Buying Guide
The Best Stream Deck Controllers
From the Stream Deck Mini to the Stream Deck +: three streaming devices ranked on connection and key figure, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
A stream controller puts scene changes, mutes and macros on physical keys. Every pick is a stream controller, ordered from the lowest listed price.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: type, what it does and connection come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Elgato Stream Deck MiniThe lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the Stream Deck Neo the next step up.
Check price for Elgato Stream Deck Mini on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Elgato Stream Deck NeoEight LCD keys.
Best for: Buyers who want eight LCD keys.
Check price for Elgato Stream Deck Neo on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Elgato Stream Deck +The top of this price range, adding four dials.
Best for: Spending more than the Stream Deck Neo costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for Elgato Stream Deck + on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Spending as little as possible, with the Stream Deck Neo the next step up. | Check price for Elgato Stream Deck Mini on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Eight LCD keys. | Buyers who want eight LCD keys. | Check price for Elgato Stream Deck Neo on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding four dials. | Spending more than the Stream Deck Neo costs for the fullest feature set in this group. | Check price for Elgato Stream Deck + on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
Elgato Stream Deck Mini
The Stream Deck Mini has six LCD keys in the smallest footprint.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the Stream Deck Neo the next step up.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
Six LCD keys trigger shortcuts, scenes or app actions with one press. It works with OBS, Zoom, Teams and Office apps through the free Stream Deck software. One key can run several actions in sequence with precise timing.
Each LCD key shows an icon, so you can see what it does before you press it. It also offers the lowest price tier among Stream Decks. It needs Elgato's Stream Deck software on Windows or macOS. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the Stream Deck Neo the next step up.
Key specs
- Type
- Stream controller
- What it does
- Physical keys for scenes and actions
- Connection
- USB
- Key figure
- 6 keys
Pros
- Six LCD keys
- Compact footprint
- The lowest price tier among Stream Decks
- 6 keys key figure, the only one here
Also Consider2 of 3
Elgato Stream Deck Neo
The Stream Deck Neo has eight LCD keys and two touch points for switching pages.
Best for
- Buyers who want eight LCD keys.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Stream Deck Mini, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
An info bar shows time or status. Eight LCD keys and two touch buttons cover the essentials, and actions are set up by drag and drop. It works with streaming apps and office software alike.
It also controls smart lights, plugs and audio from a single button, and works with Zoom, Teams and Office apps. An info bar between the keys shows the time or a page indicator, and two touch points flip between pages. It needs Elgato's Stream Deck software on Windows or macOS. When we checked, only the Stream Deck Mini cost less, and the Stream Deck + cost more.
Key specs
- Type
- Stream controller
- What it does
- Physical keys for scenes and actions
- Connection
- USB
- Key figure
- 8 keys, 2 touch points
Pros
- Eight LCD keys
- Two touch points for page switching
- Small info bar
Cons
- Costs more than the Stream Deck Mini at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
Elgato Stream Deck +
The Stream Deck + adds four dials and a touch strip to eight keys.
Best for
- Spending more than the Stream Deck Neo costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Stream Deck Mini, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The dials suit audio mixing. Four dials and a touch strip sit under eight LCD keys, which makes it an audio mixer as well as a shortcut pad. Smart profiles switch layouts when you change apps.
Multi Actions trigger several steps at once, and the app store offers plugins, icons and royalty-free music. Plugins cover Wave Link and OBS. It needs Elgato's Stream Deck software on Windows or macOS. Only the Stream Deck Neo came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 3 picks.
Key specs
- Type
- Stream controller
- What it does
- Keys and dials for audio and scenes
- Connection
- USB
- Key figure
- 8 keys, 4 dials, touch strip
Pros
- Four dials
- Touch strip
- Eight LCD keys
- The top of this price range, adding four dials
Cons
- Costs more than the Stream Deck Mini at the time of writing
How We Chose These Stream Deck Controllers
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared three streaming gear on type, what it does, connection and key figure as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 4 fields compared are stated for every pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the Stream Deck Mini to the Stream Deck +, state type, what it does and connection and share USB connection.
- Who each pick suits
- The Stream Deck Mini for the lowest price of the group at our last check; the Stream Deck Neo for eight LCD keys; the Stream Deck + for the top of this price range, adding four dials.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Stream Deck Mini (under $50) to the Stream Deck + ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Stream Deck Controller
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Features beyond the spec table
The Stream Deck Mini: a compact footprint. The Stream Deck Neo: two touch points for page switching. The Stream Deck +: a touch strip.
How much to spend
Under $50 buys the Stream Deck Mini; $50 to $100 buys the Stream Deck Neo; $150 to $250 buys the Stream Deck + at our last check.
A gaming room with a lit desk, a monitor and shelves of collectibles Match the pick to your priority
Spending as little as possible, with the Stream Deck Neo the next step up: the Stream Deck Mini. Spending more than the Stream Deck Neo costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the Stream Deck +.
Light your face
A key light lets any webcam run a faster shutter and cleaner image. Mount it off to one side of the camera.
A desk with a microphone arm, a ring light and two monitors Audio first
Viewers forgive a soft image sooner than bad audio. A decent mic on an arm is often the best first upgrade.
How to Choose a Stream Deck Controller
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the Stream Deck Neo the next step up | Stream Deck Mini | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want eight LCD keys | Stream Deck Neo | Eight LCD keys |
| Spending more than the Stream Deck Neo costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Stream Deck + | The top of this price range, adding four dials |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Stream Deck Mini, the Stream Deck Neo and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Streaming gear | Type | What it does | Connection | Key figure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stream Deck Mini | Stream controller | Physical keys for scenes and actions | USB | 6 keys |
| Stream Deck Neo | Stream controller | Physical keys for scenes and actions | USB | 8 keys, 2 touch points |
| Stream Deck + | Stream controller | Keys and dials for audio and scenes | USB | 8 keys, 4 dials, touch strip |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Stream Deck Mini, sat in the under $50 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the Stream Deck + at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Streaming gear |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Stream Deck Mini |
| About $50 to $100 | Stream Deck Neo |
| About $150 to $250 | Stream Deck + |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Stream Deck Mini the Lowest Price Here?
It carries the badge for the lowest price of the group at our last check. It makes sense for spending as little as possible, with the Stream Deck Neo the next step up.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Stream Deck Mini and the Stream Deck Neo apart?
The Stream Deck Mini: six LCD keys. The Stream Deck Neo: eight LCD keys. The Stream Deck +: four dials.
Who should choose the Stream Deck +?
The Stream Deck + carries our Premium Pick label for the top of this price range, adding four dials. It ranks third of 3 here and sat in the $150 to $250 tier at our last price check; it suits spending more than the Stream Deck Neo costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Should I pick the Stream Deck Mini or the Stream Deck +?
The Stream Deck Mini suits spending as little as possible, with the Stream Deck Neo the next step up; the Stream Deck + suits spending more than the Stream Deck Neo costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Do I need HDR capture?
Only if you record HDR footage. Most live streams are SDR.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Stream Deck Mini, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the Stream Deck Neo for eight LCD keys and the Stream Deck + for the top of this price range, adding four dials if those matter more to you.
Start with a small key count; plugins and folders stretch it further.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Streaming Gear for a PC
- Related guideThe Best Webcams for Streaming
- Related guideThe Best Streaming Gear for Gaming
- Similar guideThe Best Stream Decks and Control Pads
- Similar guideThe Best 4K Webcams
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Webcam for Your PC
- ExplainerWebcam Features Explained: What Is Worth Paying For?
- Also see: microphonesHow to Choose a USB Microphone for Your PC
- Similar guideThe Best 1080p Webcams
- Topic hubAll webcams and streaming gear guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
View all articles