Loupedeck Reside S overview: an imperfect inventive companion

Having gotten hands-on with the Loupedeck Reside S for my overview, I checked out what the Loupedeck Reside’s smaller sibling needed to supply in an extremely aggressive market dominated by Elgato. Whereas the deck’s characteristic set is replete with each characteristic I might probably need, its execution is a step under the competitors.

The Loupedeck Reside S – the small and mighty model of the Loupedeck Reside – is an all-in-one macro system for creatives. You may even stack a number of macros into one command, unleashing a series of automation that may dramatically enhance your high quality of life. After all, that is ubiquitous throughout all of the merchandise competing to be the most effective stream deck proper now, however Loupedeck’s in-built macro profiles for these applications actually drew me to it within the first place. If I’m going to be lazy – I imply environment friendly – then I need to do it correctly.

I used to be mildly confused when Logitech formally entered the stream deck area after snapping up Loupedeck’s eponymous creator in 2023. No, it wasn’t as a result of the peripherals large needed to steal Elgato’s thunder – that a lot was comprehensible.

It was as a result of the agency had simply acquired a model that had already just about given one among its headline merchandise, the bigger Loupedeck Reside, to rival Razer within the type of the Stream Controller. Moreover, the rebadged machine runs on Loupedeck’s software program, so something Logi would do to enhance the Loupedeck Reside (and by extension, the Reside S) expertise would additionally profit a direct competitor.

By the appears to be like of the scenario, although, the deal between Razer and Loupedeck is now off, as making an attempt to pay money for one among these collaborative decks these days is a bit like making an attempt to get blood out of a stone. Moreover, Logitech has created an inner schism between Loupedeck’s software program and Logi Choices+, the brand new driver for the flashy MX Inventive Console it launched in October 2024.

The excellent news is that the Loupedeck product line hasn’t been sentenced to quiet obsolescence, and if something Logi’s help has revitalized it, when it really works. Whether or not you’re making an attempt to make a reputation for your self on Twitch, or want to amplify your workflow with shortcuts in applications equivalent to DaVinci Resolve and the Adobe suite, there’s loads to love right here.

Specs

Loupedeck Reside S specs:

Design and options

Sitting at simply 5.9 x 3.4 x 1.2 inches, the Loupedeck Reside S sits a smidge taller than my iPhone 13 Professional. Regardless of its all-plastic building and thinness, the machine has little or no flex, so I’m assured within the high quality of the supplies regardless of it being so mild. I want I might say the identical for the attachable stand’s structural integrity – a spindly cradle that appears like it will get snapped in two by a stiff breeze. It’s additionally a bit finicky to connect, although saying that I’ve the poise and finesse of a raging bull, so I’m certain you’d fare higher. Luckily, I used to be most fascinated about testing the Reside S flat, so this wasn’t a deal breaker for me.

On the fascia of the Reside S, you’ll discover two pushable dials, 4 round RGB buttons, and an LCD touchscreen divided right into a five-by-three grid of buttons. The mechanical parts are suitably sturdy – the dials present a slight resistance with each tick and press, whereas the buttons have a shallow press, which is right if, for some ungodly purpose, you’re making an attempt to speedrun the biking of your macro pages with out losing extra power.

The 2 dials don’t carry the identical dial stacking functionality as Elgato’s Stream Deck +. Nevertheless, you possibly can nonetheless cycle by a number of capabilities for a single dial by swiping vertically on the touchpad – offered you’ve set it up to take action.

As for the buttons, bizarrely the one button on the underside left of the unit may be tapped or long-pressed, whereas the three on the right-hand facet can solely be assigned a faucet perform. Much more peculiar is that the lengthy press isn’t customizable and solely returns the machine to its major profile. Studying round, I did see that there have been plans at launch for these buttons’ capabilities to be expanded, but it surely’s clearly fallen by the wayside.

The present’s star, the touchscreen panel, is shiny sufficient that you simply gained’t be reaching for a torch to make out the icons. It’s equal to my Elgato Stream Deck MK.1 (ol’ dependable) on this regard, as it’s on the subject of icon legibility. Each have a refined smeariness to them that you simply gained’t discover on the dearer Stream Deck +, however even the tiniest textual content stays readable.

You’re greeted with a weak haptic buzz whenever you long-press a contact button, however lighter faucets gained’t elicit this response, even when the motion is registered. It’s enough for the job, however I nonetheless a lot want the texture of the actual buttons on my MK.1. The touchpad accepts swipe gestures, so you possibly can scroll by macro pages with out sacrificing entire buttons. Although I lengthy for analog, this digital strategy provides purposeful flexibility.

One other huge design win is that you simply get the dials, buttons, and 15 entire macro keys multi functional package deal – an space the place Elgato has continued to scrimp, even with its most premium providing. That stated, the Loupedeck can’t prime the crisp LCD contact bar and steel rotary encoders that the Stream Deck + gives. As a midway home between the 15-key Stream Deck and the Stream Deck + when it comes to worth, the Loupedeck has discovered its aggressive area of interest – a minimum of on the subject of the outer shell.

The Loupedeck solely is available in black, so if you happen to’re after an all-white setup I’m afraid you’re out of luck. I’ve appeared on each the Loupedeck website, and third-party storefronts equivalent to Etsy for customized face plates, however to no avail.

Within the field, other than the stand and a fast begin pamphlet, you’ll discover a braided 2m USB-C to angled USB-C cable with an attachable USB-A converter on the PC finish. Nevertheless, on the unit I reviewed, I usually discovered I couldn’t regulate the place of the deck with out it momentarily disconnecting due to the best way wherein the angled finish levers.

Software program and efficiency

A stream deck lives and dies by its software program, and the Loupedeck’s is hit-and-mostly-miss. The Loupedeck app is intuitive and well-presented. The UI is clear and straightforward to parse whereas assigning and enhancing instructions takes little work. I had seen a number of earlier suggestions from customers relating to the software program’s unapproachability, so it’s clear each Loupedeck and Logitech have been placing within the work to get it as much as par.

On the prime of the nav, you’ll discover three chunky drop-down menus: one to pick your machine, one to decide on which app profile you need to use, and one to choose a workspace (toolbox) you need to use whereas in that profile. I didn’t usually want to make use of workspaces, however the 14 pages of buttons and dials are there for that additional layer of granularity. The Reside S helps dynamic profile switching too, so that you’ll at all times have the suitable web page to your energetic desktop window in view.

Within the prime proper nook, you’ll discover a shortcut to the Loupedeck Market – your one-stop store for profiles, plugins, and extra which are frequently up to date. Whereas it doesn’t supply the identical menagerie of wonders as Elgato, it’s infinitely extra free-to-play. Logitech continues to supply free macro profiles for productiveness instruments such because the Adobe suite, DaVinci Resolve, and Notion (a lot of that are pre-installed), alongside devoted recreation shortcuts for the likes of Baldur’s Gate 3, Euro Truck Sim 2, and World of Warcraft.

Elgato’s third-party-made variants all require coughing up your money, to the purpose that you simply’re taking a look at over $100 only for the aforementioned applications and video games. Logitech and Loupedeck have set an ordinary that I’ve lengthy been hopeful Elgato will ultimately match.

Whereas roaming Azeroth in WoW Traditional I used to be happy to seek out all of the shortcuts I wanted for marking targets, emoting (sans /spit), and rapidly accessing talent menus. The emotes even include pleasant gif icons showcasing the motion – good contact. Annoyingly, although, utilizing a macro would spawn an egregiously giant pop-up field over the sport, and I’ve been unable to discover a approach to disable it. This, sadly, is the place my Reside S efficiency woes start.

Photoshop is one among my most-used apps, and truly getting the plugin working in order that the 2 applications talk took some critical troubleshooting. Between wonky variations inflicting compatibility points and random disconnects, it’s been something however the plug-and-play expertise I anticipated. When it has labored, although, I’ve had a wonderful time rapidly switching by instruments and adjusting values utilizing the dials.

Sadly, my largest dealbreaker has been the Reside S’ normal efficiency. Between gradual profile switching when tweaking instructions within the app, main hanging to the purpose that a number of instructions execute concurrently, and even whole freezing sometimes, it’s been an enormous supply of frustration. I’ve reinstalled the app a few occasions simply in case, however the consequence has been the identical.

Must you purchase it?

• Sure: if you happen to don’t need to spend hours programming macros for productiveness apps.
• Sure: if you wish to use a stream deck flat in opposition to your desk.
• Sure: if you wish to use the stream deck for streaming, enhancing, and extra.
• No: if you happen to’re already in a competitor ecosystem.
• No: you probably have a low tolerance for software program foibles.
• No: if touchpads aren’t accessible sufficient to your wants.

If the Loupedeck Reside S isn’t for you

Elgato Stream Deck MK.2

A 15-key Stream Deck from Elgato is right if you wish to preserve your setup easy. Clocking in at roughly $30 lower than the Loupedeck Reside S, the Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 is the right companion if the dials and do-dads don’t do it for you. You’re additionally benefiting from Elgato’s best-in-class software program.

Elgato Stream Deck +

The eight-key, four-dial, touchbar Stream Deck + from Elgato is right if you happen to’re after the most effective of the most effective. For an additional $20, you possibly can go for essentially the most complete stream deck available on the market. The Stream Deck + boasts immaculate construct high quality and Elgato’s best-in-class software program.

These days, you may also decide up attachable equipment, equivalent to an XLR dock and a USB hub that remodel it into the final word all-in-one setup for streamers and normal content material creators alike. Whereas the Reside S nonetheless wins out on uncooked worth, resulting from its library of free macro profiles, the Stream Deck + will get the nod from us if cash isn’t a difficulty.

Learn our full Elgato Stream Deck + overview.

Verdict

At a floor stage, the Loupedeck Reside S has each characteristic you could possibly probably need from a stream deck. Its stable {hardware} package deal comes with all of the bells and whistles any inventive may need, whereas its intensive in-built macro profiles present a exceptional quantity of worth. It’s a dream to make use of when it really works, however a litany of software program points and the odd implementation foible make it arduous to advocate readily.

Worth-wise, it slots neatly between Elgato’s hottest and most premium merchandise, making it a worthy competitor in a near-monopolized market. Ought to Logitech proceed to iterate successfully on the brains behind the Loupedeck line, then it might develop into a way more compelling package deal – particularly for editors and energy customers.