Keeping your sports cards well protected with a high quality bubble mailer is crucial if you want to get your sports card to their destination in perfect condition. There are tons of bubble mailers on the market, but they are not all created equal. Some are much cheaper than others and they show this in their lack of quality.
Some bubble mailers have poorly designed bubbles that do a bad job of protecting what’s inside. We went through the competition and picked the bubble mailers we think will do the best job when it comes to protecting your sports cards when they are being transported by the various mail carriers.
In our comprehensive guide to the best bubble mailers for sports cards, we’ll show you the best bubble mailers 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 |
|---|---|---|
Kraft Bubble Mailers 3.4×5.5 Padded Envelope | 5/5 | Click for Price |
| Fuxury 4×8 Kraft Bubble Mailers Padded Envelopes | 4.5/5 | Click for Price |
| iMBAPrice 4 X 8 Kraft Bubble Mailers | 4/5 | Click for Price |
1- Kraft Bubble Mailers 3.4×5.5 Padded Envelope
Our top pick are these 3.4 x 5.5 inch Kraft bubble mailers. They come in a bulk lot of 500 which is perfect if you have multiple cards to either sell or grade. They are literally the perfect size for sports cards. This high quality padded envelope is able to fit one top loaded sports card with a snug fit.
The inside is fully laminated with provides extra stiffness. The bottom of the envelope also has a seamless bottom which provides additional protection with a small air cell cushion. This greatly improves the overall structure strength of the envelopes. Sealing the mailer is as easy as peeling off a sleeve and sealing it with its built in adhesive strip.
The majority of the reviews from verified customers are extremely positive. Many comments have stated that these are the best mailers you can buy for shipping out individual sports cards.
What we like
- Good bulk price
- High quality
- Great for single card shipments
- Tear and stick seal
- Lightweight
What we don’t like
- Not good for bulk card lots
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
2- Fuxury 4×8 Kraft Bubble Mailers Padded Envelopes
The next bubble mailers on our list are these kraft bubble mailers by Fuxury. They are slightly bigger than the previous mailers, but will work just as well. They measure at 4×8 inches and come in a pack of 50 mailers and are decently priced.
For convenience, each mail comes with a strong self-sealing adhesive strip. Simply remove the strip and fold over the seal to securely seal your mailer. Always be sure to double check the seal as I have personally had mailers that were not very sticky and ended up opening shorty after.
Each mailer is also built to withstand rigorous shipping and handling as well as being tamper resistant. On the inside are thick bubbles that take quite a bit of force to pop. Many low quality and cheap bubble mailers have bubbles that are not completely full of air, or have a cheap plastic that rips or tears easily.
The overall reviews from verified customers are extremely positive. These are high quality mailers that you can rely on to safely transport your items. However, there are a few complaints that the quality control has plummeted recently. It can be a hit or miss if you get a good or a bad batch.
What we like
- High quality
- Good Price
- Built in stick and seal
- Thick bubbles
- Lightweight
What we don’t like
- Quality control issues
- Not a good size for multiple cards
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
3- iMBAPrice 4 X 8 Kraft Bubble Mailers
The next mailers on our list are by iMBAPrice. They are the same size, 4×8 inches, as the last mailers we just took a look at. They are generally well built with the inside being lined with bubbles for extra padded protection.
These also offer a self sealing seal on the outside to make shipping fast and effective. These mailers are a little bit of a lower quality than the previous listed mailers, but they will still do a great job for protecting your sports cards.
Overall, the reviews from verified consumers are positive. Many people were satisfied and di not have any issues shipping items with these mailers. However, there are also a few bad reviews from users stating that their mailers actually ripped open during transit.
What we like
- Cheap Price
- Good size
- Lightweight
What we don’t like
- Quality is lacking
- Not a good size for multiple cards
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
4- 3.5X5.9 Inches Small Padded Envelopes Poly Bubble Mailers
The next mailers on our list are 3.5X5.9 Inches Small Padded Envelopes Poly Bubble Mailers. The first thing that stands out from these bubble mailers are that they are colored. At this time, they can be purchased in both black and pink. This gives a little customization to your shipping and does not affect the overall integrity or strength of these.
On the outside they also offer a self adhering seal. This is probably one of the most important aspects to look for in a bubble mailer after the quality. Having a self adhering seal will greatly reduce the amount of time that it takes to ship items in bulk.
The overall quality of these envelopes are high. The inside is cushioned and the envelopes are lined with 80gsm bubble.
The overall review of these envelopes from customers is positive. However, some of the negative remarks were based on the colors of these envelopes. The colors are not always consistent with what is shown in the listing.
What we like
- Different color selection
- High quality inside
- Great for single top loaded sports cards
- Lightweight
What we don’t like
- Colors of envelopes look different in person
- Not good for big card lots
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
5- Offitecture 4×7 Kraft Bubble Mailers
The last bubble mailers on our list are 4×7 inches. These are again perfect for single sports cards that are loaded into a top loader. The simple nylon and kraft design of these bubble mailers are proven to be effective. These are made out of a 28lb sturdy kraft paper outer layer with an interior air bubble construction.
Again, on the outside is a self sealing adhesive which makes shipping and packing quick and easy.
The overall reviews of these bubble mailers are positive. However, the negative remarks can make you double think about purchasing these. Although these mailers are advertised to be 4×8 inches, many have complained that they have actually been a lot smaller than stated.
What we like
- Lightweight
- High quality
- Self sealing
What we don’t like
- May be smaller than what is stated
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
What to Look for in a Bubble Mailer
To find the best bubble mailer for your needs, consider the following major aspects before finalizing a purchase.
Size/Dimensions
Bubble mailers come in a variety of sizes and dimensions. You will be charged based on the weight as well as the dimensions of the mailer you use, so using the smallest mailer possible will help cut costs from shipping.
If you are sending a single sports card inside of a top loader, then we recommend using a bubble mailer with a size of at least 3.4×5.5 inches. If you will be sending in multiple cards, then we recommend going with a small box or a much larger bubble mailer.
Quality
Using a high quality bubble mailer will ensure the arrival of your product in one piece to its destination. Some cheaper mailers will feel flimsy, have very weak bubbles, and will also rip or tear easily at the sides.
We recommend using a high quality bubble mailer, especially if you are sending in extremely valuable cards. During the shipping process, your package may be roughly handled, and having a strong mailer will help prevent and accidental damage during shipment.
High quality bubble mailers will usually have thick and hard to pop bubbles, along with a durable outside that is not prone to easily ripping or tearing.
Style/Color
Bubble mailers can generally come in a variety of styles and colors. Choosing a style and color is mostly personal preference, but the generally accepted colors are white and bright yellow.
Best Bubble Mailer Brands
Uline
When it comes to shipping materials, Uline is the leading distributor. They have been providing shipping services and products for over 40 years now. They have some of the best products available on the market. The real drawback to their products can be the price.
Many of their shipping products are priced higher than their competition which can make it less cost effective or profitable to purchase shipping supplies from Uline.
FAQs
How Do You Send Sports Cards in a Bubble Mailer?
The first step is packaging your sports card. The best way to do this is to first place your sports card in a top loader, or by sandwiching the card in between two small pieces of cardboard. This will give added protection to your card while it is inside the bubble mailer.
The next thing you have to do is purchase shipping. Purchasing shipping can be done through the platform you are selling on or, if you are sending something out yourself, you can use a third party shipping service for lower shipping rates.
We recommend using a platform like pirateship.com to purchase labels at a discounted rate. Purchasing shipping through a platform will always be cheaper than buying shipping yourself.
The weight and dimensions will need to be taken of your item to get an accurate price for your shipping label.
Are Bubble Mailers Safe for Sports Cards?
Bubble mailers are safe for sports cards as long as the proper handling is done before hand. Always be sure to protect your cards before placing them inside a bubble mailer. This is a very important step that cannot be skipped or you could potentially end up with a damaged card.
Final Thoughts
Our top pick is the Kraft Bubble Mailers 3.4×5.5 Padded Envelopes. They are the perfect size for single sports cards that are inside of a top loader. They offer a completely cushioned inside with a liner and air bubbles for maximum protection. On the outside is a self seal. Simply remove the plastic on the adhesive seal to expose the adhesive. Seal it by simply closing the flap.
Our runner up is the Fuxury 4×8 Kraft Bubble Mailers Padded Envelopes. They are just about as good as our top pick, but quality control can be a slight issue. These are also slightly more expensive, but if you are not looking to spend a lot of money on a bulk lot, then these are your best bet.
Whichever bubble mailer you choose for your sports cards, we hope this guide has been helpful in your purchasing decision. Thanks for reading!