Valve discontinues Index VR headset after seven years
Valve has ended production of its Index VR headset, confirming its discontinuation seven years after launch. Remaining stock, including headsets and key replacement parts, is now being sold at a 20% discount.
Valve has officially stopped manufacturing the Index VR headset after seven years of operation. The company has heavily discounted remaining stock to $399.20 following the recent launch of its successor, the Steam Frame.
Valve designer Lawrence Yang indicated last year that the Index was no longer being manufactured. The company has now formally confirmed the end of production. "Valve Index is no longer being produced," stated a Valve news item. The headset, which first launched in June 2019, was Valve's first-generation VR system. Its discontinuation signals a major pivot in the company's PC VR strategy as standalone headsets gain broader market traction.
Stock clearance continues with discounts
Remaining stock of Valve Index headsets, controllers, and accessories will continue to be sold while supplies last. All remaining hardware is now being sold at a 20% discount. The Index headset itself now lists for $399.20, down from its original launch price of $499. Valve has not announced a final cutoff date for these sales. A company news item noted, "Remaining Index headsets, controllers, and accessories are still available at the new prices below while supplies last."
The bundle option that included the headset, controllers, and a base station for $999 is no longer available. Retail availability of the discounted units varies by region.
Replacement parts discounted
Valve is also offering discounted replacement components for existing Index users. This move ensures current owners can maintain their kits. The left controller replacements and tether cables have both received the 20% price cut.
| Component | Discounted Price |
|---|---|
| Replacement Left Controller | $119.20 |
| Replacement Tether | $103.20 |
Notably, no right controller replacements are currently listed for sale on the official store. Valve has confirmed that software support for existing Index owners will continue unchanged through Steam and SteamVR.
Index features and legacy
The Valve Index set a benchmark for premium PC VR when standalone headsets were just emerging. It was notable for its high refresh rate, innovative off-ear audio system, and precise finger-tracking controllers. Its launch in April 2019 preceded the surge in popularity of cord-free VR, which was popularized just a few months later by the original Meta Quest, then called the Oculus Quest.
The decision to sunset the Index follows the debut of the Steam Frame, which has superseded the Index as Valve's next step in the VR category. Discounted Index units remain available until stock runs out with no final cutoff date announced.
