Elgato 4K S vs Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2
Elgato 4K S vs Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2: Get the Elgato 4K S. The Elgato 4K S wins Capture Quality and Passthrough. It is also the cheaper of the...
The Ruling
Elgato 4K S or Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2? Get the Elgato 4K S.
The Elgato 4K S wins Capture Quality and Passthrough. It is also the cheaper of the two, by $159.01.
At a Glance
Where each one actually leads
Every axis is scored out of 10 from the catalog specs below. The scores are relative to the products on this page, so a 10 means “best of these”, not “perfect”, and two identical columns mean the catalog genuinely cannot separate them. Axes the catalog holds no figure for on both sides are left off entirely rather than guessed at.
| Category | Elgato 4K S | Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Capture Quality | 10/10 | 2.5/10 |
| Passthrough | 10/10 | 7/10 |
| Value | 10/10 | 5/10 |
The Split
What each one wins
Elgato 4K S
Portable 4K capture device with low-latency output for multi-platform content workflows.
On paper the Elgato 4K S takes capture resolution (4K60) and passthrough resolution (4K60 / 1440p120 / 1080p240). It concedes nothing measurable on the sheet. It is the cheaper of the two, by $159.01.
Leads on
-
Capture Resolution4K601080p60
-
Passthrough Resolution4K60 / 1440p120 / 1080p2404K30
Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2
Video capture device for gameplay, cameras, or HDMI sources with creator-friendly passthrough and recording support.
It gives up capture resolution and passthrough resolution to the Elgato 4K S. That costs $159.01 more than the Elgato 4K S.
Leads on
- Nothing on the spec sheet goes this one’s way.
Where they’re identical
One spec is the same on both of them, so none of it is part of the decision.
- Connection Type usb-c, hdmi
The Record
14 specs, grouped by area
A group is won by whoever takes more of its rows outright. Specs the catalog cannot rank are shown but never decide a group.
Bottom Line
Who each one is for
The Elgato 4K S is the pick on the specs the catalog holds, but “better on paper” and “right for you” are different questions. Each case below names what the product is actually good at and who that suits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Elgato 4K S and Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2?
The largest gap is capture resolution, where the Elgato 4K S leads — 4K60 against 1080p60. Across the catalog's specification sheet the two differ on 2 specs. They match on 1 spec, including connection type. Two capture cards from Elgato and Magewell, each taking a different approach to video quality and latency.
Which is better for streaming, Elgato 4K S or Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2?
Get the Elgato 4K S. The Elgato 4K S wins Capture Quality and Passthrough. It is also the cheaper of the two, by $159.01.
Is the Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 worth the extra $159 over the Elgato 4K S?
The Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 costs $319.00 against $159.99, a difference of $159. On the catalog's specifications it does not lead the Elgato 4K S anywhere, so the premium buys brand, build or something the catalog does not record. Whether that is worth it depends on which of those you would actually use.