Elgato Stream Deck Neo Overview

I’m late to the sport, investing in an Elgato Stream Deck. They’ve been fashionable with players and streamers for years, however I haven’t gamed a lot in years, and I’ve no intention of streaming. As they’re comparatively costly, they by no means appealed to me.

Extra just lately, I began a job in IT help and located myself wanting macro keys to automate repetitive capabilities. My primary requirement was to have the ability to reply and dangle up calls on a 3CX cellphone.

A Stream Deck is totally excessive for this requirement. Assigning a key mixture on my keyboard could be probably the most logical answer, nevertheless it takes me ages to commit key combos to muscle reminiscence.

AutoHotkey would permit me to assign a macro to a single key, which works high-quality, however I wished a devoted bodily answer.

I assumed there could be a great deal of nice, reasonably priced choices on Amazon, however this wasn’t fairly true. There are plenty of choices on Amazon, most coming from random Chinese language manufacturers, however they aren’t as low cost as I’d have anticipated.

I purchased the Vaydeer 4-key macro keyboard for £20. Whereas that isn’t costly, it feels costly in comparison with the £60 I paid for this 8-button Stream Deck Neo (I bought fortunate with an Amazon low cost).

Whereas I preferred the Vaydeer {hardware}, I used to be involved in regards to the required software. I wanted to apply it to my work PC, and the app was suspiciously giant and appeared to speak with random servers.

So, I ended up committing to spending £60 simply to have the ability to customise two buttons.

After utilizing the Elgato Stream Deck Neo for a couple of weeks, I can perceive why it has turn out to be so fashionable. Whereas there are various competing merchandise with programmable LCD keys, nothing comes near the Stream Deck app and its integrations.

Specification

Options

The Stream Deck Neo homes eight customisable LCD keys and two capacitive contact factors on both finish. The small monochrome Infobar beneath the keys is a brand new addition, displaying standing info such because the time, date, notifications, or plugin-specific information at a look.

Contact Factors

Not like the LCD keys, contact factors aren’t programmable. Their solely operate is to flip between pages of obtainable actions, successfully doubling the gadget’s capability from 8 to 16 actions (extra, when you use folders for nested actions). This design selection is pragmatic, though it limits additional creativity in key task.

Infobar

The Infobar is fairly vibrant and legible, exhibiting fast information related to your setup. Relying on plugin selection, it will probably present greater than time or notifications; system stats, climate, or any quick-glance information are all attainable, with updates from new plugins usually broadening choices.

LCD Keys

The LCD keys are clear and vibrant, with robust viewing angles. Labels and icons replace shortly to mirror customisation adjustments. Every button can set off a single or multi-action, or open a folder for secondary shortcuts.

Stand and Construct

The bottom’s adjustability is useful for usability throughout a wide range of desk heights and preferences. Folded flat, the gadget is moveable, making it an affordable journey accent for distant setups. The bodily variety of keys might be a limitation for these in search of to duplicate the performance of bigger fashions, however web page flipping and folders assist mitigate this to some extent.

Unboxing

The largest distinction from earlier Stream Deck fashions is the mounted cable. Earlier variations featured removable cables, a function many customers appreciated for swapping or changing them within the occasion of injury. The cable is satisfactory in size for many desktop setups, however could really feel restrictive in case your PC is just not close by.

The bottom has an anti-slip floor and the stand permits for 2 angle positions, giving a passable stage of adjustability for various desktops and dealing postures. The construct high quality strikes a stability between being light-weight and feeling sturdy, though there’s a slight plasticky really feel as anticipated at this worth.

Stream Deck App

Elgato are a superb instance of a terrific product being depending on each nice {hardware} and equally good software program.

The software program could be very simple to make use of, with an unbelievable quantity of choices for programming your keys.

Out of the field, you may have an enormous variety of choices to select from, together with mapping macros,  

Elgato is an instance of {hardware} that’s solely pretty much as good as its accompanying software program. The Stream Deck app is central to the Neo expertise, offering an array of choices for programming every key. The appliance is simple for newcomers, but gives superior capabilities for customers prepared to discover its options extra deeply.

Key Options of the Software program

• Drag and Drop Programming: Simply assign capabilities and shortcuts by dragging actions from a facet panel to the gadget’s key grid.
• Profiles and Folders: You may create a number of profiles, grouping key layouts based on completely different actions (work, gaming, streaming, and so on.) and nest folders for added depth.
• Built-in Market: The app gives direct entry to Elgato’s plugin market, which incorporates tons of of plugins for productiveness, system instruments, streaming controls, and sensible gadget integrations.
• Group Assets: Obtain profiles, customized icons, and scripts from the neighborhood for additional personalisation.

The app helps an enormous vary of third-party integrations together with fashionable platforms and providers equivalent to OBS Studio, Discord, Spotify, Twitch, YouTube, Microsoft Groups, Philips Hue lighting, Residence Assistant, and all kinds of system utilities. This plugin ecosystem is unmatched by cheaper rivals. You’ll find each credible official plugins and lesser-known third-party choices, all with various ranges of customisability.

Third Get together Integrations

The third-party integrations are actually the place Elgato draw back from competing merchandise. I doubt something comes shut. When you’ve got an Elgato app linked to the software program, you possibly can obtain numerous plugins. I gave up counting the variety of plugins at 288.

Trying on the record of fashionable choices, you may have a wide range of fundamental system instruments to rather more superior app integrations. Choices embody:

• OBS Studio
• Discord
• Spotify
• Twitch
• YouTube
• Groups
• Residence Assistant
• Govee Lighting Management
• Philips Hue Lighting Management
• IFTTT
• Photoshop

You’ve got numerous system instruments together with:

• A number of quantity management plugins
• CPU monitoring, which can also be a shortcut to activity supervisor
• Wintools, which has choices for numerous options, together with quantity of apps or units, Toggle Bluetooth/Wifi on or off, use the ‘Explorer Scratch Pad’ to shortly cycle between frequent folders, ‘Multi-Clip’ turns each key to a person clipboard, Ping servers and see latency, change energy plans, Cease/Begin/Restart Home windows providers, Digital Desktop help, and extra.
• Numerous clock plugins
• Home windows Mover and Resizer
• Web Velocity Take a look at.

Efficiency

Throughout day by day operation, the Stream Deck Neo performs solidly, with macros firing immediately and reliably. The gadget’s standby vitality consumption is minimal, and there’s been no noticeable lag between button press and motion execution.

As somebody who will be forgetful, particularly when underneath strain on account of ADHD, having bodily buttons clearly labelled for standing updates – equivalent to break timers, name queue statuses, or reminders – constantly improves my workflow. I’ve arrange timers for particular intervals, return-to-desk notifications, and shortcuts for frequent work duties. The visible and audio notifications assist guarantee nothing is missed.

Button presses are deliberate, however could really feel on the squishy facet in comparison with mechanical keys, requiring a extra measured press, which is one thing to remember for customers used to fast, gentle faucets.

There are occasional limitations within the software program’s studying curve – configuring advanced sequences typically requires reference to on-line documentation or neighborhood boards. Nonetheless, most easy duties will be dealt with intuitively inside minutes, and Elgato gives clear introductory sources on their web site and throughout the app itself.

Web page switching through the contact factors is dependable and tactile, though as beforehand talked about, some customers may need for these contact buttons to be assignable, which isn’t at present attainable.

Value and Various Choices

The Elgato Stream Deck Neo has an RRP of £100. I managed to purchase it on Amazon for simply £60, which seems to be the most cost effective it has ever been, even cheaper than Prime Day. It seems to usually drop right down to £70.

Different Stream Deck Choices embody:

• Elgato Stream Deck Mini – with 6 keys and no standing bar just like the Neo for £60 RRP (low worth on Amazon was £50)
• Elgato Stream Deck + – which is an 8-button Stream Deck with a extra superior standing bar and 4 knobs, designed for audio mixing and different related capabilities. This has an RRP for £200 and is on the market for as little as £140 when you go along with the white mannequin.
• Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 has 15 keys and has an RRP of £150.
• Elgato Stream Deck XL – with 32 keys for £228

There are quite a few competing choices, with many being Stream Deck clones.

Soomfon seems to have the perfect evaluation choices. They’ve a 15-button controller for £67 and a 6 LCD button mannequin with manufacturing knobs for £40. Nonetheless, the issue with these is the software program. It might be high-quality for residence customers, however I couldn’t danger it on a piece machine. Moreover, the software program has far fewer integrations than Elgato.

General

I now perceive why Elgato has turn out to be so fashionable. I want I didn’t just like the Elgato Stream Deck Neo, as it’s costly, and there’s a good probability I’ll now find yourself investing in different Elgato merchandise.

Other than the value, my primary criticism could be the general really feel of the keys. I refuse to sort on something apart from a mechanical keyboard. It’s a rather more nice typing expertise, and I sort significantly quicker than on a membrane keyboard. So urgent the keys on it is a little disappointing, with them feeling fairly squishy. It additionally seems like I’m much less responsive, because the keys require extra of a press than the short faucet I give a mechanical key. That being stated, I’m not urgent the keys continually, so it isn’t an enormous challenge for me.

Probably not a criticism, however I can see myself investing plenty of time customising the keyboard and experimenting with all of the options. So, some patrons could admire one thing extra fundamental.

For many customers, together with these exterior the streaming sector, the gadget delivers workflow enhancements, small time financial savings, and a extra pleasing method to mundane, repetitive pc duties. Its increasing plugin market, neighborhood help, and continued software program updates imply the Neo is unlikely to be made out of date within the close to future.

It is a sensible, approachable product for these trying to automate and simplify desktop workflows with out leaping to bigger, costlier units. These with ambitions past eight direct actions might want to spend money on one of many pricier fashions or make inventive use of folders and web page switching, however the Neo kinds a smart and succesful entry-point into the Stream Deck lineup. With the fitting expectations and real looking evaluation of your wants, the Stream Deck Neo is a considerate buy for anybody in search of to streamline their day by day computing duties, no matter whether or not they’re content material creators or just in search of extra effectivity at their desk.

I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the Editor and Proprietor of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Captivated with all issues know-how, my experience spans from computer systems and networking to cellular, wearables, and sensible residence units.

As a health fanatic who loves operating and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related know-how, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My numerous pursuits permit me to deliver a novel perspective to tech running a blog, merging life-style, health, and the newest tech traits.

In my tutorial pursuits, I earned a BSc in Info Techniques Design from UCLAN, earlier than advancing my studying with a Grasp’s Diploma in Computing. This superior examine additionally included Cisco CCNA accreditation, additional demonstrating my dedication to understanding and staying forward of the know-how curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has constantly ranked Mighty Gadget as one of many high know-how blogs within the UK. With my dedication to know-how and drive to share my insights, I goal to proceed offering my readers with partaking and informative content material.

Final replace on 2025-08-10 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photos from Amazon Product Promoting API