Buying Guide
The Best Stream Decks and Control Pads
Three streaming devices compared, from the Stream Deck Mini to the Stream Deck MK.2, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
A stream deck puts scenes and shortcuts on a physical button. Every pick is a stream controller, ordered from the lowest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for type, what it does and connection; where a maker leaves a figure out, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Elgato Stream Deck Mini
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Elgato Stream Deck Mini (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Elgato Stream Deck Neo
Eight LCD keys.
Best for: Buyers who want eight LCD keys.
Our take Check price for Elgato Stream Deck Neo (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Elgato Stream Deck MK.2
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 15 customizable LCD keys.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Elgato Stream Deck Mini (opens in a new tab) |
| Eight LCD keys. | Buyers who want eight LCD keys. | Check price for Elgato Stream Deck Neo (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 15 customizable LCD keys. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
Elgato Stream Deck Mini on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Stream Deck Mini has six LCD keys in the smallest footprint.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
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. No other pick in this guide offers a 6 keys key figure; compare the Stream Deck MK.2, which has a 15 LCD keys key figure. It also comes with 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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- Skip it if price comes first: the Stream Deck Mini 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 MK.2 cost more.
Key dimensions & 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 MK.2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Stream Deck MK.2 gives you 15 LCD keys for scenes, audio and app actions.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Stream Deck Mini, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its stand detaches. Its 15 LCD keys show what each action does and confirm when it runs. Plugins cover OBS, Twitch, YouTube and Elgato gear.
Hotkey actions suit editing, music production and photography as well as streaming. Plugins cover Spotify, Discord and Philips Hue. One key can trigger several actions at once, such as posting to social media and muting the mic.
It also comes with plugins for OBS and other apps. It needs Elgato's Stream Deck software on Windows or macOS. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Stream Deck Neo the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Type: Stream controller
- What it does: Physical keys for scenes and actions
- Connection: USB
- Key figure: 15 LCD keys
Pros
- 15 customizable LCD keys
- Detachable stand
- Plugins for OBS and other apps
- The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 15 customizable LCD keys
Cons
- Costs more than the Stream Deck Mini at the time of writing
How We Chose These Stream Decks and Control Pads
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side three streaming gear on type, what it does, connection and key figure from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the Stream Deck Mini to the Stream Deck MK.2, 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 MK.2 for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 15 customizable LCD keys.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Stream Deck Mini (under $50) to the Stream Deck MK.2 ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Stream Deck and Control Pads
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 MK.2: a detachable stand.
Budget
Under $50 buys the Stream Deck Mini; $50 to $100 buys the Stream Deck Neo; $100 to $150 buys the Stream Deck MK.2 at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Spending as little as possible: the Stream Deck Mini. Buyers who want the most complete package: the Stream Deck MK.2.
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.
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 and Control Pads
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | 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 |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | Stream Deck MK.2 | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 15 customizable LCD keys |
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 MK.2 | Stream controller | Physical keys for scenes and actions | USB | 15 LCD keys |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Stream Deck Mini was the lowest-priced pick and the Stream Deck MK.2 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Streaming gear |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Stream Deck Mini |
| About $50 to $100 | Stream Deck Neo |
| About $100 to $150 | Stream Deck MK.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Stream Deck Mini the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for the lowest price of the group at our last check. It suits spending as little as possible.
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 MK.2: 15 customizable LCD keys.
Who should choose the Stream Deck MK.2?
The Stream Deck MK.2 carries our Premium Pick label for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 15 customizable LCD keys. It ranks third of 3 here.
Should I pick the Stream Deck Mini or the Stream Deck MK.2?
The Stream Deck Mini suits spending as little as possible; the Stream Deck MK.2 suits buyers who want the most complete package.
Does this gear work with OBS?
Capture cards and cameras appear as sources in OBS; Stream Deck has OBS integration.
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 MK.2 for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 15 customizable LCD keys if those matter more to you.
Map the buttons you use most to the top row.