Keeping your Magic the Gathering Cards sleeved is definitely not optional. Not only will they help keep your cards in mint condition, but they will also make it easier to handle/shuffle your cards while dueling other players. Card sleeves are also a great way to store unused cards to keep them free from dust and fingerprints.
Card sleeves come in a plethora of colors, price, and quality. We’ve sifted through the competition and brought you a list of the top card sleeves used by magic players all around the world. These sleeves have stood the test of time by professionals and enthusiasts alike to provide maximum protection and playability.
In our comprehensive guide to the best Magic the Gathering card sleeves, we’ll show you the best sleeves 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 |
|---|---|---|
Dragon Shield Matte Night Blue Card Sleeves | 5/5 | Click for Price |
| Ultimate Guard Katana Card Sleeves | 4.5/5 | Click for Price |
| Ultra Pro Eclipse Card Sleeves | 4/5 | Click for Price |
1- Dragon Shield Matte Night Blue Card Sleeves
The best card sleeves to get for your Magic the Gathering cards is bar none, Dragon Shield. The name Dragon Shield echo’s at just about every trading card game tournament. Dragon Shield reigns superior due to their superb quality, shuffle/feel, and color selection.
These card sleeves are very resistant to splitting while shuffling which is a big issue among other brands. Dragon Shield sleeves are made out of a tough polypropylene which give them their increased durability.
On to the feel of these sleeves. One quick shuffle and you will instantly notice the iconic buttery feel that Dragon Shield is known for. They shuffle with ease and will not stick together even with glossy backs.
Dragon Shield card sleeve packs come with 100 card sleeves which is more than enough for most competitive decks in the MtG meta. On their website, you can find just about any color you can think of from tangerine, to purple. Be weary with certain colors as many players have said that certain colors will show scratches more easily than others.
What we like
- Highest quality/durability sleeves
- Great fit for MtG cards
- Silky smooth feel during shuffling
- Huge selection of colors
- Not prone to splitting
What we don’t like
- Some color backs show scratches easily
- On the pricier side
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
2- Ultimate Guard Katana Card Sleeves
Ultimate Guard is a new player in the industry, but don’t let that fool you. They came running out of the gates to start and have brought some of the best card sleeves to the market. Many people compare them to Dragon Shield, which is a compliment since we all know how big Dragon Shield is. The card sleeves look great, and hold up in the durability department.
The shuffle on these sleeves are similar to that of Dragon Shields. A smooth and buttery shuffle which is to be expected from a high caliber sleeve. These sleeves are not matte, which means they can be a little bit too slippery at first when just starting to use them.
One of the main issues of these card sleeves is that they are difficult to double sleeve even with perfect fit sleeves. They come in a pack of 100 sleeves and also have a decent color selection that should suffice for most players.
If you are looking for a sleeve that is not Dragon Shield, and don’t care too much for double sleeving, the Katana card sleeves will not disappoint.
What we like
- Buttery Shuffle/feel
- High-quality
- Small selection of colors
What we don’t like
- Difficult to double sleeve
- Pricey
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
3- Ultra Pro Eclipse Card Sleeves
Ultra Pro Eclipse sleeves are next on our list. Ultra-Pro has carved their own path in the industry and it’s still there. They create high quality products for a wide array of card games. Ultra-Pro is great for newcomers and professionals alike. They are also found at just about every national retailer like Walmart and Target which makes them easy to attain.
The Ultra Pro Eclipse Card Sleeve series are able to stand toe to toe with the big player, Dragon Shield. Many users have commented that these sleeves feel surreal straight out of the package. After their honeymoon phase, which is short lived, these cards start to lose that amazing feel which leaves you mourning for more (also known as purchasing a new set).
When your cards start to clump up and don’t shuffle as smoothly, then you know it’s time to replace them. These card sleeves also seem to show scratches and split more easily than other top contending brands like Ultimate Guard and Dragon Shield.
What we like
- Good pick for newcomers
- Found at just about every national retailer
- Good color selection
What we don’t like
- Pricey
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
4- KMC Full Size Hyper Matte Card Sleeves
The next card sleeves on our list is a classic for many trading card games. KMC Hyper Mattes. These are very popular among the competitive Yu-Gi-Oh players, so it’s no surprise that they have also made their way into the MtG community.
KMC Hyper Mattes are made out of a high-quality plastic material that protects your cards well. The main drawback to KMC’s are that the material needed to have the gloss and texture reduced in order to add the additional strength and protection. However, having a low gloss card sleeve does have its perks.
For one, it creates a buttery smooth shuffle that everyone is searching for in a great card sleeve. Second, the corners are also very strong and will not crease easily. The sleeves do tend to split if not cared for
Even with an awesome buttery feel, and high quality plastic, this card sleeve does have a few flaws. These sleeves can give holographic cards a cloudy or smudged appearance. This is more noticeable with other trading card games like Pokemon, as their holographic cards are very apparent.
What we like
- Great value
- High-quality
- Awesome buttery shuffle
- Decent color selection
What we don’t like
- Can give your holo cards a cloudy appearance
- Sleeves can split if not careful
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
5- TitanShield Standard Size Card Sleeves
The last card sleeves on our list are from Titan Shield. We decided to add these to the list as a great budget option. These sleeves are great to use to store valuable cards, or to use in practice duels. The outer plastic is high-quality and is made to keep dirt, dust, and debris off of your cards.
It is also dual surfaced which gives the sleeves a non-slip grip. The shuffle feel is alright, but nothing to write home about compared to other brands. These sleeves hold up well to abuse and will not split.
The main drawback to these are that they lack color and design, but other than that, they are an awesome bang for your buck.
What we like
Great budget buy
Comes with 150 sleeves
Good quality
What we don’t like
- Lacks color selection
- Not as good as high end sleeves
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
What to Look for in a Magic the Gathering Card Sleeve
To find the best card sleeve for your needs, consider the following major aspects before finalizing a purchase.
Matte/Glossy/Color
There are two types of sleeve backs to look for. Matte and Glossy. This is mostly player preference, but matte cards seem to stick less than glossy. One of the most important aspects of a card sleeve is the color. The color of a card sleeve is the most personal aspect a player has when customizing their decks.
Some brands, like Dragon Shield, have a plethora of colors to express your individuality.
Shuffle/Feel
The best card sleeves will shuffle like butter, while poor quality sleeves will stick and dirty easily. Many of the top brand sleeves, like Dragon Shield, will have a buttery smooth feeling in our hands while the cards are being shuffled.
New card sleeves may tend to not shuffle as easily, but once broken in, will have that easy shuffle-ability that every player is looking for.
Quality/Durability
The quality of card sleeves can vary by a large margin. Low quality sleeves tend to split easily, and will also lose their durability and feel.
Purchasing a high quality card sleeve in the first place will save you money and time in the future that you will have to spend if you decide to skimp out on quality sleeves.
Best Magic the Gathering Card Sleeve Brands
Dragon Shield
Dragon Shield is regarded to many as the best brand card sleeves for any trading card, period. With their superior quality and wide array of colors, they are definitely one of the top contenders.
Being one of the most recognized brands in the industry, it makes it an easy choice for the top card sleeves. Retailers and players alike are drawn to these sleeves for their strength, build, and awesome value.
Ultra Pro
Ultra Pro is one of the longest standing brands in the industry, so it’s no wonder how they made it to the top in our list. Although they are one of best brands in the world, they have fallen short when it comes to the popularity among players.
Ultra Pro is heavily known for the Eclipse lineup, as well as their cheaper selection of sleeves for sports cards. They have been designing and producing top-tier quality products since the early 1950’s. It is a rare sighting to walk into a retail store that does not sell Ultra Pro products.
If you are looking for affordable, high quality trading card sleeves and accessories, then you won’t go wrong with Ultra-Pro.
Ultimate Guard
One of the newest brands in the industry, Ultimate Guard was founded back in 2019 by Gamegenic GmbH under the guidance of Adrian Alonso. He was the former lead who developed the Ultimate Brand and Product lineup that we see today.
Ultimate Guard set out to carve out a new path in the industry of trading cards. They set out to produce unique products using ingenious ideas and techniques that were never before seen in the trading card world.
This was ultimately a success as now many other top brands are following in their footsteps with upgrading their accessories from card sleeves to deck boxes and binders.
Be on the lookout for this brand in the future as they will be constantly trying to raise the bar with new innovations and ideas.
TitanShield
Titan shield was started back in 2017 where they offered premium tabletop gaming accessories at affordable prices. Created by gamers, TitanShield realized that many game accessories were not only expensive, but also unreliable. Their mission was to fill the void in the market by offering their take on protective card sleeves.
They offer high quality sleeves at reasonable prices. Their selection has started small but is expanding every year. Keep a lookout for TitanShield in the future as they will broaden their products.
FAQs
What Sleeves Do Pro Magic Players Use?
Dragon Shield sleeves are the most widely used and accepted by many as the best card sleeves you could use for your Magic the Gathering cards.
They offer a perfect balance between shuffle-ability and durability which are two of the top characteristics in an awesome card sleeve.
Mix in almost any color you can think of and you have yourself one of the most sought after card sleeves on the market.
How Do You Double Sleeve a Magic Card?
The best way to double sleeve a magic card is by using Perfect Fit Sealable. Once you have sleeved all your cards in perfect fits, you can then simply place them inside the standard sized Dragon Shield sleeves to create the perfect double sleeved magic card.
Final Thoughts
I think it’s crystal clear that Dragon Shield sleeves are the best pick if you want to have the best quality, performance, and style a card sleeve can offer. They have mastered everything from the production and marketing to really stand out from their competitors.
The runner up is Ultimate Guard Katana Card Sleeves. They are the closest to Dragon Shields in term of feel, quality, and price. However, their color selection is not as vast as Dragon Shields, but don’t let this deter you from picking these sleeves up.
Whichever Magic the Gathering card sleeves you choose, we hope this guide has been helpful in your purchasing decision. Thanks for reading!