Keeping your VR headsets in tiptop condition requires storing them away correctly. How can you do this, though?

Whether you want to playfully show off a virtual reality (VR) headset or keep it out of the way when not in use, there are a lot of options for storing and displaying these pieces of tech. However, you need to remember a few important things if you want to get the most use and durability from your equipment.

Below, we've outlined five ways you can keep your headsets safe and make them last as long as possible.

Even the least expensive VR headsets cost hundreds of dollars. As a result, you should be thinking about storing your headset in a way that will keep it safe and functioning as long as possible. The user guides for VR headsets often recommend putting the headset back in the box that it came in—or in another protective case when not in use.

User guides specify all the things you'd expect for any piece of technology: keep it dry and don’t leave it somewhere that it’ll down or get knocked around.

Sunlight can damage your headsets' lenses. Regardless of how you store or display your VR headset, the lenses need to be protected from direct light.

In general, think about storing and displaying your VR headset with the same considerations as a regular computer—as long as you remember to keep it away from direct sun. Below are five things you might want to consider.

The user guide for your VR headset probably recommends that you store your headset in the box that it came in when not in use. Even budget headset manufacturers say so, and for several reasons.

For one, boxes store easily. Moreover, most VR headset boxes come with little nooks and crannies for the various pieces, making it easy to keep everything together in one place. Furthermore, the boxes the headset came in are typically designed to cradle the headset. You still don’t want to knock it about too much, but your headset should be pretty safe in there.

The primary downside is that a headset comes out of the box easier than it goes back in. Sometimes, trying to get all the pieces back into the box feels like trying to get a tent back in the bag after you’ve been camping.

If you regularly take your headset on the road, a carrying case might be the way to go. There are a lot of companies that make travel cases for VR headsets, but you might be able to find a case specifically for your headset by going to the manufacturer’s website.

Cases don’t stack and store as well as boxes, but they do offer better protection. Additionally, they often have even more pockets and compartments for extra accessories. They do still have the cosmetic downside of covering up your beautiful headset.

If you want to show off your headset, a display stand might be right for you. More than keeping everything together, some stands even charge your headset and controllers while you’re away.

So far, headset manufacturers don’t also build stands. However, you might find some elsewhere.

If you want your VR headset to be front and center, but you have kids, a dog, or other considerations that make stands seem a little perilous, consider storing your headset on a shelf or in a cabinet. Naturally, the shelf or cabinet should be high enough and sturdy enough that your headset isn’t in danger.

The closed-in design of shelves and cabinets provides built-in protection from light, as well as dust. Dust won’t permanently harm your headset, but dusty lenses will need to be cleaned more often.

VR headsets, being designed to be worn on a human head, beg for creative display. As long as the headset is in a place where the lenses are protected from direct light, and the headset isn’t subject to moisture or excessive roughness, go crazy. Put your headset on mannequins, hat stands, or Halloween decorations.

This approach is particularly fun for older headsets that you keep for historical or sentimental reasons but that you don’t cherish as much for regular use.

Keeping your VR headsets safe will require a lot of thought, but you've got plenty of options for doing so. This list wasn't exhaustive, but will give you enough to at least get started.

Your priority should be to keep the headset safe. Once you've fulfilled that, you can be as creative as you want.

Jon Jaehnig is a freelance writer/editor interested in exponential technologies. Jon has a BS in Scientific and Technical Communication with a minor in Journalism from Michigan Technological University.

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