About Valve Index
Unlike fine wine, technology doesn't age well. Still, the Valve Index is the closest a VR headset has ever been to vintage. Despite its discontinuation, the Index remains a favorite among consumers and continues to be one of the ultimate VR headsets for gaming.
Resolution-wise, the Index is disappointing for a product over $700. Its tracking capabilities, on the other hand, explain why gamers love the product so much. The entire emphasis of the Index is put on elements that directly improve the smoothness of VR gaming experiences: Lighthouse 2.0 Tracking ensures tracking precision under two millimeters (RMS). A market-leading refresh rate of up to 144 Hz safeguards gamers, reducing potential nausea and motion sickness. An emphasis on ergonomic design allows players to endure long gaming sessions without discomfort.
Oh, and don't worry about that vintage comparison: the good news is that Valve Index is getting cheaper, and you can find many second-hand headsets well below $700. On the other hand, you also have to spot them, meaning buying the Index can be a challenge, especially if you reside in a non-urban area.
What We Love
Excellent tracking precision (under 2mm RMS)
This feature enhances your overall VR headset experience significantly.
Market-leading 144 Hz refresh rate
This feature enhances your overall VR headset experience significantly.
Ergonomic design for long sessions
This feature enhances your overall VR headset experience significantly.
Great for VR gaming
This feature enhances your overall VR headset experience significantly.
Considerations
Discontinued product
This is something to consider based on your specific use case and budget.
Lower resolution for the price
This is something to consider based on your specific use case and budget.
Requires external base stations
This is something to consider based on your specific use case and budget.
Can be hard to find
This is something to consider based on your specific use case and budget.
Our Verdict
One of the most reliable gaming VR headsets ever; it was discontinued, but that also means you can buy it for a bargain if you're lucky
Testing the Valve Index VR headset today, it's hard to believe it has been around since 2019. Back in the day, the Index was the device that proved to skeptical gamers that proper VR gaming was no longer a future dream. But how does it stand in 2026, over six years since it was first announced?
Valve Index Pros and Cons
You can still buy the Valve Index headset on some platforms, like Steam. The full kit is generally sold out.
The best things about the Valve Index
- Flawless VR gaming experience with 144 Hz refresh rate
- Probably the best controllers for VR gaming
- Crazy battery life (8 hours!)
- Valve customer support
The main disadvantages
- Discontinued by Valve in November 2025
- Requires a VR-ready PC
- No glasses spacer included
Testing Valve Index
The unique design of the Valve Index VR controllers.
How does the Valve Index rank for visual experience, comfort, hardware, and more? Find out everything below:
Visual Experience
Boasting 1440 x 1600 resolution in its RGB LCD panels, the Valve Index doesn't have the image quality of newer products such as the Pico 4 Ultra and the Pimax Crystal Super 8K, but they nail the spec that arguably impacts VR gamers the most: the refresh rate.
In simple terms, the refresh rate indicates how fast the displays change from one image to the other. This feature is key for VR gaming because, in addition to providing smooth visuals (no lags or visual artifacts), it also helps reduce the negative physical effects of prolonged VR viewing, such as eye strain and motion sickness.
Based on a paper released by the Jiaotong-Liverpool University, we now know that 120 Hz is the threshold at which VR sickness can be avoided . Only three major VR headsets have a refresh rate of at least 120 Hz: the Meta Quest 3S, the HTC Vive Pro 2, and the Valve Index, which pushes all the way to 144 Hz!
Comfort
Wearing the Valve Index is quite comfortable, at least once you configure the device. The Index's ergonomic build is reinforced by three adjustable areas, with the device including the rare option of aligning the lenses to the distance between your two pupils (known in the VR world as interpupillary distance, or IPD).
The guys at Valve did everything right, but maybe because they were among the first to develop a premium VR headset for gaming, they kind of forgot about… people who wear glasses. If you do, we recommend testing the device before buying it, as the product doesn't include the standard glasses spacer.
Hardware
While some people have complained about how their Valve Index can stop working after a year, we have nothing bad to say about the product's hardware, which looks well-built and adjusted to its initial price tag (close to $1k for the full kit). In addition, Valve's support is great, with clients claiming they received a new VR headset despite the one-year warranty being over.
The VR controllers, however, are the standout. Carefully built for a smooth VR gaming experience, they have a unique design that makes interaction more realistic.
Other Important Criteria
A few other things to keep in mind:
- Software: The Valve Index setup can take some time , but nothing too crazy. As a PC VR headset, the performance of the Index is directly connected to your computer's processing power.
- Audio quality: Built-in spatial audio with high-quality off-ear phones.
- Battery life: With roughly 8 hours of battery life, the Index didn't just beat the competition: it utterly smashed it!
Valve Index Review: Our Verdict
Despite being discontinued in November 2025, the Valve Index remains one of the best VR headsets for gaming, and the fact it's no longer available on the official stores can actually be a good thing, as it's now possible to buy the device on the second-hand market for under $500 .
Please keep in mind that the Valve Index is not a standalone VR headset. A VR-ready computer is required to configure and enjoy the device.