AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 vs Elgato HD60 X
AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 (#2, best value) vs Elgato HD60 X (#4): in our Capture Cards scoring the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 totals 9.2/10 and the Elgato HD60 X 8.1/10. At $209 versus $120, the Elgato HD60 X costs $89 less.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 | Elgato HD60 X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $209 | $120 |
| Max Capture | 4K @ 144fps (Windows) / 4K60 (macOS) | 1080p60 HDR10 / 4K30 |
| Max Passthrough | 4K @ 144fps HDR/VRR | 4K60 HDR10 / 1440p120 |
| Connection | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C) | USB 3.0 (Type-C) |
| HDMI | 2.1 | 2.0 |
| Audio | 3.5mm TRRS + 5.1 surround | — |
| Weight | 115g | 115g |
| Encoding | — | Hardware HEVC |
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 HD60 X 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 reliable mid-range workhorse. Hardware HEVC encoding, Flashback Recording, and 4K60 HDR passthrough at $179 make it the sweet spot for streamers who don't need 4K capture. Proven by thousands of streamers over years of use.
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 HD60 X 8.1. The widest gap is Capture Quality, where the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 scores 10 against 7 for the Elgato HD60 X — resolution and frame rate. Passthrough also separates them: 10 for the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 versus 8 for the Elgato HD60 X. The Elgato HD60 X claws back ground on Compatibility, Build Quality 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 1080p60 HDR10 / 4K30 on the Elgato HD60 X; Max Passthrough — 4K @ 144fps HDR/VRR on the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 versus 4K60 HDR10 / 1440p120 on the Elgato HD60 X; Connection — USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C) on the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 versus USB 3.0 (Type-C) on the Elgato HD60 X; HDMI — 2.1 on the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 versus 2.0 on the Elgato HD60 X. They match on Weight.
Pricing as of April 1, 2026: $209 for the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 and $120 for the Elgato HD60 X, a $89 difference in the Elgato HD60 X's favor. 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 HD60 X for hardware HEVC encoding reduces CPU load and flashback Recording caches gameplay automatically; the most common complaint is max capture limited to 1080p60 or 4K30.
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 HD60 X
- Hardware HEVC encoding reduces CPU load
- Flashback Recording caches gameplay automatically
- 4K60 HDR10 passthrough for lag-free gaming
- VRR passthrough support
- Max capture limited to 1080p60 or 4K30
- No HDMI 2.1 (HDMI 2.0 only)
- No 4K60 capture
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 HD60 X is the better fit for mid-budget Twitch and YouTube streamers and console gamers wanting reliable 1080p60, and the stronger choice if Compatibility and Build Quality matter more to you than the overall score. If the $89 saving matters more than Capture Quality, the Elgato HD60 X is the better value. The AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 is a poor fit for macOS users needing 4K144; the Elgato HD60 X is a poor fit for 4K60 capture seekers.
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 HD60 X if
- Mid-budget Twitch and YouTube streamers
- Console gamers wanting reliable 1080p60
- Streamers who value Flashback Recording
Skip it if
- 4K60 capture seekers
- Competitive gamers needing 4K144 passthrough
Common questions
Is the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 better than the Elgato HD60 X?
In our Capture Cards ranking the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 scores higher overall, 9.2 to 8.1, with the biggest advantage in Capture Quality. The Elgato HD60 X is stronger on Compatibility and Build Quality, so it is the better pick if those matter most to you.
How much more does the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 cost than the Elgato HD60 X?
$89 more as of April 1, 2026: $209 for the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 against $120 for the Elgato HD60 X. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure. What the extra buys is mostly Capture Quality — 10 versus 7 in our scoring.
What is the main difference between the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 and the Elgato HD60 X?
The headline spec difference is Max Capture: 4K @ 144fps (Windows) / 4K60 (macOS) on the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 versus 1080p60 HDR10 / 4K30 on the Elgato HD60 X. In use, the gap that matters most is Capture Quality (10 vs 7 in our scoring): resolution and frame rate.