Elgato 4K S vs Elgato Game Capture Neo
Elgato 4K S (#4) vs Elgato Game Capture Neo (#5, best budget): in our Capture Cards scoring the Elgato 4K S totals 8.3/10 and the Elgato Game Capture Neo 7.4/10, the Elgato 4K S leading on Capture Quality and Passthrough and the Elgato Game Capture Neo on Value.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Elgato 4K S | Elgato Game Capture Neo | |
|---|---|---|
| Max Capture | 4K @ 60fps / 1440p120 (HDR10 up to 1080p60) | 1080p60 |
| Max Passthrough | 4K60 HDR10 / 1440p120 / 1080p240 | 4K60 HDR |
| Connection | USB 3.0 (Type-C, 5Gbps) | USB 3.0 (Type-C) |
| HDMI | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| VRR | Yes (passthrough) | — |
| Weight | 90g | 85g |
| Audio | 3.5mm analog input | — |
| Encoding | Software (UVC, on computer) | Software |
| 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 Elgato 4K S and the Elgato Game Capture Neo made our Top 5 Capture Cards, at #4 and #5 (best budget). 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. The simplest way to start streaming console gameplay. True plug-and-play with no drivers, 4K60 HDR passthrough, and cross-platform compatibility at $129. The most accessible capture card for beginners who want to go live with minimal setup.
We score capture cards on Capture Quality (35%), Passthrough (25%), Compatibility (20%), Build Quality (10%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Elgato 4K S totals 8.3 out of 10 and the Elgato Game Capture Neo 7.4. The widest gap is Capture Quality, where the Elgato 4K S scores 8 against 6 for the Elgato Game Capture Neo: resolution and frame rate. Passthrough also separates them: 8 for the Elgato 4K S versus 7 for the Elgato Game Capture Neo. The Elgato Game Capture Neo claws back ground on Value.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Max Capture: 4K @ 60fps / 1440p120 (HDR10 up to 1080p60) on the Elgato 4K S versus 1080p60 on the Elgato Game Capture Neo; Max Passthrough: 4K60 HDR10 / 1440p120 / 1080p240 on the Elgato 4K S versus 4K60 HDR on the Elgato Game Capture Neo; Connection: USB 3.0 (Type-C, 5Gbps) on the Elgato 4K S versus USB 3.0 (Type-C) on the Elgato Game Capture Neo; Weight: 90g on the Elgato 4K S versus 85g on the Elgato Game Capture Neo; Encoding: Software (UVC, on computer) on the Elgato 4K S versus Software on the Elgato Game Capture Neo. They match on HDMI.
Check current pricing at the merchant links below. 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. Owners praise the Elgato Game Capture Neo for true plug-and-play, no drivers needed and 4K60 HDR passthrough for lag-free gaming; the most common complaint is max capture limited to 1080p60.
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)
Elgato Game Capture Neo
- True plug-and-play, no drivers needed
- 4K60 HDR passthrough for lag-free gaming
- Works with PC, Mac, and iPad
- Extremely compact and lightweight
- Max capture limited to 1080p60
- No HDMI 2.1
- No VRR passthrough
Which should you buy?
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; it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Capture Quality and Passthrough. The Elgato Game Capture Neo is the better fit for first-time streamers on a budget and iPad and laptop streamers, and the stronger choice if Value matters more to you than the overall score. The Elgato 4K S is a poor fit for players who need 4K120/4K144 passthrough; the Elgato Game Capture Neo is a poor fit for professional streamers needing 4K capture.
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
Choose the Elgato Game Capture Neo if
- First-time streamers on a budget
- iPad and laptop streamers
- Casual creators who value simplicity
Skip it if
- Professional streamers needing 4K capture
- Competitive gamers needing VRR
Common questions
Is the Elgato 4K S better than the Elgato Game Capture Neo?
In our Capture Cards ranking the Elgato 4K S scores higher overall, 8.3 to 7.4, with the biggest advantage in Capture Quality. The Elgato Game Capture Neo is stronger on Value, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
What is the main difference between the Elgato 4K S and the Elgato Game Capture Neo?
The headline spec difference is Max Capture: 4K @ 60fps / 1440p120 (HDR10 up to 1080p60) on the Elgato 4K S versus 1080p60 on the Elgato Game Capture Neo. In use, the gap that matters most is Capture Quality (8 vs 6 in our scoring): resolution and frame rate.