Polaroid Virtual Reality Headset Review

In the world of VR, headsets run the gamut from garbage to game changers.

I have worn more headsets than Lady Gaga has wigs, and I fancy myself a bit of an expert.

Generally speaking, the best VR headsets are those that cost hundreds of dollars. But what of those who want to simply plug their phones in and watch media? This is where portable VR headsets come in.

You can find these devices at your local drug store as well as at big-box retailers. Quality is often questionable.

Thus, I was surprised to see Polaroid (remember them?) jump into the headset game. Polaroid is known for their quality cameras, but they’ve lept into VR head-first.

I decided to buy one of their headsets and do a full Polaroid VR headset review, letting you know my exact thoughts on this budget device.

Things to Consider When Buying a Mobile VR Headset

Virtual reality is an interesting technology, as there are so many different ways to experience it. Mobile VR is great for its simplicity, but there are some things to be aware of.

I decided to give you a list of some things to think about before you put down some cash to buy one of these headsets. These are some of the most important aspects to consider:

Presenting the Polaroid VR Headset

Polaroid’s VR Headset is a mobile piece of tech that sees you clamping your smartphone into it.

Coming in at 198 grams, the headset isn’t too heavy and your phone shouldn’t add too much heft.

I found the quality to be adequate. It’s better than the bottom of the barrel headsets, but not as nice as something like the Tzumi Dream Vision Pro.

The Polaroid can support phones up to 6 inches in size and secures around your head using a wraparound head strap.

Pros
Cons

Features and Benefits

Video

Video for this device is dependent on the phone that you use. I use an iPhone XS and found the quality to be pretty high, but your mileage will vary.

The lenses in the headset are good quality, and they do a great job of enlarging the screen without too much distortion.

Audio

The audio for the Polaroid headset is subpar and is perhaps the worst aspect of the device. The holes for the speakers are too small.

This makes it difficult to hear the audio clearly, making headphones necessary.

Future iterations of these headsets should address this issue.

Build Quality

The build quality for the Polaroid VR headset is very good. I was surprised at how solid it felt, despite the low weight. Clearly, this is better than the garbage you can find at the dollar store. I wasn’t a big fan of the boxy look, but it is functional.

Comfort

I was shocked as to how comfortable this headset feels. The foam cover that holds the headset to your face is really nice and so is the head strap. It feels like the device is hugging my face!

I especially liked the back end of the strap, which cradles your head and helps distribute the weight. I had no issue using this headset for periods of up to 30 minutes at a time.

What Others Have to Say About the Polaroid VR Headset

As you might expect, there aren’t a whole lot of people sharing their thoughts and experiences with the Polaroid VR Headset. Thus, it made it difficult for me to find those who have strong opinions on this headset.

Generally speaking, the users I could find did seem to like the headset. Here’s what some others have to say about this device:

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The HP Mixed Reality headset comes with a built-in ⅛ stereo/microphone audio jack.

They can create spacial audio where you hear sounds from the direction they are supposed to be coming from, but the audio isn’t quite as advanced as other systems.

To get the best experience, I recommend getting something better than a base model set of headphones. You can find more information about choosing headphones here.

Alternatives to the Polaroid VR Headset

The Polaroid VR Headset is a decent choice, but there are some issues that may keep you from wanting to buy it. I’ve put together these alternatives that also are also great mobile VR headsets.

Tzumi Dream Vision Pro

The Tzumi is a very good alternative to the Polaroid.

It features an anti-glare system and is ideal for those that wear prescription glasses. You can read my full review on the headset by clicking this link.

Similarities
Differences

Homido V2 VR Headset

VR Headset Homido V2 for iPhone and Android
  • Wide Compatibility : Compatibly Fits for All smartphones' screen size between 4 to 5.7 inch such as Samsung Galaxy Note 5/4/, Galaxy S7 Edge/Galaxy S6 S5 S4; Apple iPhone 7 7s 7 Plus 6s 6 Plus 5c 5s; LG/Sony Xperia/Huawei/Nexus/ASUS/HTC etc. ( The max length of smart phone is 159.6mm and max width is 79.3mm)
  • Adjustable pupil distance and object distance: To satisfy different groups of people. Adjust the pupil distance by rolling the gear on the left of the 3D VR GLASSES, and adjust the object distance by rolling the gear on the top of VR glass so as to get a better experience of watching movies.

The Homido has been a popular VR headset for a long time.

I particularly enjoy the wide field of view along with the comfort of the device. The headset also doesn’t fog up, which was a problem for me with the Polaroid. Check out my full review here.

Similarities
Differences

Oculus Go

Oculus Go Standalone Virtual Reality Headset - 64GB
  • 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

Okay, the Oculus Go isn’t exactly like the other devices here. I am recommending it though, as it is the best mobile VR style device that I’ve seen.

I have spent so much time in here that I basically live in it, and I think the device is worth the investment. I did a full Go review and you can read it here.

Similarities
Differences

Conclusion

The Polaroid VR Headset isn’t a perfect device, but it is a good budget piece of tech.

I enjoyed the build quality and ability to consume media within it, but there are some areas that could be cleaned up.

Still, if you’re on a budget and looking for a headset to take on the go, you could certainly do worse than the Polaroid.

If you’re interested, you can purchase the Polaroid VR Headset at the link below.

>> Check the Polaroid VR headset <<

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