# Best Stream Decks: the stierproducts tier list - Source: https://stierproducts.com/categories/stream-decks - Last researched: 2026-08-24T13:36:37.158Z - Products ranked: 14 - Method: https://stierproducts.com/methodology - Reuse: Text, rankings, tier assignments, LP values and verdicts are free to quote and reuse with attribution to stierproducts and a link to the source URL (CC BY 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Product photographs are not covered: they belong to their respective owners and are reproduced to illustrate the product being reviewed. Do not redistribute them under this licence. Button and dial control surfaces that trigger scenes and actions while streaming; gamepads, keyboards and capture cards are separate. ## Summary On the stierproducts stream decks board, Elgato Stream Deck XL ranks #1 in S tier, ahead of Elgato Stream Deck Plus (#2, S tier) and Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 (#3, A tier). The board ranks 14 stream decks from S (best) to F (avoid), last researched 24 Aug 2026, drawing on 240 outlet citations across the board. Placed in the bottom tiers as ones to avoid: VSDInside Stream Dock N1, VSDInside Stream Dock M18, Ulanzi D200H, and 3 others. ## Ranking | Rank | Product | Brand | Tier | LP | Outlets | Verdict | Page | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Elgato Stream Deck XL | Elgato | S | 1041 | 21 | Best for complex jobs, offering the most feature-rich layout with 32 large LCD keys, a robust build and long-term firmware support. | https://stierproducts.com/products/elgato-stream-deck-xl | | 2 | Elgato Stream Deck Plus | Elgato | S | 1022 | 16 | Best for most users, combining rotary dials, a touch strip and excellent software longevity. | https://stierproducts.com/products/elgato-stream-deck-plus | | 3 | Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 | Elgato | A | 827 | 10 | Studio Controller with 15 macro keys, a solid chassis and reliable firmware updates. | https://stierproducts.com/products/elgato-stream-deck-mk2 | | 4 | VSDInside Stream Dock N4 Pro | VSDInside | B | 525 | 8 | Most modern and functional, featuring 10 LCD buttons, RGB knobs, a touch bar and USB-C plug-and-play connectivity. | https://stierproducts.com/products/vsdinside-stream-dock-n4-pro | | 5 | Elgato Stream Deck Plus XL | Elgato | C | 473 | 3 | 32-key controller with rotary dials and a touch strip - essentially an XL with all the extras of Plus, giving maximum control for demanding setups. | https://stierproducts.com/products/elgato-stream-deck-plus-xl | | 6 | VSDInside Stream Dock N3 | VSDInside | C | 447 | 3 | 8-key dock with rotary knobs and a touch strip, offering more keys than the Mini for a similar price. | https://stierproducts.com/products/vsdinside-stream-dock-n3 | | 7 | Logitech MX Creative Console | Logitech | C | 418 | 46 | Best for creative workflows, offering 12 keys, a rotary dial and strong support ecosystem. | https://stierproducts.com/products/logitech-mx-creative-console | | 8 | Elgato Stream Deck Mini | Elgato | C | 394 | 20 | Compact and portable, the Mini offers a reliable build life with six macro keys. | https://stierproducts.com/products/elgato-stream-deck-mini | | 9 | VSDInside Stream Dock N1 | VSDInside | D | 249 | 5 | Compact, modular with vertical layout and built-in USB hub; space-saving design for small desks. | https://stierproducts.com/products/vsdinside-stream-dock-n1 | | 10 | VSDInside Stream Dock M18 | VSDInside | F | 186 | 8 | Fewer keys, weaker build and slower firmware updates compared to its peers. | https://stierproducts.com/products/vsdinside-m18-stream-dock | | 11 | Ulanzi D200H | Ulanzi | F | 94 | 18 | Cheap but unreliable build and slow firmware updates. | https://stierproducts.com/products/ulanzi-d200h | | 12 | Ulanzi D200X | Ulanzi | F | 64 | 34 | Budget alternative with 15 keys, good build quality and firmware that stays current. | https://stierproducts.com/products/ulanzi-d200x | | 13 | Elgato Stream Deck (original, pre-MK2) | Elgato | F | 0 | 6 | Outdated firmware and declining support make it a risky long-term investment. | https://stierproducts.com/products/elgato-stream-deck-original-pre-mk2 | | 14 | Steam Deck OLED | Steam | F | 0 | 42 | Not a control surface; poor fit for macro use and lacking long-term software support. | https://stierproducts.com/products/steam-deck-oled-stream-decks | ## Flagged as ones to avoid These entered one or more research runs as a product buyers cross-shop but should not buy, rather than as a pick. - Elgato Stream Deck Plus XL (#5, C tier): flagged by 2 of 6 runs. - Elgato Stream Deck Mini (#8, C tier): flagged by 1 of 12 runs. - VSDInside Stream Dock N1 (#9, D tier): flagged by 1 of 2 runs. - VSDInside Stream Dock M18 (#10, F tier): flagged by 3 of 6 runs. - Ulanzi D200H (#11, F tier): flagged by 4 of 6 runs. - Ulanzi D200X (#12, F tier): flagged by 4 of 10 runs. - Elgato Stream Deck (original, pre-MK2) (#13, F tier): flagged by 8 of 10 runs. - Steam Deck OLED (#14, F tier): flagged by 7 of 8 runs. ## Tier meanings - S: Exceptional. Finishes top run after run; capped at 3 slots per category. - A: Excellent. Strongly recommended, beaten only by the very best. - B: Good. A solid choice with real caveats worth knowing. - C: Fair. Acceptable in the right situation, outclassed at its price. - D: Weak. Hard to recommend when better options cost similar money. - F: Avoid. The evidence points you elsewhere. ## How to read this - Each category is researched in four independent runs, one per lens (expert consensus, value, reliability, community pulse). Every run ranks a board of candidates that deliberately includes products buyers cross-shop but should avoid. Placements score on a ranked ladder (LP), and tiers are derived from LP, so no tier is ever assigned by hand. - LP is the product's points on this category's ladder. It is comparable within a category and not across categories. - Outlets is how many distinct outlets are cited for that placement. The per-product page lists each citation, and shows which of their links were fetched and confirmed before publishing. - Nothing is hidden: every product the research placed is on this board.