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The best capture cards, in plain English

A capture card lets a computer record or stream what's on a console. We read the expert tests and boiled them down: which ones are easy, which record in 4K, and which are worth it.

  • Last reviewed October 19, 2026
  • 4 capture cards
  • 3 expert reviews read

We didn't test these ourselves. We read reviews from experts who test products hands-on, then summed up where they agree and where they don't. Every source is linked. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Short on time? Start here

Our top pick in each group. Tap one to jump to the details.

Best overall Elgato HD60 X $150–$200 Easy setup and great 1080p recording. See details Best under $100 Genki ShadowCast 2 $50–$80 Tiny, cheap and simple to start with. See details Best for 4K consoles AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 $200–$220 Plays at full 4K speed while it records. See details Records without a PC Elgato 4K60 S+ $150–$400 Saves 4K video straight to a memory card. See details

Before you buy: 3 quick checks

Three things to know before buying.

What “passthrough” means

The console plugs into the capture card, and the card plugs into the TV. Passthrough sends the game to the TV at full quality, with no delay, while a copy goes to the computer for recording or streaming.

1080p or 4K recording

Most streams run at 1080p, so a 1080p card is plenty for beginners. 4K recording makes sense for YouTube videos and costs more. Check that passthrough supports 4K, so the TV still looks its best.

You'll need a computer

Most cards need a computer with a fast USB port to record or stream. On PS5, turn off HDCP (a copy-protection setting) in Settings, System, HDMI, or the picture won't show up.

Compare at a glance

On a phone, swipe the table sideways to see every column.

Capture cardBest forTypical priceRecords up toPassthrough
1. Elgato HD60 X Best overall $150–$2001080p at 60 fps (with HDR)4K
2. Genki ShadowCast 2 Best under $100 $50–$801080p at 60 fpsNone (watch on the computer)
3. AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 Best for 4K consoles $200–$2204K at 60 fps4K at up to 144 Hz
4. Elgato 4K60 S+ Records without a PC $150–$4004K at 60 fps (with HDR)4K

The 4 best capture cards, explained

Best overall first. Prices are typical ranges, not live prices, so check Amazon for today's price.

#1Best overall

Elgato HD60 X

  • 1080p at 60 fps (with HDR)
  • 4K
  • Gameplay rewind feature

$150–$200typical price

Easy to set up, with great 1080p recording. TechRadar names it the best capture card overall, and PCGamesN picks it as the best for 1080p and 1440p.

What testers liked

  • Easy setup that works with PS5 and Xbox.
  • High-quality 1080p recording with HDR (brighter, richer color).
  • 4K passthrough, so the TV still looks great.
  • Small, and fairly priced.

Common complaints

  • Doesn't record 4K at 60 fps.
  • Doesn't work well with Macs.
  • Only a small upgrade over Elgato's older cards.

Skip it if: They want to record 4K YouTube videos. Look at the Elgato 4K60 S+ (#4).

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from TechRadar, PCGamesN.

#2Best under $100

Genki ShadowCast 2

  • 1080p at 60 fps
  • None (watch on the computer)
  • Thumb-drive size

$50–$80typical price

A tiny, cheap way to start. TechRadar names the ShadowCast the best compact capture card, and PCGamesN picks the ShadowCast 2 as the best small one.

What testers liked

  • About the size of a thumb drive.
  • Plug-and-play with PS5, Xbox, Switch and Steam Deck.
  • Low price.

Common complaints

  • Video quality can be inconsistent, depending on the device.

Skip it if: They want to play on a TV while recording. The ShadowCast has no passthrough, so a card like the Elgato HD60 X (#1) is better.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from TechRadar, PCGamesN.

#3Best for 4K consoles

AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1

  • 4K at 60 fps
  • 4K at up to 144 Hz
  • Light-up strip

$200–$220typical price

Plays at full 4K speed while it records. PC Gamer names it the best 4K 144 Hz capture card, and PCGamesN picks it as the best plug-and-play card, scoring it 8 out of 10.

What testers liked

  • 4K passthrough at high refresh rates, so nothing is lost on the TV.
  • Records in 4K at 60 fps.
  • Simple plug-and-play setup, and compact.

Common complaints

  • Expensive.
  • A very bright light strip.
  • Awkward port placement, and the software is still improving.

Skip it if: They stream at 1080p. The Elgato HD60 X (#1) is plenty and costs less.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from PC Gamer, PCGamesN.

#4Records without a PC

Elgato 4K60 S+

  • 4K at 60 fps (with HDR)
  • 4K
  • Records to an SD card

$150–$400typical price

Records 4K video straight to a memory card, no computer needed. TechRadar names it the best 4K capture card, and PC Gamer picks it as the best standalone card.

What testers liked

  • True 4K at 60 fps recording with HDR.
  • Can record to an SD card without a computer.
  • Efficient video files that don't take up as much space.

Common complaints

  • Pricey.
  • The software is basic, with no low-delay preview on the computer.

Skip it if: They mainly want to live-stream from a PC. The Elgato HD60 X (#1) is simpler and cheaper.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from TechRadar, PC Gamer.

How we pick

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