Best Vr Headsets For Meditation: A Mindful Review

Virtual reality (VR) is a great way to take a break from the stresses of daily life and relax. There are many VR meditation apps available that can help you meditate, relax and calm down. Some of the most popular VR meditation apps include Guided Meditation VR, Maloka, Nature Treks VR, and Tripp. These apps offer a range of features, such as guided meditations, sound baths, and interactive environments. When choosing a VR meditation app, it is important to consider the type of headset you have, the amount of time you have available, and the kind of group meditation experience you are looking for.

VR apps for meditation and relaxation

Meditation and relaxation VR apps are a great way to unwind and de-stress, especially when you don't have the option to retreat to a quiet place in the physical world. The VR world offers a range of calming environments, from tranquil beaches to enchanting forests, that can help you relax and find inner peace. Here are some of the best VR apps for meditation and relaxation:

Nature Treks VR

Nature Treks VR is a great option if you want to mindfully explore beautiful places. It offers nine breathtaking colour-themed environments with over 20 different types of animals. You can wander through enchanting forests, relax on tranquil beaches, and enjoy the calming presence of nature without any of the bugs or weather that you would experience in real life.

Liminal

Liminal is one of the best-rated meditation and relaxation VR apps. It provides over 60 experiences designed to distract your mind from daily worries and take you to a calm and interesting place. With Liminal, you can escape the stresses of everyday life and find a moment of peace.

HandParticle

Painting can be a very relaxing activity, and HandParticle brings that experience to VR. This unique app lets you create beautiful visual effects with your hands while listening to your favourite music. It's like having a therapy session in the comfort of your own home.

Maloka

Maloka is a wellness universe designed to enchant your senses through guided meditations, mindful movement, and sound baths. You explore this ever-expanding universe with a spirit companion of your choice, earning rewards as you go. Maloka offers a holistic approach to relaxation and is a great choice for those seeking more than just a visual experience.

Headspace XR

Headspace XR takes the popular Headspace meditation app and turns it into a virtual playground. You can walk around as a gender-neutral avatar and explore different locations. There are fountains where you can throw colourful orbs, an Energy Dome where you can wave your arms and trace shapes, and a mood stream with balloons representing different emotions. Headspace XR makes meditation feel like a game, which can be especially appealing to those who are new to or sceptical about meditation.

Supernatural

Supernatural is a fitness app that also includes meditation sessions. It offers both guided meditations with coaches and unguided sessions called "Moment", where you can spend 10 minutes in tranquility reflecting on whatever you want. Supernatural is a great choice for those who want to combine their meditation practice with physical exercise.

In addition to these apps, there are many other VR experiences that can aid in relaxation and meditation, such as Ocean Rift, Real VR Fishing, Google Earth VR, and various puzzle and colouring apps. With so many options available, you can find the perfect VR app to help you unwind and find inner peace.

Best VR meditation apps for Oculus Quest

Virtual reality can be a great way to relax and meditate, allowing you to enter a calming virtual world from the comfort of your living room. Here are some of the best VR meditation apps for the Oculus Quest:

TRIPP

TRIPP is a VR meditation app that can help you feel happier, calmer, and more focused. It provides guided meditation which includes more than 75 immersive mindfulness teachings. The binaural audio, which generates healing sounds, is created by acclaimed musicians. TRIPP has received recognition, such as "Best VR Meditation App" by Men's Health. You can try the demo version for free and then subscribe for $4.99 per month or $34.99 for lifetime access.

Nature Treks VR

Nature Treks VR is a VR relaxation app where you can explore natural environments such as underwater oceans, tropical beaches, and starry skies. You can control your breathing with the 'meditation lotus' and interact with the surroundings, such as summoning butterflies and birds. You can also control the weather and switch between day and night. Nature Treks VR costs $9.99 at the Oculus Store.

Maloka

Maloka is a VR meditation and mindfulness app where you are located on your own unique island. On the island, you can practice mindfulness through guided meditations, sound baths, and mindful movements. As you practice more, your island will grow and flourish into a beautiful oasis. Maloka is free at the Oculus Store and was created by celebrated wellness authors, Sukey and Elizabeth Novogratz.

Alcove

Alcove is a virtual home where you can socialise with family and friends, but also meditate and relax alone. It can guide and teach you how to breathe correctly. You can easily switch between activities, such as meditation and virtual travelling. Alcove is free at the Oculus Store, with the option to purchase "In-App" or "Add-ons".

Guided Meditation VR

Guided Meditation VR has over 30 hours of guided meditations focusing on anxiety, maternity, depression, resilience, zen, and sleep. There are also over 40 environments to explore. Guided Meditation VR costs $14.99 at the Oculus Store and has been rebuilt from the ground up for Oculus Quest.

Liminal

Liminal allows you to alter your state of mind and choose how you feel and perform. There are four categories of experiences: "Calm", "Energy", "Pain Relief", and "Awe". The experiences are developed based on research by neuroscientists and psychologists. Liminal is free at the Oculus Store and offers the chance to take part in lab experiments to earn credits and unlock more content.

Free VR meditation apps

Virtual reality is a great way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and escape to a calming environment. There are many free VR meditation apps available that can help you relax and unwind. Here are some of the best free VR meditation apps:

Google Earth VR

Google Earth VR is a fantastic free app that allows you to explore the entire globe as if you were a giant towering over it. You can find a pretty place, bring yourself down to ground level, and simply sit and take in the scene around you. You can even adjust the time of day to set the mood. Google Earth VR is a must-try for anyone looking for a relaxing VR experience.

Sheaf – Together EP

Sheaf – Together EP is a free VR experience that will take you on a cruise down an endless highway, with trees, buildings, and city streets passing you by. It is hand-crafted to fit a three-track synthwave album by artist and musician Sheaf, making it the perfect choice for anyone looking for a relaxing and immersive musical experience.

Nature Treks VR

Nature Treks VR offers 9 breathtaking color-themed environments with over 20 different animals. You can take a walk "outside" and choose from a variety of nature settings, including seasonal settings and even a trek during the Jurassic Era where you can hang out with dinosaurs. Nature Treks VR is a great option for those who want to mindfully explore beautiful places in VR.

Liminal

Liminal is one of the best-rated meditation and relaxation VR apps, offering over 60 experiences that will take your mind away from daily worries and stress. The app includes both realistic and abstract scenarios, with the "Awe" category featuring experiences within large-scale abstract structures. Liminal provides four free meditation experiences per week, making it a great option for those looking for a free and immersive meditation app.

Guiding Star VR Meditation

Guiding Star VR Meditation is a free meditation app designed exclusively for Cardboard VR to offer a highly immersive virtual reality experience. It features calming music, shooting stars, and a beautiful environment, making it a great choice for those seeking a simple and relaxing VR meditation app.

In addition to these free apps, there are also many affordable paid options for VR meditation and relaxation, such as TRIPP, which offers engaging gameplay mechanics and binaural audio, and Guided Meditation VR, which provides customizable meditation experiences. So, whether you're looking for a free or paid option, there are plenty of VR meditation apps to help you unwind and relax.

Paid VR meditation apps

There are a variety of paid VR meditation apps available that can help you relax and unwind. Here are some of the most popular and highly-rated options:

Tripp

Tripp is a highly-rated VR meditation and relaxation app that combines traditional meditation techniques with engaging gameplay mechanics and binaural audio. The app offers a wide range of immersive mindfulness teachings and is regularly updated with new content.

Nature Treks VR

Nature Treks VR allows you to explore and meditate in breathtaking color-themed environments featuring over 20 different animals. You can mindfully wander through enchanting forests, tranquil beaches, and other serene locations.

Liminal

Liminal is one of the best-rated meditation and relaxation VR apps. It offers over 60 experiences designed to distract your mind from daily worries and take you to relaxing and interesting places.

Guided Meditation VR

Guided Meditation VR is a virtual reality relaxation app that lets you recharge in exotic locations across the universe. It includes a variety of photo-realistic and computer-generated environments, such as a forest path, a Japanese garden, a mountain peak, and a beach. It also features a full-body relaxation exercise and an interactive Zen Garden.

Supernatural VR

While Supernatural VR is primarily a fitness app, it also includes meditation sessions. It offers short guided meditations as well as 10-minute solo reflection sessions called "Moments".

Other Options

In addition to the apps mentioned above, there are several other paid VR meditation apps available, including HandParticle, Maloka, VR Relax—Meditation & Sleep, and Guiding Star VR Meditation. These apps offer a range of features, such as beautiful visuals, soothing sounds, guided meditations, and interactive experiences.

VR meditation apps for beginners

The best VR headset for meditation is one that suits your needs and preferences. While some may prefer a simple cardboard headset, others might opt for more advanced options like the Meta Quest or Oculus Quest. Here are some popular choices:

• Meta Quest: This headset offers a wide range of meditation apps, such as Guided Meditation VR, which provides 40 different settings and a variety of guided meditations.
• Oculus Quest: The Oculus Quest is another popular choice, with apps like Supernatural VR offering morning meditation sessions and guided meditations with coaches.
• Cardboard VR: For a basic and affordable option, cardboard VR headsets are compatible with apps like Guiding Star VR Meditation, which provides an immersive experience with calming music and beautiful environments.

Popular VR Meditation Apps for Beginners:

• Guided Meditation VR: This app offers a simple and visual experience with 40 different environments, 30+ hours of guided meditations, and 300+ relaxing audio tracks. It's available on the Meta Quest and is designed to help with anxiety and stress reduction.
• Supernatural VR: This app combines fitness and meditation, offering morning meditation sessions, guided meditations, and "Moment" sessions for unguided reflection. It's a great option for busy individuals seeking improved productivity and reduced stress.
• Guiding Star VR Meditation: Designed exclusively for Cardboard VR, this app offers an immersive experience with calming music, shooting stars, and beautiful environments. It's a great choice for those seeking a simple and affordable meditation solution.
• Nature Treks VR: With Nature Treks VR, you can explore enchanting forests, tranquil beaches, and breathtaking color-themed environments with over 20 different animals. It's a wonderful option for beginners who want to mindfully explore nature and relax in peaceful surroundings.
• Tripp: This app combines proven meditation techniques with engaging gameplay mechanics and binaural audio. It features a wide range of immersive mindfulness teachings and is regularly updated, providing a fresh experience each time.

Other Recommendations:

• Hoame Meditation Studio: This app creates a virtual studio environment for your meditation practice, offering daily classes, a growing library of options, breathing practices, and more.
• Alcove: Alcove is a VR home with five areas for various activities, including multimedia games, social interactions, exploration, and guided or unguided meditations in nature.
• Maloka: Maloka is a wellness universe where you explore with a spirit companion, earning rewards as you uncover guided meditations, mindful movements, and sound baths.
• Google Earth VR: While not solely a meditation app, Google Earth VR allows you to explore the globe and find peaceful places to relax and unwind, making it a great option for those seeking virtual travel and relaxation.

Remember, the best VR meditation app for you may vary depending on your personal preferences and the specific features you're looking for.

Frequently asked questions