If you’re looking to start streaming your gameplay, you’re going to need a capture card. In this guide, we’ve rated and compared six of the best capture cards for streaming to help you find the right option for your needs and budget.
There are many different reasons why you might want to consider using a capture card for recording. One of those reasons is the fact that capture cards are typically able to capture crisp audio quality and exceptional video quality without obstructing the performance of the video or gameplay that is being recorded.
Jan 05, 2020 1. MiraBox Card. ClonerAlly 4KC. Hauppauge HD. Elgato HD60S. ClonerAlly 4KP. Razer Ripsaw. ClonerAlly BP. Elgato HD60P.
In this product list, there are going to be seven different types of capture cards that provide different benefits and features to the users that might be interested in purchasing them. Each of these features might be great for you and your capture card needs if you are looking for a efficient design quality and optimal performance.
Table of Contents
1. Quick-Look: Top Capture Cards
2. Top Pick: Elgato HD60 S
3. Runner-Up: Plugable Performance NIX
4. Budget Pick: Y&H Capture
5. Honorable Mentions
A Quick Look at the Best Capture Cards for Streamers
If you’re looking for a quick view at our top picks for the best capture cards for streaming, the table below highlights three of our favorite capture cards. We’ve picked the best option overall, a runner-up pick, and a budget-friendly choice, too.
| NAME | SPECS | RATING |
Elgato HD60 |
| 8.9/10 |
Plugable Performance NIX |
| 8.7/10 |
Y&H Capture |
| 8.6/10 |
*For more information on the capture cards listed above, click the “Read Review »” link to jump down to read our overview on that card. You can also see our Honorable Mention picks by going further down on this post.
Our Top Pick:
Elgato HD60 S
Our Rating: 8.9/10
The Elgato Game Capture HD is one of the most impressive capture cards in the entire industry. This particular capture card is capable of recording high definition 1080p content from both the Xbox and PlayStation.
The capture card is easy to hook up and comes with software that is capable of handling all of the daily operations of using the capture card. It is also a simple process to change the video quality and edit audio behavior.
The HD60 S offers built-in live streaming to platforms like Twitch and YouTube. Webcams and overlays are also supported, and you can add them to your stream or gamplay through the included software.
The Elgato HD60 S has also received exceptional customer feedback and is priced extremely reasonably for all of the high-quality features it possesses. There’ aren’t a lot of better options currently available that can offer what the Elgato HD60 S brings to the table.
Runner-Up Pick:
Plugable Performance NIX
Our Rating: 8.7/10
The Plugable Performance NIX 1080P 60FPS Capture Card with USB might be a great capture card for streaming because of its affordable price range and high-quality feature set that comes along with it. This particular capture card is intended for gaming and streaming in high quality.
The Plugable Performance NIX supports many different consoles and platforms. The device supports 1080p streaming, and all recordings can be configured to run at 60 frames per second. Another great piece of information for streamers is the fact that this particular capture card works perfectly with popular streaming software is like Xsplit and the OBS streaming software.
Budget Capture Card:
Y&H Capture Card
Our Rating: 8.6/10
The Y&H HDMI Game Capture Card inherits the characteristics of being a great capture card for streaming purposes. This capture card is among the lowest priced options on the market.
Even with this affordable price range, there are still dozens of nice features like screen sharing, live streaming, and 1080p video recording. You don’t need to install or update drivers with this capture card, and it is designed to work with USB 3.0 technology for faster transfer speeds.
There are many popular streaming programs that are compatible with this capture card including OBS studio and VLC Media Player.
Honorable Mention #1:
MYPIN Game Capture Card
Our Rating: 8.6/10
The MYPIN HDMI Game Capture Card USB has earned the right to be ranked within a top 5 best capture cards on the market. One of the reasons that it is so popular is because it is incredibly affordable for beginners and is capable of producing 1080p HD quality at 60 frames per second. Live streaming is this capture card’s specialty, allowing for HDMI streaming to popular platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
No external drivers are required to download after installing this particular capture card. Everything is integrated into the device and is ready to go after plugging in and playing.
The MYPIN capture card is compatible with many popular consoles including PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. This card might be one of the best choices for a casual gamer that is looking to start streaming.
Honorable Mention #2:
MiraBox Capture Card
Our Rating: 8.6/10
The MiraBox Capture Card, USB 3.0 HDMI Game Capture Card Device features improved Support that allows players to stream directly to their favorite streaming platforms with 1080p quality at 60 frames per second. This capture card is a plug-and-play device, and no additional drivers are required.
There is enhanced compatibility for a number of the world’s most popular gaming consoles so that streaming is made more accessible than ever before.
An HDMI Loop out cord can eliminate latency from this game capture device to allow streaming in real time all steel retaining high-quality video and audio. MiraBox is a somewhat reputable brand in the capture card industry as many customers have praised the design of the MiraBox capture card.
The card is also fairly affordable at this price range which might make it one of the better budget options currently available on the market.
Honorable Mention #3:
AVerMedia AVerCapture HD
Our Rating: 8.6/10
The AVerMedia AVerCapture HD presents users with the ability to stream from their Xbox and PlayStation in high definition quality up to 1080p.
This particular capture card is capable of ultra low-latency streaming and recording. Users can stream and share directly to YouTube and Twitch which comes as a nice benefit for users that want a simple process to begin streaming on their favorite social media platforms.
The manufacturer includes a 2-year warranty after registration at the AVerMedia website.
Which Capture Card is Right for You?
This capture card buyer’s guide has compared seven of the best capture cards that are currently available on the market. Each of these capture cards offers something a little bit different for users that are looking to record high-quality gameplay. There are small differences between each of these capture cards, which might make it difficult for you to choose the right one for your needs.
It is essential to factor in your price range and to take a look at the individual values of each capture card to ensure you are getting the best bang for the buck.
Back in the early days of gaming, showing off your skills required a trip to the local arcade, or maybe setting up your dad's VHS camera in front of the television. But the growing influence of YouTube has allowed gamers to cultivate brands around their commentaries and Let's Play videos. And with sites like Twitch, it's easier than ever to post streaming gameplay online. Of course, you still need a reliable way to record that footage--especially in the case of consoles.
Purchasing game capture hardware can require a decent investment, and there's a number of factors to consider before you take the plunge. Do you need portability? Are you planning to record to a Windows or Mac operating system? How about recording in-game chat? Here's a rundown of the best game capture hardware on the market.
Hauppauge HD PVR 2 Gaming Edition
For a number of years, Hauppage has manufactured a line of competent Personal Video Recorders. Currently, the HD PVR 2 is available in three different versions: the standard model (which is geared more toward television recording), the HD PVR 2 Gaming Edition, and the HD PVR 2 Gaming Edition Plus. The primary advantage of the Plus model boils down to Mac compatibility straight out of the box--the non-Plus version requires a $30 software download--and the ability to record 5.1 channel audio.
But while the HD PVR 2 is compatible with Macs, it's important to note capturing is the only option; the streaming, editing, and publishing tools are only available to Windows users. Unlike most of the other capture devices on our list, the HD PVR 2 also requires a power cord instead of drawing power via USB. And while power source may seem like a small concern, the comparatively low max video bit rate of the HD PVR 2 (14MBps) is something to consider. On the plus side, the HD PVR 2 is capable of recording not just through HDMI, but also composite cables--handy if you're capturing from older consoles. You can also record in-game chat with the use of a PC mic.
Best Video Game Capture Device For Mac Pro
Pricing and Availability
The HD PVR 2 Gaming Edition Plus retails for .
Roxio Game Capture HD Pro
While it may not include all the bells and whistles of the HD PVR 2, Roxio's little capture box is a great option for anyone more inclined to stream gameplay over Twitch. The max video bit rate of 15Mbps leaves a bit to be desired, but the Game Capture HD Pro is still capable of recording nice HD footage in either 720p or 1080i, with easy output to a multitude of formats, including .avi, .mp4, and .wmv. And unlike the HD PVR 2, you can power the Game Capture HD Pro right through an included USB cable.
But the real advantage of the Game Capture HD Pro is for streaming live gameplay to Twitch. Roxio has marketed its device as a ridiculously simple way to get a stream up and running, with the added option of running your audio commentary through the same Game Capture HD Pro unit. And if you've already messed around with streaming to Twitch, you're aware that keeping tabs on bandwidth and connection speed is a big concern--the Game Capture HD Pro automatically tests both. And if you're in need of capturing from an older piece of hardware, Roxio's hardware also offers component cable hookups.
Pricing and Availability
The Roxio Game Capture HD Pro retails for and is only compatible with Windows.
Elgato Game Capture HD
Easily one of the most highly regarded units on our list, Elgato's Game Capture HD is a simple, yet powerful way to record game footage from your Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3. Hooking up the Elgato Game Capture HD is incredibly simple, as the little black box only requires an HDMI cable (included) and a USB cable (also included). Elgato boosts up the max video bit rate to 30Mbps in .mp4, and the Game Capture HD can output full 1080p HD video.
Elgato's hardware is compatible with either Windows or Mac, and its diminutive size is definitely an advantage if you're planning on taking the Game Capture HD over to a buddy's house to record or stream gameplay. Streaming to Twitch or YouTube simply requires a single button press, and Elgato's software is capable of automatically lowering game volume while you deliver commentary. Flashback Recording allows you to rewind your gameplay back an hour, and retroactively record that headshot, even when you forgot to hit the red button. But keep in mind, there's no SD option for older console capture.
Pricing and Availability
The Elgato Game Capture HD is available for .
AverMedia Live Gamer Portable
Best Video Game Capture Device For Mac Windows 10
You may have noticed one consistent issue with all of the options on this list, so far: they all need a PC or Mac to record your gameplay footage. AverMedia addressed the problem this year with the release of the Live Gamer Portable. As the name would suggest, AverMedia has created a capture device specifically aimed at taking the show on the road. The Live Gamer Portable is still able to record to PC, but insert an SD card and you can take this unit anywhere (assuming you have a big enough SD card, of course).
Much like the other devices on this list, the Live Gamer Portable is capable of recording 1080p footage encoded in H.264 to keep file sizes smaller, with an impressive max video bit rate of 60Mbps. The unit includes inputs for both HDMI and component connections, and an LED-backed button on the top of the Live Gamer Portable is used for starting/stopping recording. The unit is also capable of easy streaming to Twitch, and publishing to YouTube.
Pricing and Availability
The AverMedia Live Gamer portable retails for .
Blackmagic Intensity
Lastly, Blackmagic offers a line of high-end video input and editing hardware, but you're also going to pay a premium price. While the Intensity Shuttle and Intensity Extreme are really geared toward video editors, they offer a full set of features for anyone capturing game footage. Capable of inputting HD and SD footage in a number of formats and resolutions, the Intensity line is probably the most versatile hardware on the list. Both the Shuttle and the Extreme can even up-convert real time SD to 1080 or 720 HD, with a max video bit rate of 60Mbps.
The Shuttle is Windows only (although Blackmagic offers a Thunderbolt option) and requires USB 3.0. Meanwhile, the Intensity Extreme can work with either Windows or Mac, and includes Thunderbolt compatibility (and Thunderbolt equals tons of bandwidth for uncompressed video). But keep in mind, the Thunderbolt option isn't a passthrough--so you're just feeding directly into the Mac only.
Pricing and Availability
Video Capture Mac Os
The Blackmagic Intensity Shuttle retails for , while the Intensity Extreme sells for $300.
The Other Options
Hdmi Video Capture For Mac
Of course, you don't necessarily need a separate hardware unit to capture gameplay footage or stream an online show. PC gamers have been using graphics cards with HDMI input for years, and Nvidia just recently announced its own ShadowPlay system which records PC game footage with the ability to rewind and record. Blackmagic sells a card compatible with both PC and Mac, with both HDMI and analog inputs. And moreover, the next generation of consoles will change things considerably. Both the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One will offer easy video recording and sharing when they launch this holiday.
Best Video Capture Device For Windows 10
The important thing is finding the right device for you, and it all depends on the features you need, the hardware you own, and just how much cash you're willing to spend to show off the time you ejected from a jet in Battlefield 3 and sniped someone on the ground.
Best Video Game Capture Device For Mac Windows 10
Matt Clark is a freelance writer covering the world of videogames, tech, and popular culture. Follow him on Twitter @ClarkMatt and MyIGN at Matt_Clark.