Valve’s latest Steam Controller has its flaws, but I’m still getting one.

After a quick hands-on experience with Valve’s new Steam Controller last year, I thought it might just be the ultimate gamepad. I’ve been on the lookout for a controller that offers the same level of customization and functionality as Valve’s Steam Deck, especially for gaming on the big screen. Many of us have been eagerly anticipating this release.

Having spent over two weeks with the new controller, it’s already transforming my gaming sessions at home. I used to rely on the Steam Deck for my couch gaming because of its comfortable design, but the Controller has me docking my Deck to enjoy games on the TV, as it feels even better in hand.

I’ve logged hours crafting wild combos in Vampire Crawlers, taking down bots in Pragmata, and battling terrifying zombies in Resident Evil 2. The beauty of this controller is that I can assign any button or input to whatever I want, allowing me to create unique layouts that automatically load whenever I start a game.

Even better, layouts made for the Steam Deck transfer seamlessly to the Controller and vice versa. This means you can easily take the gamepad to a friend’s place and still enjoy your custom settings. For more details on the extensive customization options that set this controller apart from the competition, check out other insights from the community.

There are a few aspects I’m not as fond of, like the placement of the trackpads, but those minor issues won’t stop me from dropping $99 to snag one for myself.

The moment I pressed the R4 back button and it instantly took a screenshot—just like I had set up on my Steam Deck—I knew this controller was something special. When all my finely-tuned controls transferred over without a hitch, it became clear how valuable a first-party Valve controller could be.

Typically, when I dock the Steam Deck and grab a wireless gamepad, I’m settling for less. But with the Steam Controller and its robust settings, it feels like I’m still using the Deck: every button is right where I expect it, fully customizable, and my muscle memory remains intact.

The Controller is a joy to use. Just like the Deck, my fingers fit comfortably around its grips, and both the joysticks and buttons are easy to reach. There’s no rattling when I shake it, and the D-pad feels solid, along with the satisfyingly clicky new Steam and Quick Access buttons. Quick Access is especially useful for quick adjustments like volume. The rumble is sharper than what I’ve experienced with other controllers, though Sony’s DualSense still holds the edge in haptic feedback.

Getting the controller to work with my Steam Deck is a breeze. You can connect it via a USB-C puck that establishes a low-latency 2.4GHz connection (which magnetically attaches to the back of the controller for charging). Alternatively, you can use Bluetooth or a USB-C cable for simultaneous play and charging.

One of my favorite features is the small color-changing LED at the top of the controller, which indicates its various modes. For instance, white means you’re connected via the 2.4GHz puck, while blue indicates Bluetooth. It even flashes red during updates. Plus, the Controller plays a chime similar to the Deck when it powers on and off.

Valve claims the battery lasts over 35 hours of gameplay, but thanks to the puck’s convenience, I haven’t worried about battery life at all. While some might prefer AA batteries due to the longevity of rechargeables, I appreciate the convenience, and the battery is easily replaceable. Valve is also collaborating with companies to offer replacements in the future.

From my couch, which is about 12 feet from the puck under my TV, I haven’t noticed any significant latency between the 2.4GHz connection and Bluetooth. Even during intense gameplay in titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong, any mistakes I made were purely my own. I had to move to distant rooms to experience any noticeable latency in either wireless mode.

For most gamers playing at their desks or lounging on the couch, either connection should suffice. Valve’s Pierre-Loup Griffais mentioned that Bluetooth’s limitations become apparent mainly when using multiple Bluetooth controllers at once or when downloading games on PCs where the Bluetooth antenna also serves Wi-Fi.

A new feature of the Steam Controller is Grip Sense. Thanks to capacitive sensors, each grip acts as a button. Like everything else, you can map either grip to any function you desire. In my experience, Grip Sense activates when my palm curls around the grip, making it great for gyro controls. It was a bit sensitive as a trigger substitute in Resident Evil 2, but I doubt many will use it that way.

The trackpads, however, were somewhat disappointing. Their placement isn’t ideal for extensive use as a mouse; after a few attempts, my thumbs started to ache. While the right trackpad provided slightly finer control in Resident Evil 2, I still prefer using the right joystick for aiming.

I did find the trackpads useful in Vampire Crawlers for hovering over information I couldn’t access with just the gamepad controls. They’re also handy for navigating a desktop. However, like with the Steam Deck, I wouldn’t rely on the trackpads for long sessions of mouse-based gaming.

I also wish the Steam Controller had a headphone jack, similar to the DualSense and Switch Pro controller. It’s just more convenient to plug headphones directly into those controllers rather than dealing with wireless headsets. I tried using USB-C headphones with the USB-C port on top, but it didn’t work for audio.

What else do you want to know about the Steam Controller? If you have any questions, feel free to ask during our subscriber-exclusive AMA.

As for the Steam Machine and Steam Frame, they’re still not available, and we don’t have a timeline for their release or pricing. I only have one Steam Controller, while another is on the other side of the country, so we haven’t tested multiple Controllers with a single puck. (You can connect up to four per puck.)

Despite everything, the Steam Controller is very close to being my ideal gamepad. At $99, it’s a premium option, especially since I already own several controllers. But none of them offer the same unique experience. The extra features of the Steam Controller are enough for me to make the purchase.