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 The PC Journal editorial team
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
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Premium Pick
Elgato HD60 S+ Capture Card
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 4K60 HDR10 passthrough.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Elgato HD60 S+ Capture Card (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Elgato 4K Pro Internal Capture Card
HDMI 2.1 input and output.
Best for: Buyers who want HDMI 2.1 input and output.
Our take Check price for Elgato 4K Pro Internal Capture Card (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Elgato 4K X Capture Card
HDMI 2.1.
Best for: Buyers who want HDMI 2.1.
Our take Check price for Elgato 4K X Capture Card (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Elgato HD60 S External Capture Card
True passthrough for lag-free play.
Best for: Buyers who want true passthrough for lag-free play.
Our take Check price for Elgato HD60 S External Capture Card (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
AVerMedia Live Gamer Duo PCIe Capture Card
The lowest price among these streaming devices at the time of writing.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for AVerMedia Live Gamer Duo PCIe Capture Card (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 5
Elgato HD60 S+ Capture Card on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Elgato's HD60 S+ captures 1080p60 HDR10 with 4K60 HDR10 passthrough.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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.
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 dimensions & 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
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Role
- We grouped each item by what it does in a streaming setup.
- Setup needs
- We checked what else each item needs to work.
- Connection
- We recorded HDMI, USB and mounting details.
- Key figures
- We noted resolution, key counts, reach and brightness where listed.
What to Look for in a 4K Capture Card
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Do you need a capture card
Streaming a PC game from the same PC needs no capture card. A capture card is for consoles, a second PC or a camera.
Audio first
Viewers forgive a soft image sooner than bad audio. A decent mic on an arm is often the best first upgrade.
USB bandwidth
Capture cards and 4K cameras use a lot of USB bandwidth. Give them their own port rather than a shared hub.
Stream controls
A Stream Deck puts scene changes, mute and alerts on physical keys. The number of keys decides how much fits on one page.
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.
Passthrough for consoles
Passthrough lets you play on your TV or monitor without capture delay. Check the refresh rate and HDR support it passes through.
How to Choose a 4K Capture Card
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want the most complete package | 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 | 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
Figures as each maker states 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
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| 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
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
At our last price check the Live Gamer Duo was the cheapest pick and the HD60 S+ the most expensive; the HD60 S was the next step up from the Live Gamer Duo.
Does this gear work with OBS?
Capture cards and cameras appear as sources in OBS; Stream Deck has OBS integration.
What should I buy first for streaming?
Usually a microphone, then lighting, then a better camera. Controllers and capture cards depend on your setup.
Do I need HDR capture?
Only if you record HDR footage. Most live streams are SDR.
Is one PC enough to game and stream?
For most games, yes, especially with hardware encoding on a modern GPU.
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.