Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 28, 2026

Steam Controller (2026)

The 2026 Steam Controller is a game controller developed by Valve for use with personal computers, running Steam on Windows, macOS, Linux, smartphones, tablet computers or SteamOS. Like the Steam Controller from 2015, the controller was designed not only for games developed for controllers, but also for games designed to be played with keyboard and mouse. It was released on May 4, 2026.

Last revised
Jun 28, 2026
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Steam Controller
Steam Controller with included "puck" accessory
Codename
  • Triton (Controller)1
  • Proteus (Puck)1
  • Nereid (dongle)1
Also known asSteam Controller (2026)2
DeveloperValve Corporation
TypeGamepad
ReleasedMay 4, 2026 (2026-05-04)
Introductory price
Input
ConnectivityUSB-C
Bluetooth
USB-C Receiver
Power8.39 Wh Li-ion battery
Dimensions111 × 159 × 57 mm (4.4 × 6.3 × 2.2 in)
Weight292 g (10.3 oz)
PredecessorSteam Controller (2015)
Websitestore.steampowered.com/sale/steamcontroller

The 2026 Steam Controller is a game controller developed by Valve for use with personal computers, running Steam on Windows, macOS, Linux, smartphones, tablet computers or SteamOS. Like the Steam Controller from 2015, the controller was designed not only for games developed for controllers, but also for games designed to be played with keyboard and mouse.3 It was released on May 4, 2026.4

Design

The design is similar to Steam Deck without the built-in screen. It features all the same control inputs, with two haptic trackpads below each joystick, four grip buttons on the back of the controller, gyroscopic controls, and additional capacitive sensors on the back grips. The analog sticks use tunnel magnetoresistance sensors (TMR) to combat joystick drifting issues.5 The controller features infrared LEDs for positional tracking when used in tandem with the Steam Frame.

The 8.39Wh lithium-ion battery is rated to last for about 35 hours of gameplay.6 The controller can be charged with either Puck or USB-C connection while not in use, and the firmware is optimized for long-term battery health.2 If any components need to be replaced, the controller can be opened with a T6 Torx driver; there are no clips, adhesives, or custom fasteners.7

The controller is intended to connect to a PC through the use of a proprietary 2.4GHz wireless USB-C "puck" that doubles as a magnetic charging dock. It can also connect via Bluetooth, albeit with substantially higher signal latency.8 The controller can also recharge and send input by connecting via the bundled USB-C cable itself. Both the puck and controller contain a magnet that may attract nearby metallic items.910 Valve advise that users remove any metallic objects near the charging puck and controller before establishing a connection.

The controller has an easter egg that occasionally plays a Wilhelm scream if dropped from a high enough distance.11

Development

On November 19, 2024, several news outlets reported on inside information that a new Steam Controller was in the works.1213 On November 26, 2024, a render of the device first leaked online.14

On November 12, 2025, Valve announced a newly designed Steam Controller alongside the second iteration of the Steam Machine and the standalone VR headset Steam Frame.15 The base price of US$99 was announced on April 27, 2026, with sales starting shortly before 10:00 PDT (UTC−07:00) on May 4, 2026. It sold out in approximately 30 minutes.16

On May 6, Valve released controller and puck CAD files under a free license (Creative Commons BY-NC-SA) for modders' use.1718

References

References

  1. "Valve Already Upstreams Support For The New Steam Controller To SDL3". www.phoronix.com. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  2. "Steam Controller (2026) - Feature & Troubleshooting guide".
  3. Wilson, Matthew. "Valve officially unveils the Steam Frame, Steam Controller 2 and Steam Machine console". KitGuru. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  4. "Valve's Steam Controller 2.0 arrives May 4th with a $100 price tag". PCWorld. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  5. Hollister, Sean (April 27, 2026). "Valve launches the Steam Controller without the Steam Machine". The Verge. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  6. "Steam Controller". store.steampowered.com. November 12, 2025.
  7. Day, Spencer (May 4, 2026). "How to Reshell Your Steam Controller (2nd Generation)". iFixit.
  8. Burke, Steve; Lathan, Patrick; Thang, Jimmy (May 1, 2026). "Valve Steam Controller Review | Latency Benchmarks, Battery Life, Repairability". gamersnexus.net.
  9. Squires-Hand, Liam (May 22, 2026). "Oops - someone nearly caused a fire with the Steam Controller Puck". GamingOnLinux. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  10. Orland, Kyle (May 22, 2026). "The Steam Controller's "drop-in" charger almost started a fire for this owner". Ars Technica. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  11. Park, Morgan (May 12, 2026). "Valve snuck a Wilhelm scream Easter egg into the new Steam Controller". PC Gamer. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  12. Valentine, Rebekah (November 19, 2024). "Valve Reportedly Making Both a Steam Controller 2 and a New VR Controller". IGN. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  13. Hollister, Sean (November 19, 2024). "Leak: Valve is making a Steam Controller 2 and a 'Roy' for its Deckard". The Verge. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  14. Harper, Christopher (November 27, 2024). "Valve seemingly preps Steam Controller 2 and VR controller — "Ibex" and "Roy" controller renders spotted in SteamVR data mine". Tom’s Hardware. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  15. LeBlanc, Wesley (November 12, 2025). "Valve Announces Console-Like Steam Machine, Steam Frame VR Headset, And New Steam Controller". Game Informer. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  16. "The Steam Controller sold out in 30 minutes, utterly breaking Steam in the process".
  17. Dawe, Liam (May 6, 2026). "Valve released the new Steam Controller and Puck CAD files for modders". GamingOnLinux. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  18. "Steam Controller and Puck CAD files now available! - Steam News". store.steampowered.com. May 6, 2026. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
External links