Always wanted to record your epic moments from games and upload them to YouTube for people to enjoy. But you always wondered how do I stream with my Nintendo switch as it doesn’t support screen recording of more than 30 seconds. Don’t worry; I have got you covered with my list of best capture cards for your Switch. A capture card is a device that allows you to pass-through gameplay through your PC or Mac, which gives you the option to record or stream your gameplay. It converts your video and audio of your screen with an HDMI connection to your capture card; then, the pc processes the files. It saves in video format in your hard drive; it can be accessed as regular video files to edit and upload. Now make notes of your favourite capture cards and choose the right one for yourself that meets your requirements.
Best Capture Card For Nintendo Switch In A Quick Look!
Best Capture Card For Nintendo Switch
I have collected thousands of reviews and researched many lists to find the best capture card for your Nintendo Switch. This list will feature my top 6 products that have crushed their competitions and have made their spot on the list. I have covered every major factor of the capture card, such as their price, performance, and how good they are overall.
#1 – Elgato HD60 Pro
Elgato! It’s a big name in the industry when it comes to best capture cards. So, having the best capture card number one position will go to Elgato’s beautifully designed HD60 Pro. Many Gamers and well-known streamers use this card for their daily videos as it provides top-quality recordings.
The supported Resolution is 480p to 1080p60. Plugs into your PCIe Slot. Output and Inputs are both HDMI. Works with any console. Supports a Max Bitrate of 60 Mbps. It Features an H.264 encoder. Comes with Low-Latency Tech. Dimension( W x D x H): 122 x 56 x 14 mm. Weight: 102g.
Hd60 pro records and stream in 1080p 60 fps It uses an advanced H.264 encoder that allows videos to be of higher quality with minimal space. No lag! This card is directly connected to your PCIe slot giving instant output. Live stream directly to Twitch and YouTube. Can save the recordings in 1080p simultaneously while streaming.
Uses one of Pc’s PCIe slots. The card doesn’t work on Mac.
Streaming on Switch is not easy as there would always be lag while recording or streaming it. The past Elgato products used USB connections for their connectivity. HD60 Pro replaced that with PCI-e it means that the card will now connect to your Pc’s PCIe slot, which will give zero latency while streaming. Many Switch users complained about games not recording in good quality. With HD60 Pro, you don’t need to worry as it will capture the game in the highest quality possible, up to 1080p and 60 fps. It just requires a Pc with a processor above i5 4th Generation and a graphics card equivalent to GTX 660.
#2 – AverMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus
The lightweight and beautifully designed Avermedia’s Live Gamer card is as portable as it can get. It is easy to set up as it uses a USB cable to connect to a PC. The card offers two modes a PC mode and a PC free mode. HD60 Pro will provide the highest quality of stream and recording for whatever game you are playing on your Switch, depending on your internet connection. Elgato’s card is good for Switch and gives high-standard recordings and stream for Playstation and Xbox with zero latency. “Instant Gameview” is a feature installed in the card that allows viewers to view your stream without any disturbance instantly. It also includes flashback recording, by which you can rewind your stream if you forgot to start the recording. It’s the best overall capture card for Switch.
Interface: USB 2.0 (USB Micro). Video Input/Output: HDMI 2.0. Recording Resoluton: 1080p 60Hz. Can record without a PC. Max input Resolution: 4K 60Hz. Can use party chat while recording. Dimension (W x D x H) : 147 x 57 x 47 mm. Weight: 185.5g (6.54 oz).
You can play in 4k and record in 1080p. The capture card offers ultra-low latency It offers a PC-free mode, which can record gameplays without having a PC. Anyone can take this card with Switch anywhere as it can get as portable with you using a MicroSD card. It also offers a headset commentary mode, which records the user’s voice while playing on PC-free.
Does not allow 4k streaming. Mac users need to install third-party software to use this card, and some features are exclusive to windows only.
So, don’t worry if you don’t want your card connected to a PC. Live gamer portable can record gameplay in 4k without even having a PC. It stores recorded gameplay on a MicroSD, which can be accessed later by Mac or PC by connecting the card with USB. Users can stream with a PC in 1080p 60 fps. Mac users can also stream in 1080p 60 fps, but they will need third-party software to set up the capture card. Gamers can customize the stream with software named RECentral to add custom overlays and text. It requires a PC with i5 5th Generation and a graphics card equivalent to GTX 650 or iMac 2013.
#3 – Elgato HD60 S
One more Elgato product, as we’ve told you it’s a big name in the industry. Hd60 S is an external graphic card, unlike the previous one, which required installing the capture card in the PCIe slot of your PC. It uses a USB 3.0 connection, which gives reduced latency while recording. You don’t need to worry about the 4k streaming as most Nintendo Switch games don’t require recording above 1080p. Having the headset commentary mode makes it easier for the gamers to record their voices directly rather than recording on PC. I recommend this card for new users who want to start their channel as gamers and those who want to enjoy the most portable experience ever.
Interface: USB 3.0. Input: PS5, PS4 Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One Nintendo Switch (Unencrypted HDMI). Output: HDMI lag-free pass-through up to 1080p 60 FPS. Supported Resolutions: 480p to 1080p60. Capture Bitrate: up to 40 Mbps. Dimensions: 4.4 x 3 x 0.75 in / 112 x 75 x 19 mm. Weight: 106g / 3.7 oz.
It has a Flashback recording feature, allowing gameplay to rewind if you forgot to press the record button. It provides superior low latency. It has a feature called Live Commentary, by which you can stream your voice directly to your capture card. It has a stream command that allows you to customize your stream by adding overlays, adding alerts, and performing layout changes. Mac, PC, and all major consoles are supported.
HD60 S doesn’t have an H.264 encoder, which means you’re PC does the rendering. The software offers limited editing features for your streams.
Hd60 S can be used on Mac, too, as it only connects with a USB type c cable. It also comes with the Instant Gameview feature, allowing viewers to watch your stream lag-free just as HD60 Pro instantly. It supports HDR pass-through too. It also includes a feature called Flashback recording, by which you can go back to capture your epic moment if you’ve missed it. A built-in commentary function also features, allowing you to stream your high-quality audio with the gameplay.
#4 – Razer Ripsaw HD
Razer Ripsaw HD is an updated version of its previous model. It supports a 4k pass-through, which is quite rare in its budget range. The card can record up to 1080p on 60 fps. HD60 S doesn’t support a backward compatibility cable, which means if your PC doesn’t have a USB 3.0 port, you can’t use this card. This card’s main buying point is its ultra-low latency performance, which can be achieved with a USB Type-C cable. It requires a PC with Intel Core i5 4th Generation and a graphics card qual to GTx 660 / AMD Radeon HD 6000. It is the best capture card for Nintendo switch if you are looking for long-time use. It has a sleek black design, and it’s small in size too. It’s easy to use; just plug and record your great content without any hassle!
Max Capture Resolution: 1080p60 Connection Type: HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 3.0 Video-Input: Digital-HDMI 2.0 Audio Input: Digital-HDMI Audio mix-in Input: 3.5 mm Mic-in/ 3.5 mm Aux-in Video Output: HDMI 2.0 Max Passthrough Resolution: 2160p60 Compatibility: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch
It supports a 4k pass-through. It has a built-in function of mixing audio easily, which helps to process audio and increases audio quality. Inexpensive, it is not that expensive as compared to other products I have compared up our list. It is compatible with most streaming software; it is well optimized and easy to use. Both current-gen and last-gen consoles are supported with this capture card.
Unfortunately, Razer Ripsaw HD doesn’t come with its software, making it a bit complicated for new users. It also faces some driver issues if you have an old PC.
This capture card is still capable of next-gen consoles like Nintendo Switch 2 or PS5. It provides detailed color representation for you as well as your stream viewers. It has a hardwired mic fitted in the card, which can be used to record your audio with your gameplay. The design of this card also offers two 3.5 mm jack ports of audio and mic. It eases your stream as you don’t need a lot of software for designing your stream as it all contains in one software.
#5 – Avermedia Live Gamer Mini
Avermedia’s Budget-friendly Live Gamer Mini is the best option for someone looking for a lightweight and portable capture card. It’s only mini in size, but it’s a beast in quality; it gives top-class quality recording and streaming. Although the card doesn’t come with its software, users can use it with popular software such as OBS, StreamLabs, or XSplit premium for more functions. This card requires a processor equivalent or above Intel core i5 4th Generation or a laptop with i7 4th Generation or above for system requirements. It also requires a graphics card equal to GTX 660 or above and a minimum of 4 GB Ram. It’s recommended for you if you’re looking to buy a 4k card but don’t have enough money to spend on big cards. Although it isn’t a 4k card, its quality is top-notch.
Interface: micro-USB to USB cable. Video-Input: HDMI. Video Output Pass-Through: HDMI. Audio Input Support: Standard. Audio Output Pass-Through: HDMI. Max Video Pass-Through Resolution: 1080p60 Max Record Resolution: 1080p60. Supported Resolution Video Input: 480i to 1080p. Record Format: MPEG 4 H.264+AAC / Supports hardware encoding. Color Category: Black. OS Required: Windows 10.
It’s a budget-friendly card with many great features It allows recording gameplays up to 1080p 60 fps full HD recording, so don’t worry about quality. This card’s software, RECentral, provides great features and so much customization for a mini card. The card comes with a built-in H.264 hardware encoder, which makes your PC run smoother. Zero-lag pass-through technology helps recording gameplay with no lag whatsoever.
Mac users will only have access to the express version of RECentral. Live Gamer Mini doesn’t support HDR, wide-angle resolutions, or high refresh rates.
It is a tiny, portable, and travel-friendly card. You can take this capture card with you in your pocket if you want to. Micro USB cable powers the capture card, which is quite rare nowadays, but hey, it wouldn’t be mini if there are big ports. It has excellent software that allows you to edit text, add overlays, and many more customization for your streams and recording, with a mini-budget capture card. Viewers can watch your gameplay instantly with its zero-lag technology, which makes our stream lag-free. This card comes with a built-in H.264 hardware encoder. It may be Switch’s best capture card for someone who needs 1080 HD recording on the go. It doesn’t support 4K; if you are looking for that, you might want to find other options from our list.
#6 – Roxio Game Capture HD Pro
Roxio Game Capture HD Pro is the cheapest card on our list, with lots of great features. It connects to your PC with a USB 2.0 cable included in the box. This capture card records gameplay up to 1080p 30 fps or 1080i 60 fps, which is excellent for its price. Live Gamer Mini is simple to use and set up as it only comes with three ports, two HDMI, and a micro-USB port. You can use this capture card with other streaming and recording software, too, as it supports all major software and runs error-free. Its system requirements are i5 3rd Generation or above / AMD a10-7890k or above. It requires a minimum of 4 GB RAM. And a graphics card GTX 650 or above / AMD RX 250x or above. I recommend this product to you if you travel frequently and need your gaming setup with you. It can be a perfect option for you.
Host Connection: USB type-B or USB 2.0 Input Video Connector: 1 x HDMI, 1 X 3RCA Audio Input Connector: 1 x 2RCA Stereo analog female Input Video Format: 480p to 1080i60, 1080p30. Output Video Connector: 1 x HDMI Output Video Format: 480p to 1080i60, 1080p30. Output Audio: 1 x 2RCA Stereo analogue female Operating System Compatibility: Windows XP or Later
Easy to use the software. Great for beginners! Extremely affordable, plus gives a good quality recording Voice over feature while live streaming Automatically changes video bitrate for a smoother experience for viewers depending on your internet connection. This product is suitable for high-end PC as well as Low-End Pc. Very few cards offer great quality recordings on low-end PC. It also has an Auto-Recording function, which can record your gameplay from the past hour.
This product doesn’t work on Mac It uses USB 2.0 for its connection, which can cause some latency issues while recording or streaming.
Auto-Recording feature saves your recent gameplay within one hour. Its software allows you to include picture-in-picture boxes, soundtracks, text overlays to make your content stand out from the rest. It has a built-in H.264 hardware encoder, so you don’t need to worry about your PC rendering’s capabilities. Don’t worry if you have a low-end PC; this card runs smoothly on any low-end PC compared to a high-end PC. It also works with other consoles, current-gen and previous-gen; however, it doesn’t work with PS3 due to its HDCP reasons.
Choosing A Capture Card For Your Nintendo Switch?
Buying a product can be easy as well as difficult too. It would be best to consider some factors before buying so you don’t have to face any issues later during your gameplays. If you plan to buy this card, remember that this capture card will not work with Mac as their software doesn’t support it. Mac users will have to spend a little more to get a good capture card. It requires a system with Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8 GHz / AMD Athlon x2 64 2.0 GHz, 2 GB RAM minimum, and a DirectX 9.0 C compatible graphics card. It is a perfect card for only console users who have a spare PC in their home and wants to record. I recommend this to people who are just starting with a tight budget and want to start streaming; you can upgrade later to a more efficient capture card. I have highlighted some of the main factors that you should consider before buying a capture card. The main factors are Capture Resolutions, Ports, Up to date Software, Compatibility, and Price. More Nintendo Switch Stuff:
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Capture Resolution
Some of our recommended cards support 4k (2160p) resolutions. However, keep in mind that Nintendo Switch can only stream or record gameplays up to 1080p 60fps. You don’t need a capture card unless you are buying for other 4k consoles or PC. 4k capture cards are expensive as compared to standard 1080p ones. You can choose a card with its max resolution of 1080p 60fps, and you should be fine. One more thing to keep in mind is what max fps card gives; fps means frames per second or how many frames are processed in one second. Higher fps will provide you with smoother gameplay recordings.
Ports
Another factor to keep in mind before buying is how many ports does the card contains. More ports mean you can connect multiple devices to the same capture card. If you are looking for a portable and travel-friendly option, I will suggest you go with fewer ports capture cards. Otherwise, more ports are great as they can later be used with multiple consoles and will save you a lot of money for the long run. Most ports are of HDMI. Some cards may offer Display Port, too, which are quite rare. It also has a port for the power source. Usually, a USB type-c connector or some capture cards will have a PCIe connector that fits directly into your PC.
Software Is Up To Date
Up to date software version plays an important role too. The latest software versions for both capture card and Nintendo Switch should be necessary to reach its potential limits. Older software versions can cause stutters while recording and streaming. Our recommended cards come with up-to-date versions of their software. However, if any update releases in the future, you may have to update its software manually.
Price & Compatibility
The main factor everybody considers before buying anything, and not just a capture card, is the product’s price. You may want to check your budget that you can afford this card, or you should go for a less expensive option. If you have the necessary budget, I will suggest you choose Elgato’s HD60 Pro. It’s great for your gameplay recordings. The other thing to keep in mind is the product’s compatibility with your Nintendo Switch. You have to make sure that the card supports the Nintendo Switch and records long gameplays without any issues. You don’t have to worry about compatibility if you choose a capture card from our list.
Is It Worth Buying A Capture Card For Switch?
It depends on the purpose you are using. If you are using it to record gameplay to show your friends, I won’t recommend spending a lot of money on a capture card to store your clips so that you can show them to your friends. However, if you want the card if you have a gaming channel and want to upload daily, I will recommend this to you as you need the best quality for your recordings and excellent editing features that will make your content stand out. I will only recommend you to buy it if you will be consistent with your work, or it will just be a capture card collecting dust on your top shelf. For showcasing your skills to the world, you will eventually need a good quality capture card. Plus, the streaming platform’s quality is excellent as every recognized creator streams 1080p HD resolution. Keep in mind; you should have a good internet connection to stream HD resolutions. Here’s the wrap to our list. We’ve covered all the factors and details of capture cards that I have reviewed. Now order a capture card, set up your Twitch account, and happy streaming!
#1 – What is the best capture card for Nintendo Switch?
There is no perfect answer for this if you follow our recommendation. I suggest you buy Elgato HD60 Pro as it has the best quality. However, if you select another capture card from our list that meets your minimum needs, then that’s the best capture card for you.
#2 – Can you use a capture card on a Nintendo switch?
Of course, you can use a capture card for your Switch to record gameplays that our whole point. Just find a card that meets your need and plug and stream your games.
#3 – Does Elgato work with Switch?
Yes, Elgato cards work absolutely fine with the Nintendo switch as they are the big giants of this industry. They know how important it is for a major console to share your videos with the internet.
#4 – How do I record on Switch without a capture card?
Yes, you can record gameplay with its built-in recorder, which allows up to 30 seconds of recorded gameplay. If it meets your requirements, then you are good to go. However, you can stream with your Nintendo switch if you have an Xbox One and a PC.
#5 – Can you record more than 30 seconds on Nintendo Switch?
No, you can’t record more than 30 seconds with its built-in recorder. You will eventually need a capture card to record your gameplays—a capture card may be a little bit expensive but worth it. You can later use the same cards for recording with different consoles on higher resolutions.
