Virtual reality is taking over the world. From day to day gaming to making advances in the medical industry, the world is quickly adopting the newest technology from the biggest tech giants in the industry. Just like any other technical trend, there are going to be ways to make it better. Whether it be the parent company making a fun add-on, or a Kickstarter trying to reinvent the way we move inside of virtual reality, there is no shortage of accessories for the virtual world to use.
Every major headset on the market has some sort of accessory that enhances your VR experience. In this guide we help you discover the best VR accessories designed specifically for each virtual reality headset. You will find the best VR accessories you can buy to enhance your VR experience. So, lets walk jump into this head-to-toe VR accessory outfitting guide and find the accessories that will augment your VR experience.
Below we are going to list out the types of wearables and accessories there are inside of virtual reality, and the types we are going to cover.
VR Accessories in 2019
- Haptic suits
- Haptic gloves
- VR treadmills
- Sensor mounts
- Smell masks
- Cable Managers
There is no shortage of companies trying to make virtual reality easier and more fun, but knowing what to buy and what not to buy can be hard for some people. Below, you are going to find the best product in each category mentioned above.
Haptic Suits
Tesla Suit
Price: $1,500-$2,700
Compatible With: All major VR headsets
The Tesla suit is the best haptic suit in the VR industry. Not only is this suit perfect for high-end VR users, but anyone looking for a tech suit worth wearing. If this suit were a car, it would still carry the name Tesla. You cannot find a suit that is better. The suit covers from neck to ankle, and provides haptic feedback, climate control, motion capturing, and even important biometrics.
The haptics in the Tesla suit are triggered by a number of VR events. You can map the haptics to movements, commands, or in response to the motion captured by your VR headset. The electro-stimulation can enhance learning, immersion, and even 360° awareness with whatever you are doing. This can improve your muscle memory and response time, all with the help of the Tesla suit.
The biometrics on this suit are also neat level. They can measure the emotional state, stress levels, and various key health indicators. This leads the suit helping you with training, AR/VR experiences, and much more. This can give you much more information on how your body is handling your day to day activity as well. This suit is great for virtual reality, but don’t limit the Tesla Suit to just that.
bHaptics Tactsuit
Price: $450-$1,300
Compatible With: All headsets with Vive Tracking System
The Tactsuit from bHaptics is somewhat like the Tesla suit being broken up into pieces. This suit is not as much as suit as the Tesla suit, but its close. The Tactsuit is multiple parts all being on at the same time if you purchase them all. You can get the vest for $450, and every other attachment is going to be much cheaper.
If you really want to know what its like to get shot in the face, you can get the haptic face mask for a cool $130. The hands, feet, and arm attachments all have a cheaper price point than the chest plate, and those are $230 each. For the entire setup, you are going to be spending around $1,300, which seems a little steep for what you are getting.
This suit doesn’t offer much other than haptics. You aren’t going to get the climate control or biometric feedback from the Tactsuit, and you aren’t going to be able to use this with the headset of your choice either. Essentially, this suit is perfect for the Vive and the headsets stemming from that branch.
If the Tesla suit seems a little too fancy for you, the Tactsuit is your best option. But if you are going to be buying the entire Tactsuit, it would be well worth your money to buy the Tesla suit.
Haptic Gloves
VRfree
Price: $320
Compatible With: Oculus Rift/Go/Quest, HTC Vive, Gear VR, and Daydream
VRfree gloves from Sensoryx are still not released, but they are on the horizon and they will likely be the best VR Gloves the VR industry has seen. These wireless virtual gloves don’t have a cap on the finger, making it even easier to share with others as well. You will be mounting a sensor to the front of your headset (that is why the Rift S is not included) to track the gloves.
Each hand will now have six different sensors for the headset to track. It is standalone and provides true finger tracking. We have seen finger tracking on the Valve controllers, but that only tracked where your fingers weren’t, not really where they were. The VRfree glove provides accurate finger tracking that is unrivaled in todays market.
With a battery life that is long enough to last longer than your headset, you are going to forget you have these gloves on. These were designed with gamers in mind, but anyone inside of VR is going to love these gloves for representing their hands in their virtual space.
Haptx
Price: $599
Compatible With: All major VR headsets
The Haptx gloves feel more like a device than just a pair of gloves. Not only are these gloves perfect for representing your hands in a virtual space, but they offer realistic haptic feedback and weighted interactions with objects. This is the best way to have your hands tracked in virtual reality, but it’s not the smartest.
The price point reflects who these gloves are made for. High-end business that are looking for more exactness in their virtual training, developing, and creating. There isn’t anything that these virtual hands can’t do, but for $600, you would hope they would at least be able to do the dishes for you.
These gloves aren’t made for playing games, but they could be used for that. If that is going be your only use of it, then going with the VRfree gloves or another pair is going to be the best value to you. You don’t want a Ferrari to be your car that is used for driving 35 down the highway. You don’t want to limit these gloves for just gaming, so make sure if you buy them, to get your full use of them by downloading a handful of compatible apps.
Plexus Gloves
Price: $249
Compatible With: All major VR headsets
The Plexus Gloves are as unique as it gets when it comes VR accessories. This isn’t the typical slide your hands in glove. The Plexus Glove straps onto the back of your hand, and wraps around the top of your fingers while the skin of the controller is on the back of your fingers. When you get your first glimpse of the VR hands, you’ll think it is some octopus skin for the material. Don’t think about it too much though, as it is just a fine, soft, synthetic, silicon.
The company says that these trackers inside of the controller are capable of tracking to 0.01 degrees of precision. As well as very precise tracking, linear resistant actuators (LRAs) are placed in the tip of each controller’s skin. This allows users to have real haptic feedback while they are inside of their virtual experience. In the newest model, the haptic feedback also goes to the back of the hand, which oddly feels like it is going through your hand. This only adds to the immersion of virtual reality.
The downside of this system, and why it ranks last in the controller, is because you are going to have to attach a tracker to your hand. The company came out and said that “Unfortunately building the tracking solution directly into the glove as you suggest would be impractical as the silicone is soft and stretches. The various tracking systems depend on the sensors or LEDs being in a static arrangement so if they were to move with the stretch of the glove they wouldn’t work. This is why we mount the tracker separately.”
It is clear to see that this is a downside, but it doesn’t take away from the creativeness of Plexus and their quest to make your hands truly represented in virtual reality.
VR Treadmills
There are different types of virtual reality treadmills, and we are going to cover them all. There are the kind that you walk on, the kind that you sit on, and even the kind that you strap to your feet. We will cover the best of them, and talk about what makes them so special. Keep in mind that these standing locomotion systems will be coming in at a steep price, and the strap-on locomotion systems are going to be much cheaper.
Infinadeck
Price: Unkown
Compatible With: HTC Vive headsets
Although this product is out and about on the consumer market, Infinadeck is still very secretive about their pricing. This setup is somewhat similar to Wade’s that we saw in Ready Player One, and it seems to work great. This is an omnidirectional treadmill, and it is the best it gets when it comes to these treadmills.
First introduced to the public in 2016, the treadmill has gone through a handful of updates to keep the experience optimal for the users. You are going to be inside of circle ring as you walk on a treadmill that can turn every which way with you. This adds a whole new sense to virtual reality that may have been looking for. But the price point is most likely very steep, so is it worth it?
Probably not. The first place to look for the best way to move inside of virtual reality, is to look at the native locomotion system inside of the game you’re playing. If that doesn’t do it for you, your next step is to try the sitting down locomotion systems. The next place to look is at locomotion that is both is seated and allows for foot input, that leads you to the foot rudder. lf all else fails, go for the real-life treadmill. It shouldn’t be treated as a primary option, but it gets the job done for an incredibly high price.
Omnideck
Price: Unkown
Compatible With: All major VR Headsets
Omnideck is the best treadmill you can get for virtual reality. The only reason this is ranking second on this category is because the price of this. Although it is technically unknown, we know people have paid over a few thousand dollars on this machine. For a multi-thousand dollar machine, I would sure hope it can at least take the trash out for me.
This is what Omnifinity says about their product on their website page. “Combining The Omnideck with the latest VR hardware allows the user to experience the virtual world like never before. Over the years sci-fi movies have shown us technology of the distant future which we bring to you today. Experience how it felt 1 000 years ago, or what the future may be. Get lost in a 3 dimensional 360 degree environment allowing you to explore for hours without reaching the edge.”
For now, this is going to be at location-based experiences. But in the future we are likely to see the price decrease and it become available to the common consumer. If you have the money for it right now, great. Go ahead and buy it. If you do not have the money, no worries. There are plenty of alternatives that are going to get the job done with almost as much fire power as the Omnideck.
Cybershoes
Price: $500
Compatible With: All major VR headsets
Cybershoes started as startup just last year, but the idea has become global very quickly. Cybershoes aren’t only the best rudder system in VR, but many peoples preferred way to move inside of virtual reality. As you can see, the small wheel under the foot is going to provide a lot of movement in your own virtual world.
The team behind Cybershoes is well versed in everything this world has to offer. This makes for a rudder that is going to be constantly updated. The way you use it is pretty simple. You’ll sit on a chair that gives you full 360° range, and the Cybershoe will attach right onto the ankle and the bottom of your feet. From there, you simply pair it with your headset and start moving around. There is a long battery life as well, as this VR technology is sure to blow you away.
Although taking it slow is the preferred way to move in VR because of the often motion sickness, it is going to be easy to move fast with this rudder, and your headset will be able to keep up with you. The best game to play with this accessory is Sairento. You will be amazing by the simplicity of moving inside of virtual reality.
3dRudder
Price: $99.99
Compatible With: All major VR headsets
Although the Cybershoes and 3dRudder sound the same, especially because they’re both considered rudders, they couldn’t be more different when it comes to how you are going to move inside of virtual reality. The 3dRudder relies on both of your feet being on the platform and leaning each way that you want to go.
The company partnered with PlayStation to make this device exclusively for them, but now they have one for PC VR headsets as well. If you have any major VR headset, you are going to be happy with your purchase. This is one of the best ways to get where you want to go inside of virtual reality. By simply leaning, you can control your virtual self. This requires minimal effort, but you still get the exact movements real gamers need.
On top of being a great VR locomotion machine, this also works with Xbox and PlayStation Adaptive controllers. This is a huge win for everyone that is limited in their controller choices, and how they impact virtual and digital world. 3dRudder knows how to please a full gaming community, and that is what they’re doing with their latest versions of the 3dRudder.
VRGO Mini
Price: $200
Compatible With: All major VR headsets
The VRGO Mini, as it is in the name, is the mini version of the original VRGO. The VRGO Mini is a little disc-like cushion that you put between the chair and you. As you sit on it, you are going to be guiding where you go inside of virtual reality. It is a pretty simple system, and the price should be dropping once it is out of the Kickstarter fundraising phase of production.
The ball under the cushion is the secret to success. Whichever way you lean on, is where you will be heading inside of your virtual worlds. On top of the fantastic locomotion system this provides, the disc also provides strong haptic feedback. The haptics are strong enough to make you feel like you have been shot in the chest. They are truly remarkable.
If you are looking for a fast and fun way to not get motion sickness while playing inside of VR, using the VRGO Mini is going to be your best bet. The haptics matched with the easy pairing system make this VR accessory a must buy for anyone in the market for a new locomotion system in virtual reality.
Sensor Mounts
Although there isn’t tons of sensor mounts on the market, it is important to make note of the ones the public has available to them. If you have a Rift, you know that the tradition two sensors in front of you rarely is reliable for tracking your inside of your headset and your controllers. For Vive owners, you are going to be needing a better way to mount your already great sensors. Let’s see what the industry has in store for us.
Glistco Mount
Price: $12.84 for 3
Compatible With: Oculus Rift Sensor
This isn’t your typical Kickstarter company making these products for virtual reality sensor mounts, but instead a little office with lots of 3D printers producing them. We aren’t going to come out and say this is the only solution, but we have found that using this little piece of plastic for our Rift sensors work perfect.
This is going to keep it on the wall as long as you need. They avoid screwing anything into your wall, so they include tape with the set as well. $12 dollars for three isn’t a bad bargain either. You will be able to hang your sensors up in a matter of days once you confirm your order.
Skywin VR Tripod
Price: $43.99 for two
Compatible With: Vive Sensors 1.0 and 2.0
If you are a creative individual that likes to move his VR space around a good amount, you may find yourself dismounting your Vive sensors more than the average person. This can be a frustrating process, as it is not easy to assemble or take apart. The tripod from Skywin has the perfect answer for you, and it isn’t a wall mount.
Simply put your Vive sensor on the top of this tall mount, and your VR space becomes completely portable in a matter of minutes. This isn’t the safest thing to do with your expensive sensors, as a long tumble might break them, but it is relatively easier than having to take apart your wall every time you want to move about your house and enjoy your PC and headset.
Smell Masks
Although there is only one real smell mask inside of the VR industry right now, we know of a few more in the works. This page is going to continually updated and will be as the new masks make their appearance on Kickstarters and in more mainstream markets.
Feelreal
Price:$200
Compatible With: All major VR Headsets
Feelreal is a sensory mask that was made for virtual reality. Its more made for entertainment purposes than gaming, but the entertainment value of this headset is beyond amazing. This first started as a Kickstarter, but has quickly blossomed into a real company that is already shipping products out on a regular basis.
This mask also comes with 20 different smells you can out into your mask, and the mask can activate 10 different ones at any given time. This is the premier way to smell inside of virtual reality, and right now it is the only way.
Cable Managers
If you don’t have a standalone headset, or you simply prefer the power of your PC running your VR headset, it can often be a pain managing the cables that constantly remind you that you aren’t inside of a different world. There are many home-made ways to manage your cable, but as many VR enthusiast can attest, none of them are perfect.
If you’re looking for the end of cable management problems, look no further. The solution we are going to offer you is the best you can get. Keep in mind, we are only going to show one model, but there are plenty of companies that offer the type of solution. We will be providing the one that we use at VRGear, and has worked for us perfectly.
KIWI VR Cable Management
Price: $15.99 for 6
Compatible With: All PC VR Headsets
Is you are looking to get the cable off of your back and feet throughout your virtual experience, this is the answer for you. With a simple setup and long-lasting pulley systems, you are sure to to forget that you are tethered to your PC at all. There are two different ways to mount this system. You can either use the sticky pads included in the box, or you can use the drill holes included in the box. Both are going to work for as long as you need, although the sticky pads need to be on a clean and dusted surface before you apply them.
Six pulleys is going to be more than enough for you to have the gaming experience of your life, and learn what it is like to be untethered to your PC for VR gaming. Place one a few feet away from your computer, and a couple above and behind you on your ceiling, and you are free to roam inside of your virtual world. Be warned, this will bring a whole new level of immersion that you didn’t know was possible with PC VR gaming.
