After a lot of leaks and rumors, Valve’s new Steam Controller is finally launching, but it is arriving without the rest of the company’s hardware lineup.
Valve’s official Steam page lists the controller for purchase on May 4, 2026, at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, while The Verge reports that it will cost $99 in the U.S., with regional pricing set at $149 AUD in Australia, $149 CAD in Canada, €99 in the EU, and £85 in the UK.
This release is unusual because Valve originally revealed the Steam Controller in November 2025 as part of one big hardware plan that also included the Steam Machine and Steam Frame VR headset. Now, the controller is coming first, giving PC and Steam Deck players an early option while Valve prepares for the rest of the lineup.
Steam Controller Release Date
The new Steam Controller will go on sale on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET or 10 a.m. PT. Valve confirmed the launch details one week before release, with sales opening on May 4, 2026, at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET.
Before the Steam Controller Release Date, Valve is not taking pre-orders for the Steam Controller; purchases are scheduled to open directly on launch day.
This is the first confirmed launch from the company’s latest Steam hardware plan.
This is the first confirmed launch from the company’s latest Steam hardware plan. The Steam Machine and Steam Frame are still planned, but Valve has not given any confirmed release date for them. The Verge reports that the Steam Controller is launching before the Steam Machine and Steam Frame, while Valve says it still expects to share more news about the rest of the hardware lineup later.
How Much Does the Steam Controller Cost?
The Steam Controller will cost $99 in the United States. The Verge also listed regional pricing as $149 AUD in Australia, $149 CAD in Canada, €99 in the EU, and £85 in the UK. PC Gamer noted that the controller is more expensive than many basic PC gamepads, but described it as a couch-friendly Steam controller built for players who want PC-style controls away from a desk.
The controller will not be available in every market at launch, and Valve has not listed India among the official launch regions. Valve is releasing it in regions where Steam hardware is currently supported, including Europe, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. India is not listed as an official launch market for the Steam Controller.
This price does not come as a complete surprise because a similar $99.99 figure had surfaced a few days earlier after YouTube channel Techy Talk briefly posted what appeared to be an early Steam Controller review before taking it down. Screenshots and reuploads from that video quickly spread across Reddit, with Steam Deck HQ cautioning at the time that the figure should be treated as unofficial until Valve confirms it. Now that the company has announced the controller’s price, the earlier leak appears to have been accurate.
Why Is Valve Releasing the Steam Controller Alone?
The Steam Controller is launching first because it is easier for Valve to ship than the Steam Machine, while the company has not yet announced final release timing for the Steam Machine or Steam Frame. Reports say memory and storage shortages complicated Valve’s wider hardware plans, but Valve also says the Controller and Steam Machine were not strictly required to launch on the same day.
Valve’s Pierre-Loup Griffais told The Verge that the company does not have a Steam Machine or Steam Frame update to share yet, but said Valve is working to get them out the door.
Valve hardware engineer Steve Cardinali explained that the Steam Controller is easier to release first because it does not use RAM, unlike the Steam Machine. He said, “This doesn’t have RAM in it, and it’s not as complicated to start getting out the door for us. We’re ready for it. We wanted to build up quantity so that we could try to address everybody who wants one at launch, but it’s possible that the demand for it far exceeds our expectations.”
This means the Steam Machine is not launching alongside the Controller on May 4, though Valve still says more news on the wider hardware lineup is expected later.
What Are the Features and Specifications?
The new Steam Controller is built directly around the same idea that made Steam Deck successful, which is “providing comprehensive PC control inputs that just work for any game.”
Valve’s official Steam Controller page lists magnetic thumbsticks using TMR technology, which are designed for better feel, long-term reliability, and responsiveness. TechRadar also highlighted the controller’s dual touchpads, TMR thumbsticks, HD haptics, gyroscope controls, and four remappable rear buttons.
The controller is not limited to the Steam Machine, but its deepest functionality is built around Steam and Steam Input. Valve says it is designed to work with any computer running Steam, including macOS, Windows, and Linux systems. It can also work with smartphones and tablets through Steam Link or as a general-purpose controller, although full feature support may depend on the device and setup.
The controller also includes the Steam Controller Puck, which works as a wireless receiver/transmitter and charging dock. TechRadar says the controller connects to the puck magnetically, charges through it, and pairs with a PC through the same accessory.
For a detailed breakdown of the controller’s specs and features, look below:
- Gamepad Controls: A B X Y buttons, D-pad, L & R analog triggers, L & R bumpers, View & Menu buttons, Steam & QAM buttons, 4x assignable grip buttons.
- Thumbsticks: 2x full-size magnetic thumbsticks (TMR) with capacitive touch.
- Haptics: 4x haptic motors, 2x LRA haptic motors in trackpads for HD tactile feedback, 2x high output LRA haptic motors in grips for HD game haptics, including rumble.
- Trackpads: 2x 34.5mm square trackpads with haptic feedback, pressure-sensitive for configurable click strength.
- Grip Sense: 2x capacitive areas along the back of the Steam Controller handles.
- Gyro: 6-axis IMU.
- Steam Controller Puck: 2.4GHz wireless connection, ~8ms full end-to-end, 4ms polling rate (measured at 5m), Up to 4 Steam Controllers per Steam Controller Puck, Steam Controller Puck connects to a PC via USB-C.
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.2 minimum, 5.0 or higher recommended.
- USB: USB-C tethered play.
- Charging: Steam Controller Puck charging interface, USB-C connector.
- Battery: 8.39 Wh Li-ion battery, 35+ hours of gameplay (Battery life for tracked gameplay with Steam Frame is reduced).
- Weight: Steam Controller: 292 g, Steam Controller Puck: 16 g.
- Size: Steam Controller: 111mm x 159mm x 57mm, Steam Controller Puck: 50mm x 28mm x 9mm.
- For now, the Steam Controller is the clearest part of Valve’s new hardware plan. It has a confirmed launch date, a fixed price, and early hands-on reviews by many outlets, including IGN’s Steam Controller unboxing video. The Steam Machine, on the other hand, is still waiting for its chance.
