Best Elgato Capture Cards for Xbox Series X or S

With major releases on the horizon, like GTA 6, now is a great time to make sure your capture setup is ready.

Whether you plan to record walkthroughs, stream launch-day gameplay, capture high-quality footage, or build a content library, the right capture card makes your Xbox Series X or S setup far more flexible.

When choosing a capture card, consider the most important features of your setup. Some things to consider are:

• External vs. Internal: External USB capture cards like 4K S and 4K X are portable and work with laptops, desktops, and even iPads. Internal PCIe cards like the 4K Pro fit inside your desktop and deliver maximum performance while keeping your desk setup cleaner.
• Resolution: Xbox Series X | S supports up to 4K120 over HDMI 2.1, so your capture card should keep pace.
• Refresh Rate: Higher frame rates mean smoother footage. Some cards capture up to 4K144 or even 1080p240 for smoother clips.
• HDR vs. SDR: Xbox Series X | S outputs in HDR10 for rich, vivid visuals. Look for a card that supports HDR10 passthrough so your gameplay stays vibrant on screen, even if you capture in SDR.
  

4K X is the most capable external capture card in the Elgato lineup, built for players who push high refresh rates, whether in first-person shooters, racing games, or action titles.

Capture true 4K or 1440p at up to 144 FPS, or drop to 1080p for frame rates up to 240 FPS. With HDMI 2.1 passthrough, your Xbox signal goes through unaltered, so you play at full quality while recording simultaneously.

Why it's great for Xbox Series X | S:

• Capture up to 4K144: 4K or 1440p at up to 144 FPS, or 1080p at up to 240 FPS.
• VRR + ALLM passthrough: Smooth gameplay and auto low-latency mode passthrough to your display untouched.
• HDR10 passthrough + onboard tonemapping: Play in HDR10 while capturing SDR (Windows only)
• 3.5mm TRS stereo line-in port: Use a Chat Link Pro cable to capture both game audio and party chat.
• Works with Windows, Mac, and iPad: A single USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 cable is all you need.
• Plug and play: No drivers required. Open Elgato Studio, OBS, or any major broadcast app, and start capturing.

4K Pro installs directly inside your desktop PC, and is for Xbox Series X | S players who want a minimalist setup with 4K60 HDR10 recording, high-bitrate capture, and HDMI 2.1 support.

Because it uses a PCIe connection rather than USB, 4K Pro has access to significantly more bandwidth, enabling features like 4K60 HDR10 capture and 8K60 HDR10 passthrough.

Why it's great for Xbox Series X | S:

• Capture up to 4K60 HDR: 4K60 HDR10 by default, with higher frame rate capture available at 1440p240 and 1080p360 after a firmware update.
• HDMI 2.1 in/out: Full support for the high-bandwidth signals that Xbox Series X | S produces.
• VRR + ALLM passthrough: Smooth gameplay and auto low-latency mode passthrough to your display untouched.
• Onboard tonemapping: Play in 10-bit HDR; capture in SDR without any complicated settings.
• Cleaner desk setup: Installed inside your PC, so no extra cables connect the console to the computer.
• Dual-PC-friendly: Ideal for setups where a gaming PC and a streaming PC work together.

4K S is the easiest way to get started with Xbox Series X | S capture. It's compact, external, and designed for streamlined 4K workflows.

Connect your Xbox to 4K S, connect 4K S to your display, then record or stream from your computer using Elgato Studio, OBS Studio, or other compatible software.

Why it's great for Xbox Series X | S:

• Capture up to 4K60: Record in up to 4K60 SDR, 1440p120, or 1080p120 for smoother footage in fast-paced games.
• 4K60 passthrough: Play in up to 4K60 with HDR10 and VRR passthrough on supported setups
• HDR support: HDR10 passthrough up to 4K60; HDR capture up to 1080p60 on Windows.
• 3.5mm TRS stereo line-in port: Use a Chat Link Pro cable to capture both game and party chat audio.
• External USB-C: Easy to connect, easy to move, works with laptops, desktops, and iPads.
• Plug and play: Works with Windows, macOS, and iPadOS right out of the box.

Whether you're chasing resolution, high refresh rates, HDR recording, or a simple plug-and-play experience, there's an Elgato capture card built for your Xbox Series X or S setup. Pick the one that fits your needs and start recording, streaming, and sharing your gameplay.