The best VHS to DVD converters allow you to convert piles of dust-gathering VHS takes intro digital files, ready to be burned onto DVD if needed. Given that analog recordings can and will degrade over time, it's best to convert them as soon as you can to ensure the best quality! They'll enable you to rescue your precious recordings before they degrade beyond repair, so don't hang about!
Thankfully, in 2026, you have a multitude of options for converting your collection – to the point where choosing the best VHS to DVD converters from the plethora of options on the market can feel a little overwhelming! So, I've aimed to cut through the confusion with this guide, exploring the top contenders from budget-friendly options to professional-grade kit. I've tested every single device on this list, and the ordering in this list is based on my hands-on impressions with each of the devices.
I've delved into the features, ease of use and output quality of each of the VHS to DVD converters in this list, helping you find the perfect converter to preserve your recordings for years to come.
The Quick List
With its own bespoke software that makes the capturing process incredibly easy, the Elgato Video Capture is likely going to be the best option for most people. It really is a plug-and-play device – though you'll need a USB 2.0 port.
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The DigitNow Video Capture converter is more affordable than the popular Elgato version and externally identical. While it's a little less easy to set up and use, it does do the basics of converting analog video to digital at an affordable price.
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If you don't want to have to use a computer, this ClearClick converter is an excellent choice. It has a built-in 5.7-inch screen, and records direct to an SD card, cutting out the digital middleman for fast and easy conversion.
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Lots of these analog-to-digital conversion devices use the antiquated USB 2.0 connection – so it's lovely to see the ClearClick Video2USB arrive sporting a modern USB-C connector instead. It also has an HDMI input.
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If you like the sound of the ClearClick Video2Digital Converter 3.0 but are put off by the price, DigitNow's cut-price version, the Full Media Recorder, could be just what you're looking for – though quality is limited to 640x480.
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Jon is one of our go-to specialists when it comes to all aspects of photography, from cameras and action cameras to lenses and memory cards, flash diffusers and triggers, batteries and memory cards, selfie sticks and gimbals, and much more besides. He has personally tested and reviewed all the VHS to DVD converters featured in this guide.
The best VHS to DVD converter
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Best VHS to DVD converter overall
This device from Elgato is one of the best-known VHS to DVD converters, and while it's more expensive than quite a few of its rivals, I think it's the best choice for most people. I've used all the devices on this list, and if I were faced with a stack of VHS tapes to convert, the Elgato is the device I would reach for.
A big part of this – the main part, in fact – is the software. Unlike many other devices, which encourage you to download OBS or similar programs, the Elgato has its own packaged bespoke software that streamlines the whole process. It guides you through the process of connecing up your video source, testing audio and video, and capturing the content. It also offers a quick editing solution – nothing fancy, but you can trim the ends off your clips to make them shareable.
While it still uses the older USB 2.0 standard, it's compatible with all recent versions of Windows and macOS. You only get a maximum resolution of 852x480, but to be honest, with most analog footage you aren't going to need a lot more than that, as the content itself will likely be quite low-quality. So, the Elgato gets my vote as the best VHS to DVD converter for most people.
The best cheap VHS to DVD converter
For the majority of people seeking the best VHS to DVD converter, I'd suggest this budget-friendly device from Digitnow. It looks a lot like the Elgato Video Capture – in fact, having held the two side by side, I would go further than that and say on the outside, the two devices look exactly the same. You have the same RCA and USB 2.0 connectors, and a SCART adapter included in the box.
There are some differences however – principally that you don't get that bespoke Elgato software, and instead will need to use a standard video capturing program like OBS. Not a huge hardship, but it does make the process a bit less 'plug and play'. This gives you greater flexibility, as well as the ability to output in higher resolutions – though to be honest, with the majority of VHS and camcorder footage, you aren't going to want to.
This VHS to DVD converter is also compatible with most versions of Windows and versions of MacOS – I had a little trouble getting it to work on a PC, but was fine once I manually updated some drivers (on Mac, it was smoother). With an affordable price tag, this is a solid budget choice for VHS to DVD conversion.
Best VHS to DVD converter with screen
You may have noticed that the ClearClick Video2Digital Converter 3.0 is much more expensive than the other VHS to DVD converters we've looked at so far. However, it is also a much more sophisticated device, with its own 5.7-inch screen for viewing your content as it is recording, and the ability to save recordings directly to a microSD card or USB flash drive. That's right – this is a completely standalone VHS to DVD converter, no computer required.
This is great if you want to be able to convert large amounts of footage without tying up your computer. The ClearClick Video2Digital Converter 3.0 runs off its own battery, though you'll want to keep a USB-C charging cable close at hand, as in my experience, the meter ticks down quite quickly. However, I was pleased with the color depth and quality of the video I converted, which was noticeably richer than footage I'd captured with a similar converter.
While this is a premium option, at a price that only really makes sense if you've got a lot of VHS or camcorder footage to convert, it is undeniably an excellent option.
Best VHS to DVD converter with USB-C
As I'm a Mac Mini user, while I was testing these VHS to DVD converters I did get a little weary of having to dig the USB dock out for the decidedly antiquated-feeling USB 2.0 connectors. As such, it was a joy when I opened up the ClearClick Video2USB and found a lovely USB-C connector staring back at me (well, not actually staring, but you get my drift).
The ClearClick Video2USB also sports an HDMI input, in addition to the by-now familiar RCA and S-video inputs, giving you more options with the kinds of content you can record (though be warned that it won't work if it detects you naughtily trying to rip copyrighted material). It's fairly easy to use, working through OBS or similar software, and I found I was able to get a digital copy of my analog footage quickly and easily – though I did note that its colors were quite drab compared to those of the more expensive ClearClick Video2Digital Converter 3.0, which I was testing at the same time.
Best cheap VHS to DVD converter with screen
If you liked the sound of the standalone ClearClick Video Converter but were put off b y the price, the DigitNow Full Media Recorder is a cheap and cheerful alternative. Its screen is much smaller, it has some slightly archaic interfaces (I don't even remember the last time I plugged in something with a mini-USB cable), and its recording quality is quite limited.
However, I can attest that it works – it's a device that you can quite simply plug into a VHS player or similar device, and it will record what's playing for as long as you tell it to. It records AVI files that will play easily enough with VLC media player, and you can also take still snapshots of your footage while it's playing using the dedicated button (though it's worth noting that if you do this while recording, it'll stop the recording). All in all, this isn't a terribly sophisticated device, but one that gets the job done.
FAQs
Where do I find a VHS VCR?
To use these converters, you will need a working VHS VCR to play back the tape at normal speed to create the signal that the digitizer with record onto your computers hard drive or SSD.
Unfortunately, VCRs are impossible to buy new nowadays, so you'll have to find one secondhand, or borrow one off a friend that still has a working machine. Online retailers like eBay and Amazon often have reconditioned models for sale (you can always resell it after you have done your conversions).
Similarly, if you are wanting to digitize old camcorder tapes, you will need a working camcorder of the same format .
What is the best quality VHS to digital converter?
Our current pick is the Digitnow Video Capture Converter, which is considerably cheaper than the other market leader, the Elgato Video Capture, and is likely going to suit most users much better. Simple to set up and offering higher resolution than the Elgato, it's a straightforward and effective option for anyone who has a stack of VHS digitizing to get through.
Can I use these converters for camcorder tapes?
Yes, the process is just the same. But you will need a working camcorder of the right format for the tapes you want to digitize. Camcorders were made in a wide variety of tape formats – 8mm, VHS-C, Hi8, S-VHS-C and Mini DV being the most common. If you don't have a camcorder, you may be able to find one cheaply on eBay. Just check it has a working battery and mains lead.
Where do I get a DVD burner?
Most modern laptops don't have a CD or DVD drive in them nowadays, so you will need to find a standalone DVD burner. We recommend the Asus ZenDrive as a great budget option with USB-A or USB-C connectors – or both – depending on which version you buy.
See table below for current prices and stockists.
How to choose the best VHS to DVD converter
Which VHS to DVD converter you need will largely depend on which ‘Out’ ports you have on your video recorder or camcorder. The most common is RCA: three round slots that are white, yellow, and red respectively (aka phono connectors).
There’s also S-Video, which offers better image quality video, and SCART, which was the standard multipin connector on many VCRs. Most VHS to DVD converters only have connectors for RCA ports, but some offer two, or all three.
VHS to DVD converters are normally bundled with software that allows you to use them. This software is often supplied on CD-ROM, so if your computer doesn't have a disc drive (as most modern laptops don't), you'll need a digital download. Not all manufacturers make this easy to find, though: often you'll have to search the user manual for a URL or in the last resort, email the company. Also, be aware that not all VHS to DVD converters support both Windows and Macs.
How we test the best VHS to DVD converters
VHS to DVD converters are niche products that have one purpose and one purpose alone. And so testing them is relatively straightforward: I put them through their paces by recording some analog video to 8mm tape, plugging up the device, and seeing how simple the process is to digitize. I also assess the quality of the resulting video – while it's naturally going to be limited by the quality of the camcorder and tape, there is some interesting variance between these devices when results are directly compared.
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