The Elgato Stream Deck + is the most ambitious model in the Stream Deck family. It combines 8 LCD keys with 4 rotary dials and a touchscreen LCD strip, turning the platform from a button board into a true hybrid productivity and streaming controller. Priced around $180 and with more than 4,320 reviews, it has carved out a niche for users who want analogue control alongside the usual macro keys. This Elgato Stream Deck + review covers the layout, software, build and value.
Elgato Stream Deck +, Audio Mixer, Production Console and Studio Controller for Content Creators, Streaming, Gaming, with customizable touch strip dials and LCD keys, works with Mac and PC
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Elgato Stream Deck + at a Glance
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type | Hybrid LCD-key and dial stream controller |
| Keys / dials / strip | 8 LCD keys + 4 dials + touchscreen LCD strip |
| Connection | USB-C (detachable cable) |
| Software | Stream Deck software (free, Windows and macOS) |
| Customisation | Profiles, multi-actions, dial actions, plugin marketplace |
| Form factor | Wide desk unit with dial row |
| Mount / stand | Adjustable magnetic stand |
| Compatibility | Windows and macOS; OBS, Streamlabs, Twitch, YouTube, Discord and many more |
| Price | Around $180 |
Type, Layout and Macro Capabilities
The Stream Deck + is a different shape of tool to the rest of the range. Eight LCD keys give you the familiar Stream Deck macro experience for scenes, hotkeys and launchers. Below them sit four rotary dials, each tied to a region of the touchscreen LCD strip that shows what the dial is currently controlling. That arrangement is built for analogue tasks — volume, brightness, EQ, mixer levels, exposure in a creative app — where a knob feels much more natural than a button. The touchscreen strip turns the dials into a contextual surface: change profile and the dials change function, with the strip relabelling itself to match. It is a layout designed for users who do not just trigger actions but adjust values continuously.
Software, Profiles and App Integrations
The Stream Deck + runs the same free Stream Deck software as every other model. The plugin marketplace remains the same, the integrations with OBS, Streamlabs, Twitch, YouTube and Discord remain the same, and multi-actions work as before. What changes is the addition of dial-specific actions: volume mixers, audio levels, lighting brightness and a growing list of dial-aware plugins. Profiles can swap the whole layout — keys, dial assignments and touchstrip labels — when you change apps. For mixed productivity and streaming use, the Stream Deck + is the most flexible model in the lineup.
Build Quality and Design
The Stream Deck + is wider and taller than the MK.2 because of the dial row, but the build is the same high-quality matte plastic with bright LCDs. The dials have a satisfying weight and click when pressed, which doubles their function. The touchscreen strip is clear in normal room lighting and responds reliably. The detachable USB-C cable matches the modern Stream Deck approach to connectivity. The magnetic stand offers a couple of angles, which is helpful given the unit’s larger profile. On the desk it is a serious-looking instrument that earns its space.
The dials deserve specific mention because they make or break the product. Each dial has a slight detent feel when turned, which gives confidence that an input has registered, and pressing the dial inwards triggers a separate click action — so each knob is functionally two controls in one. Build longevity on rotary controls is a real concern with cheaper hardware, but Elgato has engineered the Stream Deck + dials to a standard that matches the rest of the unit, with consistent resistance and no wobble.
Performance in Streaming/Productivity Workflows
The dials are the main reason to choose this model. A streamer can map them to mic gain, music level, alert level and game audio — instead of toggling mutes, you fade. A photo or video editor can map them to exposure, contrast, saturation and a fourth value in their editing app, which feels much closer to a hardware control surface. The eight LCD keys above remain useful for triggers — scene switches, app launchers, multi-actions — so nothing is lost compared with a smaller deck. The trade-off is that some streamers do not need analogue control and would prefer the MK.2’s fifteen buttons. For users who do, the Stream Deck + is uniquely capable.
The touchscreen strip subtly transforms the workflow. Because each dial’s label updates as the profile changes, the user does not have to remember which knob does what — the strip shows it. Swiping along the strip can trigger separate actions in some plugins, which means even the dial row supports macro-style inputs alongside continuous control. In day-to-day use the combination feels noticeably more capable than a button-only deck without making the device harder to learn.
Who Is the Elgato Stream Deck + For?
The Stream Deck + is for the user who wants analogue control as well as macro keys. Streamers who care about live audio mixing, creators who edit photos or video and want hardware knobs, and productivity users who like the feel of a dial for volume or brightness will all get serious value. It is also a strong choice for hybrid creator desks that mix streaming with creative work. It is not for users who only want buttons — they should choose the MK.2 — and the price is higher than a comparable button-only deck. For mixed workflows, it is the most flexible Stream Deck.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Unique combination of LCD keys, rotary dials and touchscreen strip; same mature Stream Deck software and plugin marketplace; detachable USB-C cable; high-quality build with adjustable stand; large positive user base of over 4,320 reviews.
Cons: Eight keys instead of fifteen on the MK.2; wider footprint; users who do not need dials are paying for hardware they will not use.
Is the Elgato Stream Deck + Worth It?
At around $180 the Elgato Stream Deck + is worth it for users who genuinely benefit from analogue control. It delivers the full Stream Deck software experience plus four genuinely useful dials and a contextual touchstrip, which no other model in the range offers. For streamers who mix audio live, for creators who edit photos or video, and for hybrid productivity setups, it is a meaningful upgrade over a button-only deck. For users who only need macro keys, the MK.2 is a better-value choice. The wider creator-PC context in our Intel Core Ultra laptop guide gives a sense of the machines the Stream Deck + usually sits alongside.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Stream Deck + and how is it different?
It is the only Stream Deck model with rotary dials and a touchscreen LCD strip in addition to LCD keys. The dials give analogue control — useful for volume mixing, editing values and lighting — alongside the usual macros.
Can the Stream Deck + dials control audio mixing?
Yes. A common setup maps the four dials to mic gain, music, alerts and game audio so you can fade levels live rather than toggling mutes. The touchstrip labels each dial in context.
Is the Stream Deck + worth it over the MK.2?
Only if you want dials. The MK.2 has more keys for less money and is the better choice for pure macro workflows. The Stream Deck + makes sense when analogue control adds real value.
Does the Stream Deck + work on macOS?
Yes. The Stream Deck software is supported on both Windows and macOS, including the dial and touchstrip features.
More Streaming Gear Reviews
- Elgato Stream Deck + White Review
- Elgato Stream Deck Pedal Review (Foot Switch)
- Elgato Key Light Review (Pro Studio Light)
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- Elgato Prompter Review (Teleprompter with Built-in Screen)
- Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 White Review
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