Curated by Quick picks
- Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)
-
Best budget with 4K60 passthroughCheck price (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)
2. NearStream CCD10
Best for: 1080p streaming without losing 4K on the TV
- Check price (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)
Show all 7 picks
-
Best if you stream a PS5 tooCheck price (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)
4. AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1
Best for: One card for Switch 2 and PS5, with headset chat
- Check price (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)
- Check price (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)
- Check price (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)
Switch 2 has proper TV-mode video now: up to 4K at 60fps, 120fps at 1080p or 1440p, and HDR10, according to Nintendo’s own specs. That changes what a capture card has to do. A cheap card will still let you stream at 1080p, but whether your TV keeps getting the full 4K or HDR picture while you play depends on the card’s passthrough, and that’s the spec most lists skip. So for every card below, I’ve noted exactly what the maker or the Amazon UK listing says about capture, passthrough and HDR, and where it says nothing at all. (Here’s how we choose products.)
- Best overall for Switch 2: Elgato 4K S (#1)
- Best budget card with 4K60 passthrough: NearStream CCD10 (#2)
- Best for HDR capture at 1080p: Elgato HD60 X (#3)
- Best if you also stream a PS5: AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (#4)
Compare all 7 picks
| # | Product | Best for | Key spec | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elgato Game Capture 4K SBest overall for Switch 2 | Capturing everything the Switch 2 can output | 4K60 HDR10 capture · 1440p120 · VRR passthrough · 3.5mm audio in | Check price (opens in a new tab, affiliate link) |
| 2 | NearStream CCD10 Capture CardBest budget with 4K60 passthrough | 1080p streaming without losing 4K on the TV | 1080p60 capture · 4K60 / 1440p120 passthrough · mic in + headset jack | Check price (opens in a new tab, affiliate link) |
| 3 | Elgato HD60 XBest for HDR at 1080p | HDR streams at 1080p with a big-brand card | 1080p60 HDR10 / 4K30 capture · 4K60 HDR10 passthrough · VRR | Check price (opens in a new tab, affiliate link) |
| 4 | AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)Best if you stream a PS5 too | One card for Switch 2 and PS5, with headset chat | 4K60 capture · 4K144 HDR/VRR passthrough · HDMI 2.1 · headset chat | Check price (opens in a new tab, affiliate link) |
| 5 | UGREEN Video Capture Card with HDMI Loop-out (25773)Best for iPad and laptops | Cheap capture from a laptop, MacBook or iPad | 1080p60 / 1440p30 capture · 4K60 (4:2:0) loop-out · aluminium shell | Check price (opens in a new tab, affiliate link) |
| 6 | XIIXMASK USB 3.0 HDMI Capture Card (4K60 claim, passthrough)Cheapest 4K capture claim | Trying 4K capture on a tight budget | Claims 4K60 capture · 1080p120 · 3.5mm audio in + mic out | Check price (opens in a new tab, affiliate link) |
| 7 | FIFINE V3 Video Capture CardBest with RGB and headset port | 1080p streamers who play at 1080p anyway | 1080p60 capture · 4K30 passthrough · line in + headset port · RGB | Check price (opens in a new tab, affiliate link) |
1. Elgato Game Capture 4K S
by Elgato
Price & availability on Amazon.co.uk
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants to record or stream Switch 2 at full quality and never think about it again, from a PC, Mac or iPad.
Verdict: Our pick for most Switch 2 streamers, because it covers everything the console can output. Elgato says it passes through and captures up to 4K60, 1440p120 or 1080p240, with VRR passthrough and HDR10 capture (tone mapping on Windows). It’s a small USB-C box that works on Windows, macOS and iPad, and the 3.5mm input lets you mix in chat or commentary. Elgato also says no HDCP setting is needed on Switch 2.
What we like
- Covers Switch 2’s full output: 4K60, 1440p120 and HDR10 (Elgato)
- VRR passthrough, so your TV still gets variable refresh
- 3.5mm analogue audio input for chat or commentary
- Sold by Amazon when we checked
Worth knowing
- HDR tone mapping is Windows-only, per Elgato
- Needs a USB 3.0 (5Gbps) port, so older USB 2.0 laptops are out
Key specs
- Capture
- Up to 4K60, 1440p120, 1080p240 (Elgato)
- Passthrough
- Up to 4K60, 1440p120, 1080p240, VRR (Elgato)
- HDR
- HDR10 capture, tone mapping on Windows (listing)
- Connection
- USB 3.0 Type-C
- Works with
- PC, Mac, iPad (listing)
Source: Elgato's Switch 2 capture guide and the Amazon UK listing (checked 8 October 2026).
2. NearStream CCD10 Capture Card
by NearStream
Price & availability on Amazon.co.uk
Who it’s for: Streamers who are happy broadcasting at 1080p (most Twitch and TikTok streams are) but want the TV to keep its full 4K60 picture.
Verdict: The budget card we’d buy for Switch 2. It captures at up to 1080p60 over USB-C 3.0, while the HDMI loop-out passes through up to 4K60, 1440p120 or 1080p240, so the TV gets the full picture while your stream runs at 1080p. There’s also a 3.5mm mic input and a headset jack, which most cheap cards skip. Switch 2 is named in the listing title. HDR isn’t mentioned anywhere on the listing.
What we like
- 4K60 and 1440p120 passthrough (listing), which matches Switch 2’s TV output
- 3.5mm mic input plus a headset jack
- Works on Windows, macOS and Linux; HDMI and USB cables included
- Sold by NearStream’s own store, dispatched by Amazon
Worth knowing
- Capture tops out at 1080p60, so no 4K recordings
- HDR isn’t mentioned on the listing. If the picture looks odd, turn HDR off on the Switch 2
Key specs
- Capture
- Up to 1080p60 (listing)
- Passthrough
- 4K60, 1440p120, 1080p240 (listing)
- HDR
- Not stated
- Audio
- 3.5mm mic in, 3.5mm headset jack
- Connection
- USB-C 3.0
Source: Amazon UK product listing (seller-provided details), checked 8 October 2026.
3. Elgato HD60 X
by Elgato
Price & availability on Amazon.co.uk
Who it’s for: Streamers who want HDR in their recordings and are fine capturing at 1080p60 (or 4K30), with Elgato’s software and support behind it.
Verdict: A long-running Elgato card that handles HDR at 1080p. The listing says it captures 4K30 or 1080p60 in HDR10, and passes through 4K60 HDR10, 1440p120, 1080p120 and 1080p240 with VRR. So your TV gets the full Switch 2 picture, HDR included, while you record. It’s driverless on Windows and Mac and works in OBS, Streamlabs and the rest.
What we like
- 4K60 HDR10 passthrough plus VRR (listing)
- HDR10 capture at 1080p60 or 4K30
- USB 3.0 C-to-A cable and an HDMI 2.0 cable in the box
- Dispatched by Amazon
Worth knowing
- Captures 4K at only 30fps. For 4K60 recordings, go for the 4K S (#1)
- No 3.5mm audio input listed
- Sold by a third-party seller (SJM Group), not Amazon or Elgato
Key specs
- Capture
- 4K30 or 1080p60, HDR10 (listing)
- Passthrough
- 4K60 HDR10, 1440p120, 1080p120, 1080p240, VRR (listing)
- HDR
- Yes, capture and passthrough (listing)
- Connection
- USB 3.0
- Seller
- SJM Group (third party, dispatched by Amazon)
Source: Amazon UK product listing (seller-provided details), checked 8 October 2026.
4. AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)
by AVerMedia
Price & availability on Amazon.co.uk
Who it’s for: Households with a Switch 2 and a PS5 or PC, who want one card that won’t hold back the faster machines, plus party chat through a headset.
Verdict: More card than a Switch 2 needs on its own, but a smart buy if a PS5 or gaming PC shares the setup. It’s HDMI 2.1, captures at 4K60 and passes through up to 4K144 with HDR and VRR. You can plug a headset straight into the card and balance game and chat volume, without needing a separate party chat cable. Switch is named on the listing; it also captures 5.1 audio.
What we like
- 4K144 HDR and VRR passthrough (listing), so no bottleneck for PS5 or PC
- Headset jack with game/chat balance, plus 5.1 audio capture
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 cable, HDMI 2.1 cable and 4-pole audio cable in the box
- Sold by AVerMedia’s own store, dispatched by Amazon
Worth knowing
- The listing doesn’t say whether it captures in HDR (passthrough only)
- Overkill if the Switch 2 is your only console
- RGB lighting needs Windows 11 Dynamic Lighting or AVerMedia/MSI software to change
Key specs
- Capture
- Up to 4K60 (listing)
- Passthrough
- Up to 4K144, HDR, VRR (listing)
- HDR
- Passthrough yes; capture not stated
- Audio
- Headset jack, party chat, 5.1 capture
- Connection
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
- Seller
- AVerMedia GmbH (brand, dispatched by Amazon)
Source: Amazon UK product listing (seller-provided details), checked 8 October 2026.
5. UGREEN Video Capture Card with HDMI Loop-out (25773)
by UGREEN
Price & availability on Amazon.co.uk
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants a simple, cheap card to capture Switch 2 on a laptop or iPad, from a big accessory brand.
Verdict: A sturdy little aluminium card from UGREEN that captures at 1080p60 or 1440p30, with an HDMI loop-out for your TV. Be precise about that loop-out: the listing says 4K60 at 4:2:0 colour, 4K30 at full 4:4:4, or 1080p120. That’s fine for gaming, but HDR isn’t mentioned. It’s driverless on Windows, Mac and iPad (iPadOS 17 or 18), with a built-in 2-in-1 USB cable.
What we like
- HDMI loop-out up to 4K60 (4:2:0) or 1080p120 (listing)
- Works with iPad Pro/Air on iPadOS 17 or 18, plus Mac and Windows
- 2-in-1 USB-A/USB-C cable and an HDMI loop-out cable included
- Sold by UGREEN’s UK store, dispatched by Amazon
Worth knowing
- 4K60 passthrough is at 4:2:0 colour, and HDR isn’t mentioned
- No mic input or headset jack
- 1440p120 passthrough isn’t listed (only 1080p120)
Key specs
- Capture
- 1080p60 or 1440p30 (listing)
- Passthrough
- 4K60 (4:2:0), 4K30 (4:4:4), 1080p120 (listing)
- HDR
- Not stated
- Connection
- USB 3.0 (5Gbps), USB-A and USB-C plugs
- Model
- 25773
Source: Amazon UK product listing (seller-provided details), checked 8 October 2026.
6. XIIXMASK USB 3.0 HDMI Capture Card (4K60 claim, passthrough)
by XIIXMASK
Price & availability on Amazon.co.uk
Who it’s for: Tinkerers on a tight budget who want to try 4K recording and don’t mind that the claims come from the seller, not a big brand.
Verdict: The cheapest card here that claims 4K60 capture over USB 3.0. It also claims 1080p120 recording and 4K HDMI passthrough, and has a 3.5mm audio input and mic output for commentary. Switch 2 is named in the listing. Those are seller claims, though: the listing doesn’t give the passthrough frame rate, and it doesn’t mention HDR. Buy it knowing you can send it back if it doesn’t suit.
What we like
- Claims 4K60 capture and 1080p120 (seller claim)
- 3.5mm audio in and mic out
- USB cable (A and C) and HDMI cable in the box
- Dispatched by Amazon
Worth knowing
- Passthrough frame rate isn’t stated, and HDR isn’t mentioned
- Little-known brand, and the specs are seller claims
- Sold by a third-party seller (xicang)
Key specs
- Capture
- Up to 4K60, 1080p120 (seller claim)
- Passthrough
- 4K (frame rate not stated)
- HDR
- Not stated
- Audio
- 3.5mm audio in, mic out
- Seller
- xicang (third party, dispatched by Amazon)
Source: Amazon UK product listing (seller-provided details), checked 8 October 2026.
7. FIFINE V3 Video Capture Card
by FIFINE
Price & availability on Amazon.co.uk
Who it’s for: Streamers who play Switch 2 at 1080p, or on a 1080p monitor, and want a card with a headset port and lights that match a FIFINE mic.
Verdict: A good-looking card from a creator brand you’ll know from budget mics. It captures 1080p60, has a line input and a headset port, and has nine RGB modes. The catch for Switch 2 is the passthrough: FIFINE lists 4K at 30fps. If your TV is 4K and you want 60fps on it, set the Switch 2 to 1080p, or pick the NearStream (#2) instead.
What we like
- 1080p60 capture over USB 3.0, driverless on Windows and macOS
- Line in plus a headset port for chat
- Nine RGB modes
- Sold by FIFINE’s own store, dispatched by Amazon
Worth knowing
- Passthrough is 4K30 (listing), so 4K60 on the TV is out while it’s connected
- HDR isn’t mentioned, and no HDMI cable is included
Key specs
- Capture
- 1080p60 (listing)
- Passthrough
- 4K30 (listing)
- HDR
- Not stated
- Audio
- Line in, headset port
- Connection
- USB 3.0
Source: Amazon UK product listing (seller-provided details), checked 8 October 2026.
FAQ
Do I need to turn off HDCP on Switch 2?
No. Elgato’s setup guide says no HDCP setting is required on Switch 2. That’s different from the PS5, where you switch HDCP off in Settings > System > HDMI before a capture card will show a picture.
Can I capture Switch 2 in handheld mode?
Not with an HDMI capture card. Nintendo’s specs say video goes out over HDMI in TV mode, so the console needs to be in the dock. Plug the dock’s HDMI out into the card’s HDMI in, not the console itself.
Does a cheap capture card add lag?
Not to what you see on the TV. That comes through the card’s passthrough, which is why the passthrough spec matters. The lag is on the capture side (the preview on your PC), so play on the TV, not the OBS window.
Which capture cards do 4K HDR on Switch 2?
Of our picks, the Elgato 4K S (#1) captures and passes through 4K60 HDR. The Elgato HD60 X (#3) passes through 4K60 HDR but captures HDR at 1080p60 or 4K30. The AVerMedia ULTRA 2.1 (#4) passes through HDR, but its listing doesn’t say it captures HDR. The budget cards don’t mention HDR.
What do I need besides the card?
Two HDMI cables (Switch 2 to card, card to TV), a USB 3.0 port on your PC, Mac or iPad, and software such as OBS Studio. Check the box contents on each card: the FIFINE (#7), for example, doesn’t include an HDMI cable.
