Steam Controller 2 leaks with a May 4 launch date and a $99 price tag
Valve's Steam Controller 2 is launching on May 4, 2026, according to a now-deleted review by Japanese outlet 4Gamer — the second embargo break in a matter of days. The price, confirmed by a separate early review from YouTuber Techy Talk, is $99. That puts it $24 above the PS5 DualSense and $34 above the Xbox Wireless Controller, making it one of the priciest standard-configuration gamepads on the market.
The hardware
The controller ships with four rear grip buttons, dual trackpads, and TMR (Tunneling Magnetoresistance) thumbsticks. TMR is a magnetic sensing technology designed to resist the stick drift that plagues conventional analog sticks — it's the main hardware argument for the premium price. Battery life is rated at 35 hours or more. On the downside, Tom's Hardware notes the plastic body has a slippery surface with no rubber grip, there's no 3.5mm headphone jack, and thumbstick height is not adjustable. The body is also noticeably larger than a DualSense or an Xbox pad, which 4Gamer's comparison photos made clear before the review was pulled.
Steam Controller 2 next to a DualSense and Xbox Wireless Controller — the size difference is significant.
Comparison shots from 4Gamer confirmed just how much bigger the Steam Controller 2 is next to Sony's and Microsoft's controllers.
Size comparison from 4Gamer's now-deleted review.
Unboxing photos spread widely after 4Gamer's review went up and was deleted.
The price question
At $99, the Steam Controller 2 is priced as a PC-first peripheral aimed at people who already use Steam and want proper couch gaming without a keyboard. For that audience, the trackpads and anti-drift sticks are genuine selling points. For anyone who just wants a controller to plug in, the DualSense or Xbox pad costs significantly less and works fine on PC. UK and EU pricing with VAT has not been announced, and Valve has made no official statement on the May 4 date, the price, or regional availability. If the 08:00 CEST launch time holds, that's 07:00 BST — early morning in the UK.
What's next
The Steam Controller 2 appears to be launching standalone, ahead of the Steam Machine it was originally paired with. Valve has stayed completely silent through both leaks. An official announcement is expected any day given that the launch date is reportedly less than two weeks away. Pre-order links through the Steam store or major retailers have not gone live as of now.