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As a rule of thumb, it’s probably best to stay away from cracking open a football hobby box (or baseball or basketball) if you’re solely aiming to see the greatest ROI.
Our Favorite Hobby Boxes
1993 Upper Deck SP Foil Baseball Factory Sealed Hobby Box – Decent chance of pulling the JETER RC
2018 Panini Prizm Basketball Hobby Box – Luka Rookie Cards, enuf said
2018 Panini Opulence Basketball Hobby Box – Chance at the Luka Holo RPA /10
2011 Topps Update Hobby Box – Only home to the 2011 Mike Trout US175 Rookie Card…YES PLEASE
2020 Panini Prizm Football Hobby Box – Justin Herbert and Joe Burrowcould very well be the next Tom Brady and Peyton Manning
However, there’s no denying the fun to be had when doing so, and there’s always a chance that you could find a major hit against all odds.
Don’t get me wrong, any collector will be sorely tempted to open a 2020 Bowman Chrome Baseball Hobby Box if they happen to have one, even if it would probably be more financially prudent to hold onto it for a decade or so.
Related: Best Hobby Boxes To Buy Now
The same is true when it comes to any of the very best hobby boxes, but there’s a reason why people buy them anyway! Here’s our take on why buying a hobby box every now and then isn’t a bad thing, even if it probably won’t be a good investment in the long run.
When to Buy a Hobby Box
When is the ideal time to invest in a hobby box? Probably never, if you want to be totally pragmatic. However, that doesn’t factor in the fun involved in cracking open a box for the first time or sharing the experience with friends.
Take a 1993 SP Upper Deck Baseball hobby box. They retail for anywhere between $3,000 and $5,000, making for a significant investment. (Buyers will be hoping for an elusive Derek Jeter RC, seen as one of the signature baseball cards of its entire generation.)
I and a group of friends meet every other Friday evening and crack a few cold ones while breaking boxes… it is literally the highlight of my week haha.
The chances of packing anything noteworthy are small, while it’ll probably be hard to recoup the losses from your average box. On the other hand, the feeling would be unmatched if you actually got a hit, and it would instantly be the pride of any collection. (Then there’s the massive resale value to think about.)
Popular Hobby Boxes on eBay
2019 Panini Prizm Basketball Hobby Box
2020 Panini Absolute Football Hobby Box
2020 Panini Prizm Football Hobby Box
2020 Bowman Chrome Baseball Hobby Box
It’s not unheard of for friends to get together to buy a box, splitting the cost into a manageable amount. You will have to split the profits too, but it makes any potential losses much easier to swallow.
Buying Hobby Boxes: Buyers Guide and Summary
The fact is, buying hobby boxes isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and it can potentially be one of the best-shared experiences for collectors. After all, it’s supposed to be a ‘hobby’, despite the endless pursuit of profit and expensive cards.
Random Hobby Box Investment Rating: Buy Life Fun (but 2.6 out of 5 for investment purposes)
Recently Purchased Hobby Boxes: 2020 Panini Prizm Football and 2020 Panini Prizm Absolute
Best Hobby Boxes of All-Time: 1993 Upper Deck SP Foil Baseball Hobby Box, 2018 Panini Prizm Basketball Hobby Box
It’s all part of the fun, even if there are winners and losers along the way. We wouldn’t go crazy, but there’s nothing wrong with taking a risk every so often, as long as you’re willing to accept that chances are slim.
If you’re feeling tempted, check out our updated list containing the top eight hobby boxes of all-time, or check out some of our recent articles to find out what we think about the latest and greatest releases.