It took an unusually long time, but HDMI 2.1 capture cards are finally here. The AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 is not the first such product on the market, but after everything about it is taken into consideration, it's the best choice for anyone looking to create gaming content in 2023. Its combination of HDMI 2.1 input and output, and a 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, allows you to record and live stream video in up to 4K60, while simultaneously gaming in 4K144, without having to give up on VRR or HDR.

There's a lot to like about the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1, starting with its compact form factor and port layout. All inputs and outputs are placed on the back, making cable management much simpler than usual. You won't look to splurge for it because it fits in your pocket, though; it's the raw performance that's the main draw of AVerMedia's latest capture card. Being able to capture great quality video in up to 4K60, and game in 4K144 at the same time – that's the card's strongest feature and its key selling point. Let's not forget about the 1440p120 capture and 1440p240 passthrough either, or even 1080p240 capture and 1080p360 passthrough, which might incline you to treat yourself to the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 even if you're streaming and recording in 1080p but own a 240 or 360 Hz gaming monitor.

The only limitation of the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 is that it currently doesn't play nice with ultrawide resolutions, such as 3440x1440. If you have such a monitor, the HDMI passthrough will limit you to 60 Hz. AVerMedia plans to bump that to 120 Hz in an upcoming November firmware update, but that still isn't ideal. 144 Hz at 3440x1440 would be an acceptable minimum in my book. On the other hand, streaming or recording video in ultrawide resolutions isn't at all popular, so this issue won't affect many users and potential buyers of the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1.

With the launch of the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1, last-gen capture cards became all but obsolete. If you're serious about your content creator career, this is the product to get. It performs admirably, and it's future-proof, making it a worthwhile investment.