Updated October 1, 2026 · GizmoCue Editorial Team
ALTERNATE vs Bigscreen
ALTERNATE vs Bigscreen: the differences
| Compare |  ALTERNATE |  Bigscreen |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €31.99Lower | €1,249 |
| Wireless peripherals | YesHas it | No |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 to 2 years |
| Markets | DE, AT, BE, DK, FR, IT, LU, NL, CH, ES | US, CA, AT, BE, BG, HR, CY, CZ, DK, EE, FI, FR, DE, GR, HU, IS, IE, IT, NL, LV, LT, LU, MT, NO, PL, PT, RO, SK, SI, ES, SE, CH, GB, CN, HK, JP, MY, SG, KR, TW, IL, QA, SA, AE, NZ, AUCovers more |
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Key differences
- ALTERNATE scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 8.5.
- Price from is lower at ALTERNATE: €31.99 vs €1,249.
- Wireless peripherals: only ALTERNATE.
- Support channels: only ALTERNATE offers Phone.
- Founded is lower at ALTERNATE: 1992 vs 2014.
- Bigscreen is available in 36 more countries.
- Products: only ALTERNATE offers Laptop, Gaming laptop, Desktop.
- Products: only Bigscreen offers Vr headset.
- Platforms: only ALTERNATE offers Playstation, Xbox, Switch.
- Markets: only Bigscreen offers US, CA, BG.
Our verdict on each
ALTERNATE
ALTERNATE suits shoppers in its home region who want one store for computers, phones, audio and gaming, with returns handled the same way as other European retailers. Its 2 years of cover and build to order machines make it a solid pick, though 14 days for returns sits mid-table.
Bigscreen
Bigscreen makes a single PC VR headset for people who sit at a desk and are happy with a cabled setup. The entry price of €1,249 runs well above the VR headset median, and the 1 to 2 year warranty is the reason to stretch to it.
Score breakdown
| Area | ALTERNATE | Bigscreen |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 8.1Entry price of €1,249 sits well above the VR median of €143.52; cost scores 8.1 out of ten. |
| Offer | 9.1HigherPrices start at €31.99, with 2 years of cover and optional extended protection at checkout. | 8.6A single PC headset on pc with a 1 to 2 year warranty; offer scores 8.6 out of ten. |
| Trust | 9.2Operating as ALTERNATE GmbH since 1992, with a 14 days return window and email, phone and help centre support. | 9.2Bigscreen, Inc. is a US maker founded in 2014 with support on email, help centre and community; trust scores 9.2 out of ten. |
Availability and regulation
| Country | ALTERNATE | Bigscreen |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Germany | United States |
Available in 10 countries for both. Additional countries for Bigscreen: 36.
A third option
Nacon has price from at €19.90, against €31.99 for ALTERNATE and €1,249 for Bigscreen.
Nacon reviewHow they place
| Ranking | ALTERNATE | Bigscreen |
|---|---|---|
| VR headsets | 8 of 16 | 13 of 16 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ALTERNATE | Bigscreen |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Laptop, Gaming laptop, Desktop, Gaming pc, Mini pc, Tablet | Vr headset |
| Platforms | Pc, Playstation, Xbox, Switch, Mobile, StandaloneCovers more | Pc |
| Legal entity | ALTERNATE GmbH | Bigscreen, Inc. |
| Headquarters | Germany | United States |
| Founded | 1992Lower | 2014 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers more | Email, Help centre, Community |
Computers
| Fact | ALTERNATE | Bigscreen |
|---|---|---|
| Operating systems | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, Ipados | Not confirmed |
| Build to order | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Return window | 14 days | Not confirmed |
| Most memory (GB) | 64 | Not confirmed |
| Graphics | Nvidia, Amd, Intel | Not confirmed |
Monitors and peripherals
| Fact | ALTERNATE | Bigscreen |
|---|---|---|
| Highest refresh rate (Hz) | 540 | Not confirmed |
| Panel types | Ips, Va, Oled | Not confirmed |
| Zero dead pixel policy | No | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ALTERNATE | Bigscreen | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | €31.99lowest quarter | €1,249highest quarter | €65.97 |
| Warranty | 2 yearsabove the median | 1 to 2 yearsabove the median | 1 year |
Median across 44 listed brands.
Pros and cons
ALTERNATE
Pros
- Store categories run from computers and phones to audio, tv, gaming, appliances and refurbished goods, so most tech lists stay in one place.
- Returns run 14 days, a clear window to compare before you commit.
- Build to order is available, which matters for gaming laptops and desktops where stock configurations run out.
Cons
- The 14 day return window sits in the middle of the field, behind the brands ranked higher on that measure.
- A dead pixel policy is not offered, so a faulty panel has to go through the standard returns route.
- Monitor listings cap at 540 Hz, with ips, va and oled panels stocked, which narrows the top end of the display range.
Bigscreen
Pros
- Warranty of 1 to 2 years beats the VR headset ranking median of 1 at the upper end of the range.
- Platforms list pc, which keeps the setup simple, and PC is the platform for 100% of brands in the ranking.
- You buy from Bigscreen, Inc. directly, so terms, warranty and support all sit with the same company.
Cons
- Wireless is listed as no, so the headset needs a cable back to the computer, while 80% of brands in the ranking are wireless.
- Entry price of €1,249 places Bigscreen at 45 of 47 brands on price from, well above the VR median of €143.52.
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, where 50% of brands in the ranking also offer a phone line.
Who each suits
ALTERNATE
Who it suits
- Shoppers in Germany, AT and BE who want a single store for computers, phones, audio and gaming gear.
- Gaming buyers after laptop, gaming laptop and desktop and pc, playstation and xbox coverage from one seller.
- People who value click and collect and a long support list over the widest catalogue.
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers who want the longest return window in the comparison, where a retailer ranked higher on that measure fits better.
- Anyone shopping mainly for cameras, since JBL does not list that category either but stays audio focused.
- Price hunters comparing the very cheapest baskets, where Banggood's broad category list is worth checking first.
Bigscreen
Who it suits
- PC owners at a desk who are content with a cabled headset and a cable route to the machine.
- Buyers who treat warranty length as part of the value and will pay €1,249 to keep the headset for a few years.
- Shoppers in the US or another market on the hardware terms list, who are happy to deal with the maker through email, help centre and community.
Who should look elsewhere
- Console and handheld players: Scan lists console, handheld and controller, so a headset can sit in one order alongside consoles, handhelds and controllers.
- Shoppers on a budget: ALTERNATE lists console, handheld and controller, so a headset can be weighed against cheaper gaming gear in the same basket.
- Buyers who prefer one VR and gaming shop: XRshop lists vr headset, controller and gaming headset, pairing VR with controllers and gaming headsets.
Country by country
| Country | ALTERNATE | Bigscreen |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | No | Yes |
| Bulgaria | No | Yes |
| Canada | No | Yes |
| China | No | Yes |
| Croatia | No | Yes |
| Cyprus | No | Yes |
| Czechia | No | Yes |
| Estonia | No | Yes |
8 of 46 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
ALTERNATE
How long do I have to return something bought at ALTERNATE?+
You have 14 days from delivery to change your mind and send an item back. That is the standard withdrawal period and sits in the middle of this comparison rather than at the top. Keep the product in its original packaging and condition to keep the return straightforward.
What warranty comes with machines from ALTERNATE?+
Cover runs 2 years as standard across the range. Extended warranty is also available, which is worth adding on expensive gaming laptops and desktops. Fault cover and accidental damage are separate questions, so check the terms for the specific machine before you buy.
Bigscreen
How much does a Bigscreen VR headset cost?+
The headset lists at €1,249 as its entry price. That places Bigscreen at 45 of 47 brands on price from, and well above the VR headset median of €143.52. It is a hardware price paid at purchase, not a recurring plan.
Is the Bigscreen headset wireless?+
No. Wireless is listed as no, so the headset runs a cable back to the computer and works on pc only. In the wider VR ranking, 80% of brands are wireless, so a cabled headset is the less common setup and needs a planned cable route.