Apple’s Vision Pro headset shines in terms of design, yet falls short when it comes to comfort, which is its most notable drawback—aside from the hefty price tag. Apple’s dedication to a sleek aesthetic has resulted in a headset that looks great from the outside but feels less comfortable during use. Fortunately, this issue is relatively simple to address.
Many people point fingers at the weight of the Vision Pro for its comfort issues, given that it’s crafted from metal. However, the truth is, Vision Pro isn’t significantly heavier than other headsets on the market. For example, the Quest 3’s display housing (the part you wear on your head) weighs 394 grams. Vision Pro’s display housing is just 81 grams heftier at 475 grams.
While weight is certainly a factor in comfort, what’s equally crucial is how the headstrap distributes that weight. Even Quest 3’s soft strap isn’t particularly comfy, which is why Meta offers an ‘Elite Strap’ as an aftermarket accessory. This adds 183 grams, raising Quest 3’s weight to 642 grams with the facepad—actually heavier than Vision Pro’s 625 grams with its standard strap and facepad.
Interestingly, although Meta’s Elite Strap adds weight, it enhances comfort. On the other hand, Vision Pro’s ‘Solo Knit Band’ strap shares the discomfort issues seen in Quest 3’s basic strap.
Apple, aware of these comfort challenges, includes a ‘Dual Loop Band’ with Vision Pro, which offers better weight distribution thanks to an additional top strap. Still, it doesn’t nail comfort perfectly.
It’s a pity because the Knit Band itself is quite remarkable—it’s soft, fits snugly, and adjusts easily with a side dial. But if you use it, you miss out on the top strap from the Dual Loop Band. Essentially, it’s a choice between one benefit or the other.
Apple really should have combined both features from the get-go. Fortunately, third-party options come to the rescue, and they do so at a fraction of the cost compared to what an official Elite Strap might be from Apple.
After trying out multiple alternatives, I discovered a third-party strap that checks all the boxes. It teams up excellently with the Knit Band, allows headset use without the facepad (cutting down on weight), and brings my eyes closer to the lenses for a wider view.
Enter the ANNAPRO A2 strap for Vision Pro. At just $45, it improves Apple’s $3,500 headset significantly. After weeks of testing, it’s clear that this strap makes extended use of Vision Pro much more bearable. It even enhances the experience with Vision Pro’s new ultra-wide virtual monitor, making it more practical for day-to-day tasks.
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The ANNAPRO A2 strap slips onto Vision Pro’s supports with ease and partners perfectly with the Knit Band. It also works with the Dual Loop for extra top-strap support. Included in the package are four pad sizes—5mm, 12mm, 18mm, and 25mm—offering versatility for various head shapes.
I’ve found that the 5mm pad suits me best, as it allows me to forgo the facepad comfortably, bringing my eyes closer to the lenses for a better field of view and a more natural AR experience, thanks to the unobstructed periphery vision.
Apple’s intention with the Vision Pro was to make something as sleek as a pair of oversized ski goggles. However, this meant compromising on comfort, which many users have criticized. Thankfully, affordable third-party solutions can now make up for this shortcoming. This method works so well that Apple might consider integrating something similar in their future Vision Pro models.
