Steam recently shared the results of its November 2024 Hardware & Software Survey. This monthly survey helps Steam understand what kind of hardware and software their users have. Participation in the survey is optional and anonymous and helps Steam decide what technologies to invest in. One section of the survey focused on VR headsets, which revealed the most popular models among users.
The statistics reveal that there are only 1.73% of Steam users with VR headsets, clearly identifying that VR gaming remains a niche market. However, it’s clear that Meta is a frontrunner as the top two spots are occupied by the Quest 2 and Quest 3 headsets respectively.
Meta dominates the VR userbase on Steam
Looking at the latest statistics from the November 2024 survey, we can see exactly which VR hardware is most popular with Steam users at the minute.
- Oculus Quest 2: 34.14% (-0.66% change)
- Meta Quest 3: 20.08% (+2.32% change)
- Valve Index HMD: 14.45% (-2.28% change)
- Oculus Rift S: 6.23% (-0.77% change)
- HTC Vive: 3.80% (-0.18% change)
- PICO 4: 3.58% (+0.81% change)
- Windows Mixed Reality: 3.46% (-0.21% change)
From these stats, it’s clear that Meta’s headsets, the Oculus Quest 2 (now marketed as the Meta Quest 2) and Meta Quest 3, are by far the most popular, with a combined share of 54.22%. This means Meta’s devices are used more than all other VR headsets combined. The Oculus Quest 2 leads with 34.14% ownership, while the newer Meta Quest 3 is quickly catching up with 20.08%. The recently released Meta Quest 3S, which we recommend highly, is also already making waves with 1.05% of the share.
- Type: Standalone
- Resolution: 1,832 x 1,920 (per eye)
- FOV: 96°H/90°V
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
- Storage: 256GB
- Battery: 4,324 mAh/2.5-hour
- SOC: Snapdragon XR2 Gen2
- DRAM: 8GB
- Lens Type: Fresnel lens
- Weight: 513g
Meta’s dominance in the VR space isn’t surprising. Several factors make its headsets a better choice than others. For instance, Meta’s VR headsets are often priced lower than high-end competitors like the Valve Index. The Valve Index has a price tag of $499, the same as Quest 3. However, the Quest 2 can be picked up for around $299.
The Meta Quest 2 and Quest 3 are also both standalone headsets, meaning you don’t need an expensive gaming PC to start using them. On the other hand, the Valve Index requires you to have a base station and PC. The Quest headsets can also be connected to a PC, making it a much more versatile option for gaming. The series is also user-friendly. You can set up and use these headsets without needing technical expertise.
