Steam Controller Review: Valve Redefines the PC Controller—But Primarily for Steam

September 20, 2026

Tech

Available since May 4th, but still largely out of stock, the second-generation Steam Controller is a singular gamepad. Rich in features, it nevertheless delivers mixed feelings due to a few notable omissions and imperfect compatibility, the result of Valve’s stance toward Windows. Explanations.

An innovative and highly complete controller. © Nerces for Clubic

Steam Controller 2026

8 / 10

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Top Picks

Quality construction, ergonomics
Thumb sticks and D-pad
Trackpads and gyroscope
Four back buttons
Over 35 hours of battery life
Well-thought-out puck

The Cons

Steam/Batteries for a total experience
No headphone jack
Numerous adjustable settings
Gyroscope and touchpads to tame

Read the conclusion

The tactile modules are logically drawn from the Steam Deck. © Nerces for Clubic

There are roughly a dozen years of Valve hardware history behind this, with Steam Machines and the original Steam Controllers generating a lot of chatter, but achieving commercial success near-zero, especially for Steam Machines. For this new approach, Valve started with a singular product, the Steam Deck, to ride its success and launch other items: Steam Controller, Steam Machine, and Steam Frame.

The rest, though, we know well, and the inflation rampant in the computing world has completely undermined Valve’s long-term plans. To the point that the brand doesn’t even bother to guarantee solid availability for a product that, in principle, shouldn’t be as affected by inflation and stock issues: the Steam Controller is only available to order with multi-month delays. In August, we finally received ours.

Remarkable functional richness

As always, Valve ensures impeccable packaging for its product. Shipped in a small box containing the Steam Controller itself, the gamepad should arrive intact. However, unlike the Steam Deck, there is no carrying case included, so it’s a conventional box that houses the controller and its accessories, including the essential puck.

The touchpads are logically drawn from the Steam Deck. © Nerces for Clubic

The back of the controller offers little to talk about. © Nerces for Clubic

We will certainly revisit the comfort of all these features, but we must also discuss the gyroscope integration in the controller and Bluetooth compatibility. Less responsive, this mode can nonetheless prove useful for a more universal connection. Of course, you can also opt for wired use, but the included USB-C cable is short—very short—barely 1.5 meters—so its primary use is to connect the puck rather than the controller itself.

The back of the controller offers little to discuss. © Nerces for Clubic

We will, of course, return to the comfort of these features, but it’s also worth mentioning the inclusion of a gyroscope in the controller and Bluetooth compatibility. The latter, though less responsive, can still facilitate a more universal connection. Of course, you can also opt for a wired connection, but the included USB-C cable is short—very short—hardly 1.5 meters—and will mainly be used to connect the puck.

All the main controls described on the official site. © Valve

Despite a price tag of 99 euros, the controller isn’t endowed with the finest finish. No grip on the handles, for instance, may bother regular users. On the other hand, the haptic feedback is absolutely flawless—and adjustable—so you can clearly feel everything. They accompany the touchpads, which, however, cannot completely replace a mouse in the most demanding games.

The gyroscope is another feature that distinguishes the Steam Controller from most competitors. Few controllers include this handy accessory because, unlike a stick, the gyroscope can track the movements you make during the game, much like a mouse. Of course, this requires a precise setup and you cannot merely emulate the right mini-stick mimicry. But when properly configured, the gyroscope enables a more natural aim.

In Use: The Balance Between Versatility and Universality

You’ll likely spend significantly more time on configuring your Steam Controller than on the few paragraphs here if you decide to purchase Valve’s device. Let’s be honest: it’s both a strength and a criticism. A strength because it allows testing a wide range of scenarios; a criticism because, naturally, it requires numerous trials and refinements to reach the ideal setup. You don’t get something for nothing.

It looks massive, but actually fits surprisingly well in hand. © Nerces for Clubic

For basic controls, you’re back in familiar territory. The two analog sticks are present with a symmetrical layout, similar to PlayStation and, above all, like the Steam Deck. This was the first lesson when looking at the Steam Controller: Valve decided to adopt the Steam Deck control success—symmetrical dual sticks—among other things.

Nerces

The Steam Controller uses the same D-pad, the same ABXY buttons, the same triggers and bumpers, and—arguably the most important point—the same touchpads. It is, however, designed from the start for multiplayer, coming with the famous puck, a USB-C connected module that serves both to recharge the controller and to connect (wirelessly) up to four Steam Controllers. Handy.

The back of the controller doesn’t give much to rant about. © Nerces for Clubic

We will certainly revisit the controller’s comfort across different features, but we must also mention the integration of a gyroscope and Bluetooth compatibility. The Bluetooth mode, though less responsive, can offer a more universal connection. Of course, you can also use the controller wired, but the included USB-C cable is short—very short—and will mainly be used to connect the puck.

The back of the controller doesn’t give much to discuss. © Nerces for Clubic

Perfect integration within the Steam ecosystem

Upon receipt, the controller isn’t fully discharged, but it’s worth starting with a recharge. Let’s note that the battery is a lithium-ion 8.39 Wh unit and Valve quotes a runtime a little above 35 hours; our experience lands around 40 hours, though this heavily depends on which features are used and how intensely they’re used, such as haptics. Bluetooth, by the way, consumes less power.

On the principle, the Steam Controller is the perfect tool to pair with Steam, the main PC gaming platform. Valve designed it as a kind of Steam Deck without a screen that you connect to your PC, but in practice it is best used with Big Picture mode. In that mode, integration is nearly flawless.

The moment you connect it for the first time, there will probably be a firmware update. It updates the controller and the puck, requiring a wired connection. It only lasts a few tens of seconds and, after that, the controller is fully operational. Detection is almost immediate and navigation through the Steam interface is functional right away. What becomes even more interesting is the level of customization.

Base configuration tool lets you adjust the main commands. © Nerces for Clubic

By default, a profile is active, but given the myriad features of the controller, Valve has been inspired to allow nearly any customization: functions, dead zones, and sensitivity are adjustable, and you can also create and share profiles. Of course, this community interaction serves the player who can rely on other users’ work to arrive at the best approach for each game.

So, yes, the touchpads do not fully replace a mouse, and some players may be allergic to using them. However, Steam Deck veterans can confirm: you adapt to them, and their precision is no longer in doubt. The haptic feedback also reinforces immersion, aligning on-screen visuals with what you feel in hand. Replacing the keyboard/mouse duo is a real possibility.

Now, beyond the touchpads, it’s possible to play games and, with a bit of adaptation, do without a mouse for aiming, but also for inventory management, moving a cursor, or defining action zones. We also tried using the touchpads in a desktop environment, and it works surprisingly well: the right pad moves the cursor while the left one scrolls or zooms.

In fact, the touchpads do not wholly replace a mouse, and some players will likely resist using them. Those familiar with the Steam Deck can confirm: you adapt, and their precision is no longer in doubt. The haptic feedback also enhances immersion, pairing screen visuals with tactile sensations in your hands. Replacing the keyboard/mouse duo is indeed a real possibility.

However, on a broad selection of games, after a short adaptation period, it becomes genuinely possible to aim without a mouse, and to access inventory, move a cursor, or set action zones. We also tested the touchpads in desktop use, and it works surprisingly well: the cursor is moved with the right pad while the left pad scrolls a text page or adjusts zoom.

On the topic of gaming, quite honestly, beyond the earlier criticisms, it’s a genuine pleasure. You might call this fortunate for a 99-euro controller, but the controls work flawlessly, the precision is ideal, and tweaks made in the configuration panels directly impact the feel. In every game tested, it’s an impeccably pleasing experience.

Lined on Windows, the Steam Controller isn’t, by default, seen as a controller. © Nerces for Clubic

In short, the Steam Controller remains the ideal tool to pair with Steam, the PC gaming platform par excellence. Valve envisioned it as a Steam Deck-like device without a screen that you connect to your PC, but in practice it works best with Big Picture mode. In that context, the integration is nearly perfect.

The gyroscope is another feature that sets the Steam Controller apart from most rivals. Rarely do controllers include this accessory, yet it’s practical because, unlike a stick, the gyroscope can track the movements you perform during play, much like a mouse. Of course, this requires a precise configuration, and you can’t simply imitate the right mini-stick. But when properly tuned, the gyroscope enables a more natural aiming experience.

In practice: the tension between versatility and universality

You will likely spend much more time configuring your Steam Controller than our few paragraphs suggest if you fall for Valve’s device. Let’s acknowledge: it’s both a strength and a limitation. A strength because it accommodates many scenarios; a limitation because, of course, you need to experiment and refine to reach the perfect setup. You don’t get something for nothing.