Video Editing Controller Review: Which One Should You Choose?

Bluetooth Controller for iPad and PC: TourBox Elite Plus

TourBox Elite Plus is the latest TourBox console. It works on Windows and macOS, and it also runs on iPads (iPadOS). Thanks to its dual‑Bluetooth support, you can switch between your PC and your iPad in seconds.

It comes with 14 programmable buttons, a dial, and a knob. Built‑in haptic feedback gives you a solid click every time you turn the dial or press a button.

TourBox Elite Plus

Bluetooth Controller for iPad and PC

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The controller is compact and fully wireless, so it saves desk space and keeps your right hand free for the mouse. It's compatible with all the big video apps — Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, and more.

Plus, TourBox includes ready‑made presets for common editing commands like cuts, transitions, and color tweaks, so you can get started right away.

With TourBox Elite Plus, one hand can handle media management, clip trimming, and color grading. You'll see fewer workflow interruptions and a 20–30% boost in overall speed.

TourBox Creative Console

What Is TourBox

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TourBox Elite Plus is perfect for:

Editors who switch between PC and iPad: Keep the same workflow on both devices.
Colorists who need precision: Haptic feedback and fine controls make color work smoother.
Mobile or remote editors: Its small, wireless design and long battery life let you edit anywhere.
Complex workflows: Powerful macros and workspace management let you trigger multi‑step actions with one tap—ideal for editors and videographers with big projects.

Highly Customizable Console: Loupedeck

Loupedeck is a highly customizable hardware console. It combines tactile buttons, physical knobs, and a programmable touchscreen. It automatically switches its configuration for each app.

It integrates deeply with creative software like Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Lightroom. This makes editing and color grading more intuitive and efficient.

Loupedeck comes in different lines. You can choose the model that best fits your budget, software preferences, and creative setup. Here's our breakdown:

Loupedeck Live: Perfect for creators who jump between multiple apps, remote workers, and live streamers. One device handles volume control, scene switching, and edit commands all at once.
Loupedeck Live S: Great for light video editing, streamers, and creators on the go. It packs powerful shortcut controls into a small footprint that fits tight workspaces.
Loupedeck +: Ideal for video editors, photographers, and designers. It greatly boosts speed and comfort during heavy post‑production work.
Loupedeck CT: Built for colorists, motion graphics artists, and power users who rely on macros and shortcuts. It supports complex professional workflows with one‑tap, multi‑step actions.

loupedect editing controller

Controller for Live Streaming and Content Creators: Stream Deck

Elgato Stream Deck is a highly customizable control panel. It has programmable LCD keys for quick adjustments without leaving your main work area.

Key Features:

A rich plugin ecosystem ties it into streaming and creative apps—Premiere Pro, OBS, lighting tools, audio mixers, and more. So you can switch scenes, trigger macros, and launch shortcuts in one tap.
Thousands of plugins are available on the Elgato Marketplace to map your favorite commands. Everything from clip trims in Premiere to mic mute toggles in OBS.

Because of its complete feature set and endless expandability, Stream Deck stands out for streamers and creators of every level. If you're starting your streaming journey, give the Stream Deck a try. Your workflow will thank you.

Elgato's Stream Deck family covers several models at different price points and feature levels. Here are the main ones:

Elgato Stream Deck+: With programmable dials and a touch strip, it gives you more hands‑on control. It's perfect for professional content creators, video editors, streamers, and designers.
Elgato Stream Deck MK.2: A cost‑effective, full‑feature deck with 15 LCD keys. Great if you need basic programmable buttons but want to stick to a budget.
Elgato Stream Deck Neo: An affordable, entry‑level option or backup controller. If you're new to streaming, doing everyday office work, or a student, it's a solid choice to explore.
Stream Deck XL: Boosts your setup to 32 LCD keys. Ideal for anyone who relies on lots of hotkeys and quick actions.
Stream Deck Studio: It's designed for complex, multi‑device workflows and targets broadcast engineers, AV technicians, control‑room operators, and corporate event producers—rather than casual streamers or hobbyists.

stream deck

Shortcut‑Key Mapping Controller: Contour Shuttle

Contour Shuttle is the perfect tool for audio, video, and graphics editing. It works alongside your keyboard and mouse to streamline your workflow.

Simply put, like TourBox, Shuttle lets you skip fumbling through complex keyboard shortcuts or diving into nested menus.

The Shuttle comes in two versions: Xpress and Pro V2. Both are built with ergonomic comfort in mind, ship with preset shortcuts for over 100 of the most popular programs, and include built‑in macro support.

We recommend the Shuttle Pro V2. Its price is only a bit higher than the Xpress, but it gives you far more programmable buttons to boost your productivity (15 vs. 5).

One potential risk is that the Shuttle line hasn't seen an updated model in years, and some users report trouble reaching official support teams if they run into issues.

Contour Shuttle editing controller

Modular Control Panels: Tangent Element Panels

Tangent Element Panels are a set of four modules that you mix and match to build your ideal control surface. You can map commands from post‑production apps like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro X, and more directly onto its controls.

Each module only takes up about 33 × 20 cm of desk space, yet it has full‑size trackerballs, rings, knobs, and buttons. You get a professional‑grade feel in a compact, portable package. Snap several together and you've got a larger workstation that grows with your needs.

Who It's For:

Colorists & Finishers: The tactile trackerballs and rings make grading faster and more precise.
On‑Set Editors: Compact size fits DIT carts or tight edit suites without crowding your space.
Power Users: If you run heavy timelines in Resolve or Premiere, having dedicated knobs and buttons speeds up every trim, mixer adjustment, or effect tweak.

Things to Consider:

Higher Price Tag: A full kit costs more than many all‑in‑one consoles. It's a solid investment for pros, but may be steep for hobbyists.
Setup Time: With so many modules and mappings, your first config can take a while. Learning the auto‑switching and custom macros does require patience.

Overall, Tangent Element Panels deliver an intuitive, efficient editing and grading experience, especially when you need hands‑on control for color work and live tweaks. Just be ready for the investment of both money and time to master the system.

Tangent Element Panels editing controller

DaVinci Resolve Exclusive Editing Controllers: Speed Editor & Editor Keyboard

If you're a seasoned DaVinci Resolve user, you've probably heard of the Speed Editor and the Editor Keyboard. Both are official Blackmagic Design controllers made just for Resolve, and each one helps you edit faster and more precisely in DaVinci Resolve.

The Speed Editor is super compact and light, only slightly thicker than a tablet, so it tucks neatly into your laptop bag and is perfect for editing on the go.

The Editor Keyboard is a full‑size, pro‑grade QWERTY keyboard with a built‑in search dial and dedicated trim and transport keys. Because of its size and weight, it's best used in a fixed studio or editing suite rather than out in the field.

Neither the Speed Editor nor the Editor Keyboard works with any software other than DaVinci Resolve. However, if your main workflow lives inside Resolve, that won't be a problem.

DaVinci Resolve editing controller

Great Value Controller: Logitech MX Creative Console

Logitech MX Creative Console pairs a wireless Dialpad with a wired Keypad to streamline your editing workflow. It's a cost‑effective controller, but its strengths and weaknesses are both clear.

Its advantages include:

Great Value: At $199.99, it includes both the Dialpad and Keypad plus three months of Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps membership, significantly more affordable than many $300‑plus devices.
Modular Split Design: You can arrange the Dialpad and Keypad however you like to save desk space and stay ergonomic.
Wide App Support: Official plugins cover Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Lightroom Classic, After Effects, Zoom, Spotify, and more. For apps without a plugin, you can manually map any keyboard shortcut.
Programmable LCD Keys: The Keypad's nine LCD keys display custom icons and support up to 15 pages of mappings per app, making it easy to find and remember your shortcuts.

Drawbacks to Know:

Limited Physical Controls: Compared to other consoles, it only offers one main dial and a nine‑key panel. That setup may not satisfy advanced color‑grading workflows that need multiple rings or wheels.
Portability Trade‑Off: Although the Dialpad is wireless, the Keypad needs a USB‑C cable. Carrying two separate units plus a cable can be less convenient for on‑the‑go editing.

The MX Creative Console is ideal for editors and camera operators who need fast rough cuts, seamless switching across multiple apps, and quick live adjustments.

But if you crave more physical controls or rock‑solid stability, you might look at higher‑end multi‑dial consoles instead.

Logitech MX Creative Console

How to Pick Your Editing Console?

Let's wrap up with a quick rundown:

All‑around winner: TourBox Elite Plus is the ultimate choice when you're unsure which editing controller to pick. It works on both iPad and PC, and supports combo actions and macro assignments to unlock endless possibilities in your workflow.
Plugin powerhouse: Elgato Stream Deck series and the Logitech MX Creative Console both boast huge plugin libraries, making them great for switching between apps like Premiere, OBS, Photoshop, and more.
Resolve specialists: Blackmagic's Speed Editor and Editor Keyboard are built only for DaVinci Resolve. If Resolve is your main tool, these deliver seamless, hands‑on control.
Macro & modular masters: Loupedeck CT and Tangent Element Panels offer the deepest customization. Their macro engines and modular layouts let you tailor every dial, button, and wheel to your exact needs.
Budget pick: Contour Shuttle gives you basic jog/shuttle control for a fraction of the cost, making it a great entry point for boosting your edit speed.

Think about how you like to edit, how much desk space you have, and what you're willing to spend. Pick the controller that fits your style, and you'll make every cut smoother — and more fun.

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