Being able to clearly hear what’s going on around you when you’re enjoying VR is the key to really immersing yourself in the experience. So it’s quite common to want to invest in an awesome pair of Bluetooth headphones so you don’t have to worry about wires getting in your way while you play. Unfortunately, Bluetooth headphones don’t work very well in VR. It’s not impossible, and we have details on how to get the best sound quality.
Hear everything
VR communication is all about being immersed in the world, and hearing clearly what’s going on around you is a huge part of that. You should be able to tell when something is creeping up next to you or hear gunshots to avoid while playing. Unfortunately, this is where the problem with Bluetooth headphones becomes apparent. This is because almost all Bluetooth headphones have problems syncing properly in VR.
This means that you could get hurt on your blind side because you didn’t hear a warning growl in time, or that watching a show on Netflix or HBO becomes difficult because the audio and video are out of sync. That’s why we really recommend that you don’t use Bluetooth headphones. So far, at least, they just don’t offer the superior sound quality you deserve while enjoying VR.
You won’t be looking in the dark for a good pair of headphones though. Just take a look at our guide to the best Google Daydream headphones.
What to look for
Not everyone has multiple pairs of headphones or the money to throw at a new pair after acquiring Google Daydream. If you hate wired headphones or only use wireless headphones, you can still use them. Just remember that the sound quality won’t necessarily be on par with a pair of wired headphones. There are also a few things to look for in wireless headphones to get the best experience.
Make sure your headphones support at least Bluetooth 4.0 and aptX. This will provide the best possible connection to your phone through your wireless headphones and will also provide better sound quality. Also, make sure you aim for the lowest possible latency. A lower delay factor will mean that the delay will be eliminated as much as possible. However, even with all three of these things, you may still have problems playing Google Daydream. That’s why we’ve got a handy list of Bluetooth headphones for you to consider.
- FIIL Diva Pro
- Bose Comfort 35
- LG Tone HBS-910
- pixel buds
Conclusion
While wireless headphones aren’t the perfect Daydream accessory, they can definitely get the job done. We have selected the best options for you, but finding the right pair is really a personal decision that no one else can make for you. Do you use wireless headphones with Google Daydream? Have you found the perfect match? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!
Updated January 2018: We’ve updated this post with the latest suggestions for using Bluetooth headphones with Daydream!