Picking up one of the best Nintendo Switch capture cards money can buy is important if you want to record gameplay on one of the most popular handheld consoles ever made.
However, with a plethora of options on the market, it can be pretty tricky to narrow down which is the best one to suit your needs.
For those of you not in the know who are expecting a type of Pokémon card selection below, a capture card is a device for capturing video and audio.
So, if you wanted to record your gameplay on the Nintendo Switch to post on YouTube or as part of a film you’re making, then you’ll need a good capture card to record every Bokoblin you bash and Pikmin you catch!
To help you decide which one to buy, we’ve compiled a list of what we think are the top selections when it comes to Nintendo Switch capture cards, hopefully making your life that bit easier as decision time comes a’knocking.
Table of Contents
1. Elgato HD60 X External Capture Card
If you’re looking for an all bells and whistles Nintendo Switch capture card then look no further than the Elgato HD60 X External Capture Card. It’s the best Nintendo Switch capture card around with pro features at a reasonable price.
The HD60 X has all its little brother’s recording traits (you’ll meet another member of the Elgato family further down this list) but with both a 4K 30FPS and HDR upgrade, allowing those who want to record on those newer gen consoles as well as the Nintendo Switch to do so without compromising on resolution.
There’s a huge increase on passthrough resolution and frame rates too, so you can enjoy these on your screen even if recording in them isn’t possible.
For a true all-in-one external recording device experience, the HD60 X is definitely the best around.
2. AVerMedia Live Gamer Mini
Another company that has been dealing in devices of this ilk for many years is AVerMedia, and the AverMedia Live Gamer Mini is a worthy entry in our best Nintendo Switch capture cards.
You’ll get 1080p 60FPS recording from this compact device coupled with zero latency passthrough enabling lag-free gameplay. It’s plug and play too, meaning there’s no messing around installing additional drivers and software if you don’t want to, always nice if you’re ina pinch.
The only real drawback to the AVerMedia Live Gamer Mini is the fact that it uses a micro usb as its power connector. While this might not a big deal for most, we believe that this is the connection type that is most commonly broken.
This means that if you’re someone who is traveling and recording gameplay from whatever is next on your destination list, the micro sub cable could fail when you need it most, leaving you in the lurch.
However, if you’re just using it in your home setup, you shouldn’t really come across any issues since it will be in a static position.
3. Razer Ripsaw HD
Usually known for putting RGB in every product it produces, Razer has also got a pretty fantastic Nintendo Switch capture card with the Ripsaw HD.
It provides full 1080p 60FPS recording which is ideal for the Switch, as well as 4K60 passthrough, a plus over the Elgato we’ve just detailed.
It works well with all the recording/streaming software on the market and you can use the microphone and 3.5mm ports for more precise audio mixing which is great for those doing gameplay commentaries.
Sadly, no RGB can be found on the Ripsaw which is extremely surprising, but that’s maybe an advantage to those with less garish tastes.
4. Elgato HD60 S
Next up in out list of the best Nintendo Switch capture cards is the Elgato HD60 S, a nifty device that easily fits in your pocket!
The HD60S in particular has been one of the most popular selections among gamers looking to record and stream gameplay for some time. This is because not only does it have all the features necessary for today’s consoles, it’s also very low profile making it perfect for those who have limited space or are a constant traveler.
When it comes to its usage with the Nintendo Switch, you’ll be able to utilize its 1080p 60FPS capturing capabilities as well as zero lag with its impressive instant passthrough, making playing and recording seamless.
It does max out at 1080p recording though, so if you’re looking to use this capture card in conjunction with the Xbox Series X or PS5 for example, you’d have to lower that resolution.
5. TKHIN Capture Card
Another wallet friendly option for a Nintendo Switch capture card comes in the form of the TKHIN Capture Card.
Like other selections in this list, it boasts a compact form factor that compliments that of the Nintendo Switch console.
Despite its price, contrary to our other budget pick, this one comes with both a port for connecting to your PC/laptop as well as your display, meaning you can view your gameplay on a dedicated screen.
It also records in 1080p 60FPS, matching that of more expensive options, which is probably a welcomed surprise. Moreover, even though this device doesn’t come from a hugely popular named brand, it still works flawlessly with go-to software such as OBS.
6. Extenuating Threads HDMI Capture Card
We all know budgets are tight nowadays so dropping over $100 on a capture card can be a big ask just to record some gameplay. However, there are some more budget picks when it comes to the best Nintendo Switch capture cards, and the Extenuating Threads 4K HDMI Capture Card certainly fits the bill.
This one is extremely minimal and simplistic with one HDMI in to capture and USB out to your laptop/PC. You’re probably thinking, how do I see what I’m playing? Well, you’ll be heading to the device you’re recording on for this.
While this is less than ideal since there will be a small amount of lag, you can get away with this on slower paced single player titles or even Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy games for example.
You will get 1080p recording from it, but we definitely don’t recommend streaming as it doesn’t work particularly well.
Even though it’s lacking in overall features, If you’re after something quick and dirty that simply gets the job done then you’ll probably want to look down this avenue rather than the more expensive options.
And with that, our selections for the best Nintendo Switch capture cards has been wrapped up. As always, keep up to date with everything Retro Dodo by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Jacob has been an avid handheld enthusiast ever since the original Game Boy was placed in his hand at an early age. From that point, he’s become engrossed in all aspects of gaming, owning most consoles that have been released, and enjoying titles from a wide variety of genres. When he is not playing the latest game releases, he’s spending far too much money modding retro systems.
