- This refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, and may arrive in a generic box
You are thinking of getting a virtual reality headset, but you don’t want to spend much money.
These days, there are several low-cost headsets on the market, so which one will work best for you?
In this Onn Virtual Reality headset review, we’ll tell you the features of the ONN VR headset as well as it’s pros and cons so you can decide if it’s a good fit for you.
Things to consider before buying a VR Headset
Despite virtual reality being relatively new, there are a lot of VR headsets on the market, and there are significant differences between them.
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Do you want a stand-alone, mobile, or PC-connected/console headset?
There are three kinds of VR headsets, those that use smartphones for the content, those that have a built-in computer/screen and don’t need anything else, and those that connect to a computer or gaming console. Mobile headsets, like this ONN headset, are the least expensive but tend to be the most limited. -
Is this for a serious user or little kids?
Serious users will want a high-quality device with good lenses and quality construction. If, on the other hand, you are buying the headset as a fun “toy” for your kids, then you probably would do better with a less expensive option because even a high-quality headset, when dropped onto the tile, will break...unless it’s made of foam. -
Are you planning to use the headset much?
When you wear a virtual reality headset, you are essentially wearing glasses in front of a screen. As with any pair of glasses, the more you use them, the more important the quality of those lenses is. -
What is your budget?
As with pretty much anything in this world, you get what you pay for. Don’t expect to get the best headset for just a few dollars. Generally speaking, as the price goes up, so does the quality and features.
Introducing the ONN VR Headset
The ONN Virtual Reality headset is an ultra-low-cost VR headset.
Headsets can range from a couple of dollars to over $500.
- This refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, and may arrive in a generic box
The ONN headset is a mobile VR headset, meaning it uses your smartphone for the screen and computing.
It has a front phone compartment with a hinged door and room for your power and headphone wires to pass through.
The headset allows you to adjust the lenses distance between your eyes and the screen (optical focus) for better focus, though several users have reported they could never get the focus quite right.
This is likely due to the low-quality nature of the lenses.
Three-point adjustable nylon straps hold the goggles to your face, and the area that touches your face is padded. There are no buttons nor a remote for controlling your phone while it’s in the headset and there are no headphones, so you need to use seperate earbuds or headphones.
The headset fits both iPhone and Android smartphones 6 inches or less.
- Very inexpensive
- Adjustable optical focus
- Comfortable head straps
- Low-quality lenses
- Some users reported the phone compartment door cracking their phone screen
- No button or remote for controlling the phone which means you have to remove the phone to start and stop videos and most games cannot be played using this headset
- No built-in audio
- Some customer reviews report fragile construction
Features and Benefits
The ONN VR headset is an inexpensive way to start experiencing virtual reality. Below are some of the features and benefits.
Comfortable Headstrap
Some virtual reality goggles, like Google Cardboard, are simply lenses in a box that you can hold up to your face with your phone. The ONN headset’s 3-point adjustable vinyl straps free up your hands.
Adjustable Optical Focus
Everyone’s eyes are different, and everyone’s eyesight is different.
ONN’s adjustable optical focus allows you to adjust the lenses until you have a better focus on the screen. Even allowing you to compensate for some level of bad vision.
This is important since you most likely will not be able to wear your eyeglasses while using the ONN headset due to the limited amount of space between your face the headset.
Universal Fit for Smartphones 6 Inches or Less
Whether you own an Android or iPhone, you can use the ONN VR headset with it as long as it fits in the phone compartment which fits phones with a diagonal measurement of 6 inches or less.
Don’t try to fit a larger phone in this headset and be careful when closing the phone compartment door as some people have reported their phone’s screens breaking when closing the door.
Openings for Wires
If your phone is low on power, no worries. You can plug your phone’s power cord in while using this headset and still be able to close the phone compartment door. Similarly, you can plug your headphones in during use.
It’s Super Inexpensive
The reality is that at $9, most phone cases cost more than this headset. I’ve seen it as low as $5 as well. You would be hard-pressed to find another headset (with straps) for less.
The low price makes this headset worth looking into if you are just trying out virtual reality, if you are getting it for your kids, or if have to get a gift for a party and want to get something pretty cool.
The ONN VR headset may not be the most fantastic headset out there, but it has good features for the price-point.
What Are People Saying?
I looked all over the internet and found some pretty positive reviews for the ONN Virtual Reality headset.
Alternatives to the ONN
The ONN is just one of many headsets out there. If you aren’t sure that the ONN is the right choice for you, here are some alternatives to check out.
NOON VR - Virtual Reality Headset
- Supports any smartphones larger than 4.7 inches
- With an intuitive eyesight control and tap-responsive user interface, users can access all NOON VR features easily
The NOON VR headset is a much more expensive headset, currently on Amazon. It has a magnetic cover for the phone compartment which means there are no moving parts to break and you won’t accidentally crack your phone screen. It fits phones from 4.7 to 5.7 inches which is less than the ONN (up to 6 in).
The NOON has adjustable optical focus and higher quality lenses and, while it doesn’t have buttons to control your phone, it does have a new tap and stare feature to selecting items on your phone by tapping the back of your phone and then staring at what you want to select.
The NOON VR headset might be a good choice if you want a higher quality headset, but don’t mind spending more.
Similar to ONN
- 3-point head strap system
- Adjustable optical focus
Different from ONN
- Higher quality lenses
- Tap and Stare navigation system
- Magnetic phone compartment door
- Only fits phones up to 5.7 inches
Andoer Portable 3D VR Glasses
Andoer has a cost that is comfortably in the middle, check it out on Amazon.
It is very similar to the ONN headset, with a 3-point adjustable strap system, hinged phone compartment door, and padded faceplate.
It also fits phones up to 6 inches. The Andoer headset has an adjustable optical focus and space for power cords and headphone cords. It has spherical lenses which appear to be higher quality than the ONN.
The Andoer headset is very similar to the ONN other than the cost and the lenses may be of a higher quality. If you are concerned about lens focus, the Andoer may be a better choice for you.
Similar to ONN
- 3 straps for your head
- Adjustable optical focus
- Hinged phone compartment door
- Padded faceplate
Different from ONN
- It costs more compared to ONN’s price tag
Merge VR Goggles
- Go anywhere - Take 100’s of virtual field trips and experience learning firsthand; explore the solar system, walk with dinosaurs, travel the world, and experience life from new perspectives. Find 360-degree videos and experiences at Merge Miniverse online.
- Award-winning - The Merge Headset has been named as Best Virtual Reality Headset for Big Kids and Tweens, and Winner of the Academic's Choice Award.
The Merge VR Goggles are marketed for kids, but adults can enjoy it as well. Where it helps with the kids is in the durable design. It is made of strong, flexible foam instead of plastic. Kids can be rough with devices, and the Merge headset is built to withstand that.
Merge also offers the Merge Cube, an interactive AR/VR cube which has hundreds of games and educational experiences. You must purchase the Merge Cube separately.
Beyond the durable design, the Merge headset has several other features which are different from the ONN headset. It has a slot insert for your phone instead of a hinged door. It does not have adjustable optical focus but does have enough room for most eyeglasses. It also has adjustable pupil distance which allows you to adjust for the space between your eyes (width). Lastly, the Merge has buttons for controlling your phone while in the headset.
The Merge may suit you better if you are giving the headset to kids, particularly if you purchase it with the Merge Cube. Also, if you want to use AR functionality on your phone, it will do that where the ONN does not.
Similar to ONN
- 3 strap system for your head
- Padded faceplate
- Hinged phone compartment door
- Padded faceplate
Different from ONN
- Durable design, made of durable, flexible foam instead of hard plastic
- Insert slot for your phone
- No adjustable optical focus, but you can wear your eyeglasses
- Adjustable pupil distance
- Can be paired with the Merge Cube
- It costs about $40
2 thoughts on “Onn Virtual Reality Headset Review: Features, Performance, Pros and Cons”
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Great article I just got the onn headset for myself because I love games and this would be new experience wish I could have found this before buying them they don’t let me do anything accept automatic stuff which I suppose I could watch a movie but I don’t want to ruin my eyes I already have wear glasses and I’m 40 anyways great article keep up the good work.