10 Best Budget VR Headsets

virtual reality

is a tough way to approach due to the intimidating prices of skyscrapers like the $1,000 Valve Index or the $600 HTC Vive, but you don't need the crème de la crème to have a front - taste of this new technology.

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Cheap VR might have its limits, but it's a great doorway to knowing if it'll be your ally, because shelling out hundreds of dollars blindly might not be the best idea. The best part is there's plenty to try, and here are ten budget kits that might sell you in this burgeoning niche.

10

PSVR (PlayStation: $299.99)

The PlayStation is perhaps the best way to experience virtual reality without emptying your wallet of corporate overlords, given that you don't need to upgrade your console,

you can access most of the titles available on PC

and the technology is solid, even if not the best on the market.

You can immerse yourself in

Superhot VR< /p>

and feel like John Wick and Neo, finally living the life of Keanu Reeves, or you can play as a Star Wars drummer in

Beatsaber

,

with the headset equipped with a camera that tracks your location and two fairly intuitive controllers.

9

Google Cardboard (Most smartphones: $15)

Google Cardboard is the cheapest VR on the market and the big selling point that makes this kit a leap forward from a homemade contraption is the magnifying lenses and e singular button on the side.

However, given its price, it's unsurprisingly uncomfortable and limited in what it can do, but if you have a child or young family member who requires a VR headset then perhaps this will relax them. Or if you're interested in seeing what virtual reality is like, it's an inexpensive way to get a quick test before trying something more robust.

8

Oculus Quest (PC: $399)

HTC and Valve have the best technology, allowing you to enjoy innovative experiences such as

Half Life: Alyx

and

boneworks

in all their glory, but you have to shell out quite a bit to upgrade your PC to the correct standard, as well as spending over $1000 to get the kits themselves.

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However, PC gamers can rejoice as Facebook is working hard to make the scene more accessible, and the

Oculus Quest is the latest step in that direction

- it's a wireless VR headset that performs at a level almost equivalent to the Rift, and it works in small rooms, which means you don't need a large amount of space. The only big downside? The battery life is quite low, around 2 hours.

7

Samsung Gear VR (Samsung smartphones: $129)

Sleek, modern, easy on the eyes, and paired with intuitive controllers that make Google's cardboard button look like a Nokia brick next to a Huawei P20 Pro, the Samsung Gear VR is a killer kit for mobile enthusiasts. .

The controller lets you point and click with your wrist, the actual headset is comfortable to wear meaning you can enjoy longer sessions and there's plenty of support making it a worthwhile purchase. The biggest drawback is the limited accessibility, given that it is only available for Samsung devices.

6

Nintendo Labo (Nintendo Switch: $43-$85)

Nintendo's VR adventures are a little different from Sony's, emphasizing their kids market more than bringing the benefits of the PC to the console. The main difference is that although you get the base headset, there is a wide range of add-ons and accessories.

You can grab the kit with a blaster that lets you shoot in-game, there's a vehicle kit that comes with a pedal and wheel, or you can even get a fish hook and a keyboard. It merges the headset that immerses you in the game world with tangible objects that enhance immersion.

5

Windows Mixed Reality (Windows 10: $299)

With the same price as the PSVR, Microsoft's own ventures are a bit more affordable than the restoration-enthusiast rivals it rubs shoulders with. With Windows 10 ready and lower minimum PC specs, this is a great entry-level piece of kit.

What you might assume this is a Windows-oriented headset is that it's limited to the Microsoft Store catalog, but in reality it can run your Steam library, giving you access to a whole host of excellent titles,

Aforementioned Superhot VR

to

Vader Immortal.

4

Google Daydream View (most smartphones: $99)

The goliath tech company that started out as a simple search engine didn't just jump into VR with a cardboard bargain cheaper than a family trip to McDonald's, because they've also released a more expensive kit and more elaborate, the Daydream View.

It's a simplistic design, comfortable to wear, for the most part, adjustable with an easy-to-use, easy-to-install strap, with the only major hurdle being that you have to get through your email to get started.

3

Oculus Rift S (PC: $399)

Facebook has a whole host of VR options available, with constant releases and many more on the horizon, so the quest isn't their only business. They also have the Oculus Rift S, which they are best known for.

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It's an upgrade on the Oculus Rift, with better visuals and comfort, spilled with improved built-in tracking that eliminates the need for sensors. You can play a host of stellar games on this device, but you'll need a powerful GPU to get started.

2

Merge VR Glasses (PC: $56)

This kit is more aimed at a younger audience, as it emphasizes education over anything else, and the kit itself is quite small but comfortable and easy to use.

It features over 300 STEM educational experiences ranging from

Rubik's Cube

to

Panda Playtime,

give kids a whole new way to learn that can be a little more digestible than 6 hours in the classroom.

1

Homido (Most smartphones: $80)

For smartphones, Homido might be one of the more comfortable and adjustable options, with the ability to change the distance between your eyes and the screen as well as a customizable headband.

You can watch movies and enjoy the basics, but if you're looking to dive deeper than that, Homido isn't the right choice for you, given that it doesn't come with controllers or anything else that would make it work. with games, but if you want to stay in bed and stay on Netflix in an immersive way, Homido is a solid choice.

NEXT:

The 10 Best VR Games of 2019 (According to Metacritic)

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About the Author

James Troughton

(805 articles published)

< p>James is a UK-based freelance journalist with book signings in IGN, NintendoLife, PCGamesN, GaymingMag, IntoTheSpine, and more. He can be contacted at jtroughton2k@gmail.com or @JDTroughton.

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