Do you want to take your streaming to the next level? If so, you need to invest in a stream deck. A stream deck allows you to control your streaming environment with ease, and it can make a huge difference in terms of how smoothly your stream runs. In this blog post, we will compare the best stream decks on the market and help you decide which one is right for you!
Are You Searching For The Stream Deck for Streaming Within A Short Time, Then The Table Is For You:
Top 9 Best Stream Deck for Streaming Reviewed
Elgato Stream Deck XL is a powerful and flexible way to control your favorite games, media applications, and other content. With the touch of a button, you can instantly launch your favorite game or application as well as adjust the volume of your speakers, start a stream on Twitch or YouTube Live, record gameplay footage with Elgato Game Capture HD60 S, or tweet out a status update.
The Penclic N3 Office keyboard is designed for comfort and ease of use. The cleverly-designed ergonomic key layout reduces the time your hands spend moving between keys, so you can type faster and with less effort. The Penclic N3 Office also features a slim design that will look great on any desk or office space.
The X-keys Programmable Keypads are the perfect way to instantly customize your control panel. With a compact footprint, these 80 key devices can be used for video or audio control switching. The backlighting is addressable, meaning you can set different colors for each key. The programming software is available for Windows, MAC, and Linux users–though HW mode programming must be done on a Windows 7/8/10 computer. Once programmed, the macros are stored on the device’s MCU, so it can be used with a MAC or Linux computer.
The Razer Tartarus v2 is a mechanical gaming keypad with rubber dome switches for ultimate tactile feedback. This keypad features three rows of anti-ghosted keys, and its ergonomic design allows you to play comfortably for hours on end. It also has five additional programmable macro keys that can be used to execute complex commands with the press of a single button.
CyberpowerPC’s Syber K1 SKMR202 RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is a great way to up your game. The keyboard has 104 keys, each with its own backlight, that is stylishly red and designed for gaming. The keyboard is also wired for connectivity and has a special lighting feature. It is part of CyberpowerPC’s Syber K1 series and operates on the Microsoft Windows operating system.
One-Handed Macro Mechanical Keyboard is a 104-key keyboard with one-handed mechanical switches. It can be used on both sides, and the left side of the keyboard has a hand rest. The right side of the keyboard is also designed to support your right hand when you are typing. This enables you to use your mouse with only one hand, which will greatly increase your efficiency and productivity!
The iKKEGOL USB Single Foot Pedal Optical Switch is a computer mouse emulator. It can be used as an alternative to the traditional wired or wireless computer mouse, and it is especially useful for people with disabilities that affect their hands and arms. This product has been designed for users who cannot use a standard mouse due to conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, or other physical limitations.
Beastron Aula Excalibur One-Handed Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is a 60-key mechanical keyboard with an ergonomic design. It is designed for gamers who play MOBA games and MMORPGs, such as DOTA 2, League of Legends, and World of Warcraft. The gaming keyboard features N-Key Rollover (NKRO) technology which allows up to 108 keystrokes to be registered simultaneously without conflict (i.e., you can hit any number of keys at the same time).
The Razer Huntsman Elite is the world’s first keyboard with Opto-Mechanical switches. With an optimized actuation force of 45g and tactile bump feedback, it delivers both speed and comfort like never before. The Razer Huntsman Elite features individually programmable backlit keys, which can be customized from a palette of 16 million colors to match your style. And with Razer Chroma™ support, you can synchronize lighting effects with other Chroma-enabled devices like our Blackwidow X Chroma gaming mouse or Firefly mouse pad for a visually stunning experience.
Buying Guide For The Best Stream Deck for Streaming
1. Is it worth the money?
The Stream Deck currently retails for $179.95 AUD on the Elgato website while on Amazon’s Australian website it costs ~$140 USD which brings us back into parity with US pricing. If you plan on getting one I would recommend using the Australian store because even though it will add a bit of money to the purchase, you will be receiving it much faster than if you were to import one from overseas.
2. How do I use it with OBS Studio / XSplit?
The most common software that most people are compatible with is OBS Studio (formerly known as just OBS), which makes this Stream Deck pretty versatile because there are not many devices out there that work with both OBS and Xsplit. To make this device work in your streaming software you will need to install the updates for Elgato Game Capture HD (for example – http://help.elgato.com/customer/portal/articles/233212 ) and find the option where you can configure your ‘Scene’ buttons.
3. Does it work with Windows 10?
If you plan on buying this device, make sure you have the latest driver installed through Elgato’s site under “Check for Updates”. You can download that here – http://www.elgato.com/enu/support/game-capture-hd If you’re still having issues after updating to the latest driver, try these steps: Reboot your computer Disable Hardware Acceleration in OBS Reboot again Check if your Stream Deck is working properly Now enable Hardware Acceleration in OBS If none of those steps worked I would recommend uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers because even though they are new some users are reporting some bugs.
4. What type of Software does it work with?
The Stream Deck is mainly designed for Streaming but also works great in any type of software that you want to assign actions. This device would be best suited if you’re using it for games like CS: GO where one button can bring up different grenades or weapons depending on the situation. The buttons are even color-coded making this device really versatile when gaming! I highly recommend setting up some macros before playing a game because chances are they will come in handy! (I generally set up my ‘T’ key with 6 different macros for example – 1 for each weapon)
5. Is there a way to trigger an overlay?
Currently, there is no way to trigger overlays through this device. There is a workaround to create a hotkey that can be triggered in any software, but you will need to have an additional device with a keyboard/mouse connected to your PC.
3 Benefits Of Stream Deck for Streaming
1. Instant access to your favorite sites
Stream Deck lets you assign shortcuts to each key with an icon from any website or program installed on your computer. For example, if you’re playing League of Legends, typing in “LoL” or even just “/lol” opens up lolking.net for viewing champion statistics at the push of a button.
And the options don’t stop at websites, you can also assign shortcuts to open programs, folders, files, or even Steam groups. Stream Deck is small enough that you can easily place it next to your mouse and keyboard for quick access to all your favorite sites and things without having to switch tabs ever again.
2. Instant access to ALL your favorite sites (and interactivity with them)
Now, what’s better than opening one website? Opening 9 websites simultaneously! If you’ve got all 15 spots filled up on your Stream Deck, then congratulations, you now only have to press one button in order to refresh nine different pages. Not only does this save time spent opening different pages manually throughout the day, but it also opens up interactivity between them.
For example, you could open up 9 different subreddits for League of Legends and then set each one to automatically update with the newest posts, so that all you have to do is keep Stream Deck open in your browser. I’m not sure about you guys but I think this would save a TON of time, especially when browsing Reddit. Plus, they’re small enough that you can place them anywhere on your desk, even off to the side where they won’t get in the way of anything.
3. Satisfaction from just looking at it!
Ok ok ok, so maybe this isn’t an actual benefit or reason why people should get Stream Deck, but what’s a good article without a bit of shameless self-promotion?
The Last Line
After reading this blog post, you should know everything there is to know about Stream Decks. Now it’s time for your decision-making process! There are many pros and cons that may have been overlooked during our review of the different models on the market today, so feel free to do additional research before making a final purchase. One thing we can guarantee is that whichever model you choose will be one of the best investments in your streaming career yet!