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.
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.
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.
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NAME | SPECS | RATING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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TOP PICK
|
 |
Elgato HD60 |
|
/10 | |
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RUNNER-UP
|
 |
Plugable Performance NIX |
|
/10 | |
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BUDGET
|
 |
Y&H Capture |
|
/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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
These aren’t cards, these are external capture devices
I enjoyed reading your article. I’m wondering if you have heard of or ever used Magewell’s USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 or Plus capture dongles? It’s driver-free, works with all OS. Supports live streaming / low latency. Works with all major streaming software from OBS to Vmix. Just curious why not included? Thanks!
Hey man.
Which card would be best for me if I’m trying to live stream an event using an ATEM video mixer from a Mac?
All I need is either a PCIe card that capture two HDMI inputs or a USB capture card taking one HDMI input. Doesn’t such capture cards exist?! I don’t need streaming capabilities inbuilt since I’ll do that from the computer running OBS etc.