AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 vs Elgato 4K S
AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 (#2, best value) vs Elgato 4K S (#4): in our Capture Cards scoring the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 totals 9.2/10 and the Elgato 4K S 8.3/10, the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 leading on Capture Quality and Passthrough and the Elgato 4K S on Compatibility and Value.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 | Elgato 4K S | |
|---|---|---|
| Max Capture | 4K @ 144fps (Windows) / 4K60 (macOS) | 4K @ 60fps / 1440p120 (HDR10 up to 1080p60) |
| Max Passthrough | 4K @ 144fps HDR/VRR | 4K60 HDR10 / 1440p120 / 1080p240 |
| Connection | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C) | USB 3.0 (Type-C, 5Gbps) |
| HDMI | 2.1 | 2.0 |
| Audio | 3.5mm TRRS + 5.1 surround | 3.5mm analog input |
| Weight | 115g | 90g |
| VRR | — | Yes (passthrough) |
| Encoding | — | Software (UVC, on computer) |
| Compatibility | — | Windows 11, macOS, iPadOS (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | — | 112 x 72 x 18 mm |
| Price | Check price → | Check price → |
How they differ in real use
Built from our capture cards scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 and the Elgato 4K S made our Top 5 Capture Cards, at #2 (best value) and #4. Matches the Elgato 4K X on HDMI 2.1 specs at a lower price, and adds 5.1 surround capture, a headset jack for party chat, and ultrawide support. The most feature-rich external capture card dollar-for-dollar. The mid-range pick and the follow-up to the HD60 X, which is no longer available on Amazon. The 4K S raises the 4K capture ceiling from 4K30 to 4K60, adds 1440p120 capture and 1080p240 passthrough, and keeps 4K60 HDR10 and VRR passthrough, all over one USB-C 3.0 cable that works with PC, Mac and USB-C iPads as a plug-and-play UVC device. It ranks below the three HDMI 2.1 cards above because it cannot pass through 4K120 or 4K144 and its HDR capture stops at 1080p60 (Windows only), but it costs far less than any of them. It ranks above the Game Capture Neo on capture quality (4K60 versus 1080p60), VRR passthrough and a 3.5mm input for commentary, all of which the Neo lacks.
We score capture cards on Capture Quality (35%), Passthrough (25%), Compatibility (20%), Build Quality (10%) and Value (10%). On that basis the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 totals 9.2 out of 10 and the Elgato 4K S 8.3. The widest gap is Capture Quality, where the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 scores 10 against 8 for the Elgato 4K S: resolution and frame rate. Passthrough also separates them: 10 for the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 versus 8 for the Elgato 4K S. The Elgato 4K S claws back ground on Compatibility and Value.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Max Capture: 4K @ 144fps (Windows) / 4K60 (macOS) on the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 versus 4K @ 60fps / 1440p120 (HDR10 up to 1080p60) on the Elgato 4K S; Max Passthrough: 4K @ 144fps HDR/VRR on the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 versus 4K60 HDR10 / 1440p120 / 1080p240 on the Elgato 4K S; Connection: USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C) on the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 versus USB 3.0 (Type-C, 5Gbps) on the Elgato 4K S; HDMI: 2.1 on the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 versus 2.0 on the Elgato 4K S; Audio: 3.5mm TRRS + 5.1 surround on the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 versus 3.5mm analog input on the Elgato 4K S; Weight: 115g on the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 versus 90g on the Elgato 4K S.
Check current pricing at the merchant links below. Owners praise the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 for 4K144 HDR/VRR passthrough with HDMI 2.1 and 5.1 multi-channel surround sound capture; the most common complaint is 4K144 capture requires high-end PC. Owners praise the Elgato 4K S for 4K60 capture, double the HD60 X's 4K30 ceiling and 1440p120 capture plus 1080p240 passthrough; the most common complaint is HDR10 capture limited to 1080p60, and only on Windows.
AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1
- 4K144 HDR/VRR passthrough with HDMI 2.1
- 5.1 multi-channel surround sound capture
- Built-in headset jack for party chat
- RGB lighting with Windows Dynamic Lighting
- 4K144 capture requires high-end PC
- macOS limited to 4K60 capture
- Software less polished than Elgato's
Elgato 4K S
- 4K60 capture, double the HD60 X's 4K30 ceiling
- 1440p120 capture plus 1080p240 passthrough
- 4K60 HDR10 and VRR passthrough
- Plug-and-play UVC on Windows, macOS and USB-C iPads over one USB-C cable
- HDR10 capture limited to 1080p60, and only on Windows
- HDMI 2.0 only: no 4K120/4K144 passthrough like the HDMI 2.1 cards
- Very light body can slide around against its cables (per Windows Central)
Which should you buy?
The AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 is the better fit for console streamers wanting party chat capture and ultrawide monitor users; it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Capture Quality and Passthrough. The Elgato 4K S is the better fit for pS5, Xbox Series X/S and Switch 2 streamers who want 4K60 recording and mac and iPad creators who need plug-and-play capture, and the stronger choice if Compatibility and Value matter more to you than the overall score. The AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 is a poor fit for macOS users needing 4K144; the Elgato 4K S is a poor fit for players who need 4K120/4K144 passthrough.
Choose the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 if
- Console streamers wanting party chat capture
- Ultrawide monitor users
- Feature-rich streaming setups
Skip it if
- macOS users needing 4K144
- Those wanting minimal setup
Choose the Elgato 4K S if
- PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Switch 2 streamers who want 4K60 recording
- Mac and iPad creators who need plug-and-play capture
- Streamers adding commentary through the 3.5mm input
Skip it if
- Players who need 4K120/4K144 passthrough
- Creators who need HDR capture above 1080p
Common questions
Is the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 better than the Elgato 4K S?
In our Capture Cards ranking the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 scores higher overall, 9.2 to 8.3, with the biggest advantage in Capture Quality. The Elgato 4K S is stronger on Compatibility and Value, so it is the better pick if those matter most to you.
What is the main difference between the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 and the Elgato 4K S?
The headline spec difference is Max Capture: 4K @ 144fps (Windows) / 4K60 (macOS) on the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 versus 4K @ 60fps / 1440p120 (HDR10 up to 1080p60) on the Elgato 4K S. In use, the gap that matters most is Capture Quality (10 vs 8 in our scoring): resolution and frame rate.