Loupedeck Live S review: an imperfect creative companion

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

The Loupedeck Dwell S – the small and mighty model of the Loupedeck Dwell – is an all-in-one macro system for creatives. You’ll be able to 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 perfect stream deck proper now, however Loupedeck’s in-built macro profiles for these packages 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 big wished 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 in every of its headline merchandise, the bigger Loupedeck Dwell, to rival Razer within the type of the Stream Controller. Moreover, the rebadged system runs on Loupedeck’s software program, so something Logi would do to enhance the Loupedeck Dwell (and by extension, the Dwell S) expertise would additionally profit a direct competitor.

By the appears of the state of affairs, although, the deal between Razer and Loupedeck is now off, as attempting to pay money for one in every of these collaborative decks these days is a bit like attempting 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 attempting to make a reputation for your self on Twitch, or want to amplify your workflow with shortcuts in packages resembling DaVinci Resolve and the Adobe suite, there’s rather a lot to love right here.

Specs

Loupedeck Dwell S specs:

Design and options

Sitting at simply 5.9 x 3.4 x 1.2 inches, the Loupedeck Dwell S sits a smidge taller than my iPhone 13 Professional. Regardless of its all-plastic development and thinness, the system has little or no flex, so I’m assured within the high quality of the supplies regardless of it being so gentle. 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. Happily, I used to be most fascinated with testing the Dwell S flat, so this wasn’t a deal breaker for me.

On the fascia of the Dwell 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 elements are suitably sturdy – the dials present a slight resistance with each tick and press, whereas the buttons have a shallow press, which is good if, for some ungodly motive, you’re attempting 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 +. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to 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 only 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 operate. Much more peculiar is that the lengthy press isn’t customizable and solely returns the system to its important profile. Studying round, I did see that there have been plans at launch for these buttons’ capabilities to be expanded, nevertheless it’s clearly fallen by the wayside.

The present’s star, the touchscreen panel, is brilliant sufficient that you just 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 relating to icon legibility. Each have a delicate smeariness to them that you just gained’t discover on the costlier Stream Deck +, however even the tiniest textual content stays readable.

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

One other large design win is that you just get the dials, buttons, and 15 entire macro keys multi function bundle – an space the place Elgato has continued to scrimp, even with its most premium providing. That mentioned, the Loupedeck can’t high 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 – no less than relating to the outer shell.

The Loupedeck solely is available in black, so in the event you’re after an all-white setup I’m afraid you’re out of luck. I’ve seemed on each the Loupedeck web site, and third-party storefronts resembling 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. Nonetheless, on the unit I reviewed, I typically discovered I couldn’t alter the place of the deck with out it momentarily disconnecting due to the way in which 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 simple to parse whereas assigning and enhancing instructions takes little work. I had seen a whole lot of earlier suggestions from customers concerning 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 high of the nav, you’ll discover three chunky drop-down menus: one to pick out your system, one to decide on which app profile you need to use, and one to select a workspace (toolbox) you need to use whereas in that profile. I didn’t typically want to make use of workspaces, however the 14 pages of buttons and dials are there for that further layer of granularity. The Dwell S helps dynamic profile switching too, so that you’ll at all times have the suitable web page in your energetic desktop window in view.

Within the high proper nook, you’ll discover a shortcut to the Loupedeck Market – your one-stop store for profiles, plugins, and extra which can be recurrently 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 offer 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 just’re taking a look at over $100 only for the aforementioned packages and video games. Logitech and Loupedeck have set a typical that I’ve lengthy been hopeful Elgato will finally match.

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

Photoshop is one in every of my most-used apps, and truly getting the plugin working in order that the 2 packages talk took some severe 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 shortly switching by instruments and adjusting values utilizing the dials.

Sadly, my greatest dealbreaker has been the Dwell S’ basic efficiency. Between sluggish profile switching when tweaking instructions within the app, main hanging to the purpose that a number of instructions execute concurrently, and even complete freezing often, 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.

Do you have to purchase it?

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

If the Loupedeck Dwell S isn’t for you

Elgato Stream Deck MK.2

A 15-key Stream Deck from Elgato is good if you wish to hold your setup easy. Clocking in at roughly $30 lower than the Loupedeck Dwell S, the Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 is the proper 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 good in the event you’re after the perfect of the perfect. For an additional $20, you’ll be able to go for essentially the most complete stream deck in the marketplace. The Stream Deck + boasts immaculate construct high quality and Elgato’s best-in-class software program.

These days, you can even choose up attachable equipment, resembling an XLR dock and a USB hub that remodel it into the last word all-in-one setup for streamers and basic content material creators alike. Whereas the Dwell S nonetheless wins out on uncooked worth, as a consequence of its library of free macro profiles, the Stream Deck + will get the nod from us if cash isn’t a problem.

Learn our full Elgato Stream Deck + evaluation.

Verdict

At a floor degree, the Loupedeck Dwell S has each function you may presumably need from a stream deck. Its stable {hardware} bundle comes with all of the bells and whistles any artistic may wish, whereas its in depth in-built macro profiles present a outstanding 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 suggest 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 grow to be a way more compelling bundle – particularly for editors and energy customers.