How much is a VR headset?

VR headsets
(Image credit: Future)

Now that virtual reality is finally inching towards mainstream use, you may be wondering just how much a VR headset actually costs. These devices used to be particularly expensive affairs, but with tech growing cheaper and a rising demand for affordable kit, we're actually seeing the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best VR headsets sitting at some reasonable prices. 

Interestingly, however, it's the cheaper VR headsets that haven't quite made it through to today's renewed interest. The Oculus Go and Google Daydream both brought VR to the masses with sub-$100 price tags, but the experience was unrefined, suffering from the teething prꦚoblems associated with every new technological venture. These days, we've learned that for palatable virtual reality (or at least a virtual reality experience you'll w𒊎ant to spend any significant length of time in), headset prices start at around $300 / £300. 

Of course, you'll still find budget VR headsets available for under $30 / £30, but the real good stuff starts at $299. We're running through each price point; chea﷽p, mid-range, ꦅand premium, to find out exactly how much a VR headset should cost you, depending on the features and specs you're looking for. 

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How much is a VR headset?
Header Cell - Column 0 PriceHeadsets available
Cheap$15 - $50Smaller brands, usually running off smartphones
Mid-range$300 - $600Oculus Quest 2, HP Reverb G2
Premium$800 - $1,000HTC Vive Pro 2, Valve Index

How much is a cheap VR headset?

The cheapest VR headset used to be the Google Cardboard - a $9.99 box made out of (yep) cardboard. The premise here was simply; fold the card around your phone and stick it on your head. Since the demise o𝕴f Google's first iteration, we've seen a multitude of cheap devices hitting the market. At under $50 / £50, you'll find a headset designed to hold and run of🏅f your smartphone, with a comfortable strap, ventilation in the padding, and anti-glare lenses that should help with any motion sickness. 

These budgಌet devices can cost as little as $15 but don't offer the full-scale VR experience advertised today. Instead, you'll be limited to smaller gyro-based mini-games, 360° video apps, and social spaces, as very few of these cheaper models offer controllers or body tracking. 

However, if you're looking to test the feeling of this technology before investing in a more expensive headset, there's no harm in toying with one of these more novelty-focused gadgets. You'll be able t🐓o see if it's a playstyle you can get behind, though it's worth keeping in mind that you'll likely experience more visual disturbances (and the motion sickness that can come with them).