PSA vs CGC vs Beckett — Which Grader Should You Use?
All three of the major graders use a 1–10 scale and ship cards back in tamper-evident slabs. The differences are in resale value, turnaround, price, and how they present grades.
PSA
Generally commands the highest resale on Pokémon, especially for vintage and high-end modern. Single overall grade with optional half-point grades on modern. Tiered pricing scales with declared value.
CGC
Strong reputation for fast turnaround and competitive pricing, particularly for bulk modern submissions. Includes optional sub-grades and a clean slab presentation.
BGS (Beckett)
Best known for detailed sub-grades (centering, corners, edges, surface). A BGS 9.5 with strong sub-grades, or the rare 'Black Label' 10, can outperform other graders on chase cards.
How to choose
- Selling soon? Pick whichever grader commands the highest resale for that card in your region.
- Want speed? Compare current turnaround times — they shift constantly.
- Bulk submitting modern? CGC's bulk tiers are often the cheapest per card.
- Vintage holy grail? PSA is the default for most markets.
- Resale: usually PSA. Speed/price: often CGC. Sub-grade detail: BGS.
- Region matters — check sold prices in your market.
- Don't switch graders mid-collection without a reason.
Educational content only. Prices, market conditions and grading outcomes vary — always verify with multiple sources before buying or selling.