What are the best Pokémon packs to buy? Well, the answer completely depends on you. Whether you’re looking to simply collect as many Pokémon cards as you can, or if you’re hoping to stash some away to give your kids in a decade or two, there’s such a huge variety that there’s no right answer – but there are some that are more worth getting over others.
If you need background info on any of our booster pack recommendations, our complete list of all Pokémon sets tracks every single release since 1996. And for the absolute crème de la Pokécrème, read our updated guide to the world’s most expensive rare Pokémon cards. If you’re someone who simply likes collecting, I’d certainly recommend researching each set we mention in order to get a full rundown of the card lists.
The best Pokémon booster packs are:
The latest expansion.
| Era | Mega Evolution |
| Cards per pack | 10 |
| Chase cards | Mega Gengar ex SIR, Mega Dragonite SIR, Mega Hyper Rares |
- Amazing SIRs and IRs
- A colossal set with decent pull rates
- Extremely high demand
- The 295 total is a daunting number for master collectors
Pokémon Ascended Heroes feels like a fitting way to kick off 30 years of the TCG. Not only is it packed with incredible hits, including a variety of ‘mon from the most iconic entries in the franchise, but it’s also full of absolutely stunning artwork. With terrific pull rates, it’s a match made in Pokéheaven, even if it is a bit hard to come by.
Admittedly, that massive number of 295 cards is a bit of a double-edged sword. On one hand, more cards make each pull feel even more engaging, but on the other, if you’re looking to make a full collection, it’s a Mamoswine of a task. Honestly, though, the Mega Gengar ex and Mega Dragonite ex SIRs make the chase worth trying.
How to choose the best Pokémon TCG packs to buy
Whether you’re coming back from a long break or you’re starting your Pokémon journey, we recommend going for the newest Pokémon set first and foremost. Typically, the older an expansion is, the pricier it becomes, and while some old sets are still available at retail, many of the best sets are hard to find at a good price.
Once you’ve started collecting and know what you’re looking for, we suggest opting for the expansion with your favorite chase cards. As a huge fan of Giratina, I typically go for the sets that have the draconic Pokémon as a chase.
If you’re focused on playing, it may be a good choice to pick up single cards that will help your deck. However, for collecting (or investing), we suggest going for special sets when they’re at a good price. Collections like the Pokémon 151 and the Prismatic Evolutions expansions offer great value for money, so long as you find them around retail.
What Pokémon packs should I avoid?
Based on overall fan reviews and our own experience, the worst Pokémon packs to buy right now are Shrouded Fable and Twilight Masquerade. Neither set was too popular with collectors due to unremarkable chase cards, disappointing pull rates, and some key artworks leaving fans cold.
Twilight Masquerade, released in May 2024, captured some hearts with its Illustration Rare Eevee #188 – but its big hero Pokémon Ogerpon steals the spotlight, with four alternate forms, each with multiple rare chase cards attached, and Ogerpon… well, let’s just say it’s not the most popular new ‘mon in the history of the game.
That said, every set has something in it that could belong in your binder, and what might make a particular set ‘worse’ for some folks is highly subjective. Find the cards you love most, and go after the sets they’re in, is our advice.
FAQs
What are the best Pokémon packs to invest in?
The Pokémon packs we recommend investing in are Pokémon 151, Pokémon Prismatic Evolutions, and Pokémon Ascended Heroes, as these are highly valuable ‘special sets’ that won’t be printed for long. The top purchases would be any Ultra Premium Collections containing only the packs above, or if you can find one, a Pokémon Center-exclusive Elite Trainer Box.
While it may be a little late to start investing in some sets, we suggest keeping an eye out for any upcoming special sets. Expansions like Pokémon 151 and Prismatic Evolutions quickly sell out at the retail price, with many people paying a premium to grab some booster packs of these sought-after sets.
Of course, vintage packs aren’t in circulation anymore, so they’re increasingly valuable – and will remain expensive until the heat death of the universe, probably. However, they’re also more pricey to buy, so getting some hard-to-find packs like Ascended Heroes at retail is a much better way to spend your money. Just, keep them sealed, okay?
Is it better to buy Pokémon booster packs or booster boxes?
It’s almost always a better idea to buy a full booster box rather than individual packs – you pay significantly less per pack by buying them in boxes, and if you’re after rare chase cards, you’ll need to open lots of packs anyway. In my experience, opening a whole box makes for a more exciting time, too – with the thrill of ripping off the plastic wrap and (of course) more chances to pull bangers.
However, picking up a few individual Pokémon packs has its advantages too. Maybe you’re just after a little treat rather than a big investment; or maybe booster box prices have shot up for the set you want because it’s in big demand, making the price efficiency less tempting than usual.
Buying separate packs also lets you pick and mix from a variety of sets if you’d like, whereas a booster box contains packs from only one set. The choice is yours! It’s worth noting that sets like Ascended Heroes or 151 don’t have booster boxes, so if you see any of those on eBay or the like, they’re fake.
How much do Pokémon booster packs and boxes cost?
A single, new set Pokémon booster pack retails for $4.49 and contains 10 cards: 4 commons, 3 uncommons, and 3 foil cards, at least one of which is Rare or higher.
Most new Pokémon booster boxes retail for around $143, depending on the set. That gets you 36 packs – so a saving of 18-19 bucks versus buying the packs separately.
Some stores may sell certain booster boxes for less – so keep your eyes peeled for deals! But particularly in-demand sets often see booster boxes rocket into the hundreds or even thousands of dollars, as stock becomes more scarce.
And of course, prices for sealed booster packs and boxes from older sets will cost you significantly more – sealed boxes of the 1999 Pokémon Base Set sell for between $10,000 and around $26,000, depending on the condition!
How do I know if a Pokémon pack is fake?
The best way to avoid getting a fake Pokémon booster pack is to buy from a trusted, reputable retailer – ideally, your local game store. If you see booster packs, booster boxes, or other bundles for sale online or in general stores at suspiciously low prices, there’s a good chance they aren’t the real deal – they could be counterfeits, or simply random, worthless cards repackaged to look like authentic boosters.
If you’ve already opened a pack and aren’t sure if your cards are counterfeit, follow some of the checks in our guide to spotting fake Pokémon cards. Identifying a fake pack without opening it can be very tricky, but there are a few tell-tale signs to look for:
- Errors or oddities in the printed text and designs – compare your new pack to a real one and spot any differences.
- Jagged/serrated seals at the top and bottom – real packs’ seals are straight.
- Loosely packed cards – real booster packs are sealed tight around the cards, with almost no room for movement. If there’s space for the cards to shake and slide around inside, the pack is unlikely to be genuine.
Reading our guide to Pokémon card size will give you some useful info, too, as many fakes can be spotted by being slightly miscut and not having the official card dimensions.
As always, we’d also recommend that, if you’re making a big purchase (even if it seems like a great deal), find out as much information as possible in advance about both the product(s) and the seller, and physically check out the packs before purchasing, if at all possible. If you’re new to collecting or uncertain, it’s a good idea to get some targeted advice from an experienced collector – the staff at your local game store may be an excellent guide here.
That’s it for our top Pokémon booster pack picks! While you’re here, you may find our beginner’s guide to collecting Pokémon cards helpful – and, for a refresher on just how many Pokémon there are now, read our list of all Pokémon in this day and age (spoilers: it’s a lot). Or, if you’d like to try out some other TCGs, check out our guide to the best trading card games around!
Source: Wargamer
