VR/AR headsets and smart glasses can enhance the way you go about your day, changing how you interact with and experience the world around you. Since these terms are often incorrectly confused, we’ve explored the differences to clarify what these devices are, so you can make an informed decision when choosing one over the other.
Augmented reality vs. virtual reality: AR and VR made clear
VR/AR headsets and smart glasses are useful for a number of reasons. Extended reality headsets are more expensive, bulky, and less comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. While virtual travel experiences and movie streaming are best achieved with a headset, smart glasses are good for when you’re on the go and looking for an easier way to do things like answer phone calls and listen to music.
VR headsets are often used for gaming because they can take over your entire vision and hearing to place you in a completely virtual world. AR headsets take a step back and offer virtual elements that are overlaid on the real world, so that you see both at the same time. Smart glasses are very similar to AR headsets, but the virtual elements do not interact with the real world as if they were actually there.
Due to their construction and intended use cases, VR/AR headsets are much larger than smart glasses. This makes them great for home use and exceptionally great for immersion, but they become extremely unsafe when used in traffic and around other people.
