Steam Frame review: is Valve's headset worth it? Light, powerful… and a battery that tops out at an hour and a half
The first reviews landed the same day reservations opened. The verdict: a brilliant headset for people who already live in Steam, with catches a beginner will feel.
What the first reviews say
The first Steam Frame reviews went live on September 14, the same day Valve opened reservations, and Road to VR's followed on the 16th. That one sums up the general tone: the Frame is “a power-user's playground”, made by and for engineers, developers and invested Steam users willing to tinker with settings.
Weight, lenses and field of view
It weighs 440 grams according to Valve (Road to VR measured 435 g), about 15% less than a Quest 3 (515 g). It uses pancake lenses and 2160×2160 panels per eye, about 4.7 megapixels per eye. In Road to VR's measurement, the field of view is 103° diagonal, just under the Quest 3's 107°.
Out of the box it's already slightly more comfortable than a Quest 3. With the top strap from the ergonomic kit, sold separately, the difference is obvious.
Battery life is the weak spot
With mixed use it lasts between one and one and a half hours, less than a Quest 3. The box doesn't include a charger either: the official USB-C power supply is sold separately.
Standalone and PC streaming
Frame-certified games generally run well without a PC. Non-certified ones are hit or miss. Where the headset shines is streaming from a computer with the included wireless dongle: according to Road to VR, image quality and latency are virtually indistinguishable from a tethered headset, though the streaming software is still glitchy at launch, with games that won't start or close.
Eye tracking works without calibration, and Valve uses it for foveated streaming: more detail goes exactly where you're looking. Half-Life: Alyx is included, and Valve ported it to run natively on the headset, no PC needed.
What it costs in total
| Item | US price |
|---|---|
| Steam Frame 256 GB | $1,059 |
| Steam Frame 1 TB | $1,299 |
| Ergonomic kit (top strap) | $59 |
| USB-C power supply | $29 |
| Replacement kit | $49 |
The reservation lottery and what happens if you want one outside Valve's regions are in How much is the Steam Frame?, and the full comparison with Meta's headsets is in Steam Frame vs Quest 3 vs Quest 4.
Who is it worth it for?
If you already own a gaming PC and a big Steam library, it's the most interesting headset of the year. If it's your first headset, the Quest 3 or 3S are still simpler and much cheaper: here's which of the two to get.
And if you're not sure VR is your thing yet, the sensible move is to try it before spending over a thousand dollars. That's exactly what an arena like the one we're building in Ycuá Satí is for.
Quick answers
Is the Steam Frame worth it?
If you have a gaming PC and a Steam library, yes: it's light and wireless streaming is excellent. If you're starting out, the Quest 3 or 3S are simpler and cheaper.
How long does the Steam Frame battery last?
Between one and one and a half hours with mixed use, according to Road to VR's review.
How much does the Steam Frame weigh?
440 grams according to Valve (435 g per Road to VR), about 15% less than a Quest 3.
Does the Steam Frame need a PC?
No. It runs certified games on its own (and others, with mixed results), and it can also stream from a PC wirelessly with the included dongle.
Want to be among the first?
VR.one opens soon in Ycuá Satí, Asunción: a free-roam arena where you walk cable-free through huge worlds with your crew. The date is still under wraps — subscribe to the news and hear it first.
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