Steam Controller scalpers are asking for $300+ on eBay — Valve's $99 controller demands high price as pre-orders sell out almost immediately

Source: Tom’s Hardware

Image credit: Tom’s Hardware

Availability and Scalping

Valve’s Steam Controller, priced at $99, sold out shortly after becoming available on Steam. The rapid sell‑out led to a surge of scalpers relisting confirmed pre‑orders on eBay for $300 or more. Users have reported intermittent restocks in the U.S., but Valve has not announced when the controller will be back in stock.

Review Summary

We gave the Steam Controller four out of five stars in our Steam Controller review. Reviewer Andrew E. Freedman wrote:

“The Steam Controller is a comfortable, fully‑feature‑dressed controller at a sensible price point between basic controllers on the market and their more customizable counterparts. It’s a bit weighty, but it’s comfortable, and if you love your Steam Deck, you’ll feel right at home.”

Criticisms include limited broad PC support compared to controllers like the Xbox Series controller, as the Steam Controller is primarily designed for use with Steam.

History and Delays

The Steam Controller was originally revealed alongside the Steam Machine late last year, with plans for a simultaneous release. Valve later delayed the Steam Machine in February, citing rising memory costs and reconsidering pricing. Subsequent updates to the launch page changed the projected release window from “early 2026” to “this year,” indicating further delays.

Scalping Concerns

While the controller is not affected by memory shortages, it is vulnerable to scalping bots. Users looking for more insight can read our Steam Controller developer interview.