The Stream Deck + is probably the most versatile choice on our checklist, with nice options at an inexpensive worth. It combines eight huge sq. buttons – the usual management interface on its different fashions – with an LCD contact panel and 4 rotary dials that may be pushed to cycle between features.

Whether or not you’re utilizing the Stream Deck + to manage your Elgato Facecam or Elgato Wave:3, are placing on dwell productions, or fine-tuning photographs and video in your modifying software program of selection there are such a lot of potentialities. Whereas the Stream Deck + lacks as many devoted macro buttons because the Stream Deck MK.2 and the jumbo-sized Stream Deck XL that is offset by the truth that biking by means of macros is quicker and extra environment friendly than earlier than.

Learn our Elgato Stream Deck + overview.

Should you love having a number of macros in a single place, or you might have a complete host of fancy visible results in your stream, then managing them concurrently utilizing the Stream Deck XL is totally the best way to go. Whereas it’s a lot pricier than the feature-packed Stream Deck + and the extra modest Stream Deck MK.2, the price-to-key ratio is technically higher right here than on its smaller siblings.

With that stated, we wouldn’t suggest the Stream Deck XL in the event you’re a extra informal streamer, or don’t have a robust sufficient use case for having all your macros obtainable without delay. Whereas we get pleasure from having the ability to have separate sections on our XL devoted to the whole lot from modifying to Twitch, to peripherals due to the elevated actual property, it’s not mandatory for everybody. Saving your self ~$100 by selecting up Elgato’s MK.2 mannequin and dedicating a macro key or two to switching between pages is a a lot better worth proposition.

The Stream Deck XL is ideal for advanced manufacturing, and an important accompaniment to the Stream Deck + in the event you actually wish to increase your setup, however as a standalone choice there are extra wise decisions on the market.

Should you’re trying to choose up a stream deck with out breaking the financial institution an excessive amount of, the Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 is a good selection – no less than so far as software program is anxious. Because the follow-up to what’s most likely the most well-liked stream deck in the marketplace, the MK.2 is the right software not just for streamers but in addition for these trying to increase their productiveness.

Sporting 15 macro keys, unfold throughout three rows of 5, there are greater than sufficient buttons to assign to something you’d want from Elgato’s wonderful plugin library. Granted, Elgato’s buttons have by no means felt probably the most premium – there’s this innate mushiness to them that you simply gained’t discover in one thing just like the Razer Stream Controller X – however there’s nonetheless a satisfying sufficient tactility to their bump.

Not a lot has actually modified from the unique Stream Deck MK.1, barring the welcomed shift to USB-C. Nevertheless, as Elgato took a step ahead, it has additionally taken a step backward by getting rid of the angle-adjustable stand.

The Loupedeck Stay is an absolute dream for editors and solves the most important qualm we’ve with the Stream Deck + in that its haptics – on each its six dials and capacitative contact display – are exemplary.

Whereas the Loupedeck Stay doesn’t have bodily buttons like the opposite decks on this checklist, its touchscreen is mainly the macro keys and contact bar of the Stream Deck + rolled into one panel. Its native integration with modifying and manufacturing software program is actually its greatest promoting level, and the added capability to tweak a number of parameters inside apps like Lightroom at a time with the dials makes modifying a breeze.

The Loupedeck Stay is just not excellent, nevertheless. The standard of its plastic stand is questionable, and its app retailer is just not almost as populated with third-party choices as Elgato’s. Moreover, organising your Loupedeck is usually a daunting process, as issues like multi-action macros and keyboard shortcuts take some routing round within the deck’s software program to arrange.

As a productiveness software, the Loupedeck Stay is incredible, however in the event you’re on the lookout for a deck purely from a gaming perspective, we’d suggest going with an Elgato mannequin. As an apart, in the event you’re questioning why this seems a lot like Razer’s important Stream Controller, it’s as a result of the product’s precisely the identical – the 2 firms partnered up for Razer’s launch. As such, in the event you do go for one of many two, go along with whichever hurts your financial institution stability the least.

For many who discover the usual model a bit too costly, the Loupedeck Stay S gives a budget-friendlier method, with a small, but nonetheless mighty stream deck. Providing an all-in-one system for creators and streamers, the Stay S has loads of keys, buttons, and dials – we simply want fewer points with the software program.

This modern machine delivers something you could possibly ask for a stream deck, and in contrast to the cheaper Elgato merchandise, doesn’t skimp out with the lower cost. For ease of use, the pre-configured macro profiles make it straightforward to get to work immediately, whether or not you’re a rising streamer or a inventive on the lookout for easy accessibility to your favourite applications.

Take a look at our Loupedeck Stay S overview right here.

Should you’re after a well-constructed stream deck with buttons which you can’t cease urgent, then Razer’s Stream Controller X is the best way to go. Because the gaming tech model’s reply to Elgato’s Stream Deck MK.2, we’re huge followers of its premium construct high quality.

Whereas the pair look almost an identical, the Stream Controller X’s keys are significantly much less mushy, with much less journey time and larger tactility than Elgato’s providing. Moreover, its customizable faceplate is magnetic, making for a extra seamless transition between kinds than the clip-based system used on the MK.2.

Nevertheless, the Stream Controller X is beholden to the identical software program limitations because the Loupedeck Stay, attributable to Razer working off of Loupedeck’s personal software program. This can no less than imply you don’t have to run Razer Synapse, although you gained’t discover devoted RGB controls to your different Razer units in consequence.

Finally, the Stream Controller X doesn’t actually carry something new to the house. It’s an Elgato clone that by no means actually makes an attempt to compete in an important house of all – software program. Nevertheless, in the event you’re all about construct high quality, then it may be yours for a number of {dollars} lower than the MK.2.

Should you’re on the lookout for a productiveness or streaming help for the bottom doable worth, then we suggest the Elgato Stream Deck Mini. Though it solely comes with six buttons, there’s loads of maneuverability as you possibly can stack folders full of useful macros relying on what program you’re utilizing.

Whereas this does require an additional key press or two to get to what you want, it’s actually value it contemplating the Mini is available in at round half the value of the usual MK.2. You gained’t be getting probably the most handy stream deck expertise, however it should nonetheless be infinitely higher than, for instance, having to manually open teams of commonly-used webpages, or tab between applications on single-monitor setups.

Moreover, in the event you work on the go, then having a bite-sized companion that may be sat subsequent to your laptop computer is one thing we particularly love in regards to the Mini.

The Mini nonetheless retains the identical flaw because the MK.2 with regard to mushy buttons, and we’re upset to see that it doesn’t include a removable USB cable – a foul hangover from the unique MK.1 Stream Deck that ought to’ve been iterated out by now.

Whereas the Mini’s worth can fluctuate, it’s gone as little as $50 at factors (in line with camelcamelcamel) which places its price-per-key on the identical stage because the MK.2’s. We wouldn’t suggest spending something over $80 for one, however remember to store round as there are bargains available.