Summary of "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)

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