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We’re having a look at some of the best capture cards, ones that work for gaming on both console and PC. Recording gameplay on your Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 is a fairly simple endeavour. Both consoles have built-in and integrated screen recording features, using these recordings for streaming or content creation, however, is trickier.
One of the easiest ways around this is getting an external USB capture card. These will work on your PC too. We’ve got a variety of options here, each of which balances price and performance differently. The more expensive options will record more frames and at higher resolutions, as well as have wider compatibility options.
One of the key factors to consider is latency. You’ll want low latency if you’re intending to use your footage for live streaming, though you can expect to pay a premium for it. If you’re capturing footage for uploading later, then this is a possible area where you could save some money, as you won’t benefit as much from low-latency recording.
With that in mind, let’s get into our picks.
Best capture card
Best overall capture card – Elgato HD60 X
Elgato HD60 X
Maximum resolution
4K
Maximum frame rate
120 FPS
Interface
USB 3.0
Compatibility
PS5, PS4/Pro, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One X/S, PC & Mac
- Ultra low latency
- Wide range of compatible devices
- Lower frame rates at 4K
The Elgato HD60 X is a premium capture card geared towards professional streamers but with a price that will be acceptable for many more casual users.
It is capable of capturing your gameplay in 4K at 30 frames per second and can go all the way up to 120 frames per second in 1080p. This is captured and ready for streaming with an ultra-low latency of under 100ms. This makes the whole process of synching and streaming far simpler.
To some, the lower frame rate at 4K might sound a bit lacklustre, considering that gamers with the best GPU for 1080p and one of the best gaming monitors can get rates far higher than this. However, remember that most films and TV are only at 24fps. While YouTube and Twitch can go up to 60fps you’ll be hard-pressed to find a card that can capture 4K at those kinds of speeds.
The Elgato HD60 X is also fully compatible with VRR meaning you don’t have to worry about it inducing frustrating screen tearing. The footage captured is off professional quality too, with no subscriptions needed to get going.
ASUS TUF Gaming Video Capture Card
Maximum resolution
4K
Maximum frame rate
120 FPS
Interface
USB 3.2
Compatibility
PC, PS5, Xbox, Switch
- USB 3.2 interface
- Striking look
- On the expensive side
Asus Tuf is a household name in gaming hardware. They make everything from the best gaming laptops to the best GPUs. Here they’ve focussed their expertise on a capture card, one that is specifically designed around the needs of gamers.
This means you’ve got resolutions of up to 4K at frame rates of up to 60Hz, though this does drop to 30Hz if you are live streaming. The latency is also impressively low, while the USB 3.2 plug-in-and-play compatibility means there are no external drivers required. As a result, you can get going with less faff and spend your time gaming rather than setting up
It’s compatible with just about every modern gaming device, meaning you don’t have to worry about switching platforms to play certain games. On top of all this, it’s easily the best-looking card on our list, with a striking but subtle Tuf logo and RGB lights on the bottom. This is perfect for a streamer’s set and will fit into most gaming builds, especially ones that already include other Asus Tuf products.
Best budget capture card – Averyn Upgraded Capture Card
Averyn Upgraded Audio Video Capture Card
Maximum resolution
1080p
Maximum frame rate
60FPS
Interface
USB 2.0
Compatibility
Nintendo Switch, PS3/4, Xbox One
- Remarkably low price
- Low latency
- Limited to 1080p output
This device does the basics well. Despite its low price point and USB 2.0 technology, the latency is still kept to a minimum, around the same amount as the other cards on this list in fact
The recording speed and resolution do take a hit, with no 4K or 1440p compatibility and the maximum frame rate is 60 fps. However, the price is staggering. At the time of writing this nifty little capture card is going for just under $16, which is a fraction of the price of the other options we’ve presented so far, and a fraction of the price of pretty much every other capture card out there.
With a simple USB output you can plug in and record without the need for drivers, and the HDMI input means it can also capture and process footage from any camcorder you plug into it.
Due to its size, you might need to purchase a USB extended or risk it covering other important ports on your PC. Overall this is a powerful device, that undercuts all the competition on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are PC capture cards worth it?
On PC there are third-party apps that can be used for capture and streaming. This does not mean that getting an external capture card is not worth it, though. If you go for one, it will take a huge burden off your PC, increasing performance and will likely record with lower latency.
Can you use a capture card to record Nintendo Switch Lite?
No, the Nintendo Switch Lite has no video output option.
Can capture cards record in 4K?
Capture Cards can actually record in 4K, which means you can record the highest quality content for your needs.
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