VR or Virtual Reality has been around for a long time. It was not until the mid-2010’s that VR started gaining popularity.
With VR technology, we can now immerse ourselves in the world of virtual reality. VR is popular among the gaming community but with more VR out in the market, it is now accessible to everyone.
If you ever want to watch movies and experience a private cinema, read on to find out which Virtual Reality headset is best for movies.
5 Best Virtual Reality Headset For Your Ultimate Movie Experience
On the list are 5 Virtual Reality headsets that are the best for your movie nights (or any other time, we don’t judge).
With the best VR headsets in the market, you have a lot of options to choose from. You can watch movies with friends, or alone, and experience the VR technology for yourself.
We’ll start with the most affordable Virtual Reality headset and finish it off with the most expensive one.
Best VR Headsets for movies
1.Google Cardboard
Starting off our list is the Google Cardboard. Its price ranges from $6 – $14.95. Our most affordable Virtual Reality headset on the list.
Google Cardboard is compatible with most smartphones that have a screen size of 4″ to 6″. It is very user-friendly and is a good price for your very first VR experience.
This Virtual Reality headset is made of folded cardboard. But it is also durable and laminated so it can last long if taken care of. You don’t need special controllers or cables to control the Google Cardboard. It comes with quality lenses that allow you to enjoy your movies in a VR setting straight from your phone.
There is a cardboard flap on the Google Cardboard where your phone goes. The velcro will secure your phone and that serves as your VR screen. Your phone resolution determines the quality of movies you are going to watch so don’t feel down if the quality is not 4k HD.
Since this uses your phone to run, the battery life of your phone will deplete quickly and might heat up your phone. It will be good for your phone to take breaks often if you plan to use this for watching movies.
This might not be the best VR headset for movies but all in all, this will be a good starter Virtual Reality headset if you want to try out the VR experience.
Pros:
• Good for your first VR experience
• User friendly
• Budget VR headset
Cons:
• Resolution might not be good, depending on your device
2. BNext VR Headset
If you would like to have a “proper” Virtual Reality headset but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars, the BNext VR Headset might be for you. This model starts at $22.99.
To use this model, you have to insert your smartphone into the phone holder. The BNext Virtual Reality Headset offers an adjustable strap, an eyesight protection system, and a soft nose piece to reduce pressure on the face.
It gives a comfortable VR experience with its breathable foam so you can wear it for an extended period. This will give you a more immersive VR experience, unlike the Google Cardboard.
The BNext headset is compatible with smartphones that have gyro sensors, which almost all smartphones have. But the screen size is limited to 4″ – 6.3″, almost like the Google Cardboard.
This VR has a more immersive feeling than our first pick but don’t expect a high-quality 3D resolution.
This will definitely be a step up from the Google Cardboard to watch movies with.
Pros:
• Entry-level Virtual Reality headset
• Affordable
• Comfortable headset with adjustable straps
Cons:
• Phone compatible only
3. Meta Quest 2
Now we’re getting to know our VR headsets in the hundreds!
The Meta Quest 2 is a whopping $399.99, a big jump from the BNext Virtual Reality Headset but this model deserves to be 3rd on the list.
It is a standalone VR headset that allows for free movement when using the model. Movie watching will be enjoyable when you’re not tripping on wires trying to go get popcorn.
The resolution is 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye which is a good sign of quality images. Your movie experience in the Meta Quest 2 will be incredible.
The Meta Quest 2 is easy to set up and does not need a PC or console to operate. You do need a mobile device, wifi, and a companion app for it to operate.
This headset offers six degrees of freedom (6DoF) tracking. The 6DoF tracks your movement and translates it to the VR. It also has a soft strap and is lightweight to keep your movie experience comfortable.
The Meta Quest 2 lets you immerse in a 3D audio experience so you can enjoy an amazing surround system feel when watching your movie. The 3.5mm audio port lets you use the headset with or without headphones, too.
There are issues that we found out on the Meta Quest 2. Reviews have said that light can pass through the nose piece so it might be better to have the lights off. And should you opt to use it without headphones, the speakers can be a little too loud.
Overall, this is a good VR headset for movies.
Pros:
• Wireless for freedom of movement
• Can be used with glasses
• Feel that movie theater experience with high-resolution graphics and 3D audio
Cons:
• Headset needs to be plugged in for a 2hr30min movie. The battery might die mid-movie
• On the expensive range
4. HP Reverb G2 VR Headset
The 4th on our list is the HP Reverb G2 VIrtual Reality Headset with a price tag of $599.
This 4K UHD Headset has a resolution of 2160 x 2160 per eye., higher than the Meta Quest 2. The HP Reverb G2 offers real visuals, soundscapes, and performance allowing for a more immersive VR experience.
This Virtual Reality headset includes:
• HP VR headset
• 6m headset cable for connecting to laptop and desktop PCs
• 2 motion controllers
• 1 display port to mini-DisplayPort adapter
• 1 power adapter
• Setup instruction manual
With the HP Reverb G2, you have to be careful of the cable when moving around during your movie night. You don’t want to trip in the middle of getting food.
The headset has a flexible material and is more comfortable than the Quest 2.
The lenses are also adjustable so you can be comfortable in your movie immersion experience.
The HP Reverb G2 offers high-quality audio with its Valve speakers
Pros:
• High-quality visual and audio
• Comfortable headset
Cons:
• Needs to be plugged when in use
5. HTC VIVE Pro Virtual Reality System
Our last pick for the best Virtual Reality headset for watching movies is the HTC VIVE Pro Virtual Reality System. It is also the most expensive model out of the five we picked.
With a price tag of $1,199, it has dual-OLED displays, which means wider and better viewing angles than your regular 4K LED. It has a resolution of 2880 x 1600 pixels. You can expect sharper graphics and immerse yourself in your movie if you decide to buy this model.
The VIVE Pro has a 3D spatial sound and an active noise cancellation feature. It also has an adjustable lens for eye relief, headphones, and head strap.
This model needs to be plugged when in use but you can also buy and install a wireless adapter for a wireless setup.
The VIVE Pro is easier to use because of the even distribution of the headset and easy control system.
For a regular moviegoer looking to immerse in the VR experience, the price might be too high to invest in unless you will use it for other things, like gaming.
Pros:
• High-resolution graphics
• Amazing audio system
• Best VR experience
Cons:
• Expensive
• Might be suited for people who use VR a lot and wants an improved and better VR experience
Pros and Cons of using a Virtual Reality headset for movie watching
Now that we reviewed our 5 best VR headsets for movie watching, let’s talk about the pros and cons of using them.
Pros
You can immerse yourself in virtual reality and experience watching movies in 3D with the VR headset.
If you like watching movies but don’t like going to the movie theater, a Virtual Reality headset can give you the same theater experience in the comfort of your home. Or anywhere in the world.
You can bring your Virtual Reality headset anywhere you go and share the experience with your friends.
Investing in a good quality Virtual Reality headset can make your movie experience amazing. You can feel as if you are a part of the movie and not just an audience watching from the sidelines.
Cons
While a virtual reality experience can be amazing, there are also disadvantages.
Some reviews report motion sickness, eye strain, and nausea when using a VR headset for longer periods.
Another disadvantage of a VR headset is it is expensive. The higher the quality, the higher the price of the headset. It might be too expensive of an investment for the average moviegoer.
It is important to take breaks in between the usage of any VR headset to rest your eyes.
Buying Guide for the best VR headset
Resolution
High-quality graphics is an important factor when choosing a Virtual Reality headset, especially when using it to watch movies.
If you are just starting your VR experience, the BNext VR Headset is a good place to start. It won’t be the best resolution out there, but if you tried it and didn’t like the experience, you saved money by not investing in the more expensive VR headsets.
Our last 3 picks have high-quality resolution and are perfect if you want to level up your VR movie-watching experience.
If price is not a problem, the HTC VIVE Pro is the best option with its resolution of 2880 x 1600 pixels.
Sound
Another factor to consider is the sound system of the VR headset. Do you want a private theater experience with a surround sound system? Or are you okay with a good-quality sound?
With these in mind, there are a lot of options out there but our recommendation would be the HP Reverb G2 VR Headset. It has high-quality Valve speakers without the steep price of the VIVE Pro.
Mobility
There are other uses for a Virtual Reality headset and freedom of movement is a big factor if you use it for gaming.
If you are going to use it for watching VR movies, a cable headset can work for you. But there are also wireless headsets so you can move easily without worrying about tripping on the wires.
A wireless setup may be good if you like to do things like to grab your food or go to the toilet when watching a movie.
Focal Distance and IPD Adjustment
IPD (Inter-Pupillary Distance) adjustment simply means adjusting the distance between the lenses.
Everyone’s eyes are different from each other. This space may vary depending on the person using the VR headset. It is best to test the headset for yourself to measure the correct distance for better comfort.
Versatility
Decide for yourself if you will only use the VR headset for watching movies.
A Virtual Reality headset can get expensive and you have to think ahead about how you will use them.
A lot of VR headsets allow for versatility. This review is for the best 5 VR headsets for watching movies but most of them can also be used for other purposes, like gaming.
It might cost you a lot if you decide to buy a VR headset and decide you want another headset with more versatile use.
Cost
This might be the most important factor for most people when deciding to invest in a VR headset.
The VR headset price ranges from $15 – $1000.
If you are new to the world of VR, buying a $1000 headset might be too much. Buying your first VR can be exciting but be sure of the price you are willing to pay. You might regret spending a lot on a headset you will rarely use.
Even so, you don’t want to compromise the graphics for a lower-priced VR headset.
But if you want to step up your VR experience and money is not a concern, there are mid-range to high-end VR headsets to choose from.
It is best to scout the market to see other VR headsets to find what model is good for you.
FAQ
Will you get motion sickness from VR?
From watching movies, no you won’t. You are usually still when you watch movies. Motion sickness usually comes from playing games using a VR headset when there is more range of movement.
If you don’t suffer from migraines, watching movies from VR won’t cause you sickness.
Can you watch movies on a VR headset while lying down
Yes. Most VR headsets have adjustable straps and lenses which makes watching movies an enjoyable experience. There are also portable VR headsets that make it easy for you to just lie down without worrying about the cables during your movie session.
I want to watch Netflix on VR headsets. Is it possible?
Yes. It is possible to watch Netflix on your VR headsets. Based on our research, Netflix is available on supported Oculus models. You just need to install the Netflix app on the Oculus store.
Conclusion
There are many VR goggles on the market right now.
With different features and price tags, make sure to think of the deciding factor before buying a Virtual Reality headset. It might be tough to find the best VR headset with so many options.
Will you just be buying a VR headset for movies, or will you also use it for VR games?
Most VR headsets for movies are also good to use for VR games. So if you are a gamer, you might want to buy a headset that you can use for gaming as well.
Ask yourself questions. Will a $1000 VR headset be a good investment just for watching movies? Or are VR headsets on the middle-range price tags a safer bet for you?
Which VR device you will buy is a question of personal preference and budget.
Standalone VR headsets are good if you like to move around while using the goggles.
With that said, we would recommend the Meta Quest 2 if all you will use it for is watching movies. It has high-resolution graphics and 3D audio that you can find in more expensive VR headsets but without emptying your pockets.
Hopefully, this guide helped you decide on the best VR headset for watching movies.
