Customer Ratings & Reviews

I tried this with both my LG V10 and my Samsung Galaxy S4. The S4 is my work phone which I try to run as cleanly as possible so it's not the phone I would use in the headset on a regular basis. My V10 BARELY fits. You have to really stretch the headset to get it in. When measuring the phone using the ruler on the outside of the package, it's a few millimeters on the short side. The reason I mention all this is that I'm starting to get a rip in the foam material in a crucial spot. If it continues through and breaks, my phone will no longer be supported securely. I've attached a photo. It's something to keep in mind if you have a large phone. All that said, I really like this item. There really aren't many quality apps out for VR yet but the ones that you can find are pretty awesome. There's one called Titans of Space that's really great. It's a tour of the solar system and it really showcases the potential of this technology. A lot of the games are just demos (unless you pay for them) and are usually a single level so they're over in 5 minutes or so. The unit is very comfortable to wear. The foam (almost Nerf-like) material doesn't bite into your head and face and the straps hold it on securely. If you have a smaller phone, I would highly recommend this. If your phone is near the limit of the maximum size, watch out.

I had the VR version with the Zeiss lens but these look just as good for much less. And, the newer version is crazy comfortable. Just a bit annoying getting the iPhone in and out of the slot. Oh, and getting other people to stop borrowing them is another downside LOL...

The MERGE VR glasses are made from a rubber foam base with plastic around the middle eye relief areas. I tested the phone area with an IPhone 4/6/6s and a Galaxy S6. All fit perfectly and since the rubber foam stretches a bit to accept different phone types the phone itself is snug and will not move around. The headset is both iOS and Android Compatible and fits phones from 123mm to 158mm in size. To seek if your phone is VR ready at VRTestNinja.com Before operating the device I downloaded a few free games from the link provided on their website (www.VRstart.com) once downloaded I started the app and inserted the phone. The head piece has Velcro straps that adjust to fit your head perfectly. I found that loosening them all the way up and putting the headset on then adjust straps accordingly worked the best. For those with glasses, I wore mine and had no difficulty at all with them. Once on, I adjusted the eye pieces from below the headset until I had a clear view, then enjoyed the app. I really like that they included input buttons on the top which make it a snap for using games that need user input (fire or select) The games they offer are great. They really make you think you are inside of a virtual world with a 3D effect. When paired with the Merge cube, I was blown away by the visual effects when I held the cube up in front of the head unit. Every time I turned the cube new views appeared. There are free games you can download and ones you pay for as well. They offer many different apps in conjunction with the cube. Both available on the IOS and Android systems. The cube is made of the same rubber foam type material as the head unit is. Very durable, A stand comes with it (thin plastic packaging) that will hold the cube should you need it or place the phone in the stand and when launching the app and choose phone mode so you can use it without the headset. These are a great combo when purchased together. It will provide hours of fun for kids young and old. New apps are being put out daily for download. One note, I did feel a slight strain on my eyes when I tested it for a bit. So make sure you have the eye ports adjusted for your fit or this may amplify eye strain. With no fault to Merge, My S6 got extremely hot after 15 minutes of use, but it is 2 years old. Newer phones have better processing than old and should not have this issue. Again this is not a Merge issue but just thought S6 users may take note to use it for short periods of time.

This VR headset is comfortable and lightweight. It worked well with an iPhone 6 and 7 (Both had slim covers on and they still fit well without having to remove the phone covers as the slot/holder is flexible foam). The adjustable lenses worked great when switching between users and is very quick and easy to adjust. We've only started playing games on it, but there seems to be a fair amount of content to play with. We also got the merge cube and that lets you interact with the apps and games with Augmented Reality by holding/seeing the cube in AR/VR but still seeing the room around you utilizing the phones camera. The AR foam cover pops in and out easily. It has buttons on top to interact with games with more than just your eyes or tilting your head which is cool. Seems like the foam would be easy to clean and overall the headset is fairly lightweight and comfortable to wear. Worked well for playing 360 content video on YouTube. On those videos a set of goggles comes up on the youtube video and you tap that to enter 3D/VR mode and pop your phone it to enjoy 360/VR videos. Note that this isn’t a full a VR system, but rather a VR headset and holder and for your phone (requires a compatible phone). Not the same full immersion experience as full blown VR system like the HTC Vive, but wasn't expecting it to be. Recommend it as a comfortable headset and a great entry into the VR market and the Merge cube makes playing with AR fun as well. Inexpensive and fun way for kids and adults to try out VR.

Disclosure: I am a Best Buy Tech Insider Network member. I received the Merge VR at no cost for review purposes and I received no other compensation. The following is my honest opinion of the product. Best Buy and the product manufacturer do not influence my review in any way. I remember when Google announced their cardboard offering and signed up early on to get one. The reality is that cardboard VR units do not really block the light and having to use your hand to hold it on your head undermines the whole VR experience. So I've always really wanted a VR viewer you can comfortbly wear on your head but that works properly with Google cardboard. The Merge VR viewer does just that. The Merge VR viewer is also the companion of the Merge VR cube (more on that later) What's in the box: - Merge VR Viewer - Quickstart Guide - Lense Cleaning Cloth Since this a review of the Merge VR I am not going to talk about VR apps, just the experience of using the headset (comfort, weight, phone fit). Your experience on VR really depends on what device and apps you use. The Merge VR does offer their own apps which work with the awesome Merge Cube (see that review). The Merge VR does offer pointers though on where to get VR apps for your phone (Android and iOS). A GREAT thing about the Merge VR Viewer is that it officially supports cardboard. There's a QR code inside the headband so you can pair it with the Google Cardboard App. There are also dual action buttons on the top, so you can click to select just like you would with a Google VR headset. Well done to Merge for supporting that! So if you're after an officially supported, quality Google cardboard VR viewer, this is for you. What's different about the Merge VR Viewer to other viewers is that your phone slides into a foam holder. There's no unclip, fold down container, weird elastic strap, etc. The foam holder fits an iPhone 7 comfortably (with the phone in the case). It didn't like the foam would stretch enough for the iPhone 7+ (with or without a case). So keep that in mind if you have a bigger phone. I do like that your phone sits in foam, as then you don't have to worry about hard plastic scratching your screen and there's no risk the phone will just fall out. The Merge VR Viewer is super comfortable. You can adjust the focus of the lenses, they slide using the same parts that the action buttons are on. It was easy to get the Google Cardboard demo VR at a comfortable viewing style for me and adjust for the rest of my family. There is ample foam paddig everywhere, so this is a viewer that is definitely child friendly. The adjustable head straps adust around the sides and top of your heads and we had no problems with anyone in our family. I really recommend buying the Merge VR with the totally awesome Merge VR cube. As a combination, it's fun, amazing and shows you just how smart VR can be. If you're looking for a fun toy or a great gift. Get the Merge VR and Merge Cube (Pictured). You won't be disappointed. Recommended.

Overall this is a good product for the prices. It is made to feel comfortably and fit middle sized phones without problems. If you have the Larger / Extra large (ex: Note 8 or S8+) phones they will not fit. PROS - Price 3 Adjustable Head Straps Lightweight / Easily rests on head Durability Free VR Software / Videos CONS - Does not fit all phone sizes Not Breathable, will get hot around eyes/forehead Irritation around ears after long use Must be on Network/Internet, No Standalone Software Merge - VR Google Unit - There are 3 adjustable straps that rest over the top of your head and ears. However after long use (40min) you will feel some irritation on your ears and heat/pressure on your forehead as its not very breathable foam. The unit itself is foam and plastic which makes it light and adjustable. It appears durable for wear and tear however wont know until long term usage. The goggles inside slide left / right to adjust viewing, comparable to old style binoculars. There is a button that is used to interact with the phone screen. However It is strongly recommend to have the phone setup first with software installed before placing into the head unit. Viewing Area is the full size of the phone , I did not notice any gabs in corners when using. Software- The headset does not come with any software. It directs you to their website MergeVR.com. The website is easy to navigate and does not require you to install anything onto your phone. Most of the VR applications are either links to YouTube or within the website directly. Most of apps are free except for a few items that use the MergeCube.

The Merge VR headset fits snugly and is very comfortable to wear for longer period of times. It is made to fit phones of minimum 123mm and upto 156mm. I was able to fit an iphone 7 plus comfortably and it stayed put. if you are new to VR there are easy instructions included on the box as to how to check if your phone is compatible and what apps to look for. I used the headset with an astronomy app and the result was outstanding. The way the surroundings and the horizon and the sky merged was very impressive. Also a few games i tried worked really well and for a while I forgot that I was not using a VR headset. The VR cube is the first device you can hold in your hand. The app and the headset make the cube come to life in amazing ways that is hard to explain. I was very skeptical of the cube at first but to hold something in your hand and use an app to make it come to life was an excellent experience. Merge has made some excellent products here and the apps are ever increasing to support VR. Excellent products.

I'm a big fan of virtual reality and 3D technologies and I'm happy that a company has taken the initiative to make an affordable, easy-to-use VR headset. The Merge VR headset won't win any awards compared to the heavy hitters like PS4 or Oculus, but it will provide hours of enjoyment. PROS: - Easy to set up and adjust. The straps have velcro that allows for quick adjustments. Once you have a VR app or video loaded on your phone, simply slide it into the slot at the front. - Lightweight and comfortable. Compared to the more advanced headsets, I feel like I can wear the Verge for a long period of time without feeling overwhelmed. - Wide selection of free VR apps and videos. The Merge website gives a lot of great recommendations. - Pretty decent VR effect. No, it't not perfect, but I honestly didn't even know my iPhone was capable of showing the things I've seen through the Merge goggles. CONS: - Not ideal for larger phones. My iPhone 7 Plus BARELY fits into the goggles. Another millimeter and it would simply be too large. - The adjustment knobs at the top also act as controllers and are very sensitive. You'll likely pause your video or VR app while trying to adjust the lenses. - I've seen a bit of ghosting or double-images. Not a dealbreaker, but again, this isn't a top-of-the-line headset. OVERALL: The Merge goggles are an excellent value for anyone looking to dip their toes in the world of VR. They are sure to provide great entertainment for family and friends. Recommended!

So, these goggles are surprisingly fun. As someone who picked this up out of curiosity, I have to say I have enjoyed the Merge VR Goggles. The construction on these goggles is first rate. The foam is comfortable and light enough that I actually forget I am wearing them. The lens adjust easily enough and the entire thing is pretty simple. My girlfriend was able to wear them with her glasses. The lens come out easy enough for cleaning and the entire things is very user friendly. There's a pop-out slot on the front of the goggles to see AR devices like the Merge Cube. I used these goggles with an iPhone 7 and the performance was very good. The resolution is not quite up to something like the Oculus or the Vive, but it works and in the right program it provides a good 3D effect. I played Romans from Mars, Endspace VR, and Discovery VR and the 3D effect was quite good. I was a bit disappointed with some 3D youtube videos, but with the apps, the experience worked well. You can find plenty of apps and VR videos at vrstart.com/merge. If I have any complaint, it's that I never seemed to get things perfectly in focus. It was close, but seemed like I had to adjust the lenses every time I took the glasses off and put them back on. But then again, the focus also seemed to depend on the app. Still, if you are at all interested in Google Cardboard, this is probably the best option out there. The goggles are the best in their class and, as soon as my iPhone charges back up, I will be back to killing roman martians.

Because software and apps can always change, I'm going to try and limit my review to the actual hardware and how well it works and feels as much as I can. I did test it with the Merge Cube as well as with a couple of standalone VR apps. As a regular VR headset, these goggles were fairly comfortable, if a bit heavy and blocky... I liked that the lenses were adjustable and they were not uncomfortable to wear with eyeglasses, which was nice. However, the foam material of the goggles did not allow my phone to breathe at all inside the goggles... my phone (a Pixel XL--admittedly on the large end of what will fit in these goggles) was almost painfully hot to the touch after only 10 minutes of use inside the goggles, which was really worrisome. When using Merge apps, with the Merge Cube for instance, the "trigger" buttons on top of the goggles worked well to select buttons and the Merge Cube was a pretty neat Augmented Reality accessory, but the apps and games to play with it are pretty short and demo-y without much meat, which wasn't really a big surprise. This is kind of geared toward 10 and up kids who will probably find the cube to be pretty neat for a little while. All interaction with the cube, though, is done using the triggers on the goggles... I kept wanting to use my fingers to interact with the cube, and was disappointed that it was more of a "look but don't touch" thing. With non-merge apps, I found that the triggers on the goggles didn't work so well... the apps worked well visually, but as with other VR goggles, it would be useful to have a bluetooth controller or some other input device, as the construction of the goggles makes it really hard to pull your phone in and out to touch the screen. You may find that on different sized phones, the triggers align better or something, but on my phone, they did not work well for non-merge apps from the Google Play store. I did not test this with an iphone. Overall, if you're looking for a VR experience for kids, this is a sturdy headset choice that will probably hold up really well to some wear and tear. Throw an old phone in there and let them go to town for a while. For older kids or adults looking for more than a novelty item or a toy, there are much better options out there. Recommended, with caveats.

I wanted to dabble in VR and augmented reality and this headset was the key to get me there without spending $$$. Its thoughtfully designed and accommodates my giant iPhone 7+. Unlike its cheaper counterparts, this headset straps to your head for a hands free VR experience. It does have two buttons you can activate on top of the headset to select or activate things on screen. Like in google street view app, you can use the buttons to select where you want to walk to without pulling out the phone. Pros: *Soft and adjustable to fit anyone’s head *Has QR code printed on it so app developers can take full advantage of Merge headset’s buttons over google cardboard. *Easily adjustable lenses to align and focus things on your phone *Slots for airflow because your phone will get super hot and to prevent fogging Cons: *A bit of a struggle to get my full sized iphone 7+ in and out of the slot *Does not work well with phone cases *Buttons are not always accurate In summary, I do enjoy using the Merge headset. I would still consider this technology in its infancy stage as there are a very limited amount of VR apps to download. However, if you want an affordable way to experience VR without a super computer, this is the best bet for now.

Let me start with a disclaimer :) The rating above is for the product and not for the VR and AR technology. I had some issues while using these goggles but most of them are related to the technology at the moment and not really an issue with the product. So, let's talk about the goggles first. They are made of very comfortable foam kind of material. The straps are easy to configure and give you a very stable experience. The lenses are ok for the price. The mechanism to adjust them is good. The ease of inserting a phone inside them depends on the size of the phone. I have a nexus 6P which takes an effort to fit in. So, anything bigger than that will hardly fit in but because they are made of foam, they are kind of stretchable. There is a removable piece at the front which is very helpful when you want to use them with an AR (Augmented Reality) tool/product (e.g. Merge Cube). You simple remove that and then hold the cube in the hand. It is much easier this way rather than holding a phone/tablet in one hand and the cube in other. You will get tired really soon :). VR apps and videos and stretch the boundaries of your phone and as a result the phone gets really hot. Thus, it is really important that the design of VR goggles allows for as much air circulation as possible. The design of these goggles provides enough air to your phone so that it does not get super hot. When inserting the phone inside the goggles, be careful not to hit the power/lock button of your phone else you will need to take it out again. So, overall this is a pretty good product if you are curious about the whole virtual reality buzz. It is affordable, durable and quite practical to serve as beginner's VR/AR headset. My 10 year old son loves these and it's more fun to watch him enjoying these :) Few thoughts on the VR/AR technology: =============================== I tried various apps available at the moment on merge's web site as well as some cardboard apps available on Google play store. My first impression is that the VR technology is in its infancy and it has a long way to go. At the moment, the best experience is 360 videos. For most of the apps/games, you need some kind of bluetooth controller. As I don't have that yet my choices are limited. I also got a Merge Cube along with the goggles. The AR seems to be a really cool technology and having a simple cube made of foamy material turn into so many different things is just unbelievable. But again at the moment, there is only so much use of it and you get bored of it pretty soon.

This product is exactly what I was looking for after using cardboard VR setups. The device sits comfortably on your head and the foam is light but feels incredibly durable. I use and iPhone 6 but it seems like the Merge could accommodate phones of any size. The input buttons on top also slide to adjust the focus, which feels intuitive and precise. So far, I'm incredibly impressed with the Merge and I anxiously await more interesting VR software to enjoy on it.

Picked this up to see how they hold up with both Android and iOS. I've noticed the graphics were better on Android than iOS. The VR headset has a built-in QR code to pair with any phone compatible. I like the Cube it brings a new dynamic to playing games on phones. Nothing is perfect, sometimes there's light blur coming through the headset. The Cube needs a lot of light it would be perfect for use outside during the day.

I like these VR goggles for a beginning user. They are very comfortable. The only thing is the they tore on one end using my Iphone 6 plus. It's OK though because my Iphone 6 plus still fits in the slot good enough to work and get the Virtual Reality experience. I would recommend these for a beginning experience. Give 4 stars here and not 5.

I have tried a couple different vr headsets. This one is one of the most comfortable I’ve tried. However, they do not allow for you to do any vision correction. You can move the lenses for the distance between your eyes, but not back and forth for vision correction. I have a small framed pair of glass and I can wear this set of goggles with my glasses but if they were larger framed glasses they may not work. Made of a soft foam. Adjustable to fit many sizes heads.

I had high hopes for this product, however it failed to meet muster. Starting with the material, it's a hard foam. Nothing bad there and the device is surprisingly light as a result. Wouldn't worry too much of damaging it. The bands are comfortable enough and I had little difficulty adjusting them. Overall, no complaints there. Once the phone is placed inside it becomes a different story. The weight of the phone ends up resting on my cheeks, even after multiple readjustments. Not horrible, but it does get uncomfortable after about half an hour and gradually gets moreso from there on. The heat generated from the phone is also not vented near so well as the design suggests. It easily gets hot enough to cause sweating. I didn't have much trouble getting my phone in or out. Of note, though, the little insert for 'augmented reality' (aka covering or not covering your camera) does come out and goes back in fairly easily. Something that becomes a nuisance after the first few times it pops out. Finally, and this isn't the product's fault, the supporting apps and content are utter junk. Most apps will be stupidly short, beg for money, have exceptionally poor graphics, not support actual virtual movement (aka they just allow tilt control), or some combination of those aspects. TL;DR: For something just to play around with as a cheap(ish) toy, this would be alright. For a decent VR experience, it's not good at all. So I would not recommend buying this with the thought of bypassing more expensive VR options like I did.

These goggles seem much less traditional than a lot of others on the market, they are made entirely of durable foam making the entire headset somewhat squeezable and adjustable. The lenses seem to need readjusting pretty frequently but being able to move them to focus is a good feature to have. There are knobs above and below to help slide the lenses left or right, they do not move forward/backward at all. Sometimes sliding them is difficult since the knob on the top of the lens also doubles as an action button on both the left and right sides. The buttons can definitely be pressed accidentally but again worth it to have the feature. I adjusted the headband the first use and have not touched it again, I find the headset comfortable enough that I have not thought about it again. I like being able to squeeze the entire thing and stretch it open and around my face when I put it on, almost cupping my eyes and really giving an immersive environment. I've read reviews complaining about fitting their phone in the foam slot- yes it can get a little difficult to pop it right in but since its all durable foam it is extremely easy to just use a little extra pressure and pop your device into the slot with no issues. I have used iPhones 6/7 and a 6+ all with similar performance and no issues. Overall, a great durable headset that will last you longer than the cheap knock offs and will tide you over until you're ready to go triple digits $

I did A LOT of research before buying this...obsessive research to be exact...We have apple devices and the popular VR ones work w android devices. After narrowing it down I got the merge VR.. If you read the description it says works w ios devices from past 2 yrs including iphone 5. My daughter has the iphone 5.. However when you pull out the getting started directions it states 6 or later and shows a sizing chart.. Iphone 5 is too small...so it does NOT work with all ios devices. So if you have a 6 or later you will possibly enjoy. We brought some videos up and everything was clear but a lot of stuff was out of viewing range.. Oh well...

With all the VR hype out there, I wanted to give it a shot. After some comparisons, I settled on the merge VR goggles to pair up with my iPhone 7+. A couple minutes of use left me wondering why I just wasted money on this. Here's what I liked and what I didn't like. Like: light weight. Comfortable design. Works with all the google cardboard VR apps. Dislikes: the foam material, while light and comfortable, didn't allow for easy loading in of my phone. Yes it fit, but it was tight to the point that I thought it was going to tear the goggles. And if I had my case on the phone, forget about it! Also VR still doesn't feel ready for prime time. Most apps support a single click interface--which these goggles do, but it's a little silly. Many apps require a click to load, which doesn't pair up with the click interface on the goggles. You need a headset that allows you to QUICKLY load in a device and for iPhone Plus users, this isn't it. One last note on the apps, I never found one that made me feel wowed. The YouTube stuff is cool, but video quality isn't great on most of the content out there. In the end, I returned this product, because I knew after trying it, that I wasn't going to use it much. If I were to advise ppl on trying VR, I'd suggest a google cardboard. Yes, you have to hold it in your hand, but it'll let you know what to expect without spending a lot of money.