this post was submitted on 27 Apr 2026
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Steam Hardware

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[โ€“] boboliosisjones@feddit.nu 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)

This is way cheaper than the "Elite" Xbox controller and PS equivalent though? As stated in my region 100 usd is the rough price of a Dualsense or Xbox controller.

The only competitor with a touchpad I know of is the Dualsense, but the battery is trash and it has a mic and speaker which is more annoying than useful to me.

Valve has built a lot of trust with their hardware snd every indication is that is will be a very servicable device.

IMO people who are really only familiar with microsoft, sony, nintendo and valve controllers really are missing the world of amazing value out there with dozens of competing high quality devices with better features and often more reliable than a $200 xbox controller that develops a stuttering bumper button right after the 1 year warranty expires (or before, requiring a replacement that breaks again and again.) This isn't 1998 anymore, "generic" controllers are often better than the originals.

Anywho... There's 198 other controllers here than the three you mentioned. https://gamepadla.com/

The original steam controller really was the first one to have it. A niche of users are obsessed with the feature but no major manufacturer has come out and made a copy because it's just not a popular enough thing.

like I said in my other comment:

Valve was targeting the $40-$60 range originally with this controller. I don't know what happened, given that the competitors are just a little bit over that.

Vader 4 pro was ~$45 last year, at least according to spam in my inbox and my order history. $67 today.

Vader 5 pro is $63 now, but I haven't looked at reviews and I don't need a controller, but on paper they made improvements

8bitdo ultimate wireless 2 is $56 right now even.

Gamesir G7 Pro is another solid option, $80, I don't have one but they're also supposed to be excellent. [...]

Best bang for your buck is still probably the 8bitdo ultimate 2c. It's a fairly basic controller with a 2.4g dongle, bluetooth and two extra buttons. You can find them on sale for for $22 at times or sometimes less but full price is just 30.

Effectively nobody went out and threw trackpads or touch controls on controllers. It just wasn't popular enough after the original steam controller. If you absolutely adore the touchpads on the deck and that's your reason for picking up a controller, this is the exclusive choice for you lol