Valve Steam Controller
Exact average 81.7 · 3 printed, 4 estimated · printed scores only: 80
Image: Valve7 professional reviewers tested the Valve Steam Controller, and 6 recommend it. Most praised: build quality. Most common complaint: price.
Reviewed by Windows Central, Tom's Hardware, WIRED and 4 more
The catch: It works poorly outside Steam, and the trackpads are awkwardly placed.
4 of these 7 outlets print no score. We estimated theirs from the review text, then adjusted the estimates against the ratings outlets actually print (ours ran slightly low). An estimate is never higher than 92.
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What 7 critics said
Highest score first · all converted to 0–100- 90Windows Central
A fantastic feature-rich controller, almost perfect for Steam games.
Read Windows Central review - 80Tom's Hardware
A comfortable, feature-rich pad that gives Steam users nearly every input they could want, with easy charging via its puck.
Read Tom's Hardware review - 70WIRED
Well built and highly customisable, but locked to Steam games and incomplete without the delayed Steam Machine.
Read WIRED review - 85est.Retro Game Corps
The Steam Controller is a highly versatile and repairable device that excels when used within the Steam ecosystem, particularly on Linux-based operating systems.
Read Retro Game Corps review - 85est.Dave2D
The new Steam Controller is a significant improvement over its predecessor, offering a versatile and highly customizable gaming experience with excellent touchpads and traditional controls.
Read Dave2D review - 83est.The Verge
After two weeks of use the reviewer finds it close to a dream pad thanks to deep customization and Steam Deck layout sharing, and is buying one.
Read The Verge review - 79est.Gamers Nexus
The Steam Controller is a well-engineered, highly repairable device that offers excellent performance, particularly when used with its dedicated puck.
Read Gamers Nexus review
"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates
Watch a video review
- Dave2D on YouTube ↗Counted in the score: 85
- Retro Game Corps on YouTube ↗Counted in the score: 85
From YouTube channels we vetted by hand. Videos paid for by the brand are never listed.
What critics praise most
What critics dislike most
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Common questions
Is the Valve Steam Controller worth it?
Most critics think so: 6 of 7 recommend it. It works poorly outside Steam, and the trackpads are awkwardly placed.
Do critics agree about the Valve Steam Controller?
Broad agreement: scores range from 70 (WIRED) to 90 (Windows Central), a spread of 20 points across 7 reviews. Most reviewers land fairly close together.
What do critics dislike about the Valve Steam Controller?
Price (4 of 7 reviews), Size and weight (2 of 7 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the Valve Steam Controller?
The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro (critic score 87), top pick, narrowly.