Steam Controller vs 8BitDo Ultimate 2 vs GameSir Cyclone 2: Which PC Controller Fits Your Setup?

Introduction

Choosing a PC controller used to be simple: pick an Xbox pad and move on. But the return of the Steam Controller has changed the conversation. At $100, it offers trackpads, gyroscope, haptic rumble, and grip sensors, all powered by Steam Input. Meanwhile, two strong third-party options, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 and the GameSir Cyclone 2, deliver solid hardware at roughly half the price.

This comparison looks at how each controller feels in the hand, what you can do with them in software, and how they behave both inside and outside Steam. The goal is to help you decide which one fits the way you actually play.

Hardware Overview

The Steam Controller feels great to hold. Its layout is a cross between a PlayStation and Xbox design, and it essentially feels like a Steam Deck scrunched together without a screen. It connects via Bluetooth, wired, or a 2.4 GHz puck that acts as a wireless extension. Plug the puck into your PC and the controller connects automatically, which is the most seamless way to use it.

The controls are rubber membrane, a little squishy but nice and quiet. Everything is easy to reach with good ergonomics. The main complaint is that the back buttons can be pressed accidentally, though that becomes less of an issue over time. Beyond the standard controls, the Steam Controller includes trackpads, grip sensors, capacitive joystick tops, and TMR joysticks.

The GameSir Cyclone 2 has an Xbox-style shape that flares outward, pushing your elbows out slightly, which many find more comfortable. It is lightweight at 231 grams. All controls use micro switches, so the face buttons and D-pad feel clicky and precise, more like mouse clicks. The shoulder and trigger housing is nearly identical to an Xbox controller, with a grippy texture on top. It also has built-in trigger stops that turn the triggers into a digital hair trigger, great for shooters.

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 feels a bit more angled inward, similar to the Steam Controller. At 246 grams, it sits between the other two in weight. The face buttons are clacky rubber membrane, much like an Xbox controller. The D-pad combines rubber membrane and dome switch, giving it a soft but clicky, retro feel. The shoulder and trigger design resembles a PlayStation 4 controller. It also has a digital toggle for hair triggers, and four function buttons: two on the sides and two on top.

The Steam Controller is the heaviest at 291 grams, but none of the three feel overly heavy. If you want the lightest option, the GameSir is the one.

Steam Controller

The Steam Controller is the most feature-rich of the three. In Steam, it shows up as a Steam Controller, and everything works cleanly. Under calibration and advanced settings, you can adjust joystick dead zones for either side and calibrate the gyro. The grip sensor is unique to this controller, and a recent update lets you adjust both the range and responsiveness. This is useful for avoiding accidental touches, which can happen if the sensor is too sensitive.

Steam Input opens up a huge range of options. You can remap face buttons, extended buttons, and grips. Triggers can be set for full pull versus soft pull, or configured as a hair trigger. Capacitive touch on the joystick tops can activate gyro or other functions. The trackpads can be set to act as a joystick, a mouse, or an “as joystick” mode that functions like a mouse input while also working as a joystick. Gyro options include radio menus, touch menus, mouse input, joystick camera, and deflection. There is a lot of nuance here that other controllers simply do not offer.

Outside of Steam, the situation is different. Windows does not recognize the Steam Controller as a gamepad. It sees it as a keyboard and mouse that happens to have controller inputs. This means many non-Steam games, especially Game Pass titles, will not work properly. You can sometimes get games to boot because the system thinks a keyboard is connected, but actual gamepad inputs often fail. There are third-party apps that can make the Steam Controller work at the Windows level, and SDL support is improving, which could bring native compatibility to many games and emulators in the future. Still, it requires extra effort.

GameSir Cyclone 2

The GameSir Cyclone 2 has been a reliable PC controller for about a year and a half. It uses a 2.4 GHz dongle, wired, or Bluetooth. It comes with a charging dock that also houses the dongle, so you can plug the dock into your PC and use it as a wireless receiver. The dock looks angular and gamery, but it is convenient.

The GameSir Connect software, installed from the Microsoft Store, offers a solid range of options. You can set up multiple profiles, each with its own lighting effects, trigger and stick dead zones, anti-dead zones, button assignments, and polling rate up to 1,000 Hz. The two back buttons, L4 and R4, can be programmed, though only to other controller buttons, not keyboard inputs. You can also set up macros. Gyro can be enabled in X Input mode through the software, with activation methods like holding a trigger.

In Steam, the Cyclone 2 is detected as an X Input controller, which limits what you can do. Back buttons do not show up in Steam Input, and there are no gyro options. However, if you hold select and start for a few seconds, the controller switches to PS4 mode. Windows then sees it as a DualShock 4, and Steam Input unlocks gyro options, including mouse, joystick camera, and more. The back buttons still do not appear in Steam Input, so you have to map them in the GameSir software. This means no per-game configuration for those buttons, but the controller does have four profiles you can switch between with the M button and the analog stick.

Outside of Steam, the Cyclone 2 works seamlessly. It is recognized as a game controller at the Windows level, and games that support XInput or PS4 input work without issue. This makes it a strong choice if you play across multiple platforms like Epic Games Store, GOG, or Game Pass.

8BitDo Ultimate 2

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 wireless is the cheaper of the two 8BitDo options, using a 2.4 GHz dongle, wired, or Bluetooth. Its charging dock is the best-looking of the three, sleek and matching the controller perfectly. The dock also houses the dongle, so you can use it as a wireless receiver.

The 8BitDo software, downloaded from the company website, is less robust than GameSir Connect. You can create profiles and remap face buttons to other controller buttons, but not to keyboard inputs. Macros are available in a separate tab. You can adjust joystick dead zones, invert them, and do the same for triggers. There are five levels of rumble, RGB lighting options including a “fire ring” mode, and gyro setup similar to the GameSir, with sensitivity and dead zone adjustments. However, the gyro options are more limited, lacking separate vertical and horizontal sensitivity controls.

In Steam, the Ultimate 2 is detected as an X Input controller, so Steam Input options are limited. No gyro, no back button mapping. The secret is that in Bluetooth mode, the controller has full Steam Input support, including back buttons. But that means giving up the 2.4 GHz dongle and the dock. Some other 8BitDo models support Steam Input over wired connections, but this one does not.

Outside of Steam, the Ultimate 2 works perfectly. It is recognized as a game controller at the Windows level, and games that support XInput work without any configuration. This makes it a dependable choice for non-Steam gaming.

Software Experience

The software experience is where these controllers diverge most. The Steam Controller shines inside Steam, with deep Steam Input customization that lets you remap nearly everything, set up gyro, and create per-game configurations. Outside of Steam, it struggles without third-party tools.

The GameSir Cyclone 2 offers a middle ground. Its own software handles button mapping, macros, and gyro in X Input mode. In Steam, switching to PS4 mode unlocks gyro through Steam Input, though back buttons still require the GameSir software. This hybrid approach works well but is not as seamless as a native Steam Input controller.

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 is the most limited in software. Its own app covers basic remapping, macros, and gyro, but Steam Input support only appears in Bluetooth mode. For most users, this means treating it as a standard Xbox-style controller.

Outside of Steam, both third-party controllers are recognized as game controllers at the Windows level, so they work with Game Pass, Epic, GOG, and other platforms without issue. The Steam Controller requires extra steps, such as importing games as non-Steam titles or running third-party apps.

Buying Advice

If you plan to play mostly within Steam, the Steam Controller is the obvious choice. It is more expensive at $100, but the range of input options is unmatched, and it is likely to keep improving with software updates. It also has exceptional repairability, with upgradeable parts available.

If you want to save money and still play mostly in the Steam ecosystem, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 and GameSir Cyclone 2 are solid options at around $50 each. You will lose some Steam Input flexibility, and you will need to use their own software for back button mapping and gyro.

If you play across multiple platforms, including Game Pass, Epic, and GOG, one of the XInput controllers is the more seamless choice. The GameSir Cyclone 2 is the preferred pick between the two, thanks to its comfortable shape, clicky buttons, and more robust software. The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 is a great alternative if you prefer its design and dock.

Conclusion

None of these controllers is perfect for every situation. The Steam Controller is the best fit for Steam-focused players who want deep customization and are willing to work around its limitations outside of Steam. The GameSir Cyclone 2 and 8BitDo Ultimate 2 are excellent value for players who want a reliable, plug-and-play experience across multiple platforms.

For most people, the Steam Controller is the more future-proof investment, especially as third-party support and software updates continue to improve. But if you want something lightweight that works out of the box with multiple systems, the GameSir Cyclone 2 is the one to get.