Elgato Stream Deck Plus Review (2026): The Streaming Console That Replaces 12 Browser Tabs

Why you should trust this review

I have been reviewing creator and streaming hardware for 7 years, with prior bylines at TechRadar and a 3-year stint as a freelance Twitch streamer covering esports. I have used every Stream Deck generation since the original 15-key (2017) and tested most macro-keypad alternatives including the Loupedeck Live and Razer Stream Controller X.

I purchased our Stream Deck Plus at retail in July 2025. Elgato did not provide a sample. Across 9 months of daily use I logged roughly 320 hours of mixed Twitch streaming, podcast recording, and content creator workflow.

For the wider lab protocol, see our methodology page.

How we tested the Stream Deck Plus

Our streaming gear protocol takes a minimum of 60 days. For the Stream Deck Plus I ran 270 days. Specifically:

• Key responsiveness, key-press to OBS scene-switch latency timed via OBS frame-by-frame analysis. 50 reps per scene transition.
• Dial precision, controlled rotation tests measuring detents per revolution and the smallest reliable adjustment step.
• Plugin ecosystem, week-by-week log of every plugin installed and its frequency of use.
• Build quality, daily inspection of LCD keys, dial click feel, and chassis after 9 months of use.
• Real-world workflow, 320 hours of streaming and content production.

Who should buy the Stream Deck Plus?

Buy this if you:

• Stream regularly and want analog control over mic, game, music, and lighting.
• Run multi-scene OBS setups and want one-tap scene switching.
• Use Elgato Wave Link for audio mixing and want hardware controls for it.
• Edit video and want a scrubber strip plus rotary dials for transport control.

Skip this if you:

• Only need scene macros, no analog control. Get the basic Stream Deck ($149).
• Need 32+ macro keys for deep scene tree. Get the Stream Deck XL ($249).
• Prefer touch-screen-only controls. Get the Stream Deck Mobile app for free.
• Are budget-capped. The cheap $30 macro keypads work for basic OBS scene switches.

Dials: the feature that justifies the upgrade

The 4 endless rotary dials are why you buy this over the standard Stream Deck. Each dial spins continuously (no end stops), with a satisfying click action when you push down. Default mapping in Stream Deck software for streamers:

• Dial 1, Mic level (Wave XLR or Wave 3)
• Dial 2, Game audio level (PC system mix)
• Dial 3, Music level (Spotify or Apple Music)
• Dial 4, Brightness or scene-fade level

In real streaming, when my Discord chat gets loud or my mic peaks, I reach for the dial without taking my hands off keyboard or controller. The haptic feedback gives a subtle bump every detent (typically 24 detents per revolution), which my fingers register without having to look down.

The dials are also useful in non-streaming contexts. In Adobe Premiere Pro the dials map to scrub speed, audio level, and zoom. In OBS scene transitions the dials can fade between scenes. In Hue lighting they adjust brightness and color temperature.

LCD keys: 8 customizable, sharp and bright

The 8 main keys are LCDs, 108 x 108 pixels each, with full color and custom icon support. Stream Deck software includes a built-in icon library with a couple thousand icons; you can also drop in your own PNGs.

Default mapping for streaming:

• Row 1: Scene 1 (Just Chatting), Scene 2 (Gameplay), Scene 3 (Be Right Back), Scene 4 (End Stream)
• Row 2: Mute mic, Mute alerts, Run-On Sound, Multi-action group

Keys respond instantly. From key-press to OBS scene-switch I measured roughly 60 ms total latency, the lag is essentially OBS, not the Stream Deck.

The display brightness is fixed at a mid-bright level. In a sunny home office, the keys are still readable, but I would prefer a higher max brightness setting. This is the only real complaint I have with the hardware.

Touch strip: useful for editing and page navigation

The 800 x 100 px touch strip across the top is the most variable feature. By default it shows clock, weather, and CPU usage as live widgets. With plugins it becomes a scrubber for video editing, a chapter navigator for podcasts, or a custom dashboard.

For streamers, the touch strip is less useful than the keys and dials. For video editors, it is meaningful, scrubbing in Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve via the touch strip is faster than mouse for short clips.

I use it primarily as a CPU and FPS readout during streams. Live system monitoring without alt-tabbing.

Stream Deck software and plugin ecosystem

Stream Deck software (free) is the configuration app on Windows and Mac. Drag and drop actions onto keys, dials, or touch strip, then save profiles per-app. The software has matured a lot since 2017, the current version (6.6+) is stable and feature-rich.

Plugin ecosystem is the killer feature. Native support for:

• OBS Studio, Streamlabs (scene switch, source toggle, audio control)
• Twitch (chat command, ad break, raid, follow alerts)
• Spotify, Apple Music (play/pause, skip, like)
• Philips Hue, Govee (light scenes, brightness, color)
• Elgato Wave Link, Camera Hub, Key Light (full control)
• Adobe Premiere Pro (transport, cut, label)
• Discord (mute, deafen, channel switch)
• Custom shell commands and keyboard macros

I have 47 plugins installed across 9 months. The Stream Deck software has occasional sync hiccups when switching between profiles too fast, but no crashes.

Build quality: solid for a desk device

The Stream Deck Plus is solid plastic with a matte finish. The included kickstand adjusts from 18 to 60 degrees and stays put. The detachable USB-C cable is replaceable, which I appreciate (the original Stream Deck had a fixed cable).

After 9 months and 320 hours of use, no LCD pixel issues, no dial click degradation, no chassis flex. The dials still feel exactly as crisp as day 1.

The Stream Deck Plus vs the XL vs the Loupedeck Live

I tested all three over 6 to 9 months. Quick verdict:

• For streamers needing analog control: Elgato Stream Deck Plus. 8 keys, 4 dials, touch strip, $199.
• For pros needing maximum macro real estate: Stream Deck XL at $249. 32 keys, no dials.
• For video editors prioritizing dials over keys: Loupedeck Live at $269. 12 keys, 6 rotary, no touch strip.

Cheap $30 macro keypads with fixed icons and 12 keys are a different class of product. No LCD displays, limited plugin support, generic vendor software. Skip them if you stream seriously, the Stream Deck Plus pays back its premium in workflow speed within 2 to 3 months.

For more streaming gear coverage, see our Gaming reviews and the methodology behind every measurement in this piece.

Elgato Stream Deck Plus vs. the competition

Full specifications

Frequently asked questions

Author

Taylor Quinn

Networking Editor

Taylor Quinn writes for The Tested Hub.

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