Stick placement is not really a factor for ergonomics for me. I had used an xbox controllers for a long time, but now I have a PS5 controller as my current go to. The biggest thing that makes a difference is shape and how it sits in your hands, and for me the PS5 controller is just simply better than the Xbox controller.
I think the best way I can describe the difference between the two is that to be comfortable the xbox controller sits on my fingers where as the PS5 controller sits in my palms. I can also throw in a few other examples of this, PS4 sits in my fingers, but also has the worlds worst and most uncomfortable triggers. The Switch pro controller sits mostly in my palms and is better than the xbox controller but only has digital triggers.
As for the battery, internal batteries are annoying if you can not replace them. According to gamers nexus you can tear down and replace the battery fairly easily in the steam controller, and apparently valve plan to work with iFixit again for spares. So I don’t think this is a big difference either way because of the benefits you get from having the higher powered internal battery.
That also leads to by far the biggest pro. Repair-ability. The steam controller if it is supported like the steam deck is just going to be better.
That is true, there is a reason why all these controllers have a market, people have different shaped hands.
I replied to other comments. Ds3 was my preferred controller but it did give me pain in my hands. DS4 was better than ds3 mostly but i think they had crappier and hard to replace batteries. Xbox360 controllers were good for many types of games (for me) due to asymmetrical design. The left hand on non asymmetrical control feels quite strenuous if you have to use the analogue stick for long time. But in xbox controllers it feels natural for the thumb to pointing upwards while holding the analogue stick compared to pointed to the right. It’s probably because I have smallish hands. PS5 controllers (only played at my friend’s place and for games that don’t use the new trigger mechanics), was actually decent but they feel like a toy compared to xbox-x controller as they (xbox ones) feel nice and weighty, and they do have the same problem of thumb placement when using left analogue sticks.
It is also quite opposite to me, xbox-x controller fits in the palm (for me) as you said but others are awkward to hold, specially for longer sessions.
Additionally, every other controller is a wired controller as soon as the battery goes zero, compared to xbox-x (and also 360), you just swap new batteries. It’s alright as long as you have spare controller so you can swap to the other one for wireless or don’t have problems connecting. I have a projector connected to a self made steam machine and it’s a bit weird to connect controllers to the it or charger and continue playing if the battery runs out.
Stick placement is not really a factor for ergonomics for me. I had used an xbox controllers for a long time, but now I have a PS5 controller as my current go to. The biggest thing that makes a difference is shape and how it sits in your hands, and for me the PS5 controller is just simply better than the Xbox controller.
I think the best way I can describe the difference between the two is that to be comfortable the xbox controller sits on my fingers where as the PS5 controller sits in my palms. I can also throw in a few other examples of this, PS4 sits in my fingers, but also has the worlds worst and most uncomfortable triggers. The Switch pro controller sits mostly in my palms and is better than the xbox controller but only has digital triggers.
As for the battery, internal batteries are annoying if you can not replace them. According to gamers nexus you can tear down and replace the battery fairly easily in the steam controller, and apparently valve plan to work with iFixit again for spares. So I don’t think this is a big difference either way because of the benefits you get from having the higher powered internal battery.
That also leads to by far the biggest pro. Repair-ability. The steam controller if it is supported like the steam deck is just going to be better.
That is true, there is a reason why all these controllers have a market, people have different shaped hands.
I replied to other comments. Ds3 was my preferred controller but it did give me pain in my hands. DS4 was better than ds3 mostly but i think they had crappier and hard to replace batteries. Xbox360 controllers were good for many types of games (for me) due to asymmetrical design. The left hand on non asymmetrical control feels quite strenuous if you have to use the analogue stick for long time. But in xbox controllers it feels natural for the thumb to pointing upwards while holding the analogue stick compared to pointed to the right. It’s probably because I have smallish hands. PS5 controllers (only played at my friend’s place and for games that don’t use the new trigger mechanics), was actually decent but they feel like a toy compared to xbox-x controller as they (xbox ones) feel nice and weighty, and they do have the same problem of thumb placement when using left analogue sticks.
It is also quite opposite to me, xbox-x controller fits in the palm (for me) as you said but others are awkward to hold, specially for longer sessions.
Additionally, every other controller is a wired controller as soon as the battery goes zero, compared to xbox-x (and also 360), you just swap new batteries. It’s alright as long as you have spare controller so you can swap to the other one for wireless or don’t have problems connecting. I have a projector connected to a self made steam machine and it’s a bit weird to connect controllers to the it or charger and continue playing if the battery runs out.
The steam controllers are quite expensive though.