The 10 Best Capture Cards in 2027
The Elgato Game Capture 4K X ($249.99) is the best capture card, with capture up to 4K at 144 frames per second, HDMI 2.1 and HDR10 over a single USB 3.2 Gen 2 cable. The AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 is #2 and the Elgato Game Capture 4K Pro is #3. For value, the Elgato Game Capture 4K S at $159.99 is the pick.
At a glance
| # | Pick | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elgato Game Capture 4K X | $249.99 | A console or PC player who wants 4K144 capture over a single USB cable |
| 2 | AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) | Not published | A USB capture card with the highest passthrough frame rates on the list |
| 3 | Elgato Game Capture 4K Pro | $299.99 | A desktop PC or dual PC streaming setup that needs 8K60 passthrough |
| 4 | AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K 2.1 (GC575) | Not published | A desktop PC build that wants 4K144 capture on a PCIe slot |
| 5 | Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Pro | Not published | A pro setup that wants the fastest USB link on the list |
| 6 | Elgato Game Capture 4K S | $159.99 | The lowest price on this list for 4K60 capture |
| 7 | ASUS TUF Gaming Capture Box-CU4K30 | $209.99 | A console player who wants 4K60 HDR passthrough with 4K30 capture |
| 8 | Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus | Not published | A work or studio setup that wants a Magewell capture box with HDMI loop-through |
| 9 | Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Mini Recorder 12G | $445 | A video or broadcast workflow that needs 12G-SDI capture on a laptop |
| 10 | Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Express Recorder 3G | $179 | A pocket-sized HD recorder for cameras and SDI sources |
Pick by what you want
The ranking
Elgato Game Capture 4K X
The 4K X captures up to 4K at 144 frames per second and passes video through at up to 4K144, limited to 4K120 on screens that use Display Stream Compression. It connects over USB 3.2 Gen 2 with HDMI 2.1 and supports HDR10. Elgato lists the price at $249.99.
AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)
The GC553G2 captures 2160p144 on Windows and 2160p60 on macOS, with passthrough up to 2160p144, 1440p240 and 1080p360 (HDR/VRR). It connects over USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C at 10Gbps with HDMI 2.1 and handles 5.1 channel surround audio. AVerMedia does not publish a price on the page.
Elgato Game Capture 4K Pro
The 4K Pro is an internal card with 8K60 passthrough and up to 4K60 capture, with VRR and HDR10. It uses PCIe 2.0 x4 and HDMI 2.1. Elgato lists the price at $299.99.
AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K 2.1 (GC575)
The GC575 is a PCIe Gen 3 x4 card with HDMI 2.1. It captures 2160p144 in Streaming Center and 2160p60 otherwise, with passthrough up to 2160p144, 1440p240 and 1080p360 (HDR/VRR) and 5.1 channel surround. AVerMedia does not publish a price on the page.
Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Pro
The USB Capture HDMI 4K Pro captures up to 4096x2160 at up to 240 fps and loops the HDMI signal through at up to 4096x2160 at 60 fps 4:4:4. It uses USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 with up to 20G throughput and has a 3.5mm jack for a microphone or headphones. Magewell does not publish a price on the page.
Elgato Game Capture 4K S
The 4K S captures 4K60 or high frame rate footage up to 1080p240 and passes video through at up to 4K60 HDR, or up to 1080p240 with VRR. It connects over USB-C and UVC and supports HDR10. Elgato lists the price at $159.99.
ASUS TUF Gaming Capture Box-CU4K30
The CU4K30 passes video through at 4K60Hz HDR, 1440p144Hz HDR and 1080p240Hz HDR, and streams in 4K up to 30 fps, 2K up to 60 fps and Full HD up to 120 fps. It uses a USB 3.2 Gen1x1 Type-C connection and HDMI 2.0. The ASUS eShop price is $209.99.
Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus
The USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus captures up to 3840x2160p30 or 1920x1080p90 and accepts input and loop-through up to 4096x2160, including 2560x1440p144. It uses USB 3.0 and HDMI 2.0, with a 3.5mm jack for microphone or headphones. Magewell does not publish a price on the page.
Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Mini Recorder 12G
The UltraStudio Mini Recorder 12G captures SD, HD and Ultra HD over 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 and connects over Thunderbolt 4. Blackmagic Design lists the price at $445. It is a video workflow tool, not a gaming card, so there is no passthrough rating.
Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Express Recorder 3G
The UltraStudio Express Recorder 3G captures SD and HD standards up to 1080p60 over 3G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 and connects over USB Type-C supporting USB 40Gbps. Blackmagic Design lists the price at $179.
How we ranked these
Questions people ask
What is the best capture card in 2027?
The Elgato Game Capture 4K X at $249.99: capture up to 4K at 144 frames per second over USB 3.2 Gen 2, with HDMI 2.1 and HDR10.
What is the best value capture card?
The Elgato Game Capture 4K S at $159.99, with 4K60 capture, up to 4K60 HDR passthrough and a USB-C connection.
Which capture card on this list has 8K passthrough?
The Elgato Game Capture 4K Pro, which lists 8K60 passthrough and up to 4K60 capture on a PCIe 2.0 x4 card.
Which capture cards on this list fit inside a PC?
The Elgato Game Capture 4K Pro (PCIe 2.0 x4) and the AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K 2.1 (PCIe Gen 3 x4) are internal cards. The others are external.
Price shown by the maker (USD) at a glance
Official sites
- Elgato Game Capture 4K X · elgato.com
- AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) · avermedia.com
- Elgato Game Capture 4K Pro · elgato.com
- AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K 2.1 (GC575) · avermedia.com
- Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Pro · magewell.com
- Elgato Game Capture 4K S · elgato.com
- ASUS TUF Gaming Capture Box-CU4K30 · eshop.asus.com
- Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus · magewell.com
- Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Mini Recorder 12G · blackmagicdesign.com
- Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Express Recorder 3G · blackmagicdesign.com
Prices, specs and availability change; confirm on the official site before you buy.