Most PC gamers already have a controller they love using with Steam — a Sony DualSense, an 8BitDo Ultimate, a Nintendo Switch Pro, or something else. Part of that love comes from Steam treating them like “native” controllers. They can do the things that made the first Steam Controller worth buying.

With Steam Input, any of those controllers can have multiple control schemes for different game scenarios (flight, on-foot, in menus), and you swap between them with a button press. You can also create onscreen menus that bloom when you press a button or touch a trackpad, revealing an array of custom commands — weapons, spells, consumables, you name it.

That’s why the idea of a new physical Steam Controller doesn’t hit the same way it used to. But Valve nevertheless improved upon its misunderstood predecessor with a 2026 model that has features you can’t find anywhere else. Basically, it crams the Steam Deck’s huge suite of inputs into a single gamepad, including those twin touchpads.

The five-foot-long or so USB-C-to-A cable lets you place the puck wherever it's most convenient at your setup, be it a gaming PC or in your entertainment center. Maintaining line of sight between the puck and the Steam Controller isn’t required but is ideal for maintaining a good signal. Another reason to keep the puck accessible is because it’s a magnetic charging dock for the controller, attaching with a satisfying snap.

While some, including me, see the value in what I’ve laid out, others may not be so easily persuaded to ditch the controllers they’re already using. There’s no immediate need to buy this if you're happy with what you already have. You can still have a good time by connecting the gyro-equipped Sony DualSense or an 8BitDo Ultimate 2 over Bluetooth to a Steam Deck, a PC, or to the upcoming Steam Machine.