Few careers in the last 15 years have evolved as drastically as game streaming. From grainy webcams as teenagers shrieked over jump-scares in indie horror games, to full-on studios with high-end recording equipment and meticulously curated backgrounds, streaming has become a competitive job that you need to invest a bit into if you’re to get results out of it.
Streaming equipment manufacturer Elgato has been in the game for as long as PewDiePie (seriously, they both got going in 2010), and has evolved with the times. Its latest line of Stream Decks not only gives streamers powerful tools to control their productions, but can also smooth out workflows for those working in video production, graphic design, and other techy fields.
Here’s the best of what Stream Decks have to offer.
Stream Deck MK.2
(Image credit: Elgato)
With 15 LCD keys, you can set up the MK.2 to do all your biddings, from triggering actions, to launching social posts, and setting up audio and light cues. You can set it up to switch its key presets based on whatever app you’re using, and personalise it to high heaven with custom icons and changeable face plates.
As with all the following Stream Deck products, you’ll have access to the Stream Deck Store, where you can find plugins, icon packs, and tons of royalty-free tracks, effects, and other goodies.
Stream Deck +
(Image credit: Elgato)
This full customizable Deck, with LCD keys, dials, and touch strip, will cater to any workflow. Whether you use it for mixing audio or managing your production, you can use it to control mics and cameras, adjust lighting, volume, sound effects, and much more. It’s easy to set up via the Stream Deck app, and you can up your game even further with the Elgato Wave Link mixing software.
Stream Deck XL
(Image credit: Elgato)
The big boy of the bunch. With a whopping 32 LCD keys, you can run your life with this thing, let alone your streams. Letting you do everything from activating scenes, to switching cameras and posting to social media, the Deck XL is a powerful control centre worthy of a supervillain with plans for world conquest.
Adding to the supreme sense of control is visual feedback confirming every command, and seamless integration with tools and platforms like OBS Studio, Streamlabs, XSplit, Twitch, and YouTube.
Stream Deck Mini
(Image credit: Elgato)
Over at the other end of the spectrum we have this little fella, condensing your control to six LCD keys, ready to execute your commands with a single tap. Set up whatever commands you want, and kick back as the Mini automatically switches its presets as you switch apps. Switch scenes, hit your social media, and slap effects and GIFs on the screen in seconds, with a bitesize device that’ll give you the versatility of pro broadcasting equipment.
Stream Deck Pedal
(Image credit: Elgato)
Pedal to the metal, folks. Not everyone has infinite desktop space, or maybe you’re a musician or product reviewer whose hands are always busy on the tabletop. Whatever the case, the Stream Deck Pedal maximises your efficiency by bringing your feet into the fray. It offers a discreet extra layer of control under your desk, letting you set up commands for everything from camera switching, to mic-muting and on-screen effects, activated with the simple press of a foot pedal..
It’s a heck of a workflow hack, and remember to check out the Stream Deck Store for plugins and other tools that’ll help you get the most out of it.
Stream Deck Mobile
(Image credit: Elgato)
Want to bring all the power of the Stream Deck to your phone for free? While it can’t offer the tactility of physical buttons, the Stream Deck Mobile app for iPhone and Android is an impressive digital package, displaying 15 customizable buttons that let you adjust audio and lighting, send tweets, switch cameras, and all the other commands we covered throughout this list.
Stream Deck Mobile has integrations with all the major platforms—OBS Studios, Streamlabs, Twitch, YouTube, Nvidia Share, and more—and will trigger the commands you need with a single tap (complete with satisfying visual-haptic feedback).
Want to know more? Elgato’s always cooking up some new streaming tech in its lab, so follow them on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, or hook up with their communities on Discord, Twitch, and Reddit.
