When it comes to collecting baseball cards, buying full boxes is often the most exciting and rewarding way to build up a collection. Boxes contain dozens of packs with multiple cards in each, giving collectors a fun experience opening them all while also acquiring a large number of cards to sort through. With so many box options on the market from different brands and years, it can be tough to know which are the best investments. Here are some of the top boxes collectors should consider:

2020 Topps Series 1 Baseball – Released in late 2019, the 2020 Topps Series 1 box is one of the best modern options. Each box contains 18 packs with 11 cards per pack including several hits. Rosters feature all current MLB players and the design has a clean retro look paying homage to the original Topps sets. Priced around $90 per box, they provide a fun break and you’re almost guaranteed to pull some stars.

2018 Topps Update Series – The Update series comes out midway through each MLB season and features rookie cards and stats from the first half of play. The 2018 edition introduced superstars like Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Ronald Acuña Jr. to collectors in their rookie cards. Boxes hold 24 packs and usually sell for around $125-150 with a chance at big hits. These have proven to be a smart long term investment.

1989 Upper Deck Baseball – Often called the most iconic set in the modern era, 1989 Upper Deck was the company’s highly anticipated debut. With its sharp photography and attention to quality control, the set revolutionized the industry. Boxes contain 18 packs and run $500-600. While expensive, condition-sensitive cards of Ken Griffey Jr., Nolan Ryan, and others command high prices today.

2007 Topps Tribute – As a “retro” release celebrating Topps’ 60th anniversary, the 2007 Tribute set paid homage to the classic 1955 Topps design. Boxes hold 24 packs and feature stars like Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, and Derek Jeter. They’ve steadily increased in value to around $200 per box today. The throwback aesthetic and star power make them a fun rip.

1988 Fleer – Fleer’s competitor set to the famed 1989 Upper Deck, 1988 Fleer boxes from the “War of the Bubbles” contain Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie among others. Boxes hold 18 packs and run $400-500. While riskier than Upper Deck, high-grade Griffey Jr. and Bo Jackson rookie cards can yield a strong return.

1985 Topps – Often called the “Cream of the Crop” of the junk wax era, 1985 Topps boxes are still reasonably priced at around $150-200 despite holding future Hall of Famers like Don Mattingly, Wade Boggs, and Rickey Henderson in their prime. Each box contains 18 packs.

1986 Fleer – The 1986 Fleer set is best known as the sole producer of Ken Griffey Jr.’s first rookie card. Boxes hold 18 packs and run $300-350 on average. While Griffey wasn’t quite the star he became yet, high-grade copies of his iconic rookie continue appreciating in value.

1996 Ultra Baseball – Ultra was known for its technology-focused inserts and parallel sets during the height of the junk wax era. The 1996 edition features rookie cards of Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones, and Nomar Garciaparra. Boxes contain 24 packs and sell for around $100-125, providing a fun, relatively inexpensive break from the mid-90s.

2003 Topps Chrome Baseball – Topps Chrome parallels and refractors debuted in 2002 and the 2003 edition introduced phenoms like Josh Beckett and Lance Berkman to collectors. Boxes hold 24 packs and run $150-200. With its shiny chrome design, this set remains a fan favorite among modern collectors.

2017 Topps Series 1 Baseball – The 2017 Topps Series 1 box introduced rookie cards of Cody Bellinger, Aaron Judge, and others before their superstar breakouts. Each box contains 18 packs for around $100-125 currently. As one of the more affordable modern options, it provides exposure to still-rising young talents.

While there’s no guarantee of profit when opening boxes of baseball cards, these ten options from different eras provide collectors quality cardboard, a fun break experience, and the chance at valuable hits from the games’ all-time greats as rookie cards or in their prime. Proper storage and grading of top pulls can lead to strong long-term returns with boxes from the best vintage and modern years for the hobby.