By: Amanda Drum
2015 has been the year of virtual reality. Since the beginning of the year, VR headsets, prototypes and hype dominated the tech sphere, making showings around conferences and expos nationwide. VR paraphernalia tops the news—and this holiday season, VR headsets top many Christmas lists.
Why all the attention? VR gives users arm-reach access to rare lived experiences, from sports to current events and actual business applications. Imagine playing a tennis set against Maria Sharapova, as in Reel FX’s “You vs. Sharapova” project. Or, survive being barreled by a pipeline wave with Specular Theory’s surfing VR video in partnership with Jeep Brand. VR headsets let users see the world without ever having to leave their homes.
While many companies will not release their headsets and other devices until the New Year, plenty more remain to tide over the impatient and convert the curious. Here are the top five VR headsets to ask Santa:
Photo courtesy: Samsung.com
If you own a Samsung Note 5 or Galaxy S6, consider yourself lucky. Only Samsung phones are eligible for this VR option, but most consider the headset the highest quality currently on the market. Samsung phones can render all the latest VR apps for your entertainment. While it’s an affordable option at only $99, the Samsung Gear doesn’t come close to some of the industry’s specialized models, including the upcoming Oculus headset.
Photo courtesy: Google.com/cardboard/get-cardboard
For those just getting their feet wet in the world of VR, consider the stocking stuffer of headsets, Google Cardboard. Among the first sold headsets, Cardboard holds any phone no larger than 6” and offers an authentic virtual reality experience. Plus, because it is literally made of cardboard, variations of the headset range from $15 to as low as $4 on the retail market.
Photo courtesy: Aliexpress.com
3. VR Box
VR Box brands themselves as “enhanced Google Cardboard,” with a phone lock-in feature and casing similar to the Samsung Gear VR, but for more than half the price. Unlike other headsets, users can adjust the object distance and “focal length” using a handheld wireless mouse. While less user-tested than other VR devices, this headset serves as a happy medium between the Samsung VR and Cardboard.
Photo courtesy: zeissvrone.tumblr.com
4. Zeiss VR ONE
The Zeiss VR headset makes the list for its variety. A headset like other nicer models, in terms of design, phone holder and durability, this headset additionally has a translucent black backing. If a user chose, they could use the headset for both phone-app 360-degree video and augmented reality applications. The smartphone camera syncs with this backing and allows users to switch between VR and AR devices easily.
Photo courtesy: shop.mattel.com
5. View-Master VR Starter Pack
This product gets the 360-degree video seal of approval, as well as a heavy dose of nostalgia factor. Any eighties or nineties kid will remember the Mattel photo-reel headsets from the child’s toy golden age. The same headset underwent a serious upgrade. Now able to play a reel preview as well as 360-video, this reasonably priced headset belongs to those who like to chase adult trends, yet are still children at heart.
VR headsets come in all sizes, capacities and materials, but they all deliver out-of-this-world 360-degree video experiences for any audience.