A capture card sits between your console and your screen, passing the picture on to your display while it sends a copy to your computer for streaming or recording. Two numbers decide which one fits: what it records, called capture, and what it lets you see while you play, called passthrough.
The May edition of this list didn't hold up. Its pick for most streamers, the Elgato HD60 X, is now marked discontinued on Elgato's own store, and several of its spec lines didn't match the makers' pages, so it has been rebuilt for October.
Accordingly, every card spec and price below comes from its maker's own product page, captured on October 3, 2026, and each entry links that page. Prices move often, so treat them as a dated snapshot rather than a promise.
What is the best capture card in 2026? The Elgato 4K X is our best capture card overall for October 2026: a USB card that records and passes through up to 4K144 over HDMI 2.1, listed at $249.99 on Elgato's store. For most streamers, the Elgato 4K S at $159.99 covers 4K60 capture for less.
Capture Versus Passthrough: The Two Numbers That Matter
Every game capture card here has two resolution ceilings, and they answer different questions. Capture is what your viewers and your recordings get, while passthrough is what you see on your own screen as you play.
Here's how to read them:
- Passthrough should match your display. If your TV runs 4K at 120Hz, a card that passes through only 4K60 holds your own screen to 4K60 for as long as it's plugged in.
- Capture should match your audience. Your stream doesn't have to match your TV, so a card that records 4K60 or even 1080p60 can be enough on a 4K screen.
- HDR can be narrower than the headline. The Elgato 4K S, for instance, passes through HDR10 up to 2160p60 but captures HDR10 only up to 1080p60, on Windows.
That's why each entry below lists both numbers, in the maker's own terms.
The October List At A Glance
The table sets the six side by side before the details. Prices are the makers' own US store prices on October 3, 2026, with the sale price where the store showed one.
| # | Card | Connection | Max capture | Max passthrough | Price, October 3 | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elgato 4K X | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | Up to 4K144 | Up to 4K144 | $249.99 | PS5, Xbox Series X and PC |
| 2 | Elgato 4K S | USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Up to 4K60 | 4K60, 1440p120, 1080p240 | $159.99 | Most streamers |
| 3 | AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 (GC553G2) | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | 4K144 (Windows), 4K60 (macOS) | 4K144, 1440p240, 1080p360 | $299.99 ($209.99 sale) | High-refresh displays |
| 4 | AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K 2.1 (GC575) | PCIe | Up to 4K60 | Up to 4K144 | $269.99 ($199.99 sale) | Single-PC rigs |
| 5 | Elgato 4K Pro | PCIe | Up to 4K60 | Up to 8K60 | $299.99 | 8K displays |
| 6 | Elgato Cam Link 4K | USB 3.0 | 4K30, or 4K60 in MJPG | None | $99.99 | A camera as a webcam |
Source: each maker's US product page, captured on October 3, 2026. 4K144 means 4K resolution at 144 frames per second, and 2160p is the same 4K resolution.
What's the difference between USB and PCIe capture cards? USB capture cards plug into a computer from the outside, so they move between machines and work with laptops. PCIe cards install inside a desktop, which suits a setup that games and streams on the same PC. On our October list, the 4K X, 4K S and GC553G2 are USB, and the GC575 and 4K Pro are PCIe.
How We Picked These
This is an editorial selection built on public information, and here's exactly where it comes from. Specs and prices are from each maker's US store page, captured on October 3, 2026, so the figures are the makers' own rather than ours.
First, every card had to clear three bars:
- On sale from its maker. Each card was listed as in stock on its maker's US store, which rules out the discontinued Elgato HD60 X and the sold-out Elgato Neo.
- Modern passthrough. Every game capture pick passes through at least 4K60, which matches the Nintendo Switch 2's top TV-mode resolution.
- A clear job. Each pick fills a different job on this list, from 8K passthrough to turning a camera into a webcam.
From there, the order weighs how much of a modern console and PC setup a card covers against its list price. The camera pick sits last because it has no passthrough and isn't built for consoles.
How did we pick these capture cards? Every card on our October list was in stock on its maker's US store, every game capture pick passes through at least 4K60, and each has a clear job. The order weighs how much of a console and PC setup a card covers against its list price. Specs and prices are from the makers' pages on October 3, 2026.
The Best Capture Cards To Buy In October 2026
Each entry opens with the maker's own numbers and says who the card is for.
1. Elgato 4K X: Best Overall
The Elgato 4K X is our best overall pick because one USB card handles all three consoles on this page at their top 4K output. Elgato's page lists recording and passthrough up to 4K144 over HDMI 2.1, along with HDR10 and variable refresh rate passthrough.
That headroom matters most for the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Sony lists 4K at 120Hz over HDMI 2.1 for the PS5, and Microsoft lists “4K at up to 120FPS” and an HDMI 2.1 port for the Xbox Series X, so both pass through at full speed while your computer records a copy.
Keep in mind that full speed depends on the port. Elgato asks for a USB 3.2 Gen 2 connection for maximum performance and says a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port works at reduced resolution.
Elgato's page adds two smaller caveats: HDR can't be captured at every resolution and frame rate combination, and passthrough is limited to 4K120 on screens that use Display Stream Compression. That said, at $249.99, it costs $90 more than the 4K S.
Buy it if you want one USB card that keeps up with a PS5, an Xbox Series X and a high-refresh PC monitor.
2. Elgato 4K S: Best For Most Streamers
The Elgato 4K S takes over from the discontinued HD60 X as our pick for most streamers. Elgato rates it for capture up to 2160p60 and passthrough up to 2160p60, 1440p120 or 1080p240, with variable refresh rate.
It's a natural fit for the Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo lists the console's TV-mode maximum as 4K at 60 fps, with 120 fps at 1080p or 1440p, and the 4K S passes through all three.
However, its HDMI 2.0 connection tops out at 4K60, so a PS5 or Xbox Series X running 4K at 120Hz would be held to 4K60 on your screen. HDR is narrower too, since Elgato lists HDR10 capture up to 1080p60, on Windows only, although HDR10 passthrough reaches 2160p60.
At $159.99, it's the least expensive game capture card on this list, and it connects over USB-C at 5Gbps.
Buy it if you stream at 1080p or 4K60, or you play on a Switch 2 or a TV that tops out at 60Hz.
3. AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1: Best For High-Refresh Displays
For very fast displays, the Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 is the USB pick. AVerMedia's page lists passthrough up to 2160p144, 1440p240 and 1080p360, each with HDR and variable refresh rate, over HDMI 2.1.
Be aware that its capture ceiling depends on your computer: 2160p144 on Windows and 2160p60 on macOS, per the same page. It connects over USB 3.2 Gen 2 at 10Gbps.
The May edition of this list credited it with 8K60 passthrough, but AVerMedia's spec sheet stops at 2160p144. The 8K card on this list is the Elgato 4K Pro, at No. 5.
Its $299.99 list price is why it ranks below the 4K X, although AVerMedia's store had it on sale for $209.99 on October 3.
Buy it if you play on a 240Hz or 360Hz monitor and want the passthrough to keep up.
4. AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K 2.1: Best PCIe Card
The Live Gamer 4K 2.1 brings 4K144 passthrough inside the PC. AVerMedia's headline is 4K144 pass-through and 4K60 capture, with HDMI 2.1 input and output and HDR support.
A PCIe card suits a single-PC setup, where you game and stream on the same desktop. Plus, it keeps your USB ports free for a microphone, a webcam and external drives.
The catch is installation, since you'll need to open the case and find a free PCIe slot. It lists at $269.99, below the 4K Pro's $299.99, and AVerMedia's store showed a sale price of $199.99 on October 3.
Buy it if you game and stream on one desktop PC.
5. Elgato 4K Pro: Best For 8K Displays
Only one card on this list passes through 8K, and it's the Elgato 4K Pro. Elgato's page sums it up in four words, “8K60 Passthrough, 4K60 Capture,” and lists HDR10 for both passthrough and recording.
What's more, its page says it can “capture a staggering 240fps,” though not at 4K, where its recording tops out at 4K60. Like the GC575, it goes inside a desktop, and Elgato lists a PCIe 2.0 x4, x8 or x16 slot.
At $299.99, it ties the GC553G2's list price as the most expensive card here. That price makes the most sense if you own an 8K TV.
Buy it if you own an 8K TV, or you want the highest passthrough resolution on this list.
6. Elgato Cam Link 4K: Best For Using A Camera As A Webcam
Unlike the rest of this list, the Cam Link 4K turns a camera with HDMI output into a webcam for your computer. Its supported resolutions, per Elgato, are 4K30 and 1080p60, plus 4K60 in the MJPG format.
It has no passthrough and isn't built for consoles, so it sits last on a list of game capture cards. That said, at $99.99 it's the least expensive device on this list.
Buy it if you already own a DSLR, mirrorless camera or camcorder and want to use it as your face-cam.
USB Or PCIe: Which Should You Buy?
The choice comes down to the computer you stream from. If you game and stream on one desktop, a PCIe card such as the GC575 or the 4K Pro keeps the job inside that machine.
If you stream from a laptop, or want to move the card between machines, buy USB instead, since a PCIe card needs a free slot inside a desktop. The 4K X, 4K S and GC553G2 all connect over USB-C.
Remember that consoles need a computer on the other end, too. Every card here sends its feed to a computer that does the recording or streaming, and Elgato lists laptops, PCs, Macs and iPads as hosts for the 4K X.
Which Capture Card Fits A PS5, Xbox Series X Or Switch 2?
It depends on what your console sends. The Elgato 4K S passes through every mode Nintendo lists for the Switch 2, while a PS5 or Xbox Series X at 4K120 needs a card whose passthrough reaches that high, such as the 4K X, GC553G2 or GC575.
Here's what each console maker lists:
- PS5. Sony lists HDMI 2.1 and 4K 120Hz output, so the 4K X, GC553G2 and GC575 all pass it through at full speed.
- Xbox Series X. Microsoft lists “4K at up to 120FPS” and an HDMI 2.1 port, so the same three cards fit.
- Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo lists a TV-mode maximum of 4K at 60 fps, and 120 fps at 1080p or 1440p, so the 4K S passes through every mode it lists.
In short, the 4K S at $159.99 is our Switch 2 pick, and the 4K X is our USB pick for either 4K120 console. If you also play on a 240Hz or 360Hz monitor, the GC553G2 is the USB option.
Which capture card is best for Nintendo Switch 2? The Elgato 4K S is our pick for Switch 2: Nintendo lists the console's TV-mode maximum as 4K at 60 fps, and the 4K S passes through up to 2160p60, 1440p120 and 1080p240 for $159.99. For a PS5 or Xbox Series X at 4K120, step up to the Elgato 4K X.
Can A Capture Card Record Netflix Or Other Streaming Apps?
No. Streaming apps protect their video with HDCP encryption, and the spec sheets for all four Elgato cards here list their input as unencrypted HDMI.
Of course, your own gameplay is the job these cards are built for. If a picture won't show up, start with the console's video output settings; the PS5, for one, displays its current HDCP version there.
A Note On Very Cheap Capture Sticks
Search for a capture card and you'll also see cheap, unbranded HDMI sticks. We left them out because our first bar requires a maker's own US store to list the card as in stock.
However, if you only want the occasional clip, one may do. For a regular stream, start with the Elgato 4K S at $159.99.
What Changed Since May
First, here's what happened to the May edition's six picks. All details are from the makers' pages on October 3, 2026.
| May pick | October status | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Elgato 4K X | Stays, No. 1 | Specs corrected: capture up to 4K144, USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Elgato HD60 X | Dropped | Elgato's page now says it's no longer available |
| AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 (GC553G2) | Stays, now No. 3 | 8K60 claim removed: passthrough tops out at 4K144 |
| AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K 2.1 (GC575) | Stays, now No. 4 | May's specs still match |
| Razer Ripsaw HD | Dropped | Razer's US Ripsaw range no longer lists it |
| Elgato Cam Link 4K | Stays, No. 6 | May's specs still match |
Next, two new cards join the list: the Elgato 4K S, our new pick for most streamers, and the Elgato 4K Pro, our 8K pick. Elgato's Neo, at $129.99, would have undercut every game capture pick here, but both colors were sold out on Elgato's store on October 3.
The list isn't fixed. We'll rebuild it when cards launch, sell out or change enough to move a place.
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers below use the makers' figures from October 3, 2026.
What does a capture card do?
A capture card takes the HDMI signal from a console, PC or camera and sends it to a computer, which records or streams it. Game capture cards also pass the picture through to your TV or monitor, so you keep playing on your own screen.
Is a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port enough for the Elgato 4K X?
It works, but not at full performance. Elgato asks for a USB 3.2 Gen 2 connection for maximum performance and says a Gen 1 port works at reduced resolution.
Which capture cards on this list work with a Mac?
Elgato lists Macs as hosts for the 4K X, and AVerMedia lists the GC553G2's capture at up to 4K60 on macOS. For the other four, check the product page before you buy, since this list doesn't quote their Mac support.
What replaced the Elgato HD60 X?
Elgato's page now says the HD60 X is no longer available. On this list, the Elgato 4K S at $159.99 takes over as our pick for most streamers.
Are these prices current?
They're the makers' US store prices on October 3, 2026, including two AVerMedia sale prices. Store prices change often, so check the product page before you buy.
How often is this list updated?
We'll update it whenever a card launches, sells out or changes enough to move a place. This edition was rebuilt at the start of October 2026, replacing a May version whose pick for most streamers had been discontinued.
Where To Start
Overall, start with the Elgato 4K S if you stream at 1080p, play on a Switch 2 or are buying for someone who does, and step up to the Elgato 4K X for a PS5 or Xbox Series X at 4K120. If you game and stream on one desktop, the AVerMedia GC575 keeps everything inside the case.
For the rest of your stream setup, see our guides to capture software, streaming microphones, stream decks, streaming lights and gaming headsets. Our gaming monitors roundup lists the screens that high-refresh passthrough is built for.
And for long streams, try our best gaming chairs roundup.
