It was always going to be like this. Pricing was conspicuous by its absence when we first got a taste of the new Valve hardware in Bellevue last November, but the recent "RAMpocalypse" changed everything. While there was hope that the Steam Controller wouldn't fall victim to the 2026 PC pricing catastrophe, the reality has proven more expensive than hoped.

Why the Steam Controller Price Increased

Valve designer Lawrence Yang admits that external economic factors have impacted the final cost of the new hardware. During a chat ahead of launch, Yang noted: "I'm not the existing expert on this, I do know price has gone up from where we originally wanted it to be."

The pricing is also subject to regional fluctuations. Depending on where a customer chooses to buy the device, the final cost may vary due to several external factors:

  • International imports
  • Regional tariffs
  • Custom duties and taxes

Features and Launch Availability

With the Steam Controller officially launching at $99 next week—with add-to-basket availability kicking off on May 4—the price has been one of the few aspects of the new Valve pad we haven't been entirely enamoured with.

To be clear, this pricing is not punitive. It positions the device right in the middle of the spectrum between premium and budget PC pads. While you can find wireless pads with Hall effect sticks and charging docks for less than $30, those budget options lack the specific extras that Valve is offering here.

Unmatched PC Functionality

The hardware offers a massive amount of PC functionality, even if it isn't strictly a "premium" offering by definition. There isn't another controller on the market that can offer the same level of utility, making it a must-look for certain enthusiasts.

Users may find themselves diving into nested settings screens to unlock the full power built into the pad. For example, many players might never have considered using gyro control on a PC if they hadn't experienced it through this specific device.

Ultimately, we don't believe the $99 price point will have an appreciable effect on sales volume. We expect to see the Steam Controller topping Steam's Top Sellers list for a long time, provided Valve can keep stock rolling.