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Nov 13, 2024

Best Capture Card 2024 - IGN

If you’ve ever wanted to record your gameplay, stream live to your followers, or create high-quality video content, then a capture card might be your new best friend. Capture cards allow you to

If you’ve ever wanted to record your gameplay, stream live to your followers, or create high-quality video content, then a capture card might be your new best friend. Capture cards allow you to capture video and audio from one device, like a games console, camera, or gaming PC, and then stream or record it on another. While some consoles and devices come with built-in recording features, they often lack the flexibility, quality, and advanced options that a good capture card offers.

Capture cards are especially popular among gamers, streamers, content creators, and even video professionals. If you're playing on a next-gen console like the Xbox Series X or PS5, or if you’re rocking a powerful graphics card like the GeForce RTX 4090, investing in a high-end capture card capable of 4K/60Hz can make a huge difference in the quality of your recordings and streams. Whether you're aiming for crystal-clear gameplay footage or professional-grade video content, the best capture cards will help you get there.

Elgato has this whole capture device thing all figured out, and the Elgato HD60 X is another prime example of what the company is capable of. You can use this external capture card with pretty much any setup, whether it be your gaming PC, Mac, laptop, PS5, or Xbox X/S. It connects to your devices via USB-C and works with a wide variety of streaming and capture software like Twitch, YouTube, OBS, XSplit, and Streamlabs. So, unless you have very particular setup needs, it’s a one-stop shop to get sharing all your high-quality visuals with your audience.

The Elgato HD60 X provides pass-through for up to 4K with HDR10 video at 60Hz. That’s lag-free pass-through with VRR, too, so you’ll be able to stay as competitive as ever while you’re playing. Though it’s worth noting that the unit can’t output any faster than 60Hz, so you’ll want to take a look at some of our other options if you’re gaming on a high-refresh-rate monitor or TV. As far as recording goes, the unit can capture 4K footage at 30fps or 1080p footage at a smoother 60fps. It’s even capable of capturing HDR10 footage.

You don’t need to break the bank to snag a quality capture card, especially if you're looking to splurge on a gaming PC deal. The NZXT Signal 4K30 is an external USB-based option that totes all the capabilities you’re looking for at well under $200. Its zero-lag pass-through with support for 4K at 60Hz plus HDR and 1080p at an impressive 240Hz, means this device should keep up with your consoles that have an HDMI port. And when you’re ready to start recording, you might be sacrificing a few framerates dropping to 4K30, but you’ll still have a nice, crisp image. If you want the smoothest possible stream with the highest framerates, you can always drop down to 1080p/120Hz.

All that functionality comes in an easy-to-use device with a compact form factor. The NZXT Signal 4K30 is about the size of your typical external hard drive and is pretty much plug-and-play — just be sure you have a USB-3.2 connection. Unlike some other capture cards, it doesn’t require you to download any new programs, so if you like using OBS or other streaming and capture software, you’ll be good to go.

The EVGA XR1 Lite is both compact and affordable, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a capable companion for any gamer getting into video capture or streaming. This device provides a 4K/60fps passthrough–perfect for use with the latest consoles, and why it's one our picks for the best capture card for PS5. And, it records all your action-packed moments at 1080p/60fps without any compression or lag. The unit is also simple to use, with a USB Type-C and a pair of HDMI ports that plug into your PC or console to capture gameplay, or you can connect it to a DSLR camera for a quality webcam option.

Housed in a plastic chassis, the EVGA XR1 Lite is still sleek and seemingly durable. There is a convenient light indicator on the unit that changes color depending on the status of the capture card, so you’ll know when it's active, idling, updating, or not working. It comes certified to use with OBS software–which is an open-source option for recording and live streaming. Overall, the plug-and-play nature, low price, and solid performance make the EVGA XR1 Lite a great capture card option.

So, you’ve got the latest consoles, and now you need a capture card like the AVerMediaLive Gamer Extreme 3 that can keep up with their impressive specs while capturing or streaming gameplay. This plug-and-play USB option offers low latency, uncompressed 4K recording at 30FPS, which should be plenty for most content creators, though there’s no HDR capture. With also virtually no latency for the passthrough that supports 4K/60FPS alongside VRR and HDR, your gaming won’t be affected whatsoever, and you can always scale down the resolution for higher refresh rates.

Though the AVerMediaLive Gamer Extreme 3 is highly capable, it still comes in at $170, making it an excellent value. It’s ready to work with just about any streaming platform and capture software, including Twitch, YouTube, OBS, and RECentral. And though it lacks any RGB lighting, there’s a blue/red LED indicator that tells you if the device is receiving an HDMI signal.

The AVerMedia Live Gamer Bolt is hands down the best capture card for streaming. It delivers the lowest level of added latency we've seen out of any capture solution at only a couple of milliseconds. This makes it perfect for games that require cat-like reflexes like Spelunky or twitch aiming like Apex Legends.

The AVerMedia Live Gamer Bolt also records great looking footage at either 4K60 HDR or 1080p240. The only tricky thing about this capture solution is you need a Thunderbolt 3 port, which means you can use it with only a few compatible gaming motherboards and gaming laptops. You should definitely double check your system's ports before buying this capture card.

A lot of video game capture cards are counting on you to have either an open PCIe slot in your gaming PC or a classic USB-A port. But, if you’re running a thin-and-light laptop as your streaming PC, those two connections might not be an option. But, then there’s USB-C and the Asus TUF CU4K30 to save the day.

This USB-C based capture card will let you easily wire it up with a laptop to capture your game footage. And, it can capture some serious footage without holding you back while you’re gaming. On the capturing side, it can support a 4K resolution at 30fps, or you can drop it down to 2K for a smoother 60fps stream or even 1080p for a super-smooth 120fps capture. Meanwhile, the card can pass the video signal from your game system through to your monitor or TV at 4K/60Hz with HDR, 2K/144Hz, or 1080p/240Hz. This is all built into a compact, aluminum chassis that includes RGB lighting, which doubles as a status indicator.

The Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro Mk. 2 is the perfect way to celebrate just getting Partnered with Twitch. It’s pricey, but hey, all those late nights have finally paid off. This PCIe internal card captures footage up to a 4K resolution directly to your hard drive without breaking a sweat, with an up to 140 Mbps bitrate.

Beyond the basic ability to record 4K HDR footage—which is pretty great on its own—the Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro Mk. 2 offers a few extra features like Multi App Access so you can have multiple pieces of streaming and/or recording software accessing your capture card at the same time. Additionally, the Elgato's HDR tone mapping allows users to play at 4K HDR while streaming in standard dynamic range.

If you want to step up your streaming game with dedicated hardware, then the AVerMedia Live Gamer Duo is a highly capable option. As the name suggests, this capture card is meant to handle two tasks simultaneously. So, it has two separate HDMI inputs, with one to handle gameplay from your console or gaming PC and another to take the HDMI video feed from a digital camera. That'll let you forget about a webcam and use the high-quality sensor and optics of even a hefty DSLR to upgrade the quality of your on-screen appearance with 1080p60 video.

As far as the gaming feed goes, this capture card has quality in mind there as well. It will capture 1080p60 video game content, including HDR. The AVerMedia software will let you handle both video input sources individually, so you can set up your streams however you prefer. As for the gaming itself, the AVerMedia Live Gamer Duo is incredibly flexible with latency-free passthrough for 4K60 HDR, 1440p144, or 1080p240 footage. So, you won't have to sacrifice your gaming experience to land this capture quality.

When streaming games on your Switch, you won’t need the support for 4K resolutions or all the latest and greatest next-gen tech. So, you might as well save a few bucks and grab a more budget-friendly yet perfectly capable capture card, like the AVerMedia Live Gamer Mini. This great Switch accessory records gameplay in crisp and clean 1080p at 60fps and supports most major streaming platforms. With zero latency passthrough at 1080p/60fps, your games won’t be affected by the capture card either.

If you’re new to game streaming, the plug-and-play nature of the AVerMedia Live Gamer Mini is especially helpful. There’s even a hardware encoder to help prevent straining your computer. The capture card is also ultra-compact, making it easy to take with you for streaming away from home. And you aren’t limited to using it with your Switch, as the best Switch capture card works great with the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.

If you’re a fan of Razer products and want to continue that trend through to your capture card, then the Razer Ripsaw HD is a solid option for capturing 1080p@60fps. While it shouldn’t be used as a dedicated audio streamer, this capture card does offer basic audio mixing and a 3.5mm input and output. And thanks to its thoughtful design, you get access to the 3.5mm jack on the front of the box, while the USB and HDMI connections remain at the back.

Although the Razer Ripsaw HD is limited to capturing 1080p@60fps, it does allow 4K60 passthrough, meaning you can stream at this resolution. It’s a compact and aesthetically-pleasing little box, with a price that makes it good value for money.

If you’re ready to take your content creation to the next level, you’ll need to know how to pick the best capture card. There are lots of factors to consider, so stand by!

The first thing you’ll need to think about is your needs and setup. Are you primarily a PC gamer or do you spend most of your time on consoles? Understanding your gaming platform of choice will help narrow down your options and ensure compatibility with your setup. Make sure the capture card you choose has the necessary ports and connections to hook up your gaming platform, as well as any additional devices like cameras or microphones that you plan to use for your streams.

Next up, think about the features you need. Are you looking for 4K/60Hz recording capabilities? HDR support? Maybe you want the flexibility to overlay a video feed from a camera onto your gameplay footage for that extra personal touch. Make a list of must-have features to help guide your decision.

Of course, you’ll also need to take into account your budget. Capture cards can vary widely in price, so set a budget that works for you and explore options within that range. Remember, investing in a quality capture card now can pay off in the long run with better performance and reliability.

What Does a Capture Card Do?

Capture cards capture video and audio from a device, such as a PC or console, then converts it into signals that can be shared across platforms like YouTube.

What Capture Cards Do Most Streamers Use?

Elgato is one of the biggest names in the industry. However, AverMedia is also climbing the ranks. The Elgato HD60 X is one of the most popular capture cards, and is also considered the best by us.

Do I Need a Capture Card for PS5?

The PS5 can actually record video and store it on the console, allowing you to transfer it to an external drive. However, if you want the best possible quality, additional features, and customization, a compatible capture card is worth the investment. If that's you, see our roundup of the best capture cards for PS5.

Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam

Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.