- Virtual reality goggles fits most smartphones with 3.5 - 6 inch screens
- Features a ventilated design, adjustable headstrap and foam pad for complete comfort
In the few years that I’ve been reviewing VR headsets, I’ve come across some truly great devices.
I’ve also come across crap. These crap devices are often junk, thrown together to try and capitalize on a fad.
Unfortunately, the iLive VR Headset falls into this category.
In this iLive VR Headset review, I’ll let you know why, and give you some better alternatives to keep you from wasting your money.
Things to Consider Before Buying a VR Headset
At current count, I have 23 VR headsets sitting in my house. The vast majority are in a box and will never be used again. Needless to say, I’ve got a bit of experience using these things.
I’ve come up with a list of things you may want to consider before buying a VR headset, because I don’t want to see you throwing your money away.
Some of the things to consider are:
Budget
The old adage is “you get what you pay for”.
That’s certainly true in VR headsets, as going for the cheapest possible set will get you a piece of junk.
While it’s wise not to go cheap, you don’t have to break the bank, either.
There are plenty of good VR headsets in the $20-50 range that will give you a lot of value.
What Do You Want to Do in VR?
Are you the type of user who wants to get lost in a virtual world, or are you someone who just wants to chill in VR? The device you invest in should be reflected in what you want to do.
If you’re looking for a way to consume VR media, a simple mobile VR headset may do the trick.
If you want to shoot zombies in the face and flip burgers, you may want to go higher up.
What Phone Do You Use?
Are you an Android or iOS user? If you prefer Android smartphones, your VR experiences are going to be more diverse than someone who uses iPhones. This comes down to how the parent groups curate their app stores.
Google Play is more open to content than Apple’s App Store, which restricts titles in order to create a positive user experience.
An iPhone user may just be better off going with a different VR device than someone who has an Android, just for the sake of software.
Introducing the iLive VR Headset
- Virtual reality goggles fits most smartphones with 3.5 - 6 inch screens
- Features a ventilated design, adjustable headstrap and foam pad for complete comfort
iLive has a history of being an electronics brand that puts out affordable products.
They’ve certainly gone that route with the iLive VR Headset.
The device is made of plastic and has the goal of providing a budget experience that’s compatible with most mobile phones.
Specs
- 11.7 ounces in weight
- Fits most phones 3.5 to 6 inches
- Knob adjustment for lens distance
- Includes wireless remote
- Tinted cover for AR use
- Economical
- The controller isn’t the worst I’ve seen
- Fits most smartphones
- Feels cheap
- Lens quality sucks
- Bad sound quality
Features of the iLive VR Headset
I’ve noted a few benefits of this headset, mainly because I’m an optimist and try to look for the positive in everything (my wife says it’s one of my best traits).
Unfortunately, this device isn’t very good, and this next section may seem a bit harsh to my regular readers.
Visuals
The lens quality of this headset isn’t good. When I put this on, something just seemed “off” about it.
It was almost like I had beer goggles on, when most other headsets at least give the look of what you’d expect to see. Everything here is just distorted.
Moving the knob to adjust the distance of the lenses to the phone doesn’t help, either.
The visual quality is just terrible.
Audio Quality
The sound of your phone in this device won’t sound very good unless you use headphones.
That’s because the headset doesn’t have good grates for your phone’s speakers, and with the cheap plastic, it will echo and sound like your phone is in a cave.
My recommendation is to use wired headphones if you use this headset.
Build Quality
The iLive VR Headset is a cheap piece of equipment, and it shows. Everything here is plastic, including the knob on the side that’s painted to look like metal.
I just hate the feel of it. It’s like one of those dollar store squirt guns you’d buy as a kid.
You know it’s not the best, but you’re not expecting it to be as bad as it is.
Controller
I do have to say that the controller isn’t the worst one I’ve ever used with a VR headset.
That’s not to say it’s good, but it’s at least functional. The device is made of plastic and requires 2 AAA batteries, which gives it way more heft than it needs.
If you’re using an Android device, you’ll get some functionality here, but if you’re using an iPhone, the controller is useless as it’s not compatible.
Overall Experience
This is a no-frills device. It comes with no software from the company, and just reeks of shoddiness.
I really can’t recommend it to readers.
What Others Are Saying About the iLive VR Headset
I thought I was being really harsh on this headset, so I looked to see if I could find any other users that had reviewed this device. Skimming around was hard, as there are iLive products that are similar and have better reviews. Finding some thoughts on this particular headset was difficult, though.
I did find a customer on Amazon who agrees that the lenses are terrible.
Hey, while that’s a pretty harsh review, she’s not wrong!
Alternatives to the iLive VR Headset
Despite my hatred for the iLive VR Headset, there are a lot of great mobile VR headsets out there.
As I’ve stated, I had dozens of headsets, and there are some other choices I’d recommend over this garbage.
Samsung Gear VR
- Be transported to amazing new worlds, in games, video and images. 360° experience. Weight 0.76lbs
- Use the intuitive controller that comes in the box to drop, point, select and Drag with a Wave of your wrist
I’ve had a long love affair with the Samsung Gear VR headset. If you have a compatible Samsung device, this is the best mobile VR headset.
It mixes in the functionality of an Oculus headset with the convenience of mobile VR.
I highly recommend the Gear, especially if you use a Galaxy smartphone.
- Compatible with iOS and Android phones
- Similar head straps
- Much higher quality
- Lenses are actually good
- Controller is awesome
Oculus Go
- Personal Viewing: The littlest, big screen. Crystal clear optics and state-of-the-art 3D graphics make your headset feel more like a personal theater
- Viewing with Friends: Watch with friends. Meet up in VR with friends and fans from around the world to catch live sports, concerts, or just your favorite TV show
If you’re willing to up the amount of your investment into a premium device, than I think you’ll love the Oculus Go. You don’t need a phone to power it, and you’ll get an excellent all-around experience for games and media.
I particularly love the 3D spatial audio built into the head straps, and the comfort will see you able to wear the Go for hours.
- They’re both VR headsets
- That’s about it, they’re seriously not similar in any way
- Much higher quality
- Has 3D audio
- Doesn’t require a smartphone
HTC Vive Pro Headset
- STEAM VR 2.0 TRACKING - From seated to standing to full 22’11”’ x 22’11” room-scale. Ideal for multi-user environments for sub-millimeter tracking accuracy
- HIGH RESOLUTION DISPLAY - Dual-OLED displays with industry leading resolution of 2880 x 1600 pixels for unparalleled visual fidelity of graphics, text, and textures
If you have a beefy gaming PC, then the Vive Pro is a fantastic option for VR.
It delivers a high-end experience that I’d consider to be top-of-the-line. The roomscale movement and six degrees of freedom (6DOF) really make this headset stand out.
Of course, this isn’t a mobile headset, but man, it’s worth mentioning just for the awesome experiences.
- They both sit on your head
- Name brand
- Actually is comfortable
- Didn’t make me feel like gouging my eyes out
Conclusion
I love VR, but I hate the iLive VR Headset. I really can’t recommend this to anyone, and I urge you to buy any of the alternatives that I listed above.
The iLive just feels cheap, has horrible lenses, and serves no purpose to users, other than to possibly torture them. Your best bet is to look to the alternatives, as I guarantee they do a better job of delivering quality VR.
If you’re dead set on buying this device, you can get it by clicking here.
