Top Mobile VR Headsets In 2023
Phone VR Headsets are a good option for full-size VR headsets because they use a device that most people already have, like an Android or iOS phone. They are cheap, easy to set up, and a good way to get started in virtual reality.
Most phone VR headsets don’t have any electronic parts. Instead, they just have lenses attached to a case holding the phone. Since the phone does most of the work, these ultra-portable headsets can be used without being tethered to a computer.
However, they are not as good as specialized headsets connected to a computer. Not least, the VR experience isn’t as immersive as it could be, and there aren’t as many apps and games to choose from.
If you don’t mind the price and ease of use, phone VR headsets are a great way to try VR without spending a lot of money or to see if you like it before getting a full-fledged headset.
How Did We Choose The Best Mobile VR Headsets?
There are a lot of choices out there, from the simple Google Cardboard to headsets from well-known brands like Samsung and its Gear device.
Even though it’s great to have so many options, it can be hard to sort through them all, especially for people trying VR for the first time.
To make the process easier, we’ve picked out four phone VR headsets and told you everything you need to know about each one so you can find the one that fits your needs and, of course, your budget the best.
With these four choices, we’ve tried to cover a wide range of budgets and phone sizes while ensuring that each headset gives you a comfortable VR experience.
The V5 VR Headset From Destek
The Destek V5 VR Headset gives phone VR a high-end feel. It’s build quality and looks aren’t what you’d expect from a cheap VR headset.
It has aspheric, anti-blue light, and anti-distortion lenses that give you a 110-degree field of view that is sharp and clear. It’s a cool headset with a mini-controller, a nice bonus.
The glasses go with a T-shaped headband that is surprisingly comfortable. The top, front, and side straps can be adjusted in three ways to give you a snug fit.
Interpupillary distance changes can also help this way and make finding the best position for the sharpest, most immersive vision easier.
A soft silicone pad cushions the point where the glasses touch the user. This is done to stop light from the outside from getting into the headset and diluting the VR experience.
The pad has a slit at the top of the nose that is put in a way that fits all sizes of face and nose.
The price of about $40 for the Destek V5 VR Headset is high for a phone VR headset. This is far from the hundreds of dollars needed to buy a specialized headset like an Oculus Rift or Valve Index.
The Merge AR/VR Headset
Even though it is promoted as an educational tool, the Merge AR/VR Headset can be used with any VR game or app on the phone.
Its blocky shape isn’t the most attractive, but that’s because it’s made to be comfortable and fit a wide range of head sizes and shapes. This is because it has a lot of foam padding around the eyes and face, which makes it durable even when it gets bumped around a lot.
The headset has two 42 mm lenses with a field of view of 96 degrees. The IPD can be changed, and the lenses have enough space to use them with glasses.
The straps are also fully flexible, making it easy for anyone with any size head to find a snug fit. The headset has two input buttons on the side, making moving through material, games, and videos easy.
The Merge Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality Headset is also great because it gives you access to the Merge Miniverse, a library with hundreds of VR adventures you can download and try for free.
These include virtual field trips from the BBC and National Geographic and games like Ostrich Racing and Star Wars: Rogue One.
Even though the Merge AR/VR Headset is durable, it tends to tear around the phone case after long-term use. This is upsetting, given that it costs $50, which is a lot for a VR headset for a phone. But most of the time, the problem can be avoided by taking good care of things and cleaning them regularly.
The BNEXT Virtual Reality Headset
The BNEXT VR Headset is a good choice for people who want to get the most out of their money without spending too much.
It gives a good VR experience without any extra frills. At about $30, it’s very cheap and comes with everything you need to get started.
One of the best things about them is how comfortable they are. The nose piece is soft, plush, and breathable, which helps relieve pressure.
The headband, focus, and depth adjustments help you get the clearest picture possible and reduce distortion. Given how much it costs, we’re surprised by how comfortable it is.
The folding phone case on the BNEXT VR Headset is also a great feature that makes getting your phone in the right place much easier.
The headset is a little front-heavy because of how it is made as a whole, but this is a problem that most, if not all, phone VR glasses have to some degree.
The headset is also available in red, blue, and silver, giving people a bit of a choice regarding how it looks.
Topmaxions V2 Cardboard
Even though $30 to $50 is a fair price range for a good VR experience, fake headsets that came out after the Google Cardboard made it possible to get them for even less. One of the best is the Topmaxions Cardboard V2, which only costs $6.
Like the Google Cardboard, it is a cardboard shell that holds a smartphone. It is held in place by a pad with 24 suction cups and a strong velcro strip.
Unlike Google’s device, the Topmaxions Cardboard V2 can be used without your hands because it has a strip of sponge padding on the nose pad, fore pad, and headband. The headband can’t be changed, but it is made of a flexible material to fit most head sizes.
Overall, these features work well enough to make the VR experience more comfortable, which is something we wouldn’t expect for such a low price. The Topmaxions Cardboard V2 can hold any phone with a screen size between 3.5 and 6 inches, including Apple, Samsung, and other brands.
Things to think about
Before Buying these mobile VR Headsets, you need to consider the following:
Size of Phone
Phone VR headsets are great because they are easy to use. You just slide your phone into the case, lock it, and you’re ready to go. But not every headset is made to work with every size and type of phone out there.
If you use the wrong gear for your phone, the VR experience won’t be as good because it won’t be in the right place to give you the full 360-degree experience.
Before you buy a headset, you should definitely make sure that it will work with your phone. Most headsets work with iPhone and Android smartphones, but a few only work with one or the other.
Size compatibility is usually between 3 and 4 inches and a maximum of 7 inches, but this changes from headset to headset. Most makers also give a full list of phones that work with their products so potential buyers can check their phones’ compatibility.
Our suggestions above don’t care what kind of phone you have and can work with most phones from top brands.
Different kinds of VR headsets for phones
Most phone VR gear can be put into two main groups:
The first looks like full-size glasses like the Oculus Quest 2 or the Valve Index. These have straps and ways to adjust them.
They are more comfortable because they have better padding, making VR more realistic.
The second is based on the very cheap Google Cardboard, which, as the name suggests, is just a cardboard box with a pair of lenses to hold the phone.
Most of the time, these are handheld devices that the user has to hold up to their eyes. They don’t have straps and don’t have a lot of extra features or changes.
Unsurprisingly, the VR experience is basic and only meant for things like watching movies. But this type of VR gear for phones costs almost nothing.
Comfort
You should know that even though phone VR headsets are cheap, they do not offer the same level of comfort as specialized VR headsets.
So, it’s important to go in with the right ideas. Understand that the price and quality of a product go hand in hand. A $50 phone VR headset won’t give you the same comfort as a $1000 Valve Index.
Still, there are some differences between these cheap headsets. We suggest looking for ones with a lot of padding around the eyes. Adjustable straps are also a great feature because they help you get the right fit, which can make a big difference in comfort.
The same is true for changing the focus, the distance between the eyes, or the distance between the lenses.
Adjusting these headset parts can distinguish between a clear, crisp picture and a blurry mess that will have you calling the returns department in no time.
Conclusion
As we get closer to 2023, mobile VR headsets keep changing how we interact with technology.
Whether you’re a gamer, a virtual world explorer, or a worker looking for new ways to do things, these top contenders are your ticket to immersive experiences that push the limits of reality.
Embrace how technology is changing, step into the world of mobile VR, and use your fingers to open the doors to amazing adventures.
With these high-tech headsets leading the way, virtual reality is more interesting, approachable, and life-changing than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
How do mobile VR headsets work, and what are they?
- Mobile VR headsets are gadgets that use your phone’s screen and processing power to make virtual reality experiences more realistic and immersive. They let you see into virtual worlds by dividing the screen into two pictures that your eyes see as three-dimensional.
What makes a mobile VR headset better than other types of VR?
- Mobile VR headsets are easy to move around with and are inexpensive. You can try VR without buying an expensive game PC or console. They make it easy to get a taste of virtual reality.
Are virtual reality headsets for mobile phones easy to wear?
- Many mobile VR devices are made to be comfortable and can be worn for long periods. They have adjustable straps, soft padding, and lightweight materials.
What kinds of things can I do with a mobile VR headset?
- With a mobile VR headset, you can discover a wide range of content, such as immersive games, 360-degree videos, educational experiences, virtual tourism, and more.
Where can I buy these best mobile virtual reality headsets in 2023?
- You can buy these mobile VR headsets from a number of online stores, technology stores, and the official websites of the companies that make them. Read reviews, compare features, and choose the best fit for your wants and preferences.