Evan Holt checks if your console matches the passthrough capture card specs. Verify USB version and port count on the Amazon page before you buy.
Measure this first
Evan Holt checks if your console matches the passthrough capture card specs. Verify USB version and port count on the Amazon page before you buy.
Evan's spec pass. Match the console output to the card input. Verify the USB version and port count on the listing.
This page is a fit check for your desk setup. You need to know if the passthrough capture card matches your console output and your PC USB port version.
Look for the USB version and port count in the title. Do not buy a USB 2.0 card if you need 1080p60 passthrough.
01 AVerMedia HDMI Capture Card for Streaming and Video Gaming, 4K60…
| Kind | passthrough capture card |
| Stars | 4.8 |
| Price | $113.78 |
| Page | Open the Amazon listing |
The title specifies 4K60 pass-through, so you must verify your monitor supports that resolution and refresh rate to avoid a mismatch. Check the Amazon listing for the exact USB 3.0 requirement, as this external card needs a high-bandwidth port to handle the 4K signal without dropping frames.
Skip this if your PC lacks a free USB 3.0 port or if you are using a console that does not output 4K60, as the pass-through will be wasted. It is not suitable for PCIe slot users who prefer internal solutions, and the external form factor may clutter a small desk setup.
$113.78
Price copied from the Amazon listing when this was written. Check the live price.
02 Elgato HD60 S, External Capture Card, Stream and Record in 1080p60…
| Kind | passthrough capture card |
| Stars | 4.6 |
| Price | $194.99 |
| Page | Open the Amazon listing |
The title lists 1080p60 recording, so match this to your source material; if you are streaming 4K content, this card will downscale it. Confirm the USB 3.0 connection type on the Amazon page, as the HD60 S requires a high-speed port to maintain ultra-low latency.
Avoid this if you need 4K pass-through, as the HD60 S is capped at 1080p. It is also a poor fit for users with only USB 2.0 ports, which will introduce significant lag and prevent the 60fps performance promised in the title.
$194.99
Price copied from the Amazon listing when this was written. Check the live price.
03 Elgato HD60 Pro1080p60 Capture and Passthrough, PCIe Capture Card…
| Kind | passthrough capture card |
| Stars | 4.6 |
| Price | $14.99 |
| Page | Open the Amazon listing |
This is a PCIe capture card, so you must measure your available expansion slots and ensure your motherboard has a compatible free slot. The title highlights 1080p60, so verify your workflow does not require 4K input, as this model is limited to Full HD.
Skip this if you are using a laptop or a desktop with no free PCIe slots, as it cannot function externally. It is also unsuitable for users needing 4K pass-through, making it a mismatch for modern 4K consoles like the PS5 or Xbox Series X.
$14.99
Price copied from the Amazon listing when this was written. Check the live price.
04 Elgato 4K60 Pro MK.2, Internal Capture Card, Stream and Record…
| Kind | passthrough capture card |
| Stars | 4.6 |
| Price | on listing |
| Page | Open the Amazon listing |
The title specifies 4K60 HDR10, so you must match your monitor and GPU capabilities to handle HDR output. Check the Amazon listing for the PCIe slot requirement, as this internal card needs a physical slot in your desktop chassis.
Do not buy this if you are using a laptop or a small-form-factor PC without a free PCIe slot. It is also a poor fit for users who only need 1080p streaming, as the 4K hardware may be overkill for your specific desk setup and workflow.
05 AVerMedia 4K HDMI Capture Card for Streaming, PS5, Xbox, Nintendo…
| Kind | passthrough capture card |
| Stars | 4.6 |
| Price | $199.29 |
| Page | Open the Amazon listing |
The title mentions USB 3.2, so you must verify your computer has a compatible port to achieve the 4K capture rates. Match the console compatibility list on the Amazon page to ensure your specific hardware, such as the Nintendo Switch or PS5, is supported.
Skip this if your PC only has USB 2.0 ports, as the bandwidth will be insufficient for 4K streaming. It is also not ideal for users who prefer internal PCIe cards, as the external dongle may interfere with other peripheral connections on a crowded desk.
$199.29
Price copied from the Amazon listing when this was written. Check the live price.
06 Elgato 4K Pro Internal Capture Card, 8K60 Passthrough
| Kind | passthrough capture card |
| Stars | 4.5 |
| Price | $269.99 |
| Page | Open the Amazon listing |
The title highlights 8K60 pass-through, so you must ensure your source and display support this extreme resolution. Check the Amazon listing for the PCIe slot requirement, as this is an internal card that needs a physical slot in your desktop.
Avoid this if you do not have a free PCIe slot or if your workflow is limited to 1080p or 4K, as the 8K capability is likely unnecessary. It is also a poor fit for laptop users who cannot install internal hardware, making it incompatible with portable streaming setups.
$269.99
Price copied from the Amazon listing when this was written. Check the live price.
07 Audio Video Capture Cards Cam Link Card HDMI to USB 2.0 Full HD…
| Kind | passthrough capture card |
| Stars | 4.5 |
| Price | $16.68 |
| Page | Open the Amazon listing |
The title specifies USB 2.0, so you must match this to your camera's output capabilities, as USB 2.0 has lower bandwidth than USB 3.0. Verify the Full HD recording limit on the Amazon page, as this card is not designed for 4K sources.
Skip this if you are using a 4K camera or console, as the USB 2.0 connection will bottleneck the signal. It is also unsuitable for high-frame-rate gaming capture, where the latency and bandwidth of USB 2.0 will result in dropped frames and poor performance.
$16.68
Price copied from the Amazon listing when this was written. Check the live price.
08 Video Capture Card, 4K USB3.0 HDMI to USB C, 1080P60FPS HDMI…
| Kind | passthrough capture card |
| Stars | 4.4 |
| Price | $15.99 |
| Page | Open the Amazon listing |
The title lists HDMI to USB C, so you must check if your computer has a USB-C port that supports data transfer, not just power. Match the 1080P60FPS capture limit to your source, as the 4K mention in the title may refer to pass-through only.
Avoid this if your PC only has USB-A ports, as you would need an adapter that may introduce compatibility issues. It is also a poor fit for users who need 4K recording, as the capture is limited to 1080p, which may not meet your quality requirements.
$15.99
Price copied from the Amazon listing when this was written. Check the live price.
09 UGREEN 4K@30Hz Loop Out HDMI Capture Card for 2K 30FPS 1080P 60FPS…
| Kind | best passthrough capture card |
| Stars | 4.4 |
| Price | $39.99 |
| Page | Open the Amazon listing |
The title specifies 4K@30Hz loop out, so you must verify your monitor supports 30Hz at 4K resolution. Check the Amazon listing for the USB 3.0 requirement, as this external card needs a high-bandwidth port to function correctly.
Skip this if you need 60Hz pass-through for gaming, as the 30Hz limit will introduce noticeable lag. It is also unsuitable for users who require 4K recording, as the capture is limited to 2K 30FPS or 1080P 60FPS, which may not meet your high-resolution workflow needs.
$39.99
Price copied from the Amazon listing when this was written. Check the live price.
Ports, speeds, and what the title hid
What do I measure on the console?
Check the HDMI output resolution and refresh rate.
Which model does this match?
It matches consoles with HDMI out and PCs with USB 3.0 in.
What if the fit is wrong?
Return it and buy a card with the correct USB version.
Related guides
- Internal Capture Card: Check PCIe Slot and Driver
- Dual HDMI Capture Card: Check Box Contents and USB Version
- Usb capture card: live picks worth opening
- HDMI Capture Card: Check Box Contents and USB Version
- Pc HDMI capture card: Check the box for extra cables
- Pc USB capture card: Check the USB 2.0 limit before it fails