Best capture cards for streaming Nintendo Switch 2022

The cream of the crop

Compact and easy to set up, the Elgato HD60 S+ is the perfect card for streaming your Nintendo Switch. When we reviewed it we found that it’s able to capture footage at 1080 and at 60 FPS, as well as instantly stream your video to Youtube or Twitch with Instant Gameview.

A great choice

Elgato products have been the go-to choice for streamers and content creators for years, and for good reason. The Elgato Game Capture HD60 outputs a 1080p picture at 60FPS, no matter what game you’re playing. The downside? The quality comes at a high price. It’s also not portable and must be attached to a PCI-e slot.

No need for a computer

This portable capture card is incredibly simple to use, making it one of the best capture cards for Nintendo Switch. Just connect the HDMI cables to the device, and you’re good to go. You also don’t need a computer to record; simply switch to the PC-free mode and record in 4k. The only downside is that you can’t stream in 4k. That may not be too much of an issue, though, as the Nintendo Switch natively outputs a 1080p picture anyway.

Extreme high-end

If you intend to be recording far more than just Nintendo Switch gameplay, consider the Elgato 4K60 S+. While very expensive, it comes equipped with every feature you could possibly need, including allowing you to record directly onto an SD card or straight to your computer, capturing up to 4K 60 FPS gameplay with HDR support.

Another popular choice

With its ports and included cables, the XR1 Lite is the perfect external capture card for Nintendo Switch. It’s not surprising that this is a popular option as it offers fast recording speeds with low latency and doesn’t take up much room. 

Clear and steady streaming

This internal graphics card must be installed inside your computer in order to work. It doesn’t lag and captures 1080p60 without compromising the pass-through signal. You can even record simultaneously from both of its input HDMI ports. 

A gamer’s card

The Razer Ripsaw is a quality device. It features hardware-based audio capabilities, a hardwired mic, and headphone jacks for monitoring. It can also be 4K compatible, though the Razer Ripsaw doesn’t have its own software.

Extra support included

The AVerMedia Live Gamer Mini is a great, cheap option for those looking to stream their Nintendo Switch games. It can capture in full 1080p and includes RECentral software, which can help you moderate your stream.

For future proofing

A 4k card isn’t vital for the Nintendo Switch, so we recommend investing in this card only if you’re interested in future-proofing. It offers support for streaming software like Streamlabs OBS out of the box. It even comes with a proprietary software suite. You can immediately start streaming Nintendo Switch gameplay at the highest possible resolution on Twitch or YouTube without a problem using this card.

Plug and play

The most affordable option on the list, this capture card is perfect for anyone looking to stream on a budget. It’s very simple to plug in and play. The only problem is that it only outputs at 1080p at 30FPS. It’ll barely do for the Switch, but it’s not ideal if you’re using other consoles.

Designed for the Switch

The Genki ShadowCast is a tiny powerhouse that works with just about every console available, but it’s specially designed to hide inside the Nintendo Switch dock. Simply launch the GENKI Arcade app on a computer, connect the USB-C cable to ShadowCast and insert the ShadowCast to begin streaming.

Powerful pass-through

A zero-latency HDMI pass-through that’s simple to use, the Mirabox capture card will provide capture resolution up to 1080/60Hz, with a 4K option. Perfect for streaming your Switch games to Youtube or Twitch.