Part Steam Deck, part VR headset and, yes, it plays Half-Life Alyx. Here’s everything I’ve discovered so far.
Read more about the Valve Steam Frame on CNET.com:
Steam Frame, Reviewed: Valve’s Ambitious VR Headset Feels Like an Experiment in Progress
Timecode Chapters:
0:00 Valve Steam Frame
0:33 A Portable Steam Deck For Your Face
0:57 Design
1:17 Ergonomic Pack
1:47 A Challenge for Glasses Wearers
2:19 Viewing Experience
3:09 Foveated Streaming
3:41 Standalone Features
4:11 VR and Processor
5:11 Half-Life: Alyx
5:54 Controller Covered in Sensors
6:43 Pass-Through Cameras
7:28 Modular Design
8:00 Linux and Customizability
8:18 Not All Games Will Work
8:50 How Is It As A Steam Deck
10:13 Early Products and Valve
11:00 Expect More Later
11:26 The Future of VR, Headsets and The Steam Frame
Video Credits:
Host: Scott Stein
Scripted by: Scott Stein
Producer: Numi Prasarn
Camera: Numi Prasarn
Video Editor: Mitch Chang
Thumbnail Designer: Cole Kan
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#steamframe #valve #vrheadset #vr #virtualreality #vrgaming #vrgames #vrgameplay
@Leeroyfraiman5
September 14, 2026 at 1:02 pm
Hello, I am first to comment. Does anybody notice?
@CNET
September 14, 2026 at 1:12 pm
Yes. We see you
@Leeroyfraiman5
September 14, 2026 at 1:14 pm
@CNETyay thx for your response
@quanhair5023
September 14, 2026 at 1:46 pm
@CNET stream VR from the Steam Machine?
@TechnotMe
September 14, 2026 at 2:09 pm
No
@CNET
September 14, 2026 at 1:12 pm
Read more about the Valve Steam Frame on CNET.com: Steam Frame, Reviewed: Valve’s Ambitious VR Headset Feels Like an Experiment in Progress
@Tesko249clips
September 14, 2026 at 1:21 pm
I’m pretty hyped that it FINALLY went live, after more than half a year of waiting
@GordonJDick
September 14, 2026 at 1:36 pm
i’m disappointed in the high price. The waiting continues on my end.
@LordExtrasus
September 14, 2026 at 1:32 pm
thats all very nice… but can it run VTOL VR?
@GordonJDick
September 14, 2026 at 1:35 pm
the price is disappointing. Slightly higher than i could budget for. It’s almost twice the price of the quest3. The only deciding factor for me personally is the comfort. When i put on the quest3 i instantly felt like i had a brick on my face and i started to sweat profusely. This was after only a few minutes during an attempt to pair it using my tablet… and that attempt failed because my tablet is 8 years old and couldn’t run android 10 or higher. I’ll have to wait for another month to save enough for the higher price of the frame.
@Kayzef2003
September 14, 2026 at 1:58 pm
It runs weaker than the steam deck????😳😳😳
@patricks8430
September 14, 2026 at 2:31 pm
@Kayzef2003 steam deck has a laptop processor in it. The frame has a mobile processor.
@damianabregba7476
September 14, 2026 at 5:15 pm
The games part of computing tops at 7 Watts. It still has to compute tracking etc. Where Deck doesn’t
@supersaiyaman11589
September 14, 2026 at 6:29 pm
vr should not ever be compared to something like the steam deck or non vr because they are totally different things for different purposes.
@SpudGunTechie
September 14, 2026 at 2:22 pm
“I thought testing this as a standalone is the really unique factor.” I don’t really agree. I think the wireless streaming via foviated streaming is the most unique factor. I am also interested in the standalone mode, but if standalone was your focus, I personally think you mistargeted.
@damianabregba7476
September 14, 2026 at 5:11 pm
@SpudGunTechie I don’t agree. Seeing how much can it be pushed on Standalone through FEX and such on this Linux device is an unique feature. Others already test the streaming stuff, so a different perspective is more valuable.
Modding your existing library of old games to run directly on the device. Testing the standalone does expose limits how far can you actually go with it.
Other reviewers focused on standard VR stuff like any other headset.
This is almost exactly what I was looking for, where all the others missed
@Pilotw4ve
September 14, 2026 at 5:57 pm
@damianabregba7476 Valve said it themselves- “It’s a streaming device first”
@SpudGunTechie
September 14, 2026 at 6:36 pm
@damianabregba7476 I do agree that the Fex aspect is important and super interesting. I just don’t agree standalone headset usage is the unique thing to focus on here, especially since standalone performance is mediocre. People should know that it’s not great performance, but just saying, I’m not really a PC gamer, I’m just going to explore the standalone mode that this device is not focused on is a strange tack.
@Frazec_Atsjenkov
September 14, 2026 at 2:55 pm
2:50 Eye-tracking is NOT unusual for a VR set of that size. The Pimax Dream Air, Dream Air SE, and Big Screen Beyond 2E are all smaller AND have eye-tracking…
@bdanka50
September 14, 2026 at 3:12 pm
Lemme get this straight. $1000+. Black and White passthrough. No more powerful than a Metaquest. Half Life Alyx is the big app, an early 2020 release. I’m gonna pass. But, I’ll bet (kind of like how the Steam Deck ushered in the handheld PC, this likely will promote other companies to make their own and they’ll do it better over the long term.
@FlowerBearTTV
September 14, 2026 at 8:33 pm
I don’t know if meta quests are a proper comparison here just because of how different the profit models are.
@ansonleJH1
September 14, 2026 at 4:05 pm
Like some of the others here I also disagree with only considering this device as a stand alone. The foveated streaming makes a world of difference in the VR headset space. It’s understandable to try to focus on specific aspects when trying to differentiate your content from other Youtubers, but with such a narrow focus yet asking the title question “How Good Is This VR Headset?” it needs to be a more encompassing of the overall benefits and drawbacks.
@jordirapper
September 14, 2026 at 4:51 pm
1049 for this? Just no!
@Mightypepino76
September 14, 2026 at 5:06 pm
Stop with all this BS sponsored video. This is nothing more than a display strapped to your face. Not enough power for the price. I love steam but this is a joke for well over a 1000 dollars. It’s weaker than the steam deck and barely more than the quest 3 at double the price. The battery is absolutely terrible. VR software is thin unless your able to mod games on a very expensive PC which most do not have and do not want to figure out.
@supersaiyaman11589
September 14, 2026 at 6:24 pm
one of the major points to the steam frame for me is the wi fi 6 dongle that comes with it that alone is worth the price to me to have the freedom of movement that the quest 3 doesn’t offer. it will be next year before i get one however.
@Aragorn7884
September 14, 2026 at 5:10 pm
Charging extra for a head strap is GD nuts 🤑
@user-ts2dy6lx2l
September 14, 2026 at 5:26 pm
Charging a lot for it too. Couldnt even include the nose piece to keep the light out.
@JorgTheElder
September 14, 2026 at 5:22 pm
Spend the extra $60 for three Velcro straps and the nose blocker and you won’t get as much O-Face. (Yes, $60 for three Velcro straps is highway-robbery, but hey there are more yachts to buy.)
@thomaskerr2477
September 14, 2026 at 5:30 pm
thans for your time. but with what i paid for the quest 3 with 512 and bobover halo straps and hot swapaping battery for uk price was 565 tpo 600 pounds i bought when AVP came out , and the quest 3 using game native it can play standalone steam frame steam frame beatsaber works prity well . for me i going for urxr 1 and xreal aura as urxr1 will eventualy use android xr puck, i use android and windos as my 2 base osa . but am going get piston v for dule out the box and ugradable duel os windos and steam os or bizite and also using android xr puck will give me 3 os . the urxr1 glass will be modulaer yes only 90 fov but in 3 years time be better and doint need to keep glasses only the brain , same gose for xreal aura and android xr swap glasses in 4 years swap brain for 5 years ime . the steam frame chip is nearly 4 years old quest is 3 yearold . valves softwere is were it shins but only becouse otheres havent cought up but game native already uses parts of for android so quest 3 and android xr . so i will not be geting staem fram for 400 to 600 pounds more than my quest 3. and i have 5070 nivida and 32gram laptop last year nearly 1 year ago
@johnny.T.3322
September 14, 2026 at 6:19 pm
1300 bucks, no thanks
@Pilotw4ve
September 14, 2026 at 6:22 pm
Pretty much consistent with other reviews – an upgrade but not the big upgrade over quest 3 that ppl thought it would be
@anewworldishappening
September 14, 2026 at 6:23 pm
valve cosmos 2.
@ZaxBaka
September 14, 2026 at 6:53 pm
I just can’t rap my head around paying $450+ MORE for a device that literally has half the battery life, practically same performance, much worse cameras, significantly less and older exclusives games, and is mostly meant for STREAMING games, not playing natively compared to Meta Quest 3.
@JadesCorner17
September 14, 2026 at 7:58 pm
Cant wait. Going to be awesome
@FR-Patriots
September 14, 2026 at 8:37 pm
Not worth it at $1059-$1299. Meta Quest 3 was $499. Foolish to buy this when Meta Quest can do full color pass through and this can’t. ROFL
@tugcable8304
September 14, 2026 at 9:29 pm
For 1,000.00 dollars, what new VR experience does this headset offer that I could not have experienced before?
@No-xr7vx
September 15, 2026 at 10:03 am
Exactly – none. It’s too little too late and far too expensive. Tone deaf to the zeitgeist. I was praying for VR to succeed and actively participating and developing since 2013. Can’t anymore. It’s dead. I just can’t care anymore. It’s affordable for the masses or it will continue to die. Losing respect for Valve day by day.
@TravisGarnett
September 14, 2026 at 10:06 pm
@8:06 – 🗣🥽👈🏼”☝🏼M👱🏼♀re Thing”
@Mxyzptlk30
September 14, 2026 at 11:13 pm
1:47 LASIK
The problem with standalone headsets like Meta’s Quest and Steam Frame is the *BATTERY*
I’ll play VR games with friends and then they all have to leave in less than 2 hours depending on how intense the VR game is.
Meanwhile, my externally powered VR headset driven by my 5090 graphically looks significantly better and never dies. But no one has the 💵to build a similar system or wants to deal with wires.😔
@MagFlux
September 14, 2026 at 11:18 pm
DOA at that price point unfortunately.
@87MrNacho
September 14, 2026 at 11:20 pm
This guy got the new pcvr streaming headset from valve to review and he was like oh nah i don’t think ill test the pcvr streaming.
@Angultra
September 15, 2026 at 12:34 am
Should’ve had at least SD Elite gen 1 and color passthrough, not enough of a step up from Q3 to justify upgrading.
@fatgim
September 15, 2026 at 12:39 am
Here is my question. If i want to game PCVR only, are there better options in a similar price bracket? I cant seem to find the answer.
@Soarbywire
September 15, 2026 at 1:17 am
@fatgim pay a few hundred dollars more and you can get a second hand Apple Vision Pro.
@fatgim
September 15, 2026 at 2:03 am
@Soarbywirethanks mate, will look it up
@rome2580
September 15, 2026 at 1:52 am
I got my Quest 3 off eBay for $350, and even IF I paid 600 for it, I’m sorry, but no… this is ridiculous. I was really hoping, for many reasons, it would be less than 700 so I could switch to the Steam Frame, but I’m not paying this price. Privacy is important, and I REALLY wanted the D-Pad, but I can’t afford this headset… AT ALL. And it’s not different enough for me to justify the price difference. I added cheap little fans to my Quest, so my face stays cool while I use it.
@eclipticlion8926
September 15, 2026 at 6:13 am
If it’s still requires a PC then it’s not worth it in my opinion. I can spend the same amount on a good enough PC with my Meta quest to do the same thing in Steam. This shit’s a rip off in my opinion.
@macgamer1
September 15, 2026 at 10:58 am
His whole review was focused on its standalone aspects.
@4EVER_BLK
September 15, 2026 at 8:22 am
For the price of this thing they could’ve thrown in the extra straps for free. But Gabe loves money and probably needs another yacht
@HybridEnergy
September 15, 2026 at 8:46 am
I get VR headsets to get miles and miles away from the trash known as 2d flat games. lol
@FrankdaTank535
September 15, 2026 at 8:59 am
Its funny how the day the Steam Frame comes out every content creator just happens to pull one out their back pocket and makes a video.
@christianlamb
September 15, 2026 at 10:04 am
Very unfortunately mid. And releasing hardware w a 7 year old vr game dumbed down for standalone feels pretty lame. 😢
@SlayerEddyTV
September 15, 2026 at 10:59 am
As a glasses wearer myself Meta 1 and 2 was so bad for me…Do I risk wasting even more money getting the Frame, plus I will need expensive lenses that fit the Frame, and if you want to play the Frame you’ll get about 46 minutes of gameplay depending on the game.
@dark147891
September 15, 2026 at 1:05 pm
I just don’t see the point in it. I hate the quest three I think I’ll stick with my index.
@NeroYoung
September 15, 2026 at 2:01 pm
With how its standalone performance seems, I rather stick to my quest 3. Even I’m not feeling like touching my PSVR2 these days due to mura, and the small sweet spot it has
@Wolfox360
September 15, 2026 at 3:03 pm
I hate all these reviewers, NONE of them tried to connect the steam deck device to it!!!!!
@seste87
September 15, 2026 at 5:22 pm
Company makes a wireless PCVR headset. Reviewer reviews it as a standalone AR headset.