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So you want to get into baseball card collecting, and you’re smart enough to know that proper storage of the little cardboard valuables is imperative. We happen to be baseball card fanatics, so here we offer the best baseball card storage ideas we could conjure up ~ some typical, some must-have, and others just outside-the-box (pun intended).
Starting a baseball card collection, you either go with industry-specific storage items like cardboard boxes sized to fit the standard 2.5” x 3.5” baseball cards; or, look for other types of business or hobby storage containers not necessarily designed for sports cards. Either can work well, and which is best depends on the collector and his or her desires.
Here, we try to walk a new collector through a progression of items they either must have, or should consider getting (and we’ll say why).
Don’t feel like you have to see the thousands of products made just for baseball cards, and somehow choose which ones you need, want ~ or even wonder what the heck it is. You can get all your answers here, to help move forward and focus on your collection!
Summary
- A single baseball card storage product sticks out from the rest: check out the Card House Storage Box, a dream for veteran collectors.
- The 800-Count Storage Box for Standard Trading Cards is the pre-eminent size and style to keep whole sets together safely.
- Those who like to look at the cards they collect should look into Trading Cards Sleeves by Homthy.
- You want a Toploader Card Holder for cards too worthy of simple penny sleeves.
- Binder Sleeves were revolutionary when first introduced to the baseball card collecting world, to easily flip pages to enjoy cards.
- It’s hard to use binder sleeves without baseball card 3-ring binders, and here we offer one of our faves.
- Care for and protect even more cards with a Baseball 3” Album ~ bigger is better, right?
- Veteran collectors are now vastly familiar with the Monster Storage Box and its ability to store thousands of cards safely.
- The Screwdown Recessed Trading Card Holder is a step up from both the penny sleeve and toploader for individual cards.
- A Check Storage Box is an out-of-the box idea to store baseball cards!
- Decorative Storage Bins are cool if you want to store baseball cards in living rooms or within public view.
Who Needs Baseball Card Storage Items?
Anyone who plans to keep buying and keeping baseball cards, and especially those who plan to sell them, needs storage items whether just for single cards, for full sets, boxes by team, or other methods. Each collector will figure out which storage concepts they like best.
Our Best Baseball Storage Ideas
So here we go, the only list you’ll ever need to go get prepared to store all those baseball cards, whether your intent is just to keep them for your own enjoyment, or get into the card-selling universe. We’ll start with the one item that we would want most, yet still may be too far advanced for beginning collectors.
After that, we’ll go in the order that a new collector should proceed, starting with the bare essentials, and progressing into storage products for larger and more valuable collections.
1. Best Baseball Card Storage Idea Overall ~ Card House Storage Box
Analysis
Ever see something years later and think, “If only that was around when I was young”? That’s what the BCW Card House Storage Box does to longtime baseball card nuts. You see, when we were kids it was all shoeboxes, which we tried to stack the best we could, which was hard sometimes because not all shoeboxes are the same size. Or strength. What sucked was having one collapse onto your valuable cards while the cards were packed in on their sides …
Note: this is probably mostly attractive for advanced baseball card collectors. We start with this because it’s just so cool. You get 12 of a vital item ~ the elongated 800-count cardboard box ~ plus a house (kind of like a toy box) to very easily store (and organize) them all!
Specifications
- 12 1-piece, 800-count cardboard baseball card boxes (sized 15” x 4” x 3”)
- Capacity: 9,600 2.5” x 3.5” sports or game cards
- House Size:20” x 12” x 16”
- Brand: BCW
What We Like
- Large capacity of 9,600 baseball cards total
- Thick and sturdy cardboard for protection
- 200 lb. test strength
- Organization assistance
Here is the Order for Purchasing, as Collection Grows:
2. Best Baseball Card Storage Idea at the Start ~ 800-Count Storage Box for Standard Trading Cards
Analysis
Once you’re ready to graduate from flimsy shoe boxes, start with a box tailored to hold (and protect) baseball cards: like the BCW 800-Count Storage Box for Standard Trading Cards. These uniform boxes make them easier to stack and store in closets, and the design to hold the cards snuggly adds protection.
The 200 lb. test strength is crucial because even one flaw can seriously diminish the value of a card. Shoe boxes might be okay to start with, but once you get, say, over 1,000 cards, start thinking about storage products designed specifically for baseball cards. Having even 1 shoe box collapse, or fall apart in transit, is too many. Graduate to true Card Collector Level.
Specifications
- 3 1-piece, 800-card storage boxes
- Capacity: 2,400 cards
- Size: 15” x 4” x 3”
- Brand: BCW
What We Like
- Sturdy and tough corrugated cardboard
- Identical, consistent sizing makes stacking easier
- Also can hold 1,140 collectible gaming cards each
- Exceptional user reviews
3. Best Baseball Card Storage Idea for Early Storing ~ Trading Cards Sleeves
Analysis
This item could be first on your list, but we figured protecting individual cards doesn’t do much without something to hold to move around or store. So, once you have your 800-ct. boxes, think about protecting as many baseball cards as you possibly can with Trading Cards Sleeves by Homthy.
Once you’re involved with the hobby long enough, you’ll see them called “soft card sleeves,” or, more commonly, “penny card sleeves” or just “penny sleeves.” Eventually, you’ll try to get as many cards as possible into these sleeves, even “commons” (non-stars). They prevent damage from sweat, grease and dust, and this brand makes them from polypropylene which is stronger (and acid-free, non-PVC) than other card sleeves.
Specifications
- 5 packs of 100 sheets each
- Capacity: 500 baseball cards total
- Size: 5.55” x 4.92” x 4.25”
- Brand: Homthy
What We Like
- First line of defense against damage
- Affordable first step in individual card protection
- Easy to use
- “After-sales service” ~ company replies within 24 hours of inquiries to try to resolve issues
4. Best Baseball Card Storage Idea for Added Single-Card Protection ~ Toploader Card Holder
Analysis
As you slide hundreds of baseball cards into penny sleeves, you’ll notice a card or two (or more) where you wish you could protect it even more. Then it’s time for the Toploader Card Holder, which is like a penny sleeve except it’s rigid. Penny sleeves are soft and do not protect cards from being folded or bent.
Toploaders are hard plastic, and include a tiny slit at top to carefully slide a card in. For very valuable cards, some collectors might even slip a card into a penny sleeve, and then slide both into the toploader. It’s a second layer of protection, but namely that’s aimed at avoiding print or surface damage from a toploader getting too hot, or squished, pulling paint off the card.
Specifications
- Capacity: 25-count pack
- Size: 4” x 3”
- Brand: Ultra Pro
What We Like
- Peace of mind that your cards will not get bent
- Ultra Pro is an established and respected maker of baseball card accessories
- Very clear see-through hard plastic, can still enjoy details in cards
- Easier to handle and store than penny sleeves
5. Best Baseball Card Storage Idea to Allow Repeated Viewing ~ Binder Sleeve
Analysis
The penny sleeve and toploader are relatively new developments in baseball card collection ~ compared with the binder sleeve (or binder sheet), that is. These regular paper-sized clear plastic sheets that have 9 slots to hold cards have been around since at least the early 1970s, and are a rather standard accessory for veteran baseball card collectors.
The key is ease of viewing whole teams, or cards by year or brand, in a format that’s as simple as flipping the pages of a book. A lot of veteran card collectors will put entire sets in 1 or more binders, often in numerical order. Such collections are neat to look at, to see the organization by the brand, and other details that make baseball card sets unique.
Specifications
- Capacity: Maximum 18 cards per sheet (front and back)
- Size: 9” x 11.3”
- Brand: ABLY
What We Like
- Binder sleeves are best for viewing cards from the same year, or players from the same team, in a nice 9-card sheet
- Both sides can be used, doubling capacity
- Fit into any 3-ring binder
- Great concept for long-term storage while still allowing viewing
6. Best Baseball Card Storage Idea for Rainy Areas ~ Baseball Card Binder (Waterproof)
Analysis
Baseball card binder sheets are cool, but notice how they have 3 holes on the side. That’s because they are designed for 3-ring binders ~ an accessory about every longtime collector has.
Any big school binder would work, but for this list we’ll focus on ones with design elements just for avid baseball card collectors. If you can’t choose among options, seek the word “waterproof” or “water resistant.” This is about the toughest 3-ring binder you’ll find just for sports cards; and we really like the option to zip it up. (See next item for something else to look for).
Specifications
- Capacity: 720 cards (comes with 40 binder sheets for sports cards)
- Size: 13” x 10.6” x 2”
- Brand: NeatoTek
What We Like
- Zips up for waterproofing the insides
- Great concept for long-term storage while still allowing viewing
- Comes with 40 binder sheets (9-cards one side, 18 both ways); holds up to 720 cards
- 4 cover choices: baseball, football, basketball, or mix of all 3 sports
7. Best Baseball Card Storage Idea for Whole Sets ~ Baseball 3” Album
Analysis
Binders and baseball card binder sheets are almost a mandatory accessory for any serious baseball card collector ~ but the medium can seem limited in the number of cards it will hold. With that in mind, just go with a larger spine size, like with the BCW Supplies Baseball 3” Album.
There are many options for big binders (this model from ACS Pacific Supply comes to mind[LINK https://www.amazon.com/Stitched-Baseball-Collectors-Premium-Included/dp/B00S8VDB6I/ ]),
but we like the price point here, plus the old-school cover specifying baseball cards, and the ability to carry 1,620 cards total ~ enough for 2 sets!).
Specifications
- Capacity: Holds up to 90 sports cards binder sheets (not included)
- Brand: Flat River Group
- Size: 11¾” x 11⅞” x 3½”
What We Like
- 3-inch spine, holds up to 90 binder sheets (1,620 cards total)
- Excellent storage and to show entire sets by year or brand
- Hard black plastic exterior for protection
- Low priced
8. Best Baseball Card Storage Idea for Investors ~ BCW Monster Storage Box
Analysis
See above, how we just noted capacity? Well, the time will come for super-serious baseball card collectors to skip the ability to view, and trade it for sheer volume to protect thousands of cards at a time. Say hello to the BCW Monster Storage Box.
This type of card storage box was introduced not long ago, relatively (old-time card collectors wish it was around pre-1980). Aside from the ability to hold thousands of cards very snuggly, these boxes are so sturdy, you can stack 10 or 12 of them on top of each other without crushing the very bottom one. Over 38,000 cards in one stack!
Specifications
- Capacity: 3,200 standard sized sports cards
- Brand: BCW
- Size: 14.75” x 12.75” x 4”
What We Like
- Big box, 4 lanes to hold cards snuggly, thickly designed exterior
- A top that easily pops on and off; can be used to help organize
- Lane dividers can be pulled to store bigger cards
- Ability to easily stack a lot of these, to store a whole heck of a lot of cards (200 lb. test strength)
9. Best Baseball Card Storage Idea for Ideal Single Cards ~ Screwdown Recessed Trading Card Holder
Analysis
We already recommended beginner’s types of single-card protection sleeves (penny sleeves, and toploaders). When you’re ready to go one step further, for your very favorite or valuable cards, go find the Ultra Pro 1/4″ Screwdown Recessed Trading Card Holder.
Yes, the name says screwdown. These are 2 sheets of very hard plastic (thicker than on the top-loaders) that are carefully screwed together to protect a card front and back. A key with this product is inclusion of the “recessed” ~ meaning a space cut out so cards fit inside; only the non-recessed edges connect, preventing squishing or harming card surfaces.
Specifications
- Capacity: 1 to 2 cards each (not recommended for 2 cards, but it’s possible)
- Brand: Ultra Pro
- Size: 3” x 5” x ¼”
What We Like
- This is an exceptional brand for baseball card storage accessories
- Easily stackable
- Once screwed, cards cannot be bent, stained or otherwise damaged
- Recessed pocket to avoid damage from squishing
10. Best Baseball Card Storage Idea with Business Supplies ~ ABC Check Storage Box
Analysis
Thinking out-of-the-box, so to speak? Then consider the ABC Check Storage Box ~ which was absolutely perfect for organizing baseball cards by teams, before 1993. With dividers separating 12 slots (made for checks), savvy collectors will take advantage of another space in the back to hold a total of 13 teams.
Now, that’s short of the 15 per league in Major League Baseball, but clever collectors will figure out how to share slots among teams with a smaller number of cards. It’s neat to be able to flip down a snap, flip up the top and pick which team you want to explore. Fun way during a season to make it easy to find current players.
Specifications
- Capacity: About 1,000 (est.)
- Brand: ABC Check Printing
- Size: 12” x 9⅞” x 4⅝”
What We Like
- Ability to separate cards by team
- Fun for use during a season
- Can hold an entire set (if there are not too many duplicates; maximum about 1,000 cards)
- Easily stackable; slot on front to write in contents
11. Best Baseball Card Storage Idea for Outside the Closet ~ Decorative Storage Bins
Analysis
Who says you have to hide your valuable baseball card collection in a closet, large toy box, or basement? Get them out in the open and boost conversations with the SEEKIND Decorative Storage Bins. These come in packs of 3, and you can choose from 10 different colors to match your interior design scheme!
Specifications
- Capacity: Unknown
- Brand: SEEKIND
- Size: (3 boxes in set) 11” x 7” x 4.3” (small); 12.2” x 8.3” x 5.1” (medium); 13.4” x 9.4” x 5.5”
What We Like
- Can leave 3 boxes stacked out in public view if desired; conversation starters
- While empty, smaller boxes fit into the next-larger box; all 3 empty boxes can be stored as 1
- 10 colors to choose from
- Very sturdy, moisture-proof exterior
See Also:
Why do Pitchers Wear Jackets on Base?
Why are Baseball Cards So Valuable?: A Primer
8 Top Wooden Baseball Bats and Beyond
9 Top Baseball Helmets for Youths: A Close-Up Look
Does Goodwill Take Baseball Cards?
