AR glasses and VR headsets have seen notable shipment growth in recent years — this article covers the testing essentials for this category.
Baseline Test Items
- EMC: as electronic devices with high-performance processing chips, EMC is a core mandatory test item
- Radio frequency testing: if the device supports wireless connectivity (WiFi/Bluetooth), it needs corresponding radio frequency testing
- Battery testing: standalone headsets typically have a built-in battery, requiring UN38.3 and related battery testing
A Distinct Consideration: Optical Safety
AR/VR devices involve near-eye display optical systems. Some markets have dedicated photobiological safety assessment requirements for this kind of close-range light source, to prevent extended near-eye exposure from harming the eyes — a test item not involved in ordinary electronics testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do all AR/VR devices need optical safety assessment? A: It depends on the light source design and use case — headsets involving near-eye display typically need particular attention here, best confirmed by the specific product's structure.
Q: Are AR glasses and VR headsets tested to the same requirements? A: The basic framework is similar (EMC + radio frequency + battery), but the specific focus may differ based on the product form factor — best confirmed by specific model.
If you're working on AR/VR device exports, send us the product's specific functionality and optical structure, and we can help put together a testing checklist.