Best Controllers for Steam Deck (2026)
The Steam Deck has its own built-in controls, so an external pad matters mainly for docked play on a TV or when you want a different feel. These pads are tagged for Steam Deck in our data.
Quick answer
How we picked
- Steam Deck is a listed platform for every pick.
- Contactless sticks rank above potentiometer sticks.
- Wireless options, back buttons, battery life and price break ties.
We rank from the specs we track and the manufacturers' own pages. We have not tested these controllers hands-on.
Our picks
- Best overall$69.99
8BitDo Pro 3
Photo: 8BitDo The best-equipped pad with a Steam Deck tag: TMR sticks, switchable triggers and back paddles, with a 2.4 GHz dongle.
- Price
- $69.99
- Connection
- 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, Wired
- Sticks
- TMR
- Triggers
- Hall effect (linear), switchable to micro switch
- Extra buttons
- 2 back paddles + 2 remappable Fast Bumpers (L4/R4)
- Battery
- 20 h
- Weight
- 242.4 g
- Platforms
- PC, Android, iOS, Switch, Steam Deck
Head to head: 8BitDo Pro 3 vs 8BitDo Ultimate 2 vs GameSir Cyclone 2
- Best value$49.99
8BitDo Pro 2
Photo: 8BitDo Hall-effect sticks, two back paddles and a long battery at a lower price than the Pro 3. It connects by Bluetooth or cable only.
- Price
- $49.99
- Connection
- Bluetooth, Wired
- Sticks
- Hall effect
- Triggers
- Analog (sensor type not stated)
- Extra buttons
- 2 back paddles (Pro-level)
- Battery
- 20 h
- Weight
- 228 g
- Platforms
- PC, Android, iOS, Switch, Steam Deck
- Best budget$29.99
GuliKit ES Pro
Photo: HLPlanet TMR sticks and a very long battery for a budget price, with no back buttons.
- Price
- $29.99
- Connection
- Bluetooth, Wired
- Sticks
- TMR
- Triggers
- Hall effect
- Extra buttons
- None
- Battery
- 30 h
- Weight
- 220 g
- Platforms
- PC, Android, iOS, Switch, Steam Deck
Watch out: No back buttons.
Head to head: GuliKit ES Pro vs GameSir Cyclone 2 vs GameSir Nova Lite
- Most buttons$59.99
EasySMX X20
Photo: EasySMX Four programmable back buttons and Hall-effect triggers, with 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth.
- Price
- $59.99
- Connection
- 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, Wired
- Sticks
- Hall effect
- Triggers
- Hall effect, linear
- Extra buttons
- 4 programmable back buttons
- Battery
- 12 h
- Weight
- 225.8 g
- Platforms
- PC, Switch, Steam Deck, Android, iOS
Head to head: EasySMX X15 vs EasySMX X20 vs GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro
- Best low-price all-rounder$39.99
EasySMX X15
Photo: EasySMX Hall-effect sticks and triggers, two back buttons and 2.4 GHz plus Bluetooth at a low price.
- Price
- $39.99
- Connection
- 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, Wired
- Sticks
- Hall effect
- Triggers
- Hall effect
- Extra buttons
- 2 programmable back buttons
- Battery
- 12 h
- Weight
- 228 g
- Platforms
- Switch, PC, Android, iOS, Steam Deck
Head to head: EasySMX X15 vs EasySMX X20 vs GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro
- Valve's ownPrice not listed
Steam Controller (2nd gen)
Valve's own controller, built around Steam: TMR sticks, analog triggers and four rear grip buttons.
- Price
- Not listed
- Connection
- 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, Wired
- Sticks
- TMR
- Triggers
- Analog (sensor type not stated)
- Extra buttons
- 4 rear grip buttons
- Battery
- 35 h
- Weight
- 292 g
- Platforms
- PC, Steam Deck
Head to head: Steam Controller (2nd gen) vs 8BitDo Ultimate 2 vs GameSir G7 Pro
All picks compared
| Controller | Price | Connection | Sticks | Triggers | Battery | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8BitDo Pro 3 | $69.99 | 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, Wired | TMR | Hall effect (linear), switchable to micro switch | 20 h | 242.4 g |
| 8BitDo Pro 2 | $49.99 | Bluetooth, Wired | Hall effect | Analog (sensor type not stated) | 20 h | 228 g |
| GuliKit ES Pro | $29.99 | Bluetooth, Wired | TMR | Hall effect | 30 h | 220 g |
| EasySMX X20 | $59.99 | 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, Wired | Hall effect | Hall effect, linear | 12 h | 225.8 g |
| EasySMX X15 | $39.99 | 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, Wired | Hall effect | Hall effect | 12 h | 228 g |
| Steam Controller (2nd gen) | – | 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, Wired | TMR | Analog (sensor type not stated) | 35 h | 292 g |
Prices are US prices in USD from manufacturer stores, checked 2026-10-10. Retail prices change often.
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