Choosing an input device is extremely important for a gamer. After all, we use them daily in our favorite hobby and spend a lot of time with it. Ergonomics, functionality, and feature set are among the key aspects. Our tech author Jan Hartmayer has tried dozens of gamepads and found his favorite.
I am a passionate PC gamer and play a lot with mouse and keyboard. However, there are some game genres like soulslikes, party games, and racing games that I cannot enjoy without a controller. It simply feels wrong to use a keyboard here.
Therefore, I have been searching for the perfect gamepad for years. I used to think a classic Xbox controller was all I would ever need. But today, I know better. I have tried everything from 15-euro no-names to expensive 180-euro premium devices like the Xbox Elite.
Although I could use all these devices with my hardware, I was still not 100 percent satisfied. Something was missing. Either the ergonomics were off, the sticks felt strange, or other devices had better additional features.
Eventually, I ended up with Valve’s latest innovation, the Steam Controller.
Trackpads are a game changer
I have tested Valve’s gamepad for some time now and the following points I like:
- The trackpads are awesome. With them, I can navigate menus, type properly without a keyboard, and it has a mouse substitute that most other devices simply do not provide.
- The feel in the hand is very pleasant. I was initially worried that my hands would be too small for the large gamepad, but after many hours I can say: It fits like a glove.
- The Steam ecosystem is fantastic. Anyone who enjoys using their Steam library on the TV benefits doubly from the user-friendly software.
- The connectivity is super easy with the included charging puck. Just plug it in and voilà, the device is connected. No dropping Bluetooth signal that needs to be paired first.
While these points convince me to call the Steam Controller my favorite, it is still not perfect. There are some areas that could use improvement:
- The price of 100 euros is high, and there are many budget variants that offer the same or even better experience based on personal preference, except for the trackpads.
- The availability is terrible (as of 15.07.2026). This is because Valve cannot keep up with the pre-orders from the release in May, and it can take a long time before you have your device in hand.
- The ABXY buttons feel a bit spongy and could have been of higher quality, in my opinion. The same goes for the directional pad, though the effect is not quite as severe.
Almost perfect
Nevertheless, the controller is an ideal companion for my daily gaming sessions. It is my absolute favorite, and I hope that it is durable and withstands my next Elden Ring run together with me.
Furthermore, I wish for even more features in future 2.0 versions, such as improved vibration effects, like the DualSense from Sony has had for years. I would also like it if the ABXY buttons could be color-adjusted and swapped. A green, yellow, blue, red pattern would look great.
But not everyone can and wants to buy Valve’s latest input device. For many, the price is too high, or availability is not given. Moreover, not everyone has the same preferences and has different demands for a gamepad. Just like my colleague Benedikt: Forget the Steam Controller: Here are 4 alternatives that are better, cheaper, and already available.
What is your favorite controller? Or do you swear by keyboard and mouse? What do you think about the Steam Controller? Is it worth its price, or just expensive? Let us know in the comments!
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