Joining thePokemon TCGcommunity can be both exciting and overwhelming as you search for cards or Pokemon that fit your taste and budget. Luckily, if you’re a mega-fan of Pokemon likeMeowscarada, we’ve highlighted the most expensive cardsof several Pokemon for you to collect the best.
However, if you’re starting from scratch and don’t have a favorite Pokemon yet, or worse, your favorite Pokemon is usually too expensive, then we’ve got a few recommendations for you. The newest Pokemon and trainers are still very affordable, with some modern cards of classic Kantonian Pokemon also standing out among the best budget Pokemon TCG cards.
We kept our choices to a $20 budget, so you could feasibly buy more than one card on this list for under that total.
8Lechonk: Obsidian Flames (Illustration Rare) – $4.45
As Happy As A Pig In The Mud
Lechonk lives a simple life: eat, sleep, and roll around on the floor looking absolutely adorable; could it get any better? Yes, actually, it can, because you can have a beautiful card featuring Lechonk living its best life for under five dollars. This card is cheap and cute, giving it wide appeal to collectors of all kinds.
The bright colors and adorable expression also make this Lechonk card easy for anyone to enjoy.
Seriously, could you find a better card for the price? Don’t worry about answering that, we’ve already done the hard work for you with a potentially even better card for you, if you prefer collecting trainers over Pokemon.
7Penny: Scarlet & Violet Base (Special Illustration Rare) – $4.83
A Simple And Relatable Slice
Keeping with some of the newer additions to the Pokemon world from Paldea, Penny’s Special Illustration Rare (SIR) depicts a simple but sensitive scene of a young girl staring out the window while sitting at her school desk. We’ve all looked out the window and daydreamed, if even for a second, and this illustration of Penny doing the same gives us a clear connection to her.
While the scene is simple, there are still some lovely details, like the light illuminating the floor and casting shadows in the background that bring this scene to life. As an SIR, this card is one of the rarest in the set, and considering the quality of the artwork, the price is a bargain.
6Houndour: Obsidian Flames (Illustration Rare) – $5.41
The Gang’s All Here
Houndour is one of the most lovable Pokemon from Johto, with its dog-like design and mischievous nature appealing to a variety of different personalities. Aside from the card’s potentially wide appeal, there are a handful of Houndour depicted, and multiple Pokemon frequently make a card more desirable.
While this card doesn’t benefit from the numerous subjects by commanding an exceptionally high price, it’s one of the best bargains you’re able to find. Considering the Pokemon involved, this card is unlikely to explode in value, but it’s still a bargain at this price.
5Zamazenta: Destined Rivals (Illustration Rare) – $5.58
A Discount Legendary Dog
WhileDestined Rivals is best known for its most expensive cards,especially legendary Pokemon like Mewtwo, there are still some bargains you can find in the set. The Zamazenta IR is easily one of the most exceptionally detailed cards in the entire set, and features one of the coolest designs to boot.
Anyone who grew up playing Sword & Shield will want to grab this card ASAP, while it’s still cheap. It’s still a long way away, but the future of this card will be far brighter than the fairly low cost it currently commands, but at least it’s a bargain for now.
4Rika: Paradox Rift (Special Illustration Rare) – $7.11
Cool, Calm, Cheap
You won’t find Rika amongthe most expensive full-art trainer cards in the Pokemon TCG,but she’s one of the most undervalued characters in the entire TCG at the moment. Rika’s popularity if far higher in Japan, as she frequently ranks among the most beloved characters in official Pokemon polls.
This card isn’t even ten dollars, and it’s arguably one of the hardest cards to pull in Paradox Rift, making it a massive Pokemon TCG bargain. If you love Rika, you won’t find any better cards to collect yet, but the future might change that as Rika’s popularity rises.
3Fidough: Scarlet & Violet Base (Illustration Rare) – $8.35
A Longing Look
Fidough offers us one of the brightest and most enticing scenes we’ve seen so far, as it stares into a bakery window, examining its reflection. It’s a bittersweet moment, as the dough-and-dog Pokemon could be hungrily coveting the pastries, or contemplating the possibility of being mistakenly eaten as a pastry.
While your interpretation of this scene will drastically alter the tone of the card, it’s one of the most impressive budget Pokemon TCG cards based on its open-ended nature. Any card that can provoke some thought must feature special artwork, and this one is no exception.
2Wailord: Journey Together (Illustration Rare) – $14.15
A Long-Term Bargain
Wailord catapulted up the list asone of the most valuable cards in Journey Togetherin the set’s early days, and while it still lingers among the top spots, its value has sunk significantly. This is a sleeper pick for both collectors and value hunters, as finding a copy in good condition can pay off if you grade the card.
If you like Wailord, or you just enjoy unusual depictions of Pokemon, this card will stand out to you as a must-have. Expect this card’s price to rise over time, so enjoy it while it’s still a bargain.
1Ninetales: Obsidian Flames (Illustration Rare) – $15.12
An Old Favorite Returns
Ninetales has a pretty impressive roster of valuable cards,but one of its most visually stimulating artworks is also arguably the best budget Pokemon TCG card. In terms of the subject, the art, and its competition within the same set, this Ninetales stands out.
Its price jumped up toward the $30 range for a brief period in 2024 and early 2025, but it then dipped into bargain territory, making it a must-buy if you’re a fan of this Pokemon. Even if you’ve never owned a Ninetales card before, this affordable option might be a great place to start.
