Best VR headsets to buy in 2016, whatever your budget

The age of virtual reality is upon us (again) with a torrent of devices and content expected to launch in 2016.

There has been a buzz around virtual reality (VR) for the past few years. Some of this has come from the lengthy development of devices like Oculus Rift, but also through a growing interest in what we’ll be able to get VR to do in the modern era.

The idea of VR isn’t new. It’s been circulating in the tech space for a number of years, but recently, the technology has broken through some of the long-standing barriers. Some of this has been about enabling access, with devices like Google’s Cardboard opening the door for anyone with a smartphone, right up to demonstrating what a fully-fledged premium system like HTC Vive will be capable of. We now have the power in home computers for lifelike virtual environments and this makes it a much more exciting time for VR.

So, without further adieu, we’ve listed some of the top VR systems available. Their prices range dramatically, and some haven’t actually been officially launched yet, but they’re all worth being aware of, as you’ll be seeing a lot more of VR in 2016.

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Oculus Rift

Oculus Rift has probably commanded more headlines than any other VR system. First launched as a Kickstarter and then acquired by Facebook, Oculus Rift is one of the most exciting VR systems you’ll find.

The system comprises of the headset that’s loaded with sensors, offering a display for each eye and integrated headphones. It comes with a camera to add more movement detection information and will initially ship with an Xbox controller prior to bespoke Oculus Touch controllers launching later in 2016. You will also need a high-spec PC to run Oculus Rift, however, and this isn’t included in the £500 asking price for the kit.

The result is a complete VR system, and from what we’ve experienced so far, one that’s capable of creating some amazing VR worlds and experiences. It’s on pre-order, with the first units expected in April, although the demand means you’ll be waiting until July if you order now. Oculus Rift is definitely in the premium VR category.

READ MORE: Oculus Rift preview: The VR revolution begins here

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HTC Vive

Like Oculus Rift, HTC Vive is a full system VR experience that will need you to hook up to a powerful PC. The system is still currently in development, with the latest version going under the name HTC Vive Pre.

HTC Vive is different from other VR systems because it gives you freedom to roam around the room. While other systems will allow you some movement, HTC Vive uses lasers mounted on the wall to map your location and movement around the physical space, integrating this into the virtual space. That allows for freedom of movement that other systems simply can’t manage – but you’ll also need a play space to use it.

The headset integrates a range of sensors, presenting the slick visuals to your eyes and you’ll have to (currently) wear additional headphones to complete the picture. There are again bespoke Vive hand controllers and the location of these are also mapped within the 3D space, offering plenty of versatility when it comes to control.

We’ve experienced a wide range of different environments with HTC Vive, from climbing Everest to maintenance of robots in a Portal-style setting and we’ve been blown away. HTC has partnered with Steam for the development of Vive and we’re sure we’ll see a wide range of content as we approach launch.

Pre-orders are opening on 29 February, but there’s currently no word on what your PC requirements will be, or what the price of the consumer version of Vive will be. Make no mistake, HTC Vive is aiming to offer the best possible VR experience possible.

READ MORE: HTC Vive preview: An experience that’s out of this world

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PlayStation VR

Previously known as Project Morpheus, this headset has been christened PlayStation VR, a fitting name that explains what it’s all about. PlayStation VR, rather than presenting a complete VR system, is an accessory for the PS4 console, meaning it’s likely to be much less costly to own than something like Oculus Rift or HTC Vive.

PlayStation VR uses the same technologies, however, tracking movement of your head and using the PlayStation Eye camera, in combination with your regular PS4 controller, to present the VR experience, moving the visuals from your TV to your face. This is an extension of your PS4, which is likely to see it as an easy VR choice for many.

Sony has said that PlayStation VR will be launched in 2016, but there’s currently no firm price or date. There is, however, a full line-up of content planned, with plenty of trailers released. On the cards for gamers are titles such as Golem and Ace Combat 7; we’ve experienced Drive Club on PlayStation VR and it was excellent and Gran Turismo Sport has confirmed support too, which is really exciting.

PlayStation VR removes plenty of barriers to VR because it’s an accessory to an existing platform. We expect to hear more as the year unfolds. PlayStation VR is going to bring immersive gaming to your existing console.

READ MORE: Sony PlayStation VR preview: A deep dive with Sony’s VR experience

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Samsung Gear VR

Samsung was one of the early movers on VR, launching the Gear VR headset, co-developed with Oculus, and designed to support a smartphone, rather than needing a connection to a PC or console.

There have been several versions of Gear VR, supporting a number of different smartphone models from Samsung, with the handsets neatly sliding into the tray at the front. Internally there are lenses to split the display between your eyes and with Samsung’s latest devices offering a high resolution display, this translates into slick visuals.

Samsung Gear VR has been used in a number of commercial settings, such car showrooms, but with Samsung offering a range of content from Oculus, it’s an easy option for those with a Samsung handset.

Gear VR is available for around £100, and there’s a controller too, which you can get for about £70. You’ll need to make sure it’s going to fit your chosen Samsung smartphone, however. We’re also expecting more from Gear VR alongside the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S7 later in February 2016. Gear VR opens the door to mobile devices, but you’ll need to supply the Samsung smartphone. 

READ MORE: Samsung Gear VR review: Days of Future Past

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LG 360 VR

The LG 360 VRis a headset that you have to connect to your LG G5 via the USB Type-C cable, rather than slipping your phone into the front as you do with Cardboard. It takes the form of a pair of glasses, which you wear rather more conventionally than others. It’s better than Cardboard and other basic systems because you don’t have to hold it to your face all the time. 

The headset itself has two 1.8-inch IPS displays inside, one for each eye, each with a resolution of 960 x 720 pixels, resulting in 639ppi. Those displays sit behind lenses that can be independently focused (you can’t wear glasses and 360 VR at the same time), as well as being able to adjust the width to get the best fit to your face and ensure stereoscopic vision.

The headset also carries the controls for your VR environment, with an ok and back button for basic click navigation. Otherwise, it has motion sensors, to allow you to look around the virtual world you’re in. There’s also a sensor between your eyes. This detects when the headset is being worn.

When it comes to audio, there’s a 3.5mm headphone socket on the underside of the 360 VR headset. If you don’t use this, the sound comes out of your smartphone, which may be some distance away, or perhaps in your pocket. 

The LG G5 is due to launch in April. No word yet on price. 

READ: LG 360 VR preview: A unique perspective on mobile VR

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Google Cardboard

Google Cardboard was first unveiled in 2014, quite literally a folding cardboard container into which a smartphone could be placed. The beauty of Google Cardboard is two-fold: firstly, the hardware cost is almost minimal, often free, and secondly, it’s universal, supporting a wide range of smartphone models – essentially, anything that will fit into the front and stay secure.

Google Cardboard is something of a breakaway success, allowing people to sample VR content (be that from Google or elsewhere), without having to invest in a more substantial system: Google reports that 5 million Cardboard viewers have shipped. Google has a range of applications for the device, and has highlighted VR for development and investment in the future. Importantly, Cardboard is not only this cardboard viewer, but also the name of the VR platform from Google.

Cardboard is really an ad hoc VR viewer: there’s no head strap and if there was it would be uncomfortable to wear, instead intended to be held to the face to view the content. There are a range of Cardboard apps for content, as well as being able to view 360 environments such as Google Street View or watching 360 content on YouTube.

Cardboard makes perfect sense: if you want to dip your toe into VR, this is the place to start.

READ MORE: Google Cardboard review: The cornerstone of mobile VR

Zeiss

Zeiss VR One and One GX

Optics specialist Zeiss has its own virtual reality headset that converts an iPhone or Android device into an immersive 3D experience. The Zeiss VR One is very similar to Samsung’s Gear VR headset, but with a universal design. The VR One features a tray to hold your phone and you’ll need the appropriate tray for your handset, be that iPhone 6, SGS6, Sony Xperia Z5 and so on.

The VR One will work with any app that is made for VR headsets such as Cardboard apps, delivering two images, so that each eye is separate and allows for a 3D experience. The VR One has a head strap and the One GX, like Cardboard, is designed for holding to your face. The Zeiss VR One is available now for about £110.

There are many more systems like the Zeiss VR that will accept phones in various forms and offer a similar approach to VR. If you’re getting into smartphone-based VR, this is a good way to go.

READ MORE: Zeiss VR One headset works with both iPhone and Android

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Homido

Homido falls into the category of devices, like the Zeiss VR One, that give you a more substantial piece of hardware, but work in the same way as Google Cardboard. 

In this case there’s a sprung section on the front into which you can slide your phone, and you can then strap the thing to your head to view your VR content.

In this case it’s a little cheaper, so you can get your hands on it for around £50, so if you’re a little more of a VR fan and think that Cardboard will get too annoying with the constant handholding, then Homido might be a solution for you. It’s cheap, easy and widely available now.

READ MORE: Homido is a universal VR headset for your phone

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And also consider… Microsoft HoloLens

Microsoft surprised everyone when it entered the world of virtual and augmented reality. It unveiled the Microsoft HoloLens headset, which works with Windows Holographic, a new technology that adds 3D images in the world around us all. Technically this is more augmented reality than virtual reality, but it’s playing in the same space as some of these other systems.

Microsoft wants to introduce augmented reality objects into every aspect of our world. Obviously, that won’t happen with the naked eye, but users wearing HoloLens will be able to see holographic images projected onto the headset’s visor. A full Windows 10 system is built into the headset and it runs off a battery, so it’s completely untethered.

The headset’s transparent visor displays digital images into your real-world field of view. You can then view and even interact with these digitised-objects as if they were in the room with you. Using Kinect-style tech to recognise gestures and voice commands, the headset features a 120-degree field of vision on both axis and is capable of high definition visuals.

Currently released as a Development Edition, HoloLens is something for the future, rather than the right now.

READ MORE: This is Microsoft HoloLens: Hands-on with the future of computing