The Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 is a small desktop keypad with 15 buttons. Each button is also a tiny color screen that shows an icon for whatever it does. Press one and it can switch an OBS scene, mute your mic, post a "going live" message, play a sound effect, open an app, fire a keyboard shortcut, or run a chain of actions at once. It launched in July 2021 at $149 as an update to the original Stream Deck. Tom's Hardware lists three changes: a swappable faceplate, a detachable USB-C cable, and a sturdier stand fixed at 45 degrees.
It's still one of Elgato's most popular products. The official Elgato store listing on Amazon showed a 4.8-out-of-5 average from more than 10,300 ratings when we checked. Review-era prices ranged from $119.99 to $149.99 depending on the retailer, so check the current price before you buy.
What reviewers keep praising
The software is the real product. Every review we read comes back to Elgato's Stream Deck app. Laptop Mag's Rami Tabari called it "surprisingly clean and easy to use" and gave the device an Editor's Choice award. You drag an action onto a key and you're done. Built-in actions cover OBS Studio, Streamlabs, Twitch, Elgato's own lights and capture cards, a soundboard, timers, multi-actions and folders for more than 15 functions. A plugin store adds things like Spotify, Zoom, Philips Hue and Voicemod.
It genuinely changes a streaming workflow. Tom's Hardware's Junae Benne tried it for a full streaming session and said that apart from changing her stream title and game, she barely touched her keyboard. She used it mostly for scene transitions, sound effects and muting, and compared it to "having your own in-house studio producer." Laptop Mag's reviewer set keys to dim his ring light, switch to a full-screen webcam scene and play an intermission video.
It's useful even if you never stream. 9to5Toys' Rikka Altland paired it with an M1 iMac for podcasting and daily work. She used it to launch apps, switch audio inputs and outputs, and trigger HomeKit lighting scenes, and concluded that it "shines for Mac productivity." Tom's Hardware mentions a Zoom plugin for camera and mute, and plugins for programming in Visual Studio.
Thoughtful hardware updates. Tom's Hardware liked the detachable 1-meter USB-C cable (the original had a short, built-in cord), the weighted anti-slip stand, and the snap-off faceplate you can swap for custom designs.
What reviewers liked
- Clean, easy drag-and-drop software (Laptop Mag, Tom's Hardware)
- Built-in OBS, Streamlabs and Twitch actions plus a big plugin store
- Customizable LCD keys and multi-action macros
- Useful for Mac and PC productivity, not just streaming (9to5Toys)
- Detachable USB-C cable and sturdy 45-degree stand (Tom's Hardware)
What reviewers flagged
- Expensive for a 15-button pad at full price (Laptop Mag)
- Key labels get cut off past about 9 to 10 characters (Laptop Mag)
- No dial for audio volume (Tom's Hardware)
- No native Adobe app support (Tom's Hardware)
- Little reason to upgrade from the original Stream Deck (Tom's Hardware)
What reviewers flagged
Price. Laptop Mag called it "a bit expensive" at $150 and noted that, per button, the 32-key Stream Deck XL is better value. Prices have come down at times since launch, so the gap matters less on sale.
Cramped labels. Laptop Mag disliked that you can't fit more than about 9 or 10 characters on a key. The glossy keys also curve the text slightly at the stand's viewing angle. Custom icons help, but text-heavy setups feel tight.
No knobs. Tom's Hardware wanted a dial for volume and pointed to Loupedeck's knob-based consoles as better for audio mixing. On Amazon, Elgato also sells the Stream Deck + with dials and a touch strip, which is the option to look at if volume control is your main use.
Creative-app support. Tom's Hardware found no native support for Adobe apps at review time, though you can build your own keyboard-shortcut actions. Since these reviews date from 2021 and 2022, check Elgato's current plugin store before deciding.
Not an upgrade for owners. Tom's Hardware said the changes over the original Stream Deck are mostly convenience and looks, and probably won't justify replacing one you already have.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
Based on the sources, it suits streamers who juggle scenes, audio and chat, and podcasters and video creators who want one-press control of their setup. It also suits anyone who lives in keyboard shortcuts and would like them on labeled, programmable buttons. If you're building a streaming desk, it pairs naturally with a webcam like the Logitech MX Brio and a dedicated mic. Skip it if you mainly need volume dials, if you're a brand-new streamer who won't use many functions (Tom's Hardware suggested it could be overkill), or if you already own the original Stream Deck.
What owners say
A 4.8-star average across more than 10,300 Amazon ratings is about as strong as PC accessories get, and Amazon's review summary highlights streaming functionality. The reviewers' complaints are not deal-breakers for most owners: price, label space and the lack of dials.
FAQ
Does it work on Mac? Yes. 9to5Toys used it with an M1 iMac, and Elgato lists Mac and PC support.
Do I need it if I'm not a streamer? No, but reviewers found it useful for app shortcuts, meeting controls, audio switching and smart-home scenes.
Can it control volume? It can step volume up or down with button presses, but there's no physical dial. The Stream Deck + adds dials.
MK.2 or the original? Same 15 keys and software. The MK.2 adds a detachable USB-C cable, a swappable faceplate and a fixed 45-degree stand.
Our take, based on the roundup
The reviews line up. The Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 succeeds because of its software: it's easy to set up, deeply customizable and backed by a large plugin library, which turns 15 buttons into a control surface for streams, podcasts, meetings and everyday shortcuts. Its weaknesses are a premium price at full retail, cramped key labels and no physical dials. If your workflow is mostly toggles and macros, it's the default pick. If it's mostly audio levels, look at a model with knobs. The 8.7 aggregate score is our own synthesis of the sources below, not a lab measurement.
Sources
- Tom's Hardware — Junae Benne's Stream Deck MK.2 review (Aug 21, 2021)
- Laptop Mag — Rami Tabari's Stream Deck MK.2 review, Editor's Choice (Oct 9, 2021)
- 9to5Toys — Rikka Altland's Mac productivity test (Feb 17, 2022)
- Amazon listing — official Elgato Store: rating and review count (checked October 12, 2026)