By Brian Cooper |
Updated on February 16, 2024
Grading Magic cards (and really any TCG card) these days is extremely popular and trends show more collectors of trading card games are turning to “slabbing” their best cards. Just in the last 30-days, grading company PSA graded more TCG cards compared to the next highest category which was Baseball cards.
Last 30-days (as of July 14, 2023)
PSA Graded TCG Cards: 383,602
PSA Graded Baseball Cards: 208,986
Difference: 174,616 More TCG Cards Graded By PSA
(stats courtesty of GEMRATE.com)
But how do you protect your graded cards and what is the best graded card storage case for your MTG cards? That’s what we’re here to find out!
Contents
Our Top 3 Graded Card Storage Cases:
So normally you’ll see TOP 5 or TOP 10 lists, but when it comes to graded card storage cases, I didn’t think there’s a need to list a ton of options. There are a few bigger name brands on the market that I think are top notch cases and I would absolutely recommend any of the following cases for most Magic Card Collectors and Investors.
So without further adieu, here are my TOP 3 overall graded card storage cases (in no particular order.)
1. Case Club 84 Graded Card Case
Case Club cases are not only a favorite amongst TCG collectors but sports card collectors as well. Their cases are super cool looking and affordable and they are also very durable and get awesome reviews online.
Case Club has a few different cases, but the best one for both beginners and those that already have graded card collections is the Case Club 84 Graded Card Case. This case holds 84 Slabs, 936 Sleeved cards, or 4320 Loose Cards which fits just about any collection that needs to be portable.
I think many collectors could have more than 84 slabbed cards these days but not many want to bring that many to card shows to sell or trade. Not to mention, the weight can be a bit much to handle when you start getting over 100 slabbed cards in a case so that’s why I think this medium size version is the way to go.
That being said, there are options for bigger cases with more capacity if you need something a bit larger. In those cases (no pun intended) I would go with the Case Club cases that are bigger and hold 132 or 196 slabbed cards.
Regardless of size, all Case Club cases are strong and dependable and are perfect for traveling and for bringing your collection to card shows and conventions. They can also be securely locked with your own padlock which is something you’ll often need to do when in public areas. With hundreds and thousands of people at a convention, having the ability to lock the case is a must.
The main difference between Case Club cases and some of the other popular ones is the ‘thickness’ of the case. In order to store cards in a Case Club case, the slabs need to be either slanted, stored on their sides or stored flat. It makes for a less bulky case, but the trade off is you can’t store cards in an upright position. If this is not something you prefer and you want to store your cards in an upright position, see the PREZA case below.
A few things I read from people who purchased these cases that struck me were:
- “For the price, durability, and variety of configurations, it’s tough to find an overall better case.”
- “Lemme tell you, (this) thing is perfect. Period.”
- “This case is great, configure how you want and it fits all slabs from PSA, Cgc, and BGS!”
- “I’ve seen a lot of different slab cases but this one is the best for its price.”
The only negative things I saw were a few complaints about the thickness of the plastic and some who had issues with how the cards laid in the slots. Most times I think you’ll want something not too heavy so the thickness of the plastic wasn’t a big issue for me. I also found the slim design of the case to be an advantage so it’s just personal preference on whether you’re an UPRIGHT storage person or SIDE/FLAT storage person.
Overall a great option for your graded card storage. And did I mention the price? Well under $100 (actually closer to $50) which makes it affordable for any age Magic Collector or Investor. It’s easily one of the best priced, best quality cases on the market.
2. CASEMATIX Crushproof 16” Collector Edition Graded Sports Card Case
My other favorite when it comes to the best graded card storage case for your MTG cards is the CASEMATIX Crushproof 16” Collector Edition Graded Sports Card Case. For me the Casematix is equally as impressive as the Case Club 84 but the main difference was the price. CASEMATIX is a bit more expensive but I think it’s still a good deal in the under $100 market.
CASEMATIX is also a hard plastic portable case that has three rows of flexible cushioned foam that can be adjusted to fit approximately 90 card slabs. The cards fit tight and the foam blocks that are included help to perfectly secure your collection from moving around while in transit.
I like that this CASEMATIX grade card storage case is not only waterproof but has an airtight silicone lining that will keep everything out of the case and protect your expensive graded card collection. There’s no way you should risk getting your PSA 10 Graded MTG Alpha Black Lotus near any type of moisture and this case will ensure that. Think of those rainy days when you have to transport your cards or stand in lines outside a convention hall during a rain shower. Your cards will be protected and that’s the piece of mind I would want.
There was very little if anything bad said about CASEMATIX online that I could find. One person mentioned some chipping issues on the paint and what they perceived as a quality issue. However 99% of buyers had only good things to say like:
- “Has a loop for a padlock, which seems MUCH better than an integrated lock”
- “Great overall case for graded slabs”
- “Don’t buy any other case. This is what you’re looking for.”
- “Perfect for graded cards. Solid case. Definitely money well spent.”
There is so much to like about CASEMATIX card cases and you absolutely cannot go wrong by grabbing one. Remember that you’re investing in something that will protect your valuable cards so the case needs to be protective, durable, lockable and easy to transport. CASEMATIX hits all of these and then some!
3. PREZA Graded Card Storage Box
If you prefer to store cards in an upright position, the PREZA Graded Card Storage Box is the one you want to go with. This PREZA case holds approximately 108 PSA graded cards OR 78 BGS graded cards OR 375 cards in top loaders so it has plenty of room for any collection size.
The main difference from many of the other slimmer cases is that PREZA cases can store cards in an upright position rather than always having to lay slabs on their sides, slanted or on their backs. It’s a better way to view cards, in my opinion, as you don’t have to totally remove cards out of the slots to view them. It’s easy to just page through them and find the card you’re looking for quickly, which is why I’m a big fan of PREZA cases.
This case is on the higher end of the price scale coming in at a retail price of $129.99, but you can often find it on sale for closer to $85-90. But again, you do get what you pay for and PREZA has a lot to offer MTG card collectors for sure.
The case has a very simple and sleek design. I’ve always been a fan of the CASEMATIX and Case Club cases with their modern looks, but there’s something to be said about simplicity of design. Some people like that plain look and if you like to put stickers and make your case your own, the flat surface of the PREZA is the perfect option.
The PREZA offers the same sort of foam lining and customization features as the others as it also includes foam blocks you can move around to fit your collection. So it’s very much as sturdy inside as the others and will definitely protect your graded card collection.
I had to look long and hard to find something about PREZA I didn’t personally like. That being said, I’m not a huge fan of the locking mechanism. It’s a very basic lock that requires one of those small luggage-type keys. They provide you two keys so it’s nice to have a spare in case you lose it. I’d rather have the ability to use my own padlock but most people don’t have any issues with PREZA’s locking feature. It’s just personal preference and there is something to be said about an integrated lock and not having to buy an additional padlock.
Some positive reviews from people who own the PREZA include:
Most of the negative comments were surrounding the locking mechanism so I guess my issue is the same that others have. One person commented “The lock mechanism is extremely cheaply made” so that goes with what I mentioned above. This should definitely NOT be the main reason you don’t purchase this case because other than the locking feature, the case is well made and the majority of reviewers have very positive things to say about PREZA.
So my TOP 3 PICKS above for the best graded card storage case for your MTG cards are definitely not the only options. There are some others that deserve some attention and I’ll give you a few good ones below for certain situations.
The Best Case Priced Over $150:
PELICAN 1520
If money was no option and I wanted the BEST CASE FOR MAGIC CARDS that money could buy, I would recommend the PELICAN 1520. This is not specifically made for graded cards but the foam insert is customizable and can be cut to hold just about anything you need to store.
Pelican has a great reputation for making extremely sturdy cases and if you’re planning to protect really expensive graded MTG cards, this is a great option. Pelican cases all come standard with something you won’t find on other cases……a Pressure Equalization Valve which automatically releases built up air pressure inside the case while remaining watertight.
What else I like about the Pelican 1520 is that you have options for color. This model case comes in 6-different colors so it’s easy to stand out from the crowd with one of Pelican’s custom color 1520’s.
And when it comes to security, the Pelican 1520 also has steel reinforced padlock protectors which adds a lot more strength to those areas and gives you the peace of mind that your padlock won’t be removed easily.
Pelican 1520 cases are on the higher end when it comes to price, but you get what you pay for. The starting retail price is around $180 and you rarely see them offered at a discount. So if you find them on Amazon, expect to pay around that price. But understand one thing….you’re getting one heck of a secure case that is MADE IN THE USA!
The Best Small Case (Holds Less Than 10 Cards):
Case Club 9 Graded Card Slab Case
Not everyone wants to walk around with a large case which is why the Case Club 9 Graded Card Slab Case is the perfect alternative. It’s small, portable, lockable, airtight, crushproof and the best PSA graded card storage case for less than 10 cards on the market.
I often walk around shows with a backpack and I’m sure many of you do as well. But sometimes I have graded cards in my backpack and they tend to get jostled around in there while I’m walking through a show. The Card Case 9 is the best option for people who like to use backpacks and have a small amount of graded cards that don’t require a larger case.
This perfectly sized case is made of heavy duty durable clear plastic and has a lockable twist latch that prevents the case from accidentally opening inside your backpack. It also includes all the foam you’ll need to ensure your small collection of graded cards, whether they’re PSA, SGC, CGC or BGS graded, are snugly fit and stay free from scratches and scuffs.
I think you can easily fit 5-6 graded cards in this case without a problem, but it can fit up to 9 graded cards if you adjust the foam padding. But I really think it’s perfect for the smaller collection and I’d suggest only using it if you have a small handful of graded cards. PSA graded card slabs are a bit slimmer so if you only have the thicker BGS slabs, you might not be able to fit as many.
All in all, I think it’s a great option and it’s definitely priced right. For just under $30, this case is perfect for kids and those with small collections. Plus the case is small enough that if you need to hold 10-15 cards, you might want to consider two of these in your backpack as opposed to the larger 50+ cases mentioned above. I’m a fan and highly recommend this one.
Wrap Up
I hope this review helped you pick out the best graded card storage case for your TCG collection. As always, if you have any questions or would like some more advice about Magic: The Gathering, I’m here to help. Just hit me up on the contact page or over at Twitter or Instagram. Best of luck and if you haven’t already, start investing in Magic (and other TCG’s) today!
