Buying Guide
The Best Capture Cards for PS5
We weighed five streaming devices on connection and key figure, and the Guermok 4K60 pass-through costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
The PS5 outputs over HDMI, so a capture card needs HDMI passthrough to keep your TV or monitor lag-free. Every pick is an HDMI capture card with passthrough, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh type, what it does and connection as the makers state them; we did not test these streaming devices ourselves, and any figure a maker omits is noted as missing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Guermok USB 3.0 HDMI Capture Card (4K60 pass-through)
The lowest price among these streaming devices at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for Guermok USB 3.0 HDMI Capture Card (4K60 pass-through) (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
XIIXMASK USB 3.0 HDMI Capture Card
4K pass-through.
Best for: Buyers who want 4K pass-through.
Our take Check price for XIIXMASK USB 3.0 HDMI Capture Card (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Acer USB 3.0 HDMI Capture Card with 4K Loop-Out
A mic input for commentary.
Best for: Buyers who want mic input for commentary.
Our take Check price for Acer USB 3.0 HDMI Capture Card with 4K Loop-Out (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Elgato Game Capture Neo
4K60 HDR passthrough.
Best for: Buyers who want 4K60 HDR passthrough.
Our take Check price for Elgato Game Capture Neo (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Elgato HD60 Pro PCIe Capture Card
1080p60 capture with passthrough at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for Elgato HD60 Pro PCIe Capture Card (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Guermok USB 3.0 HDMI Capture Card (4K60 pass-through) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Guermok 4K60 pass-through is built around 4K60 HDMI passthrough, with mic in, audio in, headphone and speaker ports on top.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It passes 4K60 through to your display and captures 1080p60 or 2K30 over USB 3.0. Mic-in, audio-in and headphone ports let you mix commentary without a separate interface. It needs no driver and works with OBS, Streamlabs, Zoom and Teams.
Headphone and speaker outputs let you monitor the audio. You also get 2K30 capture as an alternative mode. 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 was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the XIIXMASK was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Type: Game capture card
- What it does: Captures a console or second PC
- Connection: HDMI in and out, USB 3.0
- Key figure: 1080p60 capture, 4K60 passthrough
Pros
- 4K60 HDMI passthrough
- Mic in, audio in, headphone and speaker ports
- 2K30 capture as an alternative mode
- The lowest price among these streaming devices at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
XIIXMASK USB 3.0 HDMI Capture Card on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The XIIXMASK stands out for 4K pass-through, and it adds a 3.5mm mic input for commentary.
Best for
- Buyers who want 4K pass-through.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Guermok 4K60 pass-through cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It passes a 4K signal through to your display while capturing at up to 2K30, so gameplay stays lag-free on your screen. A 3.5mm mic input lets you add commentary without a separate interface. It streams to YouTube, Twitch and Facebook through standard capture software, and both USB-A and USB-C cables come in the box.
You also get an aluminum alloy shell. 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 was priced above the Guermok 4K60 pass-through and below the Acer loop-out at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Type: Game capture card
- What it does: Captures a console or second PC
- Connection: HDMI in and out, USB 3.0 or USB-C
- Key figure: 1080p60 capture, 4K pass-through
Pros
- 4K pass-through
- 3.5mm mic input for commentary
- Aluminum alloy shell
Cons
- Costs more than the Guermok 4K60 pass-through at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Acer USB 3.0 HDMI Capture Card with 4K Loop-Out on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Acer loop-out stands out for a mic input for commentary, and it adds no drivers or external power needed.
Best for
- Buyers who want mic input for commentary.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Guermok 4K60 pass-through, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It passes 4K through to your display and captures 1080p60, with a mic input for commentary. It connects over USB 3.0. YUY2 output gives a clean image in capture apps without extra processing.
A mic input adds commentary without an extra interface, and USB 3.0 keeps capture smooth. It suits console streaming at 1080p60. 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. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper XIIXMASK and the pricier Game Capture Neo, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Type: Game capture card
- What it does: Captures a console or second PC
- Connection: HDMI in and out, USB 3.0
- Key figure: 1080p60 capture, 4K loop-out
Pros
- Mic input for commentary
- No drivers or external power needed
- 4K HDMI loop-out
Cons
- Costs more than the Guermok 4K60 pass-through at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Elgato Game Capture Neo on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Elgato's Game Capture Neo records 1080p60 and passes 4K60 HDR through to your TV.
Best for
- Buyers who want 4K60 HDR passthrough.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Guermok 4K60 pass-through cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It needs no drivers. It works with a PC or an iPad. It captures from PlayStation, Xbox, Switch or any HDMI console, and it is small enough to sit next to the console.
The capture unit is about the size of a smartphone, so it packs easily for events. Setup needs only three connections: the console, the display and a computer or iPad. You also get driver-free setup.
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 was priced above the Acer loop-out and below the HD60 Pro at the time of writing.
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, 4K60 HDR passthrough
Pros
- 4K60 HDR passthrough
- 1080p60 capture
- Driver-free setup
Cons
- Costs more than the Guermok 4K60 pass-through at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Elgato HD60 Pro PCIe Capture Card on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The HD60 Pro is built around 1080p60 capture with passthrough, with Instant Gameview low-latency preview on top.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Guermok 4K60 pass-through was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It sits in a PCIe slot and captures 1080p60 with zero-lag passthrough. Flashback recording and unlimited capture length come through Elgato's software. Instant Gameview keeps delay low while recording, and recordings save to your drive with no time limit.
It suits a desktop with a spare PCIe slot. You also get an internal card that frees a USB port. 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 was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Game Capture Neo.
Key dimensions & specs
- Type: Internal PCIe capture card
- What it does: Captures a console or second PC
- Connection: PCIe, HDMI in and out
- Key figure: 1080p60 capture
Pros
- 1080p60 capture with passthrough
- Instant Gameview low-latency preview
- Internal card that frees a USB port
- 1080p60 capture key figure, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Guermok 4K60 pass-through at the time of writing
How We Chose These Capture Cards for PS5
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Setup needs
- We checked what else each item needs to work.
- Role
- We grouped each item by what it does in a streaming setup.
- Key figures
- We noted resolution, key counts, reach and brightness where listed.
- Connection
- We recorded HDMI, USB and mounting details.
What to Look for in a Capture Card for PS5
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
Audio first
Viewers forgive a soft image sooner than bad audio. A decent mic on an arm is often the best first upgrade.
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.
USB bandwidth
Capture cards and 4K cameras use a lot of USB bandwidth. Give them their own port rather than a shared hub.
How to Choose a Capture Card for PS5
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | Guermok 4K60 pass-through | The lowest price among these streaming devices at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want 4K pass-through | XIIXMASK | 4K pass-through |
| Buyers who want mic input for commentary | Acer loop-out | A mic input for commentary |
| Buyers who want 4K60 HDR passthrough | Game Capture Neo | 4K60 HDR passthrough |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | HD60 Pro | 1080p60 capture with passthrough at the highest price in the group |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guermok 4K60 pass-through | Game capture card | Captures a console or second PC | HDMI in and out, USB 3.0 | 1080p60 capture, 4K60 passthrough |
| XIIXMASK | Game capture card | Captures a console or second PC | HDMI in and out, USB 3.0 or USB-C | 1080p60 capture, 4K pass-through |
| Acer loop-out | Game capture card | Captures a console or second PC | HDMI in and out, USB 3.0 | 1080p60 capture, 4K loop-out |
| Game Capture Neo | Game capture card | Captures a console or second PC | HDMI in and out, USB | 1080p60 capture, 4K60 HDR passthrough |
| HD60 Pro | Internal PCIe capture card | Captures a console or second PC | PCIe, HDMI in and out | 1080p60 capture |
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 |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Guermok 4K60 pass-through, XIIXMASK, Acer loop-out |
| About $100 to $150 | Game Capture Neo, HD60 Pro |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
The Guermok 4K60 pass-through. It undercut the XIIXMASK when we checked, while the HD60 Pro cost the most of the group.
Is one PC enough to game and stream?
For most games, yes, especially with hardware encoding on a modern GPU.
Does this gear work with OBS?
Capture cards and cameras appear as sources in OBS; Stream Deck has OBS integration.
Can I stream a console without a capture card?
Consoles can stream directly to some platforms, but a capture card lets you add overlays and a camera on the PC.
Do I need HDR capture?
Only if you record HDR footage. Most live streams are SDR.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Guermok 4K60 pass-through, chosen for the lowest price among these streaming devices at the time of writing. Look at the XIIXMASK for 4K pass-through, the Acer loop-out for a mic input for commentary and the Game Capture Neo for 4K60 HDR passthrough if those matter more to you.
Turn off HDCP in the PS5 settings, or the capture card will get a black screen.