Without using the best stream deck, it is nearly impossible to manage your workflow during a stream, making it difficult to offer a seamless experience to your audience.
A stream deck is a keypad with LCD buttons that lets you achieve complex tasks with just a tap of a button. You can make it do simple tasks like opening all the software required to stream, or add another layer of complexity by allowing it to create a post about you going live on your social media platforms like Twitter. You can customize it in hundreds of ways to make it truly yours. You can also add cool transition effects when you’re switching between picture-in-picture mode and fullscreen webcam mode, or trigger a pop-up GIF animation whenever you have a new subscriber. Adding such nuances creates a truly personalized streaming experience. If you have watched any of the famous Twitch streamers, you can see how unique their streams look, and if you want to achieve the same thing, you need to get a stream deck right now.
These stream decks are not limited to streaming. They can also be used in multiple ways to increase your productivity. For example, you can assign a Photoshop action to one of the buttons to color-correct the image instantly and export it, or assign a hotkey to do certain actions in your Excel sheet.
If you are new to streaming or have never used a stream deck, it’s understandable that you wouldn’t know which one is going to help you the most. That’s why we have curated a list of the 7 best stream decks that will help you get going.
What Is a Stream Deck Used For?
A stream deck, as the name suggests, is a deck used for streaming. It allows the user to assign functions to a single button that would generally require them to navigate between multiple applications. It does not matter if you stream games or stream yourself painting; you will have your hands full, given how many things you will be managing. To make things even easier, people use these decks to do certain tasks with just a tap of a button.
These buttons and dials can do actions like open a be-right-back window during the stream, add transitional effects when switching between camera angles, play custom sound effects, play music, control the volume of the microphone, adjust the room’s light brightness, trigger actions saved in editing software, and so much more. There is virtually no limit to what you can organize with the stream deck.
7 Best Stream Decks in 2025
You can manage your stream efficiently with a good stream deck, ensuring you have one less thing to worry about. The following stream decks are our favorites and have been tested to help you manage your stream in all possible ways. Try them out!
BEST OVERALL
Elgato Stream Deck MK.2
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Includes a USB-C to USB-A cable
Supports combo functions with a single button
Visual confirmations when the action is executed
All compatible software is available from their app store
Includes 100 plug-ins like OBS, Twitch, YouTube, Twitter, Discord, and more.
But…
Flimsy packaging
The Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 is one of the most popular stream decks among streamers. If you ever wanted the best in the market at a reasonable price, this is the one. It is a black keypad with a modern design that fits well with your setup. It has 15 macro keys that you can customize to open your most-used applications and tools. All keys have LCD screens that can be assigned an icon to easily recognize what action is associated with them. It sits on an angular stand, giving you a comfortable viewing angle. It is powered by a USB Type-C cable for plug-and-play convenience. And with its interchangeable faceplates, you can change its look to fit your setup, room, or your mood. This is one of the best stream decks for gaming and streaming.
Best Under $100
AJAZZ AKP153 Stream Controller
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
40° viewing angle
Available in two colors
Access to the icon library
Includes a USB-C to USB-A cable
Supports Windows, Android, and Mac
Compatible with most commonly used broadcasting software
But…
Low durability
AJAZZ AKP153 Studio Deck proves that you don’t need to dig too deep into your pockets to have a good stream deck. With an affordable price of $100, you get all the features you need to make your life easy. Everything from a repetitive function for editing videos to controlling your Twitch stream, you can do all of it seamlessly with its 15-button layout and one LCD screen on the side. It comes with preset functions that you can download and assign, allowing you to set up the deck quickly. AJAZZ’s dedicated stream deck software gives you complete control over customizing the deck the way you want. You can even control the lights in your room with home automation apps that you can download from its marketplace.
Best 32 Macro Keys
Elgato Stream Deck XL Advanced Studio Controller
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
USB connectivity
Tactile feel buttons
Compatible with PC and Mac
Non-stick magnetic stand
Includes a USB-C to USB-A cable
Visual feedback for completed tasks
But…
Occasional software crashes
With the Elgato Stream Deck XL Advanced Studio Controller, there is no such thing as too many keys. It is an extra-large stream deck that offers 32 customizable buttons in an 8 x 4 format. You can assign your repetitive tasks, audio settings, light settings, and much more, giving you unlimited combinations to try. If you feel you’ll lose track of the buttons, don’t worry; all the keys have LCD screens where you can use icons related to the assigned actions. You can either create your own icons or download them from Elgato’s website. The deck is built to integrate with platforms like Twitch, YouTube, OBS Studios, and many more without a hassle.
Best for Content Creation
Razer Stream Controller
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Sleek design
Plug and play
Dynamic LCD touchscreen
Compatible with PC and Mac
Includes a USB-C to USB-A cable
Different layouts to compartmentalize similar actions
But…
Expensive
The Razer Stream Controller is the way to go when you need a stream deck that handles more than just streaming. With its various buttons and dials, you can easily streamline your workflow with just a few taps. It has 8 programmable circular buttons that let you switch between different layouts. Each layout has 12 haptic switchblade touchscreen keys for you to customize and bind an infinite combination of actions. By using one of the six tactile analog dials, you can adjust the volume, audio high and low tones, light brightness, and so many other functions. Razer partnered with Loupedeck to utilize its centralized software that allows you to customize the deck for multiple uses. If you can spend extra money, then this Razer Stream Controller is definitely worth the expense.
Best for Audio Mixing
Elgato Stream Deck +
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Tactile feel buttons
DAW control surface
Includes an angular base
Available in multiple colors
Eight programmable buttons
Includes a USB-C to USB-A cable
But…
Expensive
They say work smart, not hard, and with this Elgato Stream Deck +, your hard-working days will finally be behind you. It does more than just manage your streams; it helps you be more productive as well. This deck has pretty much everything you need — buttons with LCD screens, analog dials to adjust light and volume levels, and a touch strip to display those levels. Elgato even offers access to Wave Link mixing software to turn the deck into a complete audio mixer and also provides access to thousands of royalty-free music tracks. So, if you were worried about getting a copyright strike for the music you played, you don’t have to worry anymore.
Best Multiple Layout
Loupedeck Live
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Detachable stand
Haptic analog dials
LED backlight for the buttons
Compatible with PC and Mac
Free icons on the marketplace
Real-time audio control using dials
But…
Expensive
Loupedeck Live shows you what “unlimited customization” truly means. With its combination of buttons, layouts, and analog dials, you can have this small keypad do all your tasks with just a few taps. The premium-feeling deck is built with an aluminum cover, increasing its durability. It offers 8 layouts with 12 customizable RGB buttons each — that’s 96 hotkeys! Each of these buttons can have multi-layered actions, giving you an infinite number of ways to use it. It is compatible with numerous streaming and editing applications, making customizations seamless. It even comes with preset profiles for the applications that it supports, which you can utilize if you don’t want to spend too much time customizing.
Best Small Size
Elgato Stream Deck Mini
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Affordable
Supports GIF icons
Easy-to-use software
Customizable LCD keys
Compatible with PC and Mac
Includes a USB-C to USB-A cable
But…
Low durability
The Elgato Stream Deck Mini is a true small wonder! For a $60 price tag, it can do everything that its larger version can do. Even though it has just six buttons, it can still help you manage your streams, edit your content, and make your office work faster. You can create various layouts to assign functions based on applications and use cases. For example, you can assign the music player to one of the base layouts, which, when tapped, can lead you to music controls like pause, play, volume controller, play next, and more. So, even with its tiny form, there is no compromise on functionality.
What Stream Deck Plugins Are There?
Stream decks have a large variety of plugins that can be utilized for streaming, productivity, home automation, and more. It has streaming apps like OBS Tools, Twitch Tools, and AR Overlay Kickbot; audio apps like YouTube and Spotify; social apps like Discord and Telegram Tracker; lighting apps like Philips Hue, Nanoleaf Controller, and Lumia Stream. These are just some of the best stream deck plugins that you can download. You can find more on their respective platforms.
How We Chose the Best Stream Deck
These stream decks were handpicked by our team of professionals with in-depth knowledge of gaming and streaming hardware. They tested a bunch of steam decks to identify which ones have the best potential to make activities easier. They also consulted with streamers on what they use for their daily streams and what they like or dislike about them. All of the above-mentioned stream decks are built to last and ensure you stream and game without any hiccups.
FAQ
What is better than stream deck?
Stream decks offer the best services, but if you need an alternative, you should consider Streamlabs. It is a software that lets you manage your stream in a single application.
Is stream deck useful for gaming?
Although stream decks are not made for gaming, they can, however, be used for gaming as well. You can map the deck buttons to specific keyboard keys, which will then mirror the same functions as a keyboard.
Does stream deck need a PC?
Yes, the stream deck needs a PC or laptop to map out functions.
Can you use two stream decks?
Yes, multiple stream decks can be used together.
