We've looked at some of the most popular video recording devices that gamers can use to make YouTube videos, but which one stands out as the one we'd recommend? We rank six devices below.

Of all the devices on this list, the HD PVR Rocket has the best combination of features for the price. With a PC-free mode that lets you record to USB storage and the ability to record from HDMI, component, and composite sources, it’s incredibly fully featured for just $130. It’s also very easy to use and has great software. It’s not the most powerful device available, so if you’re looking for raw bitrates or 60 FPS at 1080p, it might not be for you. But for almost everyone else, I highly recommend the HD PVR Rocket.

AVerMedia’s Live Gamer Portable is a close runner-up to the Hauppauge HD PVR Rocket . It also offers a PC-free mode, this time with an SD card slot instead of USB storage, and it can record from HDMI and component sources. It supports significantly higher bitrates than the Rocket, along with up to 1080p/60 FPS recording, so it’s a good, fully-featured choice if you’re looking for high bitrates (and the huge files that come with them). The included RECentral software is also my favorite recording software of all the units I tested, which is another plus. It does have a few drawbacks, though. The Live Gamer Portable costs a bit more at $160, and it can’t record composite sources. It’s also a lot harder to find, as AVerMedia has released a new version, the Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus.

It’s one of the older models on this list, sure, but I’ve been using the HD PVR 2 GE for a few years now and I love it. It also competes very well with the newer devices in terms of features and performance, so it’s definitely worth checking out even if it’s not the latest hotness. It can record from HDMI, component, and composite sources. Like the Rocket, it doesn’t have insanely high bitrates or 1080p/60 FPS, but the video it produces still looks fantastic and it’s incredibly easy to use. It does have a few negatives, though. First, it requires an AC adapter to be plugged into a wall outlet, which none of these other devices do. Second, there’s no PC-free mode, so you’ll need to be connected to a computer to record. Third, it costs around $150, which is okay compared to other devices in that price range, but a bit laughable compared to the $130 for the more fully featured Rocket.