Valve’s Index headset was a market chief amongst PC VR headsets for years, however is it nonetheless value shopping for in 2025 now that it’s practically six years previous? Learn on for our no-nonsense advice.
Valve Index is Not Price Shopping for in 2025
As somebody who used Valve Index as my each day driver for PC VR for years , I can safely say that this 2019 headset is now not value shopping for in 2025 for its ‘full package’ value of $1,000. Though it nonetheless has some options which can be nonetheless unmatched by different choices (like its wonderful headphones)—its value, complexity, dimension, and getting older specs imply I wouldn’t suggest it for most individuals.
For the common particular person in search of a high-quality PC VR expertise, Quest 3 will get my advice because of its mixture of value, ease-of-use, and visible high quality.
Quest 3 has one of the best lenses available on the market when it comes to readability and candy spot, a considerably increased decision than Index, and high quality inside-out monitoring (which suggests you don’t must arrange exterior monitoring beacons such as you’d must with Index). Simply be sure you add a greater headstrap than what comes within the field, just like the ANNAPRO Battery Head Strap, which not solely makes the headset extra snug but additionally has an on-board battery for counterbalancing the headset and lengthening your play classes.
As a bonus, you don’t even want a tether when utilizing Quest 3 for PC VR. Valve’s personal Steam Hyperlink app on Quest 3 makes taking part in SteamVR video games wirelessly a breeze. Steam Hyperlink skips the intermediary of Meta’s Quest Hyperlink and takes you straight into your SteamVR library. Plus you’re getting an entire standalone headset with Quest 3; for video games the place graphics aren’t necessary, taking part in the standalone model on Quest 3 is much more handy and transportable.
Word: In the event you go the Quest 3 route, having a correct community setup is important for a top quality wi-fi VR expertise.
Make sure that your gaming PC is immediately related to your router through ethernet. Your router must be at the least Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), however ideally Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax). In the event you’re upgrading an older router to ensure yours is prepared for wi-fi VR, that is our advice. Ideally your router also needs to be in the identical room the place you’re gaming, however so long as it’s a room or two away, you need to be high quality.
