We’ve tested both desktop shortcut devices and here’s the one we’d pick.
Elgato Stream Deck +
£199.99 (opens in new tab)at Amazon (opens in new tab)
A sleek design and excellent software makes the Stream Deck + an easy sell.
For
Sleek build
Easy to use software
Lots of plugins
Single Type-C USB connection
Against
Pricey versus standard Stream Deck
Loupedeck Live S
£159 (opens in new tab)at Scan (opens in new tab)
£159 (opens in new tab)at Wex Photo Video (opens in new tab)
Check Amazon (opens in new tab)
A dinky but powerful box of tricks that’s likely to be a hit with streamers as much as the creative pros it’s designed for.
For
Great for gamers, streamers
But also musicians
Easy to navigate marketplace
Lovely tactile feel
Against
Flimsy feeling stand
If you’ve kept an eye on some of our hardware review coverage, the chances are you may well have noticed that we’ve taken a look at a couple of the latest and greatest streaming decks out there: the Elgato Stream Deck + (opens in new tab) and the Loupedeck Live S (opens in new tab). If you’re still undecided on what to buy out of the two of them having read my verdicts and reviews, then this article pitting the pair up against each other in some key areas should hopefully help you out.
Ease of use
The Stream Deck has plugins for video creation, photo editing, streaming, and more. (Image credit: Future)
The first category here to take a look at is ease of use, and which device I’d argue between the pair is going to be the most convenient. Immediately though, I’m going to say that it depends on who you are. The Stream Deck + is going to be especially easy to use if you’re a streamer who wants convenient access to apps and plugins for platforms such as Twitch, or if you want to use it as a control centre for any other Elgato products you’ve got such, be it key lights or a microphone. Its big tactile buttons and dials make it easy and fun to use, and the fixed stand is arguably at the perfect angle already.
On the other hand, the Loupedeck Live S is going to be an excellent choice for creative professionals as well as streamers who want to not only use the device in places such as Twitch and OBS, but also if they’re a heavy user of Adobe Creative Suite or Final Cut Pro, as well as if they use a DAW for music production. Its smaller profile is great for space savers, while the bundled stand raises the angle up a fair bit for more comfortable use, although is a little bit flimsy.
