Valve is making a serious comeback in the controller market with its redesigned Steam Controller. The original 2015 version had a lot of mixed reviews, with some loving the experimental touchpads and hollow build.
But the new model that launches on May 4 has corrected nearly every major flaw, so much so that some reviewers are calling it the most feature-rich PC controller available today. But, at a price of $99, is the new Valve Steam controller worth it?
Valve 2026 Controller is a Great Leap in Quality
Steam Controller Layout and Features. Image Credit: Space4Games
The first thing you’ll notice about Valve’s new controller is that it feels better in hand. The 2015 controller had a plasticky feel. Reviewers say the 2026 controller is a “terrific-feeling, feature-packed gamepad” that has a solid build.
The 2026 Valve controller no longer has the creaky plastics. It now has a sleeker chassis that matches the Steam Deck’s comfort and thickness. The 2026 model is a more refined design. The new controller offers:
- Two trackpads modeled after Steam Deck
- TMR magnetic thumbsticks to reduce stick drift
- Four re-programmable grip buttons
- Advanced gyro aiming
- Grip sensors for added control precision
- HD haptics
- 35+ hours of playtime
- Powerful Bluetooth, USB-C, and low-latency wireless connection via Valve’s charging puck
CNET commended the controller’s design and versatility, even declaring it a possible favorite for high-end controllers. Valve has combined the flexibility of keyboard-and-mouse-style controls with the convenience of a game controller.
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Why You May Want To Get This Controller
2026 Steam Controller. Image Credit: SteamDeck
The major selling point for the Steam Controller for avid PC gamers is Steam Input. Valve’s software has almost limitless options for customizing control schemes, making this controller especially good for the genres that are difficult to control on a traditional controller.
The Valve controller will be a great fit for strategy games, MMOs, FPS and SIMs. The two trackpads are a unique feature that offers unrivaled mouse precision. This makes it stand out from the crowd against the likes of the Xbox Wireless Controller, PlayStation DualSense and 8BitDo Ultimate.
For Steam Deck users, the switch is even easier as they can simply use the same controls and muscle memory. But reviewers have found the controller is Steam-only.
It may not come up like a typical controller on the Epic Games Launcher or Microsoft’s Game Pass. This means you’ll have to get creative with remapping or adding the games as Non-Steam shortcuts. For some, this added step is a bitter pill to swallow.
At $99, Is the New Steam Controller Worth It?
At $99, the new Valve controller is entering premium territory. For comparison:
- Xbox Wireless Controller is $60
- DualSense is $70
- 8BitDo Ultimate Wireless is $50-$70
- Xbox Elite Series 2 is the only more expensive controller at $180
While the new Valve controller isn’t outright the most expensive, it still asks a lot from regular gamers. For gamers looking for advanced features, this controller will definitely be worth it. However, for the average gamer who mostly plays console ports, you may find better value elsewhere.
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