Buying Guide
The Best 4K Capture Cards
Five streaming devices compared, from the Live Gamer Duo to the HD60 S+, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A 4K capture device brings a 4K HDMI source into your PC. Console capture cards add passthrough to a TV or monitor; camera dongles such as the Cam Link 4K do not, so check which type each pick is.
We sorted these picks by type, what it does and connection, working from the makers' own data; any figure a maker omits is noted as missing, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Premium Pick
Elgato HD60 S+ Capture CardThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 4K60 HDR10 passthrough.
Best for: Buyers who want 4K60 HDR10 passthrough and can spend more than the 4K Pro costs.
Check price for Elgato HD60 S+ Capture Card on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Elgato 4K Pro Internal Capture CardHDMI 2.1 input and output.
Best for: Buyers who want HDMI 2.1 input and output.
Check price for Elgato 4K Pro Internal Capture Card on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Elgato 4K X Capture CardHDMI 2.1.
Best for: Buyers who want HDMI 2.1.
Check price for Elgato 4K X Capture Card on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Elgato HD60 S External Capture CardTrue passthrough for lag-free play.
Best for: Buyers who want true passthrough for lag-free play.
Check price for Elgato HD60 S External Capture Card on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
AVerMedia Live Gamer Duo PCIe Capture CardThe lowest price among these streaming devices at the time of writing.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the HD60 S the next step up.
Check price for AVerMedia Live Gamer Duo PCIe Capture Card on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 5
Elgato HD60 S+ Capture Card
Elgato's HD60 S+ captures 1080p60 HDR10 with 4K60 HDR10 passthrough.
Best for
- Buyers who want 4K60 HDR10 passthrough and can spend more than the 4K Pro costs.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Live Gamer Duo was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Flashback recording lets you capture moments after the fact. It passes 4K60 HDR10 through while recording 1080p60 HDR10, so a PS5 or Series X keeps its full output on your TV. No other pick in this guide offers a 1080p60 HDR10 capture key figure; compare the 4K X, which has a 4K144 with VRR passthrough key figure.
A capture card needs the console or second PC's HDMI output and a free USB port on the streaming PC; check which USB version it needs. Only the 4K Pro came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key specs
- Type
- Game capture card
- What it does
- Captures a console or second PC
- Connection
- HDMI in and out, USB
- Key figure
- 1080p60 HDR10 capture
Pros
- 4K60 HDR10 passthrough
- 1080p60 HDR10 capture
- Flashback recording
- 1080p60 HDR10 capture key figure, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Live Gamer Duo at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
Elgato 4K Pro Internal Capture Card
The 4K Pro stands out for HDMI 2.1 input and output, and it adds variable refresh rate passthrough.
Best for
- Buyers who want HDMI 2.1 input and output.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Live Gamer Duo cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It passes up to 8K60 through over HDMI 2.1 while capturing 4K60, so a high-refresh display is not held back. It works with OBS, Streamlabs, Zoom and Teams. It records up to 240fps and passes VRR through, so a G-SYNC or FreeSync display keeps working.
Latency stays low enough to keep stream and play in sync. A capture card needs the console or second PC's HDMI output and a free USB port on the streaming PC; check which USB version it needs. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Live Gamer Duo at the time of writing. It was priced above the 4K X and below the HD60 S+ at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Type
- Internal PCIe capture card
- What it does
- Captures a console or second PC
- Connection
- PCIe, HDMI 2.1 in and out
- Key figure
- 8K60 passthrough, up to 240fps capture
Pros
- HDMI 2.1 input and output
- Variable refresh rate passthrough
- 8K60 passthrough
Cons
- Costs more than the Live Gamer Duo at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Elgato 4K X Capture Card
Elgato's 4K X uses HDMI 2.1 to pass through up to 4K144 with VRR.
Best for
- Buyers who want HDMI 2.1.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Live Gamer Duo, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It needs a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port. It works with OBS, Streamlabs, Zoom and Teams. VRR passthrough keeps gameplay tear-free, and it works with OBS, Streamlabs and Twitch Studio.
No other pick in this guide offers a 4K144 with VRR passthrough key figure; compare the HD60 S+, which has a 1080p60 HDR10 capture key figure. A capture card needs the console or second PC's HDMI output and a free USB port on the streaming PC; check which USB version it needs. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Live Gamer Duo at the time of writing. It was priced above the HD60 S and below the 4K Pro at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Type
- Game capture card
- What it does
- Captures a console or second PC
- Connection
- HDMI 2.1, USB 3.2 Gen 2
- Key figure
- 4K144 with VRR passthrough
Pros
- HDMI 2.1
- 4K at up to 144Hz
- VRR passthrough
- 4K144 with VRR passthrough key figure, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Live Gamer Duo at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Elgato HD60 S External Capture Card
What the HD60 S brings to the table is true passthrough for lag-free play, plus Instant Gameview low-latency preview.
Best for
- Buyers who want true passthrough for lag-free play.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Live Gamer Duo, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It captures 1080p60 with zero-lag passthrough, and Flashback recording lets you go back and save a moment. Recording goes straight to your drive with no time limit. Instant Gameview keeps latency low while you play, and recordings go straight to your drive with no time limit.
A 1080p60 capture key figure is unique to it among these picks, while the 4K X uses a 4K144 with VRR passthrough key figure. A capture card needs the console or second PC's HDMI output and a free USB port on the streaming PC; check which USB version it needs. Its price falls between the Live Gamer Duo and the 4K X, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Type
- Game capture card
- What it does
- Captures a console or second PC
- Connection
- HDMI in and out, USB
- Key figure
- 1080p60 capture
Pros
- True passthrough for lag-free play
- Instant Gameview low-latency preview
- Unlimited recording to your hard drive
- 1080p60 capture key figure, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Live Gamer Duo at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
AVerMedia Live Gamer Duo PCIe Capture Card
What the Live Gamer Duo brings to the table is two HDMI inputs in one slot, plus onboard HDR-to-SDR tone mapping.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the HD60 S the next step up.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
Two HDMI inputs capture a console and a camera from one PCIe slot. Pass-through handles 4K HDR or 1080p at 240fps, so the game stays lag-free on your screen. Onboard processing tone-maps HDR to SDR before the signal reaches the PC, which saves CPU load, and both inputs record uncompressed.
Two inputs in one slot suit a streamer who wants gameplay and a DSLR feed without a second card. A capture card needs the console or second PC's HDMI output and a free USB port on the streaming PC; check which USB version it needs. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the HD60 S the next step up.
Key specs
- Type
- Internal PCIe capture card
- What it does
- Captures two HDMI sources
- Connection
- PCIe, dual HDMI in
- Key figure
- Dual 1080p capture, 4K60 HDR or 1080p240 pass-through
Pros
- Two HDMI inputs in one slot
- Onboard HDR-to-SDR tone mapping
- Uncompressed Full HD capture from both inputs
- The lowest price among these streaming devices at the time of writing
How We Chose These 4K Capture Cards
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up five streaming gear on type, what it does, connection and key figure from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and all 4 compared fields are stated for every pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the HD60 S+ to the Live Gamer Duo, state type, what it does and connection.
- Who each pick suits
- The HD60 S+ for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 4K60 HDR10 passthrough; the 4K Pro for HDMI 2.1 input and output; the 4K X for HDMI 2.1.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Live Gamer Duo ($150 to $250) to the HD60 S+ ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a 4K Capture Card
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Features beyond the spec table
The 4K X: 4K at up to 144Hz. The HD60 S: Instant Gameview low-latency preview. The Live Gamer Duo: onboard HDR-to-SDR tone mapping.
Budget
$150 to $250 buys the Live Gamer Duo, the HD60 S and the 4K X; $250 to $500 buys the 4K Pro and the HD60 S+ at our last check.
A gaming room with a lit desk, a monitor and shelves of collectibles Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who want 4K60 HDR10 passthrough and can spend more than the 4K Pro costs: the HD60 S+. Spending as little as possible, with the HD60 S the next step up: the Live Gamer Duo.
Audio first
Viewers forgive a soft image sooner than bad audio. A decent mic on an arm is often the best first upgrade.
A desk with a microphone arm, a ring light and two monitors Light your face
A key light lets any webcam run a faster shutter and cleaner image. Mount it off to one side of the camera.
How to Choose a 4K Capture Card
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want 4K60 HDR10 passthrough and can spend more than the 4K Pro costs | HD60 S+ | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 4K60 HDR10 passthrough |
| Buyers who want HDMI 2.1 input and output | 4K Pro | HDMI 2.1 input and output |
| Buyers who want HDMI 2.1 | 4K X | HDMI 2.1 |
| Buyers who want true passthrough for lag-free play | HD60 S | True passthrough for lag-free play |
| Spending as little as possible, with the HD60 S the next step up | Live Gamer Duo | The lowest price among these streaming devices at the time of writing |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The HD60 S+, the 4K Pro and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Streaming gear | Type | What it does | Connection | Key figure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD60 S+ | Game capture card | Captures a console or second PC | HDMI in and out, USB | 1080p60 HDR10 capture |
| 4K Pro | Internal PCIe capture card | Captures a console or second PC | PCIe, HDMI 2.1 in and out | 8K60 passthrough, up to 240fps capture |
| 4K X | Game capture card | Captures a console or second PC | HDMI 2.1, USB 3.2 Gen 2 | 4K144 with VRR passthrough |
| HD60 S | Game capture card | Captures a console or second PC | HDMI in and out, USB | 1080p60 capture |
| Live Gamer Duo | Internal PCIe capture card | Captures two HDMI sources | PCIe, dual HDMI in | Dual 1080p capture, 4K60 HDR or 1080p240 pass-through |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Live Gamer Duo, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the HD60 S+ at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Streaming gear |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Live Gamer Duo, HD60 S, 4K X |
| About $250 to $500 | 4K Pro, HD60 S+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the HD60 S+ the Premium Pick?
It carries the badge for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 4K60 HDR10 passthrough. The Live Gamer Duo, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at anyone who wants 4K60 HDR10 passthrough and can spend more than the 4K Pro costs.
Beyond the specs, what sets the HD60 S+ and the 4K Pro apart?
The HD60 S+: 4K60 HDR10 passthrough. The 4K Pro: HDMI 2.1 input and output. The 4K X: HDMI 2.1.
Who should choose the Live Gamer Duo?
The Live Gamer Duo carries our Lowest Price Here label for the lowest price among these streaming devices at the time of writing. It ranks fifth of 5 here and sat in the $150 to $250 tier at our last price check; it suits spending as little as possible, with the HD60 S the next step up.
Should I pick the HD60 S+ or the Live Gamer Duo?
The HD60 S+ suits buyers who want 4K60 HDR10 passthrough and can spend more than the 4K Pro costs; the Live Gamer Duo suits spending as little as possible, with the HD60 S the next step up.
What else do the HD60 S and the Live Gamer Duo offer?
The HD60 S: unlimited recording to your hard drive. The Live Gamer Duo: uncompressed Full HD capture from both inputs.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the HD60 S+, chosen for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 4K60 HDR10 passthrough. Look at the 4K Pro for HDMI 2.1 input and output, the 4K X for HDMI 2.1 and the HD60 S for true passthrough for lag-free play if those matter more to you.
Most streams go out at 1080p, so for consoles 4K passthrough matters more than 4K capture.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Streaming Gear for a PC
- Related guideThe Best Webcams for Streaming
- Related guideThe Best Streaming Gear for Gaming
- Lower budgetThe Best Capture Cards Under $30
- Similar guideThe Best Capture Cards for PS5
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Webcam for Your PC
- ExplainerWebcam Features Explained: What Is Worth Paying For?
- Also see: microphonesHow to Choose a USB Microphone for Your PC
- Similar guideThe Best Capture Cards for Gaming
- Topic hubAll webcams and streaming gear guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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