Quick answer: the best MTG deck box is the one sized for your deck with its sleeves on and built for how you carry it. For a 100-card Commander deck in single sleeves, pick a box rated for at least 100 sleeved cards plus room for tokens. If you double-sleeve, you need a bigger box or one rated for double-sleeved cards. For travel, look for a closure that stays shut in a bag; for the shelf, look for a display window or a stand for your commander.
Below is how to match the box to the deck, what each type of deck box is good at, and the mistakes that send people back to the shop.
Start with capacity: count sleeves, not cards
Card counts on deck boxes are only useful if you know whether they mean bare, single-sleeved or double-sleeved cards. Sleeves add thickness to every card, and double sleeving adds even more. A box that holds 100 single-sleeved cards will usually only take around 85–90 double-sleeved ones.
- Commander (100 cards): most players single-sleeve so the deck fits a standard Commander box with tokens.
- 60-card formats with a 15-card sideboard: 75 cards double-sleeved fits comfortably in most Commander-size boxes.
- 40-card limited decks: almost any box works; a slim box is plenty.
If you are unsure, our guide to deck box capacity with single vs double sleeves works through the numbers, and MTG card and sleeve sizes gives the measurements in millimetres.
The main types of MTG deck box
| Type | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Side-loading box | Easy access to the whole deck at once | Lids that loosen over time |
| Top-loading / flip-top box | Simple, cheap, upright storage | Cards can be tight to pull out of a full box |
| Magnetic closure | Quick to open, satisfying to close | Check it passes a shake test before trusting it in a bag |
| Hinged lid with a latch | Travel; stays shut in a backpack | Hinge quality varies a lot |
| Slim, two-stack box | Carrying several decks without bulk | Usually sized for single-sleeved Commander decks |
| Box with display window or card stand | Showing off your commander at the table and on the shelf | Make sure the window card is protected |
| Soft or fabric case | Light carrying | Little crush protection |
For a closer look at closures, see hinged, magnetic and lift-off deck box closures, and for materials, fabric vs hard deck boxes.
Slim vs rugged: how will you carry it?
If your decks live on a shelf and travel in the car, a chunky box is fine. If you carry three or four decks in a backpack, depth matters more than you expect. Slim boxes that split a deck into two side-by-side stacks keep the case flat, so several decks sit in a bag without the bulk of a double-sleeve box. A rugged box with a locking top is a better fit if your decks get thrown around or you want a built-in stand for your commander.
We compare the two approaches in slim vs rugged Commander deck boxes.
Seven questions to ask before you buy
- Is the capacity rated for single- or double-sleeved cards?
- Is there room for tokens, dice or a life counter?
- Will it stay shut if it is shaken upside down in a bag?
- How deep is it, and how many will fit in your bag?
- Can you see which deck is which at a glance?
- Will it still look good on a shelf between game nights?
- Can you get the whole deck in and out without bending cards?
Our full deck box buying checklist adds price and durability, and how to tell your Commander decks apart helps if you own several.
Our deck boxes, and what each one is for
We make our deck boxes to order in our Northumberland workshop. Each is built around a specific job:
- SquadPod Slim: 100 single-sleeved cards plus 10 tokens in a case 50 mm deep, with a display window for your commander and a hinged lid with a side latch. It also holds 60-card and 50-card decks double-sleeved.
- SquadPod Rugged: holds 100+ single-sleeved cards, with a lock that clicks over an included top loader so your commander is on show, plus a card stand.
- Magnetised Commander deck box: 100+ single-sleeved cards behind a magnetic closure, about 80 × 80 × 105 mm.
- Top-loader lock deck box: 100+ single-sleeved cards, locked by a sliding top loader.
All four are sized for single-sleeved Commander decks. If you double-sleeve a 100-card deck, check the internal dimensions on each listing first. You can see the full range in our MTG deck boxes collection.
Common deck box mistakes
- Buying by card count alone without checking whether it means sleeved cards.
- Forgetting tokens. A Commander deck plus 10–15 tokens needs more room than 100 cards.
- Over-stuffing. A box that is too tight bends cards and wears sleeves.
- Trusting a weak closure in a bag. A spilled deck on a bus floor is how sleeves and cards get damaged.
- Storing boxes somewhere damp or hot, which can curl cards, especially foils. See why MTG cards curl.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best deck box for MTG Commander?
One rated for at least 100 sleeved cards with room for tokens, with a closure that stays shut when carried. Most Commander players single-sleeve so a standard Commander-size box fits the deck plus tokens.
Do deck box capacities include sleeves?
Not always. Check whether the capacity means bare, single-sleeved or double-sleeved cards. A box for 100 single-sleeved cards usually holds around 85 to 90 double-sleeved cards.
Will a 60-card deck fit in a Commander deck box?
Yes. A 60-card deck with a 15-card sideboard, double-sleeved, fits comfortably in most Commander-size boxes.
Are magnetic deck boxes secure?
A good magnetic closure is secure for normal carrying. Look for a box that passes a shake test, where it is shaken closed and upside down without opening.
Is a slim deck box worth it?
If you carry several decks in a bag, yes. Slim boxes that split the deck into two stacks are flatter, so more decks fit without the bulk of a standard box.