Best capture card for Nintendo Switch in 2024 – top picks reviewed
We compare the best capture card for the Nintendo Switch
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If you’re a Nintendo Switch player looking for a way to both stream and record all types of on-screen content, then we recommend hooking up a capture card to your PC, as this will ensure that all of your gaming footage is then able to be streamed or recorded. Unlike other latest-generation consoles, the Nintendo Switch hasn’t been built to support any type of internal streaming or recording, which is the reason why your computer PC is going to need an appropriate card to be able to take the relevant HDMI signals and stream the footage.
This is where a capture card comes into the mix! Seeing as you’re here, we’re sure that you already know what one is, but if you’d like a refresh, a capture card is a type of card that will be able to capture footage from your Nintendo Switch and works in a very similar way to that of screen-capture software.
- 03Mid Range PickAVerMedia Live Gamer Portable Capture Card
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Best capture card for Nintendo Switch in 2024: in-depth review
There are a lot of capture card options out there – and not all of them are good. So, to help you cut through the clutter and find the perfect capture card for you, we’ve carefully hand-selected 5 five of the best on the market right now and reviewed each one of them, which you can find below. Just read on – certainly one of the best Nintendo Switch accessories to pick up!
Elgato HD60S
Elgato Game Capture HD60S
Resolution
1080p
Framerate
60fps
Interface
USB 3.0
- The sleek design of this capture card will add a striking touch to your gaming setup.
- This capture card will allow you to add a voiceover, your webcam, and even overlays to your footage!
- This is one of the more expensive capture card options.
First up, we have selected the Elgato HD60 S Capture Card, which is one of the most popular capture cards suitable for the Nintendo Switch currently available to buy. Read on to find out why!
For starters, the Elgato HD60 S Capture Card offers a super sleek exterior, with streamlined curves and an eye-catching LED status strip that will help to elevate your current media setup with a striking look.
Plus, thanks to its ability to offer an impressive 1080p, Full HD image quality, you can use this capture card with the peace of mind that you’re going to be able to record all of your gaming footage without any lags or jumps – so it’s a great choice for amateur and professional streamers, alike.
The HD60 S Capture Card has also been equipped with plenty of usability and convenience thanks to its USB 3.0 connection. Thanks to that, you’ll be able to get this capture card up and running in a matter of minutes due to its simple USB-C connector, so there’s no fuss or faff.
As soon as you’re ready to begin playing, this advanced capture card will instantly begin to utilize the power of its advanced GPU acceleration to ensure that all of your gaming footage is seamlessly recorded. You even have the option to add a voiceover, your webcam, cool overlays, and more!
KKF 4K
KKF 4K Video Capture Card
video capture
4K USB3.0 1080P 60FPS H
Game Capture Device Work
PS5 PS4 Xbox Nintendo Switch DSLR for Twitch
- Ideal for streamers looking for the best quality gaming footage, this capture card offers Full HD and the ability to support up to 60fps.
- This capture card comes with a 12-month warranty.
- Despite its super fast and powerful performance, this card does not offer the ability to add overlays/voiceovers.
If you’re a Twitch streamer and need a capture card that’s going to be able to capture your gaming footage in crystal clear definition, you’d be making a good choice to go for the KKF 4K Video Capture Card.
This awesome capture card features an advanced smart chip that will be able to support all of your gaming footage in Full HD and can support up to 60fps clear images. Thanks to that, armed with this capture card, you’ll be able to record all of your streaming footage in high definition with no lags or pixelation problems.
Plus, offering plenty of ease-of-use, the KKF 4K Video Capture Card also comes with a “plug and play” design that will be able to allow you to begin capturing all of your favorite gaming footage in a matter of minutes. As soon as it arrives at your doorstep, all you will need to do is insert the USB – and you’ll be good to go.
Not only that, but thanks to its USB3.0 type C interface, you’ll be able to enjoy a super-fast transmission as soon as you hit record, and it even comes with the security net of a 12-month warranty.
AverMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus
AverMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus
Resolution
1080p
Framerate
60fps
Interface
USB 3.0
- The portable design of this card will ensure you’re able to stream whenever you want.
- Compatible with third-party applications: Creating professional, high-quality content has never been easier!
- The larger design of this capture card may not be to everyone’s liking.
If you’re the type of gamer that likes to stream on the fly – then the AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable Capture Card is a match made in heaven for you. Unlike other types of capture cards on the market, the AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable Capture Card features a PC-free mode that will allow you to initiate 1080p 60fps recording without needing to be hooked up to a PC!
Not only that but thanks to its simple “plug and play” technology, the Live Gamer Portable Capture Card will begin working as soon as you get it out of the box. Unlike other video capture cards, this one has been equipped with LGP2 Plus Technology, which means that it will be completely compatible with your current PC or Mac’s software.
Plus, ideal for streamers, the AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable Capture Card also comes with 3rd party support, and works with a variety of external applications that will make producing content as easy as can be, including Streamlabs, OBS, XSplit, and more!
Lyleyu HDMI
Lyleyu HDMI Capture Card
Real-time Preview,Capture card
1080p60fps
Video output resolution
Max output can be 1920x1080p@60Hz
Support video forma
8/10/12bit Deep color
OS Support
Windows / Android / MacOS
- Great for those looking to save money
- This card will capture your Switch footage in 1080p
- It may not be advanced enough for professional streamers or content creators
Just because you might be on a budget doesn’t mean that you need to pass up on a high-quality capture card – and the Lyleyu HDMI Capture Card is a perfect example of this. This affordable capture card is a bestseller, and it’s certainly easy to see why. Offering the ability to record videos at a maximum of Full HD (1080p) at 60fps, this small but powerful capture card will ensure that all of your gaming footage is in crystal clear definition with no lagging or latency issues.
Plus, unlike other capture cards that we have seen, we really like the simplicity of the Lyleyu Capture Card. Ensuring fast transmission and plenty of reliability, this USB card will instantly begin to capture both HDMI video and HDMI audio as soon as you begin playing and will ensure no time delay or the need for an additional driver or external power supply.
Though it doesn’t come with some of the features some of the more premium options on our list might have, given the usability and ability to capture both video and audio in Full HD at 60fps, the Lyleyu HDMI Capture Card is fantastic for the price, and nothing to be sniffed at.
TreasLin USB3
TreasLin USB3 Game Capture Card
Gaming capture card
Compatible with all 1080P 720P hdmi device
Compatible with
HD video Support 48K and 44.1K audio input
USB
3.0, 300-350 MB
- This capture card can stream and record footage up to 4K!
- All you will need to do is plug it in and go.
- No voiceover option: Unlike other capture cards, this one does not provide the ability to add a voiceover, which may be an issue when it comes to editing.
Last but certainly not least, we have selected the TreasLin USB3 Game Capture Card, which is a great choice to consider for gamers of all levels. This versatile and user-friendly capture card is ideal for all types of streamers, including those who have never used one before. With no need to install a driver, this TreasLin Capture Card will allow you to simply plug it in and begin recording, so it’s ideal for those who aren’t overly tech-savvy.
Plus, ideal for live Switch streaming, there is a zero-latency promise when you use the HDMI loop-out port, which will ensure that you’ll never have to worry about lagging or latency issues when streaming gaming footage in realtime on Twitch or another type of gaming platform.
On top of that, when in use, the TreasLin USB3 Game Capture Card will be able to capture all of your gaming footage up to 4K, which makes it an excellent choice for streaming switch gaming in real-time. You can even use this versatile capture card on a PS5, XBOX One, and more!
Best capture card for Switch: things to consider
If you’re currently asking yourself – “What makes a good capture card?” – then rest assured that you’re not the only one. Before we get into the best capture cards currently available that are suitable for your Switch, we’re first going to explain to you some of the main features you should look for when selecting the best capture card for your needs. Let’s take a look:
Connectivity
Believe it or not, one of the most important yet most easily overlooked considerations of a capture card is the connectivity design. The interface of a capture card essentially refers to the design of the capture card and in turn the way that it will need to be connected to your chosen PC so that you can stream/record. With all that being said, capture cards can come in a variety of different connectivity options, but by far, one of the most popular capture card connectivity designs is a simple USB. USBs are not only cost-effective (which means that capture cards with one are often some of the most affordable) USBs are also super easy to use and hook up to your PC, so it’s a great choice for beginners or those looking for a little bit of convenience.
Another popular type of connection type used for capture cards is PCIe, which is a little trickier to set up than a USB cord, but it is known for its ability to record footage more efficiently, without any lagging. For this reason, PCIe capture cards are a favorite of professional Twitch streamers,
Performance
Seeing as you’re looking for a capture card that is going to be able to allow you to stream your gaming footage, it only makes sense that you make sure you get your hands on one that’s going to be able to stream in high quality, right? Right.
Even though we have made sure to select the finest quality capture cards (at multiple different price points) we still want to bring this point to your attention. When looking for a capture card to buy, it’s very important that you make sure that you are looking at how many supported image resolutions, as well as how many frames per second the capture card is going to be able to handle. As a general rule of thumb, it is strongly recommended that you do not opt for any capture cards that fall below the ability to capture footage in 1080p (Full HD) as if you opt for anything less, you’re going to find that your streaming footage is pixelated and unclear for viewers.
As a side note, even though Full HD capacity is considered the norm, if you would like to create very high-quality footage, then you could alternatively consider purchasing a capture card that offers something known as Ultra HD, which is essentially the ability to capture all of your switch footage in 4K. Though this may not be necessary for all, it is highly recommended to those that are planning to Twitch stream, as this will guarantee an unparalleled and immersive viewing experience for your audience.
Software
Regardless of which type of capture card that you ultimately choose to go with, it’s also important to keep in mind that each card will come with its own unique software. Though this software will vary from card to card, the software will allow you to use your capture card to record, live stream, and even edit your footage, and the quality of the software will vary from brand to brand.
Luckily, all of the capture cards that we have included within this review come with high-quality, easy-to-use software that will make streaming and editing your footage a walk in the park. However, regardless of that, the software of a capture card is still something to take into consideration and be aware of while making your final decision, especially as there is certain software that allows for a variety of different features – including streaming overlays, inserting a webcam, and even the ability to add voice overs.
How We Choose
When it comes to our product selections, we take them seriously. That’s why, you’ll never find us recommending a product to you isn’t going to guarantee that you get a strong performance or the best value for your money, So much so, that we only ever recommend products to you that we know for a fact are tried, tested and true – and are going to live up to your expectations and then some.
Wondering how we do this, though? We’re glad you asked. With regards to selecting our top capture cards suitable for your Nintendo Switch, we have made sure to take a variety of factors into consideration when making our choices, including connectivity, speed, and the overall price and performance, to ensure that you are going to get the very best value for your money.
Capture card FAQs
What is the best capture card for Nintendo Switch?
The Elgato Game Capture HD60S is the best capture card for Nintendo Switch in 2022, equipped with all the core features and benefits you could want for a complete streaming setup.
Are capture cards for Nintendo Switch expensive?
Not necessarily. There are a bunch of exciting capture cards available in today’s market, all offering up good value for money.
Final word
All in all, there are plenty of benefits to using a capture card, and we hope that you’ll have been able to find your newest addition to your gaming setup from the list above. If you’re still on the fence about which one to go for, then our best overall pick is the Elgato HD60 S Capture Card, which is a fantastic all-rounder with a simple and easy-to-understand software system that makes it great for experienced streamers and newcomers, alike.
On the flip side, if you are looking for a capture card that is going to be able to offer you a great performance at an affordable price point, then we strongly recommend going for the Lyleyu HDMI Capture Card, which is one of the cheapest capture cards on the market currently with the ability to capture footage in Full HD, at an impressive 60fps. Thank you for reading, and happy streaming!
