Valve Index

Still one of the best Steam VR hardware platforms

At CNET, we’ve had experience reviewing the VR/AR industry since the arrival of the original Oculus Rift prototypes. We’ve covered nearly every big moment in the industry for well over a decade and have tried demos of every headset we could get our hands on, as well as reviewing all the biggest products in the marketplace. Our comparative understanding of the landscape, and also what’s coming, lets us value the present in terms of the future.

Like

• High-res display
• Great self-contained gaming experience
• Doubles as PC VR headset
• Works well with a handful of fitness apps

Don’t like

• Only 2 to 3 hours of battery life
• Not designed for younger kids

The Quest 2 is still the most affordable and versatile VR headset of the moment. It doesn’t require a gaming console or PC (although you need to pair it with a phone to set it up). The newly announced Quest 3 looks like the better product, however, although it costs more ($500) and we haven’t reviewed it yet.

Meta will support the Quest 2 with future software right now, but the Quest 3’s more advanced processor will make it more future-proof. For that reason alone, the Quest 3 looks to be worth the extra money. But for those who want an affordable option for families, the Quest 2 remains an excellent pick.

The base model’s 128GB of storage is plenty for storing dozens of games and apps, although keep in mind there’s no way to add more storage after purchase. Meta also now allows accounts to bypass Facebook logins, although a new Meta account is still required. Meta has also added better parental controls for younger players.

The Quest 2 reminds me of the Nintendo Switch for its versatility and fun, and it has a growing library of surprisingly effective fitness apps. The Quest 2 can also connect with a PC to run more advanced apps from Steam or Meta’s own app library, using a single USB-C cable or wirelessly.

Read our Meta Quest 2 review.

Like

• Vivid, high-res OLED display
• Comfortable fit
• Excellent controllers
• Realistic vibrations
• Powerful graphics potential

Don’t like

• Expensive
• Needs to be cabled to PS5
• Included earbuds are just OK
• Doesn’t work with old PSVR games
• Game library needs more exclusives

The PSVR 2 is expensive ($550), and needs a PlayStation 5 to even work. It’s tethered, not wireless. However, its HDR OLED display, graphics quality, built-in eye tracking and fantastic advanced controllers — which have the same vibrations and adaptive force-feedback triggers as the PS5 DualSense controllers — give this headset a premium feel that makes its best games perform at a different level. It could be a landing spot for top PC VR games, but right now it already has some exclusives like Gran Turismo 7, Resident Evil Village and Horizon: Call of the Mountain.

The PSVR 2 lacks any social metaverse-type software so far and feels more like a headset designed to just launch and play VR games. Many of the games for this headset are ports of titles you could get on devices like the Quest 2 instead. As more games roll out that are optimized for this hardware, however, the PSVR 2 could quickly stand out from the standalone VR pack. You might want to wait and see what happens, unless you’re ready to jump in and trust Sony now.

Read our PlayStation VR 2 review.

Like

• Higher-res display
• Wider field of view
• Great audio

Don’t like

• Controllers feel cheap
• No headphone jack

If your idea of the best VR headset is to have the best image quality in consumer VR, HP’s Reverb G2 wins. For serious gamers (or VR racing sim fans), it’s probably your best choice. The 2,160×2,160-per-eye resolution and 114-degree field of view are the best at this price range, and the lightweight, comfy headset also has fantastic dropdown speakers designed by Valve. It’s technically a Microsoft Windows mixed reality headset that prefers to launch into Microsoft’s native Windows 10 VR ecosystem, but it bridges with Steam VR and works with those games and apps, too. Built-in camera-based room tracking is easier to set up than the Valve Index’s external base stations but is more prone to tracking errors. The included controllers, based on Microsoft’s VR controller design, feel clunkier than either the Quest 2 controllers or the Valve Index controllers. Also, the over-ear speakers are your only audio choice; there’s no headphone jack.

It lists for $599, but it’s often on sale for less.

Read our HP Reverb G2 review.

Like

• Excellent SteamVR compatibility
• Good audio
• Innovative controllers

Don’t like

• Requires external room sensors for tracking
• Display resolution lags behind current headsets

Valve’s headset isn’t as cutting-edge as it was when it debuted in 2020, but its Steam VR and Vive hardware compatibility, its excellent audio and fancy controllers still make it hardware worth considering. Valve’s “knuckle” controllers are pressure-sensitive and can track all five fingers, making them almost like gloves. Not all apps make the most of them, but Valve’s hardware is mix-and-match compatible with the HTC Vive, which also is built on the Steam VR platform. The Index headset has excellent audio, but its display resolution is no longer as good as competitors’. 

The Index also needs external “lighthouse” boxes similar to the HTC Vive for tracking, meaning you need to set those up in a room first. It’s not as self-contained as the Quest 2 or HP Reverb G2, which can track the room with in-headset cameras. It’s also definitely not wireless, but if you already have some older HTC Vive hardware, you could add on parts of the Index to mix and match. It feels like this hardware could be due for an upgrade sooner than later.

Read our Valve Index review.

What should I look for in a VR headset?

It depends, really, on whether you’re connecting to a PC or not… and whether you plan to do work with it. There are plenty of Windows-compatible headsets, but they vary in display resolution. Higher is better, and so is a larger field of view. Headsets can refresh at up to 120Hz now, and the faster they refresh, the more natural and smooth VR movement feels. 

Most PC VR headsets have similar controller designs and can bridge to work tools and apps. For portability or standalone comfort, the Quest 2 doesn’t have much competition right now. For gamers with a PlayStation 5, the PSVR 2 is the best option. Also, consider the app libraries: The Quest has a lot of exclusive games, Windows-connected headsets have lots of compatibility with work apps and experimental tools. The PSVR 2 has its own library of games that aren’t backward-compatible with original PSVR games.

How do I care for my VR headset?

VR headsets can get dusty and grimy. Take extra care with the lenses, which should be cleaned gently with microfiber cloths the same way you’d treat glasses (but don’t use liquid cleaners). A slightly damp paper towel (just wet with a bit of water) can help clean off exteriors. It’s a good idea to invest in a case or bag to protect the headset from dust, and keep your headset covered when not in use. 

Take extra care not to expose your VR headset to bright sunlight: The sun can damage VR displays if beams hit the lenses of the headset. To be safe, I keep mine in cases, turn the lenses away from windows, and cover them with an old t-shirt or towel if I don’t have a case.

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