Best VR headset accessories 2024

Virtual reality is about to have a bit of a moment – well, technically, mixed reality will too. The in-between technology that combines headsets with screens and high-quality passthrough cameras made a big splash earlier this year with the announcement of Apple’s Vision Pro “spatial computer,” but it’s existed for a lot longer. Meta made its big pitch for the power of mixed reality with the Quest Pro, and it just recently followed up that headset with the more consumer-friendly Quest 3. When it comes down to it though, even if these headsets can seamlessly blend virtual experiences with footage of the world around you, they’re still VR headsets, and VR headsets aren’t always the most comfortable out of the box.

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Not to discount the impressiveness of fitting a powerful computer, camera, and lenses into something that can fit on the front of your face, but costs are frequently cut on every other part of the experience. Buying new head straps could make your headset more comfortable to wear, earbuds could make the audio more immersive, and trackers could elevate your experience even further by bringing your whole body into a virtual space. With that in mind we’ve collected this list of accessories for anyone who’s trying to improve their VR headset, if that’s you, keep reading below.

Best VR accessories: Our top picks

What are the best VR headset accessories?

With the right accessory, you can radically improve the experience of using your VR headset. The Soundcore VR P10 Wireless Earbuds are the best option for most people, improving the audio quality of your VR headset without sacrificing latency, and they work with Quest headsets, PCs, PS5s, Steam Decks, and Nintendo Switch consoles.

If you’re investing in Meta’s new Quest 3 and willing to pay more, the Meta Quest 3 Elite Strap with Battery makes the headset more comfortable to wear and usable for longer. If you’re looking to spend less, the Jsaux’s 2-in-1 Link Cable works great as a charging cable, and can help you play PC VR games on standalone headsets.

Can you use headphones with VR headsets?

Yes, either wired or wireless. Most VR headsets include some kind of built-in audio output. On Sony’s PlayStation VR2, it’s the specially designed in-ear headphones that plug in and wrap around the exterior of the headset. On Meta’s Quest headsets, it’s their directional speakers that send sound directly to your ears.

Having a headphone jack makes things simple, but plenty of standalone headsets just have USB-C ports. In those cases you’re forced to use USB-C headphones, Bluetooth, or wireless dongles for low-latency connections to earbuds. What works best for you will depend on your headset and how much you care about your audience experience.

How can I extend my VR headset’s battery life?

The simplest way is also the most annoying: keep it plugged into your computer or a wall charger. For PC VR headsets, that’s not much of an issue, you have to be plugged into your PC anyway. And with a long USB-C cable you can simplify things for standalone headsets too. There are better ways if you don’t want to hurt portability, though.

Add-on straps that mount batteries to the back of your head exist from first-party VR headset makers like Meta, and third-party accessory makers alike. You just have to find one that fits your specific headset (the Elite Strap with Battery works with the Quest 2 and Quest 3) and don’t actively make your headset less comfortable to wear.