VR Accessory Review: ZyberVR Elite Head Strap With Battery

Although the VR industry is booming and the headset itself is more expensive than just about any console, it only takes a few gaming sessions with a Meta Quest 2 headset to realize it could benefit from some improvements. The comfort of the headset, the playing time allocated with the battery, and the ergonomics of the controllers: nothing is absolutely satisfactory for seasoned players who want to indulge in more active or demanding gaming sessions.

After playing many slightly more demanding action games such as Super Hot and Resident Evil 4 VR as well as fitness training apps, I discovered that the Meta Quest 2 headset is poorly optimized for extended gaming periods. The elastic straps offer little support given the heaviness of the headset, which requires tightening them to the maximum to prevent the headset from moving and creating red marks on the face that remain up to hours after a game session. In addition, the battery has a limited lifespan when it comes to playing more complex games, such as games adapted for virtual reality that were originally console games.

In an effort to improve my gaming experience, I tested ZyberVR’s Elite Headstrap With Battery. Here’s what I thought!

The product

Name: ZyberVR Elite Head Strap with 6000 mAH Battery for Quest 2

Cost: 61.76 CAD

Delivery time: about 2 weeks

Features: the accessory promises 3x the normal battery life, rechargeable up to more than 1000 times, a simple and easy mechanism that requires only the push of a button, an overload protection and heat management system and optimized comfort.

The head strap looks promising, at a rather reasonable price that compares to other similar products from competing brands on Amazon. The delivery time is about two weeks and, in my case, the product arrived well-packaged and in good condition. The box contains:

1 USB-C cable to link the battery to the headset
1 pivot support system on which the battery is attached
1 elastic padded strap
1 circular silicone accessory to secure the back of the head
1 instruction booklet

The different pieces of accessories are individually packaged. Everything in the box is tidy and nothing is crushed.

Installation

The installation process is quick and easy. A video tutorial is available on the ZyberVR website, but the written instructions are enough to fully understand how to do this. The design is instinctive and the original parts of the Meta Quest 2 headset are removed without forcing too much. Everything fits together like a charm and requires very little elbow grease.

An adjustment wheel located at the back makes it easy to adjust the rigid straps on the side. The small activation button is located under the wheel, in a place where it is not likely to be inadvertently activated. The design is efficient, the pivots are not noisy and everything looks solid. However, the device definitely weighs more than the original design of the Meta Quest 2 headset. Installation can be done in less than 5 minutes.

The Test

Despite the added weight by the pivot device on which the battery is located, the comfort is second to none. The helmet seems even lighter, since the circular silicone element behind the head and the cushioned strap allow for better weight distribution. The fit using the adjustment wheel is done like a charm and the feeling of tightness due to the weight of the helmet pulling forward is lessened.

I let my headset discharge over several days and several gaming sessions to put the battery to the test: the device works like a charm and indeed allows you to add 5 to 8 hours of play on a single charge. Small lights indicate the battery level from the outside, making it quick to know if the battery needs to be recharged at a glance. The wire works and the recharge is done quickly.

The Review

The gaming experience with this accessory is improved. If not for the battery, comfort alone is worth the purchase. The product is solid and allows for a more enjoyable gaming session, although the headset remains heavy and it is preferable to take frequent breaks from play. All in all, it is a product that seems to be of quality. However, it is to be handled with care outside of gaming sessions (for example, when the headset is left on a dock or another surface for charging). Plastic is rather thin and can probably break easily if bent or dropped.

If you’re a person who rarely plays for more than an hour or two at a time, I suggest you buy a strap without the rechargeable battery instead.

I highly recommend this accessory to people who:

seek greater comfort for more active or longer gaming sessions;
wish to reduce the appearance of red markings on the face due to the weight of the headset;
play games that require faster or jerky head movements;
want to multiply the playing time between each headset recharge;