Samsung Gear VR is among the best virtual reality headsets. It offers an excellent VR experience at a reasonable price.
But, what if we told you that you can further boost this experience with the help of Gear VR gamepads?
While most games for this headset don’t require a gamepad, you can still use one if you’re looking for an advanced gaming experience.
In this post, we will go over some of the best controllers for Samsung Gear VR and list their features, pros, and cons.
Winner
SteelSeries Stratus Duo
If you want to upgrade your Gear VR gameplay without spending a ton, the SteelSeries Stratus Duo has got you covered. It has a solid construction, offers a 2.4Ghz wireless connection, and 20 hours of gameplay.
Runner Up
SteelSeries Stratus XL
For comfort and capability, we recommend SteelSeries Stratus XL. You can connect it to any Gear VR-compatible phone with great design and build.
Also Great
Razer Raiju Mobile
If you want a high-end gaming controller, we recommend you give Stratus Duo a try. It has excellent design features, compatibility, and battery life.
Now that you know our top 3 picks, let’s further analyze their features to find the best Gear VR controller for you.
Best Controller for Samsung Gear VR - Top 3 Reviews
#1: Best Samsung Gear VR Headset - SteelSeries Stratus Duo
SteelSeries is one of the best manufacturers of gaming controllers for Android and it did not disappoint with its Stratus Duo.
But, you may be wondering, what makes this controller the best?
Well, this controller combines all the best features from Sony and Microsoft controllers making it a perfect blend of all the qualities you would want in a VR headset.
The only thing that we were not a fan was was the lack of haptic feedback, also known as rumble. Otherwise, it has excellent features such as 2.4GHz Bluetooth connectivity and an ergonomic design.
Factors to Consider Before You Decide to SteelSeries Stratus Duo
Design
While testing out the gadget, the Stratus Duo felt remarkably solid in our hands. We were also impressed by its weight. Unlike other VR controllers, it didn’t feel hollow in the middle.
Overall, it was a well-designed controller with an ABXY button setup and groves for a sharp grip.
Battery Life
When the controller is fully charged, you can expect 20 hours of continuous use.
This is comparatively less than Stratus XL. But, we think the trade-off is worth it for its rechargeable batteries.
Performance
We found the performance of Stratus Duo to be outstanding on both Android and Windows. There was no lag during the games.
We were easily able to plug the dongle into a PC and jump into a match of Battlefield V. Similarly, we had no problem switching to Bluetooth to play a round of Fortnite.
- Rechargeable battery
- Excellent design
- Fast pairing with other devices
- Can connect through Bluetooth or Wifi using a USB adapter
- Can switch between Gear VR games
- Lacks haptic feedback
- Phone holder not included
- Same quality as the Stratus XL but expensive
Best Gear VR Controller
The best high-end Gear VR controller is SteelSeries Stratus Duo because of its long battery life, excellent build quality and good value for money,
#2: Best Overall Gear VR Controller - SteelSeries Stratus XL
In our opinion, no motion controller can be a perfect fit for all but Stratus XL comes close to it. With Stratus XL, SteelSeries focused on compatibility, easy controls, and great build material.
In fact, the major selling point of this gadget is that it can be paired with almost any device. This includes everything from Windows to Oculus Rift headsets.
You’ll also be surprised by the number of mobile games it is compatible with. Most of the time controllers will give you a hard time connecting to less popular devices. But, with Stratus XL we found this to be false. It paired with all the devices without any hassle.
In addition, Stratus XL is a Bluetooth gamepad. Which means it is a cordless device. This was a huge plus for us because we all know how annoying cords can be.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy SteelSeries Stratus XL
Design
We were extremely impressed by the design of this controller. It has tight and tactile buttons that don’t get stuck.
The material of the controller was also quite durable. It did not feel wimpy and all the controls were accessible.
Battery Life
Stratus XL does have long battery life. However, we did notice that that controller becomes a bit unresponsive when the battery is low. Fortunately, this is an easy fix and is shown by the LED lights when you power on the controller.
Performance
To assess the performance of this device we played some skill-oriented games such as Bayonetta and Dark souls III. Both these games require precise timing and are good for giving the controller a workout.
Both games worked perfectly with the Stratus XL.
- Excellent compatibility
- Great build quality
- Can easily connect to play mobile games
- Recommended by Oculus
- Comfortable to hold
- Great battery life
- Uses two AA batteries
- Doesn't have media controllers
- Lacks automatic sleep mode
Best Overall Gear VR Controller
The best overall Gear VR controller is SteelSeries Stratus XL thanks to its versatility, long battery life and ease of use.
#3: Best High-End Gear VR Controller - Razer Raiju Mobile
If you are unfamiliar with this device, Razer Raiju Mobile is a controller that makes you feel as if you’re using an Xbox controller on a smartphone. It works for most games and apps as long as they support Bluetooth connectivity.
What we love about this controller is that it has all the features of a high-end controller.
These features include:
- Four mappable multi-function controls
- Hair-trigger mode for quickly actuating the back triggers
- Both wireless and wired phone connectivity
- Rubberized back grips so the controller is easy to use
- Mecha-tactile face buttons
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Razer Raiju Mobile
Design
We were a huge fan of the Razers design. The moment we picked it up, we could feel how comfortable it is with a solid weight. The whole unit is matte black while the buttons are glossy with clear letterings.
Battery Life
Coming to the battery life, we were able to use the controller for 23 hours on a single charge. In addition, you can also use it as a wired controller if you’re gaming and the battery runs out.
Performance
While testing out the controller we thought we could create custom layouts while playing PUBG mobile and a different one for Guns of Boom. However, this was not the case.
Still, this wasn’t a deal-breaker, the controller proved easy to use and control in all the other games.
- Well designed
- Easy to pair
- Includes cable for wired charging
- Good quality
- Includes hair-trigger locks
- Expensive
- Phone grips blocks volume buttons
Best High-End Gear VR Controller
The best high-end Gear VR controller is the Razer Raiju because of its excellent features, design, and multifunctionality.
Buyers’ Guide
Design
For most people, design is a thought that comes after purchasing the controller but it is more important than you think. Think about how much time you will spend holding the controller and how many buttons you will press while playing your game.
The controller should be well-designed and lightweight so it’s comfortable even after hours of use.
Battery Life
Another important consideration is battery life. A controller should be able to go at least a day without losing a charge.
It’s also a good idea to choose a controller that has both wired and wireless charging so you can charge the gadget without disrupting your game.
Performance
Lastly, consider the performance of the controller. Testing the controller out by playing your favorite game will you a fair idea of the performance.
All the buttons should be accessible and tactile to avoid any problems during the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to use a Bluetooth Gamepad with your Samsung Gear VR?
Each Bluetooth Gamepad will have its own app that you can access through Google Play or the Oculus Store.
First, install the app, then:
- Pair the gamepad with your Gear VR using the app
- The gamepad will appear on the app and let you know when it’s ready
- Start the game through the Oculus library
- Select the gamepad as the controller
How to pair Samsung Gear VR with your Android phone?
To pair your controller:
- Turn on Bluetooth in the phone setting and open the Oculus app
- Select more and then controllers
- Insert AAA batteries into the controller and press the home button.
- Select pair
- Tap next and let your controller calibrate
Final Verdict
With that, we conclude our article.
While all of these controllers are excellent, only one can be the right choice for you. For us, it’s the SteelSeries Stratus Duo.
It offers great features, functionality, and value for money.
Moreover, you can connect it to your PC using the 2.4Ghz wireless dongle which is just the icing on the cake.