24 Must Have VR Accessories for the Ultimate Immersive Experience
The market for virtual reality (VR) is expanding rapidly, and with it, the number of VR accessories on the market. From controller grips and straps to haptic feedback devices and VR stands, there are a wide variety of accessories available to enhance your VR experience.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best VR accessories currently on the market. Whether you’re looking to improve your gaming experience, get more done with your VR headset, or simply protect your hardware, we have something for you.
Controller Grip
Controller grips can help you improve your grip on your controllers and make it easier to control your in-game movements. They can also help to prevent your controllers from slipping out of your hands, which can be a problem for some people.
The first controller grips designed specifically for Meta Quest 2. They come in a non-slip material with a textured surface for better grip control and helps protect from sweat, grease, and scratches.
The battery compartment of the KIWI Quest 2 controller can be reached without taking off the grip cover. This makes it easy and quick to change the batteries, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your virtual reality experience and less time fiddling with the controllers.
AMVR makes wrist straps for the Oculus Quest 2 controllers that also have access to the battery compartment. AMVR opted for an elastic band instead of velcro tape, which gives your hands more freedom while making games feel more natural.
Protective Cover
Another great accessory to invest in is a protective cover. They provide superior protection for your VR headset and controllers. They are made of durable materials that can withstand everyday wear and tear, helping to keep your devices in better condition for longer. They are also designed to be easy to clean, making them ideal for households with multiple VR users.
The design of the noseguard from VR Cover prevents some of the hot air you exhale from entering the headset, minimizing the chances of your lens fogging up. Along with less foggy lenses, the soft foam replacement helps keep your device sweat free and relieves pressure around the face.
These covers are made of soft silicone that is pleasant to the touch. They don’t get dirty from sweat and are easy to clean. This makes them great for homes with multiple VR users sharing the headset.
If you bought a Meta Quest 2 headset before August 24, 2021, you should be qualified for a free face cover. The foam face interface was recalled after some users reported skin irritation from wearing it too close to their eyes and ears.
Carrying Case
Next on the list of VR accessories is a carrying case. Carrying cases are designed to protect your VR equipment when its not in use. They can be used for simple storage or for transporting your equipment safely. Most carrying cases have padded, customizable interiors that provide additional cushioning for your headset. I mainly use mine for storage, but it does make traveling a breeze.
Casematix’s briefcase style hard case features a thick egg-crate foam top and includes a layer of dense, pre-diced, customizable protective foam surrounding your VR headset and accessories to absorb shock from drops and bumps. Each case’s hard shell exterior is constructed from ultra-durable polymer composite plastic.
The SARLAR carrying case is the best way to carry and store your Meta Quest 2 VR gaming headset and touch controller accessories. It’s crafted from high-density, long-lasting material and features an elastic band that stays put when not in use. The cow leather hand strap, double-zippered construction, and lightweight materials make this bag easy to transport around the house or on the road.
Oculus Quest 2’s dual-shell exterior case protects the headset and its accessories from accidental drops and other damage while it’s in transit or storage. Without the use of straps or harnesses, the internal moldings of your carrying case keep everything secure. Everything about this case screams Meta, from the high-quality materials to the well-thought-out colors and finish.
Head Straps & External Batteries
Two must-have accessories for improving the experience are an elite strap and an external battery. I put these together in this section since the straps reviewed below also have an external battery built in. Elite straps are made to give you a more secure and comfortable fit, while the battery does what batteries do and gives you more power to last longer.
The official Meta Quest 2 Elite Strap includes an integrated battery to extend the play time of the headset up to 2 hours. This eliminates the need for wires and power banks, which can pose safety concerns and distribute weight unevenly across the headset. The back-mounted adjustment wheel makes it easy to make changes with one hand, and the weight distribution across the strap evens out the headset perfectly!
The GeekVR G2 Pro head strap is an excellent way to improve your VR experience. The head strap has a clever weight distribution design, and the magnetically attached battery pack provides a quick and easy way to swap out the 5,000 mAh battery. You also get the most for your money regarding the battery since it sports a type C connector to function as a normal power bank.
The KIWI-designed headstrap promotes a thick cushion on the top and back of the strap. Add in the counterweight of the battery pack, and the KIWI-designed battery strap will comfortably fit and evenly distribute the weight on your head. When fully charged, the internal 6400 mAh battery will extend the VR time by 2.5–5 hours, depending on what you’re doing, and the unique 52-degree adjustable hinge lets you easily transition in and out of VR by simply flipping up your headset.
Charging Station
A charging station is a device to store and charge your VR equipment. Most of them nowadays have the ability to charge the controllers and the headset, eliminating the hassle of buying controller batteries every few months. Some high end charging stations include additional safeguards and features such as LED display and automatic shutoff to prevent overcharging.
The Anker Charging Dock for Meta Quest 2 charges and stores your Oculus controllers, headset, and other gear in one place. The dock is powered by a USB-C cable and recharges completely from zero in 180 minutes. Each component fits snugly in the dock, and the contact pins are simple to align. It’s not well documented, but if you own the Elite Strap with battery, you won’t be able to use this docking station.
Turtle Beach’s Fuel VR Charging Station was made with the dedicated Quest 2 user in mind. Included are two 20-hour battery packs, two controller battery doors with charging connectors, a long (6.5 ft!) USB C cable, and a magnetic USB C connector for the headset. The included rechargeable batteries have a 20-hour runtime before they need to be recharged. The Turtle Beach Fuel VR Charging Station also has a sleek and small design that would look great anywhere, from a gaming setup to the dinner table.
The InsigniaTM Charge Station is a must-have accessory for Meta Quest 2 owners. It will help keep your headset and controllers powered up and ready to use at all times. It features a slick LED status indicator that lets you know when your devices are fully charged and uses its nice automatic shut-off to prevent overcharging.
Headphones & Earbuds
Headphones are one of the most useful and straightforward accessories to include when playing VR. They make the experience much more immersive by providing clear surround sound and blocking out noise from the outside world. Regardless, if you’re a hardcore all-nighter or a casual VR gamer, using headphones can definitely take your VR experience to the next level.
The Logitech G333 VR Gaming Earphones are an excellent choice for gamers who want to take immersion to the the next level. These earphones come with a soft silicone tip and provide an amazing audio experience, with powerful bass and crisp treble bringing the game to life. They use the standard 3.5mm headphone jack to interface with the headset, and cable clips are included.
You can’t go wrong with the AMVR Noise Isolating Earbuds and their ergonomic design. They were custom made with Meta Quest 2 in mind to fit securely and comfortably while you move around. They also provide a shorter cable that does not tangle or require annoying cable clips. The 3.5mm connector is gold plated to ensure maximum signal and provide audio quality that encompasses all frequency ranges for a truly captivating experience.
If you want to go truly wireless when playing VR, the Anker Soundcore VR P10 headphones are the perfect choice. Instead of wires or a high latent Bluetooth connection, they opted for a 2.4 GHz USB dongle for connectivity. Just connect the pass through dongle to your headset, and you’re ready to go. Three pairs of silicone ear tips are included for a perfect fit, and you can expect to get roughly 6 hours of game play from a full charge.
Haptic Feedback Vest
Last but not least on our list of VR accessories are vests with haptic feedback. These vests are designed for extreme VR enthusiasts who live, breathe, and want to feel everything VR has to offer. They consist of sensors and actuators and link up via Bluetooth to your headset. The first time you’re hit with a bomb in your favorite FPS, you will literally be blown away.
The bHaptics TactSuit X16 haptic vest is the ultimate immersive gaming experience! With sixteen vibration points, you can really feel the action as if you were really there. The vest is designed to be comfortable and lightweight, making it perfect for beginners taking the leap into haptic vests. It has a long lasting battery of 22 hours, and it only takes 2.5 hours to charge. This vest is fully customizable and programmable, so you can tailor your experience to your personal preferences.
The realistic haptic feedback provided by this innovative gaming vest contributes to the X16’s overall success. The bHaptics TactSuit X40 outperforms its predecessor by doubling the number of haptic feedback points, allowing for a more lifelike sensation all over the user’s body. Shoulder snaps and side straps make this a more universally comfortable fit. The battery life is shorter than the X16 due to the extra motors, but at 18 hours and a 5-hour charge time, it’s more than enough time to feel the recoil from your gun as you run from mobs in the rain.
This is currently the most advanced suit available. Instead of vibrating motors, haptic feedback is provided by electromuscular stimulation (EMS) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). The suit not only provides feedback but also uses photoplethysmography (PPG) to monitor your cardiorespiratory system. To be clear, VR gaming is not the primary function of this suit. It is intended for training athletes and medical professionals, but It is compatible with Windows, Unity 3, and Unreal Engine 4.