VR Glasses, otherwise known as virtual reality headsets, or even head mounted devices (HMD’s), are available widely on the net, and in electronics and gaming stores.
Here’s a short round-up of some of the best VR glasses, and where to buy them. To find out how to get started with VR headsets for computers begin here.
VR Glasses for Smartphones and iPhones
Don’t forget VR glasses for smartphones and iPhones are not quite the full virtual reality experience that is available from complete headsets, which work with computers or consoles.
Google Cardboard
Google Cardboard is incredibly well priced. You can also follow Google specifications and make your own. But, the ones you order are from just $4.99, so it’s almost not worth the fiddling! You can then run Google Cardboard applications on your phone. There are many free Google Cardboard applications from going on safari, exploring the stars, to riding ponies and rollercoasters.
Price: From $4.99
Compatibility: iPhone and 4-6inch smartphones such as Samsung HTC, LG, Moto and Nexus.
Google Daydream
Google Daydream also works with Google Cardboard applications and your phone. It’s a better-quality headset with a great compatibility with different phone types. The Daydream even has a remote control and comes in a fabric design, with different colours available. It’s a simple way to experience 360-degree games and content. Your phone fastens safely into the fabric body.
Price: From $120
Compatibility: Google Pixel, Galaxy S8 & S8+, Galaxy Note8, LG V30, Moto Z and Z2, ZenFoneAR, Mate 9 Pro, Axon 7.
Merge VR
The Merge VR is made from foam; it’s comfortable and less likely to drop your phone than Google Cardboard! If you wear glasses or contacts, Merge VR has a toggle on the side of the headset for focal distance, so you might not need to wear them. The Merge is bright and durable, recommended for Age 10+. You can also attach headphones and expose the camera lens on your phone to give you a little more functionality with some applications. It works with Google Cardboard apps.
Price: From $47.99
Compatibility: iPhone 6 or newer, Galaxy S5 and newer, HTC M8 and newer, LG G4 and newer.
Carl Zeiss VR One Plus
Made with typical Carl Zeiss quality, if you have a little more to spend on style, this could be your choice. The Zeiss gives a 100-degree field of view. There is a Magnet Controller available for a further $13 which sticks to the side of the Zeiss VR and allows you to control specific virtual reality apps while your phone is inside.
It’s made for everyone, including lens wearers. It’s compatible with Google Cardboard apps.
Price: From $110
Compatibility: Smartphones with a display between 4.7 and 5.5 inches.
Samsung Gear VR
An affordable phone headset, perfect of course, for Samsung phone owners. It’s a little larger than the Google Daydream, but it’s light and comfortable. It also has a wireless motion controller included and a USB-C connector.
There aren’t too many titles yet that allow for the motion controller for smartphone headsets, but new applications are hitting the market quickly, so this is likely to change fast.
Price: From $80
Compatibility: Samsung Galaxy S7, Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, Samsung Galaxy Note 5, Samsung Galaxy S6, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus
For a full roundup of the best virtual reality headsets for iPhone check here.
VR glasses for computers
HTC Vive
The HTC Vive is an advanced headset, with plenty of accessories available in including two touch controllers. With a high specification computer, the performance from the HTC Vive is excellent. Many developers are focusing on games for the Vive.
The HTC Vive has movement tracking, a natural 110-degree field of visual and natural movement. It also has two wall-mounted stations which track your movements as well as a camera in the headset itself. The Vive is better for whole body movement and walking around whilst in virtual reality. It maps the room, so you don’t move out of your spectrum of movement in the real world. Your play area is customisable.
Price: $799+
Oculus Rift
The Oculus Rift provides an immersive 3D experience which is far ahead of smartphone headsets. There are conventional gamepads and Oculus Touch controllers available. Though there are differences and the HTC Vive is slightly more interactive, the Oculus Rift provides an amazing, and absolutely virtual enough, experience, at a far better price.
Facebook’s promise to bring virtual reality to the masses means there will be plenty of development work on both Oculus headsets and applications.
Price: $399+
We review and compare the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and PlayStation VR in more detail in our guide on getting started with VR headsets for computers.
VR Glasses for Consoles
PlayStation VR
To use PlayStation VR you need a PlayStation 4 console. In a quick comparison to the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR has slightly lower resolution, somewhat smaller field of view, but does have a faster refresh rate. How does this translate to your virtual reality gaming experience? Most gamers report the difference is hardly noticeable.
The PlayStation VR, not a bad price, though you will need to buy a PlayStation camera and PlayStation Move Controllers.
One of the most significant advantages with the PlayStation VR is the development of games by Sony, who are promising 50 more titles for virtual reality before the end of the year.
Price: $349+
Where to Buy VR Glasses?
Amazon
Amazon has to be the best choice for comparing prices, ease of delivery, and lots of opportunities to read real reviews. The chances are you have an Amazon account already too.
Google Shopping
Another excellent place for price and availability comparisons. You can also choose a retailer that you trust and have an account with already.
Local electronics, gaming or computer stores
The great thing about shopping in the physical world for VR glasses is you stand a good chance of being able to try them out!
What to Check When Buying VR Glasses
There is a number of things you should check before investing in VR glasses. Apart from a price and technical details, here’s what you should watch out for:
- Compatibility
- Phone or computer specification requirements
- Comfort
- Does the headset work well with glasses, if you wear them?
- Price
- Reviews
- Applications and games available
- Technical specifications
- The availability of accessories
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