Which virtual reality headset is right for you?
Some alternatives...
If you want to try virtual reality without breaking the bank, there’s no shortage of cut-price headsets that simply use your phone to get you in the game. While there’s the actually foldable Google Cardboard, the Immerse headset sports some impressive lenses at a seriously low price point. It’s a simple solution. but clip in your phone and strap it on, and it does a surprisingly good job of pairing the two side-by-side images. I spent a little too long exploring a village full of dinosaurs, before downloading a free rollercoaster demo and trying not to be sick at my desk. Hey, the field of view might be a small box, but what do you expect for a price as comparatively low as £29.99?
Another option is the Merge headset, available from GAME in the UK for £49.99, and Amazon in the US for $79.00. Advertised as the most durable headset, it’s lightweight and uses your smartphone just like the Immerse. However, it also has adjustable lenses, a space for your rear facing camera to see the world in order to create AR experiences, and two buttons on the top to let you interact with the game itself.
Sign up to the 12DOVE Newsletter
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more
Louise Blain is a journalist and broadcaster specialising in gaming, technology, and entertainment. She is the presenter of BBC Radio 3’s monthly Sound of Gaming show and has a weekly consumer tech slot on BBC Radio Scotland. She can also be found on BBC Radio 4, BBC Five Live, Netflix UK's YouTube Channel, and on The Evolution of Horror podcast. As well as her work on GamesRadar, Louise writes for NME, T3, and TechRadar. When she’s not working, you can probably find her watching horror movies or playing an Assassin’s Creed game and getting distracted by Photo Mode.