Valve Expands the Steam Hardware Family
Valve has officially confirmed what fans have been speculating for months: a whole new lineup of Steam hardware is coming in early 2026. The company behind Half-Life, Portal, and Steam Deck is expanding its ecosystem with three major additions, the next-gen Steam Machine, Steam Controller, and Steam Frame, a brand-new standalone VR headset.
According to Valve, these devices are built to make PC gaming more accessible than ever, offering players more ways to enjoy their Steam libraries across different setups, from desktops and living rooms to full virtual reality experiences.
“We view these devices as ways to add even more value for Steam users and developers, offering more ways to play and discover games,” Valve said in its official announcement.
The Steam Machine: Valve’s Comeback to the Living Room
The new Steam Machine marks Valve’s return to the small-form gaming PC space a decade after the original struggled to find its footing. This next-gen model is designed as a compact, plug-and-play box running SteamOS, Valve’s Linux-based operating system optimised for gaming.
Image Credit: Valve
Valve hasn’t shared full specs yet, but it’s positioning the Steam Machine as an affordable, high-performance alternative to building a custom gaming PC. Hardware engineer Yazan Aldehayyat told IGN the goal was to keep it “approachable and affordable,” especially given rising inflation and PC component costs.
“If you’re trying to make a PC with similar features and performance, the Steam Machine is going to be really competitive in price,” Aldehayyat said.
“Affordability is something we thought about with every feature and hardware decision.”
While pricing remains under wraps, Valve confirmed the Steam Machine will launch in Spring 2026, with pre-orders expected to open beforehand.
A New Steam Controller for a New Era
Joining the lineup is a redesigned Steam Controller, built from the ground up to complement the new Steam Machine but also fully compatible with the Steam Deck and other devices.
Valve describes all of its hardware as “besties,” saying they work great together whether you’re streaming or playing across multiple platforms. True to its open-PC roots, Valve emphasised that its hardware will still “play well with others,” meaning it won’t lock players into a closed ecosystem.
Hands-on previews suggest the new controller refines the original’s experimental touchpads with more traditional ergonomics and improved haptics, aiming to bridge the gap between console and PC gaming comfort.
Steam Frame: Valve’s Next Leap Into Virtual Reality
The standout announcement is Steam Frame, Valve’s next-generation VR headset and controller combo. Building on the success of the Valve Index, Steam Frame’s biggest breakthrough is that it doesn’t need to be tethered to a PC, it can run games independently or stream them from other Steam devices.
This positions Steam Frame as a direct competitor to Meta’s Quest line while retaining the depth and flexibility of PC VR. Valve also revealed a developer kit program for Steam Frame, allowing game creators to request units via their Steamworks dashboard. Supplies are limited, but kits will be distributed on an ongoing basis.
SteamOS and the Expanded Verified Program
All of Valve’s new devices will run SteamOS, which delivers a console-like user experience without sacrificing the flexibility of a full PC. To ensure a smooth transition, Valve is expanding its Deck Verified program to include Steam Machine and Steam Frame. Games already verified for Steam Deck will automatically be verified for the new hardware, reducing friction for developers and giving players clarity on compatibility.
What About Steam Deck 2?
Despite rumours, Valve confirmed there’s no new Steam Deck coming just yet. The company said now isn’t the right time for a next-gen version of its handheld, as it continues supporting the existing Deck through software updates and ecosystem improvements.
And for those hoping for a new Half-Life or Portal announcement alongside the hardware, Valve has stayed quiet on new games, though its in-development MOBA, Deadlock, remains in testing with no release date yet.
The Future of Steam Hardware
With the Steam Machine returning, a new Controller in the mix, and Steam Frame introducing standalone VR to the Steam ecosystem, Valve is setting itself up for one of its most ambitious hardware pushes ever.
Whether you’re a developer, VR enthusiast, or just someone who wants an easier way to enjoy their Steam library, 2026 looks like a big year for PC gaming.