The Top 5 VR Headsets to Suit Everyone

Hirola Group
Aug 25, 2017 · 4 min read

When VR headsets first burst onto the tech scene, they seemed like a distant dream for those that didn’t have hundreds and hundreds of pounds to spare, as well as a powerful gaming computer at home to power it.

Now that’s largely still the case if you’re after a high-end Virtual Reality experience, but this week HTC announced its Vive headset would be getting a huge £200 price cut.

Although its new £599 price tag isn’t exactly affordable, it signals that soon VR might not be reserved for die-hard tech enthusiasts, early adopters or people with a lot of money — especially because the Facebook-owned Oculus Rift made a similar price reduction last month.

But you don’t have to wait for the prices to drop even more if you’re keen to jump on the Virtual Reality bandwagon. We’ve collected together some of our favourite VR headsets to suit all kinds of budgets, from a tenner to the recently-reduced Vive.

Best value for your money — Merge VR

The Merge VR isn’t a standalone headset like the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive, you need to slot your smartphone into the device to power it. So if you’re after best-in-class graphics and uninterrupted gameplay, you might want to invest in something with a higher price tag.

But for those interested in trying out VR content, watching 360-degree video and playing some of the more basic immersive games, then the Merge VR is one of our favourite options. Unlike cheaper alternatives, like the Google Cardboard, the Merge VR is a proper headset that you can strap around your head and it’s really comfortable for the price, created from a soft material that’ll even keep kids happy. Just slot your smartphone in and you can get started!

Best for those into gaming -

If you love your Sony PlayStation then good news — it’s now VR-enabled! The PSVR headset is high-end, but at around £330 (depending on where you buy one from) it’s more on the affordable side than its rivals.

A lot of great PlayStation games are now VR-enabled, meaning you can experience the worlds of some of your favourite games like you never have before — in 360-degrees. It also comes with a range of controller options, as well as multiplayer and social features that are ideal for gamers.

Best non-committal option — Google Cardboard

If you’re not sure you’re really sold on the whole VR thing, get your hands on a Google Cardboard first. It’s the most basic VR option, but also the most accessible.

Simply made of, you guessed it, cardboard, the headset comes flat-packed and you can assemble it within a few minutes. You then slot a compatible smartphone into it so you can watch 360-degree content in the way you’re meant to rather than guessing what the experience might be like for your phone.

There are all kinds of apps you can download that let you test out your new cheap headset, including the dedicated Google Cardboard app, which features other experiences and apps that are high-quality and best-suited to you, whether you’re interested in gaming, nature or 360-degree documentaries.

Best for families — Mattel Viewmaster

A lot of the VR headsets on the market are designed for kids, especially those aged 11 and older, but the Mattel Viewmaster is designed with 8 to 18-year-olds in mind.

It’s similar to the Merge VR when it comes to functionality, requiring you to pre-download an app to a smartphone and then slot it into the device. Unlike the Merge it doesn’t come with a head strap, which might be off-putting for some, but is probably a good idea for kids who are only just getting used to 360-degree video.

Best if you’re looking for a bargain (kind of) — HTC Vive

We said it above, but £599 is hardly a bargain. Then again, if you were considering a high-end headset, now is the time to buy one.

Depending on who you speak to, the HTC Vive is considered one of the best headsets on the market with the most intuitive controls and a software partnership with Valve, which provides you with access to all kinds of games and content.

You’ll need to make sure you have a computer with a compatible graphics card, which you can check here, and enough room to spare to make the most of everything you can do with the Vive — the options are pretty limitless.

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Hirola Group is a digital solutions agency. An integrative team of multi-disciplinary creatives that put research and strategy at the heart of operations.

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