VR headsets that hold your iOS and Android smartphone are going to be huge in 2016 - we review the best virtual reality hardware you can get for under £60
An increasing number of people seem to be catching onto the fact that VR apps for Android and iOS smartphones are glorious fun, so we’ve decided to put together a buyer’s guide to 12 best budget VR headsets. A perfect virtual reality dozen, if you like.
Or perhaps a better description of the sector may be ‘enhanced smartphone holders’. Because at these price points, none of the VR headsets reviewed have any of their own onboard sensors, like the Samsung Gear VR.
Instead they rely on the processors, gyroscopes and motion sensors of the smartphones themselves. So the rule of thumb is: the better specced you smartphone, the smoother and more immersive your virtual reality experience
Don’t go in with expectations held too high, however. Consumer VR hardware and software is very much in its infancy, and these products provide just an inkling of the immersive potential of virtual reality. That said you can find loads of fun and fascinating games and ‘experiences’ for free on the iOS App Store and Google Play.
And these VR headsets also make great viewers for the growing range of 3D 360° movies that can be found on YouTube.
Read on for our list of the very best budget VR headsets, featuring the likes of Google Cardboard, Bobo, Freefly, View-Master, Fiit VR, Merge, Homido VR, IncrediSonic, Habor, Pasonomi and Tepoinn.
Homido VR Headset
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Price: £46.06
We’ve talked about the Homido VR headset previously, complimenting the accessory on its comfortable face plate and compatibility with larger phones such as the iPhone 6 Plus and OnePlus One.
The Homido VR headset retails for just under £50 in the UK and offers adjustable lenses and a handy 100° field of view, also boasting three alternate settings for those with glasses: far-sighted, near-sighted and ‘normal’ vision
Being able to enjoy VR apps hands-free thanks to the headstrap is a god-send, and the foam outline running along the inside of the accessory feels comfy even during long play sessions.
We found that one of the main advantages of using the Homido was that the headset doesn’t allow light to flood into the viewer itself. Wear some headphones with the Homido on your head and you’ll feel truly immersed.
Price: £46.06
We’ve talked about the Homido VR headset previously, complimenting the accessory on its comfortable face plate and compatibility with larger phones such as the iPhone 6 Plus and OnePlus One.
The Homido VR headset retails for just under £50 in the UK and offers adjustable lenses and a handy 100° field of view, also boasting three alternate settings for those with glasses: far-sighted, near-sighted and ‘normal’ vision
Being able to enjoy VR apps hands-free thanks to the headstrap is a god-send, and the foam outline running along the inside of the accessory feels comfy even during long play sessions.
We found that one of the main advantages of using the Homido was that the headset doesn’t allow light to flood into the viewer itself. Wear some headphones with the Homido on your head and you’ll feel truly immersed.
Fiit VR Headset
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Price: £17.99
The Fiit VR is priced very competitively indeed and has been picking up a lot of 5-star reviews on both sides of the Atlantic. It’s easy to see why – the Fiit VR presents itself as the next evolutionary stage in Google Cardboard-compatible VR headsets. It does all the simple things well, such as having a latch mechanism that is easy to use and is utterly secure in day-to-day use.
The field of view is a claimed 102 degrees, and while we don’t have the tools at our disposal to verify that figure (eye protractors perhaps), we can assert that you do see more of the action than on most of the other headsets in this line-up, with the possible exception of the Merge VR.
Like the Merge, the Fiit VR is also ready to play the growing number of augmented reality apps available by virtue of its translucent front panel. The only downside is that there is no button control – although you can pick up a Fiit VR bundle with an Android-compatible Bluetooth controller for a shade over £20. Either Fiit VR option represents excellent value-for-money – and a real challenge to the other contenders on the market.
Price: £17.99
The Fiit VR is priced very competitively indeed and has been picking up a lot of 5-star reviews on both sides of the Atlantic. It’s easy to see why – the Fiit VR presents itself as the next evolutionary stage in Google Cardboard-compatible VR headsets. It does all the simple things well, such as having a latch mechanism that is easy to use and is utterly secure in day-to-day use.
The field of view is a claimed 102 degrees, and while we don’t have the tools at our disposal to verify that figure (eye protractors perhaps), we can assert that you do see more of the action than on most of the other headsets in this line-up, with the possible exception of the Merge VR.
Like the Merge, the Fiit VR is also ready to play the growing number of augmented reality apps available by virtue of its translucent front panel. The only downside is that there is no button control – although you can pick up a Fiit VR bundle with an Android-compatible Bluetooth controller for a shade over £20. Either Fiit VR option represents excellent value-for-money – and a real challenge to the other contenders on the market.
Freefly VR Headset
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Price: £42.70
The Freefly VR headset is the most expensive of the items we’ve listed, but in many ways you get what you pay for.
From the plush faux leather padding to the slick smartphone clamping mechanism, you can see attention to detail throughout the Freefly proposition.
The bundled GLIDE Bluetooth controller is slicker than most accessories of its type, and even includes a mini-joystick along with the control pads. But sadly, even this device is neutered by Apple’s iOS 9.2 update on iPhones.
The build quality, relatively light weight and secure straps combine to make the Freefly VR comfortable to wear even during extended sessions – although you will get sweaty, bleary-eyed and a little dizzy.
Find out more on our in-depth Freefly VR review – but for those who have sampled smartphone VR and like what they see in stereoscopic vision, this is a smart choice.
Price: £42.70
The Freefly VR headset is the most expensive of the items we’ve listed, but in many ways you get what you pay for.
From the plush faux leather padding to the slick smartphone clamping mechanism, you can see attention to detail throughout the Freefly proposition.
The bundled GLIDE Bluetooth controller is slicker than most accessories of its type, and even includes a mini-joystick along with the control pads. But sadly, even this device is neutered by Apple’s iOS 9.2 update on iPhones.
The build quality, relatively light weight and secure straps combine to make the Freefly VR comfortable to wear even during extended sessions – although you will get sweaty, bleary-eyed and a little dizzy.
Find out more on our in-depth Freefly VR review – but for those who have sampled smartphone VR and like what they see in stereoscopic vision, this is a smart choice.
Merge VR Goggles
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Price: £39.99
The Merge VR goggles are the most impressively produced and packaged of the first wave of Virtual Reality headsets that we’ve reviewed. They are made from lightweight and flexible foam and are available in any colour you want – as long as it’s bright purple.
You slide your iPhone or Android device into the slot at the front – Merge claims the goggles will accommodate any phone made in the past 2 years – and you are ready to rock and roll.
User controls and the dual-lens focus is ingeniously managed by 2 sliding buttons at the top of the Merge VR goggles. Pushing down makes the touch-friendly, conductive widgets prod the screen, offering a modicum of control, although its hardly immersive.
Moving the button-levers left and right also brings the lenses into focus, although we had difficulty keeping the display crystal clear over extended period of time (yes, our eyes might be too close together).
The well-laid out Merge website features a large number of VR games and VR promotions – including interactive demos for films like Goosebumps and The Walk.
Overall this is an impressive piece of kit for the price point – and a great way to dip a toe into the developing market of VR without breaking the bank.
For more information read our comprehensive Merge VR headset review.
You can enter our competition to win the Merge VR Goggles for free!
Non-UK Readers – learn more about Merge VR on Amazon.
Price: £39.99
The Merge VR goggles are the most impressively produced and packaged of the first wave of Virtual Reality headsets that we’ve reviewed. They are made from lightweight and flexible foam and are available in any colour you want – as long as it’s bright purple.
You slide your iPhone or Android device into the slot at the front – Merge claims the goggles will accommodate any phone made in the past 2 years – and you are ready to rock and roll.
User controls and the dual-lens focus is ingeniously managed by 2 sliding buttons at the top of the Merge VR goggles. Pushing down makes the touch-friendly, conductive widgets prod the screen, offering a modicum of control, although its hardly immersive.
Moving the button-levers left and right also brings the lenses into focus, although we had difficulty keeping the display crystal clear over extended period of time (yes, our eyes might be too close together).
The well-laid out Merge website features a large number of VR games and VR promotions – including interactive demos for films like Goosebumps and The Walk.
Overall this is an impressive piece of kit for the price point – and a great way to dip a toe into the developing market of VR without breaking the bank.
For more information read our comprehensive Merge VR headset review.
You can enter our competition to win the Merge VR Goggles for free!
Non-UK Readers – learn more about Merge VR on Amazon.
