The Steam Controller remains one of the most versatile PC gamepads I’ve tested this year. While Black Friday deals are tempting, Valve’s hardware has had a rough year, making discounts unlikely. If you game on a couch or away from a desktop, this controller can simplify browsing and playing titles that weren’t built for gamepads.
You should buy the Steam Controller if:
You play on PC, away from a desktop:If you’re setting up a couch setup or have a mini PC to play less technically demanding games away from a desk, the Steam Controller will be a real godsend for browsing your PC. Its right trackpad works like a laptop touchpad — swipe to move the cursor, tap to click, and the left pad scrolls pages. With TMR joysticks, rear buttons and haptic feedback, it lets you ditch extra peripherals and enjoy a true couch‑PC experience.(Image credit: Future/Duncan Robertson)
You want to play games designed for a mouse and keyboard, but with a controller:If you’re a fan of city builders, Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo, or real-time strategy titles that lack controller support, the Steam Controller is ideal. Steam Input lets you map mouse and keyboard controls to a gamepad, and community‑created schemes make older games like Assassin’s Creed 2 playable instantly.(Image credit: Future/Duncan Robertson)
Look for a different driver if:
(Image credit: Future/Duncan Robertson)
You want to specialize in a certain genre:If you’re buying a new gamepad for a specific genre or competitive title, the Steam Controller’s polling rate and trackpad lag behind modern options such as the GameSir G7 Pro 8K, GameSir Tarantula 8K, or Xbox‑licensed Nacon Revolution. For higher polling rates, asymmetrical joysticks, or more comfortable grips, consider the GameSir G7 Pro 8K, which recently received an all‑black colorway on Amazon.(Image credit: Future/Duncan Robertson)
You like clickable buttons:A great must‑have for many gamers are microswitch buttons. While I can live without them, many prefer the snappy feel of alternatives such as the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro or Asus ROG Raikiri II. For a premium, responsive experience, the Nacon RXU offers light‑actuation back buttons that the Steam Controller lacks.(Image credit: Future/Duncan Robertson)
You don’t like the task of setting up controller profiles for the games you play:Creating a new profile for each game is a hassle, especially when you reuse the same button layout in most titles. Most pro controllers include a built‑in profile system that saves assignments automatically. If you want a hassle‑free experience, check out the recommended TMR controllers, top PS5 pads, or the best Switch 2 options.
