Valve has officially ended production of its Index VR headset, closing out a PC gaming device that debuted in 2019. Remaining headsets and selected replacement parts are discounted by 20% while supplies last. The move follows the arrival of Valve’s newer Steam Frame, but the Index remains supported through Steam and SteamVR.
Key takeaways
- The Index headset is now $399.20, down from $499.
- Selected replacement parts are also discounted, but availability varies by region.
- The headset listing is not a complete VR kit: controllers and SteamVR base stations may need to be sourced separately.
- Valve says support for existing Index hardware will continue.
Remaining Index stock is on sale
Valve’s Steam store now says the Index is no longer being produced and that remaining headsets, controllers and accessories are available only while supplies last. The headset’s 20% reduction brings its price to $399.20. In the US, Valve has also listed a replacement left controller for $119.20 and a tether for $103.20; inventory and parts offered differ by region.
The old full-kit bundle is no longer available. Buyers should check what is included before ordering: an Index setup requires controllers and SteamVR Lighthouse base stations, which are not included with the discounted headset listing. One base station can support seated or stationary use, while room-scale play generally calls for two. Existing Vive base stations are compatible, but buyers may need to find hardware through other retailers.
Index support is continuing
Discontinued production does not mean the Index is losing software or customer support. Valve says the headset will remain supported on Steam and SteamVR, and existing owners can continue using their hardware. The sale may therefore appeal most to Index users seeking replacement parts or a spare headset, particularly if they already own the tracking equipment and controllers.
For newcomers, the $399.20 price is only a starting point. Assembling a working system can cost substantially more once the required accessories are accounted for, and the Lighthouse setup involves more installation than camera-based inside-out tracking.
Steam Frame marks a different direction
The Index launched in 2019 as a tethered PC VR system, known for its high refresh rate, tracked controllers and off-ear speakers. Steam Frame, Valve’s newer headset, takes a different approach with standalone operation and wireless streaming from a gaming PC. It uses inside-out tracking rather than the Index’s Lighthouse system, so Index base stations cannot simply be carried over.
Steam Frame reservations opened at prices of $1,059 for the 256GB model and $1,299 for the 1TB model. With the Index now out of production, buyers choosing between Valve headsets are weighing a discounted but accessory-dependent wired system against a newer, more versatile platform.