If you want to sample virtual reality (VR) without spending a lot of money, a VR headset made for smartphones is your best option. It is inexpensive, has a slot to hold your phone, and supports a variety of VR apps and games. Our current pick for the best VR headset for iPhone is a family-friendly buy from Amazon. We’ve also listed five additional options that may be a better starting point for your mobile VR journey.
Before you go, pay attention to device compatibility. Some models only support certain iPhone sizes, while others may require sensors that aren’t included with your phone. To check if your specific headset supports your device, try VR Test Ninja.
Finally, many of the headsets listed below are ditching proprietary VR-specific app stores and using Google Cardboard-based apps. The good news here is that you won’t have to spend a lot of money to satisfy your VR appetite.
Best VR Headsets for iPhone
VR Merge
Merge VR is the best choice for iPhone-based VR experiences. It’s easy to use and offers clever features that enable a variety of VR experiences, especially for families and children.
This material is made of a flexible yet durable foam material that is lightweight and resistant to impacts and drops. This friendly design approach influences the Merge’s compatibility, with roomy phone slots that can accommodate most iOS and Android smartphones.
The lens-to-eye distance can be adjusted by sliding two top-mounted spring-based buttons. These same two buttons replace the hand controls, allowing you to interact with the experience by pressing them. This allows you to hold the headset like binoculars and enjoy the dual-controller experience required for many phone apps.
Curious about compatible apps for Buy at Amazon? There is no app-based store. Instead, Merge offers Merge Miniverse, a dedicated website that lists all compatible apps available on the Apple App Store. Categories include classroom-friendly educational apps, short games, YouTube 360 videos, and other options. Most are free or cost just a few dollars, so the risk is fairly low. Minibus is a powerful system that becomes even more immersive when you sign up for its newsletter.
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VR Wearable VR Headset
VR Wear’s family-friendly headset fits screen sizes up to 6.5 inches, making it compatible with even the largest iPhones. Each lens can be adjusted four ways, including focus and interpupillary distance, to fit a 105-degree field of view. We love the variety of adjustment options like this. Because these adjustment options are a great way to find settings that reduce dizziness and motion sickness.
The thoughtful design also includes a hole for the earbud cable, a separate vent to keep the goggles from fogging up, and a well-padded eye rest (which may be too large, especially for younger users). But our favorite feature is probably the two faceplate stickers that come with this bundle. This allows you to customize the headset’s face to suit your personality. cute!
BeNext VR Headset
Bnext’s headset features a comfortable foam face shield, making it one of the easiest headsets for a child or adult to put on and adjust as needed. Supports screen resolutions from HD to 4K, including 3D. The headset also allows you to quickly adjust focus distance and object distance, helping you find the right settings to enjoy your videos without feeling nauseous or confused. It is known as one of the better iPhone headsets for all types of VR experiences, including 360-degree and 180-degree rotation for exploration and gaming.
Another thing to note carefully is that it only supports screen sizes up to 6.3 inches. It’s slightly smaller than the largest iPhone model currently available. Make sure your iPhone is small enough to fit into the headset before you buy!
Destek V5 VR Headset
Evolving into a more premium product, the fifth version of Destek’s mobile VR headset includes Bluetooth controllers for one-handed use, similar to Joy-Cons. The viewing angle has expanded from 103 degrees in the previous model to 110 degrees. It also increases the pupil distance and increases the supported phone sizes. You can now also remove the sponge face mask for cleaning.
Desktek boasts that the lenses have anti-blue light and anti-reflective coatings. It is also aspherical, so it has an aspherical surface to minimize distortion. Complementing these lenses is a pupil distance button, which allows you to adjust the headset to your eyes. Plus, this headset supports most glasses.
Buy at Amazon includes an adjustable head strap to hold it in place, a plastic chassis, and a phone holder. Each side has a slot to support headphones and dissipate heat. It weighs only 11.3 ounces and supports phones between 5.5 and 6.5 inches. We don’t offer a proprietary app store, but instead leverage the experiences available on the App Store. Customize your experience by simply scanning the QR on your lips.
VR Empire VR Headset
There are many reasons why this headset is worth buying. One of these headsets has a viewing angle of up to 120 degrees. The included headphones help enhance your sound experience without the need for additional accessories. Additionally, the VR Empire VR headset uses filters to limit blue light from your iPhone, so your eyes are even better protected during long play sessions.
This headset can accommodate up to a 6.5-inch screen and 6.3-inch length, so you can use it even if you have the largest standard iPhone model. If you’re really interested in exploring VR, check out Amazon for purchase.
Atlasonix VR Glasses
This versatile headset from Atlasonix fits any phone with a screen up to 6.2 inches, allows users to adjust both the focal length and OD to suit their field of view, and provides thorough instructions to help teach how everything works together. The frame and foam inserts are both extremely durable and offer thorough eye protection, making it a strong choice for overcoming the shocks and drops that active VR users may occasionally encounter. It works well with the latest iPhone models and, depending on the type, can accommodate many users who wear glasses.
But Buy at Amazon is overall a simple device and best suited for new users. There are no extra features like controllers or earphones, just a high-quality headpiece at a reasonable price.