Valve Steam Controller (2026)

M Mezha Article

It works especially well in areas where a conventional gamepad has always felt limited. The touchpad is not a one-to-one replacement for a mouse, but it is more than sufficient for selecting menu items, moving a cursor, navigating maps or working with interfaces. Combined with the gyroscope, it fills the niche the Steam Controller was originally designed for.

I IGN IGN · 19.9M subscribers · Nov 2025

And it feels like that good idea is now reaching its full potential because after getting my hands on it when I visited Valve last month, I haven't excited about a controller in a long time. Let's run through some of the basic specs of the new Steam Controller. It uses TMR magnetic sticks to stave off stick drift and keep power consumption low.

G GamingBolt Ravi Sinha · reviewer

Regardless of everything else, most reviews seemingly agree: This Steam Controller vastly improves on the original in terms of comfort and design language. Part of that is due to feeling more like a traditional controller, and it’s not overtly weighty, as noted by TechRadar. Of course, it scores over the competition when it comes to the sticks.

I IGN IGN · 19.9M subscribers · Apr 2026

>> Way more tech in this compared to the old one. So, while you're not going to get 80 hours of battery on some double A's like before, 35 is pretty good. And honestly, it is kind of unlimited because we'll talk about this.

G GamingOnLinux Liam Squires-Hand · reviewer

Thanks to a recent stable Steam Client update , the initial setup is impressively simple and works perfectly on Linux. Plug in the dongle via USB, turn the controller on and Steam will prompt you to do a firmware update on each that's done directly through the Steam client. You need to do the dongle first, then swap the cable to the controller.

L Linus Tech Tips Linus Tech Tips · 16.9M subscribers · Nov 2025

They're easy to move and they're easy to use and super comfy. But I got a little friend know now. A guy has got to cate somehow. In what has become typical Valve fashion, they've been atypically open about the new Steam Machine, giving us direct access to the engineering folks who worked on these devices.

P PC Gamer Article

Nevertheless, you'll be relying on the thumbsticks for a good deal of your gaming with the Steam Controller. These are a highlight of the Steam Controller for me. Firstly, it's because it has thumbsticks. Two of them. Unlike the last one. Secondly, because they're a good height, responsive, and easy to configure in Steam.

G Gamers Nexus Gamers Nexus · 2.6M subscribers · Apr 2026

Valve Steam Controller will be launching on May 4th and we're testing it today. In our latency testing, the Steam Controller performed impressively with Valve's included puck and when wired. We also tested charge time, battery life, and we made a custom 3D animation to try and better understand TMR thumb sticks.

P PC Gamer Article

Valve has done the very sensible thing, placing two thumbsticks where you'd expect them to be. Or at the very least, where PlayStation gamers expect them to be, as they are symmetrically placed within equal reach of your thumbs. There's good reason for this, as beneath each thumbstick sits a touchpad.

D Digital Foundry Digital Foundry · 1.5M subscribers · Apr 2026

This is a an exciting product, I would say. Maybe a little bit less exciting than perhaps the Steam Machine or Steam Frame, which, like you said, we're kind of aligned in the same review in the same release window, but it's not to be. Um and we've just had the Steam Controller, obviously. The other two devices are slated, hopefully, for the first half of this year.

A Access-Ability Laura Dale May · reviewer

I’m not someone with particularly large hands, and I found that the controller’s inputs were close enough together to reach between without needing to rearrange my grip. Going from analogue sticks, to buttons, to trackpads could all be done with relative ease for me from a neutral position.

G GamingBolt GamingBolt · 1.4M subscribers · May 2026

Superior to the 2015 Steam Controller. Regardless of everything else, most reviews seemingly agree. This Steam Controller vastly improves on the original in terms of comfort and design language. Part of that is due to feeling more like a traditional controller. And it's not overtly weighty as noted by TechRadar. Of course, it scores over the competition when it comes to the sticks. TMR sticks.

T Tom's Hardware Article

The Steam Controller is a comfortable, fully-featured controller at a sensible price point between basic controllers on the market and their more customizable counterparts. It's a bit weighty, but it's comfortable, and if you love your Steam Deck, you'll feel right at home.

T TechRadar TechRadar · 457K subscribers · Jun 2026

Valve has overhauled the design of its new Steam Controller, and to be brutally honest, that's a really good thing. While I admired them for trying to do something different with the original model, it wasn't for everyone.

T TechRadar Article

Valve hasn’t completely dropped its innovative ambitions, however, with the Valve Steam Controller (2026) still coming with two touchpads, though smaller, square, and located beneath the thumbsticks.

B Blunty Blunty · 376K subscribers · May 2026

Um and immediately very, very comfortable in the hand, like really comfortable. It sits Oh, the balance is good. It sits really nicely in the palms. Now, historically, I have personally been a much I'm a fan of the asymmetric stick layout because of the way your thumbs could have rest at the most important parts at all times in their natural sitting position. Left thumb stick on the buttons.

L Linustechtips Article

Valve's new Steam Controller is here after more than a decade! We dive into the upgraded trackpads, TMR joysticks, awesome battery life, and that innovative wireless charging puck.

P PC Gamer PC Gamer · 328K subscribers · Apr 2026

So, what I've got here is Valve's new Steam Controller. It's connected to the puck here, which is also receiver. We're going to take it apart just to show how easy it is to do. I've got a Torx screwdriver here, one spare bit, and a couple of other little tools, but you don't really need those because this thing is really easy to get into.

P PCMag Middle East Article

The new Steam Controller is a terrific-feeling, feature-packed gamepad that leaps multiple generations beyond its predecessor and works with your PC, Steam Deck, phone, or tablet.

N NihongoGamer NihongoGamer · 289K subscribers · May 2026

Probably the most exciting controller release of the year.

P PCMag UK Article

The new Steam Controller is a terrific-feeling, feature-packed gamepad that leaps multiple generations beyond its predecessor and works with your PC, Steam Deck, phone, or tablet.

M Madlittlepixel Madlittlepixel · 184K subscribers · May 2026

The Steam Controller Is AMAZING! Best Back Buttons. My New Favorite!

After using it, I think the Steam Controller is one of the most unique controllers you can get, especially if you’re already in the Steam ecosystem or game on PC!

D DF Clips DF Clips · 140K subscribers · Nov 2025

And it feels very, very good in the hand. And also the the buttons feel slightly different in some ways. The sticks feel fairly similar. The face buttons feel very similar. Um the triggers have a bit more of a pull to them, I would say. And the top trigger buttons, the kind of RB LB those have a mushier actuation instead of that clicky, snappy actuation on the Steam Deck.

G Garuda Linux Forum Article

All the goodies, that were in the old controller, e.g are in Steam Deck are as well in the new one. Double thumbs, Double touchpads, 4 additional back buttons.

G Gaming On Steam Gaming On Steam · 79K subscribers · May 2026

So, let's start off with the design of this controller and I personally like it. Something that I really admire about the Steam Deck is just how good this device feels in the hands when you're holding it. It's very comfortable and it feels like your hand just fits in pretty well. I feel like Valve did the same thing with this controller.

G Game Developer Article

Valve's 'it just works' approach to hardware design makes the Steam Controller a fantastic device to use. Here's what it took to make it that way.

J Jeff Grubb's Game Mess Jeff Grubb's Game Mess · 48.8K subscribers · Jun 2026

So, first impressions of this controller for me were very positive. I really like the way it feels in my hands and that includes both how I'm holding it to play games and how I'm using it to sort of navigate things with the uh trackpads or in the occasional circumstance where I am playing a game with the trackpads.

S Steam Deck HQ Noah Kupetsky · reviewer

And after all is said and done, this is going to be the best controller for PC gaming, especially if you primarily use Steam.

K KillerCam1020 KillerCam1020 · 48.8K subscribers · May 2026

The symmetrical joysticks surprisingly work really well along with the grips or handles, which allow you to truly grip the controller securely and comfortably. The controller is designed in such a way that resting your thumbs on the thumbsticks feels super comfortable and almost automatic. Like I just want to keep my thumbs on the joysticks at all times.

P Pcmag Will Greenwald · reviewer

The new Steam Controller feels great, performs well, and has an incredible list of features and customization options.

M MonroeWorld MonroeWorld · 34.4K subscribers · May 2026

This handheld device has created a blueprint showing Valve how to win the hearts and mind of PC gamers outside of the traditional PC gaming desktop. Not just handheld gaming, but controllerbased gaming as well.

H Hi-Tech Lo-Life Hi-Tech Lo-Life · 18K subscribers · Jul 2026

Well, I've had it for a little bit at this point, and let me tell you, my enthusiasm for the Steam Controller has not waned one bit, which should tell you something. Compared to every other controller out there, it's a completely different beast.

F Fake Wizards Fake Wizards · 17K subscribers · May 2026

I'm here to report that this controller is excellent. I'm the real-life fake wizard and this is a fake wizard's review of the Valve Steam Controller.

N Nick Flip Nick Flip · 16.8K subscribers · May 2026

If you just picked up the new Steam Controller, or you're waiting for it to come in, or you're thinking about it, you're in for a treat today. Today, I'm breaking down 10 things Valve did not tell you about the Steam Controller out of the box. From secret modes, little Easter eggs, and Steam input hacks that'll completely change the way you use this thing.

G GAMINGTREND GAMINGTREND · 12.6K subscribers · May 2026

It's got everything you'd want and expect in a modern controller, all the usual buttons and sticks, as well as gyros, things you'd expect in a premium controller like four grip buttons, and more out there features we've never seen before on a traditional controller like the two trackpads and grip sensors. Unfortunately, all of this means it comes in at a slightly higher price than competitors we'v

F FlickStick Videos FlickStick Videos · 9.4K subscribers · May 2026

And trust me, you have no idea how cool this can be. Number two, don't sleep on the trackpads.

F FlickStick Videos FlickStick Videos · 9.4K subscribers · Jun 2026

You can aim, point, click, drag, edit videos, 3D model, paint, and Valve just made this experience 100 times easier.

T TechyTalk TechyTalk · 8.8K subscribers · Apr 2026

The Steam Controller is finally here, and quite simply, it's everything I was hoping for, and you're probably going to want to buy one, too. Okay, so we all know the basics here. Valve has announced the product and shown us its core specs and features. But, to recap, first and foremost, it's just a controller.

J Joshua Keith Joshua Keith · 6.9K subscribers · May 2026

Long story short, yes. The Steam Controller is the best controller I've ever used. For some of you, that's probably enough. We could just pack things up right here, right now. Either you already agree or you don't, and it bothers you that I come to that conclusion.

D Dizzle's Gaming Dizzle's Gaming · 2.6K subscribers · May 2026

Right away, it feels solid and premium in the hands. No creaking, no cheap plastics, nothing that immediately raised concerns. The shape is familiar enough to feel approachable if you've used an Xbox or PlayStation controller, but it's definitely got its own identity once you actually start using it.

C CantoHouse CantoHouse · 1.8K subscribers · May 2026

I got to say this is a wide boy, but I love it as some guy who has really big hands. Yeah, this this feels better than I expected. I I actually thought this would be a little bit of a heavier controller, but no, it's actually kind of lightweight. It's not too heavy at all. The sticks feel pretty good.

T Techie Tonee Techie Tonee · 1.2K subscribers · Nov 2025

One of the coolest controllers has just been announced, the new Steam controller. And boy, does this thing have a lot of exciting features. As somebody who is a controller player, uh, and get ridiculed a lot, even though I'm on PC and playing controller, this is worth talking about because it is it is an incredible controller and has a lot of features.

D Deep Voice Gaming Deep Voice Gaming · 1.1K subscribers · Jul 2026

In terms of durability, there is good news. The sticks are TMR sticks and will likely outlast every other piece of the controller. Valve has also partnered with iFixit to make replacement parts for this controller. So, with a little effort, this controller could last years. The battery is supposedly rated to last 35 hours, and I've yet to see it suddenly shut off in the middle of gameplay.

B Ben Rigden Ben Rigden · 35 subscribers · May 2026

It feel It feels like it's made very well. Um I'll put it probably in par with maybe a bit better than the Xbox controllers. Feels a little bit lighter than the Xbox controller, actually. Just by hand. Similar weight to a PlayStation 5. So, you got the puck, and that obviously doubles up one to charge. So, that goes in the back bit there. And then USB-C to A.

G GamesRadar+ Article

Before I give you my breakdown of the Steam Controller's supposed price, let me just say that of the three most recent news stories about the imminent gamepad, this is the one I'd trust the least. It's easy (far too easy) to fake a video these days, and there are too many questions in my mind about the leaked review to really give it too much credence as something to trust.

S ShortCircuit ShortCircuit · 2.5M subscribers · Apr 2026

And so we'll get to price later, but I do want to say that while I think it's a really expensive controller, considering it kind of goes up against like a Xbox Elite Controller, the price is reasonable. But yeah, we've got, you know, your standard face buttons, D-pad, two thumb sticks, not offset. So, if you prefer a PlayStation controller, then you probably will prefer this.

L Logarithmicspirals Logarithmic Spirals · reviewer

It also has quirks: the rumble feels less engaging than the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2’s, the right stick sits close to the X button, and Battlefield 6 has a known compatibility issue. It complements my Xbox controllers rather than replacing them for every game.

W WULFF DEN WULFF DEN · 982K subscribers · May 2026

Then, after I made that video, I never used the track pad again. It's like I was brainwashed into liking the track pads. What I used them for was genuinely cool. I just really didn't find a need for them after the fact. And then years later, I got this controller and I've been brainwashed into liking the track pads again. But not for games. Forget that.

G Geeky Gadgets Julian Horsey · reviewer

This extensive feature set makes the Steam Controller 2026 a versatile tool for gamers who prioritize adaptability and control. However, the complexity of its features may present a learning curve for those unfamiliar with advanced customization options.

R Retro Game Corps Retro Game Corps · 850K subscribers · May 2026

Today we're going to do a review of the new Steam Controller.

The new Steam Controller and Steam Machine look promising, but they are lacking a common hardware component, following a bad industry trend. Read more!

P PC Gamer PC Gamer · 328K subscribers · Nov 2025

>> Well, what we learned from the majority of our customers and also like our own personal experience is that while we did what we wanted to do with that controller, it was lacking for games that were made for controller, right? It didn't have full controller input.

K Kotaku Zack Zwiezen · reviewer

If you have a great setup, all your games work fine, and you have no problems to solve, then the Steam Controller might not be worth the investment.

P PC Gamer PC Gamer · 328K subscribers · Apr 2026

It does some things really, really well and others not so much. I've been using the Steam Controller for a week now to see what it's all about. So, here's what I think. The Steam Controller is designed to make it easier to use a PC without a dedicated mouse. It's the lazy gamer's controller, which is why I resonate with it, I think. You can use it like this, like this, or even like this.

G GAMINGTREND David Flynn · reviewer

Now even Valve has thrown their hat into the ring (again) with the new Steam Controller, essentially a Steam Deck without the screen.

G Gamer Heaven Gamer Heaven · 179K subscribers · Dec 2025

They do work together nicely, but a big learning curve if you're coming from typical thumb sticks. And why the Steam Controller didn't really sell very well and was a commercial flop. what it's like to unbox a brand new Steam Controller, as this one looks in pretty damn good condition, although it was bought on eBay. So, there's a possibility we open it up and there's an actual turd in there.

X XDA Ty Sherback · reviewer

If your library falls anywhere else on the spectrum, just be prepared to have to use some workarounds to get it into working order.

N NerdNest NerdNest · 105K subscribers · May 2026

Both of those groups are right because this is a controller that can do some of the wildest things that you can think of, but at the same time, it can't do some of the basic stuff that you might want to do. So, let's talk about this thing. Full transparency, Valve did send this to me for free, but no money changed hands.

D Digital Trends Sudhanshu Kumar Mangalam · reviewer

For many players, the Steam Controller was simply too locked into Steam.

N NerdNest NerdNest · 105K subscribers · Aug 2026

There was something that people were expecting that would just work that didn't work and that left a lot of people scratching their heads. and that is the ability to use the controller when Steam isn't launched. Now, I've seen tons of people respond to this by saying it's a Steam controller.

C Club386 Samuel Willetts · reviewer

Alternatives simply can't measure up to it equally, despite its flaws.

V vCuda vCuda · 100K subscribers · May 2026

Sure, the controller is a f ing battleship, but it does a great job of disguising that in hand. Don't worry about its looks, too. Like Ken Carson's music, it grows on you and feeds off your soul until you love it. Another question many of you asked was using it on non-Steam games. Ew. Just kidding.

D Davey G Davey G · 53.5K subscribers · Jun 2026

The good news is that once you understand Steam input, you can customize almost everything. The bad news is that you'll probably spend some time learning how it all works. Number two, this might be the best living room gaming PC controller ever made. If your gaming PC is connected to a TV, this controller starts making a lot more sense.

R Reluctant Anarchist Reluctant Anarchist · 52.7K subscribers · Dec 2025

It wasn't perfect though. Setting up game specific profiles was timeconuming. Lots of titles from that era had no native support for Steam input.

S Steam Deck HQ Steam Deck HQ · 19.1K subscribers · May 2026

The only knock I would actually have against the controller right now is its weight.

N Nick Flip Nick Flip · 16.8K subscribers · Apr 2026

If your situation matches one of the yes scenarios I cover, honestly, the Steam Controller might be a perfect buy. If it matches one of the no scenarios, you might be better saving your money.

C Chris Mizo Chris Mizo · 12.5K subscribers · May 2026

After a week of testing out this controller, I honestly think Valve made one of the most unique PC gaming controllers on the market right now. But the Bluetooth problems, yeah, we need to talk about them. And it wasn't just one random disconnect.

N NERD NERD · 6.1K subscribers · May 2026

The sticks are good. They're TMR, so you're getting magnetic stick tech built for drift resistance, but they feel a bit sluggish. The controller runs at 250 Hz. Average players may not notice, but RPGs, strategy games, slow-paced adventures, you'll probably be fine. But, I main FPS games, tiny delays matter. When you've used sharper pads, you feel the difference.

R Riflo animations Riflo animations · 1.6K subscribers · Jun 2026

So, did Valve finally kill drift? Well, probably not forever. Nothing mechanical survives forever, but this is one of the strongest attempts we've seen from a major manufacturer to attack the problem at the hardware level instead of pretending it doesn't exist until warranty season arrives. The funniest part is that drift might not even be the biggest discussion anymore.

U Uncensored Reviews Uncensored Reviews · 955 subscribers · Jul 2026

It was weird, controversial, and years later, people are still arguing whether it was a genius invention or a beautiful disaster.

X Xiaomiverse Xiaomiverse · 485 subscribers · Apr 2026

The steep price tag is a hurdle, especially because Valve actually left out a few standard features that most players expect out of the box. The value lies in software synergy. Every button you map on your handheld translates directly to your couch setup.

A Amaantheman Amaantheman · 465 subscribers · Jul 2026

D-pad is exactly like the Steam Deck, so if you like it, this will be great. Um yeah, I'm not a big fan of this. I don't know if because the Steam Deck the Steam Deck D-pad isn't bad, but it's not something that I typically prefer for fighting games. This it doesn't really have that click, like that responsiveness doesn't isn't there.

A Arsenii's Tech Den Arsenii's Tech Den · 250 subscribers · Jul 2026

The same cannot be said about the main triggers. They do feel nice, but they lack the rumble feedback of the Xbox controller and the adaptive triggers of the DualSense. They also miss out on the trigger travel adjustment found on the Xbox Elite. Personally, it's not a big deal for me, but I'm sure a lot of people would expect at least something more than just a standard trigger.

P Pocket Pixels Pocket Pixels · 95 subscribers · Nov 2025

If they manage to get that balance right, this could become the go-to option for people who move between couch gaming and desktop sessions without wanting to switch controllers constantly. The new Steam machine is probably the most notable shift. It's a compact living room PC with an AMD Zen 4 6 core CPU, custom GPU, 16 gig DDR5, and up to 2 TB of storage, all running Steam OS.

C Caden's Corner Caden's Corner · 49 subscribers · Jul 2026

So, when the Steam Controller, the 2026 version came out, it raised the bar over first party controllers in a lot of ways. But like the other options out there, there are some weaknesses.

S Steamcommunity simoay · reviewer

I have seen a lot of reviews about the new steam controller but I never find anyone mention about the face buttons.

C CNET CNET · 4.1M subscribers · Apr 2026

And we're here to talk about the Steam Controller. Not the old Steam Controller, the new one, which is coming out very soon, and we've had a chance to play with. So, I mean, we have different perspectives on this because um I use it as an extension to the Steam Deck connected to a TV.

N Nerrel Nerrel · 264K subscribers · Jun 2026

The old Steam Controller may not have seemed like a hit but it did successfully revolutionize controller support on PC. Back then, Xinput was the only game in town and “customization” meant using software like JoyToKey and hoping for the best. The Steam Controller established that every input on your gamepad is yours to use as you see fit.

T Tech Fowler Tech Fowler · 141K subscribers · Jun 2026

So, let's find out if the Valve Steam Controller is actually worth your money. For years, PC gamers have had a problem. Controllers are great when you're sitting back on your couch playing like your Nintendo, or your PlayStation, your Xbox, or whatever.