modest gaming PCs, budget buyers, or anyone seeking a small standalone tracking accessory.
- Product Type:PC VR headset
- Resolution:3840 x 3840 per eye
- Field of View:140 degrees
- Display:QLED and Mini-LED with local dimming
- Refresh Rate:90Hz and higher modes according to supplied information
- Eye Tracking:Integrated
- Positional Tracking:Inside-out
- Audio:3D spatial audio with noise-canceling microphone
- Compatibility:PC
Our verdict“I recommend this only to premium VR buyers who value complete headset immersion more than the simplicity of a monitor-mounted tracker.”
How We Picked
I ranked these options by how well they improve PC gaming control and immersion, rather than treating every mention of tracking as equivalent. My leading factors were the type of input captured, supported-game usefulness, setup burden, comfort, and the practical benefit delivered for the added cost. I gave extra weight to hardware that works across popular simulation titles and makes tracking feel natural during long sessions.
I also separated true gaze tracking from head tracking. Tobii can detect where the eyes are directed as well as head movement; TrackIR reads head position through an optical marker or active clip. Both can move an in-game camera, but they are not interchangeable. The Pimax headset earned a place for buyers seeking VR with integrated eye tracking, yet I ranked it below the desktop devices because it demands a far larger investment and a more capable gaming PC.
Finally, I compared bundles by what their extras change in daily use. A case or spare mount can improve portability, but it does not make the underlying sensor more accurate. I also treated game support claims cautiously: compatibility varies by title, and community mappings or third-party tools do not always deliver the same experience as native integration.
| eye tracking accessories for PC gaming | Tracking Type | Eye Tracking |
|---|---|---|
| Tobii Eye Tracker 5 | Eye and head tracking | — |
| TrackIR 5 Head Tracking System | — | No |
| Tobii Eye Tracker 5 Value Pack | Eye and head tracking | — |
| TrackIR 5 Head Tracking System | Optical head tracking | No |
| Pimax Crystal Super VR Headset | — | Integrated |
Factors to Consider When Choosing Best Eye Tracking Accessories For PC Gaming
I would begin by deciding whether the desired input is gaze, head movement, or full VR. That choice removes more uncertainty than comparing resolution claims or bundle extras.Eye Tracking and Head Tracking Are Different
Eye tracking detects where the user is looking, while head tracking measures the position and angle of the head. Tobii supplies both in one monitor-mounted device. TrackIR supplies head tracking only, but its 6DOF system is closely aligned with simulator camera control. I would choose Tobii for gaze-aware features and contact-free operation; I would choose TrackIR when detailed head-motion profiles are the main attraction.
Game Support Determines Real Value
A tracker is only as useful as its relationship with the games being played. I recommend checking the manufacturer’s current compatibility list and then examining which features each title supports. One game may use gaze for camera movement, another may offer head tracking alone, and a third may require community software. Native support usually provides the cleanest setup, while unofficial mappings can add configuration work or inconsistent behavior.
Wearables, Mounting, and Lighting
Tobii keeps the player’s head free but requires a clear position beneath a compatible display. TrackIR needs a camera on the monitor plus a reflector or active clip on the player. I would favor marker-free Tobii hardware for convenience and TrackIR with TrackClip PRO for a fixed simulator rig where wearing a headset is already routine. Bright infrared sources, unusual monitor shapes, and long viewing distances can affect placement, so the physical desk layout matters.
Bundles Versus Core Hardware
Bundle value comes from solving a real setup problem. The Tobii Value Pack makes relocation easier, while the TrackIR bundle adds an active clip that changes how the sensor follows the player. I view the TrackClip PRO as a more functional upgrade than a carrying case, though its cable and headset attachment are drawbacks. Buyers with one permanent desk should usually put their budget toward the core tracking experience rather than travel accessories.
PC Performance and VR Cost
Desktop trackers add little graphical load compared with a high-resolution VR system. The Pimax Crystal Super must drive two dense displays at suitable frame rates, so the graphics card becomes part of the purchase decision. I would budget for the complete setup rather than the headset alone. For standard monitor gaming, Tobii or TrackIR is the more economical route; Pimax makes sense when wide-field VR is itself the desired upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TrackIR 5 an eye tracker?
No. TrackIR 5 tracks head position and rotation by observing a reflector or TrackClip PRO. It can make an in-game camera follow natural head movement, but it does not detect the exact point where the eyes are looking. I would choose Tobii when gaze data is required.
Does every PC game work with Tobii Eye Tracker 5?
No. Support is title-specific, and the available functions differ even among compatible games. I recommend checking both the game list and the feature list for each title before purchasing. A supported game might offer head tracking, gaze interaction, streaming effects, or only a subset of those functions.
Is the Tobii Eye Tracker 5 Value Pack more accurate than the standard version?
No tracking improvement is identified in the supplied bundle information. The Value Pack’s advantage is its case and additional mounting kit, which help with transport and multi-location use. I would select the standard package for a permanent desk and buy the Value Pack only when those extras solve a recurring need.
Do I need TrackClip PRO for TrackIR 5?
TrackIR can operate with its standard passive reflector arrangement, so TrackClip PRO is not mandatory. The active clip offers a different tracking target and is attractive for a dedicated rig, but it must attach to suitable headgear and adds a cable. My preference is the bundled clip for frequent simulator use and base TrackIR for a tighter budget.
Should I buy a Pimax VR headset instead of a desktop eye tracker?
I would do so only when full PC VR is the intended destination. Pimax adds displays, inside-out tracking, audio, and integrated gaze sensing, but it also brings higher cost, greater hardware demands, and a headset that must be worn. Tobii is the simpler choice for monitor gaming, while TrackIR is better suited to conventional simulator displays.
Conclusion
For the broadest monitor-based experience, my recommendation is the Tobii Eye Tracker 5: it combines gaze and head input without requiring wearable markers. Dedicated flight, racing, and space-sim players should choose the TrackIR 5 with TrackClip PRO when adjustable 6DOF head movement matters more than eye tracking.
The Tobii Value Pack is my pick for players who move between compatible setups, while base TrackIR 5 suits a budget-minded buyer willing to use passive reflectors. I reserve the Pimax Crystal Super for high-end VR enthusiasts with a powerful PC and a clear desire for headset-based immersion. The right purchase follows the game library, display setup, and preferred input method rather than the longest specification sheet.
