10 Best Stream Deck 2025 in the United States

The Elgato Stream Deck + XLR combines a customizable stream deck with an integrated audio mixer designed especially for podcasters and streamers who use professional XLR microphones. It features 8 LCD buttons, a touch strip, and dials, offering tactile control and clear visual feedback for managing audio, video, lighting, and other streaming functions all in one place. The build is compact and weighs under a pound, making it fairly portable while still feeling sturdy and premium.

One of its standout strengths is the built-in XLR dock, allowing you to plug in any XLR microphone directly with up to 75 dB gain and 48V phantom power for condenser mics. This lets you achieve studio-quality sound without needing extra equipment, which is a great convenience. Its USB-C connection ensures reliable power and data transfer. Customization is a strong point thanks to the Stream Deck app and access to a wide range of plugins and integrations, including popular streaming software like OBS, Twitch, and YouTube, plus other tools like Spotify and Philips Hue lighting controls. This makes it easy to set up personalized commands and workflows.

The number of physical buttons is relatively modest compared to some other stream decks, which might feel limiting for users who need more dedicated controls. Also, while it is portable, the additional size and weight from the XLR audio dock mean it’s bulkier than basic stream decks, so it may not be the best fit if you need something ultra-compact for travel. This product is ideal for content creators who want seamless audio integration with their stream deck controls and value high sound quality and software flexibility. If your focus is purely on button-heavy command setups or ultra-portability, you might find other stream decks better suited. But for combining audio and stream control in one neat device, it offers a powerful and user-friendly experience.

The Elgato Stream Deck Scissor Keys is a compact and well-built workflow controller designed for streamers and content creators who want quick, customizable control over their streaming software and other apps. With its 15 tactile, responsive buttons featuring clear, LED-lit icons, it offers fast access to commands like switching scenes, muting audio, or launching programs without fumbling through menus. The keys can display real-time system stats such as CPU or network performance, which is a handy feature for monitoring your stream’s health at a glance. Its USB-C connection ensures reliable performance, and the small size (about 4.65 x 3.31 inches) makes it reasonably portable without compromising usability.

The build quality feels solid, with a satisfying key press due to the scissor-switch design, giving a good balance between clicky feedback and quiet operation. It integrates smoothly with popular streaming platforms like OBS, Twitch, Discord, and even creative tools like Photoshop, expanding its usefulness beyond just gaming streams. However, with only 15 buttons, users who need more macro keys might find it limiting, and while the device is portable, it’s not pocket-sized and requires a flat surface to use comfortably.

Additionally, it is PC-focused, so Mac users should confirm compatibility with their specific setup. If you’re looking for a reliable stream deck that’s easy to customize and offers solid integration with popular software, this model is a strong choice, especially for gamers and creative streamers who need a responsive, versatile controller without a bulky footprint.

The Elgato Stream Deck + is designed as a creative tool that fits well for video editors, designers, and music producers who want to speed up their workflow. It offers 8 customizable LCD buttons plus 4 dials, making it easy to launch shortcuts or adjust settings like volume and timeline scrub. The addition of a touch strip further helps smooth navigation across tools and workspace pages.

This setup is especially well integrated with popular Adobe apps like Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and After Effects, which is ideal if you use those programs regularly. The build feels solid and studio-ready, with a compact size that won't take up much desk space, though at just over 1 pound it's more suited for stationary use than portability on the go. Connectivity is flexible with USB-C and USB-A options.

On the downside, 8 buttons might feel limiting if you want many shortcuts at once, and this model is focused on editing and production rather than general streaming tasks. For someone mainly aiming to automate stream controls or gaming overlays, a different Stream Deck might be a better fit. However, if your focus is post-production or creative workflow automation, this device offers a stylish, efficient way to customize your workspace and save time.