6 Best Capture Cards for Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch is the defacto choice for a handheld console for most people. Unless of course, you want to play AAA titles in which case the Steam Deck makes a lot of sense. While you can hook up the Nintendo Switch to a TV, there’s no native way to record or stream your gameplay. The best way to tackle this is to use one of the best capture cards for your Nintendo Switch.

A Nintendo Switch capture card can help you stream your games via a computer. Whether you want to simply record your gameplay for future reference or stream it to an audience on YouTube or Twitch, these video capture cards for your Switch will come in handy.

There are various Switch capture cards for streaming that you can buy depending on your usage. We’d urge you to go through the listings below and pick the one that’s best suited for you. Before that –

• Expand your library of games via a microSD card for the Nintendo Switch.
• Not happy with your Wi-Fi speeds? Use an ethernet adapter for Nintendo Switch for faster internet.
• Make the best of your console using some of the must-have Nintendo Switch accessories.

1. Zosemeli Nintendo Switch Capture Card

So whether you’re streaming via an old PC or recording gameplay using OBS on a Mac, you won’t have to hunt for an additional adapter. The Zosemeli capture card is also rather small so it won’t take up too much space in your backpack.

As far as streaming is concerned, the Zosemeli Switch capture card can receive an input at 4K 60Hz but the output is restricted to 1080p 60Hz. However, some users have reported that the output stream couldn’t go beyond 30fps. This could be attributed to the fact that the capture card isn’t able to achieve USB 3.0 speeds.

Considering the asking price, it’s not too big of a deal. Nevertheless, if the user reviews are anything to go by, then the specs on the product page are misleading.

2. Averyn Video Capture Card

Apart from a more compact design, the Averyn capture card one-ups the Zosemeli card in the refresh rate department. Reviews say the output can actually touch the 60Hz mark, which is great. However, the video quality could be better and some reviews highlight that the stream looks rather grainy.

As such, it all boils down to whether you want a cleaner video output or a higher refresh rate. Do note that these sacrifices are common amongst budget-oriented capture cards. If you want the best of both worlds, you will have to splurge on a more expensive capture card for your Nintendo Switch.

3. DCYFOL Switch Capture Card

The DCYFOL capture card is larger than the Zosemeli and Averyn cards as it comes with two output ports. You can either output to a TV and stream your gameplay in real time, or you can feed the output to a computer to capture it.

The brand has also included dedicated jacks for microphones and headphones on the capture card itself. This allows you to capture your voice when gaming without having to add an additional audio source via software. Most reviews speak highly of the capture card’s performance, with many buyers citing that the device can output good-quality clips at 60Hz seamlessly. The graphics also appear good and there’s minimal lag between the input and output.

The capture card comes with a slew of accessories too. To that end, the device ships with a USB-A cable for output. If your device uses USB-C, then fret not, as the company has also bundled an adapter in the package itself. You can also consider the TKHIN capture card if DCYFOL’s offering runs out of stock.

4. AVerMedia GC551G2 Live Gamer Extreme 3

Just like the DCYFOL capture card, the AVerMedia Extreme 3 can also output to two devices. That said, the device’s output feed sets it apart. With a Variable Refresh Rate pass-through, the Gamer Extreme 3 essentially outputs lossless graphics. So, even if you’re capturing the gameplay in a lower resolution, the feed will appear crisp and smooth.

This is a huge boon for content creators. Reviews also mention that the latency is almost absent when streaming at 4K, which is excellent. You can also stream HDR content via the AVerMedia capture card so you’re pretty much sorted with most types of content.

5. Elgato HD60 X External Capture Card

A quick look at the reviews section would tell you that most users who have purchased the HD60 X have no major complaints. It’s reliable and ideal for those who want a device that “just works”. Needless to say, you cannot go wrong with the Elgato capture card for your Nintendo Switch.

The Elgato HD60 X also has pass-through video output similar to the AVerMedia card. So, you can achieve the same 2K 120Hz and 1080p 240Hz output using VRR pass-through. Do note that Elgato doesn’t mention a specific number for latency and only claims sub-100ms ultra-low latency when streaming.

This is slightly disappointing given that the AVerMedia capture card that costs lesser has a latency of under 35ms. If you want a reliable product though, the Elgato HD60 X capture card is a strong contender.

FAQs for Nintendo Switch Capture Cards

Stream Your Gameplay

These were some of the best capture cards for Nintendo Switch. A capture card for your Nintendo Switch can not only help you record your gameplay, but it can also help you live-stream your gaming sessions to an audience. Entry-level capture cards are quite inexpensive so if you’re a beginner, you don’t have to burn a hole in your pocket. If you want a professional output though, we recommend opting for a premium capture card.