Valve Index

Overview

The Valve Index is Valve's first own-brand VR headset. It launched on June 28, 2019. The full kit cost $999 and included the headset, two Valve Index Controllers and two SteamVR 2.0 base stations. For years it was a reference PC VR headset, known for its high refresh rate and its controllers.

In October 2026, Valve confirmed that the Index is no longer in production. Remaining headsets and spare parts are on sale at a discount while stock lasts, and the full kit is no longer offered. Valve says existing headsets stay supported on Steam and SteamVR. Valve's newer headset is the standalone Steam Frame.

Display and optics

Each eye has a 1440 × 1600 LCD panel with full RGB subpixels, which avoids the screen-door pattern of some older displays. The panels run at 80, 90, 120 or 144 Hz, and 144 Hz was rare for a consumer headset in 2019. The optics use a dual-element, canted lens design. A physical slider adjusts lens spacing from 58 to 70 mm, and a separate dial changes eye relief, which affects how much of the field of view you see. Valve never published an official field-of-view figure.

Comfort and design

The headset weighs about 809 g and connects to the PC with a tether that carries video and USB. Its off-ear speakers sit just beside the ears without touching them, and many owners value them for comfort and sound. A rear cradle and a top strap spread the weight.

Tracking and controllers

The Index uses SteamVR Tracking (Lighthouse). Base stations on the walls sweep the room with lasers, and sensors on the headset and controllers time those sweeps. This gives precise tracking but needs setup in each room. The Valve Index Controllers strap to the hand, so you can let go of them, and they sense each finger and how hard you grip. Two front cameras support a basic color passthrough view.

Software and apps

The Index plays games from SteamVR, including Half-Life: Alyx, which Valve gave to Index owners when the game launched in 2020. Because SteamVR Tracking is an open ecosystem, Index controllers and base stations also work with other base-station headsets such as the Bigscreen Beyond 2.

Who it is for

The Index suits PC players who want precise base-station tracking and finger-tracking controllers, and who have a fixed play space. Its lenses and LCD panels are showing their age next to pancake lenses and micro-OLED displays. Now that production has ended, it mostly matters for existing owners and buyers of remaining stock or spare parts.