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The best cheap basketball hobby boxes include Panini Obsidian (Asia), Revolution, Hoops, Contenders, and Chronicles. Each of these boxes costs less than $150 on average (based on eBay sales data over the last 30 days as presented by Market Movers), yet provide an entertaining rip full of nice designs and decent hits.
Here is a list of nearly 20 different hobby box options ranging from $50 to about $150:
- 2021 Bowman University Basketball, $50
- 2021 Chronicles Draft Picks Basketball, $57.1
- 2022 Chronicles Draft Picks Basketball, $73.36
- 2021 Prizm Draft Picks Basketball, $76.87
- 2022 Revolution Basketball, $83.16
- 2022 Bowman’s Best University Basketball, $86.9
- 2020 Revolution Basketball, $87.23
- 2022 Prizm Draft Picks Basketball, $87.39
- 2022 Obsidian Basketball, $93.81
- 2020 Contenders Draft Picks Basketball, $109.78
- 2015 Contenders Draft Picks Basketball, $111.95
- 2021 Revolution Basketball, $114.53
- 2022 Chronicles Basketball, $118.95
- 2022 Hoops Basketball, $120.6
- 2021 Hoops Basketball, $128.19
- 2022 Bowman Chrome University Basketball, $130.91
- 2019 Clearly Donruss Basketball, $151.35
While a nice and solid list, what if you’re looking to keep things a cool $100?
Here are three hobby box options and what makes them great.
1. 2022 Obsidian Basketball Asia Exclusive ($93.81)
Now, this breaks a rule of mine in that a box of cards with one pack shouldn’t be in the mix of best boxes. But with a nice rookie checklist and the eye-popping designs that Obsidian always promises, I had to let you know that you can grab one for around $90.
So yes, one pack with six cards per pack, and while three are base Asia cards, two of the six will be exclusive Asia parallels, and one will be an insert or autograph (the ultra-rare Mist insert is the one to look for).
The last box sold for $116, and the lowest available on eBay is currently sitting at $130. That said, add it to your watch list as the last few before the 10/5/23 sale went for:
- $84.95 (9/30/2023)
- $84.89 (9/29/2023)
- $84.95 (9/26/2023)
- $84.95 (9/23/2023)
In terms of the most valuable cards to come from this product of late, a Chet Holmgren Yellow Gold Flood /10 sold for $600, while the same card as a Red Yellow Green Flood /75 sold for $213.61 (both being jersey matches). Another Yellow Gold Flood, but for Jalen Williams sold for $205. A Cade Cunningham Green Flood RPA /25 sold for $258 and a similar Shaedon Sharpe /20 sold for $227.50.
2. Draft Picks Boxes (Chronicles and Prizm; ~$60-$80)
If you’re looking for cheaper hobby boxes across any sport, Draft Picks options are typically going to be less expensive than their professional league counterparts.
Case in point, the average selling price of a 2021 Chronicles Draft Picks hobby box over the last 30 days is $57.10, while a 2021 Chronicles hobby box is averaging $220. Same for Prizm—2021 Prizm Draft Picks is average a sales value of $76.87 while 2021 NBA Prizm is close to $900!
So, if you’re a college basketball collector or someone who doesn’t mind players in their college uniforms, a Draft Picks release like one from Chronicles or Prizm might be great for you.
When choosing between these two, one question is, how much do you like shiny cards while the other is, do you like throwback looks, variety, and nostalgia?
Prizm is a “chromium” finished card which means all of the cards, even the base, are shiny to an extent, and then of course you have variations like silvers and other colors that really make the cards pop. That said, the cards are fairly straightforward and typically all follow the same designs.
Chronicles, though, is more of a grab bag feel, where variety is the name of the game. The card are printed on more of a traditional stock, and while there are foil parallels, they aren’t going to shine like Prizm do.
And with a quick look below, it’s easy to see why many collectors might prefer the throwback look of what were once NBA Hoops designs along with the patented Donruss “Rated Rookie” logo.
3. Panini Revolution (2022 $84.11; 2020 $87.23)
Still hovering around $85 for a hobby box, both 2022 and 2020 Revolution could make for a great rip for the price-conscious.
The reason I like Revolution so much is that beyond the price, it’s more of a traditional box-ripping adventure. While you still don’t have a ton of packs, there are eight total with five cards per pack in the 2022 release. And then “packed” into those eight different rips, you’re going to find four rookies, four inserts, and 8 parallels.
Again, much like Obsidian, this isn’t your typical-looking basketball card thanks to lots of stars and shimmers (and supernovas) that pop with color and sparkle.
With that said, as an honorable mention for those who don’t like the crazy colors and starry spectacles, NBA Hoops is a nice substitute. While it’s currently averaging over $100 in Over the last 30 days NBA Hoops (2022 $121 and 2021 $128), Hoops offers a larger checklist (300 cards) and subtle designs, yet just enough in the “hits” area to keep people happy (mainly with an average of one autograph per hobby box in 2022).
