Elgato Game Capture Neo (4K60 passthrough)

Our analysis

The AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 records in 4K60 and passes up to 4K144 over HDMI 2.1; the Game Capture Neo trades both for size: it records at 1080p60, passes 4K60 HDR and fits in a pocket. It is Elgato's portable card, for creators who capture console gameplay for YouTube or TikTok and want something they can take to a friend's house or a tournament.

What stands out

• Pocket-sized. Recording away from your desk does not mean hauling a bulky box.
• 4K60 HDR passthrough. The TV or monitor keeps the full picture while you record, so the person playing does not lose image quality.
• 1080p60 recording with Elgato software. Enough for the YouTube and TikTok clips it is made for.
• USB 3.0 connection. It connects to your laptop or PC over a single USB cable.

Where it falls short

• Recording stops at 1080p60, with no 4K option, which makes it the card you carry rather than the one your studio is built around.
• HDR recording tops out at 1080p60 and only works on Windows.
• Its spec sheet lists passthrough at 4K60 HDR only, while the AVerMedia entry card also lists 1440p144 and 1080p240, which matters if you play on a high refresh monitor.

Look elsewhere if

• The card will live on your desk and you want 4K60 recording: the Elgato 4K S is the studio pick, with passthrough up to 1440p120 and 1080p240. If portability does not matter, the AVerMedia streaming card records at the same 1080p60.

It appears as the portable option in our capture card guide and in our roundup of the best Elgato products for creators.