Watching movies with a VR headset can be an awesome experience. It can take you to a world where you can sit on the moon to something as simple as sitting with friends at the cinema. It is something everyone should try at least once in their life. The VR community is mature, and you will be able to find people to hang out with.
The downside is that the VR headsets are offering bad quality, and you will be able to see the pixels, but once you immerse into that world, you will forget all the bad sides.
According to TheVRreviews, these are some of the best VR headsets for the movies on market right now:
1. Oculus Quest 2
The Oculus Quest 2 comes with 64GB memory and is one of the best headsets out there. It has one of the best hardware with a super-fast processor and high-resolution display. It has the compatibility to work with older and new games. The setup is very easy. You won’t need a console or PC, just your smartphone. This model, even though it is cheaper than other headsets it still offers high resolution 3664 x 1920, it is portable, and you can use it anywhere. The battery life is 2.5 hours, and you can improve it with a power bank. The visual quality offers 3 subpixels per pixel, 90hz refresh rate, 100° field of view, all this for a very reasonable price.
The downside of Oculus Quest 2 would be that it is not comfortable to be worn for a long period. Still, the pros overshadow the cons, and this is one of the best headsets for watching movies out there.
2. Oculus Go
The next good headset is the Oculus Go, which comes with 32GB memory. This headset is very light, provides crystal clear optics, high resolution 2560 x 1440 pixels, and outstanding 3D graphics. The headset is easy to use and portable, plus you won’t need a PC, wires, or phone to use it. You can say that the main purpose of the Oculus Go is for watching movies and videos, the controller is effortless, and it navigates well, the audio is built-in, so you won’t need headphones. Nevertheless, they still have some wonderful Oculus Go games as well. This model has 2.5-hour battery life. You can also use a power bank or charge it while using it. The refresh rate is 60 Hz and offers a 100° field of view.
The downside would be the fov (field of view), which means that you won’t be able to move side-to-side or forward-backward, but you can rotate the head at 360°. This means you should buy this model only if you plan to watch movies because playing games with this model will be anticlimactic. So, if you are tight on the money but still want to experience VR movies, this is a good model to start with.
3. Google Cardboard
Next, we have the cheapest option for you, and it is the Google Cardboard, and it is a perfect starting point for the VR world, mostly because of its price. For obvious reasons, this model is not as good as the other two we mentioned above, but it is good enough for 2D movies. It is slower than the other two, doesn’t have a controller, and the resolution is poor. When it comes to the 360° experience, the motion is not smooth like on the others. It works with most smartphones, and it is best to watch movies on an iPhone. It uses your phone to run. It is a kind of headset that you use for a test ride before you get a better one.
4. HP Reverb G2
If you are looking for a headset with one of the highest resolutions of 2160 x 2160, then HP Reverb G2 is for you. This model beats all the other headsets when it comes to visual quality. You can also play games with this headset, but you will need a PC because it is not a wireless model. The HP Reverb G2 is also more comfortable compared to the models mentioned above.
5. Oculus Rift S
Since we are talking about comfort, no one can beat Oculus Rift S! If you plan to wear your headset for many hours, then this model is the one you need. This model is similar to the Oculus Quest, except this one is wired, and it is a bit lighter. The resolution is at 2560×1440 resolution with a 100° field of view and a refresh rate of 80Hz. The downside of this model is that it is wired, and you will need a PC for VR. Also, there might be god rays during loading screens and games. It is a good substitute for the Oculus Quest only regarding the weight.
Things to consider before buying a VR Headset
So, what are the important features you need to take into consideration while buying a VR headset for movie watching purpose?
FOV
You should pay attention to the headset’s FOV or field of view, which is the angle of how much you will be able to see in front of you. The normal human vision can reach 220° FOV, while most of the headsets reach around 100-110°. Higher FOV means a better experience.
Comfort
Another segment to bear in mind is the comfort of the headset. For little extra money, you can buy a headset with comfort mods that make the item a lot more comfortable, especially if you plan to use it for long hours.
Resolution
The resolution is one of the key features. The image clarity depends on how high the resolution is plus the pixel densities.
The price is also an important segment. You must know that a cheaper version will come with some downfalls.
Wireless vs Tethered
Another feature is whether the headset is wireless or tethered. If it is tethered, you need to make sure if your computer can support the headset.
Refresh rate
The refresh rate is also important because it determines the smoothness of the motion.
If your main purpose for the headset is watching movies, then it should come with 32GB or 64GB. The 64BG will be better if you also plan to play games with the headset.
Shareability
If you want to watch movies with other people or friends on VR, you will need to download the free Bigscreen app. With this app, other people who have a VR headset can join you, and you can watch movies together.
As you can see, the market offers a wide range of headsets, and it is all about your preferences, wishes, and budget when choosing which one to buy.