Sure, the PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro can record up to an hour of gameplay independently, but streaming directly from the console and uploading footage to your gaming PC can be a hassle. So, if you don’t want to deal with the console's limitations, a great capture card is the way to go, often producing longer, better-looking clips with some handy extra features and support for various broadcast software like OBS and X-Split.
To help in the search for the best capture card for PS5, IGN’s team of experts has selected seven top options that work seamlessly with the console. We’ve had first-hand experience and done deep dives into various capture cards, and our picks range in price, features, and capabilities to make the most of capturing footage on the PS5. One is bound to suit your needs whether you just want something basic to save some gameplay clips to look back on later, or a high-quality option to take your livestreams up a notch and gain a few followers along the way.
TL;DR – These are the best capture cards for PS5:
The PlayStation 5 is a brilliant console capable of producing some stunning graphics, so finding a capture card that keeps up is key. You don’t always need to record footage at 4K/120fps, as many of the best PS5 games can’t even hit those frame rates and broadcast sites can’t handle them. But you still want something with great visual fidelity to keep your audience engaged. 1080p/60fps is usually a good sweet spot – all our picks hit or exceed that amount. Beyond that, HDR support can take the picture to another level, while audio inputs can make recording even easier.
Take a look at our favorite capture cards for PS5 below. None of them are exclusively for PS5 either, as they primarily capture anything sent through your HDMI cable, making them great capture cards for the Switch, the Xbox Series X/S, or a gaming PC. You may even score a great PS5 deal on one if you time it right.
1. AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1
Best Capture Card for PS5
Want to record or stream gameplay without time limitations and absolutely no sacrifices to the action? The AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 is the best capture card for the job. Unlike a large majority of capture cards on the market, this one takes full advantage of HDMI 2.1 connectivity, allowing for 4K at 144Hz pass-through with not a wink of latency. That exceeds what the PS5 is even capable of outputting. VRR and HDR aren’t lost either, with full support of both, keeping every game butter smooth and looking its best.
While no current capture card is capable of recording gameplay at the 4K/120Hz available on the PS5, the Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 comes close. It offers 4K/60Hz with HDR support. What you capture will look awesome, with bright, vibrant colors and rich details. Most streaming platforms, like YouTube Live and Twitch, don’t even support 4K/120Hz, so it’s not like your streams will be lacking in any way. That’s not all, as game chat, 5.1 surround sound, and party chat are supported, eliminating the need for extra cables, software, and headaches to enjoy a solid audio experience.
Like all the best capture cards, the Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 supports top capture software, including OBS, X-Spilt and RECentral 4, making it easy to use with just about any device. Beginners will also love its virtually plug-and-play, compact design that connects to the PS5 quickly. Just be sure to turn off HDCP on the console, as it can block the card from receiving a signal from the PS5. For a nice gamer's touch, a little bit of an RGB glow is baked in
2. AVerMedia Live Gamer Extreme 3
Best Value Capture Card for PS5
The AVerMedia Live Gamer Extreme 3 is more affordable than most of its competitors while still delivering exceptional performance with only a few minor compromises. It caps out at capturing footage at 4K30, but it may struggle at that higher resolution. Dropping down to recording at 1440p60 or 1080p60 is an easy solution. However, there’s no HDR support for any footage that’s captured.
The lack of HDR capture is disappointing. Luckily, the passthrough mode supports 4K60 HDR for a stunning picture as you play. VRR is supported when gaming in 1440p120 and 1080p120 to keep lag to a minimum for smooth gameplay, making it ideal for PS5 streamers and broadcasters who want games to play great with low latency while recording.
Adding to the value of the Live Gamer Extreme 3 is plug-and-play functionality. Even beginners can master this capture card surprisingly quickly using AverMedia’s easy-to-use RECentral 4. That software even allows for simultaneous streams on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
3. Elgato HD60 X
Best Budget 4K Capture Card for PS5
The Elgato HD60 X's biggest conundrum is deciding whether you want to capture 1080p at 60fps, or 4K at 30fps. Once you get past this, you can enjoy this affordable capture card for PS5. It offers a serious middle ground in the capture card market, as well as being reliable and lag-free.
Granted, it’s not the most stylish-looking device, and it’s not going to win any RGB awards, but it does what it says on the tin. Like some other capture cards, the Elgato HD60 X comes with its own free software for Windows, but since it supports third-party software too, I’d recommend going with the latter.
If you’re looking for a capture card that delivers lag-free 4K at 30fps, you won’t find much better at this price. But, if you want to achieve 4K60, you’re going to need to invest a little more, okay, quite a lot more into Elgato’s 4K60 S+. Overall, if you're just looking for something good that gets the job done, this is our current top pick for best capture card for general consumers.
4. AVerMedia Live Gamer Mini Capture Card
Best Budget Capture Card for PS5
The AVerMedia Live Gamer Mini Capture card is fantastic if you’re on a budget. This is an ideal starter card, allowing you to capture 1080p resolutions at 60fps. The device itself is small and compact; perfect if you need it to be portable.
With USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 compatibility, you can simply plug the AVerMedia Live Gamer Mini Capture card into your Windows PC or Mac - no drivers needed, no installation necessary! As well as using the capture card to capture PS5 gameplay, it also works with Xbox and Switch consoles.
Like the AVerMedia GC513 Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus, you can use RECentral 4 to edit your videos. But, the device is also compatible with OBS, so if you’re slightly more advanced or want to tinker with OBS Studio, you can.
5. Asus TUF CU4K30
Best General-Use Capture Card for PS5
The Asus TUF CU4K30 sits firmly in the middle of the road when it comes to PS5 capture cards. You don’t get 4K60, but there are plenty of other capture options, including 1080p at 120fps. So, you can expect excellent results that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
If you want to record footage for your YouTube or Twitch channels, this capture card ticks all the boxes. It’s compatible with PS5 and Xbox consoles and works with Windows or Mac. It also doesn’t require any software to set up (but doesn’t come with any included for free either).
Small, compact, and portable, the Asus TUF CU4K30 is like your best friend who can do no wrong. This device performs well, looks great, and really is a no-brainer at its price point.
6. EVGA XR1 Pro
Best PS5 Capture Card for Audio Mixing
If you’re just starting your career as a content creator, the EVGA XR1 Pro is a beginner-friendly capture card with a few extras that can make streaming and recording gameplay even easier. Unlike most capture cards, this one has built-in audio mixing with an actual dial for easily adjusting audio levels on the fly. That allows you to skip the hassle of finding an audio mixer or using additional software on PC or PS5 to change the game sound and chat mix, keeping you (and your audience) in the action at all times.
Now, this capture card doesn’t offer the recording resolution and passthrough of our top pick, the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1. Still, it delivers a commendable performance, with the ability to capture 1440p at 60fps and 4K at 30fps. Again, that’s more than most streaming services are capable of, so your streams should still look great to viewers. As for passthrough, 4K at 60fps with VRR and HDR is supported, making games still look and play excellent with minimal latency.
Since no drivers are required, the EVGA XR1 Pro can simply plug into a laptop or PC and console to get gaming quickly. It's compatible with most traditional streaming software and works seamlessly with not only PS5, but DSLR cameras, webcams, camcorders, and more. With customizable RGB LEDs and a sleek design, this capture card looks awesome, too.
7. AVerMedia GC513 Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus
Best Standalone Capture Card for PS5
The AVerMedia GC513 Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus can be used with or without a PC. It’s actually one of the only standalone capture cards, thanks to its support for high-capacity microSD cards up to 128GB. This feature works great and is easy to use. Unfortunately, due to the flexibility and simplicity of the AVerMedia GC513 Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus, it’s hard to come by, and the prices are inflated due to demand. A few buying options are linked, but be sure to do some of your own research. However, if you don’t need a PC-free capture card, grab one of our other picks, as they will provide much better value.
While AVerMedia GC513 Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus is a standalone device, it also works seamlessly with PC and is compatible with OBS and the easy-to-use RECentral software. To make life even simpler, audio mixing is built in for game and party chat, making it especially well-suited for beginners who don’t want to mess around with additional software.
Whether you’re a streamer, content creator, or hobbyist, you can record up to 1080p60 while gaming in 4K on your PS5. Now, there are plenty of other capture cards that hit higher resolutions and frame rates, but if you’re not fussed about capturing 4K natively, it shouldn’t matter much. At least 4K/60Hz passthrough is supported. Just don’t expect HDR support on this entry-level card. Still, if you’re after a PC-free capture card, this is your best (and only) option for the time being.
How to pick the best capture cards for PS5
To choose the best capture card for PS5, think about your priorities. If you stream on Twitch, for example, you may not need to spend as much as you thought since 4K streams aren't allowed.
Most middle-ground capture cards will support 1080p at 60fps, which is a good place to start. This will result in great video quality that is easily consumed by most audiences. You will probably find it’s easier to find a more affordable capture card in this range, too.
Some higher-end capture cards can even capture footage at 120fps in 1080p and 4K at 60fps, but anything above that frame rate is a waste of money when using it exclusively with the PS5. The console only supports a max refresh rate of 120Hz whether you’re gaming in 1080p, 1440p, or 4K, so buying a card with 144fps or 240fps support is useless. Also, most broadcast software and sites have caps on the refresh rates they support or struggle with higher frame rates.
The PS5 only supports external capture cards, so that'll make your decision between and internal or external capture card simple. Luckily, external capture cards are more portable, affordable, and easier to use than internal offerings.
FAQ
Can I stream PS5 to OBS with a capture card?
Many popular capture cards are compatible and support OBS. Since it’s one of the most popular pieces of software for streamers, most capture cards will state whether they are compatible or not. If your capture card is compatible, you simply need to connect your PS5 to the HDMI input on the card, connect the device to your computer, and then launch OBS Studio. Here, you can add a new video capture device source.
Is it better to stream from a PS5 with a capture card?
Although you can capture gameplay directly on your PS5, a capture card will not interfere while you game at all. The results are often of higher quality, allowing you to stream directly to platforms like Twitch and YouTube, as well as being able to edit the results using programs like OBS. That makes a capture card one of the best PS5 accessories to invest in if you're a streamer.
What is the point of a capture card?
Capture cards allow you to record and stream video and audio from a source, such as a PS5, Xbox, camera, and so on. They connect via the HDMI port on your console which can then be connected to your computer, allowing you to edit your captured gameplay. They are a worthwhile investment for content creators and streamers.
What are the best practices for using a PS5 capture card?
The best capture cards for the PS5 and PS5 Pro should be virtually plug-and-play, but there are a few things to keep in mind when using one with the console. Perhaps the most important is disabling HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) on PS5, as it can prevent capture cards from working with the console.
Next, you’ll want to choose an output resolution on the PS5 that is supported by the capture card. Also, consider if the card can handle HDR and adjust accordingly. If neither of these settings is changed, the footage could end up choppy or washed out. Don’t forget to ensure that the audio synced up as well, and be sure to enable HDMI audio output if that’s where you’re sourcing sound. Some capture cards will allow party chat to be recorded, while others may require additional software and cables.
Of course, the basics, such as selecting the right low-latency capture card for your needs, using high-quality cables, and maintaining a cool setup, are equally important to get the most out of your captured footage.
Kegan is an avid gamer who has been playing games since his Atari days. From a young age Kegan was tinkering with PCs and now has a passion for building custom gaming computers.
