Experts recommend Meta Quest 3 more than Valve Index
As of 9 Jan 2025, experts prefer Meta Quest 3 over Valve Index, but both VR Headsets have solid expert endorsements.
As per this month's meta ranking, Meta Quest 3 received 8 recommendations: from BestReviews (1 Jan 2025), WIRED (17 Nov 2024) CNET (17 Dec 2024) and 5 others. By contrast, Valve Index received only 5 recommendations from CNET (17 Dec 2024), PCMag (26 Nov 2024) Tom's Hardware (5 Jan 2023) and 2 others.
| Rank | Change | Price | VR Headset | BestReviews  | WIRED  | CNET  | PCMag  | Pocket-lint  | Tom's Hardware  | PC Gamer  | Forbes  | Tom's Guide  | TechRadar  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | $529 |  Meta Quest 3 The Meta Quest 3 VR headset receives positive reviews for its graphics capabilities, accurate tracking system, comfort, and diverse content library, making it a top choice for gaming enthusiasts. | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | 1 | - | 1 | 1 |
| 6 | +1 | Check price |  Valve Index The Valve Index is a highly praised virtual reality headset that offers impressive graphics, accurate tracking, comfortable design, and a diverse content library, making it suitable for a wide range of users. | - | - | 5 | 6 | - | 2 | - | 6 | - | 2 |
Curious to see this month's entire VR Headsets ranking? It's here
Endorsement summary:
- On 17 Dec 2024 CNET ranked Meta Quest 3 as #1 and Valve Index as #5
Rank VR Headset Comment #1 out of 5 Meta Quest 3 Best mixed reality VR headset for $500 / Editor's Choice... ... ... #5 out of 5 Valve Index Still one of the best Steam VR hardware platformsSource: www.cnet.com - On 26 Nov 2024 PCMag ranked Meta Quest 3 as #1 and Valve Index as #6
Rank VR Headset Comment #1 out of 7 Meta Quest 3 Best Standalone VR Headset / Editors' Choice... ... ... #6 out of 7 Valve Index Best Controllers / Editors' Choice... ... ... Source: www.pcmag.com - On 19 Dec 2024 TechRadar ranked Meta Quest 3 as #1 and Valve Index as #2
Rank VR Headset Comment #1 out of 8 Meta Quest 3 The best VR headset overall#2 out of 8 Valve Index The best headset for PC gaming... ... ... Source: www.techradar.com - On 1 Jan 2025 BestReviews ranked Meta Quest 3 as #4
Rank VR Headset Comment ... ... ... #4 out of 5 Meta Quest 3 Most Value... ... ... Source: bestreviews.com - On 17 Nov 2024 WIRED ranked Meta Quest 3 as #1
Rank VR Headset Comment #1 out of 5 Meta Quest 3 Best Overall... ... ... Source: www.wired.com - On 11 Apr 2024 Pocket-lint ranked Meta Quest 3 as #1
Rank VR Headset Comment #1 out of 5 Meta Quest 3 Best VR headset overall / Editor's Choice... ... ... Source: www.pocket-lint.com - On 6 Dec 2024 PC Gamer ranked Meta Quest 3 as #1
Rank VR Headset Comment #1 out of 3 Meta Quest 3 The best overall VR headset... ... ... Source: www.pcgamer.com - On 2 Nov 2024 Tom's Guide ranked Meta Quest 3 as #1
Rank VR Headset Comment #1 out of 6 Meta Quest 3 Best Overall / Editor's Choice... ... ... Source: www.tomsguide.com - On 5 Jan 2023 Tom's Hardware ranked Valve Index as #2
Rank VR Headset Comment ... ... ... #2 out of 5 Valve Index Best VR Headset for PC... ... ... Source: www.tomshardware.com - On 18 Jan 2023 Forbes ranked Valve Index as #6
Rank VR Headset Comment ... ... ... #6 out of 6 Valve Index Best VR Headset For Hand ControlsSource: www.forbes.com
After counting and adding up the 55 expert endorsements of the January rankings, Meta Quest 3 outranks Valve Index. This is not to say that Valve Index is a bad option. Like Meta Quest 3, it is recommended by experts, but less.
As can be seen below, Meta Quest 3 outranks Valve Index by 5 positions. This indicates that, as of 9 Jan 2025, Meta Quest 3 is more critically acclaimed than Valve Index.
| Rank | Change | Price | VR Headset | BestReviews | WIRED | CNET | PCMag | Pocket-lint | Tom's Hardware | PC Gamer |
Forbes | Tom's Guide | TechRadar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | $529 | Meta Quest 3 The Meta Quest 3 VR headset receives positive reviews for its graphics capabilities, accurate tracking system, comfort, and diverse content library, making it a top choice for gaming enthusiasts. | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | 1 | - | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | - | Check price |  Apple Vision Pro | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | - | - | - | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | +3 | $499 |  PlayStation VR 2 The PlayStation VR 2 is a highly praised VR headset with impressive graphics, comfortable design, accurate tracking, and a growing library of immersive games. | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | - | - | - | - | 4 | 5 |
| 4 | -1 | Check price |  Meta Quest 3S | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | - | - | 2 | - | 3 | - |
| Show all rows | |||||||||||||
Expert reviews [17]
Total expert reviews: 17
- with a score: 5
- without a score: 12
| Highest score by TechRadar | 100 |
| Average score based on 17 reviews | 82 |
| Lowest score by ZD Net | 70 |
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
The Meta Quest 3 is Meta's latest virtual reality headset that offers a mixed reality experience with improved hand tracking and the ability to place digital objects in the real world. While typing on an ethereal keyboard in front of me is exciting and futuristic, it's not clear who the Quest 3 is really for or what its best use scenario is.
+ pros
- The author highlights the accuracy and impressive hand tracking capabilities of the Meta Quest 3, allowing for accurate typing in a virtual environment.
- The author also mentions the fun and engaging aspect of using hand tracking to shoot letters, turning typing into a quick-fire game.
- cons
- The author acknowledges that typing in a virtual environment is far from ideal, as it is slower and less efficient compared to physical keyboards.
- The author raises concerns about the lack of clarity regarding the target audience and best use scenarios for virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality technologies.
Show all 17 reviews
Expert reviews [24]
Total expert reviews: 24
- with a score: 8
- without a score: 16
| Highest score by Tom's Hardware | 90 |
| Average score based on 24 reviews | 81 |
| Lowest score by Wareable | 70 |
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
80
A tethered VR headset with the most advanced controllers yet
The Valve Index is a high-priced PC-tethered VR system with impressive controllers that offer individual finger tracking and an immersive feel, making it the top choice for tethered VR headsets. However, if budget is a concern, the more affordable and user-friendly Oculus Quest 2 provides a good entry-level VR experience.
+ pros
- Valve Index has individual finger tracking and immersive controllers, providing a more natural and immersive VR experience.
- The Valve Index offers a bright, colorful, and sharp picture with its slightly lower resolution compared to other VR headsets, and the 120Hz refresh rate provides smooth and fluid movement.
- The Index controllers have comfortable straps to keep them connected to your hands and offer natural interactions and vibrations for added immersion.
- Half-Life: Alyx plays well with the Index controllers, providing precise controls for manipulating objects and solving puzzles.
- cons
- The finger tracking on the Valve Index controllers is not 1:1 and delicate finger flexes are not tracked as well, and the grip of the controllers takes some getting used to.
- The face buttons on the Valve Index controllers can be slightly awkward to press.
- The cable and base stations for tracking position and movement can be a bit cumbersome.
- The Valve Index comes at a higher price point compared to other headsets, making it less accessible for those on a budget.
Show all 24 reviews
From Seller:
- Dive into extraordinary experiences with a mixed reality headset that transforms your home into an exciting new playground, where virtual elements blend into your actual surroundings.
- It’s the most powerful Quest yet*, featuring next-level performance with more than double the graphic processing power of Quest 2. (*Based on the graphic performance of the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 vs Meta Quest 2.)
- Read more