Having been a sports card collector for as long as I can remember, a friend recently asked my advice on how they should get started in the hobby, and it got me thinking about the things I think every collector should have.
I’ve come up with 8 things that I think every collector should have on hand. Some are must-haves for protecting your cards, others just make life easier when your collection starts to grow.
This isn’t about spending a ton of money—it’s about having the right tools to store, sort, and enjoy your cards without damaging them.
Let me know if there’s anything else you’d add in the comments below!
The 8 MUST-HAVE Items For Card Collectors
1. Card Sleeves
In my opinion, a card sleeve is essential as the bare minimum for protecting ungraded cards that you want to protect from damage.
They’re cheap, easy to use, and help prevent scratches, dust, and dings. If you’re buying raw cards or pulling anything halfway decent from a pack, it should immediately go into a sleeve. That goes double for anything you might grade later.
Personally, I keep a huge stack of sleeves on hand at all times—because once you run out, it’s too easy to set cards aside “just for a minute,” and that’s when the accidents happen. They’re your first line of defense, so treat them as a necessity, not a luxury.
2. Top Loaders
If a sleeve is your first line of defense, a top loader is the second. Once a card is sleeved, putting it in a top loader offers a much more rigid level of protection—perfect for cards you’re shipping, trading, or just keeping in better shape long-term.
I use top loaders for anything that’s a star player, potential grade candidate, or just something I personally care about preserving. They’re inexpensive and sturdy, and a must for any serious card collector.
3. Card Binder
Would I recommend storing your best and most valuable ungraded cards in a binder? Absolutely not.
But do I think it’s worth having one? Yes.
Here’s why: Your collection likely includes regular, common cards that aren’t worth much and won’t be graded—binders are a great, efficient way to organize and store them. Plus, they make sets easily browsable.
I keep a lot of my Junk Wax cards in binders because it’s not the end of the world if they get a bit damaged, and I like the ease of being able to see them.
4. Graded Card Case
Everything listed so far is great for ungraded cards, but graded cards make up a big part of many collections, and if you’ve got graded cards—especially valuable ones—you need a safe and organized way to store them.
A graded card case is a must-have.
They’re designed to hold slabs securely, protect them from dust and pressure, and make transportation easy. I use one with foam dividers that fits snugly around each slab, and it gives me peace of mind that my higher-end stuff isn’t sliding around or getting banged up in storage.
Also, if you go to shows or trade events, having a solid case makes it easy to bring your best cards without worrying about damage.
5. A Collection Management Tool
Whether it’s a spreadsheet, an app, or a software platform like Market Movers, tracking your collection is smart.
You don’t need anything fancy to start—just logging what cards you have and what you paid for them can save you a lot of time and confusion down the line.
For seasoned collectors with bigger collections, you should use something like Market Movers. It gives a great overview and visual of everything you have, with real-time values and price movements mapped on easy-to-read charts.
Plus, it’s fun to see your collection grow and look back on what you’ve added over time.
It beats the pencil and paper method I used as a kid!
Get a 2-week free trial of Market Movers and 20% off for life using code: SCS20 – and using the button below.
6. A Budget
This hobby is fun—but it’s also easy to get carried away.
Having a budget helps you stay focused, avoid overspending, and make smarter buying decisions. I’ve learned that it’s better to pass on a few impulse buys in order to save up for something really special.
Set a monthly or yearly limit that works for you, and stick to it. It makes collecting more sustainable—and, in the long run, more rewarding.
For opening packs, remember it’s unlikely you’ll make a profit on anything you rip, so my advice is to buy packs for the fun of collecting and not to chase rare hits.
7. Loupe or Magnifier
If you’re serious about grading or just want to examine surface flaws, print dots, or corner wear closely, a loupe is a cheap but incredibly helpful tool.
You’ll catch issues that are hard to see with the naked eye—and that can make a big difference in whether or not a card’s worth submitting for grading.
8. Desiccant Packs / Humidity Control
Moisture is a hidden enemy of cardboard.
Tossing a few silica gel packs in your storage boxes or graded card cases can help prevent any potential long-term warping or mildew, especially in humid climates.
