By We’ve been hunting for a Steam Machine faceplate that does more than look good, and this one from an independent Etsy maker delivers. Instead of just covering the front of the console, it docks and charges your Steam Controller right on the machine.
Docking and charging your controller
The faceplate swaps onto the front of the Steam Machine in place of the stock panel and comes with a magnetic puck that’s molded to match the shape of the Steam Controller. Line the controller up against the cutout and the magnets pull it into place, holding it flush against the front of the console. A second cutout up top handles the charging connection, so once everything is wired in, the controller tops up its battery the entire time it’s docked.
Setup takes a little patience
Getting it running isn’t entirely plug-and-play. The charging wire doesn’t come in the box, so you’ll need to source or buy a compatible cable separately and route it from the dock to the console’s charging port. It’s a bit fiddly the first time, and a few wires are left exposed that you can tuck away if you want a cleaner look. Once it’s wired up, though, popping the controller on and off the dock is quick and easy, and the whole thing genuinely solves the “where’s my controller” problem instead of just being a cosmetic swap.
A rocky start, fixed by good customer service
Our first unit actually had an issue: the magnets on the initial production batch weren’t strong enough, and the controller kept slipping off the dock. Credit to the maker here — as soon as they heard about the defect, they reached out directly and offered either a refund or a free replacement with stronger magnets. We went with the replacement, and the updated version fixes the problem entirely. The cutout fits more snugly and the magnets hold the controller firmly in place, even when you’re picking the whole thing up.
Our verdict
It’s not the sleekest-looking accessory once the controller is off the dock, but it’s genuinely functional, and that matters more. If you want a way to keep your Steam Controller charged and within arm’s reach without it wandering off, this faceplate is worth picking up. Just make sure you order the current batch, since the magnet fix has already shipped.