What is the best cheap Pokémon set to open?

Among packs at $10 or less, Pitch Black returns the most: 110% of its $5.90 pack price on average.

Which Pokémon set is the worst to open?

Dragons Exalted returns the least: 4% of its $355.40 pack price on average. Sealed vintage packs cost far more than the cards inside are worth.

How is this ranking measured?

Each set is opened 1,000 times by the same code that opens packs on this site, from a fixed seed so anyone can repeat it, and every card is valued at its current market price.

Best Pokémon Sets to Open, Ranked by Pack Value

Every one of 110 sets opened the same way and ranked by return: the average value of a pack's cards divided by what a sealed pack costs. Above 100% a pack is worth more than its price on average; most sets sit well below, because most of a pack is commons.

Phantasmal Flames: an average pack holds $14.09 of cards against a pack price of $12.02, a return of 117%, the highest of any set we measure.

#	Set	Pack price	Average pack	Returned on average	Packs that pay for themselves	Most valuable card
1	Phantasmal Flames 2025	$12.02	$14.09	117%	9%	Mega Charizard X ex $654.10
2	Pitch Black 2026	$5.90	$6.51	110%	9%	Mega Darkrai ex $163.51
3	Perfect Order 2026	$5.94	$6.54	110%	9%	Mega Zygarde ex $102.12
4	Mega Evolution 2025	$8.20	$8.81	107%	9%	Mega Lucario ex $232.94
5	Chaos Rising 2026	$5.95	$6.15	103%	8%	Mega Greninja ex $142.93
6	Ascended Heroes 2026	$11.16	$8.91	80%	6%	Pikachu ex $926.12
7	Temporal Forces 2024	$9.33	$7.34	79%	17%	Gastly $95.63
8	Destined Rivals 2025	$8.63	$6.43	75%	10%	Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex $398.00
9	Journey Together 2025	$6.49	$3.93	61%	8%	Lillie's Clefairy ex $90.09
10	Twilight Masquerade 2024	$9.26	$5.47	59%	11%	Greninja ex $329.67
11	Surging Sparks 2024	$8.89	$5.15	58%	10%	Pikachu ex $286.31
12	Paradox Rift 2023	$8.57	$4.76	55%	12%	Groudon $110.18
13	Shrouded Fable 2024	$14.05	$7.50	53%	16%	Persian $75.62
14	151 2023	$29.62	$14.92	50%	12%	Charizard ex $343.96
15	White Flare 2025	$14.92	$7.44	50%	10%	Victini $559.27
16	Scarlet & Violet 2023	$8.94	$4.35	49%	10%	Gardevoir ex $69.00
17	Stellar Crown 2024	$10.83	$5.26	49%	8%	Bulbasaur $95.97
18	Paldea Evolved 2023	$15.69	$7.61	49%	11%	Magikarp $356.60
19	Fusion Strike 2021	$18.56	$8.89	48%	4%	Gengar VMAX $1,024.03
20	Battle Styles 2021	$9.58	$4.40	46%	4%	Tyranitar V $241.41
21	30th Celebration 2026	$13.46	$6.10	45%	3%	Mew $3,222.47
22	Black Bolt 2025	$14.72	$6.31	43%	8%	Victini $627.44
23	Astral Radiance 2022	$10.32	$4.34	42%	4%	Machamp V $194.52
24	Evolving Skies 2021	$44.33	$18.61	42%	5%	Umbreon VMAX $2,285.50
25	Pokémon GO 2022	$15.03	$6.27	42%	5%	Mewtwo V $56.80
26	Sword & Shield 2020	$11.26	$4.43	39%	5%	Snorlax VMAX $104.10
27	Chilling Reign 2021	$12.79	$4.83	38%	5%	Blaziken VMAX $381.03
28	BREAKpoint 2016	$46.40	$17.40	37%	8%	Gyarados EX $203.45
29	Darkness Ablaze 2020	$9.87	$3.57	36%	5%	Charizard VMAX $43.11
30	Crimson Invasion 2017	$18.12	$6.55	36%	8%	Gyarados GX $81.85
31	Rebel Clash 2020	$12.55	$4.52	36%	4%	Boss's Orders (Giovanni) $57.38
32	Obsidian Flames 2023	$12.67	$4.49	35%	8%	Charizard ex $98.53
33	Silver Tempest 2022	$15.03	$5.25	35%	4%	Lugia V $520.14
34	Vivid Voltage 2020	$10.97	$3.83	35%	5%	Pikachu VMAX $169.42
35	Champion's Path 2020	$19.54	$6.63	34%	2%	Charizard V $261.13
36	Fates Collide 2016	$43.71	$14.56	33%	5%	Alakazam EX $179.19
37	Lost Origin 2022	$19.29	$5.76	30%	2%	Giratina V $847.15
38	Prismatic Evolutions 2025	$14.10	$4.19	30%	3%	Umbreon ex $1,323.45
39	Brilliant Stars 2022	$16.96	$4.96	29%	4%	Charizard V $287.50
40	BREAKthrough 2015	$64.56	$18.84	29%	6%	Mewtwo EX $200.56
41	Ultra Prism 2018	$51.05	$14.05	28%	5%	Lillie $468.18
42	Rising Rivals 2009	$400.00	$105.18	26%	5%	Snorlax LV.X $700.00
43	Flashfire 2014	$160.85	$39.97	25%	4%	M Charizard EX $1,501.23
44	Forbidden Light 2018	$47.62	$11.81	25%	3%	Lucario GX $127.26
45	Unbroken Bonds 2019	$68.23	$16.67	24%	6%	Gardevoir & Sylveon GX $657.57
46	Paldean Fates 2024	$24.44	$5.84	24%	2%	Mew ex $872.64
47	Lost Thunder 2018	$59.36	$14.10	24%	2%	Mimikyu GX $297.58
48	Guardians Rising 2017	$35.92	$8.25	23%	2%	Sylveon GX $181.31
49	HeartGold SoulSilver 2010	$466.66	$105.97	23%	1%	Gyarados $366.26
50	Triumphant 2010	$400.00	$89.77	22%	5%	Gengar $560.92
51	Sandstorm 2003	$498.75	$110.35	22%	0%	Raichu ex $342.74
52	Cosmic Eclipse 2019	$72.35	$15.93	22%	3%	Arceus & Dialga & Palkia GX $566.16
53	FireRed & LeafGreen 2004	$1,009.96	$220.16	22%	2%	Gengar ex $1,399.99
54	Primal Clash 2015	$67.12	$14.55	22%	2%	Primal Kyogre EX $363.35
55	Evolutions 2016	$70.07	$14.77	21%	6%	M Charizard EX $127.05
56	Roaring Skies 2015	$85.39	$17.51	21%	2%	M Rayquaza EX $532.87
57	Celestial Storm 2018	$65.84	$13.20	20%	2%	Rayquaza GX $332.23
58	Aquapolis 2003	$1,999.99	$400.11	20%	1%	Lugia $4,500.00
59	Furious Fists 2014	$80.66	$16.00	20%	3%	M Lucario EX $162.70
60	Burning Shadows 2017	$31.04	$6.10	20%	2%	Charizard GX $806.10
61	Steam Siege 2016	$31.71	$6.18	19%	4%	Gardevoir EX $107.87
62	Sun & Moon 2017	$23.47	$4.57	19%	2%	Umbreon GX $134.62
63	Crown Zenith 2023	$25.59	$4.77	19%	4%	Pikachu $41.50
64	Unified Minds 2019	$80.38	$14.64	18%	3%	Mewtwo & Mew GX $422.64
65	Ancient Origins 2015	$146.69	$26.58	18%	3%	M Rayquaza EX $1,112.00
66	Unleashed 2010	$426.24	$76.54	18%	0%	Suicune & Entei LEGEND $340.00
67	Great Encounters 2008	$323.33	$56.59	18%	0%	Darkrai $255.33
68	Emerald 2005	$1,000.00	$172.37	17%	1%	Milotic ex $799.99
69	Legendary Treasures 2013	$382.43	$65.85	17%	2%	Zekrom $411.19
70	Hidden Legends 2004	$800.00	$136.67	17%	0%	Groudon ex $313.01
71	Platinum 2009	$389.74	$65.22	17%	0%	Dialga G LV.X $231.28
72	Shining Fates 2021	$17.13	$2.70	16%	0%	Skyla $9.27
73	Power Keepers 2007	$949.99	$147.90	16%	2%	Vaporeon ☆ $1,399.95
74	Dragon Majesty 2018	$109.32	$16.95	16%	1%	Ultra Necrozma GX $120.72
75	Dragon 2003	$1,250.00	$191.98	15%	0%	Rayquaza ex $595.55
76	Diamond & Pearl 2007	$267.72	$41.05	15%	0%	Infernape $131.66
77	Arceus 2009	$529.41	$80.20	15%	2%	Gengar LV.X $680.45
78	Crystal Guardians 2006	$1,299.99	$195.81	15%	2%	Alakazam ☆ $1,429.50
79	Call of Legends 2011	$1,114.85	$167.71	15%	1%	Rayquaza $1,013.27
80	Plasma Freeze 2013	$317.98	$47.18	15%	2%	Ultra Ball $1,199.51
81	Noble Victories 2011	$169.13	$24.93	15%	3%	N $233.09
82	Hidden Fates 2019	$48.90	$6.64	14%	6%	Jessie & James $73.54
83	Supreme Victors 2009	$716.66	$96.86	14%	0%	Charizard G LV.X $450.72
84	Team Rocket 2000	$325.54	$43.83	13%	0%	Dark Charizard $130.78
85	Boundaries Crossed 2012	$246.11	$32.56	13%	1%	Altaria $299.95
86	Mysterious Treasures 2007	$339.83	$44.36	13%	0%	Lucario $216.04
87	Legends Awakened 2008	$462.94	$60.38	13%	0%	Rayquaza $352.87
88	Shining Legends 2017	$109.79	$13.56	12%	2%	Mewtwo GX $806.20
89	Stormfront 2008	$545.27	$65.72	12%	2%	Charizard $737.50
90	Gym Heroes 2000	$269.72	$31.43	12%	0%	Rocket's Snorlax $58.39
91	Phantom Forces 2014	$226.81	$26.11	12%	2%	Dialga EX $1,022.31
92	Gym Challenge 2000	$419.99	$45.14	11%	0%	Sabrina's Gengar $221.60
93	Black & White 2011	$203.49	$20.03	10%	0%	Pikachu $180.92
94	Generations 2016	$311.42	$29.51	9%	0%	M Charizard EX $162.49
95	Base Set 2 2000	$436.74	$40.04	9%	2%	Charizard $488.97
96	Ruby & Sapphire 2003	$799.99	$72.41	9%	0%	Mewtwo ex $439.98
97	Team Up 2019	$308.49	$26.99	9%	2%	Latias & Latios GX $3,913.85
98	Emerging Powers 2011	$100.03	$8.26	8%	0%	Tornadus $22.98
99	Secret Wonders 2007	$568.75	$45.31	8%	0%	Gardevoir $267.59
100	Fossil 1999	$339.51	$26.47	8%	0%	Gengar $52.86
101	Holon Phantoms 2006	$1,901.99	$144.98	8%	2%	Pikachu Star $1,899.99
102	Jungle 1999	$331.49	$23.59	7%	0%	Flareon $27.70
103	XY 2014	$133.34	$9.48	7%	0%	Blastoise EX $161.07
104	Base Set 1999	$929.53	$63.54	7%	2%	Charizard $928.32
105	Neo Discovery 2001	$537.50	$36.57	7%	0%	Umbreon $107.01
106	Plasma Storm 2013	$549.96	$35.72	6%	1%	Charizard $1,150.00
107	Next Destinies 2012	$360.57	$23.27	6%	1%	Zoroark $399.99
108	Plasma Blast 2013	$275.45	$16.04	6%	0%	Rare Candy $191.88
109	Neo Genesis 2000	$631.99	$31.77	5%	0%	Lugia $54.78
110	Dragons Exalted 2012	$355.40	$14.58	4%	0%	Krookodile $180.00

Method: 1,000 packs per set opened with this site's pull rates (published odds where they exist, estimates where they do not), valued at daily US market prices for ungraded cards. A ranking of expected value, not a promise about any one pack.

Questions

What is the best Pokémon set to open?: Phantasmal Flames: an average pack holds $14.09 of cards against a pack price of $12.02, a return of 117%, the highest of any set we measure.
What is the best cheap Pokémon set to open?: Among packs at $10 or less, Pitch Black returns the most: 110% of its $5.90 pack price on average.
Which Pokémon set is the worst to open?: Dragons Exalted returns the least: 4% of its $355.40 pack price on average. Sealed vintage packs cost far more than the cards inside are worth.
How is this ranking measured?: Each set is opened 1,000 times by the same code that opens packs on this site, from a fixed seed so anyone can repeat it, and every card is valued at its current market price.