Valve has finally launched the Steam Controller in its latest update, months after the original reveal back in November 2025. It has been more than ten years since the launch of the original Steam Controller, and this 2nd-gen model has a lot going for it. It’s not called the Steam Controller 2, as first expected, and it looks a lot like a Steam Deck handheld, just without the screen.

Although originally expected to ship as a trio, the new gamepad releases ahead of the Steam Machine, Valve’s SteamOS-powered mini-PC/console, as well as its new VR headset, the Steam Frame. The controller is designed with the Steam ecosystem in mind, and configurable with Steam Input, so it’s essentially plug-and-play on any device you can install Steam on.

Steam Controller release date

Although the release date was kept a secret for months after its announcement, we can finally confirm that the Steam Controller will be released on May 4, at 10 AM Pacific time. Hype had been building up for its release in the week or so before Valve’s official update, as a leaked review all but confirmed the date, and official distributor Komodo Station set its product page live.

Valve originally planned for its new hardware to arrive in early 2026, but that obviously did not come to fruition. The company publicly blamed industry-wide memory and storage shortages for the delays, and those continue to affect the Steam Machine and Steam Frame. Since it will be left unaffected by those specific hardware shortages (the controller doesn’t need any NAND storage or RAM), we hoped that the Steam Controller would be released early, and that’s exactly what has happened.

Steam Controller specs

Specs for controllers usually aren’t too exciting, but Valve has fitted this gamepad with some pretty unique features. One of these is ‘Capacitive Grip Sense’, which allows the user to hold and release the handles/grips of the controller to enable or disable gyro controls. It can also be mapped to something else entirely, and presumably, unbound altogether.

The trackpads obviously stand out as another unique feature when compared to the likes of Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo controllers. Durable, magnetic TMR thumbsticks and “high definition rumble” also help ensure an overall premium feel.

The Steam controller comes with a ‘Puck’ for wireless connectivity, or it can be securely (magnetically) connected to the controller for a wired connection. Alternatively, you can still use Bluetooth or a USB-C connection. This puck also acts as a charging station, though you can also charge the gamepad with USB-C if you prefer.

Steam Controller price

We finally know that the Steam Controller will cost $99 in the United States. While this is relatively expensive for a gamepad, the impressive specs and unique design of the input device definitely deliver a good argument for it. Plus, when you compare it to high-end controllers like the PlayStation 5 DualSense Edge at double the price, it seems like a steal.

Those who have already had hands-on say “it doesn’t feel cheap,” and the impressive specs only back that up. It’s worth noting that Valve says pricing varies from region to region due to distribution costs, import tariffs, and market conditions. Below, you can see the local pricing for the United States, Canada, the UK, and Australia.

• USD: $99
• CAD: $149
• GBP: £85
• AUD: $149

A decade ago, the original Steam Controller debuted at $49.99, and eventually dropped to as low as $5 when Valve decided to clear out its remaining inventory before discontinuation. However, the average price of console controllers has definitely risen since then, with the PS5 (DualSense) pad costing around $75, and the Xbox ‘Core’ controller being a little bit cheaper at $70 (or around $45 when it’s on sale).

Is the Steam Controller compatible with Xbox or PlayStation?

We don’t see anything right now to suggest that the Steam Controller will be compatible with Xbox or PlayStation consoles. The same goes for the Nintendo Switch. Valve has made it clear that the controller works with “anything running Steam,” so it seems pretty locked into the PC ecosystem.

As you may expect, it is compatible with the Steam Deck, Steam Machine, and Steam Frame. Infrared LEDs make the gamepad trackable by the VR headset’s cameras, letting you play non-VR games on a giant virtual screen. On the Steam Machine, you don’t even need the ‘Puck’ connector, as this connectivity is built straight into the console-like mini-PC.

Does the Steam Controller have gyro and trackpads?

Yes, the new Steam Controller has gyro controls and dual trackpads. Valve has designed it in a way to give players a multitude of options, with Grip Sense and the grip buttons adding to this. In an official FAQ, the company says that the trackpads exist because “Many games on PC are intended to be used with a mouse,” and the trackpads offer “an enormous amount of flexibility” while acting as a mouse replacement for titles that demand it.

The dual trackpad design of the new-gen Steam Controller is definitely one of its defining features. If you didn’t know, the original controller also had two trackpads, but those came at the sacrifice of traditional analog sticks. On the new 2026 model, Valve has crammed in two trackpads, two control sticks, and a D-pad for good measure.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.