A Steam Controller owner reported that the magnetic charging puck caused a near-fire incident when it came into contact with a metal watch strap. Valve's manual does warn about the risks of metallic objects near the magnetic charging contacts, but this incident highlights potential safety concerns with the design. The issue isn't unique to Steam Controller, as other devices like the Xbox Elite Controller use similar charging mechanisms with exposed contacts.
Background
The Steam Controller is a gaming controller developed by Valve Corporation, featuring a unique magnetic charging system with exposed contacts for convenient 'drop-in' charging. Similar charging mechanisms are used in other gaming peripherals like the Xbox Elite Controller.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- May 23, 2026 at 12:24 AM
- Score
- 5.0 / 10