Best Stream Deck 2024: for Twitch, YouTube, Discord and more

The Stream Deck + is probably the most versatile choice on our record, with nice options at an inexpensive worth. It combines eight large 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 regulate your Elgato Facecam or Elgato Wave:3, are placing on reside productions, or fine-tuning images and video in your enhancing 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 via macros is quicker and extra environment friendly than earlier than.

Learn our Elgato Stream Deck + evaluate.

If you happen to love having a number of macros in a single place, or you’ve got a complete host of fancy visible results in your stream, then managing them concurrently utilizing the Stream Deck XL is totally the way in which 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 powerful sufficient use case for having all your macros obtainable without delay. Whereas we get pleasure from with the ability to have separate sections on our XL devoted to every little thing from enhancing to Twitch, to peripherals due to the elevated actual property, it’s not mandatory for everybody. Saving your self ~$100 by choosing up Elgato’s MK.2 mannequin and dedicating a macro key or two to switching between pages is a significantly better worth proposition.

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

If you happen to’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 superb selection – not less than so far as software program is anxious. Because the follow-up to what’s in all probability the preferred stream deck in the marketplace, the MK.2 is the right device not just for streamers but additionally 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 glorious plugin library. Granted, Elgato’s buttons have by no means felt probably the most premium – there’s this innate mushiness to them that you just received’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. Nonetheless, as Elgato took a step ahead, it has additionally taken a step backward by casting off the angle-adjustable stand.

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

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

The Loupedeck Dwell isn’t excellent, nevertheless. The standard of its plastic stand is questionable, and its app retailer isn’t practically as populated with third-party choices as Elgato’s. Moreover, establishing your Loupedeck generally is 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 device, the Loupedeck Dwell is incredible, however in the event you’re searching 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 appears to be like a lot like Razer’s fundamental Stream Controller, it’s as a result of the product’s precisely the identical – the 2 corporations partnered up for Razer’s launch. As such, in the event you do go for one of many two, go together with whichever hurts your financial institution steadiness the least.

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

This smooth machine delivers something you may 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 simple to get to work immediately, whether or not you’re a rising streamer or a inventive searching for quick access to your favourite applications.

Try our Loupedeck Dwell S evaluate right here.

If you happen to’re after a well-constructed stream deck with buttons that you would be able to’t cease urgent, then Razer’s Stream Controller X is the way in which to go. Because the gaming tech model’s reply to Elgato’s Stream Deck MK.2, we’re large followers of its premium construct high quality.

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

Nonetheless, the Stream Controller X is beholden to the identical software program limitations because the Loupedeck Dwell, resulting from Razer working off of Loupedeck’s personal software program. It will not less than imply you don’t must run Razer Synapse, although you received’t discover devoted RGB controls in your different Razer units consequently.

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

If you happen to’re searching for a productiveness or streaming assist 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 may stack folders stuffed with 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 definitely value it contemplating the Mini is available in at round half the value of the usual MK.2. You received’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 dissatisfied 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 response to 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 you’ll want to store round as there are bargains available.