Best PS5 Capture Cards for Streaming in 2026
Compare three PS5 capture cards for streaming, with clear guidance on 4K60 capture, high-frame-rate passthrough, HDR, chat audio and PC compatibility.
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Prices and availability are accurate as of the time of publication and are subject to change.
The best PS5 capture card for streaming in 2026 is the Elgato 4K S Capture Card. It combines 4K60 capture with 1440p120 and 1080p240 high-frame-rate modes, USB-C connectivity and a 3.5mm audio input, making it the most balanced route for a console streamer who also edits or streams from a Windows PC. The AVerMedia StreamLine MINI+ is the sensible 1080p60-focused alternative, while the Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 is for players who need HDMI 2.1 passthrough rather than merely a higher headline specification. We compared documented inputs, capture modes, passthrough, audio and host compatibility, not hands-on performance.
What matters in a PS5 capture card for streaming
A capture card sits between the console and display, sending video to a computer for recording or streaming while passing a signal through for play. Capture resolution and passthrough resolution are separate specifications. A card may record 4K60 yet offer a different set of high-refresh passthrough modes. That is why a PS5 player with a 1440p120 monitor has a different priority from someone who streams a 1080p60 broadcast while playing on a 4K60 television.
HDR, VRR and audio add another layer. HDR pass-through or HDR tone mapping can matter to a player who wants the monitor image handled correctly while preserving a workable feed for the host computer. VRR support is especially relevant to a high-refresh display chain, but only when the console, display and chosen mode all support it. Audio should be planned before buying: a headset, party-chat setup or external microphone can change which connection path is practical. A 3.5mm input can be useful, but it is not a substitute for confirming the complete audio workflow.
Connection is equally important. The Elgato uses USB-C, the StreamLine MINI+ is listed as plug-and-play with OBS, Windows 11 and Mac, and the Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 works with Mac and PC. Those claims do not remove the need to confirm ports, software versions and the selected streaming application. A capture card cannot compensate for a slow host computer, insufficient storage or an unsupported display mode.
| Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Elgato 4K S Capture Card | Balanced 4K60 capture and HFR play | View |
| AVerMedia StreamLine MINI+ GC311G2 | Straightforward 1080p60 streaming | View |
| AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 GC553G2 | 4K144 or 4K120 HDMI 2.1 passthrough | View |
Our three PS5 capture card recommendations
Elgato 4K S Capture Card
The Elgato 4K S is the best overall choice for a PS5 streamer who wants more than a basic 1080p capture path without building around HDMI 2.1 passthrough. Its documented feature set includes 4K60 capture, 1440p120 and 1080p240 high-frame-rate modes, USB-C connectivity and a 3.5mm audio input. Elgato also lists HDR10 tone mapping on Windows, which gives Windows-based creators a specific HDR handling feature to investigate for their workflow. Choose it for a balanced console-and-PC desk where 4K60 capture and flexible HFR play modes are more valuable than 4K144 passthrough. The tradeoff is platform and display planning: HDR10 tone mapping is listed for Windows, and the card does not replace the need to verify your monitor's supported PS5 modes or your audio routing.
Pros
- 4K60 capture plus documented 1440p120 and 1080p240 high-frame-rate modes
- USB-C host connection suits current computer setups
- 3.5mm audio input supports a planned external audio path
- HDR10 tone mapping is listed for Windows workflows
Cons
- HDR10 tone mapping is specifically listed for Windows
- Does not target HDMI 2.1 4K144 passthrough
- Audio input still requires a complete headset and chat plan
AVerMedia StreamLine MINI+ GC311G2
The AVerMedia StreamLine MINI+ GC311G2 is the best value choice when the stream itself is built around 1080p60 and simple setup matters more than recording every premium display mode. Its listing specifies 1080p60 capture, plug-and-play operation and compatibility with OBS, Windows 11 and Mac. For passthrough, it states 4K60 HDR or 1440p144 and 1080p240, so it can preserve a responsive play display without presenting itself as a 4K60 capture solution. Choose it for a PS5 streamer with a practical 1080p60 output target who wants documented support across common host platforms. The limitation is decisive for creators archiving or broadcasting at 4K: capture is specified at 1080p60. Confirm that the chosen passthrough mode, monitor and console settings agree before treating its higher refresh figures as automatic.
Pros
- 1080p60 capture directly matches common livestream output
- Plug-and-play listing reduces setup friction for a first capture card
- OBS, Windows 11 and Mac compatibility are explicitly listed
- 4K60 HDR or 1440p144 and 1080p240 passthrough options
Cons
- Capture specification is 1080p60 rather than 4K60
- Higher-refresh passthrough depends on the matching display chain
- Does not list HDMI 2.1 passthrough features
AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 GC553G2
The AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 GC553G2 is the specialist pick for a PS5 or PS5 Pro setup where HDMI 2.1 passthrough is the buying reason. It documents 4K60 capture alongside 4K144 or 4K120 HDR VRR passthrough, and supports PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox and Switch with Mac or PC hosts. Its party-chat, headset and 5.1 audio support addresses more complex console audio plans, while RGB lighting is an extra cosmetic feature rather than a reason to choose it. Pick it when the display chain genuinely needs its high-refresh HDMI 2.1 passthrough and you are prepared to check every cable and port. The tradeoff is complexity: a 4K144 or VRR workflow only helps if the console, screen, host and selected mode all support it, and the extra audio options require deliberate configuration.
Pros
- HDMI 2.1 passthrough supports documented 4K144 or 4K120 HDR VRR modes
- 4K60 capture suits high-resolution recording and streaming workflows
- Party-chat, headset and 5.1 support serve more complex console audio plans
- Listed support spans PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox, Switch, Mac and PC
Cons
- High-refresh passthrough requires compatible console, display, cables and mode
- More audio options make configuration more involved
- RGB lighting does not improve capture or passthrough capability
Set up the capture chain before going live
Use HDMI from the PS5 to the card's input, then route the passthrough output to the display and connect the capture card to the host computer as instructed. Configure the PS5 and display mode first, then check that the capture application receives the intended signal. Do not change several variables at once. If a high-refresh or HDR mode disappears, test a supported lower mode before assuming the card has failed.
Plan storage and broadcast settings separately. A card capable of 4K60 capture does not make every computer able to encode, record and store that signal comfortably. Likewise, a 1080p60 capture target can be the sensible choice even when a monitor accepts a higher passthrough mode. Keep party chat and headset routing in the plan from the beginning, particularly if you use the Live Gamer Ultra 2.1's listed audio features.
FAQ
Do I need an HDMI 2.1 capture card to stream PS5 gameplay?
No. HDMI 2.1 matters when your display workflow needs the Live Gamer Ultra 2.1's documented 4K144 or 4K120 HDR VRR passthrough. A creator streaming at 1080p60 can be better served by the StreamLine MINI+ if its 1080p60 capture and listed passthrough modes match the display. Buy around the mode you will actually use, not the highest number available.
Can the StreamLine MINI+ capture PS5 gameplay in 4K?
Its stated capture mode is 1080p60. It does list 4K60 HDR passthrough, which means the play display can use that path when the rest of the chain is compatible, but passthrough is not the same as recording 4K. Choose Elgato 4K S or Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 when 4K60 capture itself is a requirement.
Which card is best for PS5 party chat and a headset?
The Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 is the most relevant choice here because its listing includes party-chat, headset and 5.1 support. That does not make audio automatic: confirm how the PS5, headset, capture application and any microphone will connect. The Elgato's 3.5mm audio input is another useful feature, but it addresses a different planned audio path.
Prices and availability are accurate as of publication and can change. Confirm supported modes, audio routing and host requirements before ordering.