Are you looking for the best Virtual Reality headsets for Android and iPhone devices? Please read our reviews of the best Virtual Reality (VR) headsets for mobile.
If you want to try virtual reality without spending a lot of cash, a VR headset designed for smartphones is the best option. They are affordable, equipped with a slot to dock your phone, and support many virtual reality apps and games. Our current pick for the best Virtual Reality headsets for Android and iPhone is the family-friendly Merge VR. We also list five additional options that can be a better starting point for your mobile VR journey.
Before embarking, be sure to pay attention to the device’s compatibility. Some models only support specific iPhone sizes, while others may require a sensor not included in your phone. To determine if a specific headset is compatible with your device, try VR Test Ninja.
However, it can be a bit difficult to choose the correct model among so many options available in the market. So we will give you some tips that you should take into account when buying virtual reality glasses for smartphones so that you know which ones are the best for you.
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What is your Android and iPhone’s best and most affordable VR headset?
This is where the phones offer a great alternative to access virtual reality cheaply, because for little money compared and current smartphones that can access games and virtual reality applications. Some of them we have already discussed here as the 10 best games for Google Cardboard or the 10 best horror games for Google Cardboard.
We’ve talked at length about Gear VR and even can take a look at the 10 best games for Gear VR available or the best controls for Gear VR. But if you do not have a Samsung phone, what is the alternative? Well, for this reason, we have prepared this post with the top 7 virtual reality headsets for mobile, including Gear VR. With these best VR headsets for phones, you can completely immerse yourself in virtual reality. Remember that when we talk about degree field of view, this also depends on the size of your mobile.
We leave you with the headsets that we have chosen. Check the best cheap virtual reality goggles to use with your smartphone, whether Android or iPhone.
Merge VR Virtual Reality headsets for Android & iPhone
Merge VR is our top choice for iPhone-based virtual reality experiences. It is easy to use and offers smart features that support different virtual reality experiences, especially for families and children.
The materials consist of a flexible yet durable foam substance that is lightweight and resistant to shocks and drops. This friendly design approach influences Merge’s compatibility, with a generous phone slot that supports most iOS and Android smartphones.
Are you curious about the supported applications? There is no app-based store. Instead, Merge provides a dedicated website, Merge Miniverse, which lists all the supported apps available on the Apple App Store. Most are free or just a couple of dollars, so your risks are quite low. Miniverse is a strong system that gets even more involved when you sign up for the newsletter.
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VR Wear virtual reality glasses
This is another of the best virtual reality headsets for Android and iPhone users. This headset is essentially a step up from the original Google Cardboard design. It has a white plastic casing complemented by a semi-transparent lid so you can still use the phone’s camera. You will find small holes to connect headphones or a power cord while the headphones cradle your phone. The additional holes provide adequate ventilation so your phone does not overheat.
This model does not ship with a separate controller. Instead, it borrows from Google’s cardboard design to implement a magnetic button. That means your overall experience is based on Cardboard-compatible apps, including 360-degree videos on YouTube, available on the App Store. Your phone needs a magnetometer to support this feature along with a gyroscope and accelerometer for full compatibility with mobile VR.
This headset features a 105-degree field of view and the ability to adjust each lens in four directions. It supports phones between 4.5 and 6.5 inches, ranging from iPhone 6 models to iPhone 12, and Galaxy S series and Note series, for example. Includes two stickers that you can apply to the outer surface of the lid: cat eyes and a winged skull.
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Destek V5 Virtual Reality headsets for Android & iPhone
Moving on to a more premium offering, the fifth version of Destek’s VR headsets for mobile devices includes a one-handed Joy-Con Bluetooth controller. Increases the field of view from the previous model’s 103 degrees to a wider 110 degrees. It also increases the size of the compatible phone along with a wider pupillary distance. Now you can also remove the fluffy mask to clean it.
Desktek boasts that the lenses have blue light and anti-reflective coatings. They are also aspherical, which means they have a non-spherical surface to minimize distortion. Complementing these lenses is a pupil distance button so you can adjust the earpiece to match your eyes. What’s more, this headset is compatible with most glasses.
The device includes an adjustable head strap to keep it in place, a plastic chassis, and a dock for your phone. You will find slots on each side that accept headphones and dissipate heat. It weighs just 11.3 ounces and supports 5.5-6.5-inch phones. It does not offer a proprietary app store but is based on experiences available in the App Store and Play Store. Just scan the QR on the edge to personalize the experience.
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Google cardboard box
This is another of the best virtual reality headsets for Android and iPhone users. Google Cardboard made virtual reality accessible to practically everyone. Although it’s no longer popular today, this can be a great way to get familiar with VR if you’re a first-time user. Although the design here is nothing to write home about, this works exactly like every other VR headset I’ve mentioned on this list. Since it’s not too bulky, it can be worn as long as you like.
Google Cardboard has been designed with specific apps and tools in mind, all of which can be downloaded from the Play Store’s dedicated cardboard section. Although Cardboard’s developer support isn’t what it used to be, there’s a lot to see if you’re new to the platform.
Google Cardboard works with a variety of smartphones, including the Galaxy S20. We recommend downloading the Cardboard app from the Play Store to get started after you’ve purchased Google Cardboard. Unlike some other VR boxes, this one comes with a small click button that allows you to control the content on the screen. As you’ve probably guessed, there are no color options here, and you have to settle for a lone brown cardboard option.
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BNEXT VR Headset For iPhone & Android
If you’re looking for a great design for your VR headset, this offer has to be it. It comes with a large phone holder, which means that you can comfortably carry phones like the Galaxy S20. One of the main concerns people have with VR headsets is comfort, and we must say that this offering takes care of that.
There’s adequate cushioning for the eye socket to make sure it doesn’t stress the area with prolonged use. The mechanism that holds the headphones together is also very well built, with a strap that also covers your head.
The manufacturer has also been smart enough to offer some vents on the side of the earbuds that can be crucial in dissipating some of the heat produced by the smartphone. It offers a relatively wide field of view and comes with an adjustable focal length with the lenses. This headset can reportedly support phones with up to 6.3 inches of screen, making it perfect for your new Galaxy S20.
What’s also different about this VR headset is the fact that the company offers a decent collection of VR content alongside this product. Naturally, users can also peruse the content available on platforms such as YouTube and Play Store for some specific VR games and applications.
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Shinecon Virtual Reality headsets for Android & iPhone
This is another of the best virtual reality headsets for Android and iPhone users. In fact, this is one of the most comfortable and easy-to-use models. It has an ergonomic design that fits perfectly to the face, without creating discomfort or discomfort, even if it is used for a long time.
Its adjustable T-shaped strap helps reduce pressure on your face, and the front cover allows the device’s heat to dissipate quickly, keeping you cool at all times.
These 3D glasses can be used for multiple purposes, be it playing video games or enjoying the best movies from a completely different angle. Its surround stereo sound is one of its characteristics, which allows you to live the virtual experience in a very realistic way.
They are compatible with a wide variety of smartphones with a screen from four to six inches. Its lenses are adjustable and offer a viewing angle of 120º.
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OPTOSLON 3D VR Glasses for Mobile Games and Movies
This is a great starter VR headset for your smartphone that won’t take any knowledge or get used to. It comes with soft padded cushions to make sure it sits comfortably on your face while there are straps on the back to keep it in one place.
The manufacturer mentions that this virtual reality headset is suitable for phones with screen sizes from 4.7 inches to 6.2 inches. Thus, it is ideal for a phone like the Galaxy S20, for example. This particular headset doesn’t have built-in Bluetooth. So you simply have to put your phone inside the holder to start enjoying VR content.
It also has a rotating wheel that helps you adjust the lenses accordingly. We recommend using this with a Bluetooth remote so you can continue using the phone.
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Samsung Gear VR
This is another of the best virtual reality headsets for Android and iPhone users. The Gear VR was developed by Oculus through a partnership between the companies. While using the phone in the same way as Google Cardboard, Samsung Gear VR has much better usability. It comes with a control on the side, which makes the interaction with the much easier PPAs when compared to the cardboard magnets.
It also has a better finish, favoring comfort for those who wear this device. Just like the cardboard, the performance of the Samsung Gear VR is related to the technical specifications of your Samsung smartphone.
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That’s all for now, folks. These are our selection of the best VR headsets for Android and iPhone. There are other models of helmets. Which would you recommend? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Thank you.