ElgatoStream Deck XL – Advanced Studio Controller, 32 macro keys, trigger actions in apps and software like OBS, Twitch, ​YouTube and more, works with Mac and PC

For months, I thought the Stream Deck was an overpriced gadget for streamers. I was so, so wrong. I finally bought the XL, and within a day, it became the most essential peripheral on my desk. The sheer joy of automating mundane tasks—launching my most-used apps and websites, pasting boilerplate text, controlling Spotify, managing Zoom calls—is incredible. It reduces friction in everything you do on a computer. The 32 keys on the XL model mean you have room for everything without compromise. It’s an investment, but the return in time saved and mental clarity is priceless.

You: "How do I know this is worth buying?"Me: "Trust me bro"Easy to use. No lag. Absolutely a MUST-HAVE for livestreaming. Amazing for productivity - even outside of livestreaming. Great when you want to quickly mute/unmute yourself on Discord. You can even create your own Stream Deck apps if you're a nerd like me. You can create different Profiles for this too so you can quickly switch between setups. This also allows you to Import/Export your data, which is very handy for backup situations or if you have multiple devices that need the same setup.Personally, I think this one is the perfect size since I have so many functions to trigger. But if you don't have lot of functions, the smaller size might suit you well.

If you haven't already decided to purchase a Stream Deck you're probably balking at the price and/or saying "I can do that with a programmable keyboard and some stickers!" And you'd be right... if you weren't also completely wrong.Each key is a mini screen that can display just about whatever you want and even change conditionally based on what you have active or pressed last. You can rearrange and re-label those keys and their graphics at will by just dragging them around in the software. Try that with stickers and a key pad! If you want macros the software again makes it much easier than most other devices or scripts do, and you don't have to assign and remember a keyboard combo to activate it or worry about key conflicts - it's all contained to that one Stream Deck key.While it can do nearly anything you can dream up, the Stream Deck's focus is, of course, streaming. Where it's just plain nifty in general usage it becomes absolutely indispensable if you're a streamer. It supports all major streaming software either right out of the box (OBS, Xsplit, etc) or with easily downloaded add-ons (GeForce Experience controls). Just drag and drop the actions to a button and configure what source, scene, etc it points to.Naturally it integrates with other Elgato products seamlessly. I have one page of my XL dedicated to volume control of my Wave Link sources as well as toggles to change speaker/headphone outputs. If you have Elgato's keylights it can control those, too. You can even control your Stream Deck with another Stream Deck! (Insert meme here...)The software is continuously being developed and updated - with the most recent update adding a plethora of sound effects and royalty free music to download and use at will. The open SDK allows third parties to make add-ons, too. I have added controls for Nvidia and TeamSpeak 3 to mine and they work seamlessly, once again eliminating the need to assign and remember keyboard macros.For gaming, there's still plenty of uses. While you wouldn't use it for critical functions like motion or firing, you can still get plenty of uses out of it for things like menu shortcuts, dropping position markers, chat macros, etc. I use my mini to access my most used commands while racing so I don't have to hunt and peck at my keyboard at 200 mph, for example.The main con is the price. The standard and the XL will make you pause at first, but I've found them to be worth every penny and I'm continuously evolving the way I use them. The mini... is overpriced. Not gonna lie. I got mine on sale at about half price, and I only really recommend it at around that price. The standard and XL pretty much never go on sale, so don't hold your breath on those two of that's what you're after. The other cons, minor ones at that, are the lack of removable USB cable for the standard and mini, and the flimsy stand that I constantly flatten accidentally when I move the standard 15 key Stream Deck around.So to make a long story longer - if you are a streamer, content creator, or use a lot of macros in your workflow then you will not regret getting a Stream Deck. If you're looking at it for game purposes, make sure it's not for fast-paced stuff like movement in an FPS. For flight and racing sims it's pretty much the perfect "button box" replacement.

Does the job, works for more than streaming, flexible customization, software does not feel invasive. The XL model is slightly more than what I need but it leave me room to grow. If you want to save money the normal sized stream deck should be fine for most people. The XL model just makes it so you don't have to make a bunch of subfolders to swap what the buttons do all the time.While advertised for streaming it serves well as a hotbar for the entire computer. The software does not bully you intodoing things that make you refund the item instantly like having to set up a personal account with the company.I don't know why there are complaints about the buttons but they seem responsive and good enough for me. Just make sure you press them and not tap them.