Most Britons who have worn VR headsets think they look uncool

Virtual reality, mixed reality, and augmented reality headsets such as the Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest, and Microsoft Hololens (sometimes grouped together under the name “extended reality”) can allow users to play video games, simulate flight, virtually visit tourist hotspots, test drive cars, and much more. 

But beyond the technological capabilities, they are devices that are worn on the human head – and therefore fashion items, of a sort. And per Business Insider, even the newer and most up to date extended reality devices have a “familiar fatal flaw”: “They are nerd goggles that will make most people look uncool.” 

New YouGov polling reveals that most Britons who have worn them agree.

Among those who have ever tried on an extended reality headset, 54% say they look uncool to wear, with just 41% saying they look cool.

What’s more, when Britons are asked if they would be proud or embarrassed to wear these headsets in public, 62% say they would be embarrassed – and just 15% say they would be proud. 

Extended reality headset makers don’t necessarily recommend wearing them while driving, cooking, or walking around in public, but that hasn’t stopped some more cavalier users from doing so. 

Unsurprisingly, then, a majority of Britons who have worn these devices believe it is unsafe to use them in these contexts. The most significant opposition comes to using VR goggles while driving, which is opposed by nine in ten (90%); followed by using them while looking after children (82%), walking around in public (82%) and cooking (81%). In fact, 60% say it’s unsafe to use them while walking around the house. 

And while there has been some suggestion that VR environments can help some users sleep, half of Britons who have worn these goggles still say it is unsafe to slumber while wearing an ER headset (50%).  

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Methodology

YouGov Surveys: Serviced provide quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. This study was conducted online on 20-21 February 2024 with a nationally representative sample of 499 adults who have worn ER headsets (aged 18+ years) in MARKET, using a questionnaire designed by YouGov. Data figures have been weighted by age, gender, education and social grade to be representative of [all adults in Great Britain (18 years or older), and reflect the latest ONS population estimates. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Serviced.