Having your most valuable Pokemon cards in a hard case is a must if you want to keep it in as mint condition as possible. After all, if you are planning on getting a card graded, the PSA places them in their own protective hard plastic slabs.
Hard cases come in a variety of brands and styles. With all the choices on the market today, it can be quite difficult to get a quality product. There are a few hard cases on the market that simply outperform all the other cheap brands. We sifted through the competition and brought you the best we could find in terms of quality and value.
In our comprehensive guide to the best hard cases for Pokemon, we’ll show you the best hard cases on the market and give you some advice when it comes time to choose. Let’s get started.
IN A HURRY? HERE’S OUR TOP PICKS…
| Name | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
Ultra Pro Top Loader Card Holder | 5/5 | Click for Price |
| UVBLOC Baseball Card Holder | 4.5/5 | Click for Price |
| Ultra Pro Screwdown Recessed Trading Card Holder | 4/5 | Click for Price |
1- Ultra Pro Top Loader Card Holder
The first pick on our list for the best hard case for your Pokemon cards are the old and trustworthy top loaders. These come from the well known brand, Ultra PRO. Ultra PRO is the leading manufacturer in sports card and gaming accessories.
Although top loaders are a hard plastic, they actually are able to bend. These cases will provide your cards with some of the best protection on the market at a good value.
These cases are made with a super clear and rigid PVC plastic. These cases are also 35 points in thickness which makes them great for stacking cards.
Top loaders are the preferred choice by many collectors and enthusiasts alike. They are a few steps above a standard penny saver in terms of protection, but are not quite as thick as a hard acrylic case.
What we like
- Good price
- High quality
- Stackable
What we don’t like
- May be too flexible for some
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
2- UVBLOC Card Holder
The next hard cases on our list is the UVBLOC Card Holder. These hard acrylic cases are great for providing maximum protection to your Pokemon cards. They offer a crystal clear plastic with a 4-screw screw down closure system and come in standard size. These cases also offer exclusive UV blocking technology.
The thickness of these slabs are similar to that of PSA which makes these a great temporary case for your cards before sending them out to be graded.
The main downside to these cases are that they are very expensive. If you have a large collection, then we really recommend using these cases on your most valuable Pokemon cards.
What we like
- Hard acrylic case
- 4 Screwdown
- Standard size
What we don’t like
- Very pricey
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
3- Ultra Pro Screwdown Recessed Trading Card Holder
Next up is the Ultra Pro Screwdown Recessed Trading Card Holder. These are very similar to the UVBLOC card holders and also come in standard size. These screwdown hard case card holders offer some of the best protection for your Pokemon cards.
These are designed with two-piece ultra clear material as well as a four-screw closure system. With this design, the main thing to worry about is screwing down all sides with equal force.
What we like
- Hard acrylic case
- 4-screw closure
- High quality and great protection
What we don’t like
- Pricey
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
4- Homthy Magnetic Card Holders
The next hard case on our list is the Homthy Magnetic Card Holders. These are a little bit different as they have a magnetic closure instead of screws. This makes it very easy to insert or remove cards as you please. These come in the 35 pt standard size which means it will fit your Pokemon cards perfectly.
These cases come in a high quality, clear plastic that is durable and will even keep your cards slightly protected from UV rays. Placing your card inside is easy. Simply pull apart the halves, place your card inside, and reconnect the halves with the magnet closure.
What we like
- Hard plastic
- Magnetic closure
- Good price
What we don’t like
- Quality control issues, some cases may have defects
- Scratches and smudges easily
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
5- Homthy Toploaders Card Sleeves
The last hard cases on our list is the Homthy Toploader Card Sleeves. Similiar to Ultra PRO toploaders, a toploader is a flexible, but hard plastic case. Top loaders are a great way to protect your cards in bulk at an affordable cost.
Installing your cards into these toploaders is fairly easy. You can simply pinch the top sides together to open the top of the loader. Gently slide your card into place and let go of the sides. Your card will now be protected from things like bent corners, dust, water, and scratches.
These top loaders are perfect for cards that are standard size. This means they are great for Pokemon, MTG, sports cards, and more.
What we like
- Good price
- High quality
- Flexible case
What we don’t like
- Quality control is not good
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
What to Look for in a Hard Case
To find the best hard case for your Pokemon cards, consider the following major aspects before finalizing a purchase.
Hard Plastic
Hard plastic cases, also known as acrylic cases, are a very hard plastic. These cases will provide your cards with the most protection, but they will also be the thickest. I
f thickness is not an issue, then we highly recommend using a hard acrylic case. These are similar to the style that the PSA uses when they grade cards.
Soft Plastic
Another type of case are the soft plastic top loaders. These are also considered hard, but are much softer than an acrylic case. Top loaders are great because they offer great protection, are a good value, and are not as thick as hard acrylic cases. This means that you can stack these without issues.
Size
Pokemon cards come in standard sized, which is also called 35 pt. Be sure to check the size of the cases when purchasing as there are smaller and larger sizes available for purchase.
Best Hard Case Brands
Ultra PRO
Ultra PRO is one of the leading manufacturers when it comes to the supply of sports and gaming collectible accessories like card sleeves, binders, and much much more. They have been designing and manufacturing qualiy products since the early 1950’s. Ultra PRO has definitely paved path for themselves in the gaming industry.
Their network is huge and encompasses over 150 distributors and customers in North America, Asia, and Europe. These distributors supply their products to hundreds and thousands of hobby shops, toy stores, and retail stores all around the world.
You can walk into about any retail or hobby store in the United States and find some sort of Ultra PRO products, whether that’s card sleeves, binders, or other accessories.
FAQs
What Is the Best Protection for Pokemon Cards?
The best protection possible for your Pokemon cards are PSA slabs. PSA slabs are made out of a hard and durable protective acrylic plastic.
These hard cases will protect your cards from water, scratches, and also provides a little bit of UV protection.
Final Thoughts
Our top pick is the Ultra Pro Top Loader Card Holder. They offer exceptional protection, are high quality, decently priced, and you are able to stack your cards.
The runner up on our list is the UVBLOC Card Holder. It is a hard acrylic case which will provide your cards with some of the best protection available on the market. It is also held together with 4 screws to top it off. The main downside to these cases are that they are very pricey.
Whichever hard case you choose for your Pokemon cards, we hope this guide has been helpful in your purchasing decision. Thanks for reading!