Affordable $45 Headstrap Enhances Apple’s $3,500 Vision Pro Headset

Vision Pro has a lot going for it as a headset, but if there’s one thing that almost everyone points out (aside from its hefty price tag), it’s the comfort—or lack thereof. Apple wanted something that turns heads, but those wearing it might not appreciate the way it feels on theirs. Fortunately, making it more comfortable isn’t rocket science.

A lot of people blame the weight for Vision Pro’s comfort issues, thinking that, since it’s made of metal, it’s bound to be heavy. Surprisingly, though, it’s not all that much heavier than its competitors. For instance, the Quest 3’s main housing tips the scales at 394 grams without its strap or face pad. The Vision Pro weighs in at just 475 grams, a mere 81 grams more.

When it comes to how comfy a headset is, weight certainly plays a role, but how that weight is spread across your head is equally crucial.

Take the Quest 3, for example. Its standard-issue soft strap leaves much to be desired comfort-wise, prompting many to seek out Meta’s ‘Elite Strap’. This upgrade adds noticeable heft, reaching a total of 642 grams with everything included—surprisingly, that’s more than the Vision Pro with its standard setup, which stands at 625 grams.

Interestingly, adding weight with the Elite Strap can make the Quest 3 more wearable.

Now, Vision Pro comes standard with the ‘Solo Knit Band’, which, like the Quest 3’s strap, doesn’t win many awards for comfort.

Apple must have sensed this because they bundle in a ‘Dual Loop Band’ with every Vision Pro. It’s a step up since it distributes weight better thanks to a top strap, but still falls short of ideal.

It’s a bit of a letdown because the Solo Knit Band is brilliant in theory. It’s soft, it hugs your head nicely, and you can tweak it with the side dial. The downside? You miss out on the top strap support offered by the Dual Loop. So, you’re stuck choosing between the two, with no chance to enjoy both benefits simultaneously.

Apple would have done well to merge the two designs, but luckily, there are third-party solutions out there that rectify this without breaking the bank—far less expensive than if Apple were to release its own premium strap option.

After putting several alternative straps through their paces, I’ve found one that ticks all the boxes: it works seamlessly with the excellent Knit Band, lets me use the headset without the facepad to shave off some weight, and brings my eyes closer to the lenses, enhancing my field of view.

Say hello to the ANNAPRO A2 strap for Vision Pro. It’s exactly what Apple should have shipped from the onset. Priced at just $45, it dramatically elevates the comfort of Apple’s $3,500 device.

Since using it over several weeks, long sessions with the Vision Pro have become a breeze. In fact, this became a game-changer for its new ultrawide virtual monitor. The comfort boost makes Vision Pro a strong candidate for daily tasks.

The company was kind enough to provide the strap for review and even threw in a 10% discount code for our readers. If you’re interested, use ROADTOVR at checkout on Amazon to save a little extra.

The Annapro A2 strap is a breeze to attach to Vision Pro’s frame and integrates perfectly with the Knit Band. It can also pair with the Dual Loop Band for added top support if needed. Plus, it comes with pads in four sizes (5mm, 12mm, 18mm, and 25mm) to suit various head shapes.

After trying them out, the 5mm pad became my go-to—allowing for a snug fit without the facepad while maximizing field-of-view and offering a more immersive AR feel.

Apple’s pursuit of a sleek design with Vision Pro, akin to oversized ski goggles, led to some sacrifices in comfort. However, the advent of affordable third-party accessories like this strap, paves the way for a much-needed solution. I wouldn’t be surprised if they adopt a similar approach in future versions of Vision Pro.