Best accessories for Samsung Gear VR
Make the most of your Samsung Gear VR experience with these accessories.
The Samsung Gear VR is currently the most affordable entry point for people interested in exploring virtual reality. As more and more developers start working within this emerging tech space, the hope is that you'll have plenty of reasons to pick up and use your Gear VR more often for more applications.
As your usage increases, you'll want to invest in some essential accessories to get the most out of your Samsung Gear VR. Here are a few recommendations to get your on your way.
Gaming pads
As more and more game developers begin to delve into the world of VR gaming, you'll definitely want a quality controller that works well with your Android phone. There's a plethora of compatible controller options out there, so we've done the grunt work and made a list of the best options for the Gear VR.
8BITDO NES30 Pro Wireless Bluetooth Controller
When we first wrote the guide above, the SteelSeries Free rose to the top in our breakdown of best gamepads for the Samsung Gear VR. Since then, however, the price has absolutely skyrocketed above and beyond what you should be paying for a wireless Bluetooth controller.
So we're recommending the 8BITDO NES 30 Pro for it's compact size, functionality, price, and nostalgic factor. With its two shoulder button design and dual analog sticks, you're sure to make quick friends with this little buddy, and you'll be able to easily take it along wherever you bring your Gear VR.
SteelSeries Stratus XL
As mentioned above, SteelSeries makes a quality controller. So while the SteelSeries Free has been priced out of consideration, the Stratus XL is arguably your best bet — as long as it's bigger size isn't an issue.
The Stratus XL similar in size and feel to an Xbox One controller with analog sticks laid out similar to Sony's DualShock controllers. It's a great compromise between the two leading console gaming standards and will instantly feel familiar the moment you pick it up. This Bluetooth controller is compatible with Android devices and Windows 10.
Headphones
A fully-immersive VR experience is only possible with the right pair of headphones. Whether you prefer the over-the-ear variety or in-ear buds, we've picked out some prime options that pair well with the Gear VR headset so you can block out reality as you delve into your favorite VR games and apps.
Over-the-ear headphones
B&O Beoplay H6 (2nd Generation)
If price is no option and you want a good balance of function and style, the Bang & Olufsen H6 (2nd Generation) offer ideal audio quality crafted with stylish genuine leather and aluminum.
Building off of the original H6s, B&O have gone back and tweaked everything that was missing from the first generation — deeper bass that's not overpowering and richer mid-tones. While the price might seem a bit steep considering these lack the Bluetooth and noise cancellation features one might expect from high-end headphones these days, you're bound to be impressed by the marriage of sound quality and style that B&O have created.
Bose QuietComfort 25
We'd be remiss if we didn't include Bose on a list featuring best headphones. The Bose QuietComfort 25 feature active noise cancellation, which will certainly come in handy when you're trying to block out the noise of the world and get immersed into your VR headspace.
Like the H6s, these are wired headphones, but they just might be the best headphones Bose has put out. Whether you've trusted Bose in the past or are thinking about investing in their hardware for the first time, you should find the value in the higher price point.
Other over-the-ear options
Not a fan of the B&O and Bose headphones, or maybe they're are simply out of your price range? Check out this staff picks article on the best over-the-ear headphones.
Best over-ear headphones: As chosen by Mobile Nations editors
In-ear headphones
Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones
Another great pair from Bose, these in-ear noise cancelling buds will provide the sound quality you would expect from a Bose product in a small, portable package. Again, with the noise cancelling feature, you'll be able to fully immerse yourself with your Gear VR. For the full Bose noise-cancelling experience, you'll need to keep the lithium-ion battery charged, which lasts 16 hours on a full two-hour charge.
Another key feature that will specifically come in handy for VR purposes is the "Aware mode", which lets you hear what's going on around you at the push of a button without taking out the headphones. They come in two styles — Apple devices and Samsung/Android devices — so make sure you pick the right style so that everything functions properly.
Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Earbuds
If you're looking for a cheaper option (Bose just ain't for everyone), these Panasonic earbuds should do the trick. They're pretty basic in-ear headphones, which include a mic and a pause/play button built into the main cord, but they'll deliver great sound comfortably at a great price. With three different pad sizes available, you should be able to find the right fit for your ears, and they should stay in as you move about wearing your Gear VR
As you'll see on the Amazon link, the ErgoFit buds are available in a variety of colors, but they've also been lumped in with a few other Panasonic in-ear options — drops360 and drops360 Luxe. If you're switching around the colors and suddenly see the price jump up, it's because Amazon is showing you one of those higher-end models instead. And you might be inclined to spend a bit more for the better drivers, which provide better bass and build quality, if that's important to you.
Otherwise, the ErgoFit earbuds come with a 90-day warranty and should be more than serviceable — especially at such a low price point.
Other in-ear options
We've highlighted a high-end and low-end in-ear headphone option, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. If you're looking for more recommendations, our editors have compiled a list of staff picks over on iMore. Take a look!
Microfiber cloths
Another thing that might distract from your VR experience with your Samsung Gear VR is dust or smudges on your device or the VR headset lenses. To prevent that problem, it's a good idea to have some microfiber cloths around to give things a good (but gentle) cleaning.
AmazonBasics offers a 24-pack of microfiber cleaning cloths for under $10 — that's less than $.50 a cloth. Better yet, they're machine washer safe, so you'll be able to keep your gear clean for months and months with this small, one-time investment. And of course you'll also have microfiber cloths on hand for cleaning all your other devices. Also available in packs of 36, 48, and 144 — which may essentially constitute a lifetime supply.
microSD cards
This is a must-have accessory, especially if you're using a Samsung Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge — the only current Gear VR-compatible mobile devices with microSD slots. Loading up your favorite movies, tv shows, apps and other media onto the microSD card allows you to use your Gear VR to its full potential without clogging up your phone's internal storage, or continually cycling through content.
We've broken down a list of the best microSD cards to use with your Galaxy S7, but to save you a bit of time, we'll recommend the Samsung EVO Plus 128GB, which is sure to provide you with more than enough storage for hours upon hours of VR entertainment.
What do you use?
If you own a Samsung Gear VR, we're curious to know what your must-have accessories are. Anything we've omitted on our list? Let us know in the comments!
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