Head-to-head · Best Capture Cards for Streaming

Elgato HD60 X vs Razer Ripsaw HD

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Elgato HD60 X comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about the default pick for new and intermediate streamers who output 1080p60 to Twitch/YouTube and want zero setup friction — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Capture Cards for Streaming

Elgato HD60 X

4.5

$180as of May 19

The HD60 X is the volume seller for good reason — at $180, it hits the 1080p60 sweet spot that 80% of streamers actually use, with 4K60 HDR passthrough so console-attached monitors still get the full signal. Driverless setup makes it the easiest pick for first-time streamers. The 4K X is better; the Razer Ripsaw HD is cheaper. The HD60 X is the safe middle.

Strengths

— 1080p60 HDR10 capture is the right tier for most Twitch and YouTube streams
— 4K60 HDR passthrough so console players see the full output even though it captures at 1080p
— Sub-100 ms latency — practical for streaming where some lag is fine

Watch-outs

— Capture caps at 1080p60 — not the path for 4K creators
— Older USB-C 3.0 interface (not Gen 2x2)
— HDR capture is Windows-only

$180 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best Capture Cards for Streaming

Razer Ripsaw HD

4.2

$60as of May 19

The Ripsaw HD is the budget pick that's been holding the line for years. 1080p60 capture, 4K60 passthrough, USB 3.0, and built-in audio mixing — all the basics for a streaming kit at roughly 75% of the Elgato HD60 X's price. The trade-off is age: this is a 2019 product that hasn't been refreshed, and Razer's drivers are heavier than Elgato's. For first-time streamers on a tight budget, still a reasonable buy.

Strengths

— 1080p60 capture and 4K60 passthrough at the most aggressive price in this round-up
— USB 3.0 single-cable connection
— Built-in mic/headphone audio mixing for Discord and party chat passthrough

Watch-outs

— Razer's drivers are heavier than Elgato's lightweight install
— No HDR capture (passthrough is fine; capture flattens HDR)
— Older product — Razer hasn't iterated since 2019

$60 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Elgato HD60 X

The default 1080p streaming pick. Beats the Razer Ripsaw HD on driver maturity and 4K passthrough quality, but loses on price. Loses to the Elgato 4K X and AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra S on capture resolution — but those start at twice the price tier. The internal AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K matches Elgato HD60 X on simplicity once installed but requires a desktop with a free PCIe slot.

Razer Ripsaw HD

Budget pick of the round-up. Matches the Elgato HD60 X on capture ceiling at a lower price. Loses to the HD60 X on driver lightness and Mac support. Far below the 4K-capable Elgato 4K X, AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra S, and AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K on capture resolution.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Elgato HD60 X	Razer Ripsaw HD
Capture Resolution	Up to 1080p60 HDR10 (4K30)	Up to 1080p60
Passthrough	Up to 4K60 HDR	Up to 4K60
Interface	USB-C 3.0	USB 3.0
Connectivity	HDMI 2.0 in/out	HDMI 2.0 in/out
Latency	Sub-100 ms	—
OS Support	Windows (HDR), Mac	Windows 8 64-bit or later
Form Factor	External (4.4 x 2.8 x 0.7 in)	External
Audio Mixing	—	Built-in mic/headphone passthrough
Compatibility	—	PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC

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