If you’re a PC gamer, of course, you’ll need a VR headset that works well with Steam and all of the games it has to offer.
Essentially, you need a VR headset that works and is fully compatible with SteamVR tracking.
SteamVR can be installed through Steam and it’s the software that you’ll use to run all VR games in your Steam library.
Quick Summary
In this post, we will discuss the following:
- Our top picks for the best VR headsets that work with Steam:
- Some frequently asked questions (FAQs)
So without further ado, let’s get into it.
Best VR Headsets That Work With Steam
Our expert team wanted to find out what the best options were when it came to VR headsets that work with Steam. Hence, we tested the most popular options and compared them using a variety of factors, including:
- Price
- Compatibility
- Design
- Comfort
- User-friendliness
- Accessibility
- Accessories
- Build quality
Here are our top picks:
Best All-Around VR Headset That Works With Steam – Valve Index
Steam is Valve’s product. So, of course, Valve’s VR headset is what will work best with it.
However, this isn’t just our top pick because of compatibility. The Valve Index is simply just an amazing piece of tech when it comes to VR. It’s certainly one of the top-tier VR headsets that you can currently get from the market.
It’s not exactly an affordable choice but the price is definitely worth it.
The VR tracking is highly sophisticated and the headset provides a highly premium feel as soon as you pick it up. The controllers are highly ergonomic and have a variety of inputs that allow you to interact with virtual spaces in an intimate way.
The controllers not only provide you with a variety of inputs but they are also extremely intuitive to use as well. You can give them to a non-gamer and even they’ll be able to pick up on how to use them within minutes.
In addition to advanced SteamVR tracking, you get a 1440 x 1600 display resolution per eye for a super-detailed and sharp visual experience. It boasts a refresh rate of 144 Hz as well as a wide 130-degree field of view.
The wide field of view is something that most of its competitors do not have and it’s definitely something that gives the Valve Index an edge.
If you’d like to really test out its limits and the potential that VR truly has to offer, try playing Half-Life: Alyx on it.
Best High-End VR Headset That Works With Steam – HTC Vive Pro 2
HTC was already considered one of the forerunners in VR tech with their Vive Pro headset. This is the next iteration of it and it definitely lives up to the name of its predecessor.
The HTC Vive Pro 2 comes with an unparalleled resolution of 2448 x 2448 per eye. That’s 5K resolution which is something that is not even utilized by most VR games currently.
However, it’s a VR headset that’s ahead of its time. This means that once VR games do get to this point, gamers with other VR headsets will be scrambling to buy new ones. Meanwhile, you’ll just be relaxing at home, enjoying the newest VR titles on the market.
Its specifications really are off the charts.
The refresh rate is a hefty 120 Hz with a field-of-view of 120 degrees. This is wide enough to ensure you don’t have to move your head around too much to take in all of your environment.
The field-of-view is also good enough to ensure that you won’t have any nausea or motion sickness issues since it’s quite close to the actual field-of-view of human vision.
The comfortable padding also ensures that you’re not fatigued while you play and it really feels like you’re barely wearing anything while your game in VR.
The padding, as well as the size of the headset, is adjustable to ensure you can securely wear it without it being too uncomfortable. The build quality is also incredibly satisfying with it being made from high-quality materials that feel smooth to the touch.
Best Mixed Reality Headset That Works With Steam – Samsung HMD Odyssey+
The Samsung HMD Odyssey+ is a highly sophisticated piece of tech and a step forward in VR. It’s a highly polished VR headset, both in terms of its build quality as well as its functionality.
First of all, it comes with a 3K AMOLED display which allows you to take in the crisp visuals of your virtual space with ease. VR is all about immersion and the stunning visuals you’ll get to experience with this headset really are unmatched.
In addition to the visuals being crisp, you also get built-in AKG headphones that offer clear audio to elevate your VR experience to the next level.
As you can probably tell from the images, the Odyssey+ headset features a very sleek and polished design that is very pretty to look at. Additionally, the headset is also built very well to ensure it lasts you a long time.
The internal padding is comfortable but also well-spaced.
This ensures that you don’t get hot inside the headset over the course of longer VR sessions. The insides are also quite adjustable to ensure that they can easily accommodate people with larger heads or people that wear glasses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What VR Headsets Work with Steam?
There are many VR headsets that work with Steam such as:
- Valve Index
- HTC Vive Pro 2
- Samsung HMD Odyssey+
- Oculus Rift
- Oculus Rift S
- HP Reverb G2
- Pimax 5K Super
And more.
You can even run the Meta Quest 2 with SteamVR but it requires third-party software.
What is SteamVR?
SteamVR is the software that utilizes your VR headset to work with SteamVR tracking to ensure your VR apps and games work properly.
You can install SteamVR on your PC through Steam.
What Specifications Should My PC Have to Run VR?
CPU: Intel i5-4590 or better.
GPU: NVIDIA GTX 970/AMD R9 290 or better.
RAM: 8GB or more.
Compatible HDMI 1.3 video output port.
USB Ports: 3 USB 3.0 ports and 1 USB 2.0 port
OS: Windows 7 (64-bit) or newer.
How Long Should I Play VR?
VR can put a lot of strain on your eyes if you play it for a long time. We recommend playing VR for a maximum of half an hour with 15-minute breaks in between.
Do I Need SteamVR on My PC to Play VR?
It depends on your VR headset. Some headsets require SteamVR to function properly whereas others can work fine without it.
To check if your VR headset requires SteamVR, read its instruction manual or look it up online.
Conclusion
There are a ton of options in the market when it comes to VR headsets that work well with Steam.
However, they can be fairly expensive which is why it’s important to do your research and buy the one that properly fulfills your needs.
Which VR headset do you use with Steam? Tell us what your experience is like in the comments section below.