Adjusting a VR Headset Properly

For an optimal gaming experience, it is essential that your headset fits well on your face and head. This not only allows you to play for longer periods but also often provides a sharper and more pleasant image.

Some users who put on a virtual reality headset for the first time are surprised by the quality of the headset. They put on the headset without adjusting the straps on the sides, back, and/or top. As a result, the lenses may not be properly pressed against the face, causing the image to be blurry. This significantly reduces the experience and leaves a negative impression. This is unfortunate, as the first impression is often the most important.

In this blog, we explain how to best put on a VR headset, how to adjust the lenses using the IPD settings, and how to always wear the headset comfortably on your head!

Loosen as many straps attached to the headset as possible. This includes the straps on the sides, back, and top of the headset. In some cases, you can do this by undoing all the Velcro and pulling the straps back, but in some cases, you need to turn a knob on the back of the headset to make it larger (such as with the HTC Vive Pro).

Place the headset against your face. In this step, it is important to ensure that the image from the lenses is as sharp as possible. The 'sweet spot' should be in the right place for your eyes to get the best image quality.

Tip: if you are putting the headset on someone else, instruct them to hold the headset like binoculars. Everyone is familiar with how binoculars work, so this way, they will immediately know how to look through the headset.

Now that you have the screen positioned correctly in front of your eyes, you can start fastening all the straps again. Start by positioning the back of the headset properly on the back of your head. It is important that the front and back of the headset are balanced, so do not place the back of the headset too high or too low on the back of your head.

Once the back of the headset is in place, you can fasten the top strap. Tighten this strap enough so that you feel the headset comfortably supported on your head. Be careful not to tighten it too much, as this will cause the back of the headset to move up.

The IPD (interpupillary distance) is the distance between the two lenses of the headset. Since everyone's eyes are at different distances, the headset allows you to match the distance between your eyes with the distance between the lenses. On a headset, you usually adjust this by turning a knob on the side or top of the headset. Turn this knob until you feel that the image is the sharpest for you. Note: this is different for everyone.

Tip: the average IPD is 64 mm. For most users, this typically ranges from 54 mm to 72 mm.

Some headsets have external headphones and/or cables. After someone has put on the headset using the previous steps, you can lower the earphones of the headphones. To achieve the best sound quality, you can slide the ear cushions up and down. Make sure the headphones are at the correct height for the best sound experience.

Tip: sound is very important for the player's immersion, but it can also isolate someone completely. If you are playing in a group, you might choose to place only one earphone at the correct height and leave the other earphone off.

A wired headset often has a guide on the back to neatly route the cable to the computer along the back of the headset. This ensures that the cable is well protected and runs neatly down the back of the headset.

Tip: if you have a wired headset, try to position yourself so that your line of sight is away from the computer. This ensures that the headset cable runs over your back to the computer and does not end up in front of your feet.