Steam Controller: revolutionary trackpads, long battery life, and a price that divides opinions

Steam Controller combines haptic trackpads, drift-free joysticks, and long battery life; however, it lacks XInput and the price is premium.

More than ten years after the first Steam Controller, Valve is once again attempting to realize its vision of a controller that puts PC gaming at the forefront. The proposal is to offer an experience that works well with the Steam Deck and with PCs in the living room, serving as an alternative to the mouse and keyboard in certain situations.

Launch price: £85 / $99. Compared to PlayStation and Xbox, the Steam Controller delivers a distinct set of features, especially due to the two trackpads with haptic feedback. For many gamers, this value may make sense given the versatility the accessory offers.

Design and feel

Weighing 292 g, the Steam Controller is heavier than the DualSense (281 g) and the Xbox Series controller (276 g). Its dimensions are approximately 111 x 159 x 57 mm, which helps justify the weight without hindering comfort. The shape is reminiscent of the Xbox Series pad in terms of the layout of the front buttons, but the D-pad and analog sticks resemble the DualSense. Anyone who has used the Steam Deck will recognize the layout.

This fusion of references works well and keeps all commands within thumb's reach. However, larger hands might find the proximity between buttons and sticks somewhat unnatural for long sessions.

The finish follows the Steam Deck line: black chassis with gray buttons, maintaining Valve's design language. There are notable improvements over the Deck, such as a subtle increase in the size of the front buttons, which makes them easier to distinguish, approaching the dimensions of the DualSense and PlayStation.

All buttons use membrane contacts, with a click feel comparable to the DualSense. The triggers and shoulder buttons are relatively quiet, without the harsh, dual-stage trigger response present in some models.

Technical features that make a difference

• Touch sensor contact points: dual trackpads with haptic feedback
• Joysticks with TMR technology (zero heading drift)
• Dual trackpads with Linear Resonant Actuators (LRA) under each one
• Six-axis IMU (accelerometer + gyroscope) for aiming and VR
• Capacitive areas on the grips to detect hand touch
• Absence of a headphone jack

Connectivity, software, and setup

Unlike a common dongle, the Steam Controller uses a magnetic puck that can manage up to four simultaneous connections via 2.4 GHz. The puck also functions as a charging dock, helping to keep the battery charged between sessions.

A USB-C to USB-A cable accompanies the accessory, allowing you to connect the puck or the controller itself to the PC. Interestingly, this configuration prevents a direct connection to the Steam Deck without a dock or additional adapter.

There is also a Bluetooth option available during startup (RB+B+Steam). The controller will remember the last connection mode, and to return to 2.4 GHz, simply repeat the shortcut (RB+A+Steam).

On the software side, the partner is Steam Input, integrated into Steam and Big Picture mode. The interface offers a wide range of options: mapping actions to single or long clicks, using the grip sensor areas, and creating shortcuts for different configurations. A highlight is the real-time signal analysis, presented in dBm, useful for diagnosing interference.

The Steam Controller is compatible with several connected puck instances, with a list of controllers connected to each puck available in the menu. However, it is worth noting that it lacks native XInput support, which limits functionality outside the Steam ecosystem and may make usage in games from different platforms less stable.

Gaming performance

During the test, I used the strategy title Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era; the community layout was applied automatically, allowing me to start quickly. The trackpads function as mouse replacements to select units and map actions, with a learning curve that feels natural after a few matches.

In third-person action games like Pragmata and Resident Evil 9, the controller with the standard two-stick configuration works well. Experimenting with the gyro for aiming adjustment showed some benefit, but it does not completely replace the feel of a traditional joystick for those seeking absolute precision.

If you don't use the trackpads or other unique functions, the experience is very close to an Xbox Series pad, which is not a bad thing, especially regarding ergonomics. A clear differentiator is battery life: Valve points to more than 35 hours of use on a full charge, and my own usage was close to 30 hours, which is already impressive for a controller with sensitive trackpads.

Conclusion

The Steam Controller doesn't reinvent design, but it offers a distinct proposal that can expand the repertoire of those playing on PC from the living room, provided titles support the Steam ecosystem. The biggest stumbling block remains the absence of XInput, which restricts compatibility outside of Steam.

In the end, the purchase decision comes down to how much you value trackpads for playing as if you were using a mouse. If this feature is a differentiator for you, the launch price may be worth it, provided there is stock available. Otherwise, there is still room to keep your current setup with similar comfort.

For those curious about the Valve ecosystem, the Steam Controller proves to be a solid and versatile addition for those who want to explore Steam on PC with a different approach. And you, do you prefer trackpads or traditional joysticks?

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Share in the comments: have you tested the Steam Controller? What weighed most in your decision between trackpads and traditional controllers?

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