The ultimate list of top Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality headsets
From a $15 dollar Google cardboard to a $3,000 dollar HoloLens, there is a wide variety of virtual and augmented reality headsets available in the market. These headsets come in different brands, variations, design and purposes. History proves that, as the consumer demand grows, they will even get better, cheaper and more accessible (Remember the Moore’s law?)
The below list is aimed to keep a basic record of the growing VR headset market which is just a small part of the new VR Economy — a fast growing, multi billion dollar, global and diverse ecosystem that is poised to disrupt the way we use our computers and the way we do our businesses, especially in the next 5 to 10 years…
Please note that “the list is in alphabetical order” and may be updated from time to time. Bookmark this page and come often for the changes. If you would like to recommend a specific product to be listed please use this form.
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VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) HEADSETS
“Virtual reality (or VR) is a computer technology that replicates a real or imagined environment, and simulates a user’s physical presence to allow for user interaction. There are different types of VR headsets depending on whether they are tethered to a computer or used with a smartphone.
TETHERED VR HEADSETS are attached to a computer in order to process complex games or applications with the lowest latency and the highest image quality possible.
HTC Vive
High-end virtual reality headset developed by HTC and Valve Corporation. The headset was first unveiled during HTC’s Mobile World Congress event in March 2015. The motion tracking system enables users to move freely within the living room. It has a refresh rate of 90 Hz, using two screens, one per eye, each having a resolution of 1080x1200. There are more than 70 sensors onboard to track the user’s movements.
Oculus Rift
Oculus VR is an American virtual reality technology company founded in June 2012 by Palmer Luckey and Brendan Iribe. After a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter the company was acquired by Facebook for $2B in 2014. Oculus Rift is a high-end VR headset that works with a gaming desktop or laptop. It has an OLED display, 1080×1200 resolution per eye, a 90 Hz refresh rate, and 110° field of view.
OSVR
An open-source hardware and software virtual reality headset developed by Razer and Sensics. It features 2160 x 1200 dual-display technology (1080 X 1200 per eye) running @90fps.
Playstation VR
Virtual reality headset manufactured by Sony. It is designed to be fully functional with the PlayStation 4 home video game console. It has a 5.7 inch OLED panel, with an RGB sub-pixel matrix resolution of 1080p, or 960 × 1080 × RGB per eye.
Sensics VR
Sensics VR is a tethered VR headset offering 100 degree field of view and 2160 x 1200 low-persistence OLED at 90 FPS. Powered by the OSVR (Open Source VR project) software framework.
MOBILE VR HEADSETS are powered by a smartphone. Smartphone is the main display, audio and the orientation of the mobile VR headset. Considering the popularity of smartphones, these headsets are easy to use, and budget friendly. Mobile VR headsets are better suited for applications not requiring high fidelity graphics.
Altergaze VR
3D printed, custom made and modular VR headset. Originally launched over on the Kickstarter crowdfunding website, back in March 2014. It is compatible with Android and iPhone.
AntVR
This is a VR headset kit designed and produced by Lenovo. It offers a 100-degree-wide viewing angle, dual control modes — via earphone and Bluetooth controller, and supports all new Lenovo phone with screen sizes from 5 to 6-inches.
Archos VR
A budget headset compatible with most of the smartphones in the market. By downloading the Archos Video Player app to your phone users can watch 3D movies and videos.
AuraVisor
This headset is an untethered mobile VR solution, powered by an Android-based computer. The AuraVisor’s 5-inch display runs on 1080p per eye with a 100-degree field of view.
Avegant Glyph
The Glyph headset sits on the user’s head like a pair of headphones. But with a simple move it can be flipped down over the eye and turn into a personal theater. The headset plugs into any HDMI-supported device and delivers your existing video content.
BoboVR Z4
This lightweight headset offers 120 degrees field of view, integrated headphones, a volume dial, and a control button. It works with any 4" to 6″ iPhone, Android or Windows smartphone. It is compatible with the Google Cardboard app.
DodoCase VR
Custom branded cardboards for agencies and brands displaying VR content to large and small audiences.
Figment VR
Figment VR is a phone case that can be used as a virtual reality goggle. It is currently compatible with iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
FreeFly VR
Wireless and mobile virtual reality headset for Android smartphones and iPhone. It fits any smartphone with a screen between 4.7 and 6.1 inches.
Fove VR
Eye tracking virtual reality headset with 100 degree field of view on a hi-res 5.7 inch display. Fove VR was first launched through the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter and raised $480,650 from 1,480 backers all over the world.
Google Cardboard
Google Cardboard is a low-cost virtual reality platform to use with a head mount for a mobile phone. Named for its fold-out cardboard viewer, the platform is intended to encourage interest and development in VR and AR applications.
Google Daydream View
Daydream View is Google’s first smartphone powered virtual reality headset. It costs $79 and will be on sale by November 10. Daydream View has an auto-alignment system that makes it compatible with Google’s new Pixel phones and other manufacturers’ phones.
Homido
A sturdier version of Google Cardboard with a plastic construction. The headset delivers a universal VR experience regardless of any smartphone brand. The lenses provide a 100-degree field of view.
LG 360 VR
The LG 360 VR is a headset that you have to connect to your LG G5 via the USB Type-C cable, instead of sliding your phone into the front like Cardboard or Gear VR.
Merge VR
Merge VR is known to be as a lightweight and durable headset. It is made of marshmallow soft foam and designed to fit in the user’s face comfortably. It is compatible with most of the iOS and Android devices.
Royole X
A virtual mobile theater that provides cinematic movie-watching and immersive gaming experience in a foldable design.
Samsung Gear VR
Samsung Gear VR is a virtual reality device developed by Samsung Electronics in collaboration with Oculus VR. It is one of the most popular and sophisticated mobile VR headsets in the world. It works with Galaxy smartphones and is compatible with both USB Type-C and Micro USB. Users can explore thousands of games and experiences on the Oculus Store.
Stooksy VR-Spektiv
These VR googles are made in Germany and produced from plastic foam. It comes as a construction kit. It is pre-cut by water jet but it can be mounted easily in minutes. The headset has a guarantee of 3 years.
Utopia 360
Utopia 360 is a mobil VR headset with an 8-button bluetooth controller and joystick. It is compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch and Android phones. The headset is powered by the smartphone attached.
View-Master
Mattel’s View-Master virtual reality headset comes with a headphone connector, a focal adjustment for use without glasses, and improved optical lenses.
Zeiss VR ONE
A solid headset built by Carl Zeiss — the famous lens producer. It is an upgraded version of Google Cardboard. The headset is compatible with iPhone 6, Samsung Galaxy S4, S5, S6, Nexus 5, and LG-G3 smartphones.
Wearality Sky
Mobile 3D headset with 150 degree field of view. It’s foldable, compatible with Samsung Galaxy Note, iPhone 6+, and Nexus 6.
AUGMENTED REALITY (AR) HEADSETS
“Augmented reality (AR) headsets are see through glasses that include additional imagery projected on the lens for artificial objects, such as a game character or an object.”
Atheer Air
Atheer Air is an interactive 3D smart glass that allow wearers to see critical work information right in their field-of-view and then interact with it using familiar gestures, voice commands, and motion tracking.
Microsoft HoloLens
Microsoft HoloLens is a holographic computer built into a headset that lets you see, hear and interact with holograms within an environment such as a living room or an office space. It has 4 environment understanding cameras and 1 depth camera onboard with human understanding technologies like spatial sound, gaze tracking, gesture input, voice support.
META 2
An augmented reality headset including a full 90-degree field of view and 2560 x 1440 high-dpi display. It is a rival of Microsoft’s AR headset HaloLens.
Moverio
Augmented reality glasses with binocular form factor and OLED display. Produced by Epson, these glasses have head tracking sensors, dual displays for 3D content and a front-facing camera.
Seebright
Seebright is a handheld augmented reality (AR) viewer compatible with most popular iOS and Android smartphones. It has a stereoscopic display that offers wide field-of-view display.
MIXED REALITY (MR) HEADSETS
“Mixed Reality headsets provide a view of the real world background through a camera and combines VR/AR imagery from computer graphics. It’s another way of blending the real world with virtual reality.
CastAR
castAR glasses can project 3D holographic images in front of your eyes, overlay animations on top of the real world, and creates a “mixed reality” environment. It is expected to be launched in 2017.
Magic Leap
Mixed reality headset company founded by Rony Abovitz in 2010. By 2014, Magic Leap raised more than $540 million of venture funding from Google, Qualcomm, Andreessen Horowitz and Kleiner Perkins. On June 16, 2016, Magic Leap announced a partnership with Disney’s Lucasfilm and its ILMxLAB R&D unit. The company is currently in “stealth mode.” Its signature technology is kept largely under wraps.
Mindleap
Mindleap VR is a body and brain tracking VR headset system produced by a Swiss neuro technology company Mindmaze. This headset offers sophisticated technologies like integrated motion capture, 6 degree head tracking and electroencephalographic (or EEG) scans.
Project Alloy
Project Alloy is a completely wireless VR headset project developed by Intel. The headset doesn’t need to be connected to a computer or a smartphone. It has its own processor, camera and battery onboard. The new headset cuts the VR cord and allows a free range of motion with 6 degrees-of-freedom across a large space. Its camera lets users see the objects around, combining virtual and augmented reality into a single experience which is called as “Merged Reality” by Intel.
Sulon Q
The Sulon Q is a headset for both virtual and augmented reality applications. It doesn’t need a computer to power its experiences. Everything is built right into the headset. It’s powered by an AMD FX-8800P APU with eight integrated Radeon R7 graphics cores, a built-in 256GB SSD, 8GB of RAM, a 2560×1440 OLED display with a 110-degree field of view, and 3D spatial audio.
Totem
This is a prototype developed by the tech startup company VRVANA. Totem includes two cameras that are used for positional tracking, as an external sensor system. These cameras can also be used for AR features.
