Stream Deck Plus Review: Is It Worth It for Streamers? (2026)

Last updated: June 2026

The Stream Deck Plus is a macro controller with 8 LCD keys, 4 multifunction dials, and a touch strip. It’s designed for streamers, content creators, and production workflows who need both quick-trigger actions and continuous adjustments — like audio mixing — from a single device. Whether those dials justify the price over a standard Stream Deck depends entirely on how you work.

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At a Glance: Stream Deck Lineup Comparison

Model	Keys	Dials	Touch Strip	Connection
Stream Deck MK.2	15	0	No	USB-A
Stream Deck Plus	8	4	Yes	USB-C
Stream Deck XL	32	0	No	USB-A
Stream Deck + XL	36	6	Yes	USB-C

Who this guide is for: If you’re deciding between the Stream Deck Plus, the MK.2, or the XL, you’re in the right place. This review covers all four models with honest assessments of what each does well — and where each one falls short.

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What Is the Stream Deck Plus, Actually?

Let’s cut through the marketing. The Stream Deck Plus isn’t just a Stream Deck with extra buttons — it’s a fundamentally different interaction model. The four physical dials rotate for continuous adjustments (volume, brightness, scroll speed, timeline scrubbing), press inward for toggle functions, and the touch strip above them responds to swipes and taps. The 8 LCD keys still fire instant macro actions, just like every other Stream Deck.

Here’s where this matters in a real streaming context: if you’re running OBS with multiple audio sources — game capture, microphone, Discord, browser tabs — you can assign each dial to a separate audio track and adjust them in real time without alt-tabbing, without clicking, without breaking your flow mid-stream. That use case is genuinely useful.

But here’s the honest caveat: the dial ecosystem in Elgato’s plugin library was noticeably limited at launch in 2022, and as of 2026, plugin support for dial actions still lags behind key-based integrations. Reddit users have pointed this out repeatedly — one streamer described getting the Plus specifically for its dial potential, only to find “the knobs are lacking in plugins — moreso than I anticipated, not even the official [plugins]…” That’s not a minor complaint. It shapes whether the Plus is the right buy for your specific workflow.

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The Four Stream Deck Models, Broken Down Honestly

1. Elgato Stream Deck Plus

The Stream Deck Plus (manufacturer-stated specs: 8 LCD keys, 4 rotary dials with press function, 1 touch strip, USB-C) is the model that splits opinions most sharply in the creator community — and for good reason.

The dial case, honestly evaluated. After running a multi-source streaming setup with OBS, the dials are most useful in two scenarios: live audio mixing across multiple tracks, and DAW timeline control for video editors who want tactile scrubbing. For a Twitch streamer running a typical layout — game audio, mic, Discord, music — four dials mapped to those sources means you never need to reach for your mouse to balance levels during a live broadcast. That’s a real workflow improvement.

But when you step outside audio? The dial use cases thin out quickly. Controlling OBS scene transitions with dials feels redundant when keys do that better. Mapping dials to camera settings requires third-party plugins that may or may not receive ongoing updates. Several users in the r/elgato community noted they ended up using most of their dials for audio and leaving the rest unmapped.

The 8-key limitation is real. The MK.2 gives you 15 keys for less money. If your primary need is macro triggers — launching scenes, muting sources, triggering alerts, switching profiles — the Plus gives you fewer keys to work with. Yes, you can use folders and pages in the Stream Deck software to expand your key count, but scrolling through pages during a live stream is not the seamless experience the product page implies.

Touch strip usability. The touch strip works reliably for swiping between pages of controls. In practice, it’s convenient but not transformative. Think of it as a gesture shortcut, not a core feature.

For streamers who aren’t primarily audio-focused: one Reddit user who bought the Plus for general productivity said flatly, “For $200, I should’ve just got the regular Stream Deck.” That’s not an outlier opinion — it reflects a genuine mismatch between the Plus’s strength (tactile continuous control) and the way most streamers actually use a Stream Deck (discrete macro triggers).

Who it’s for: Live streamers managing multiple audio sources in real time. Podcasters routing between guests, music beds, and SFX. Video editors who want a physical scrubbing surface. Anyone whose workflow involves constant fine-tuning rather than one-tap triggers.

Who should look elsewhere: Streamers whose main use case is scene switching, alert triggers, and chat interaction. If you want maximum macro real estate, the MK.2 or XL covers that ground better at a lower per-key cost.

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2. Elgato Stream Deck MK.2

The MK.2 (manufacturer-stated specs: 15 LCD keys, USB-A, compatible with Mac and PC via Stream Deck software) is the model I’d recommend to most people who haven’t used a Stream Deck before — and to plenty who have.

Fifteen keys is enough to cover a full OBS streaming layout: scene switcher, mute toggle, clip save, Twitch chat interaction, Spotify controls, and still have keys left over for browser shortcuts or application launchers. The key-based plugin library is orders of magnitude more developed than the dial ecosystem. If you want to connect Stream Deck to OBS, Twitch, Discord, Spotify, Philips Hue, Adobe Premiere, or dozens of other tools, the MK.2 has a plugin for it.

The practical desk reality: the MK.2 sits comfortably on a standard streaming desk without dominating the space. Its USB-A cable tucks away cleanly. Compared to the Plus’s USB-C cable (which is fine, but varies in cable stiffness depending on what you supply), the MK.2’s included cable is unremarkable — exactly what you want from a peripheral cable.

One honest limitation: no dials means no tactile audio mixing. If you’re running a show where you need to drop your game audio while a guest speaks, you’re doing that via key-mapped actions rather than a physical turn. For most streamers, that’s acceptable. For audio-focused creators, it’s a genuine workflow gap.

Who it’s for: Entry-to-mid level Twitch and YouTube streamers who want reliable macro automation without the complexity of learning dial integrations. Also solid for content creators using it outside of streaming — productivity workflows, app launching, system shortcuts.

Who should look elsewhere: If you’ve outgrown 15 keys and find yourself managing multiple pages constantly, the XL is a direct upgrade. If you’re a live mixer or audio engineer, the Plus or Plus XL makes more sense.

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3. Elgato Stream Deck XL

The XL (manufacturer-stated specs: 32 LCD keys, USB-A) is the answer to a specific problem: you’ve run out of keys on your MK.2 and you’re tired of navigating pages mid-stream.

Thirty-two keys sounds excessive until you’re running a production that includes OBS scenes (10+ keys), audio source controls (8 keys), Discord and browser shortcuts (4 keys), Twitch interaction macros (4 keys), and system shortcuts — then 32 starts to feel like enough. Professional streamers who run multi-game schedules with different OBS profiles per game especially benefit from having everything visible without page navigation.

The desk footprint is significant. The XL is roughly twice the width of the MK.2. On a 60-inch streaming desk with a full monitor arm setup, it fits. On a compact 47-inch desk with dual monitors, a microphone arm, and a webcam mount, the XL starts crowding your elbow space. This isn’t a minor point — several streamers have returned it specifically because they underestimated how much desk space it consumes.

Who it’s for: High-output streamers with complex scene setups. Broadcasters running multiple software integrations simultaneously. Anyone who’s currently using a MK.2 and spending more than five minutes per stream navigating between pages.

Who should look elsewhere: Beginners. Streamers with limited desk space. Anyone considering the XL primarily because “more keys is always better” — start with the MK.2 first and see if you actually exhaust 15 keys before committing to the larger footprint.

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4. Elgato Stream Deck + XL

The Stream Deck + XL (manufacturer-stated specs: 36 LCD keys, 6 rotary dials, touch strip, USB-C) is the most capable — and most demanding — device in the current lineup.

If you’re running a professional broadcast studio, a podcast production setup with multiple guests and audio routing, or a content creation workflow that touches video editing, live streaming, and audio production simultaneously, the + XL can replace a significant amount of software interface interaction. That’s a real use case, and for the right person, worth every dollar.

But be honest with yourself about your workflow. Six dials are only valuable if you have six things that benefit from continuous rotary control. Most streamers don’t. The + XL is the kind of device that requires you to invest real setup time — mapping dials, building profiles, installing plugins — before it delivers on its potential. Without that investment, you’re paying for hardware you’ll half-use.

The desk footprint is the largest of any Stream Deck model. Factor that in before purchasing.

Who it’s for: Professional broadcasters, production studios, video editors with complex DAW workflows, and advanced streamers who have already maxed out the Stream Deck Plus or XL and need to consolidate further.

Who should look elsewhere: Anyone buying their first Stream Deck. Streamers upgrading from the MK.2 who primarily want more keys — the standard XL covers that need at lower cost.

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The Dial Question: A Direct Answer

The dials on the Stream Deck Plus and + XL are the most discussed — and most misunderstood — feature in the lineup. Here’s the honest breakdown:

Dials work well for: Live audio mixing in OBS or a DAW. Video timeline scrubbing. Brightness/zoom controls in compatible applications.

Dials fall short for: Most creative software workflows where key-based integrations are more developed. Any workflow relying on third-party plugins that haven’t implemented dial support.

The Stream Deck software (version 6.x as of 2026) has improved dial plugin support compared to launch, but the gap between key integrations and dial integrations remains meaningful. If your primary reason for choosing the Plus over the MK.2 is the dials, confirm that your specific software — OBS, your DAW, your video editor — has mature dial support before purchasing.

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Stream Deck Software: What Nobody Tells You

The Stream Deck app (free, required for all models) is stable and reasonably intuitive once you’ve built a profile or two. But setup is not instant. Building a genuinely useful layout — mapping keys to the right OBS scenes, installing and configuring the right plugins, setting up conditional profiles that switch automatically when you launch specific apps — takes several hours across multiple sessions.

This matters for the purchase decision. The MK.2 is not “easier to set up” than the Plus in any meaningful way — they use the same software. What differs is the complexity ceiling. A MK.2 user can get a functional layout in 30 minutes. A Plus user who wants to use the dials meaningfully needs to identify dial-compatible plugins, configure them correctly, and accept that some integrations they want may not exist yet.

If you want a deeper look at how Stream Deck integrates into a full OBS-based broadcast workflow, the best streaming setup guide on this site walks through the full software chain from capture to broadcast.

For anyone specifically exploring what hardware controllers make sense alongside the Stream Deck, the original Elgato Stream Deck overview covers the ecosystem history and gives context on how the lineup has evolved.

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Which Stream Deck Should You Buy?

Your Situation	Recommended Model
First Stream Deck, primarily scene switching and macros	MK.2
Live audio mixing is a core part of your workflow	Stream Deck Plus
Outgrown 15 keys, need more without dials	Stream Deck XL
Professional production setup, need everything	Stream Deck + XL
Not a streamer, using for general productivity	MK.2 or Plus (if dial use cases apply)

One note on non-streaming use: multiple Reddit threads in the r/elgato community show users buying the Plus for general productivity (app launching, system shortcuts, workflow automation) and finding the buttons useful but struggling to find dial use cases outside of streaming or audio production. If you’re not a streamer and don’t work in audio or video, the MK.2 likely serves you better.

For streaming setup context that goes beyond just the controller — including OBS configuration, audio setup, and camera selection — the how to set up OBS for streaming guide and the best streaming setup under $300 guide are worth reading alongside this review.

If you’re also thinking about desk mounting options for any Stream Deck model, the Stream Deck mount guide covers compatible arms and clamps across the full lineup.

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Stream Deck Plus: What It Pairs Well With

The Plus is most effective when the rest of your setup supports real-time audio routing. A USB audio interface, a dedicated mixer, or at minimum a DAW running alongside OBS gives the dials meaningful targets. Running the Plus with just OBS and no dedicated audio routing makes the dials feel underutilized.

For microphone setups that work well alongside a dial-based audio workflow, the best USB microphone and headset guide covers options that integrate cleanly with Stream Deck volume controls.

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FAQ

What does the Stream Deck Plus do?
The Stream Deck Plus is a production controller with 8 customizable LCD macro keys, 4 rotary dials (each with press function), and a touch strip. The keys trigger instant actions in software like OBS, Twitch, and Discord. The dials handle continuous adjustments — audio levels, brightness, timeline scrubbing — and the touch strip responds to swipe gestures for page navigation or custom commands. It connects to Mac and PC via USB-C and requires the free Stream Deck app.

What is the difference between the Stream Deck Plus and XL?
The Stream Deck XL has 32 LCD keys and no dials. The Stream Deck Plus has 8 LCD keys, 4 rotary dials, and a touch strip. The XL is better for workflows that need maximum macro real estate. The Plus is better for workflows that combine discrete triggers with continuous adjustments — especially live audio mixing. The + XL combines both, offering 36 keys, 6 dials, and a touch strip at a higher price point.

How much is a Stream Deck Plus?
All prices were unavailable from our price feed at time of publication. Check current pricing directly on Amazon using the links in this article.

Will there be a Stream Deck 2?
As of June 2026, Elgato has not announced a “Stream Deck 2” product. The lineup has expanded with the + XL model and continued software updates to the Stream Deck app. Elgato’s product releases focus on adding new form factors (like the + XL) rather than replacing the existing MK.2 or Plus with a sequentially numbered successor.

Is the Stream Deck Plus worth it if you’re not a streamer?
It depends heavily on whether your daily workflow involves continuous adjustment tasks. Non-streamers using the Plus for app launching, keyboard shortcuts, and system macros tend to use the keys and leave the dials underutilized. Several community reports suggest non-streamers find better value in the MK.2’s 15 keys unless they have a specific audio, video, or lighting control use case for the dials.

Can you use Stream Deck Plus with OBS?
Yes. The Stream Deck software includes official OBS Studio integration via plugin. You can map keys to scene switches, source toggles, recording controls, and audio mute/unmute. Dial integration with OBS audio sources is functional for volume control, though the depth of dial-specific OBS integrations is more limited than key-based actions. The free Stream Deck app handles all integrations without third-party software beyond the plugin installs.

Does the Stream Deck Plus replace a hardware audio mixer?
Not entirely. The dials can adjust software-level audio volumes in OBS or a DAW, but the Stream Deck Plus is not a hardware mixer — it doesn’t process audio signals. It controls software parameters. If you need hardware-level mixing (signal processing, EQ, compression in the hardware chain), a dedicated audio interface or mixer is still required alongside the Plus.

What’s the learning curve for the Stream Deck Plus?
Basic key functionality is accessible within 30 minutes of initial setup. Getting meaningful value from the dials requires identifying dial-compatible plugins for your specific software, which adds setup time. A realistic estimate for a fully functional, multi-profile layout with dial integrations is two to four hours of configuration spread across initial setup and refinement sessions.

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Last updated: June 2026