When it comes to protecting trading cards, not all toploaders are created equal. The right choice depends on what you collect and how you store it. Sports cards, Pokémon, and Magic: The Gathering (MTG) each have their own quirks—standard sizes, premium stock thickness, and grading preferences. This guide breaks down the best toploader options for each so you can protect your collection the right way.
What a Toploader Does
A toploader is a rigid plastic sleeve designed to hold a sleeved card. The penny sleeve protects the card’s surface, while the toploader keeps it flat and shields it from bends and handling. They are the baseline for both storage and transport in the hobby.
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Standard Size: 3” x 4” outer dimensions
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Card Fit: 2.5” x 3.5” (the standard size for most trading cards)
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Material: Rigid, crystal-clear PVC or PET
From there, variations exist—thickness (PT), UV protection, slim styles, and specialty sizes for vintage or oversized cards.
Toploaders for Sports Cards
Most modern sports cards—Topps and Panini—use the standard 2.5” x 3.5” card size. The difference is in the stock thickness:
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Base cards: Standard 35PT–40PT toploaders
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Chrome and premium stock (Prizm, Optic, Select): 55PT -75PT toploaders
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Relic and patch cards: 100PT–180PT toploaders
- Booklet (folded) and really thick relics: 260PT-360PT toploaders
Best Option:
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Everyday: Standard 3x4” toploader (35–40PT)
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Premium hits: EX or thick toploaders (55–130PT)
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Display cards: UV Shield toploader to block fading
For bulk storage of base sets, SlimLoaders can save space without sacrificing protection.
Toploaders for Pokémon and MTG
Pokémon and MTG cards are slightly shorter than sports cards but still fit standard 2.5” x 3.5” toploaders. The main consideration is surface quality—Pokémon and MTG cards are prone to whitening and scratches.
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Always sleeve cards before toploading to prevent edge wear.
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SlimLoaders are the best choice for Pokémon and MTG. They use thinner walls for a tighter, lighter fit that makes bulk storage and trading easier.
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For high-value alt arts and chase cards, our UV Shield SlimLoader protects against light damage while keeping your storage compact.
Shop SlimLoaders for Pokemon, MTG and TCG
UV Shield: Essential Protection
Every card is vulnerable to light damage. Even limited exposure can cause fading, yellowing, or surface breakdown over time. That’s why UV Shield toploaders aren’t an optional upgrade—they’re the standard for serious collectors. By blocking 99.9% of harmful rays, they keep colors sharp, foil patterns crisp, and card stock stable whether stored in a box, displayed on a shelf, or carried to a show. If you want your collection to look the same years from now as it does today, UV Shield is the only choice.
Specialty Toploaders for Odd Sizes
Some cards don’t fit the standard mold:
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Sports tallboys (vintage basketball): Tallboy toploaders
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Vintage tobacco cards: Tobacco toploaders
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Currency or oversized promos: 4x6 through 8x10 toploaders
Each format requires a matching toploader to prevent sliding or bending.
Shop Specialty Size Toploaders
Final Word
Sports cards, Pokémon, and MTG may all share the same basic size, but the best toploader depends on your collection. For sports cards, standard and thick EX toploaders cover most needs. For Pokémon and MTG, SlimLoaders are the clear winner—they protect cards while saving space, making them ideal for trading, bulk storage, and everyday collecting.
Whatever you collect, matching the right toploader to the right card ensures your collection stays sharp, flat, and safe for the long haul.
