10 bestCapture Cardsof May 2025
112M consumers helped this year.
1
Rybozen 4K Audio Video Capture Card, HDMI USB 3.0 Video Capture Device, Full HD 1080P for Game Recording, Live Streaming Broadcasting
Rybozen
10.0
2
Blackmagic Design UltraStudio 4K Mini (BM-BDLKULSDMINI4K)
Blackmagic Design
10.0
18% off
3
video capture card, Papeaso 4K HDMI to USB capture card, Full HD 1080p video capture device, HDMI Video Game Capture for Editing Video/Games/Streaming/Online Teaching(silver)
Papeaso
9.9
4
AVerMedia HDMI 2.1 Capture Card for Streaming and Gaming, VRR Support and HDR 4K Capture Card for PS5, Xbox series x/s, Xbox One, PS4, Switch-GC553G2 Live Gamer Ultra 2.1
AVerMedia
9.7
15% off
5
UGREEN Video Capture Card HDMI to USB C Streaming Device 1080P 60fps Game Audio Record 4K Loop Passthrough Compatible with Switch PS5 PS4 Xbox TV Stick iPad Pro DSLR Camera MacBook Laptop PC Quest 3
UGREEN
9.5
Other
Blackmagic Design DeckLink Quad 2
Blackmagic Design DeckLink Duo 2 4ch SDI Playback and Capture Card BMD-BDLKDUO2
AVerMedia Game Capture Card - Streaming and Recording 4K60 HDR with ultra-low latency on PS5, PS4 Pro, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One X, in OBS, Twitch, YouTube - GC573 Live Gamer 4K
XIIXMASK Video Capture Card, Audio Video Capture Card, USB 3.0 Capture Card 4K HDMI Loop-Out, 1080P 60FPS/2K 30FPS Video Game Capture for Streaming Works for PS5/Switch/Camera/PC/OBS(Black)
6
Elgato Game Capture Neo – USB Portable Capture Card 4K60 HDR Passthrough, 1080p60 Video Recording – For PS5/Xbox/Switch/iPhone – In OBS, Quicktime and more - Plug & Play/Works on Laptop, PC, Mac, iPad
Elgato
9.3
7
WARRKY 4K Loop Out Video Capture Card for Streaming, Work for PS4/PS5/XBOX/Switch/PC/Laptop/Camera/iPad, HDMI to USB 3.0 1080P 60FPS Record Game Capture Card, Video Capture Device for Live
WARRKY
9.1
8
Video Capture Card, USB3.0 HDMI to USB C Audio Capture Card, 4K 1080P 60FPS Capture with Type-C Adapter Devices for Gaming Live Streaming Video Recorder, Compatible with Windows Mac OS System OBS Zoom
Guermok
8.9
9
AVerMedia Live Gamer MINI GC311, 1080p60 Full HD Pass-Through, USB 2.0 Game Capture Card, Hardware Encoder, Plug & Play, For Beginners, Switch, PS4, Xbox, iPhone, iPad
AVerMedia
8.7
10
Blackmagic Design BM-BDLKDVQDHDMI4K Internal PCIe Video Capturing Device
Blackmagic Design
8.5
A Guide to Selecting the Best Capture Cards
When choosing a capture card, it's important to consider your specific needs and the type of content you plan to create. Capture cards are essential for recording or streaming video from various sources like gaming consoles, cameras, or other devices to your computer. Understanding the key specifications will help you make an informed decision and ensure you get the best performance for your setup.
Resolution and Frame Rate
Resolution refers to the clarity of the video, measured in pixels, while frame rate indicates how many frames per second (fps) the capture card can handle. Higher resolutions like 1080p or 4K provide clearer and more detailed images, and higher frame rates like 60fps result in smoother video. If you are streaming or recording high-action content like gaming, a higher resolution and frame rate are crucial. For casual streaming or recording, 1080p at 30fps might be sufficient.
Input and Output Ports
Capture cards come with various input and output ports, such as HDMI, SDI, or USB. These ports determine what devices you can connect to the capture card. HDMI is the most common and supports most modern devices. Ensure the capture card has the necessary ports to connect your gaming console, camera, or other video sources. If you plan to use multiple devices, look for a capture card with multiple input options.
Compatibility
Compatibility refers to whether the capture card works with your computer's operating system and the software you plan to use for streaming or recording. Some capture cards are designed specifically for Windows or macOS, while others are compatible with both. Check the system requirements and ensure the capture card supports your preferred streaming or recording software, such as OBS or XSplit.
Latency
Latency is the delay between the input signal and the output signal. Lower latency is crucial for live streaming and gaming, as it ensures that the video feed is as close to real-time as possible. High latency can result in a noticeable delay, which can be problematic for interactive content. Look for capture cards that advertise low latency or real-time streaming capabilities.
Encoding
Encoding refers to how the capture card processes and compresses the video data. Hardware encoding is done by the capture card itself, reducing the load on your computer's CPU and resulting in smoother performance. Software encoding relies on your computer's CPU, which can be more demanding. If you have a powerful computer, software encoding might be fine, but for less powerful setups, hardware encoding is preferable.
Pass-Through
Pass-through allows you to play your game or view your video on a separate monitor without any delay while the capture card records or streams the content. This feature is important for gamers who want to play without any lag. Look for capture cards with pass-through capabilities if you need to monitor your content in real-time while recording or streaming.
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