The wait is finally over. Following months of leaks and constant speculation, Valve has officially confirmed the release date and price for the new Steam Controller, and PC gamers throughout the world are eager to know more about what it will bring to the table.
Steam Controller Price and Release Date
The Steam Controller will launch on May 4, 2026, at 10 AM Pacific / 5 PM UTC, priced at $99 USD in the US, and with regional prices of £85 in the UK, €99 in Europe, $149 CAD, $149 AUD, and PLN 419 in Poland.
As with other Valve hardware, the Steam Controller won’t be available for purchase in stores, and gamers will only be able to get it via the Steam store.
Steam Controller Specs
The new Steam Controller is a dramatic evolution from the 2015 variant. It features two large trackpads on the front, supporting haptic feedback and different pressure levels to simulate precise mouse movements.
The analog sticks use Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) technology, which determines positions using magnetic fields and is designed to be especially durable, precise, and energy efficient.
A built-in 6-axis gyroscope enables motion controls, and the new Grip Sense function automatically activates the gyroscope when you touch certain areas on the back of the controller or the sticks. Four rear grip buttons round out the package, and its battery life stands strong at over 35 hours of gameplay.
Below, we have listed the detailed tech specs of the new Steam Controller, as confirmed by Valve:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Trackpads | 2 × high-resolution circular trackpads, 33mm diameter, 4096 positions per axis |
| Haptic feedback | Dual linear resonant actuators (LRAs) |
| Gyroscope | IMU — 3-axis accelerometer + 3-axis gyroscope |
| Analog stick | 1 × clickable analog thumbstick |
| Buttons | A, B, X, Y face buttons; 2 bumpers; 2 triggers (analog); 2 clickable trackpads; Back, Start, Steam, Joystick click; 2 grip buttons |
| Triggers | Dual-stage analog triggers with digital activation |
| Connectivity | Wireless (2.4 GHz via USB dongle); Wired via micro-USB |
| Wireless range | Up to 9 m (30 ft) |
| Battery | 2 × AA batteries (~80 hours battery life) |
| Connectivity protocols | Compatible with any Bluetooth-capable PC; Steam Link supported |
| USB receiver | Nano USB wireless receiver included |
| OS compatibility | SteamOS, Linux, Windows 7 or later, macOS 10.11 or later |
| Configuration | Fully configurable via Steam Big Picture; community configs supported |
| Dimensions | 150 mm × 100 mm × 67 mm (L × W × H) |
| Weight | ~270 g (with batteries) |
| Color | Black |
As per Valve, the controller is compatible with any device running Steam or the Steam Link app, including Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs, as well as tablets and smartphones. It’s also compatible with the Steam Deck, both docked and handheld.
At $99, it might sit above most competitors’ price-wise, but might still be ideal for many PC gamers who are looking to get the extra features alongside the reliability of Valve’s ecosystem.
