What is the best stream deck?
Ever wondered what the ultimate stream deck is? Whether you’re a live streamer, a content creator, or involved in production, having a stream deck (or even a few!) can dramatically boost your efficiency. These devices let you craft unforgettable moments while broadcasting on platforms like Twitch and YouTube. While Elgato consistently leads the pack, other fantastic brands like Razer and Loupedeck are also delivering superb options.
Our current top pick is the Elgato Stream Deck+, which cleverly combines physical buttons and customizable dials in a sleek design, offering incredibly versatile control for your streams and other applications. If you need to program a vast array of functions, the Elgato Stream Deck XL is an excellent choice. For dedicated editors, the Loupedeck Live truly shines with its extensive features, while the Logitech MX Creative Console is our preferred option for everyday desktop navigation and creative work. For more detailed advice on selecting the perfect stream deck, explore our ‘how to choose’ section, and get answers to your most pressing questions in our FAQ.
Best stream decks in 2025:
- Elgato Stream Deck + – best for most
- Elgato Stream Deck XL – best for complex jobs
- Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 – mid-range choice
- Logitech MX Creative Console – best work and editing console
- Loupedeck Live – best for editors
- Loupedeck Live S – best for editors on a budget
- Razer Stream Controller X – Elgato alternative
- Elgato Stream Deck Mini – budget choice
Elgato Stream Deck +
Best stream deck for most people
Specifications: Connectivity: Wired, USB-A to USB-C. Buttons: 8 buttons and 4 dials. Platforms: Twitch, Twitter, XSplit, YouTube, Spotify (and many more). Size: 5.4 x 5.5 x 4.3 inches.
Pros: Versatile all-in-one solution, faster response times than other Elgato Stream Decks, best-in-class software, the touch bar is an inspired addition.
Cons: Lack of haptics on touch bar, no adjustable stand.
The Stream Deck + is the most versatile option on our list, offering excellent features at a reasonable price. It combines eight large square buttons – the standard interface on its other models – with an LCD touch panel and four rotary dials that can be pushed to cycle between functions.
Whether you’re using the Stream Deck + to control your Elgato Facecam or Elgato Wave:3, managing live productions, or fine-tuning photos and video in your editing software, the possibilities are vast. While the Stream Deck + has fewer dedicated macro buttons than the Stream Deck MK.2 and the larger Stream Deck XL, this is balanced by faster and more efficient macro cycling.
Elgato Stream Deck XL
Best stream deck for complex jobs
Specifications: Connectivity: Wired, USB-A to USB-C. Buttons: 32 customizable LCD keys. Platforms: Twitch, Twitter, XSplit, YouTube, Spotify (and many more). Size: 7.2 x 4.4 x 1.3 inches.
Pros: Huge amount of button real estate, perfect for complex production, best-in-class software.
Cons: Overkill for most streamers, no adjustable stand.
If you need a vast array of macros readily available, or you manage numerous visual effects in your stream, the Stream Deck XL is the ultimate choice for simultaneous control. While it’s pricier than the feature-packed Stream Deck + and the more modest Stream Deck MK.2, its price-to-key ratio is technically superior to its smaller counterparts.
However, we don’t recommend the Stream Deck XL for casual streamers or those without a strong need for all macros instantly accessible. While we appreciate having dedicated sections for editing, Twitch, and peripherals thanks to the expanded space, it’s not essential for everyone. Opting for Elgato’s MK.2 model and using a macro key or two to switch between pages offers much better value.
The Stream Deck XL is ideal for complex productions and makes a great addition to the Stream Deck + if you want to significantly expand your setup. However, as a standalone option, more practical choices exist.
Elgato Stream Deck MK.2
Best mid-range stream deck
Specifications: Connectivity: Wired, USB-A to USB-C. Buttons: 15 LCD keys. Platforms: Twitch, Twitter, XSplit, YouTube, Spotify (and many more). Size: 4.6 x 3.3 x 1 inches.
Pros: Best value Elgato deck, customizable face plate, best-in-class software.
Cons: No adjustable stand.
If you’re looking for a stream deck that offers great value, the Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 is an excellent choice, particularly for its software capabilities. As the successor to one of the most popular stream decks on the market, the MK.2 is a perfect tool not only for streamers but also for anyone looking to boost their productivity.
Featuring 15 macro keys, arranged in three rows of five, there are ample buttons to assign to any function you might need from Elgato’s extensive plugin library. While Elgato’s buttons have a characteristic mushiness that you won’t find in devices like the Razer Stream Controller X, they still offer satisfying tactile feedback.
Not much has changed from the original Stream Deck MK.1, aside from the welcome switch to USB-C. However, in moving forward, Elgato also took a step back by removing the angle-adjustable stand.
Logitech MX Creative Console
Best general work and editing console
Specifications: Connections: Wired and wireless. Buttons: 9 programmable OLED buttons. Platforms: Adobe Suite, OBS, Streamlabs, Twitch, Spotify (and many more). Size: (Dimensions not provided in source).
Pros: Dual dials fantastic for editing, loads of apps supported, multi-platform software support, dial is wireless.
Cons: Expensive, only nine programmable OLED buttons, works best as part of complete Logitech setup.
The Logitech MX Creative Console is our favorite control interface for editing and general desktop tasks. It’s also suitable for streaming, but its modest number of programmable buttons and emphasis on analog control dials make it ideal for scrubbing through video timelines and adjusting analog settings on the fly.
It consists of two parts: a wired button section and a wireless dial section. The latter features a large central dial that defaults to functions like scrolling in web browsers and timeline scrubbing in Adobe Premiere, but it can be programmed for various other uses. A smaller vertical wheel in the top right corner allows for fine adjustments, such as tweaking volume levels.
The programmable button pad requires a wire to illuminate its OLED displays. These function similarly to other stream decks, with fully customizable icons and functions. Crucially, Logitech has collaborated with numerous software developers to provide a vast library of default functions for a wide range of apps, often allowing you to get started immediately with minimal setup.
At its price point, it’s not a budget option, but if you want a stream deck that excels at controlling both stream functions and many aspects of your daily computing life, it’s a worthwhile investment.
Loupedeck Live
Best stream deck for editors
Specifications: Connectivity: Wired, USB-C (USB-A adapter included). Buttons: 8 buttons and 4 dials. Platforms: Twitch, Twitter, XSplit, YouTube, Spotify (and many more). Size: 5.9 x 4.3 x 1.18 inches.
Pros: Great tactility and haptics, multi-tasking via dials turbocharges editing workflow.
Cons: Software isn’t the most user-friendly, flimsy stand.
The Loupedeck Live is a dream for editors, addressing our primary concern with the Stream Deck + by offering exemplary haptics on both its six dials and capacitative touchscreen.
While the Loupedeck Live doesn’t have physical buttons like other decks on this list, its touchscreen essentially combines the macro keys and touch bar of the Stream Deck + into a single panel. Its native integration with editing and production software is a major selling point, and the ability to tweak multiple parameters within apps like Lightroom simultaneously with the dials makes editing seamless.
However, the Loupedeck Live isn’t without its flaws. The quality of its plastic stand is questionable, and its app store isn’t as robust with third-party options as Elgato’s. Furthermore, setting up your Loupedeck can be a challenging task, as multi-action macros and keyboard shortcuts require navigating through the deck’s software.
As a productivity tool, the Loupedeck Live is fantastic, but if your primary focus is gaming, we recommend an Elgato model. As an interesting note, if this device reminds you of Razer’s main Stream Controller, it’s because the two companies collaborated on Razer’s version. Therefore, when choosing between them, opt for whichever is kinder to your wallet.
Loupedeck Live S
Best budget stream deck for editors
Specifications: Connectivity: Wired, USB-C to USB-C with USB-A adapter. Buttons: 15 touch keys, 4 physical buttons, 2 dials. Platforms: Adobe Suite, OBS, Streamlabs, Twitch, Spotify (and many more). Size: 5.9 x 3.4 x 1.2 inches.
Pros: All-in-one stream deck, can be laid flat, incredible pre-configured macro profiles.
Cons: Software has issues, competitors offer more for streamers and creators.
For those who find the standard Loupedeck Live a bit too expensive, the Loupedeck Live S provides a more budget-friendly option, delivering a compact yet powerful stream deck. Offering an all-in-one system for creators and streamers, the Live S boasts plenty of keys, buttons, and dials – though we hope for fewer software issues in the future.
This sleek device provides everything you could ask for in a stream deck, and unlike cheaper Elgato products, it doesn’t compromise features despite its lower price. Its pre-configured macro profiles offer immediate ease of use, perfect for growing streamers or creatives seeking quick access to their favorite programs.
Razer Stream Controller X
Best Elgato alternative
Specifications: Connectivity: Wired, USB-C to USB-A (USB). Buttons: 15 switchable buttons. Platforms: Twitch, OBS Studio, Spotify, Razer Key Light Control (and more). Size: 4.37 x 1.02 x 3.19 inches.
Pros: Better button tactility than Elgato, great build quality, customizable face plate.
Cons: Software isn’t the most user-friendly, no adjustable stand.
If you’re seeking a well-constructed stream deck with satisfyingly tactile buttons, the Razer Stream Controller X is an excellent choice. As Razer’s answer to Elgato’s Stream Deck MK.2, we appreciate its premium build quality.
While the two devices look nearly identical, the Stream Controller X’s keys are significantly less mushy, with shorter travel time and superior tactility compared to Elgato’s offering. Additionally, its customizable faceplate uses a magnetic system, allowing for a more seamless transition between styles than the clip-based system on the MK.2.
However, the Stream Controller X shares the same software limitations as the Loupedeck Live, as Razer utilizes Loupedeck’s software. This means you won’t need to run Razer Synapse, but consequently, you won’t find dedicated RGB controls for your other Razer devices.
Ultimately, the Stream Controller X doesn’t introduce anything groundbreaking to the market. It functions as an Elgato clone that doesn’t quite compete in the crucial area of software. Nevertheless, if build quality is your priority, it can be yours for slightly less than the MK.2.
Elgato Stream Deck Mini
Best budget stream deck
Specifications: Connectivity: Hard-wired USB-A. Buttons: 6 LCD keys. Platforms: Twitch, Twitter, XSplit, YouTube, Spotify (and many more). Size: 2.4 x 2.3 x 3.3 inches.
Pros: Affordable, perfect for setups with limited space, best-in-class software.
Cons: Highest price-per-key out of Elgato’s lineup, hard-wired USB connection, no adjustable stand.
For those seeking a productivity or streaming aid at the lowest possible price, we recommend the Elgato Stream Deck Mini. Although it features only six buttons, it offers ample flexibility as you can organize folders filled with convenient macros, tailored to the program you’re using.
While this might require an extra button press or two to access what you need, it’s definitely worthwhile considering the Mini typically costs about half the price of the standard MK.2. You won’t get the most convenient stream deck experience, but it will still be infinitely better than, for example, manually opening groups of frequently used webpages or switching between programs on single-monitor setups.
Additionally, if you work on the go, having a compact companion that can sit beside your laptop is a feature we particularly appreciate about the Mini.
The Mini shares the same flaw as the MK.2 regarding mushy buttons, and we’re disappointed that it lacks a detachable USB cable – a lingering issue from the original MK.1 Stream Deck that should have been addressed by now.
While the Mini’s price can fluctuate, it has occasionally dropped to around $50, which brings its price-per-key closer to that of the MK.2. We don’t recommend spending more than $80 for one, but always keep an eye out for potential bargains.
How to choose the best stream deck for you
As their name suggests, stream decks are primarily beneficial for streamers who desire a multitude of controls at their fingertips. When you’re trying to game and entertain on camera, you don’t want to get bogged down with macros (combinations of software functions triggered by a single event) mid-stream. Instead, an intuitive grid of easy-to-read and reach buttons and dials provides the ideal way to streamline your workflow.
However, stream decks offer many other uses, such as enhancing the workflow of audio, image, and video editors. Numerous general desktop functions can also be optimized with a stream deck.
For most non-professional streamers, a smaller stream deck like the Elgato Stream Deck Mini or the standard Elgato Stream Deck will likely suffice. Elgato’s software is remarkably smooth and incredibly versatile, allowing you to easily assign quick and useful functions.
If you’re an editor, however, the addition of dials to larger stream decks such as the Elgato Stream Deck+ and Loupedeck Live makes it incredibly fast and simple to fine-tune specific settings.
Meanwhile, for professional or aspiring streamers who frequently trigger emojis, drop in audio samples, censor language, and more, a larger stream deck with plenty of spare buttons will likely be essential.
Stream deck FAQs
What is a stream deck?
A stream deck is a desktop device that provides additional controls for interacting with your PC, reducing your reliance on mouse clicks and keyboard shortcuts. They typically feature a range of buttons, dials, and displays that can be programmed to execute complex functions with a single command. Known as macros, these functions can encompass everything from adjusting the volume of different audio sources to changing lighting schemes, triggering Photoshop batch commands, clipping game recordings, and much more.
Using the dedicated software for each deck, you can assign specific functions to each control, streamlining your content creation workflow to perfectly suit your needs. The most basic decks come with just a few extra buttons – usually featuring a small OLED display to show the function – while more advanced units include touchscreens and dials.
The best stream decks not only allow you to open your entire workflow with a multi-command touch, but also enable control over external peripherals, PC audio, and more. Even better, stream decks with premium features like dials can also be invaluable for editing – allowing you to scrub through, cut, color grade footage, or make precise level adjustments to an image.
Are stream decks actually useful?
Their usefulness largely depends on your PC tasks, the applications you use, and any compatible hardware you own. For instance, as their name implies, stream decks are exceptionally beneficial for streamers. You can program all sorts of stream interactions, play sound samples, adjust lighting, switch cameras, and much more.
Video, image, and audio editors may also find them highly valuable. While many functions for applications like Photoshop are tied to keyboard commands, remembering them all can be challenging. Moreover, stream decks can be used to program complex macros that operate across multiple software applications.
Furthermore, if you frequently write emails that include various standard text blocks – such as a work signature, a personal signature, or a sales template – you can program these to be inserted instantly with a single button press.
Do you need dials on a stream deck?
It depends on how you plan to use the stream deck. Entry-level stream decks typically only include buttons, with dials being a premium addition. This is perfectly fine for single tasks, but if you need to control volume levels during a live stream, quickly adjust color settings in Photoshop, or fine-tune the mix in a recording, dials offer a significantly faster, easier, and more accurate method for controlling these functions.
How many buttons do you need on a stream deck?
Stream decks like the Elgato Stream Deck Mini come with only a handful of buttons, which might seem limited. However, if you primarily perform a few key functions that would greatly benefit from a dedicated button, a small stream deck will likely satisfy your needs.
If you’re looking to build your dream streaming setup, explore our guides on the best streaming software and the best capture cards if you’re aiming to record or stream your favorite games.