Everyone seems to be hyped about VR, especially now that there are multiple companies that invested heavily in this technology. The only downside is that true VR headsets tend to cost a lot due to the hardware used to make them. They need two high-definition small displays, special lenses, and hardware to process the video feeds, and all this can get pretty expensive.
What ended up happening was the introduction of special VR kits that allow users to have their smartphones replace the hardware needed for a virtual reality headset. Google introduced this concept with its well-known Google Cardboard VR. It was a simple headset that allowed the user to install their smartphone inside and enjoy various VR-ready apps. Many third-party manufacturers picked up on this idea and developed their own VR headsets that work with smartphones.
Best VR Headsets in 2024
For our list, we decided to include both genuine VR headsets that can be expensive and simple models that work with smartphones. This should ensure enough diversity for everyone to find exactly what they are looking for based on their available budget. To keep things short, here are the top 10 best VR headsets in 2020 reviews.
Oculus Go 64GB Standalone VR Headset
- Personal Viewing: The littlest, big screen. Crystal clear optics and state-of-the-art 3D graphics make your headset feel more like a personal theater
- Viewing with Friends: Watch with friends. Meet up in VR with friends and fans from around the world to catch live sports, concerts, or just your favorite TV show
- Portable & Easy to Use: Ready when you are. Experience portable, all-in-1 VR. That means no PC, phone, wires or hassles
- Controller: Effortless control. Whether it's navigating to your favorite shows or to a far-off land, the intuitive controller makes getting there a cinch
- Built-In Audio: Surrounded by sound. Spatial audio drivers are built right into the headset, providing dramatic, immersive sound without the need for bulky or tangled headphones. Oculus Go also features a 3.5 millimeter audio jack
This VR headset is packed with features that will make your gaming and viewing experience more exciting than you think. It comes with a big screen, yet lightweight at the same time. We love how the optics are crystal clear, and the graphics come with realistic 3D quality, so each time you use these headsets, it is much like watching things from your personal movie theater. Easy to use, this device is pretty much a breeze to get started. With built-in spatial audio included, the sound comes alive and as realistic as it can get.
We think that this VR headset is really good in terms of video and audio. However, it is not the most comfortable one to wear. The strap is also not the best since it tends to slide forward the head the longer you use it. But other than these minor concerns, we think it is still worth a purchase.
HTC VIVE Precision Virtual Reality VR System
- FLEXIBLE PLAY AREA - Use VIVE seated, standing or in a space up to 11'5" x 11'5". SteamVR Tracking provides the most ideal experience possible, so play the way that works for you.
- FULLY IMMERSIVE - Realistic movement and actions from precise, 360-degree controller and headset tracking with realistic graphics, directional audio and HD haptic feedback in the virtual world
- POWERED BY STEAM VR - Enjoy over 1500 games for SteamVR, plus everything you love about Steam, including new releases, automatic game updates and millions of your closest friends
- PLAY SAFER - The Chaperone system warns you when you reach the boundaries of your play area and the headset's front-facing camera gives you a glimpse of the real-world when you need it
- VIVE VIDEO - An immersive, cinematic VR video player for standard, 3D, 180 and 360 degree videos. Available free on VIVEPORT and Steam.
It is impressive to know that this VR headset offers a completely immersive viewing and gaming experience for every user. It boasts realistic to true-to-life graphics, HD quality, and directional audio that make this product one of a kind.
You can use it while seated or while standing and experience the same high level of excitement all the time. There are 2800 games that you can play on Steam as this unit is steam VR-powered. What this means is that you can keep up to date with the latest releases and join your friends in playing games on Steam using this VR headset.
There are so many things to love about this product, such as ease of mounting and setup. But it could sure use some improvement. For instance, you may consider buying the HTC deluxe Vive audio strap since it is more comfortable to use. A couple of face pads should also be worth buying in addition to the ones included in the package.
DESTEK V4 Eye-Protected VR Headset
- √ Eye Protected Anti-blue Light HD Lenses - Eye-protected lenses with unparalleled clarity make VR movies a visual experience comparable to world-renowned IMAX. DESTEK V4 will always make sure you have the best seat in your private theatre wherever you really are.
- √ More Gaming fun with Touch Button – Press the button, take on hordes of zombies, aliens or any other foe you want to vanquish to achieve your mission; Target...shoot...collect bonuses to win the Frisbee game. The Touch Button brings more fun and versatility in your VR games.
- √ Comfortable Wearing & Easily Adjustable - The face padding made of soft leather makes your skin feel comfortable and allows you to view longer without irritation. The head strap has upward 9 degrees of adjustment to prevent the strap from touching your ears while relieving pressure on your head and nose. The object/pupil distance can be adjusted separately to get clearest view without your own glasses (even for consumers with myopia under 600°, hyperopia under 300° or astigmatic under 100°).
- √ Wide Compatibility - Share one DESTEK V4 with the whole family! It supports smartphones with 4.5-6 inches screen, such as iPhone X 8 7 plus/6s/6/6 plus, Samsung s8/s8 Plus/s7/s7 Edge/s6/s6 Edge Note8/5/4/3, LG g6 g5 g4 g3 v20, and Daydream phones like Google Pixel/Pixel XL/Pixel 2/Pixel 2 XL, Samsung s8/s8 plus, Moto Z/Z Force, Huawei Mate 9 Pro, etc.
With a 103-degree field of view and anti-reflective light that adds to the ease and pleasure of viewing, this unit is certainly a product to consider buying if you are an avid gamer or movie enthusiast. The anti-blue coating prevents eye strain while protecting your eyes from the damaging effects of radiation. There is an aspheric surface to the lenses so that keeps the image clear and free from distortion. Other cool features include the comfortable and adjustable head strap, acrylic material for the lenses, and ease of control without having to use a remote controller.
For the most part, this headset works as expected. But you need to keep in mind that it is not advisable for people who wear eyeglasses since the space is pretty cramped. You will have to remove your glasses, although that will be an issue if your vision is not great for gaming or viewing without them.
Samsung Gear Intuitive VR with Controller
- Be transported to amazing new worlds, in games, video and images. 360° experience. Weight 0.76lbs
- Use the intuitive controller that comes in the box to drop, point, select and Drag with a Wave of your wrist
- Hundreds of games and experiences from Oculus. Sensor Type : Accelerometer, Gyro Sensor, Proximity Sensor
- Samsung Galaxy USB Type C models: Note8, Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+ ; and Micro USB models: Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge and Galaxy S6 edge+
- Galaxy Note9 requires a new adapter to be sourced free of charge from Samsung Customer Service
Each time you wear this headset, you will feel as though you are transported to a brand-new world. This unit comes with a controller that is easy to use and set. Just a few moves of your wrist and your preferred settings are within your control. You can play various games using this device, and there are several sensor types incorporated to enhance your experience. As this is compatible with your Samsung phone, such as the Galaxy S8, S9, S8+, S9+, and so on, it should be a breeze to use it with your device anytime, anywhere.
Right out of the box, this device is ready to use. It is indeed intuitive and durable and makes your gaming experience fun and easy. But it is worth noting that there is some lacking content, and some people are concerned about the pixelated display. It could only just be an isolated issue since not all buyers who purchased this item encountered this problem.
Osloon Virtual Reality VR Headset
- ✔ PERFECT GIFT FOR KIDS AND ADULTS –VR headset are the perfect gift for birthdays and holidays, allowing you to experience all kinds of scenes without leaving the convenience of your own home.
- ✔ VIRWING WITH FRIENDS ANYTIME -Ready when you are, watch with friends. Meet up in VR with friends and fans from around the world to catch live sports, concerts, or just your favorite TV show.
- ✔ MOBILE PHONE DEVICE COMPATIBLE WITH 4.7 -6.3in SMARTPHONES -IPhone X, XR, XS, 8, 8 plus, 9, 9 plus, 10, 7, 7 plus, 6, 6s, 6s plus, 6 plus, 6, 5, 5 plus, 5c, 5s, SE, etc. Note 7, note 8, note 9, s5, s6, s7, s8, s8 plus, s9, s9 plus, s10, s10 plus, one plus, Box VR etc.
- ✔ GIVE YOU A NEAR LIVE 360° IMMERSIVE VISUAL EXPERIENCE -OPTOSLON VR glasses are designed with aspheric optical lenses with intimate eye distance adjustment, allowing you to watch and use directly within 800° myopia without wearing glasses.
- ✔ COMFORTABLE LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN -Use OPTOSLON VR glasses to watch and play without straining your eyes and neck. Adjustable headgear, and soft masks to reduce stress and thus provide a comfortable wearing experience.
When it comes to the sound and sights you can get from this headset; there is nothing more you can ask for. The stereo headphones are built-in, and there is a spatial sound at 360 degrees that is very much immersive. The lenses are adjustable, and this headset is very light for your ease of use and comfort. With a memory sponge made from the highest quality materials, there is zero pressure in your ears each time you wear it.
We think that this product is indeed comfortable and user-friendly. But you will need to buy an adapter if you plan on using the headset with an iPhone. It is also rather annoying how the headphones tend to get in the way of your straps, so it takes some learning curve on how to put it on properly.
Pansonite Virtual Reality Vr Headset
![Pansonite Vr Headset with Remote Controller[New Version], 3D Glasses Virtual Reality Headset for VR Games & 3D Movies, Eye Care System for iPhone and Android Smartphones](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41GL0yZGmgL._SL160_.jpg "41GL0yZGmgL. SL160 19")
- COOLEST GIFT FOR BOYS & GIRLS – A great gift idea for boys & girls, perfect for birthdays, Christmas, or any special event
- 2023 Latest Version of VR- After three years of research , development and adjustment, we not only reduce the volume and weight , but also pay more attention to internal component. We went on to conquer multiple barriers to obtain very accurate fitting of parts. Pansonite VR with a new handheld controller that seamlessly responds to organic, human movements in virtual experiences.(Please Note:The remote control is a gift)
- Eyes Protecting & Bluetooth Connection-HD resin aspherical lens are updated to be more smooth and purified. It can completely eliminate the feel of vertigo and provide you high-resolution imaging and the color visual event.The remote control is connected to the mobile phone via Bluetooth to get rid of the wire trouble.
- Adjustable Pupil and Focus Distance- You can simply adjust the position of the spherical resin lens through moving the button on the top of the 3D VR Glasses so as to get a better experience of watching movies in seconds. So better and faster! Pupil settings for the excellent 3D experience, even to those near-sighted.
- Ergonomic Design- This adjustable T-shaped strap is made of lightweight material, which can decrease the pressure around your eyes, face and on your head, providing you more comfortable feeling. This Flexible and adjustable headband is suitable for different people. What’s more, the nose area is deepened, reducing the pressure on your nose. Removable front cover helps heat dissipation and keeps cool while enjoying the virtual world.
The latest and newest version of the VR headset, this product is lightweight and easy to use. It is very much responsive to human movements, thus offering you an authentic virtual experience.
The lenses are made from HD resin, making them smooth, durable, and clean. The distance between the pupil and the pupil can be adjusted to match your preference. There is a T-shaped comfortable strap included, and it is lightweight to support your needs. The deeper nose area minimizes the pressure on your nose experienced with other headsets.
Although the nose area is a bit deep, it may still cause some discomfort because of the zero paddings there. We would also like to see an improvement with the head strap since it fails to work perfectly with the headphones.
VR Wear Virtual Reality Comfortable Headset
- HIGH-END DESIGN The headset has a semi-transparent lid for camera – augmented reality (AR) movie provided
- SUPPORTS ALL 4.5-6.5 SMARTPHONES: VR WEAR virtual reality headset is compatible with such smartphones as iPhone and all other PHONES within 4.5-6.5" equipped with a gyroscope
- INDIVIDUALLY ADJUSTABLE DOUBLE LENS: VR WEAR virtual reality viewer has a comfortable lens adjustment in 4 directions for each eye separately - adjusting the focus and IPD (interpupillary distance)
- COMFORTABLE WEARING: VR glasses face cushion is made of soft leather. Soft and elastic head strap relieves the pressure on the nose and face. The VR goggles are very light weight, you can get a better immersive virtual reality experience)
- EYE PROTECTED ASPHERICAL HD LENSES with an increased Maximum degree vision will give you an unforgettable experience of immersing yourself into the virtual reality world. The increased field of view of our virtual reality goggles will make you feel like an actual performer, not a mere observer)
This VR headset is so comfortable to use and offers a clear image. The headset design is semi-transparent, with an AR movie included. You can use it with various smartphones, including the iPhone and other models of phones, as long as the size is between 4.5 and 6.5. The lenses are adjustable, and you can even adjust them in 4 different directions for your preferred focus. The face cushion is soft and smooth, and there is no pressure at all on the face or the nose.
Unfortunately, there were some complaints from users about the magnet button or the switch. Because of this, it is not possible for you to control the control via the screen.
Canbor Virtual Reality VR Headset
Enjoy your games and movies with this headset from Canbor. It is lightweight, which is at only 9.9 ounces, so that adds to your comfort as you are gaming. The lenses are HD, and there is protection for your eyes as there is an anti-radiation feature to them. The focus distance and the pupil distance are both adjustable, and the field of view is at 120 degrees for a panoramic viewing experience. As for the compatibility of this unit, it works well with most Android and Apple smartphones.
The comfort level for this headset varies as there were people who said it was very comfortable while others were not very satisfied with the fit. The setup process is also not too easy, as some users had a difficult time getting started.
VR SHINECON 3D VR Headset Virtual Reality Glasses
This is the upgraded version of the old model, so you can definitely expect more from this unit than the ones that came before it. The weight and the volume of the headset were reduced, which makes it lightweight and compact. You will love the protection on the inside portion of the headset, made from a soft sponge to prevent it from being scratched. The design is ergonomic, and it is very much compatible with various Android phones, as well as the iPhone. Easy to use, you should be able to get started with this unit quickly. We also like how it minimizes any pressure on your face and nose.
While most of the features that this headset offers work, there were a few issues encountered when using this product. For instance, it is difficult to close the cover that you place over your smartphone. We would also prefer the headphone adapter to be improved, as this one right now is a bit outdated. But overall, this VR headset works and makes any gaming experience worthwhile.
Virtual Reality Headset w/ Controller & Headphones
- ✔ GREAT GIFT FOR KIDS & ADULTS: Newest VR set with foldable universal bluetooth headphones[BT 4.1, BLE dual protocol, no burden for converter anymore] & wireless remote controller[free gift, simple] & easily adjustable design to bring you an immersive 360 visual experience. Perfect present for Christmas, birthday, anniversary, father's day, Halloween, Easter, Black Friday, Cyber Monday sale. VR virtual reality headest for grand kids/teenager/men/women/seniors. Not Oculus, not for PS4 XBOX
- ✔ VR HEADSET SMARTPHONE COMPATIBILITY: 4.7-6.2”(full screen 6.5”) screen IOS & Android & PC phone/devices with a gyro sensor (almost all models). The VR headset is compatible for cellphone like iPhone 13/12/11 (mini/Pro)/X/XR/XS/8+/8/7+/7/6S+/6S/6+/6 etc, Samsung S21/S20/S10/S9/S8/S7 Edge/S7/S6 Edge+/S6 Edge(Mini/Prime/Active), Note 10+/10/9/8/5/4/3/2, A3/5/7/8 J3/5/7 ETC, LG G3/4/5/6, V10/20/30, K3/4/5/7/8/10, G Stylo/H440N, Stylo 2/3 etc, Moto G/G4/G5/G5+, X/X Play etc, HTC, Sony, Google etc
- ✔ INNOVATIVE [FOLDABLE + RECHARGEABLE] BLUETOOTH VR HEADPHONES: VR headset equiped with most advanced foldable bluetooth headphones, makes the VR more compact to store and carry. Most importantly, it gets rid of the converter trouble. Charge for 2.5 hours for 25 hours use. It also comes with a free gift of bluetooth remote controller powered by AAA batteries(not included), which used to adjust volume/return to menu/music shift/self shutter etc, simple remote, not gamepad
- ✔ ADVANCED WATCHING & GAMING TECHNOLOGY VR HEADSET BUNDLE: HD optical lens with large viewing angle, eyes protection system & 3D high quality over ears 360°stereo headphones, this 3D VR headset Para gafas de realidad virtual will bring you into a much more realistic 360°immersive virtual reality world to enjoy the great fun of watching 3D IMAX movies/games, riding roller coaster, skydiving etc. No dizzy or distortion
- ✔ COMFORTABLE TO USE VR KITS: high quality head band & soft leather-sponge cushioned frame mask offer great comfort when wearing the VR headset glasses even for a long time. Download and play VR apps, insert cellphone into the VR headset, wear head band & adjust the eyesight according to the user's vision (compatible with 400° myopia to 200° hyperopia without prescription glasses). Also support drones that require a phone VR headset
Offering an impressive 103-degree field of view, you will find this headset provides you with the most immersive gaming experience. It is highly comfortable and adjustable; the straps can easily be tightened or loosened as you wish to prevent any pressure and pain on your nose. The head strap is also adjustable to protect your ears. There is a remote controller (Bluetooth-enabled) included, so which makes it quick to set up and control the moves and settings. It is an excellent headset that works for various smartphones with a maximum of 6-inch screen or at least 4.5 inches screen size.
The packaging of this unit was great, which is amazing. Setting up was also completed in minutes. The only concern we encountered with this product was the remote controller. It was not very easy to use, so it requires a bit of a learning curve to get you all set up. But once you have set it up, this headset should work perfectly without a glitch.
Conclusion
Virtual reality headsets are still something rather new. The technology is still under development and there are plenty of improvements to be made. The VR headsets that are currently available do work quite well, but the only problem is that true VR is still expensive. For our list, we selected several affordable models that work with smartphones but also true VR devices. It will take some time until production costs decrease and true VR becomes an affordable technology.
