Video game streaming has skyrocketed in popularity thanks to the likes of Twitch. It’s easy enough to get started with game streaming using a gaming PC and a program such as Open Broadcaster Software (OBS). However, for console users, you’ll need a means of recording your video output. And a capture device can do just that. Check out the best video game capture cards for all uses and budgets!
What is a Capture Card and Why Should You Buy One?
Simply put, a capture card is a device capable of recording the video output of a device such as a desktop, laptop, or game console. Most commonly, this is HDMI, although many game capture boxes feature legacy connections as well. As the name suggests, you can capture an audio and video signal for saving recordings from virtually any compatible PC or console. If you’re looking to start a YouTube channel, a capture device is a must-own. Moreover, using a capture card you can easily stream to sites such as Twitch. While often capture cards are associated with gaming and streaming, there’s another use case: digitizing analog video sources. If like me you’ve got piles of VHS tapes and LaserDiscs, you can connect an analog video source such as a VCR or LaserDisc player to a capture device to back up old movies and TV shows.
What is a capture card: A device capable of recording an audio/video signal and saving it as a digital video file and usually broadcasting it for live game streaming on the likes of Twitch.
What to Look for in a Capture Card
When selecting a capture card, there’s a lot to think about. First, think about what how you’re planning to set up your capture device. While many are external boxes, some are internally installed in desktop computers. Resolution is key as well. The vast majority of modern capture cards record in 1080p with some 4K-capable capture cards as well. Equally as important as resolution is refresh rate. 60Hz or 60 images per second is the industry standard, though that varies. Aside from recording resolution and refresh rate, consider passthrough. Some capture devices can only record in 1080p at 60Hz but can passthrough a 4K 144Hz signal. Inputs and connectivity are key. For current PCs and game consoles, HDMI is the preferred input, but if you’re recording from older devices you might look for component, composite, and S-Video inputs as well. And with power deliver, you’ll often find USB Type A and USB-C powered capture cards. Where you want to save recordings matters. PC connectivity is a given typically, but onboard storage via SD card or microSD card is useful. Finally, consider game streaming. Lots of capture cards come bundled with software that enables game streaming with the likes of Twitch.
Capture card buying considerations:
- Resolution
- Refresh rate
- Passthrough
- External vs. internal capture card
- Inputs
- Connectivity
- Game streaming capabilities
- Onboard storage
Best Capture Card for Twitch and OBS – Elgato HD60 S
The Elgato Game Capture HD60 S is a fantastic game capture device. It’s an external box capable of saving 1080p 60 frames per second (FPS) video recordings. Onboard, the Elgato Game Capture HD60 S features a USB Type-C connection for power delivery and PC connectivity. There’s an HDMi input for hooking up computers, consoles, and other HDMI-enabled gadgets. Where Elgato really succeeds is with its excellent suite of software. You’ll find built-in live game streaming support for the likes of Twitch and YouTube. Instant gameview lets you stream with low-latency, and you can easily add webcams, overlays, and other streaming amenities. Unfortunately, the HD60 S lacks 4K support. As such, PC, Xbox One X, and PlayStation 4 Pro users may be somewhat disappointed. Still, the Elgato HD60 S is a high-performing external game capture card that comes with top-notch game streaming software.
Pros:
- Reasonably priced
- 1080p, 60 FPS capable
- USB 3.0 Type-C
- Excellent capture software
- Easy to use
Cons:
- No 4K support
- Lacks onboard storage, no PC-free recording
Best Budget Capture Card – MyPin Game Live Box
Despite its low price tag, the MyPin Game Live Box packs quite a punch. In addition to an HDMI input, the MyPin features a AV composite as well as a component YPbPr inputs for recording from older devices such as the PlayStation 1, PlayStation 2, original Xbox, GameCube, and even the NES or Atari 2600. Boasting impressive connectivity, the MyPin Game Live Box can record from virtually any video source you throw at it. There’s 1080p 60 FPS recording. You’ll also find a mic input plus a line out for connecting to speakers or headphones. As is to be expected, there’s no 4K video recording. You may also consider the AVerMedia Live Gamer Mini which doesn’t have the array of legacy inputs that you’ll find on the MyPin Game Live Box, but clocks in at a fair price. Likewise, the TreasLin is an affordable capture card. If you’re in the market for a good, cheap capture card, the MyPin Game Live Box provides unrivaled connectivity.
Pros:
- Affordable
- HDMI input
- 1080p 60 FPS recordings
- External capture device
- Legacy video inputs – composite AV and component
- Easy to use
Cons:
- No 4K recording or passthrough
- Lacks PC-free mode
Best Capture Card for Streaming – AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus
AVerMedia’s Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus is an incredible external video game capture device. Capable of recording 1080p 60 FPS content, the Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus can passthrough 4K signals so it’s great for use with the PS4, Xbox One X, and high-end gaming PCs. A USB 2.0 port delivers power and a built-in microSD card slot allows for PC-free recording. Ports aplenty deck out the Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus including a button to easily toggle between PC and PC-free recording, a commentary volume control and indicator, recording or streaming hotkey, headset and audio monitoring port, plus a console party link for capturing in-game party chat. As such, the AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable Plus is the best capture card for streaming from both gaming computers and consoles. Although 4K passthrough works well, lack of 4K recording is a bit disappointing. Nevertheless, the Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus provides a user-friendly video game streaming solution.
Pros:
- 1080p 60 FPS recordings
- 4K passthrough
- PC-free recording mode
- Tons of ports
- Excellent recording and game streaming software
- USB 2.0 power delivery
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- No 4K video recording capabilities
Best Capture Card for PS4, Xbox One X, and PC – Razer Ripsaw
Razer makes some of the best gaming hardware available, from its lineup of Blade gaming laptops to a mighty fine gaming router. It should come as no surprise that the Razer Ripsaw is one of the best capture cards for PCs and consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One X. You’ll find full 1080p recording capabilities at 60 FPS alongside 4K 60 frames per second passthrough. A USB-C port allows for power delivery and there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack as well as an analog mic input. Build quality is phenomenal and with its multiple audio inputs, the Razer Ripsaw can handle full audio mixing with ease. Disappointingly, a PC is mandatory for recording. The Ripsaw lacks any means of computer-free recording. Additionally, despite its 4K passthrough you won’t find any high dynamic range (HDR) support. But for a modest price, the Razer Ripsaw saves 1080p 60 FPS recordings while passing through 4K non-HDR content while making audio editing a breeze.
Pros:
- 1080p 60 FPS recording
- 4K 60 FPS passthrough
- Multiple audio inputs
- USB-C power delivery
- Good build quality
- Reasonably-priced
Cons:
- Lacks HDR passthrough
- No PC-free recording capabilities
Best Capture Card with 4K Passthrough – ClonerAlliance Flint 4KP Plus
Since 4K televisions and projectors are increasingly common, 4K video passthrough is a highly sought-after feature. With 4K passthrough, you can still view 4K content on your primary display while recording. The ClonerAlliance Flint 4KP Plus (our review) is a fantastic capture card with a 4K 60 FPS passthrough feature. You can record in 1080p at 60 frames per second, and its low latency connection makes the Flint 4KP Plus a solid choice for video game streaming and recording. Sadly, it’s limited to 4K passthrough so you can’t record in 4K. There’s no method of PC-free recording, and despite its 4K passthrough, you won’t find HDR passthrough. Still, the ClonerAlliance Flint 4KP Plus is incredibly user-friendly as well as cross-platform compatible. Provided that you don’t need to record 4K content, the ClonerAlliance Flint 4KP Plus is an excellent capture card that won’t compromise your video quality.
Pros:
- 4K 60 FPS passthrough
- 1080p 60 FPS recording
- USB Type-C connection for power delivery and data transmission
- Small, good build quality
- User-friendly
- Comes bundled with good software and works with third-party apps like OBS
- Cross-platform Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android compatible
- Excellent recording quality
Cons:
- No 4K recording, just passthrough
- Can’t passthrough HDR
- No PC-free recording capabilities
Best High-end Capture Card – Elgato Game Capture 4K60 S+
If you need 4K 60 FPS recordings, the Elgato Game Capture 4K60 S+ delivers 4K 60 FPS recordings in HDR10. You can record straight to an SD card or to your PC’s hard drive. Onboard HEVC encoding keeps CPU load as well as file size down, and there’s lag-free passthrough. Whether recording to local storage or streaming, the Elgato Game Capture 4K60 S+ delivers lush videos. Unfortunately, all of this awesomeness comes at a price, and a high one at that. You can purchase an Xbox One or PlayStation 4 for the price of the Elgato Game Capture 4K60 S+. As an alternative, you might consider the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra with its 4K 60 FPS passthrough and 4K 30 FPS recordings. Yet, if you demand 4K 60 FPS recordings, the Game Capture 4K60 S+ is your best bet.
Pros:
- 4K 60 FPS pass through and recording
- HDR recording
- Onboard HEVC encoding
- SD card slot for PC-free recording
- Compact size
Cons:
- Expensive
Best Capture Cards for All Uses and Budgets – Final Thoughts
Overall, there are loads of capture cards on the market at a variety of price points. You can find tons of entry-level capture devices capable of recording 1080p 60 FPS video such as the Elgato HD60 S, AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus, Razer Ripsaw, and MyPin Live Game Box. On the high-end, options such as the Elgato Game Capture 4K60 S+ and AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra can handle 4K passthrough as well as recording. No matter what you’re recording or streaming, there’s an option for you.
Your turn: Which capture cards do YOU recommend?
Recent Comments