- 8.40/10 1. Premium pick: ASUS TUF CU4K30
- 9.20/10 2. Editors choice: Elgato HD60 S
- 9.00/10 3. Best value: AVerMedia Live Gamer GC311
- 8.20/10 4. DIGITNOW U600 4K60
- 8.20/10 5. Mirabox HSV 320
- 9.20/10 6. Elgato HD60 Pro
- 8.80/10 7. AVerMedia ExtremeCap BU110
These handpicked capture cards deliver outstanding stream quality for showing off your gaming skills in real-time. Capture cards help gamers stream or record video on a parallel system.
Your computer resources can focus on running the game while these devices take care of live streaming or video recording.
Moreover, if you’re on a gaming console, a capture card will enhance its performance by assisting with streaming or recording.
Here are the best capture cards available today.
Premium pick1. ASUS TUF CU4K30
8.40 / 10 Read ReviewsThe ASUS TUF CU4K30 saves you from cluttering your desktop PC by installing an extra PCIe card. Again, you may not be able to spare a classic USB Type-A port while gaming from a thin and compact laptop. The USB Type-C port of ASUS TUF CU4K30 comes to your rescue. You can easily set up the capture card with any desktop or laptop computer using HDMI or USB Type-C ports.
Furthermore, if you own gaming consoles like Xbox, Switch, or PlayStation, this capture card will support those devices. This capture card can deliver a lag-free video stream of 4K resolution at 30fps. Then again, if you want to stun your audience with a higher frame rate of 60fps, you can reduce the video resolution to 2K. You can also stream crisp visuals of 1080p at a whopping 120fps video configuration if you are on a bandwidth budget.
The 3.5mm audio jack lets you deliver live commentary with your squad or solo. The ASUS TUF CU4K30 also comes with OBS Studio certification for multi-platform streaming. Finally, the front-facing RGB lighting strip gives you another solid reason to buy this capture card.
Key Features- Certified for OBS
- RGB Lighting
- Headset and game controller ports
- Supports PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch
- Brand: ASUS
- Max Passthrough Resolution: 4K HDR
- Max Capture Resolution: 4K 30Hz
- Interface: USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C
- OBS Compatible: Yes
- Mic In: Yes
- Built-in Hardware Encoder: No
- Bundled Software: No
- No complex setup needed
- You can create commentary with team or solo
- Doesn't support HDCP protected signals
1. Elgato HD60 S
9.20 / 10 Read ReviewsThe Elgato HD60 S brings you the next-level plug-and-play experience through a reversible USB Type-C connector. It can deliver true HD 1080p at 60fps video or live stream. It also looks sleek, striking, and streamlined, thanks to its LED status strips. It offers low latency instant streaming on YouTube or Twitch with minimal effort on system setup.
Furthermore, it goes to great lengths to offer unlimited video recording of your gameplay using advanced GPU acceleration. Hence, you can also upload pre-recorded gameplay highlights or the complete story as it unfolds during long hours of high-adrenaline gaming.
This capture card also gives you the freedom to personalize your game streaming. You can add overlays, alerts, webcam, and many more to show off your style and brand. The Flashback recording feature lets you go back in time and start recording if you forgot to hit the record button. It’s an ideal pick for a high-performance capture card for another solid reason that it lets you record live commentary.
Key Features- Instant recording and streaming
- LED status strip
- Instant Gameview
- Live commentary
- Flashback recording
- Stream command
- Brand: Elgato
- Max Passthrough Resolution: 1080p60
- Max Capture Resolution: 1080p60
- Interface: USB 3.0
- OBS Compatible: Yes
- Mic In: Yes
- Built-in Hardware Encoder: No
- Bundled Software: 4KCU, Game Capture
- Supports multiple streaming/recording apps like OBS Studio
- Comes with free USB 3.0 and HDMI cables
- You can add webcam feed and stream overlays
- Doesn't support passthrough video
1. AVerMedia Live Gamer GC311
9.00 / 10 Read ReviewsThe AVerMedia Live Gamer GC311 is the ideal choice for an entry-level capture card. Its decent amount of features stay relevant in the long run. It offers a simplified connectivity design. Use the HDMI port for Full HD gameplay streaming/recording, and the micro-USB port to connect to desktop or laptop computers.
Though the device looks small, it has a powerful encoding capacity. The in-built H.264 hardware encoder processes high-resolution gaming video efficiently. Hence, your fans can enjoy 100 percent zero latency with a Full HD pass-through.
You can use the RECentral streaming software along with AVerMedia Live Gamer GC311 to unlock other interactive features like rich-overlays, multi-stream, and chroma key. The overlay feature enables you to promote your brand among the fans. On the other hand, the multi-stream option gives you the freedom for concurrent streaming on different platforms.
Key Features- Zero latency Full HD gameplay streaming
- Built-in H.264 hardware encoder
- RECentral streaming software
- Micro-USB 2.0 port for Windows or macOS computers
- 100 percent zero latency Full HD pass-through
- Brand: AVerMedia
- Max Passthrough Resolution: 1080p60
- Max Capture Resolution: 1080p60
- Interface: USB 2.0
- OBS Compatible: Yes
- Mic In: No
- Built-in Hardware Encoder: Yes
- Bundled Software: RECentral
- AVerMedia StreamEngine records gameplay video and reduces load on CPU
- Enjoy rich overlays, multi-stream, and chroma key using RECentral software
- Doesn't have 3.5mm audio input/output
1. DIGITNOW U600 4K60
8.20 / 10 Read ReviewsThe DIGITNOW U600 4K60 comes with a stylish all-aluminum design that adds a professional look to your gaming system. Such a design also ensures the thermal safety of the device as the metal naturally pumps out extra heat to the environment. Its front-facing ARGB lighting system displays the operational status of the device in an elegant way.
It has dedicated audio input and output so that you can create live commentary in solo or a squad. The HDMI audio input/output system captures accurate music and in-game sound as you keep streaming or recording.
The device’s internal hardware and firmware supports multiple devices, including computers, gaming consoles, DSLR cameras, etc. It’s also compatible with major streaming/recording software like OBS Studio, QuickTime Broadcaster, etc. Such device and software compatibility ensures that you can utilize this capture card in many creative ways and not just for gaming.
Key Features- Stream video to up to three devices concurrently
- 5.0Gbps transfer rate of USB 3.0
- Plug-and-play, no driver needed
- Support squad or solo commentary
- Brand: DIGITNOW
- Max Passthrough Resolution: 4K HDR
- Max Capture Resolution: 1080p120
- Interface: USB 3.0
- OBS Compatible: Yes
- Mic In: Yes
- Built-in Hardware Encoder: Not Provided
- Bundled Software: OBS Studio, Encoder (Windows), QuickTime Broadcaster (OSX)
- Compatible with multiple devices from Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
- Supports multiple streaming/recording software
- Truly portable and lightweight device
- It lacks HDMI 2.0 version
1. Mirabox HSV 320
8.20 / 10 Read ReviewsThe Mirabox HSV 320 is the ideal capture card for you if you’re looking for a value proposition. Its utility isn’t limited to recording or streaming video games. You can put this device to different usage like streaming live events on social media, appearing on YouTube live, setting up an online meeting with colleagues, and online teaching.
It’s fully compatible with OSB Studio, the open-source and free broadcasting tool. Most professional video game streamers use OBS Studio. You can stream or record video resolution up to 1080p at 60fps. Your fans will truly enjoy the crisp, smooth, and lag-free video streaming that Mirabox HSV 320 delivers.
Its HDMI video input system is compatible with video resolutions up to 4K at 30Hz for video input and passthrough. You can use the HDMI ports to connect to all other devices, apart from PCs which use the high-speed USB slot to enable it to connect with laptops and desktops.
Key Features- Supports a wide range of devices
- Zero-latency HDMI passthrough
- A true plug-and-play capture card
- Compatible with many streaming/recording software
- Brand: Mirabox
- Max Passthrough Resolution: 4K 30Hz
- Max Capture Resolution: 1080p60
- Interface: USB 3.0
- OBS Compatible: Yes
- Mic In: No
- Built-in Hardware Encoder: Not Provided
- Bundled Software: OBS Studio, XSplit, Potplayer
- Convert DSLR or other digital cameras to webcam
- It also has utility in video conferencing and live social media streaming
- It can be used for online education
- Doesn't have any audio input/output jack
1. Elgato HD60 Pro
9.20 / 10 Read ReviewsThe Elgato HD60 Pro is a PCIe-based video capture card that offers unmatched lag-free gameplay streaming or recording. Its H.264 hardware encoding ensures that your fans don’t miss any high-end graphics. A major benefit of this product is it accurately portrays in-game graphics and textures to a third medium like YouTube or Twitch.
This internal capture card for computers comes with the necessary accessories so that you don’t need to spend anything extra. You’ll get a low profile bracket for mounting the device in your computer chassis and a 6.5-foot long HDMI cable. You can stream high-resolution video up to 1080p at 60fps with video bit rate as high as 60Mbps.
Its Instant Gameview feature ensures that you get going with streaming quickly on YouTube or Twitch. If you love branding and showing yourself to the audience, you can add overlays and webcam videos to live streams. You can make live commentary while playing solo or with the squad. It's another notable and convincing feature for you to buy this high-performance video capture card.
Key Features- Ultra-low latency technology
- Dedicated H.264 hardware encoding
- Instant Gameview
- Flashback recording
- Live commentary
- Brand: Elgato
- Max Passthrough Resolution: 1080p60
- Max Capture Resolution: 1080p60
- Interface: PCIe
- OBS Compatible: Not Provided
- Mic In: No
- Built-in Hardware Encoder: Yes
- Bundled Software: 4KCU, Game Capture
- Renders graphic content more accurately
- It reduces video file size and takes load off the CPU
- Maximum 60Mbps bitrate offers low-latency streaming/recording
- Doesn't have 3.5mm audio input/output jack
1. AVerMedia ExtremeCap BU110
8.80 / 10 Read ReviewsThe AVerMedia ExtremeCap BU110 boasts USB 3.0 Type-C and HDMI ports, able to deliver 1080p at 60fps. It can process incoming video from any source that produces HDMI output. Hence, your capture card becomes compatible with a wide range of devices from webcams to gaming consoles.
This capture card ads value to your investment as you’re not buying it to stream games. You can go live on social media platforms and convert any DSLR camera to a high-resolution webcam. Furthermore, you can live stream games or events from your smartphones using an OTG and USB cable.
It’s also compatible with multiple computer operations systems like Windows 10, OS X (10.10 or above), and Linux Ubuntu 14.04. Hence, you can use any of the above-mentioned devices to host your gameplay live streams. However, you’ll need to make use of any streaming/video capturing software like OBS, Wirecast, vMix, RECentral 4, etc.
Key Features- Purely unaltered 1080p60 video capturing
- True plug-and-play, no driver needed
- Works on various operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux
- Supports multiple streaming/video capturing software
- Brand: AVerMedia
- Max Passthrough Resolution: Not Provided
- Max Capture Resolution: 1080p60
- Interface: USB 3.0
- OBS Compatible: Yes
- Mic In: No
- Built-in Hardware Encoder: No
- Bundled Software: OBS Studio, XSplit, Wirecast
- Converts digital cameras and DSLR cameras into webcam
- Use your smartphone for social media live events or game streaming
- Doesn't have 3.5mm audio input/output jack
FAQ
Q: Are Capture Cards Worth It?
Game capture cards take the load off your gaming console or computer. Hence, your gaming experience becomes smooth and lag-free. Capture cards also help you stream live gaming feed to two platforms simultaneously.
Capture cards also help you focus on gameplay while it takes care of recording or streaming. You can also outcompete your rival gamers by streaming high definitions videos. Therefore, a capture card is a valuable addition to your gaming tech stack.
Q: Does a Capture Card Improve Stream Quality?
Capture cards deliver better video quality during streaming or recording than free screen recording software for computers. Furthermore, capture cards ensure that the stream quality is constant throughout the session, unlike those free screen recording software.
Moreover, your fan base is likely expecting HD videos if you’re a pro gamer on any social channels like Twitch or YouTube. Hence, add a capture card to your streaming system to shine brighter than other gamers.
Q: Will PS5 Need a Capture Card?
If you’re a professional video game streamer, it’s a wise decision to buy a capture card. Also, if you’re not a professional but upload gameplay frequently on social platforms, a capture card can help you upgrade the video quality.
Apart from the stream or video quality, capture cards also ensure that your PS5 console performs at its best in rendering games. If you put the burden of capturing and encoding videos on this console, you might not get adequate gaming performance.
