The Steam Controller – every couch-potato PC gamer’s dream
The Steam Controller is the perfect peripheral for PC gamers who play from the couch. For everyone else, there are more affordable alternatives.
Let’s get this out of the way first: if you haven’t signed up for the Steam Controller waiting list yet, you’ll only be able to find one through resale sites for the time being. For a higher price at that. I had to go to great lengths to get my hands on our review model, too. According to Steam, shipments for new customers will only kick off in 2027. We don’t know when Digitec/Galaxus will add the controller to its range.
Still, the Controller remains exciting. Valve wasn’t discouraged by the ambitious but unsuccessful original Steam Controller. Version 2.0 is modelled after the Steam Deck in terms of design. The two trackpads in the middle make this obvious. But they’re not the only thing that sets the Steam Controller apart from the competition.
An unusual design that sits comfortably in your hand
I love the weight right away. At 292 grammes, the thing’s about 10 grammes heavier than Sony’s DualSense. The Steam Controller feels good in my hands, and I like its unusual look. A few pops of colour wouldn’t hurt, though.
The handles are angled just right and fit perfectly in my hands. However, the analogue sticks are positioned a little too close together for my liking. Playing with a DualSense feels more relaxing. But this is all very subjective and depends heavily on the size of your hands as well as the length of your fingers. The sticks use magnetic TMR technology, making them more precise and durable than traditional models that use potentiometers. The sampling rate, on the other hand, is only 250 hertz (Hz). Many third-party manufacturers are already using 1,000 Hz to achieve faster response times. But this puts more strain on the battery. I’m not much of a pro gamer, so I can’t tell the difference. Regardless, I’m impressed by the Steam Controller’s battery life lasting about 35 hours.
The buttons offer a pleasant clicking feel. Both the pressure and trigger points are perfect too, despite the device only using standard membrane technology rather than micro-switches, as is the case with the excellent Flydigi Vader 5 Pro, for example. The shoulder buttons also feel satisfying to press and don’t rattle like the ones on the DualSense. And that’s one of my favourite controllers, mind you. Finally, the size, height and resistance of the three menu buttons feel just right here too.
The four round extra buttons on the back are well positioned. I will admit, the trigger resistance could be a little higher here. When I press the lower keys with my ring finger, I usually have to move my middle finger slightly as well. Sometimes I press the other button by accident.
The D-pad could’ve been more precise, it’s a tad too vague for me. But as I’ve already mentioned in a discussion with fellow editor Kevin, I play mostly with the analogue sticks anyway.
Two LRA motors are used for haptic feedback. Technically, the Steam Controller is on par with the DualSense. But it still vibrates in a much more complex way, and on top of that, it has adaptive triggers. Despite the competition, it remains the top dog in its category. Still, at certain vibration frequencies, I prefer the Steam Controller. It feels warmer, while the DualSense sometimes vibrates a little too aggressively.
I connect the Steam Controller to my PC either via a USB-C cable or using the included puck. It snaps onto the Steam Controller magnetically. There’s also a 2.4-GHz transmitter for the wireless connection, which minimises input lag. Alternatively, I can use Bluetooth.
Just a shame the controller’s missing a 3.5-mm headphone jack. If I want to use headphones, I’ll have to connect them directly to the PC.
Special tricks
But you don’t buy a Steam Controller for just a few extra buttons and an unusual design. Right in the middle, there’s two trackpads. They can’t be compared to any traditional laptop trackpads. No, they’re based around acceleration. I move the mouse pointer slowly when I need to select something exactly, and quickly when I want to cover longer distances. It almost feels like using a trackball mouse. Except that in this case, the trackball is a flat pad. I feel a slight resistance while controlling each of them with my thumbs.
Valve developed the trackpads to address the majority of PC games designed for mouse control. If you’ve ever played a mouse-based game with an analogue stick, you’ll know how horrid it feels. The controller was unveiled alongside the Steam Machine, bringing PC gaming to the living room. Most people won’t want to play there with a mouse and keyboard, let alone, like me, make their own setup. That’s why the Steam Controller has two trackpads.
Still, they can’t compete with a real mouse. As an alternative for playing classic PC games from the comfort of your couch, though, they’re definitely good enough. Turn-based fantasy strategy title Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era feels flawless. Thanks to the pad acceleration, I can select my units quickly and precisely before sending them across the battlefield.
When it comes to shooters, where every millisecond counts, I still prefer using my mouse and keyboard on top of a mousepad. I’ve been a PC user too long to change my ways.
Then there are the gyro sensors. They enable motion controls, which shouldn’t be underestimated. Fellow editor Domagoj has already written an ode to them. I never really warmed up to them, but I gave it another try in Subnautica 2. The game doesn’t require lightning-fast reflexes, but the analogue sticks still feel too sluggish. If I want to check whether a ravenous fish is chasing me, I quickly swipe across the trackpad and my character turns around.
I can use another fantastic feature thanks to the quick menu button in the middle of the controller. It opens a side menu in Steam’s Big Picture full-screen mode with settings for displaying FPS, screen scaling and recording. If I hold down the button and move the left analogue stick, I can adjust the volume. How very useful!
The Swiss Army Knife: Steam Input
Gyro sensors are used in other controllers too. The only features unique to the Steam Controller are its capacitive analogue sticks and the pressure sensors in the grips. To use them, I click the Steam button to open the Steam menu and navigate to the controller settings. Valve calls this comprehensive configuration tool Steam Input. Here, I can customise my controller however I want.
For example, I can map the analogue stick buttons to activate gyro controls. Then I can turn them on whenever I need to aim precisely in a shooter. In turn, I open radial menus by tapping the sticks. Once open, I simply make my selection by moving the controller. I do wish I could adjust the sensitivity, though. They’re set off too quickly for me.
The grip sensors are more reliable. The Steam Controller knows whether I’m touching the grips or not, and it can even sense how tightly I’m holding them. This provides another way to activate gyro. I can set my game to pause automatically when I let go of a grip. It’s perfect for when a game pisses me off so much that I end up throwing my controller across the room. Valve has even hidden an Easter egg related to this. Whenever the controller falls, it emits the famous Wilhelm scream.
The best thing about Steam Input: I rarely have to come up with my own control schemes. For almost every game, there are countless Community profiles available that I can activate with a single click. Here, the controller’s versatility really comes into its own.
Since the Steam Controller uses Steam Input rather than XInput, like other controllers, it has limited use outside of Steam. As a workaround, I add the games I want to Steam and launch them from there. There are also software alternatives, such as Scissor and Steamless Controller.
In a nutshell
A brilliant controller – provided you need it
The Steam Controller is the most versatile peripheral you can buy. Its excellent trackpads are a solid alternative to a mouse in strategy games and other genres that don’t require quick reflexes. The extra buttons, grip sensors and capacitive analogue sticks make the Steam Controller extremely versatile. You’ll also benefit from the active Steam Community, who craft the perfect profile for every game thanks to Steam Input.
TMR sticks are a welcome addition, though they’ve now become standard on decent controllers. Technically speaking, you’ll undoubtedly find controllers that offer more features at a lower cost. The Steam Controller can’t match the haptic feedback of a DualSense either – even though it likely has the technical capabilities to do so.
A controller is something very personal. It has to feel good in your hands. I love the design of the Steam Controller and how it fits perfectly into the Steam ecosystem. Only the analogue sticks should be positioned further apart. Still, you’ll find no better controller for the range of Steam games – especially if you play from your couch.
Pro
- Extremely versatile
- Precise trackpads
- Grip sensors and capacitive analogue sticks are more than just a gimmick
- Sits comfortably in your hands
- Great haptic feedback
Contra
- No headphone jack
- Needs a workaround for games that aren’t on Steam
- Analogue sticks too close together
As a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.
