The Verge's review of Valve's Steam Frame headset argues that, despite its steep $1,059–$1,299 price tag and rough edges, the device is far more than a VR headset that arrived after the VR trend faded. It is pitched as an ambitious, wearable spatial computer in the vein of the Apple Vision Pro, aimed at gamers who want access to their existing flat Steam library alongside a small selection of VR titles, and the reviewer praises its comfort, calling it the most comfortable headset they have worn.

The headset weighs just over one pound with its optional strap and can play games in several ways: streaming titles from a PC, emulating lighter Windows games on its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, running Meta Quest-style VR games, playing titles built natively for its Linux-on-Arm system such as a standalone Half-Life: Alyx, and supporting mixed-reality experiences via passthrough cameras. However, the reviewer reports frequent bugs, including hard crashes requiring reboots, disappearing controls and audio, and occasional total power loss, comparing the experience to beta-testing early Steam Deck hardware while still finding it exciting.