Oculus is one of the main competitors in the virtual reality industry. Their headsets are some of the best available and feature groundbreaking technology. The Oculus Go is a small and portable device that is perfect for entertainment purposes.
This is a complete VR headset that does not require tethering to an external device. Furthermore, it is highly affordable compared to some other high-end VR headsets. The design is ergonomic and comfortable, and the viewing lenses give a high-quality experience.
This is complemented by the excellent lightweight controllers that give immersive hand motion functionality. In this review, we look at what the Oculus Go has to offer and how it compares to other VR headsets on the market.
Main Features
The Oculus Go is a compact VR headset. It’s one of the smallest designs that Oculus has created. It weighs just 2.71lbs and fits comfortably on your head. Furthermore, it has a great set of basic features and technology to provide a fun VR experience:
- Dimensions: 8.3 x 8.3 x 4.8 inches
- Weight: 2.71lbs
- Screen resolution: 2560 x 1440
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 821
- Memory: 3GB
- Refresh rate: 72Hz
- Power: Rechargeable battery
- Connectivity: USB / WiFI
The screen resolution is fantastic and the panel type is a single fast-switch LCD. This is capable of refresh rates of 72Hz. In addition, it has a powerful processor and ample internal memory to run a wide range of VR software and games.
The Oculus Go has a rechargeable battery, as well as both WiFi and USB connectivity.
Design
The Oculus Go looks stylish – it is available in silver or black, both of which look fantastic. To secure the device to your head, there are two comfortable straps made from soft materials. Both the top strap and rear strap are adjustable – you can reposition and tighten them to fit the shape of your head.
The interior face cushioning is made from durable material, allowing the VR headset to sit comfortably on your face without placing too much pressure on your forehead. The fabrics used are breathable and have injected foam molding.
This combination of features makes the Oculus Go really comfortable to wear. You will not notice any strain even when using it for prolonged periods.
We also like the control design – it looks relatively simple but is easy to use. It has a sloping design that fits easily in your hand. The different buttons are logically placed, and it has accurate sensors for great VR experiences.
Performance
One of the best aspects of the Oculus Go is the fact that it is ready to go immediately – you can use it straight out of the box. Moreover, there are no wires and no tethering. This provides a relatively free experience and also reduces trip hazards!
The quality of the LCD screens is brilliant. You are treated to a high definition view and 3DOF tracking abilities. In addition to this, the headset has spatial audio drivers built directly into the device. This means that you can enjoy full surround-sound which adds to the overall immersive experience.
To download games and apps for the Oculus Go, you can use the Oculus Store. This has a myriad of excellent games and some free apps too. You can access the store directly through your headset, or purchase the games from a computer and transfer them to the Oculus Go.
Everything is within easy access and the various games and apps perform fantastically when used on the Oculus Go. There is no lag, and the controller works brilliantly in conjunction with the apps where its usage is supported.
Oculus Go vs. Oculus Rift S
So why should you purchase the Oculus Go and not one of the other VR headsets available? Let’s compare this device to another popular VR headset – the Oculus Rift S. This is a more expensive product that is geared towards virtual reality gaming as opposed to simple entertainment purposes.
| Oculus Go | Oculus Rift S | |
| Weight | 2.71lbs | 1.87lbs |
| Dimensions | 8 x 8 x 4 inches | 10 x 6 x 8 inches |
| Screen Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 2160 x 1200 |
| Battery | Rechargable | AA |
| VR Controllers | Yes | Yes |
| Tethering | No | Yes |
From the basic specifications, we can see some major differences immediately. The first difference is tethering. The Oculus Go does not require tethering – it can be used as a standalone device and you can access games and media directly through the headset.
In contrast, the Oculus Rift S requires tethering to a computer. This obviously limits where you can use this device and it is not as portable as the Oculus Go. In addition, the Oculus Go has a rechargeable battery whereas the Oculus Rift S relies on AA batteries or the computer connection.
When considering which to purchase, you must ultimately look at what you intend to use the VR headset for. The Oculus Rift S is intended to be used as a powerful VR gaming headset – hence why it requires tethering. In contrast, the Oculus Go is a more lightweight product for general usage.
Oculus Go for First-Timers
The Oculus Go is the perfect entry VR headset. You could consider purchasing this for your first foray into the world of VR. If you do not want to purchase one of the expensive headsets like the HTC Vive Focus, the Oculus Go is a great alternative.
The ergonomic design fits comfortably to your face, and the controllers are easy to use. This VR headset provides a pleasant, immersive experience. Although it is relatively inexpensive, it is still packed full of excellent features and uses advanced technology to bring you the best VR interactions.
We recommend the Oculus Go as an entry-level VR headset. It’s a great device that the whole family can use.
