Whether you're looking to record some gameplay footage for a YouTube video, or want to step into the world of Twitch streaming, having the best capture card is crucial for keeping viewers engaged. These are essential pieces of hardware for both PC and console gamers looking to create professional channels and stream at high frame rates and resolutions.
We've picked 10 of the best capture cards for streaming, from top brands like Elgato, Razor, and Evgam. This includes some of the highest performing options for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S and the best budget capture cards for retro gaming in the UK. With options for HDMI with passthrough and AV composite, keep reading to find out more!
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of capture cards available and understand how our ranking was determined.
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Elgato | 2 ![]() Razor | 3 ![]() Elgato | 4 ![]() Aver Media | 5 ![]() Mirabox | 6 ![]() Evga | 7 ![]() August | 8 ![]() Aver Media | 9 ![]() Amozo | 10 ![]() StarTech |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | HD60 S+ | Ripsaw HD | HD60 X | Live Gamer Ultra | Capture Card | XR1 Pro | VGB100 | 2 Plus | Capture Card | Video Capture Adapter Cable |
Features | An Accessible Capture Card That’s Easy to Set Up | Great Value for Money From a Leading Gaming Brand | Probably the Best Performing Capture Card for PS5 and Xbox Series X | A Powerful Card for High Resolutions With a Fantastic Cooling System | A Budget Option With HD Recording and Passthrough | Premium Capture Card That Delivers High-End Performance With a Handy Audio Dial | Av Composite Capture Card for Retro Gaming | A Unique Option That Can Record Directly to SD Cards | The Cheapest HDMI Capture Card Available | A Solid Card for Capturing Older PAL and NTSC Titles |
Price | £169.00 | £89.99 | £189.99 | £149.00 | £35.99 | £211.16 | £32.95 | £121.90 | £16.99 | £33.75 |
Max. Streaming Quality | 4K, 30 FPS / 1080p, 60 FPS | 1080p, 60 FPS | 4K, 30FPS / 1440p, 60 FPS | 4K, 30 FPS / 1440p 60 FPS | 1080p, 60 FPS | 4K, 30 FPS / 1440p, 60 FPS | - | 1080p, 60 FPS | 1080p, 60 FPS | - |
Passthrough | 4K, 60 FPS | 4K, 60 FPS | 4K, 60 FPS | 4K, 60 FPS | 1080p, 60 FPS | 4K, 60 FPS | No | 4K, 60 FPS | No | No |
Input | HDMI | HDMI | HDMI | HDMI | HDMI | HDMI | Composite | HDMI | HDMI | Composite |
Connection | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB, USB-C | USB-C | USB | Micro-USB | USB | USB |
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You'll want the highest quality image and feed when streaming your gameplay, ideally replicating the output of your console of choice. This means being able to stream a video at 60 frames per second (FPS), which any capture card aimed at modern consoles won't have trouble hitting at 1080p.
The most recent generation of consoles, like the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, are capable of 4K gaming. However, only a certain number of capture cards have been able to replicate this resolution. You won't be getting a stable 60 FPS as 4K streaming is limited to 30 FPS, due to the fact that USB connections aren't yet able to transmit this amount of data fast enough.
When it comes to analogue, composite connections, these will be at a maximum 720p, 30 FPS. This is because most consoles within the PS1/PS2 generation are around that range. Most AV capture cards can faithfully replicate the composite signal, but don't expect it to look exactly the same as it did on your old CRT television!
Stream yourself trouncing the competition in some popular PS5 multiplayer games!
If you want to stream your gameplay whilst enjoying the highest quality settings on your TV or monitor, then passthrough is essential. This means that the card has both an input and output port, allowing you to hook up your console to the card and have the same feed "pass through" to another screen.
Most capture cards will be able to manage high passthrough resolutions and frame rates, so you're unlikely to notice a drop in quality when playing a game in this way. Some of the cheaper capture cards and those aimed at retro games consoles, won't offer this feature, but if you're working with a dual-screen PC, you shouldn't have too much of an issue playing and streaming at the same time.
Experience gaming at the highest resolution possible with a 4K gaming monitor!
When choosing a capture card, the two main connections to look for are th video source and USB type. For cards aimed at modern consoles, you can expect to find an HDMI port or two, but for retro machines, like older consoles and VHS players, you'll want an AV composite cable.
When it comes to USB types, it's worth noting whether your capture card is a standard USB, a micro-USB, or USB-C. While there are a number of different designs, all will be compatible with your laptop or desktop computer for use with software like OBS and, therefore, sites such as Twitch and YouTube.
Struggling with ports? Consider picking up a USB hub to allow for additional devices!
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
£169.00
Max. Streaming Quality | 4K, 30 FPS / 1080p, 60 FPS |
---|---|
Passthrough | 4K, 60 FPS |
Input | HDMI |
Connection | USB-C |
£89.99
Max. Streaming Quality | 1080p, 60 FPS |
---|---|
Passthrough | 4K, 60 FPS |
Input | HDMI |
Connection | USB-C |
£189.99
Max. Streaming Quality | 4K, 30FPS / 1440p, 60 FPS |
---|---|
Passthrough | 4K, 60 FPS |
Input | HDMI |
Connection | USB-C |
£149.00
Max. Streaming Quality | 4K, 30 FPS / 1440p 60 FPS |
---|---|
Passthrough | 4K, 60 FPS |
Input | HDMI |
Connection | USB-C |
£35.99
Max. Streaming Quality | 1080p, 60 FPS |
---|---|
Passthrough | 1080p, 60 FPS |
Input | HDMI |
Connection | USB, USB-C |
£211.16
Max. Streaming Quality | 4K, 30 FPS / 1440p, 60 FPS |
---|---|
Passthrough | 4K, 60 FPS |
Input | HDMI |
Connection | USB-C |
£32.95
Max. Streaming Quality | - |
---|---|
Passthrough | No |
Input | Composite |
Connection | USB |
£121.90
Max. Streaming Quality | 1080p, 60 FPS |
---|---|
Passthrough | 4K, 60 FPS |
Input | HDMI |
Connection | Micro-USB |
£16.99
Max. Streaming Quality | 1080p, 60 FPS |
---|---|
Passthrough | No |
Input | HDMI |
Connection | USB |
£33.75
Max. Streaming Quality | - |
---|---|
Passthrough | No |
Input | Composite |
Connection | USB |
Written and researched by David Sexton
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