10 Best Capture Cards UK 2022 | For Gaming and Streaming

When it comes to capture cards, Elgato is the premier brand for ultra low-latency technology. This allows you to stream at high resolutions and frame rates, while playing on a second monitor without any lag. Where the S+ really shines, however, is its plug-and-play accessibility.

If you're looking for something that'll get you set up and streaming with as little friction as possible, then the S+ is the choice for you. It's compatible out of the box, with XSplit, OBS Studio, and Streamlabs OBS, and is extremely compact and portable.

Anyone familiar with PC gaming will know Razor. However, in recent years, they have moved into the console space with a variety of different accessories and peripherals. The Ripsaw HD is their first entry into streaming, and represents some serious value for money.

Capable of full 4K, 60 FPS passthrough and HD streaming, the Razor offers full audio mixing for hassle-free sound management. If you're looking for a reliable option from a trusted brand that'll support your hardware for years, then the Ripsaw HD is a fine choice!

When comparing premium options, the HD60 X from Elgato is probably the best external capture card on the market today in terms of performance. It shares the plug-and-play accessibility of the S+ while also offering variable refresh rate support for passthrough.

It offers 1440p (also known as 2K), 60 FPS streaming, making it one of the top capture cards for replicating the output from a PS5 or Xbox Series X. If you're looking to invest in a high spec capture card for the current generation of consoles, then this is the one to go for.

A slightly cheaper alternative to the Elgato HD60 X is the Live Gamer Ultra. Capable of lagless 4K, 60 FPS passthrough and 4K streaming resolutions, it features an exceptional cooling system if you're worried about overheating in less than ideal temperatures.

In terms of value, this is probably the cheapest 4K option on the market, with customers online absolutely raving about its quality for the price. If you can't quite stretch to an Elgato, you won't be disappointed with this card.

If you're looking to get started with a gaming YouTube channel or Twitch stream on a budget, then this capture card from Mirabox represents unbeatable value. Capable of 1080p, 60 FPS quality, both recording and passthrough, this is perfect for PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch.

It comes with USB and USB-C cables for connectivity, and is plug-and-play compatible. Building a streaming setup can be a large expense, so this affordable capture card is perfect for those looking to let their personality shine on stream, without breaking the bank.

Narrowly missing out on our top five is the Evga XR1 Pro, which offers 4K resolutions, customisable RGB LEDs, and audio mixer controls thanks to the built-in control dial. When paired with a high-end gaming rig, you can expect exceptional performance.

As a premium option, this is considerably more expensive than the market average, and would be difficult to recommend over similar cards from Aver Media or Elgato. That said, the convenience of an audio control dial on your desk may be worth the extra investment.

While many retro games have been updated and remastered for modern consoles and PC, some gamers want to play original titles on original hardware. If you're looking to record speedruns or video essays and need some retro footage, the VGB100 from August is a great choice!

While there aren't any passthrough options available, and the appeal may be niche, it's still worth considering if you want to dig out an old PS1 or N64. It's not too hard to find splitter cables online either if you want to record while playing on an old CRT television.

If you're looking to capture footage for video editing rather than livestreaming, then the 2 Plus for Aver Media is well worth considering. It can record directly to an SD card meaning you won't need a PC or laptop and the trail of wires that come with it!

It's a little older now, featuring USB 2.0 and a micro-USB cable, rather than 3.0 and USB-C, which means that you may experience lag while livestreaming. If you want something portable to hook up to a console without a PC, however, this is well worth considering.

If you're looking for the cheapest HDMI capture card available, then this offering from Amozo is a steal - available for under £20! While you won't be stunned by its features, it does the job of recording your gameplay at an impressive 1080p, 60 FPS.

The obvious drawback is that there is no passthrough feature. If you're playing games that don't require precise movements or reactions, like turn-based RPGs or digital card games, then this is well worth the meagre investment.

Similar to the August VGB100, this capture card is designed for retro games consoles and transferring VHS and other analogue formats to digital. It's functionally identical to the August, but features longer cables, which may make it a better option for access.

It can be a bit fiddly to get working properly, and some customers have complained about issues when working with Windows 10. However, if you're tech-savvy, you shouldn't have any issues capturing old game footage, and it's compatible with both PAL and NTSC.