For a PS5, the Elgato Game Capture 4K X is the best match if you want to record or stream at 4K with HDMI 2.1 passthrough, the Elgato HD60 X is the sensible mid-range choice if 1080p capture with a 4K passthrough is enough, and a PCIe card such as the Elgato 4K Pro or an AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra suits a desktop that you plan to stream from every day.
Our top picks
Capture Card- 【1080P HD High Quality】Capture resolution up to 1080p…
- 【Plug and Play】No driver or external power supply…
- 【Compatible with Multiple Systems】suitable for Windows and Mac…
Capture Card 4K HDMI Video Streaming to- High-Quality Video Capture, 4K HDMI Capture Card Ready:…
- Plug-and-Play USB Capture Card, No Drivers Needed: Designed…
- Universal Compatibility PS5, Xbox, Switch & More: Stream…
| Product | Key specs | |
|---|---|---|
 Elgato 4K S Capture Card for PS5 | Check price | |
| Capture Card | 【1080P HD High Quality】Capture resolution up to 1080p… 【Plug and Play】No driver or external power supply… 【Compatible with Multiple Systems】suitable for Windows and Mac… | Check price |
| Capture Card 4K HDMI Video Streaming to | High-Quality Video Capture, 4K HDMI Capture Card Ready:… Plug-and-Play USB Capture Card, No Drivers Needed: Designed… Universal Compatibility PS5, Xbox, Switch & More: Stream… | Check price |
 XIIXMASK USB 3.0 HDMI Capture Card | Check price |
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What a capture card does for a PS5
The PS5 can already save short clips and screenshots on its own and can broadcast to some services directly. A capture card adds a separate path: the console sends video to the card, the card passes the picture to your TV or monitor, and also sends a copy to a computer for recording, overlays or live streaming through software such as OBS. People buy one for higher-quality recording, custom overlays, face cam layouts and recording to a PC drive.
Three terms decide whether a card fits your setup:
- Passthrough: The video signal that goes on to your TV. It should support the modes you play in, such as 4K at 60 or 120 frames per second, HDR and variable refresh rate, if your display supports them.
- Capture: The video that the card sends to your computer. This can be lower than passthrough. A card may pass 4K120 to your TV while capturing at 1080p60, for instance.
- Connection: External cards use USB; internal cards use PCIe. USB 3.0-class connections limit what some cards can capture, so use the port and cable the maker specifies.
Comparison at a glance
| Model | Best for | Key stated specs (per maker) | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elgato Game Capture 4K X | High-end external capture | Passthrough up to 4K144 over HDMI 2.1, capture up to 4K144, USB 3.2 Gen 2 over USB-C, HDR10 on Windows, VRR and ALLM support | Premium tier; reduced capture on slower USB ports; HDR10 capture Windows only |
| Elgato HD60 X | Mid-range external capture | 1080p60 capture, passthrough up to 4K60 with HDR10, VRR support | No 4K capture |
| Elgato 4K S | 4K60 capture for streamers | 4K60 capture and passthrough with HDR | Less future-proof than HDMI 2.1 cards |
| Elgato 4K Pro | Desktop PCIe card | 4K60 HDR10 capture, internal PCIe card | Needs a free PCIe slot; desktop only |
| AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 | HDMI 2.1 passthrough alternative | High frame rate passthrough, 4K capture, USB connection | Software less polished than some rivals |
| AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus | Standalone recording to storage | Records 1080p without a PC, uses card or storage | No 4K |
| Razer Ripsaw HD | Budget 1080p capture | 1080p60 capture, 4K60 passthrough | Older design |
Model details are drawn from maker descriptions and may vary by revision; compare against the product page before purchase.
Best overall: Elgato Game Capture 4K X
The maker lists passthrough and capture of up to 4K144, HDMI 2.1 support, HDR10 capture on Windows only, and VRR and ALLM support, delivered over USB 3.2 Gen 2 through a USB-C port. For a PS5, which outputs up to 4K120 where the game and TV support it, this lets you keep your display settings at their best while recording. The maker notes that slower USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports work with reduced capture resolution, so connect it to a fast port on your computer. It also supports Mac and iPad according to the maker. The trade-offs are the premium tier and the need for a capable computer if you record at high settings.
Best mid-range: Elgato HD60 X
If most of your audience watches on streaming platforms that are capped at 1080p or 1440p, capturing at 1080p60 while passing 4K to your TV is a sensible balance. The maker lists HDR10 and VRR passthrough. Reviewers generally find setup simple on both Windows and Mac. The card is lighter on your computer than a 4K capture, so it suits modest laptops.
Best for 4K60 capture: Elgato 4K S
The 4K S captures at 4K60 with HDR. It is a good fit for people who want 4K recordings but are not chasing 120 Hz. Reviewers note that the HDMI 2.1 cards are newer, so if you play at 4K120 and want your TV to keep that mode while you capture, check the passthrough specification carefully.
Best internal card: Elgato 4K Pro
A PCIe card sits inside a desktop, so there is no extra cable to a computer port and no concern about USB bandwidth. The maker lists 4K60 HDR10 capture. It suits a dedicated streaming PC. The cost is portability: you cannot easily move it to a laptop.
Alternative with HDMI 2.1: AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1
AVerMedia sells capture cards aimed at the same buyers. The Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 targets high frame rate passthrough and 4K capture through USB. Reviewers appreciate the choice, though the software is typically less refined than the market leader. Look at which recording software and presets the maker supports.
Best for no-PC recording: AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus
Standalone recorders save gameplay straight to a card or drive without needing a computer. That suits players who want clips for sharing but do not stream. The limit is resolution: these units commonly record 1080p, and editing tools are less flexible.
Best budget: Razer Ripsaw HD
An older design that captures 1080p60 and passes 4K60 through. Fine for straightforward recording and Discord streaming, but it lacks HDMI 2.1 features.
PS5-specific setup notes
- HDCP: The PS5 enables HDCP copy protection by default, which can block capture. A setting in the console’s system menu allows you to turn HDCP off for capture; the console will then not display certain protected apps, and some streaming apps may stay blocked. Follow Sony’s current instructions in the console menu.
- HDMI cables: Use the HDMI cable included with the console for the console-to-card link, and a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable for 4K120.
- Resolution and HDR: If your capture looks washed out, try matching HDR settings between console, card and recording software.
- Latency: Capture cards with passthrough send the picture to your TV with little delay, so you do not need to play from the computer preview.
- Computer demands: 4K capture and software encoding need a capable processor or graphics card. Use hardware encoding in your recording software if available.
Pick X if…
| Pick this | If you |
|---|---|
| Game Capture 4K X | play at 4K120 and want the best passthrough and capture |
| HD60 X | stream or record at 1080p and want a simple external card |
| 4K S | want 4K60 recordings without HDMI 2.1 extras |
| 4K Pro | have a desktop PC with a free PCIe slot |
| Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 | want an alternative with high frame rate passthrough |
| Portable 2 Plus | want to record clips without a computer |
| Ripsaw HD | need a lower-tier 1080p card |
Alternatives to consider
- PS5 built-in capture: Free and simple for short clips and screenshots with no extra hardware.
- Remote Play to a PC: Lets you stream from the console through your computer without a capture card, though quality depends on your network.
- HDMI splitters with capture support: Sold by many makers, but check HDCP and HDMI 2.1 compatibility carefully.
Matching the card to your streaming goals
Think about where the video ends up. If you upload clips to social platforms, 1080p60 capture is usually plenty and keeps files manageable. If you edit trailers or archive gameplay, 4K capture gives more room to crop and re-frame. If you stream live, the bottleneck is often your upload speed and encoder, not the card, so a mid-range card paired with a capable computer can deliver a better result than a premium card on an underpowered machine. Also plan the cabling: the console feeds the card, the card feeds the display, and the computer connects by USB or PCIe. Label cables and keep spares of certified HDMI cables to avoid black-screen troubleshooting later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a capture card to stream PS5 games?
Not always. The PS5 has built-in options for broadcasting to some services and for recording clips. A capture card gives you more control, such as custom overlays, higher quality and recording on a PC.
Why does my capture card show a black screen with the PS5?
The most common reason is HDCP, the copy protection that the PS5 turns on by default. Turn it off in the console’s settings for capture, and use a supported HDMI mode. Some apps remain blocked by design.
Does the capture card need 4K for 4K gaming?
No. A card can pass 4K to your TV while capturing at a lower resolution such as 1080p60. This keeps the game looking its best while limiting file size and computer load.
What USB port should I use?
Use the fastest port the maker specifies. For the Game Capture 4K X, the maker says that USB 3.2 Gen 2 over USB-C gives full capability, while slower ports reduce capture resolution.
Will a capture card add lag to my gameplay?
Cards with passthrough send the picture to your display with minimal delay. Play from the TV or monitor rather than the computer preview, which has more latency from processing.
Can I capture PS5 games on a Mac?
Some cards, including the Elgato models, list Mac support, but features such as HDR10 capture may be limited to Windows. Check the maker’s compatibility list for your exact card.
