Steam Controller Price May Have Leaked in Early Review, Pointing to $99.99

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Valve hasn’t yet revealed how much the new Steam Controller will cost or when it will be available. However, it seems a review unit may have been released prematurely, as the YouTube channel Techy Talk briefly published what appeared to be a complete review of the controller.

The video was only online for a short time before it was taken down, but people were able to capture screenshots and repost it on another website. Since then, the Steam community has been buzzing about a price tag shown at the end: $99.99.

Valve hasn’t officially confirmed this price, so it’s best to view it as unconfirmed for now, as Steam Deck HQ pointed out. However, because a reviewer has shown what looks like the final version of the device and mentioned the price, many gaming communities and news sites are considering it likely to be accurate.

What Techy Talk’s Review Actually Said

Based on early reviews and a recent analysis by Notebookcheck, the device received generally positive feedback regarding its hardware. A standout feature was the dual trackpads – the right one controls the cursor, while the left manages scrolling. Reviewers highlighted this as a key benefit for comfortable PC gaming from a couch.

Customers had two main issues with the controller. First, the rechargeable battery isn’t easily replaced. Second, the plastic feels rough and can become slippery when hands are dry. Reviewers felt a softer material, like rubber or a soft-touch coating, would have been better for the price.

Reviewers also pointed out the controller lacks a headphone jack and customizable thumbsticks or adjustable triggers. It uses a low-latency wireless connection via the Steam Controller Puck, which conveniently also functions as a magnetic charger.

In a now-deleted video, Techy Talk addressed the price, stating that while $99 isn’t inexpensive, it’s only $25 more than the cost of a PlayStation 5 controller, yet offers significantly more functionality. They also pointed out that it’s still half the price of many other high-end controllers.

How Reddit Reacted

Reddit users reacted quickly, and opinions were divided. Those who had been following news about the controller were generally different in their views from people who were just seeing the price for the first time.

Many people reacted negatively to the leaked price. One commenter on VICE said they would no longer buy it if it cost over $100, explaining they happily paid $50 for the original and would have considered $80, but now they’ll wait for their current controller to break. Others simply called the price “way too much,” having hoped it would be $80 or less. The price also seemed to surprise many, as online communities had widely predicted a price of $60 or lower.

Okay, so everyone’s been talking about the specs, and honestly, they’re impressive! The sticks, the haptics, the motion sensing, extra buttons, and a battery that lasts over 35 hours? That’s a huge jump up from most controllers you can get for $65-$75. Even the Steam Deck team thinks all those features make the price worth it, even if it’s a bit higher than some expected. But the biggest thing that sets this controller apart, and makes it not just a DualSense or Xbox controller competitor, are those dual trackpads – you just don’t see those on mainstream controllers very often!

When the first Steam Controller came out in 2015, it cost $49.99. The new version is priced at $99.99 – exactly twice as much – and that price difference has been what people have focused on more than anything else about the controller, even its features or any issues with it.

The Steam Controller Price in Context

Okay, so Valve’s new Steam Controller is priced at $99.99. That puts it a bit more expensive than the regular DualSense or Xbox Wireless Controller – around $25 more, actually. But it’s still way cheaper than something like the Xbox Elite Series 2. It feels like Valve is aiming for that sweet spot – better than the standard controllers, but not quite as pricey as the really high-end ones. It’s a good position to be in, honestly.

Valve previously explained that a lack of available memory and storage caused them to adjust their plans for release dates and costs, particularly for the Steam Machine and Steam Deck. Because of this, it’s hard to say if the recently revealed controller price is due to these component shortages, a strategic pricing decision, or a combination of both.

The community’s response shows most people were expecting the controller to cost between $60 and $80. While the actual price of $99.99 isn’t unreasonable given its features, it’s higher than what many in the Steam community had anticipated.

What Happens Next

Valve hasn’t said anything about the leaked review or the price that was reported. The video is no longer available and hasn’t been officially confirmed by Valve. Its removal suggests it was likely published before it was meant to be.

Okay, so it looks like someone actually has a Steam Deck 2 in their hands – a content creator, apparently! Plus, shipping records suggest Valve sent a bunch of “wireless PC controller” hardware to the US earlier this month. Everyone’s guessing that means an official announcement is coming really soon. The big question is whether the price will be that rumored $99.99, or if that’s changed. I’m keeping an eye out, and I’ll update you as soon as Valve says something!

The prices mentioned in this article come from a review video that was leaked online and discussed on Reddit and gaming websites on April 25, 2026. Valve hasn’t officially announced the price or release date of the Steam Controller yet.

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2026-04-25 22:58