Steam Controller Review

Product reviewed

Valve Steam Controller (new model), positioned as a PC-focused controller that draws heavily from the Steam Deck design philosophy—especially the touchpads—while adding traditional thumb sticks.

Main features highlighted

• Modernized layout / familiar form factor

  • Standard controller shape with symmetrical dual thumb sticks (compared to the “mostly akin to the base PS5 controller” feel).
  • Face buttons and D-pad layout largely PS5-like, with slight alignment differences versus the thumb sticks.

• Well-built face buttons and D-pad (but not “best-in-class”)

  • Face buttons: solid feel, not clicky, with satisfying presses and no instability/wobble.
  • D-pad: good travel, not mushy; less clicky than Xbox-style.
  • Weakness for fighting inputs: inner cardinal directions/quarter circles aren’t very defined.

• Triggers and bumpers with smart software adjustability

  • Bumpers and face buttons share a similar feel (neither clicky nor mushy).
  • Triggers: comfortable travel and a “lip,” but no physical trigger stops.
  • Via Steam Input, triggers can be configured for different actuation behaviors (e.g., soft vs. full pull).

• Rear buttons (easy to reach, minor caveat)

  • Positioned under the middle/ring fingers; comfortable and easy to press.
  • Potential accidental presses of R5/L5 if grip/hand position rests on a leg at certain angles.

• Exceptional thumb sticks + advanced sensing

  • Excellent ergonomics: shallow concave top and rubberized lip; quick snap-back to center.
  • Capacitive touch detects thumb presence to enable gyroscopic/advanced features.
  • TMR (tunneling magnetoresistance) sensors for:
    • higher precision
    • lower power
    • virtually immune stick drift (no worn physical sensor components)
  • Expected durability: “should last years before the sticks degrade.”

• Two large square touchpads (the standout innovation)

  • Placed where the older Steam Controller’s haptic-centric approach was; conceptually similar to Steam Deck touchpads.
  • Capacitive with pleasant haptic feedback on touch.
  • Not click-in, but usable as buttons in many ways:
    • default “one large input”
    • customizable via Steam Input to emulate 4 directional buttons, a radial wheel, or complex schemes
    • access to “thousands” of community-made profiles

• Desktop/Big Picture-friendly Steam button workflow

  • Start/select-style buttons plus a central Steam button that:
    • turns controller on
    • focuses/launches Steam
    • enters Big Picture mode
    • opens/closes the Steam menu in the final step
  • Framed as making PC couch gaming feel more like console convenience.

• Charging/connectivity approach

  • Magnetically docked puck with a 5-ft USB cable:
    • rubber grips on the puck anchor it when not in use
    • can “click” into place when near the controller
    • easy while charging
  • Cable uses USB-C and is swappable for different lengths.
  • Valve claimed battery life: 35 hours
  • Author experience: never got close to running out during testing.
  • Optional USB-C port on top if you don’t want the puck.
  • Supports Bluetooth, but the author says switching between devices is cumbersome.

• Not for consoles

  • Explicitly stated: not compatible with consoles (author notes this despite hopes for Bluetooth use on devices like Switch/PS5).

Pros (as stated/implied by the reviewer)

• Best-in-class thumb sticks

  • excellent feel + TMR sensors for near-zero stick drift + capacitive touch features.

• Unique, high-value touchpads

  • highly customizable via Steam Input and community profiles.
  • haptics improve usability.

• Comfort + functionality for PC gaming

  • strong out-of-the-box experience for playing PC games and navigating Steam/Big Picture.

• Excellent practical design details

  • magnetic charging puck is convenient and satisfying.
  • Steam button workflow is “a useful sequence” for moving from Windows desktop to Big Picture quickly.

• Price/value

  • $99 described as “excellent” given the feature set.
  • Positioned as more complete than cheaper controllers that cut corners (e.g., rumble/wiring limits).

Cons / limitations mentioned

• Touchpad control isn’t great for non-supported games

  • Tested Crusader Kings 3 and Against the Storm (no built-in controller support):
    • games were “playable” but not efficient/enjoyable
    • reviewer quit after a few minutes in frustration, even with community profiles.

• D-pad lacks precision for fighting-game inputs

  • “lacks definition” for inner cardinals and doesn’t excel at quarter circles.
  • Reviewer suggests a dedicated fight stick instead for fighting games.

• No physical trigger stops

  • relies on Steam Input software configuration.

• Rear button accidental presses (rare scenario)

  • R5/L5 may trigger unintentionally when hands rest on a leg in a certain position.

• Bluetooth device switching is cumbersome

• Not a console controller

  • hoped-for Bluetooth console compatibility didn’t materialize.

Comparisons made

• Original Steam Controller (10+ years old)

  • Original touchpads were polarizing because they replaced thumb sticks.
  • New model benefits from Steam Deck success by including thumb sticks.

• Steam Deck

  • Touchpads concept similar.
  • Reviewer personally rarely uses Deck touchpads and found Steam Controller touchpads similarly underused—though still valuable.

• Other controllers

  • PS5 controller: most similar in layout/shape feel.
  • Xbox Core / Xbox Elite-class (comparison by feel/features):
    • lacks Xbox-style D-pad clickiness
    • missing elite-level physical options like trigger stops and swappable parts
  • DualSense Edge / Xbox Elite: Steam Controller is said to cost less while meeting many “ProController-like” expectations.
  • $40 PowerA Advantage: cheaper but typically cuts corners (often wired-only or missing rumble).

Unique points mentioned (distinct items)

1. Original Steam Controller had innovative haptic touchpads but lacked thumb sticks.
2. New Steam Controller includes traditional thumb sticks.
3. Steam Deck-like design, though slightly odd versus default Xbox ergonomics.
4. Face buttons feel solid—not clicky and no wobble.
5. D-pad travel is good but less clicky than Xbox Core.
6. D-pad works for platforming but struggles with inner cardinal precision and quarter circles.
7. Triggers/bumpers feel solid; triggers have a good lip and travel.
8. No physical trigger stops; Steam Input handles actuation behavior.
9. Rear buttons are comfortable and easy to reach.
10. R5/L5 can occasionally press accidentally depending on grip/leg position.
11. Thumb sticks snap back quickly and feel excellent.
12. Capacitive thumb detection enables advanced features (including gyros).
13. TMR sensors enable precision, lower power use, and near-drift immunity.
14. Expectation of long stick lifespan.
15. Two large square capacitive touchpads with haptics.
16. Touchpads support many mappings through Steam Input (4-way, radial wheel, complex schemes).
17. Community profiles enable extensive customization.
18. Reviewer rarely uses Steam Deck touchpads; similar “underused” feeling with this controller.
19. In Crusader Kings 3 and Against the Storm (no native support), touchpad use felt inefficient; reviewer quit early.
20. Touchpads can help control the Windows desktop from a couch setup.
21. Steam button workflow is layered: power on → focus/launch Steam → enter Big Picture → toggle Steam menu.
22. Magnetically docked puck charges; rubber grip anchors it on the desk.
23. USB cable is USB-C and swappable.
24. Valve claims 35 hours battery; reviewer didn’t approach draining it.
25. Alternative charging: USB-C port on top if puck isn’t desired.
26. Multiple controllers can connect to one puck (household/multi-controller support).
27. Bluetooth is supported but switching is cumbersome.
28. Not compatible with consoles; Bluetooth hopes for Switch/PS5 weren’t realized.
29. Price: $99, described as excellent value.
30. “ProController” expectations are mostly met (customization, back buttons, advanced sensing).
31. Missing some premium extras like short-throw trigger stops, swappable parts, and standout face button features.
32. Strong out-of-the-box experience plus deep customization for enthusiasts.
33. For serious fighting games, reviewer recommends a dedicated fight stick.

Speaker-specific views

• Single primary reviewer throughout (no clear multi-speaker debate), including an enthusiastic reaction (“Oh my god”) during the magnetic puck/charging moment.

Overall verdict / recommendation (based on the video)

Highly recommended for PC gamers, especially those who want:

• top-tier thumb sticks with near drift-proof TMR sensors
• unique Steam Deck-style touchpads
• a couch-friendly Big Picture workflow using the Steam button sequence

Caution

If you mainly want a traditional console-like controller for fighting games—or for games without good controller/touchpad support—the touchpads and D-pad limitations may feel restrictive. The reviewer suggests using a fight stick for serious fighting games.