5 min read

You know how it is: you buy a Pokémon booster pack and you're torn: should I leave it sealed or open it? Which is more valuable?

For years, a silent battle has been raging in the world of Pokémon investments between sealed products and individual cards . Whether you're just starting out or have been investing for years, you've probably noticed that both options have their own advantages and disadvantages. But what's really the smartest move when it comes to return on investment (ROI)? The answers are less obvious than you might think.

In this article, I'll walk you through the key differences between sealed and singles, including their risks, growth potential, and when to choose which. If you hold a Pokémon product in your hands after reading this, you'll know exactly what to do: keep it sealed or rip it.

What exactly do we mean?

  • Sealed product : booster box, booster packs, Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs), complete sets in the original packaging, in short: you leave the product unopened.
  • Loose cards / singles : rare cards from booster packs, often graded, foils, promos, etc.

Advantages & disadvantages of sealed products

Advantages

  1. Scarcity & rarity

    Sealed products, once discontinued, naturally become rarer. The older the product, the harder it is to find, especially in good condition. This often results in a "floor value" that remains relatively stable.

  2. Wider audience

    Anyone interested in the Pokémon TCG—collectors, nostalgics, investors—may be interested in a sealed product: they want to open it, keep it as an heirloom, display it, or unravel it in the future. Singles often have a smaller audience: those interested in that specific card, grade, or artwork.

  3. Reduced risk of oversupply (for sealed)

    While reprints are always possible, sealed products ensure that once the print run is over, you have a "stock" from which no new identical sealed versions are produced. With singles: there are often many open packs, people reselling cards, etc.

  4. Less hassle in terms of content condition

    You assess the packaging as a whole, rather than having to check for minor imperfections in the card itself (scratches, centering, corners, etc.). The packaging may, of course, be damaged, but in a sealed product, that's often easier to assess than each card individually.

Disadvantages

  1. Startup costs & storage

    Sealed items are often more expensive to purchase than individual singles. They also take up space, are more vulnerable to damage (moisture, light, physical damage), and often require shipping/insurance if you have large investments.

  2. Liquidity

    Sealed products can be harder to sell if buyers are suspicious of their authenticity or have doubts about whether the product is fully sealed (for example, if it has been resealed, if the packaging is damaged). Therefore, the sale can be somewhat more complex.

  3. Market fluctuations & hype

    Not all sealed sets increase in value. Some sets prove less desirable or are reprinted, making their scarcity less pronounced than anticipated. Some sealed products remain stable for a long time or increase slowly, but singles can sometimes yield enormous returns if you buy the right card.

Advantages & disadvantages of single tickets

Advantages

  1. Potential for big profits

    A single rare card, especially if it's popular, has a low pop (little circulation), special artwork, or is a beloved Pokémon, can experience enormous increases in value. Sometimes even exponentially more than sealed cards. Your "winner" card in singles can fetch much more than the average sealed item.

  2. Faster turnover speed

    Singles are often easier and faster to sell. The market for popular tickets is active, and online platforms allow for this. You can generate liquidity more quickly.

  3. Lower investment per piece

    Buying a single card often requires a smaller investment. You can spread your investment across multiple cards, different sets, etc., instead of investing a large sum in a single sealed box or set.

Disadvantages

  1. Condition and grading are crucial

    For singles, condition (centering, corners, edges, no bends, etc.) is crucial. Even minor defects can significantly reduce the value. Sometimes you'll need to have the card graded ("PSA," "CGC," etc.), which means additional costs and hassle.

  2. Greater risk of setbacks

    The card you expect to rise in value may also stagnate or even decline (e.g., due to reissues or the fad). Some cards are speculative, and your guess must be right.

  3. Market is very fluctuating

    Trends, memes, community hype, media attention, new sets, meta-changes—everything can quickly change what's popular. This means singles often experience greater volatility.

Comparison: ROI in practice

To see which one performs better, we need to pay attention to:

  • Time horizon (how long are you willing to hold your investment)
  • Knowledge & risk avoidance (how well do you know the market, how willing are you to take risks)
  • Budget & storage capacity
  • Sales options (platforms, fees, shipping costs, authentication)

Examples / data patterns

  • There are investors who say that sealed product shows consistent growth over years, especially once it is discontinued.
  • Singles, on the other hand, can sometimes see rapid increases in value (e.g. a popular promo, alt-art, community-coveted cards), but can also yield much less, or sit idle for years.
  • Some sets (sealed) over time reach prices well above original retail (MSRP), especially with popular sets that many collectors consider to have a “nostalgia” factor.
  • However, sealed products can also stagnate, certain recent sets that have been printed extensively show little increase.

My guess: when sealed vs. when singles are the best choice

Situation Sealed product likely to have better ROI Singles likely to have better ROI
Long term (5–10 years or more) ✔️ Know for sure when buying close to release, from sets with potential and small-scale production, and can guarantee good storage/condition. ❓ Difficult, unless you buy cards that you expect to remain beloved, have low circulation, are iconic, etc.
Medium term (~1-3 years) Possible stability and mild appreciation, but limited chance of profit Great opportunities, especially with hype, special promotions, ostentatious/alt-art/cute Pokémon, etc.
Low investment / small budget Singles can be more accessible because you can start with smaller amounts Sealed requires greater initial investment, storage and care
Little market experience / low risk tolerance Sealed offers a somewhat “safer” basis: less chance of dramatic depreciation if sold in good condition Singles can be riskier, you have to be able to assess the trends well

What “delivers the best ROI”?

  • Safer & stable growth : sealed products often win on that front. For those who are patient, skilled in storage and sales, and don't want extreme swings, sealed products often offer reasonably reliable returns.
  • High interest rates are possible, but the risks are higher for singles : those who choose the right singles, capitalize on the hype, and accurately assess the conditions can make substantial profits. However, the risk of your investment stagnating or not increasing in value is greater.
  • My personal preference for ROI maximization would be a mix. Put part of your investment into sealed products (for stability and long-term returns) and part into singles with potential (for high upside). This way, you spread risk and maximize your chances.