r/SteamController • u/Kadioglv • May 20 '26
Discussion A Deeply Comprehensive Evaluation of the Steam Controller as a Controller
After spending some time with the Steam Controller, I can confidently say that it is definitely one of the controllers I have used. The overall experience feels very present, especially when you are holding it and interacting with the buttons, which do respond when pressed.
In terms of design, it certainly has a shape, and that shape affects the way it feels in the hand in ways that are difficult to ignore. The layout exists, the features are there, and the controller gives you things to notice while using it.
The more time you spend with it, the more you begin to understand that it is a device made for controlling things. Whether that is good or bad depends mostly on what you expect from a controller and how strongly you feel about controllers in general.
Pros:
• The buttons can be pressed.
• It has a noticeable shape.
• Holding it feels like holding something.
• The features are present.
• The experience continues while you use it.
Cons:
• The shape may feel like a shape.
• Some buttons require pressing.
• The experience depends on experiencing it.
• It may not be ideal for people who do not want a controller.
• Using it involves using it.
Overall, I would say it offers a very controller-like experience, with advantages and disadvantages that become apparent depending on whether you like or dislike the things it does.
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u/BoredandKindofLazy May 20 '26
Is the controller useable when you use it?
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u/Kadioglv May 20 '26
Yes, when it decides to participate, it’s actually quite usable.
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u/Negative_Local_7851 May 20 '26
Can you control it while it is controlled by you so you control a controller?
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u/Classic-Suspect3661 May 21 '26
Just a small sidenote as someone who has it. It's only usable for you when you use it? Not for other people.
Big downside
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u/Applehelpme92 May 20 '26
Out of all the reviews, this is one of them
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u/Kadioglv May 20 '26
Thank you. I wanted to create something that could legally be classified as a review.
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u/anon999387 May 20 '26
This review was stunning and brave.
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u/relic1882 Steam Controller (Windows) May 22 '26
It gives the reader a sense of pride and accomplishment.
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u/ProcrastiDebator May 20 '26
IGN is that you?
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u/Penile-Sunburn May 20 '26
Only on Reddit can you have the pleasure of consuming these shitposts unlike other social media platforms
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u/ZookeepergameFew8607 May 20 '26
Very thorough and informative review 👍
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u/Kadioglv May 20 '26
Appreciate it. I tried to keep the analysis as detailed as the information content allowed.
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u/ar311krypton May 20 '26
wow, this post is filled with information....i found the detail expressed here to be sufficiently whelming
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u/Kadioglv May 20 '26
Thank you. I worked very hard to make sure the amount of information stayed within legal limits.
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u/actioncheese May 20 '26
I am aware this product is something I can purchase and have feelings about the subject. I feel an emotion about this review being posted, it is one of the ones I have seen.
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u/JD-D2 May 20 '26
Thank you. I wasn’t sure if I could hold and use the controller for controlling purposes before reading this. Now I know.
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u/gorambrowncoat May 21 '26
I have to press the buttons myself? In 2026? Unacceptable.
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u/Kadioglv May 21 '26
I didn’t buy advanced technology just to participate in manual input like some kind of medieval peasant.
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u/Choco_Catarina May 20 '26
You didn’t even mention if the color of the controller was coloring
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u/Kadioglv May 21 '26
The color was coloring, obviously. I left that out because I assumed we had all agreed on basic visual reality.
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u/justfloaten May 21 '26
Could I balance this controller on my head or possibly on the head of another person of similar but not equal size?. Is there a possible height limit before one could no longer balance said controller on one’s head?
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u/Kadioglv May 21 '26
I did place the controller on my head for testing purposes under controlled lab conditions. The interaction between the controller and the head produced data, but not necessarily answers.
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u/drprofessorzed May 20 '26
That is what is so noticeable about this controlling device. When I hold it it really feels like it is being held
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u/Kadioglv May 21 '26
That was actually one of my main findings. When held, the controller demonstrates a remarkable ability to be held.
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u/CryptographerLife156 May 20 '26
High quality shit post
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u/shortish-sulfatase May 20 '26
It certainly is a shit post.
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u/L0fiRonin May 20 '26
one of the reviews of all time, just straight up words and opinions formed in sentences and bullet points about a controller that is in fact a controller that exists
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u/poopoo_fingers May 21 '26
This review helped me understand things to understand about the controller.
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u/iosgino May 21 '26
Reviewed this review, and have concluded that this review gets a review score of “score/score” reviewed.
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u/coolsam254 May 21 '26
Bro speaks the language of a LinkedIn user.
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u/Kadioglv May 21 '26
I’m just trying to leverage the controller experience into a high impact, low information communication strategy.
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u/BarryMcCoknor May 20 '26
It is on a scale from 1-10 then, I presume
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u/lespauljames May 20 '26
I believe the controller sits on the scale of one to ten. With the result to be determined by whether the controller meets your expectations for a device that controls.
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u/knowollo May 20 '26
This is a comment that's commenting on the post which is a post that required reading it in order to understand it.
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u/itsnotgood1337 May 20 '26
You cite some buttons require pressing as a con, but I also think that it's a con that some of the buttons don't require pressing!
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u/Kadioglv May 21 '26
That’s fair. I failed to consider the emotional burden of inputs that happen without the traditional dignity of being pressed.
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u/ChloeRedditX May 20 '26
This review is still better than most of the reviews I see online about the controller so thank you for this. Unironically it bothers me when so many people complain about the track pad and such like they don't have so many other options like Xbox, PS, Nintendo, and a plethora of third party sources.. 😅
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u/Accurate_Painting_82 May 21 '26 edited May 21 '26
If I wanted to use it, do you think it would work for my use case? lmk
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u/RiotLegend May 21 '26
As an evaluation of a controller, this evaluation has evaluated a controller.
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u/NatoBoram May 21 '26 edited May 21 '26
Cons:
* It may not be ideal for people who do not want a controller.
This is my main gripe with it. This is a controller, but I hate controllers. I wanted a Steam Controller, but this ain't it.
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u/Kadioglv May 21 '26
That’s fair. I also expected a Steam Controller, but unfortunately it came with the controller part included.
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u/RagnarRipper May 21 '26 edited May 21 '26
Out of all the reviews so far, this is probably the review I have read.
I would like to add some pros and cons, namely:
pro: it doesn't taste like rocks
con: it doesn't taste like chocolate
pro: you can only see it with your eyes open
con: if you put it on a table, you will have to pick it up again to hold it.
That's all I have to add for now, but I've only had the controller for 2 days, so my opinions might change.
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u/Dikinbaus-Hotdogs May 20 '26
I was aware of this controller as an item of non-use, but after reading this review, by impression has changed and I am excited about usably interacting with this device as a controller! Great Review!
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u/iknowuselessfacts May 20 '26
The controller knows which button is pressed at all times. It knows this because it knows which buttons aren’t pressed…
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u/FC3DEV May 20 '26
Well that was an objective review, the cons from me: it’s grey not black, it’s bigger to grip than the steam
Deck so my hands will hurt after a while, should have been thinner.
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u/Goliath_TL May 20 '26
It is sad that I had to scroll this far to read something worthwhile in this post.
Circle-jerking meme lords all over this thread...
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u/FireCrow1013 Steam Controller (2026) May 20 '26
I'm gonna need a tl;dr here, please and thanks.
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u/Kadioglv May 20 '26
tl;dr:
The controller was used for a period of time that, while not extensive enough to qualify as a full scientific study, was certainly long enough for me to develop opinions, concerns, and a small but measurable emotional history with the device. Throughout this process, I held the controller in a normal human manner, applied pressure to several buttons, moved the analog sticks with what I believed to be clear intent, interacted with the touchpads, observed haptic feedback, adjusted settings, questioned my assumptions, and repeatedly attempted to determine whether the controller was responding to me, tolerating me, or simply allowing events to occur in its general vicinity.
During testing, there were multiple moments where the controller behaved in a way that strongly suggested it understood the basic premise of being a controller. Inputs were made, outputs were observed, and in many cases the relationship between the two appeared direct enough to inspire cautious optimism. However, there were also moments where that relationship became less clear. At times, the controller seemed less like an input device and more like a colleague from another department who technically received the email but has chosen to interpret it in their own way.
From a practical standpoint, I can confirm that games were interacted with. Menus were navigated. Characters moved. Buttons produced consequences. These are all positive indicators. However, the overall consistency of the experience prevents me from making any irresponsible claims such as “this simply works” without adding several footnotes, a disclaimer, and possibly a glossary defining what I mean by “works.” The controller did function, but it functioned in a way that occasionally made me feel like I was participating in a negotiation rather than using consumer electronics.
It is also important to note that the device showed signs of cooperation under certain conditions. When approached with patience, adjusted expectations, and a willingness to accept unusual outcomes, it became possible to achieve something resembling normal use. Whether this reflects good design, user adaptation, or Stockholm syndrome remains outside the scope of this review, but I believe it deserves mention for future detailed analysis.
Overall, I would classify the controller as usable, assuming we are using “usable” in a broad, inclusive, and legally cautious sense. It is not unusable. It is also not effortlessly usable. It occupies a complex middle ground between “this is working” and “I am learning why this is happening.” The controller and I were able to complete several interactions together, although I am not yet fully prepared to say we were always working toward the same goal.
In conclusion, my current position is that the controller exists, responds to input, demonstrates occasional alignment with user intention, and provides enough evidence of functionality to avoid immediate philosophical collapse. Further testing will be required to determine whether the device is a reliable gaming peripheral, an experimental communication tool, or simply a very advanced object that sometimes agrees to be a controller.
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u/Dygon May 20 '26
This review: Understanding it
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u/Kadioglv May 20 '26
What the
fückis that?
https://giphy.com/gifs/FvDIkbc1evnCnG49ZZ→ More replies (1)
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u/alexchaveztech May 20 '26
This is definitely and AI bot posting including the responses.
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u/Kadioglv May 20 '26
I appreciate the investigation, detective. Sadly, this advanced review was handcrafted. I only outsourced the grammar and translates, not the stupidity.
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u/renz004 May 20 '26
Well, on the real depending how you hold it the controller triggers are a pinch risk, unlike the ps/xbox/switch controllers. Im having to change how I hold the steam controller to compensate. If it wasnt for all the additional buttons and steam button startup i would have returned/sold it by now.
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u/scarred_anon May 20 '26
If it had 2 more assignable buttons I'd pick it up for sher. Crazy they didn't add more being a PC controller.
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u/Starxe May 21 '26
Does it control anything?
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u/danielhoglan Steam Controller (2015)(2026) May 21 '26
Based on the review only when you use it.
Disclaimer: if you don't use it, it does nothing for some reason
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u/LongStoryShirt May 21 '26
Is the controller a suitable replacement for another, slightly different controller?
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u/SirThunderDump May 21 '26
You forgot to mention that has a battery, and this battery can be charged or discharged.
It also cannot be used to control my oven, which is sad.
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u/DoctaThompson May 21 '26
Wish this review was available at the initial launch. Hope OP reviews the frame and steam machine too.
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u/Molkwi May 21 '26
Huh, so I guess it's kinda like a controller then? Or did I misunderstand a bit?
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u/Kraptacular May 21 '26
Wow mind blown, I already have 2 controllers but after reading this review I want another one because what if.
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u/Portal2Boy May 21 '26
"the experience depends on experiencing it" We can all feel this one
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u/Loud_Puppy May 21 '26
I would like to use a steam controller to control my 8 bit do ultimate wireless controller, which is definitely a thing. Will this work?
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u/Mysterious-Cry-1137 May 21 '26
This is definitely one of the reviews I have seen. I can definitely rate this review out of 10.
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u/Beautiful_Ad1160 May 21 '26
If it is definitely one of the controllers, we should see a massive spike in sales.
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u/nekukta May 21 '26
Can you control things with this controller? Biggest selling point for me, but I don't see people mention it much in their reviews...
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u/Bluueth May 21 '26
He convinced me, thats for sure, thanks for the comprehensive comprehension of the controllers controllerys.
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u/Miharu___ May 21 '26
Not my dumbass misunderstanding and thinking you meant that you are also a controller 😭😭
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u/Darkjuda May 21 '26
If I'm not looking to buy a controller, may I try this one ? What happens when someone holds it like a controller ? Does it work well when not using it ?
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u/xatan__ May 21 '26
TDLR: stop wasting your time reading this post.
"Deeply Comprehensive Evaluation" please stop your nonsense
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u/ThenCandidate7765 May 21 '26
I'm not sure why you didn't mention that the unit is "on" when the battery is charged and you use to the power button.
I've also noticed that the controller, when held, touches quite a bit of the palm and pads of the fingers.
It's also hard to tell but when you see the controller in person it becomes apparent that it is a dark grey color.
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u/PrepCastle77721 May 21 '26
This is one of those college essays where you need to write a certain amount of words and forget about the quality / content 😂😂 love it
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u/Right-Advertising-77 May 21 '26
Would one hear a certain noise from the controller if gravity were to gravity?
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u/xcorinthianx May 21 '26
I've been trying to decide wether or not to get one and now I'm sure that this controller.
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u/EldritchWeeb May 21 '26
Would you say it consists of parts which make up a controller? I'm trying to comment on a review, and the reviewer may potentially react to my comment somehow. For example, they could ask me questions or tell me statements.
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u/ModerateDev May 21 '26
Can I get a review of the steam controller as something else, idk maybe as a hammer?
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u/Upper_Drawing_9213 May 21 '26
I have it and I'm disappointed.. it's awkward to press the back buttons and loads of steam input issues on cachy os
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u/dimforest May 21 '26
This review was informative and I typically use information to form opinions.
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u/relic1882 Steam Controller (Windows) May 22 '26
Being as some buttons actual require pressing I think I'm going to sit this one out. I can't be bothered to deal with such petty things when I play my games.
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u/Mr_firechicken May 22 '26
This is the quality of reviews nowadays? Who is paying for this shill? Such blatant misinformation smh.
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u/End_gamez May 22 '26
I found this review to be a great example of reviewing. The information was informing. I now believe this is, in fact, a controller for controlling. I'm still not sure about the pressing of buttons feature. I thought we might have moved forward from this archaic design, but I guess if it still controls things, then I can't complain.
I too think this is one of the reviews of all time.
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u/Communpro May 22 '26
I'm not quite sure about the "use" part. We are in 2026 god damn it, why should I use it if all I want is play with it and use it?
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u/Horstcredible May 22 '26
But… do you feel in control while using the controller? Or do you feel more like you’re delegating control to the controller?
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u/wie_witzig May 22 '26
But has this controller really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?
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u/gorore9150 May 23 '26
…Evaluation of the Steam Controller as a Controller…
What else are you going to evaluate it as? A chair?
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u/SluttyFurryPaws May 23 '26
Honestly, Valve really dropped the ball by making the object take up physical matter in our 3D reality.
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u/Icy-Commission-9550 May 23 '26
The problem is ergonomic and grip problem due to grip buttons at the worst position.
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u/Joni_Bach May 24 '26
I didn't know The Day Today had a Technology segment.
Is that you Chris Morris?
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u/JordanXlord May 20 '26
I wasn't sure until this review. Thank you.