By this point, you’ve probably seen thePokemon TCG’sScarlet & Violet: 151 set on store shelves, though likely only briefly, as this set is arguably thebest from the Scarlet & Violet era.While finding any of these products at MSRP is nearly impossible these days (unless you find the most remote GameStop or Target in the world), there’s still good value in them.
To evaluate which 151 products are the best, we’ve considered their value-per-pack, quality of additional items included, and overall desirability. While it may seem logical to buy a loose pack if you’re only interested in opening packs, certain products offer better bang for your buck.
MSRP is used when weighing their values, as secondary market prices are highly volatile, but remain relatively proportionate to their MSRPs when it comes to current pricing tiers.
8Binder Collection
$24.99 MSRP
The Binder Collection may sound well-priced, considering you get four packs plus a binder to store your cards in, but paying extra for this binder feels pointless. It’s a nice place to store your cards if you plan on keeping them in one place and turning the pages with more care than you would an ancient text.
However, we noticed that cards tend to fall out of the binder very easily, which defeats the entire purpose of storing them in the binder in the first place. Based on the MSRP of loose packs, paying about five dollars for a binder sounds cheap because the quality is fairly low.
7Poster Collection
$14.99 MSRP
On the other hand, while the Poster Collection may be targeted at kids and teens who want to decorate their rooms, anyone can enjoy a poster if they have the space. What’s even better is the fact that you’re paying MSRP for three packs and receive the rest of the items for free.
Among those technically free items are three promo cards featuring Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle, which guarantee you’ll enjoy your favorite starter regardless of what’s in the packs. Top it all off with the titular poster, and this product offers incredible value.
Realistically, you’ll struggle to find this for $15 unless you’re at a store mid-restock, but it’s theoretically a steal of a deal.
6Loose Packs
$4.99 MSRP
While loose packs don’t sound particularly exciting, considering you won’t get a discount via a clever bundle, they can still be fun, affordable options if your main goal is to feel the exhilarating thrill of a great pull.
To play Devil’s advocate, you could buya nice budget card for the price of a few packs,but you miss out on the thrill of the pull.
151’s pull rates are also fairly forgiving, so you may reasonably expect to get something exciting in a handful of packs, though you must keep in mind that there are no guarantees when buying loose packs, as there’s no telling which products they came from.
5Zapdos ex Collection
$21.99 MSRP
The Zapdos ex Collection is a cross between the Binder and Poster Collections, featuring four packs like the former, alongside three promo cards, like the latter. The one major downside is that one of the promo cards is an oversized version of the regular Zapdos ex, so it takes up a fair bit of space.
Aside from the lack of convenience (unless you love oversized cards), this product offers great value for money, and gives you some nice promos to appreciate even if you strike out on those four packs.
4Mini Tins
$9.99 MSRP
Mini Tins might not sound very exciting, but if you’ve struggled to get your hands on any ofthe best Prismatic Evolutions products,you know that sometimes they’re all you may find. With two packs included, you’re not strictly getting a discount unless you include the metal tin itself, which provides a nice carrying case for a handful of cards.
While the evidence is purely anecdotal, these tins are rumored to have decent pull rates, though your mileage may vary, with two packs not technically offering much of a chance atpulling something special, like a God Pack.
3Elite Trainer Box (ETB)
$59.99 MSRP
The Elite Trainer Box offers the best value for your money thus far, as this compact box includes all the following items for a reasonable $60 price tag:
These major inclusions also join other accessories, like dice, so you’re getting quite a bit inside the box.
Most of the other goodies might not be as exciting as the ones we highlighted, but even if you’re only considering the major inclusions, you’re getting way more than your money’s worth out of this box, particularly if you get the Pokemon Center Exclusive ETB that includes that stamped promo.
2Ultra Premium Collection
$119.99 MSRP
As the highest-priced item on this list, the Ultra Premium Collection has to live up to its price tag to justify being placed so highly, and it does exactly that thanks to these major inclusions:
Much like the Elite Trainer Box, you’ll receive other tools for playing the game, but the value lies in the aforementioned promo cards and packs. While you can’t justify the cost of this product based on the packs alone, each of the promo cards commands a decent price tag and is a rare card you can only find in this special product.
1Booster Bundle
$26.94 MSRP
Booster Bundles are the best 151 product for purists, as you’ll receive six packs in this small box, and nothing else. However, the price tag offers a nice three-dollar discount on the standard price of packs.
While there may be unlucky Booster Bundles, most of these contain at least one major hit, and anecdotally, receiving two Illustration Rares is possible, which is a great return on a cheap investment. If you can find these at MSRP, enjoy opening them, and good luck!
