Screwdown Card Holders are the ultimate protection when it comes to keeping your valuable trading cards in mint condition. Making sure your expensive card doesn’t accidently come out of the case is something a screwdown card holder does, and it does it well.
With all the different screwdown card holders available on the market, it can be tough to choose the highest quality one. We’ve sifted through the competition and have found the most durable screwdown card holders to protect your cards.
In our comprehensive guide to the best screw down card holders, we’ll show you the top card holders 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 1/4″ Screwdown Recessed Trading Card Holder | 5/5 | Click for Price |
| Max Pro Screw Card Holder | 4.5/5 | Click for Price |
| Jetec Acrylic Screw Card Holder | 4/5 | Click for Price |
1- Ultra Pro 1/4″ Screwdown Recessed Trading Card Holder
Our top pick is the Ultra PRO 2-Piece Clear Holder with a 4-screw closure. Ultra PRO is the best in the game when it comes to protecting your cards with a high quality product. Having a 4-screw closure is great to have as you can evenly apply pressure to all sides.
This card holder is great for standard sized cards and also features a recessed area to help hold your cards in place. Having a recessed area is very important as it will help limit any damage your card might encounter if it wasn’t recessed.
As with all Ultra PRO products, their cards are acid-free and do not contain Pvc.
What we like
- 4-screw closure
- Standard Sized
- High Quality
What we don’t like
- Pricey
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
2- Max Pro Screw Card Holder
The next card holder on our list is the Max Pro screw card holder. They are a simple two piece design with a brass screw. They will hold cards up to 20 points and come with a recessed center.
The recessed center will help keep your cards protected when the screw is tightened and also helps if you make it too tight. Always hand tighten the screw and never use a drill to prevent over tightening and possibly damaging your cards.
Another great thing about these card holders are that they are crystal clear which makes these a great option when putting your cards up for display.
What we like
- Good price
- High quality plastic
- Recessed
- Very clear and great for display
What we don’t like
- Single screw
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
3- Jetec Acrylic Screw Card Holder
Another great screwdown card holder is sold by Jetec. It offers a 4-screw closure and is also recessed to help protect your cards from over tightening. These card holders are made of high quality acrylic plastic and are very reliable and sturdy.
These card holders are perfect for your baseball, football, and any other sports card you are looking to keep in mint condition. Each trading card holder measures close to 3.15 x 5.24 which is designed specifically for standard sized cards. They are also very lightweight and portable which makes traveling with a bulk amount easy.
Something unique to these card holders is that they are designed with corner protection. There are little notches on all 4 corners which ensure that the corners of the card will not bend which provides a little additional protection to your cards.
What we like
- 4-Screw Closure
- Recessed
- Corner protection
What we don’t like
- Pricey
- Non-name brand
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
4- UVBLOC Screwdown Card Holder
The next screwdown card holder on our list is the UVBLOCK Scredown Card Holder. If you are looking to protect your protection at an affordable price, then we highly recommend checking these out. To start, they are our preferred 4-screw closure to ensure the best and most even protection for your cards.
These card holders are the best at protecting standard sized trading cards like Pokemon and sports cards. The thickness of these card holders are similar to that of the PSA hard plastic card sleeves that are used when having cards graded. These card holders are a great way to store your cards before having them graded by the PSA.
What we like
- Great price
- 4-screw closure
What we don’t like
- No name brand
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
5- BCW 1-Screw 20 pt Card Holder
The last screwdown card holders on out list is the BCW 1-screw card holder. Don’t get us wrong, BCW is a great brand but the single screw close is what makes us put this towards the end of the list.
Other than that, these card holders are great. They offer great protection for your standard sized cards with its two piece design w/brass screw. They are also priced very well which means you will be able to place a large collection into these holders at an affordable price.
The exterior dimensions of these card holders are about 2 7/8 x 4 while the interior dimensions are 2 9/16 x 3 9/16.
What we like
- High-quality
- Standard sized
What we don’t like
- Single-screw closure
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
What to Look for in a Screwdown Card Holder
To find the best Screwdown Card Holder for your needs, consider the following major aspects before finalizing a purchase.
Amount of Screws
For the most post you will see two different types of screwdown card holders. One with 1 screw and another with 4. A 1 screw card holder is easier and quicker when it comes to adding or removing cards.
We recommend using a 4 screw card holder. It will take longer to put your cards in them, but they will be better protected since you will be able to put an even amount of pressure on all 4 sides.
Size
The two most common sizes of screwdown card holders that you will run into is the 20 pt and 35 pt. Both of these sizes will be able to support standard sized cards. We recommend going with whatever size you prefer as they will both get the job done.
Recessed vs Non-Recessed
We highly recommend only purchasing card holders that are recessed. This simply means that there is a little indent in the card holder that will allow your card to rest on. This little space will help prevent your card from being damage when you tighten down the screws.
Card holders without a recessed portion can and and will damage your cards over time as they are stored in the cases. Card holders that are not recessed, will simply put too much pressure on the card which can distort its original shape. This will be a gradual decline and won’t happen overnight.
Best Screwdown Card Holder Brands
Ultra PRO
Ultra PRO is regarded by many to be one of the best trading card accessory brands in the business. They have tons of products ranging from card holders, to card binders. All of their items are built with high quality materials and have been given the test of time by gamers all around the world.
Ultra PRO has been around since the early 1950’s and have since paved a path for themselves in the competitive market of trading cards. Ultra PRO networks with over 150 distributors worldwide and supply thousands of retail and hobby stores around the world with their products.
You may have seen Ultra PRO products in your local retail stores in the collectibles or card sections at one point or another. We highly recommend Ultra PRO products as they always have quality you can trust and count on.
BCW
BCW was first founded in the early 1980’s in Indiana USA. Since then, they have been creating high quality, affordable products for the trading card and gaming community. They have strived to be the most innovative when it comes to their trading card accessories like deck boxes and card sleeves.
BCW has definitely paved a path for themselves and is considered to be one of the best companies that you can count on when protecting your collection.
FAQs
Are Screwdown Card Holders Good?
When used properly, screwdown card holders can be very good. They are a great way to keep your trading cards in mint condition by keeping them in an enclosed case to prevent them from accumulating dust, scratches, and any other sorts of damage that can occur if you only had it in a card sleeve.
Screwdown card holders are also a great way to show off your collection as they look awesome when they are on display.
How Do You Use a Screwdown Card Holder?
Using a screwdown card holder is simple. First make sure that you have a screwdriver to fit the screws. Begin by placing your card inside and covering it with the other piece. Hand tighten the screws and be sure to not overtighten.
Over tightening the screws can cause damage to your card over time as there will be too much pressure on your card.
Final Thoughts
The Ultra Pro 1/4″ Screwdown Recessed Trading Card Holder is our top pick when it comes to the best screwdown card holder. Ultra PRO products are superior in quality, and they have been in the game longer than any other company out there.
Our runner up is the Max Pro Screw Card Holder. Although it is only has a 1 screw closure, it boasts a crystal clear display as well as a hard acrylic plastic with a recessed center. These card holders are also very affordable and can be purchased in bulk without making a dent in your wallet.
Whichever screwdown card holder you choose, we hope this guide has been helpful in your purchasing decision. Thanks for reading!