Elgato
Elgato Game Capture 4K X
$249.99Cheaper
Released 2024-02
Best Capture Cards · head-to-head
Elgato Game Capture 4K X vs Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Elgato Game Capture 4K X is cheaper at $249.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Magewell
Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus
$545
Which is better: the Elgato Game Capture 4K X or Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Elgato Game Capture 4K X is the cheaper at $249.99.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Elgato Game Capture 4K X | Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $249.99 | $545 |
| Brand | Elgato | Magewell |
| Released | 2024-02 | — |
| Interface | usb | usb |
| Max passthrough | 4K144 (HDMI 2.1, VRR, HDR10) | 4K60 (HDMI 2.0 loop-through) |
| Max capture resolution | 4K (2160p) | 4K (4096x2160) |
| Max capture framerate | 144 | 30 |
| HDR passthrough | Yes | — |
| Vrr support | Yes | — |
| Input | hdmi | hdmi |
| Encoding | software | software |
| Release | 2024-02 | — |
Sources — Elgato Game Capture 4K X: elgato.com (verified 2026-06-20). Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus: magewell.com (verified 2026-06-20).
What's the difference between the Elgato Game Capture 4K X and Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (3 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Max passthrough: Elgato Game Capture 4K X 4K144 (HDMI 2.1, VRR, HDR10) vs Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus 4K60 (HDMI 2.0 loop-through)
- Max capture resolution: Elgato Game Capture 4K X 4K (2160p) vs Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus 4K (4096x2160)
- Max capture framerate: Elgato Game Capture 4K X 144 vs Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus 30
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Elgato Game Capture 4K X
Only one whitelisted tester offers hands-on prose on this exact model: a TechRadar senior writer used the Elgato 4K X to play Black Ops 6 on a Meta Quest 3, calling the picture excellent, latency manageable, and setup super-easy. No whitelisted outlet ran a full lab review; dedicated reviews sit on non-whitelisted sites, and Notebookcheck tested the different 4K S. (1 sourced review.)
Praised: Picture looks excellent, even on Quest 3's large virtual screen; Fast, plug-and-play setup via HDMI Link; Latency/refresh manageable; Black Ops 6 ran smoothly at 60Hz with no obvious lag.
Flagged: Pricey.
Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus
No sourced tester review yet.