Valve’s Steam Frame costs $1,059
Valve will begin selling its Steam Frame headset, a device that can run both traditional and VR games locally and stream games from a PC. The headset starts at $1,059 for a 256GB model, with a 1TB option priced at $1,299; each unit includes a copy of Half-Life: Alyx that Valve has ported to run natively on the headset as well as via streaming.
Why It Matters
The Steam Frame represents Valve's renewed push into dedicated gaming hardware, pairing local and streaming play in one headset and bundling a major VR title. Its price, accessory ecosystem, and a lottery-based preorder system will shape early availability and user experience.
Key Facts
- Base price (256GB): $1,059
- Price (1TB): $1,299
- 256GB international prices: $1,059 / $1,529 CAD / €1,049 / £889 / $1,609 AUD / 4,539 zlotys
- 1TB international prices: $1,299 / $1,859 CAD / €1,279 / £1,089 / $1,969 AUD / 5,549 zlotys
- Included software: Every Steam Frame includes Half-Life: Alyx (native and streaming support)
Valve is launching the Steam Frame, a lightweight headset that can both run VR and non-VR (flat) games locally and stream titles from a PC. The product will be offered in two storage configurations: a 256GB model starting at $1,059 and a 1TB model beginning at $1,299, with a set of international price points for each tier.
All Steam Frame units ship with Half-Life: Alyx, which Valve has adapted to work natively on the headset as well as over streamed play. Valve is using a waitlist and lottery system for initial sales: customers can sign up for their preferred configuration through September 17 at 10:00 a.m. PT, after which Valve will randomize the list and notify winners. Those selected should be allowed to purchase beginning September 18 and will have 72 hours to complete their order; others will be placed on a continuing waitlist.
Valve is also selling several accessories. An ergonomic accessories kit, recommended by a reviewer for comfort, costs $59 and includes a removable top strap, a nose light blocker and hand straps. Replacement face and padding parts are available for $49, and a separate power supply (USB-C charger) is listed at $29. A third-party Arcturus Vision Camera, priced at $149, plugs into the headset’s nose bridge to provide color passthrough and record spatial video; the Frame itself provides monochrome passthrough by default. Arcturus said it will delay shipping camera orders briefly so customers can coordinate camera and headset arrivals.
Valve has hinted at a future modular “enthusiast kit” that will replace the Frame’s head strap, battery and audio to allow stacking a second magnetic battery, add premium off-ear speakers, and offer additional eye spacers. The company originally unveiled the Steam Frame along with a new Steam Controller and Steam Machine last year; the Frame’s launch was pushed past Valve’s initial early-2026 target in part due to a supply issue the company referred to as “RAMageddon,” with the controller and machine arriving earlier this year in May and June respectively.
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