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Valve Index Review

This solid VR headset provides excellent performance and ease of use without high GPU demands
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Valve Index Review (We like the Valve Index for its solid performance and convenient fit.)
We like the Valve Index for its solid performance and convenient fit.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Price:  $999 List
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Manufacturer:   Valve
By Austin Palmer and Adam Stout  ⋅  Oct 16, 2023
86
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 5
  • Tracking - 35% 9.8
  • Comfort - 30% 7.4
  • Visuals - 15% 8.0
  • User Friendliness - 15% 9.8
  • Ease of Setup - 5% 6.5

Our Verdict

The Valve Index is one of our top recommendations for those in the market for a solid VR rig thanks to its excellent overall performance and low PC requirements. However, someone just looking to get their feet wet in VR and those demanding more impressive visual quality will have plenty of other options to find in our best VR headsets review.
REASONS TO BUY
Doesn't require ultra powerful GPU
Excellent tracking
Good value
REASONS TO AVOID
Needs external sensors
Must buy controllers and sensors separately
Poor glasses compatibility

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valve index
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Valve Index
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 Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall/Stand Alone
Top Pick Award
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Price $999 List$550 List
$549.99 at Amazon
$500 List
$379.99 at Amazon
$3,699 List$799 List
$607.44 at Amazon
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Bottom Line A solid and high-performing VR headset that doesn't require a top-shelf GPUThis great value headset should excite PS5 players looking for upgraded VR immersionOne of the best standalone headsets on the VR market represents evolutionary improvements on the Quest 2 at a reasonable priceA sharp innovative (and expensive) display geared more toward browsing, work, and movie watching than gamingThis headset will appeal to users with glasses or who require top-notch tracking precision
Rating Categories Valve Index PlayStation VR2 Meta Quest 3 Apple Vision Pro Vive Pro 2 Headset
Tracking (35%)
9.8
8.8
8.4
7.0
9.7
Comfort (30%)
7.4
7.7
7.7
7.1
5.2
Visuals (15%)
8.0
9.0
8.5
9.0
8.4
User Friendliness (15%)
9.8
8.6
8.2
7.1
6.0
Ease of Setup (5%)
6.5
9.0
9.5
9.5
6.5
Specs Valve Index PlayStation VR2 Meta Quest 3 Apple Vision Pro Vive Pro 2 Headset
Measured Weight 1.86 lbs 1.31 lbs 1.13 lbs 1.37 lbs 1.94 lbs
Tracking type External Sensors Built-in Cameras Built-in Cameras Built-in Cameras External Sensors
Per Eye Manufacturer Resolution 1440 x 1600 2000 x 2040 2064 x 2208 3660 x 3200 2448 x 2448
IPD Adjustment Mechanical IPD: 58 - 70mm Mechanical IPD: 57 - 73mm
*Rough measurement
Mechanical IPD: 53 - 75mm Automatic IPD: 51 - 75mm Mechanical IPD: 57 - 70mm
Measured Horizontal Field of View 110º N/A 100º 95º 110º
Measured Vertical Field of View (Up) 40º N/A 35º 25º 32º
Measured Vertical Field of View (Down) 45º N/A 45º 35º 32º
Manufacturer Field of View Optimized eye relief adjustment allows a typical user experience 20º more than the HTC Vive 110º 110º N/A Up to 120º
Manufacturer Refresh Rate 80, 90, 120, 144 Hz 90, 120 Hz 72, 80, 90, 120Hz 90, 96, 100Hz 90, 120 Hz
(only 90Hz supported via VIVE Wireless Adapter)
Sound Built-in, 37.5mm off-ear 3.5 mm port, included earbuds
Bluetooth connected via the Console
Built-in headband
3.5 mm audio port optional
Built-in headband Built-in, on or off-ear
Connection Type to PC - DisplayPort 1.2
  • USB 3.0
- USB-C Stand alone
(Optional PC Connection: Meta Quest Link Cable and Air Link )
Wifi with a 3rd party workaround - DIsplayPort (DP to mini-DP adapter included)
  • USB 3.0
Room For Glasses Below average Excellent Average No Above Average
Manufacturer Minimum PC Specs OS: Windows 10
Processor: Dual Core with Hyper-Threading
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Additional Notes: Available DisplayPort (Version 1.2) and USB (2.0+) Port Required
N/A Uses PS5 Optional Link Cable Setup
OS: Windows 10 / Windows 11
Processor: Intel i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or greater
Memory: 8GB+ RAM
USB Port: 1 USB Port
N/A OS: Windows 11 / Windows 10
Processor: Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD Ryzen 1500 equivalent or greater
Memory: 8 GB RAM or more
Video Out: DisplayPort 1.2 or higher. DisplayPort 1.4 or higher with DSC is required for Full Resolution mode.
Manufacturer Minimum GPU NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970, AMD RX480 N/A Uses PS5 Optional Link Cable Setup Supported GPUs:
NVIDIA Titan X, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Desktop 6GB, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070(all), NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080(all), NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Super, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 TI, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20-series (all), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30-series
Please Note: NVIDIA 3050 (laptop) and 3050ti GPUs are not recommended for use with Link.

AMD 400 Series, AMD 500 Series, AMD 5000 Series, AMD 6000 Series, AMD Vega Series
Please note: the Radeon RX 6500 is not recommended for use with Link.
N/A NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 480 equivalent or greater. (Not full resolution)
Manufacturer Recommended PC Specs Processor: Quad Core +
Additional Notes: Available USB (3.0+) Port Required for Headset Pass-Through Camera & USB Port Support
N/A Uses PS5 Optional Link Cable Setup
OS: Windows 10 / Windows 11
Processor: Intel i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or greater
Memory: 8GB+ RAM
USB Port: 1 USB Port
N/A Better than Minimum Specs
Manufacturer Recommended GPU NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or better N/A Uses PS5 Optional Link Cable Setup
Nvidia RTX 20 Series, AMD Radeon RX 6000 Series, or greater
N/A GeForce RTX 20 Series (Turing) or AMD Radeon 5000 (Navi) generations or newer required for Full Resolution mode.
Hardware Platform Needed PC PS5 (PlayStation 5) Stand alone
(optional tether to VR ready PC)
Stand alone PC

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Valve Index's is one of our old favorite headsets. Through the years, its excellent design and solid performance have kept this model relevant. What was once a premium VR option reserved for absolute enthusiasts still holds the line today as a great value, thanks to its superior tracking, large field of view, impressive refresh rate, and comparatively low PC power demands.

Performance Comparison


The Valve Index is the easiest VR headset to put on and take off.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Tracking


Our tracking metric measures the responsiveness and accuracy of headsets and motion controllers in VR games and experiences. VR kits paired with external sensor units tend to outperform those with headset-integrated sensors, and that's certainly the case here. The Valve Index, with its two external sensors, took top honors in tracking, demonstrating exceptional accuracy and consistency in our go-to test games, Beat Saber and Half-Life Alyx.


Tracking in Beat Saber was flawless in both standard and 360-degree songs. Wild hand flailing, controller behind-the-back shenanigans; nothing we did could trip up the Index's tracking in this game, so we'd highly recommend it if you want to be competitive in rhythm-based VR titles. The same goes for Half-Life Alyx. Tracking performance was excellent, ensuring total and reliable accuracy as we ducked and blasted our way past our alien overlords.

The Valve Index brings flawless tracking to Beat Saber.
Credit: Austin Palmer

Comfort


In these tests, we weigh in on the material and design aspects that contribute to or detract from the headset's overall comfort level when in use. We found the comfort level of the Valve Index to be pretty average among headsets we've tested.


It weighs in at a solid 1 pound 13.5 ounces with the tether cable running down the left side. The Index is well-balanced, with a slight front heft if you're paying attention to it. The face mask is nice and comfortable, and we only had issues with the visor moving around our faces if we shook the headset vigorously.

valve index - the index is average in comfort and below average if you wear need...
The Index is average in comfort and below average if you wear need to wear it with glasses.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Heat and sweatiness during activity add up to another average score for the Index. It's not substantially hotter than other headsets, but the visor itself does heat up and seems to radiate heat through the nose area rather than to the forehead. Where the Index really falls short in comfort, though, is its abysmal accommodation for eyeglasses. We were able to squeeze our specs into the visor, but the fit was so tight, with so many hotspots and so much nose bridge pressure, that we wouldn't recommend this one to anyone who plans to use it with glasses.

Visuals


In our visuals tests we explore the headset's clarity and field of view (FOV), which can make or break VR immersion. The Valve Index falls short here, with a screen resolution of 1440 x 1600 pixels per eye. That's lower than most current-generation VR headsets, but resolution isn't the whole show, so we put the Index through its paces in our trusty visual test apps: Beat Saber, Half-Life Alyx, and Realovirtual Workshop.


Valve lists the Index's FOV at 110 degrees, and we matched that in our horizontal Realovirtual Workshop test. Vertical FOV came in around 45 degrees for us, but keep in mind that face shape and eye socket depth can play a huge part in how far a person can see peripherally in a VR headset. In practice, the Index had the best FOV of all headsets tested, redeeming it for its lower resolution, and we also appreciate its linear (57mm-73mm) mechanical interpupillary distance (IPD) slider to dial in perfect eye alignment with the lenses.

valve index - the index has an extra-wide field of view and does a great job of...
The Index has an extra-wide field of view and does a great job of keeping out ambient light.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The Index's middling resolution comes into play in our testing with Beat Saber and Half-Life Alyx. We experienced a noticeable screen door effect (SDE) in both. SDE occurs when the human eye can see pixels and the spaces between them when extremely close to a video screen. It looks a lot like peering through a mesh screen, and it's present in most current VR headsets to varying degrees. SDE can diminish VR immersion initially, but it tends to fade from the mind as things get going and your focus shifts to the in-game action. A wide FOV balances the SDE out for adequate immersion in the case of the Valve Index. Another thing going for the Index is how reliably smooth it runs, offering refresh rates of 80, 90, 120, and up to a class-leading 144hz if you have GPU power.

User Friendliness


Our daily use metric rates VR headsets on the user experience of putting them on, entering VR, and the convenience of fine-tuning the fit. Here again, the Valve Index reigns supreme with the best-in-class head strap system and other nice touches.


Initial headset fitting is among the easiest of all the units we tested. Just hold the facemask up to your face and look in, pull the top strap snug to secure the vertical position, then turn the knob on the back of the strap to dial in the tension around your head. After that, taking the headset on and off is effortless thanks to a spring-like elasticity that lets you temporarily expand the fit by pulling the visor and back pad apart. You should only have to repeat those initial steps if you share with other players, and if you do, fit setup is just as easy every time.

valve index - the index is a great all-around vr headset with excellent...
The Index is a great all-around VR headset with excellent performance and lower GPU demands than many.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The over-ear headphones on the Index can be rotated 90° out of the way when not in use, and didn't impede taking the headset on or off even when they were in the down position. They sound good, although airier than earbuds, with no sound isolation. The built-in dual microphone array was also nice — crisp and clear sounding.

Ease of Setup


We put on each headset and played a myriad of games to examine our experience with each headset's initial setup process and additional hardware and PC requirements. VR kits requiring us to set up external sensor units score lower in this metric, and that goes for the Valve Index.


The setup starts with a fresh SteamVR installation and a Steam account sign-up or log-in. Next, you'll prepare your play area, ensuring it's hazard-free, then go through the motions of setting up at least two sensor units (Base Stations), motion controllers, and the headset.

valve index - pc-tethered headsets with external sensors are more tedious to set...
PC-tethered headsets with external sensors are more tedious to set up than headsets with integrated sensor cameras, but offer superior tracking.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

VR boundary setup is pretty straightforward for the Index. With the Index, instead of having to carry a cable around with you during use, it simply requires you to stand in the center of your play area, aim the controller at your computer monitor, and pull the trigger. Then, you carve out the area that you'll be using with one controller. Finally, the user will place both controllers on the floor to register the floor level, and you're ready to play.

The minimum PC requirements for the Index are a dual-core processor with hyper-threading, 8GB RAM, and a Geforce GTX 970 or better graphics card. The Index can run on Windows 10 and 11, SteamOS, and Linux.

Should You Buy the Valve Index?


If you value excellent motion-tracking and reliable performance and don't mind sacrificing a bit of screen resolution, the Valve Index will serve you well. It's the cheapest external sensor setup by a long shot and a great value. However, if you'd prefer better visuals or a less complicated wireless sensor setup, you'll have plenty of options at both ends of the price/performance spectrum.

valve index - the valve index is a sleek and cleverly designed vr headset with...
The Valve Index is a sleek and cleverly designed VR headset with solid performance and value.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

What Other VR Headset Should You Consider?


If you want the best visuals available, don't want to mess with external sensors, and don't need the most responsive tracking, check out the excellent Apple Vision Pro. If you require cutting-edge visual immersion and flawless tracking, check out the premium but spendy Valve Index, which uses external sensors to provide a top-notch and fast-paced gaming experience. See our top-ranked vr headsets to find your perfect fit.

Austin Palmer and Adam Stout