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Elgato 4K S vs Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus: Comparison
What is the difference between Elgato 4K S and Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus?
Connection type is the dividing line, Elgato 4K S USB-C against Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus USB-C / Thunderbolt. There is a split on max recording resolution as well, 4K60 on the Elgato 4K S versus 4K30 on the Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus. There is a split on passthrough resolution as well, 4K60, 1440p120, 1440p144, 1080p240 on the Elgato 4K S versus 4K60 on the Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus.
Elgato 4K S vs Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus: which one fits your build
The Elgato 4K S is the one to take for buyers on a 1440p high-refresh monitor specifically. It also earns its place with laptop and iPad streamers wanting genuine 4K60 capture without an internal PCIe card. Avoid it for desktop-only setups where an internal PCIe card's lower latency and higher bandwidth ceiling would be preferable. Buy the Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus for AV and broadcast professionals needing driver-free, cross-platform UVC capture. It is equally the pick for church, corporate, or event production setups where IT won't allow custom drivers. It is the wrong buy for console gamers, this is priced and built for professional AV use, not gaming. Our rating of the Elgato 4K S (9/10): the most portable way to get genuine 4K60 capture, ideal for laptop and iPad streamers, especially on a 1440p high-refresh monitor. Our rating of the Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus (8/10): A dependable, driver-free 4K capture device for AV professionals who value UVC reliability over gaming-oriented extras.
What Elgato 4K S and Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus have in common
Where they agree, they agree completely, form factor included, so the decision does not turn on any of those.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Elgato 4K S
- External USB
- Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus
- External USB
Brand
- Elgato 4K S
- Elgato
- Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus
- Magewell
Model Number
- Elgato 4K S
- 4K S
- Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus
- USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus
Connection Type
- Elgato 4K S
- USB-C
- Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus
- USB-C / Thunderbolt
Max Recording Resolution
- Elgato 4K S
- 4K60
- Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus
- 4K30
Passthrough Resolution
- Elgato 4K S
- 4K60, 1440p120, 1440p144, 1080p240
- Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus
- 4K60
Which one should you pick?
Choose Elgato 4K S if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Elgato 4K S | Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
| Best Buy | View on Best Buy | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Elgato 4K S
9 / 10 Expert Rating
The most portable way to get genuine 4K60 capture, ideal for laptop and iPad streamers, especially on a 1440p high-refresh monitor.
Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus
8 / 10 Expert Rating
A dependable, driver-free 4K capture device for AV professionals who value UVC reliability over gaming-oriented extras.