A deck box is a small purchase, but the wrong one gets replaced quickly. Run through these ten questions and you'll get it right first time, whatever game you play.
The checklist at a glance
| # | Question | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | How many cards? | Rated for your deck size plus extras |
| 2 | Single or double sleeves? | A double-sleeved capacity figure |
| 3 | Where will it travel? | Depth under about 50 mm for bags |
| 4 | How does it close? | A latch or locking clip |
| 5 | Hard or soft? | A rigid shell for crush protection |
| 6 | Where do tokens go? | Dedicated token space |
| 7 | Can you see what's inside? | A display window or front toploader |
| 8 | Does it pass the shake test? | No rattle, lid stays shut |
| 9 | How many decks do you own? | Colours that tell decks apart |
| 10 | What's the budget? | Features per pound, not just price |
1. How many cards does the deck box need to hold?
Count your deck plus everything that travels with it: tokens, counters, a sideboard. A Commander player needs 100 cards plus tokens; a 60-card player may also need room for 15 sideboard cards.
2. Do you single or double-sleeve?
Double sleeving adds roughly 10–15% to a deck's thickness, so a "100-card" box may only take about 90 double-sleeved. Check single vs double sleeving explained and the best box for 60-card decks.
3. Where will the deck box travel?
If it goes in a bag every week, depth matters more than anything. A slim box around 50 mm deep fits pockets and laptop sleeves; a chunky cube is better suited to a shelf. See the best slim deck box for travel.
4. How does the lid close?
Latches and locking clips stay shut in a bag; friction lids and weak magnets can pop open. Our deck box closure comparison explains the trade-offs.
5. Hard or soft deck box?
A rigid shell spreads pressure away from your cards; a fabric pouch passes it straight through. For valuable decks, hard wins. Full breakdown in fabric vs hard deck boxes.
6. Where will your tokens go?
Loose tokens get bent or lost. A box with dedicated token space keeps them with the deck. See how to organise Commander tokens.
7. Can you see which deck is inside?
A display window or front toploader shows your commander or star card without opening the box, which also protects that card. Read how to protect and display your commander.
8. Does it pass the shake test?
Close it, shake it, listen. Silence and a shut lid mean a pass. Learn more in the deck box shake test explained.
9. How many decks do you own?
Once you own a few, colour-coding saves time and mix-ups. Our deck box colour guide matches colours to colour identity.
10. What's your budget?
Compare features per pound, not price alone. Our two Commander boxes are £19.99 and £24.95 – see slim vs rugged to decide between them, and why we make them in the UK.
Ticks every box? SquadPod Slim – £19.99: 100 single-sleeved + 10 tokens · display window · hinged latch · 50 mm deep · five colourways
Shop SquadPod Slim → | Commander Deck Box with Card Stand | All deck boxes
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