10 Best Budget VR Headsets

Virtual reality

is a tough one to get into due to intimidating high prices like the $1000 Valve Index or the $600 HTC Vive, but you don't need the cream of the crop to get a taste of this new technology.

RELATED:

10 VR games to play after Half-Life: Alyx, ranked by metacritical score

Cheap virtual reality may have its limits, but it's a great doorway to let you know if it will be your ally, because shelling out hundreds of dollars blindly may 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.

ten

PSVR (PlayStation: $299.99)

PlayStation is perhaps the best way to experience VR without emptying your wallet to corporate overlords, given that you don't have to upgrade your console,

you have access to most titles that the PC has

and the technology is solid, if not the best.

You can immerse yourself in

VR super hot

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

Saber-Thresher

,

with the headset featuring 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 main selling point that makes this kit a leap forward from a homemade contraption are the magnifying lenses and the singular button on the side.

However, given how cheap it is, 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, this may help them out. Or if you're interested in seeing what VR 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

framework

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

RELATED:

10 of the most popular VR games on Steam

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 lot of space. The only big downside? 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 phone enthusiasts. mobile.

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 to $85)

Nintendo's ventures into VR are a bit different from Sony's, emphasizing their kids market more than bringing the benefits of the PC to the console. The main difference is that while you have the basic helmet, there is a wide range of extensions and accessories.

You can grab the kit alongside a blaster that lets you shoot in-game, there's a vehicle kit that comes with a pedal and a wheel, or you can even get a fish hook and a keyboard. 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 catering enthusiast competitors it roams. With Windows 10 ready and lower minimum PC specs, this is a great piece of kit. 'entry level.

What you might assume from this being 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 multitude of excellent titles, among those mentioned above.

VR super hot

to

Immortal Vader.

4

Google Daydream View (most smartphones: $99)

The goliath tech company that started out as a simple search engine hasn't just dipped its toes into virtual reality with a cardboard bargain that's cheaper than a family trip to McDonald's, as it's also released a kit more expensive and more elaborate, the Daydream Vue.

It's simplistic in design, comfortable to wear, for the most part, adjustable with an easy-to-use strap, and easy to install, 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 slew of VR options, 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 is what they're especially known.

RELATED:

10 Triple A games that require a good VR adaptation

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 offers over 300 STEM educational experiences ranging from

Rubik's Cube

to

Panda Playtime,

give kids a whole new way to learn that might be a little more digestible than 6 hours in a 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 much deeper than that, Homido isn't the right choice for you, given that it doesn't come with controllers or anything 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)

Share

Share

Tweeter

E-mail

Mineta from My Hero Academia being bisexual would be a slap in the face

UA's kinkiest student might be her first sign of queer representation.

Read more

Related Topics

Lists

vr

About the Author

James Troughton

(805 articles published)

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

More James Troughton