Gaming · Head-to-head
Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 vs AJAZZ AKP03E Desk Controller
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Stream Decks: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Stream Deck MK.2 wins on the strength of Elgato's software and its 15 flexible keys, making it the low-risk choice for most streamers and creators. If money is tight, the AJAZZ AKP03E delivers most of the experience, plus knobs, for a fraction of the price.
Elgato Stream Deck MK.2
Buy itThe 15-key standard the whole category is measured against, and still the safest buy for most creators.
- 15 crisp LCD keys with mature, well-regarded software and a large plugin marketplace
- Native, well-maintained integrations for OBS, Twitch, YouTube, Discord and hundreds of apps
- Solid build with interchangeable faceplates and a removable stand
- No physical dials, so audio and scrubbing still happen on-screen
- You pay a premium per key next to budget rivals
AJAZZ AKP03E Desk Controller
Buy itSix LCD keys plus three knobs for a fraction of Elgato money.
- Costs far less than a comparable Elgato while adding three knobs and extra buttons
- Some owner reports describe stable performance over long streaming sessions once configured
- Hardware knobs for volume and value tweaks that Elgato offers only on its pricier Stream Deck +
- Companion software feels rougher and its icon library is more basic than Elgato's polished app
- Only six LCD keys, and long-term plugin support and updates are less certain than an established brand
Side by side
The 7 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 Our pick | AJAZZ AKP03E Desk Controller | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Streamers and creators who want the most dependable software and room to grow without fuss. | Budget-conscious streamers who want physical knobs and don't mind fiddlier software. |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $ · budget |
| LCD keys | 15 | 6 (plus 3 buttons) |
| Physical dials | None - 3 knobs | 4 dials + touch strip |
| Software & plugins | Mature, large ecosystem | Workable but rough, small ecosystem |
| Build quality | Premium, removable faceplate | Good, with knobs |
| Reliability (owner reports) | Dependable | Reports vary |
| Value per key | Fair | Excellent |
| Best use | All-round streaming | Budget setups wanting knobs |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 if
streamers and creators who want the most dependable software and room to grow without fuss.
Know before buying: no physical dials, so audio and scrubbing still happen on-screen.
Pick the AJAZZ AKP03E Desk Controller if
budget-conscious streamers who want physical knobs and don't mind fiddlier software.
Know before buying: companion software feels rougher and its icon library is more basic than Elgato's polished app.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 - The 15-key standard the whole category is measured against, and still the safest buy for most creators. Choose the AJAZZ AKP03E Desk Controller instead if budget-conscious streamers who want physical knobs and don't mind fiddlier software.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Stream Decks: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).