Buying Guide
The Best Capture Cards Under $30
Four streaming devices ranked on connection and key figure; the HeavenBird is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Under $30 a capture card is a basic USB HDMI dongle that records a console or second PC. Every card cost 30 or less when we checked and is a dedicated capture card.
The order reflects type, what it does and connection from maker specifications; gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
HeavenBird 4K HD Video Capture Card
Undercutting the Guermok USB-C on price when we checked.
Best for: Getting 3.5mm mic input and audio output for the least money.
Our take Check price for HeavenBird 4K HD Video Capture Card (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Guermok USB-C Video Capture Card
USB-C and USB 3.0 connection.
Best for: Buyers who want USB-C and USB 3.0 connection.
Our take Check price for Guermok USB-C Video Capture Card (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Guermok USB 3.0 HDMI Capture Card (4K60 pass-through)
4K60 HDMI passthrough.
Best for: Buyers who want 4K60 HDMI passthrough.
Our take Check price for Guermok USB 3.0 HDMI Capture Card (4K60 pass-through) (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Acer USB 3.0 HDMI Capture Card with 4K Loop-Out
The top of this price range, adding a mic input for commentary.
Best for: Spending more than the Guermok 4K60 pass-through costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Our take Check price for Acer USB 3.0 HDMI Capture Card with 4K Loop-Out (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercutting the Guermok USB-C on price when we checked. | Getting 3.5mm mic input and audio output for the least money. | Check price for HeavenBird 4K HD Video Capture Card (opens in a new tab) |
| USB-C and USB 3.0 connection. | Buyers who want USB-C and USB 3.0 connection. | Check price for Guermok USB-C Video Capture Card (opens in a new tab) |
| 4K60 HDMI passthrough. | Buyers who want 4K60 HDMI passthrough. | Check price for Guermok USB 3.0 HDMI Capture Card (4K60 pass-through) (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding a mic input for commentary. | Spending more than the Guermok 4K60 pass-through costs for the fullest feature set in this group. | Check price for Acer USB 3.0 HDMI Capture Card with 4K Loop-Out (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
HeavenBird 4K HD Video Capture Card on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the HeavenBird brings to the table is a 3.5mm mic input and audio output, plus recognized as a webcam without drivers.
Best for
- Getting 3.5mm mic input and audio output for the least money.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It captures 1080p60 and appears to the PC as a webcam, so it works in Windows, Mac and OBS without a driver. It connects over USB 3.0. A 3.5mm mic input and audio output mix commentary with game sound, and it works with Switch, PS5, Xbox and PC.
It carries a two-year warranty. You also get a USB 3.0 connection. 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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Guermok USB-C was closest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Type: Game capture card
- What it does: Captures an HDMI source
- Connection: HDMI in, USB 3.0
- Key figure: 1080p60 capture
Pros
- 3.5mm mic input and audio output
- Recognized as a webcam without drivers
- USB 3.0 connection
- 1080p60 capture key figure, the only one here
Also Consider2 of 4
Guermok USB-C Video Capture Card on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Guermok USB-C brings to the table is USB-C and USB 3.0 connection, plus an aluminum alloy shell.
Best for
- Buyers who want USB-C and USB 3.0 connection.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the HeavenBird cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It takes up to a 4K30 input over HDMI and captures at up to 1080p60 over USB 3.0. The aluminium shell sheds heat, and it needs no driver. It needs no driver or external power, and it streams to YouTube, Twitch and Facebook.
A USB-C adapter comes in the box. Its output tops out at 2K30 or 1080p60, so it suits console streaming rather than high-refresh PC capture. 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 HeavenBird and below the Guermok 4K60 pass-through at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Type: Game capture card
- What it does: Captures an HDMI source
- Connection: HDMI in, USB 3.0 and USB-C
- Key figure: 1080p60 capture, 4K30 input
Pros
- USB-C and USB 3.0 connection
- Aluminum alloy shell
- No drivers or external power needed
Cons
- Costs more than the HeavenBird at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
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
- Buyers who want 4K60 HDMI passthrough.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the HeavenBird cost less when we checked.
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. It also offers 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. On price it sat third of 4, between the cheaper Guermok USB-C and the pricier 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
- Key figure: 1080p60 capture, 4K60 passthrough
Pros
- 4K60 HDMI passthrough
- Mic in, audio in, headphone and speaker ports
- 2K30 capture as an alternative mode
Cons
- Costs more than the HeavenBird at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
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
- Spending more than the Guermok 4K60 pass-through costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the HeavenBird was cheaper at our last price check.
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.
Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the HeavenBird at the time of writing. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Guermok 4K60 pass-through.
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
- The top of this price range, adding a mic input for commentary
Cons
- Costs more than the HeavenBird at the time of writing
How We Chose These Capture Cards Under $30
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared four streaming gear on type, what it does, connection and key figure as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results, and every compared field is stated for all 4 picks.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the HeavenBird to the Acer loop-out, state type, what it does and connection.
- Who each pick suits
- The HeavenBird for undercutting the Guermok USB-C on price when we checked; the Guermok USB-C for USB-C and USB 3.0 connection; the Guermok 4K60 pass-through for 4K60 HDMI passthrough.
- Price range
- From the HeavenBird to the Acer loop-out, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Capture Card Under $30
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Extras that separate them
The Guermok USB-C: an aluminum alloy shell. The Guermok 4K60 pass-through: mic in, audio in, headphone and speaker ports. The Acer loop-out: no drivers or external power needed.
Where your budget lands
All 4 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the HeavenBird at the low end to the Acer loop-out at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Getting 3.5mm mic input and audio output for the least money: the HeavenBird. Spending more than the Guermok 4K60 pass-through costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the Acer loop-out.
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.
How to Choose a Capture Card Under $30
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting 3.5mm mic input and audio output for the least money | HeavenBird | Undercutting the Guermok USB-C on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want USB-C and USB 3.0 connection | Guermok USB-C | USB-C and USB 3.0 connection |
| Buyers who want 4K60 HDMI passthrough | Guermok 4K60 pass-through | 4K60 HDMI passthrough |
| Spending more than the Guermok 4K60 pass-through costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Acer loop-out | The top of this price range, adding a mic input for commentary |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The HeavenBird, the Guermok USB-C and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Streaming gear | Type | What it does | Connection | Key figure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HeavenBird | Game capture card | Captures an HDMI source | HDMI in, USB 3.0 | 1080p60 capture |
| Guermok USB-C | Game capture card | Captures an HDMI source | HDMI in, USB 3.0 and USB-C | 1080p60 capture, 4K30 input |
| Guermok 4K60 pass-through | Game capture card | Captures a console or second PC | HDMI in and out, USB 3.0 | 1080p60 capture, 4K60 passthrough |
| Acer loop-out | Game capture card | Captures a console or second PC | HDMI in and out, USB 3.0 | 1080p60 capture, 4K loop-out |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Acer loop-out our Premium Pick?
It carries the badge for the top of this price range, adding a mic input for commentary. It makes sense for spending more than the Guermok 4K60 pass-through costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
What extras do the HeavenBird and the Guermok USB-C include?
The HeavenBird: a 3.5mm mic input and audio output. The Guermok USB-C: USB-C and USB 3.0 connection. The Guermok 4K60 pass-through: 4K60 HDMI passthrough.
Who should choose the HeavenBird?
The HeavenBird carries our Lowest Price Here label for undercutting the Guermok USB-C on price when we checked. It ranks first of 4 here and sat in the under $50 tier at our last price check; it suits getting 3.5mm mic input and audio output for the least money.
Should I pick the HeavenBird or the Acer loop-out?
The HeavenBird suits getting 3.5mm mic input and audio output for the least money; the Acer loop-out suits spending more than the Guermok 4K60 pass-through costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
What else do the Guermok 4K60 pass-through and the Acer loop-out offer?
The Guermok 4K60 pass-through: 2K30 capture as an alternative mode. The Acer loop-out: 4K HDMI loop-out.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the HeavenBird, chosen for undercutting the Guermok USB-C on price when we checked. Look at the Guermok USB-C for USB-C and USB 3.0 connection, the Guermok 4K60 pass-through for 4K60 HDMI passthrough and the Acer loop-out for the top of this price range, adding a mic input for commentary if those matter more to you.
Check the maximum resolution at 60 fps, since many cheap cards pass through but record at lower settings.