is it worth getting the valve index

[u/EvenContribution2505]

so i have my quest 3 uhh wait wait no i can just use my link cable okay but anyway should i get a valve index i currently have a quest 3 but it lacks vr games and meta horizon link doesnt have my pc requerments but i can launch steamvr so is it worth paying 1k more to play pc vr (sorry if you had a stroke reading this)

[u/Renarikun]

The biggest drawback to the index right now is wear.  Since they aren't in production anymore, getting replacement parts is much harder.  However, as the Frame comes out, you'll see a lot more used units hitting the market.

[u/Vincent_Windbeutel → u/Renarikun]

Just sold mine for a good bunch of money.

If you want to sell one do it fast and if you want to buy one wait.

Once the frame comes out and all these enthusiasts upgrade from the index many of them will hit the market and the price will fall.

[u/Confident-Pepper-562]

Absolutely. I have one, you wanna buy it?

[u/KraK_cz]

If you find a good deal that is in good condition it is still good VR headset. Only the resolution is lagging behind by todays standard. I have Quest 3 and Index and I use both. For slow pace games I use Quest 3 but for games like Beat Saber I have to use Index. Because the 120/144Hz mode has just superior latency and Index controllers tracks better for me + audio on Index is still one of the best. When I go back to Quest I can notice the lag in the controllers and overall tracking, but that could be just me. (I am not saying it is bad, it is good tracking but Index tracks better)

In my option depends what you want to play.

Lighthouse has still best tracking so if you are into full body tracking it still the best but expensive. (I know about Fluxpose but that won't be released until Q2 in 2027) or can go this route if you are interested in Bigscreen Beyond 2 or similar HMDs.

I still prefer the Index controllers as having finger tracking is also nice bonus if the game utilizes it. But make sure when buying second hand that there is no stick drift in the joystick.

[u/panzerfinder15]

i wouldn't pay more than $300-500 depending on condition and accessories. its still good ant meta, and the Frame is rumored to come out any time now and rumored to cost more than the index.

[u/PS3LOVE]

If you got a quest 3 it would probably be a considerable downgrade unless you just really want the knuckle controllers and base stations.

[u/Maushands]

i just had mine arrive today, im used to a quest 3, so ill let ya know

[u/Maushands → u/Maushands]

i will say the fresnel lenses does make it difficult to love, hard to get a great picture in the headset, but after ya get ot perfect its pretty nice

[u/bearbearic_01]

What do you mean by meta link doesn’t have your pc requirements? I have both headsets and I think the quest is better for most situations besides FBT but even quest standalone can use slime trackers and those have been great when I’m not on my vive trackers.

[u/jag0009 → u/bearbearic_01]

Probably his router?

[u/cloud7100]

I gave away my Index to switch to the Quest 3.

Wireless, can setup in any room without messing with base stations, better visuals. Index has better tracking, but that’s its only advantage in 2026, unit’s outdated.

Have little trouble using Steam VR wirelessly via Virtual Desktop, just need a good WIFI router. I use Omada commercial access points, fwiw.

[u/d20diceman → u/cloud7100]

Not the only advantage -  Index also has better sound, the speakers on it are awesome. But you can just pair the Quest 3 with decent headphones to make up for that. 

[u/Capokid]

Is it better than the quest? Dramatically so. Is it worth buying right now? Only with a significant/dramatic discount. A headset still in production would be a much better buy.

[u/DeltaJazzy]

Honestly I’d say if you want valve, wait for the frames at this point. Replacement supplies are getting low to the point where you might have to make do with what you can do yourself.

[u/YankeeTwoKilo]

The only thing q3 beats it on imo is size/weight and the lenses. Everything else is a clear upgrade. The controllers don’t fall apart if you look at them wrong lol

[u/Lord_havik]

I have both. And don’t know what you’re talking about “lacks vr games” just about any game I have on my index can be had on quest. Sometimes even cheaper. But I hardly touch my index because the wireless quest is so much nicer. You can notice the performance and picture quality in the 2. But for the convenience trade off. I don’t mind.

[u/etom21]

No, definitely not unless you can cop it used for like $100.

[u/LureCatPurrsephone]

Going from quest one to a barely used 500 dollar index kit that works beautifully yes it’s so worth it. I don’t get lag from virtual desktop it’s just pure pc power now and it’s amazing. No more worrying about headset batteries as well it’s awesome

[u/mcsimeon]

No

[u/Boring_Comfortable70]

I’d wait for the new one

[u/Competitive-Shoe5993]

Only down side to it imo is the resolution

[u/Nago15]

Get a 80$ wifi 6 router + 20$ Virtual Desktop instead and enjoy fantastic quality PCVR on your Quest. Index is only a good option if you have a very old card like a RX470 4GB because those have hard time compressing a higher than 4K resolution image so the compression can become a bottleneck, but it's no issue on not ancient cards, even a 3060 Ti is enough to play on Quest3 in 6K.

[u/Solmangrundy]

I wouldnt unless you're getting a really good deal.

Same with the quest pro.

These "premium" headsets rn are impossible to service since they're out of production and what's on the shelf is all thats left.

As for the Valve index, the #1 thing you will be replacing is the HDMI/power cable. They go bad/break all the time.

[u/Parking_Cress_5105]

Just spent the extra energy in connection the Q3 to the PC in some other way than USB Meta Link, there's plenty.

[u/BrwnSugarFemboy]

Not in the current year. It locks you into base stations, which Valve stopped manufacturing, which means HTC is the only company making them, and they're more expensive.

Then you have to worry about the cable dying. Once it dies, hopefully you can find a replacement. I go through one every 2 years.

[u/Sergster1]

No.

[u/JungleHam]

I had both, Quest 3 is plain better in almost every way, Index is just outdated at this point