PlayStation VR2 vs Valve Index 

2016 was the year PlayStation opened its doors to the world of VR. The PlayStation VR took the gaming world by storm. Its major commercial success necessitated the tech giant to broaden its depth and give its fans yet another spectacular headset, the PlayStation VR2. The PSVR 2 is the newest kid on the block, giving other VR headsets a run for their money. On the other hand, the Valve Index has been around for some time. It is one of the PC-based VR systems that is remarkably outstanding. The two headsets have one thing in common, they are both tethered. Other than that, their performance capabilities are primarily different. If you are curious to know how the headsets stack up against each other, here's a breakdown in our latest feature, PlayStation VR2 vs Valve Index.

What is PlayStation VR2?

PS VR 2 is the latest VR headset from Sony, built for the PS5. The headset features cutting-edge technology that promises to elevate the immersive virtual reality experience. Thankfully, Sony's innovative and visionary technological approach consistently delivers products that redefine the industry. And the PS VR2 is no exception. 

The PSVR2 promises to deliver more than its predecessor, the PSVR. The PSVR was a worthwhile contender to other VR headsets, such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, for the longest time running. However, other consumer brands switched to the “gen-2” wave, making the PSVR appear somewhat outdated. With better resolution, an enhanced field of view, and better tracking, the PSVR2 clearly outshines the PSVR. 

Admittedly, the new headset's most notable feature is the VR controller. which borrows a few features from the DualSense wireless controller. Moreover, with only a single cable connected to the headset, users will soon experience seamless gameplay.

What is Valve Index?

Valve Index, an immersive VR headset introduced by Valve in 2019, represents the epitome of virtual reality technology. Designed exclusively for PCs that meet its demanding specifications, this headset remains unrivaled despite its early release. Similar to the PS VR2, the Valve Index is a tethered headset, but their similarities end there. 

Although it has a substantial price tag, the experience it offers is truly priceless. While setting it up may require a high-end PC and a touch of patience, once you step into its realm, you are instantly transported to a fully immersive universe where distant galaxies feel within arm's reach.

To achieve this truly immersive experience, the Valve Index requires a bit of work to set up. You will need to plug the headset into a PC using DisplayPort 1.2 and USB 3.0 cables. The headset comes with two SteamVR base stations, which you'll need to plug in and place around your room. With this out of the way, you are now ready to play. 

Tech Specifications

Despite various reviews crowning OLED as the king of the display, for VR, what matters most is the refresh rate and display resolution. While the index has a lower resolution than the PSVR2, it has a higher refresh rate that can compensate for the missing pixels. Moreover, the Valve Index features a dual-fresnel lens. This means the headset combines two separate lenses into one. As a result, players experience less visual distortion thanks to the headset controlling light from the display engine.

Despite its annoying setup, the Valve Index's controllers make it worthwhile. The controllers are accurate with the DualSense adaptive triggers. Meaning they detect individual finger movements instead of the index, thumb, or middle finger. Moreover, they are ergonomic and comfortable to handle. 

Nevertheless, the PSVR2 still has a significant edge over the Valve because of its OLED display and wide resolution. Its foveated rendering optimizes viewing so that items in your peripheral view appear blurred while the object in front of you is as clear as glass. What's more, the platform integrates an eye-tracking feature that effortlessly takes the cake. This means that Sony is integrating eye-tracking technology into the headset. This is an upgrade from the PSVR, which uses a visible light spectrum to track your movement. 

PlayStation VR2: 

Resolution: 2000×2040 per eye

Refresh Rate: 120Hz

Display: OLED

Optics: Fresnel

Valve Index: 

Resolution: 1440 × 21600 per eye

Refresh Rate: 144Hz

Display: LCD

Optics: Double–fresnel

Gameplay

The PSVR 2 game lineup supersedes its predecessors. The headset lets you experience a new dimension of gaming with thrilling titles like Horizon: Call of the Mountain, surpassing its predecessors' visual and immersive capabilities. For loyal fans of the PSVR, worry not. You can still embark on epic adventures with most of your favorite PSVR games, revamped and optimized for the remarkable PSVR 2. You may, however, miss a few titles, like Astro Bot: Rescue Mission. You can view the games that will be launching on PSVR2 here. 

On the other hand, the PC has a wider inventory of games compared to any other console. The Valve Index uses Steam VR to broaden its library of VR games. It would be challenging for PSVR 2 to match up to this, given the evolving console technology. Plus, with the headset not being backward compatible with PS VR games, that leaves a chunk of the collection out of the library. 

Verdict

Deciding which of the two headsets is superior to the other boils down to several factors. First, for an uninterrupted, smooth gaming experience, the Valve Index delivers a 144Hz refresh rate with a larger field of view. Additionally, the platform is compatible with a wide breadth of games that the PSVR2 has yet to come close to.

However, the PSVR2's integrated eye tracking technology, dynamic foveated rendering, and higher resolution speak to an upgraded visual experience. 

The question that now matters is which of the two is within your price range. The PSVR2 retails for $549 on Amazon, while the Valve Index Full VR kit goes for $1,455.97 at the time of writing. If you have the money, the Valve Index is a decent headset.

So, what's your take? Who do you think won in the PlayStation VR2 vs Valve Index? Which one will you be getting? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!