As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from amazon.com

Best capture card for Nintendo Switch in 2022

[ad_1]

03

Mid Range Pick

AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable Capture Card

AverMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus

AverMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus


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.

Best capture card for Switch: in-depth review

Elgato Game Capture HD60S

Elgato Game Capture HD60S

Pros