PSA vs BGS vs CGC: Which Card Grading Company Should You Use in 2026?

Look, I've been grading cards since 2018. I've sent hundreds of submissions to all three major companies, gotten burned more times than I'd like to admit, and learned some expensive lessons along the way.

So when someone asks me "Which grading company should I use?"—my honest answer is: it depends. But I'm going to break down exactly what that means so you can make the right call for YOUR cards.

Whether you're sitting on a vintage Mickey Mantle rookie, pulling modern Pokémon chase cards, or hoarding Magic: The Gathering Reserved List staples, where you send your cards matters. A lot. It can mean the difference between selling a card for $500 or $650.

In 2026, three companies run the show: PSA, BGS, and CGC Cards. Each has its quirks, its strengths, and—let's be real—its frustrations.

Here's everything I've learned.

The Big Picture: Who's Winning in 2026?

Before we get into the weeds, you need to understand what's been happening in this industry. It's been... interesting.

PSA is still king. They've graded over 75 million collectibles and their red label is the most recognized slab in the hobby. Founded in 1991, they basically invented third-party card grading. For most sports cards? PSA 10s command the highest premiums. Period.

CGC Cards has been on an absolute tear. They're owned by the same company that grades comic books, and they've brought a fresh approach to cards. My personal pick for Pokémon cards is CGC because they've genuinely earned collector trust in that space—and their pricing can't be beat.

BGS (Beckett) used to be solidly #2. Not anymore. Here's the bombshell: in late 2025, PSA's parent company (Collectors Universe) acquired Beckett. Yeah. The two biggest competitors are now under the same roof.

What does that mean for collectors? Honestly, we're still figuring it out. BGS claims they're operating independently, but I've noticed some folks moving away from Beckett just to support genuine competition. Can't say I blame them.

Grading Scales: Here's Where It Gets Confusing

Each company grades differently. Understanding this is crucial—it'll save you from some nasty surprises.

PSA: Simple, But Maybe Too Simple?

PSA uses a clean 1-10 scale. No subgrades, no frills. You send your card, you get a number.

The thing about PSA? A 10 is a 10. There's no "super 10" or "perfect 10." Some collectors love this simplicity. Others hate that you can't tell if your 10 barely squeaked in or was absolutely flawless.

BGS: Subgrades Change Everything

Here's where BGS gets interesting. They don't just give you a number—they break it down:

• Centering (how well centered is the print?)
• Corners (sharp or soft?)
• Edges (clean or dinged?)
• Surface (scratches, print lines, defects?)

Each category gets its own grade, and your final grade is calculated from those.

But when you DO hit a Black Label? Chef's kiss. They can sell for MORE than PSA 10s.

CGC: Two Different 10s (Which Actually Makes Sense)

CGC did something clever. They created TWO 10 grades:

I actually love this system. Instead of wondering "is my PSA 10 a strong 10 or a weak 10?"—CGC just tells you. A Pristine 10 is perfect. A Gem Mint 10 is nearly perfect. Simple.

The catch? CGC Pristine 10s haven't quite caught up in resale value to PSA 10s for sports cards. Yet. That gap is closing though.

2026 Pricing: What You'll Actually Pay

Prices change all the time, so double-check before you submit. But here's what you're looking at right now:

PSA Pricing (January 2026)

That Value tier? 150+ business days. That's potentially 7-8 months. I submitted cards to PSA Value in March 2025 and didn't get them back until October. Just... plan accordingly.

BGS Pricing

BGS bumped their Base tier from $14 to $14.95 in late 2025—not a big deal, but worth noting. They also charge an extra $3 for subgrades on 10s.

CGC Pricing

Which Slabs Actually Sell for More?

Okay, this is what everyone really wants to know. Let me break it down by category:

Sports Cards: PSA Still Wins (Mostly)

For vintage and modern sports cards, PSA 10s sell for 10-30% more than equivalent BGS 9.5s. Sometimes more.

I tracked a 2020 Panini Prizm Joe Burrow base across all three companies last month:

• PSA 10: $145-155
• BGS 9.5: $115-130
• CGC Gem Mint 10: $100-115

That's real money. For high-end cards, the PSA premium can mean hundreds or thousands of dollars.

But here's the contrarian take: Is that premium worth waiting 150+ days and paying more upfront? For a $150 card, probably not. For a $5,000 card? Yeah, send it to PSA.

Pokémon Cards: The Gap Is Closing Fast

This is where things get interesting. Two years ago, PSA 10 Pokémon cards sold for 20-25% more than CGC. Now? It's often just 5-10%.

CGC has done an incredible job building trust in the Pokémon community. Their Pristine 10 grade is genuinely harder to hit than PSA 10, and serious collectors have noticed.

My honest opinion? For Pokémon cards worth under $500, CGC is the smart play. Better pricing, faster turnaround, nearly equivalent resale. For true high-end vintage (Base Set Charizard, etc.), PSA still commands a premium. But that's changing.

Magic: The Gathering

BGS traditionally owned this space. MTG players love subgrades—they want to know exactly what's wrong with a card.

CGC has been making serious inroads though, especially since the Collectors Universe acquisition spooked some BGS loyalists.

PSA? They've never really cracked the MTG market. Their 10s don't command the same premiums here.

Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, and Other TCGs

CGC is probably your best bet. They're competitive on pricing, fast on turnaround, and have decent market recognition. PSA's presence in these categories is minimal.

The Real Pros and Cons (From Someone Who Uses All Three)

PSA

What I Love:

• Highest resale premiums for sports cards—this matters
• Everyone knows the red label
• Population reports are incredibly useful
• Vintage expertise is legit

What Drives Me Crazy:

• Those turnaround times. 150 days for Value tier? Come on.
• Zero transparency on grading criteria
• Consistency issues (more on that below)
• You just get a number—no explanation of WHY

BGS

What I Love:

• Subgrades tell you exactly what's going on
• Black Labels are the ultimate flex
• Reasonable pricing
• The cases look great

What Drives Me Crazy:

• Now owned by PSA's parent company (seriously?)
• BGS 9.5 sells for less than PSA 10, even though they're comparable grades
• Declining market share means fewer buyers specifically looking for BGS
• That one weak subgrade can tank your overall grade

CGC

What I Love:

• Best pricing for bulk submissions
• Fast turnaround (20 business days for Economy!)
• Two 10 grades actually make sense
• They're independent—not owned by Collectors Universe
• Clean, modern cases

What Drives Me Crazy:

• Lower premiums on sports cards (for now)
• Less vintage expertise
• Smaller population database
• Still "new" in collector perception

When to Use Each Company: My Framework

After years of trial and error, here's my decision tree:

Send to PSA When:

• You're grading vintage sports cards (pre-1980)
• You plan to sell and want maximum value
• The card is expensive enough that PSA's premium justifies the cost and wait
• You're building a registry set
• You need maximum liquidity—PSA slabs move fastest

Send to BGS When:

• You want to know exactly what's holding your card back
• You're chasing a Black Label (and feeling lucky)
• The card has exceptional centering worth highlighting
• You like the aesthetic (honestly, BGS cases look great)
• You're okay with slightly lower resale for more information

Send to CGC When:

• You're on a budget (and who isn't?)
• You're grading Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, or other TCGs
• You want fast turnaround without Express pricing
• You're submitting 25+ cards at once
• You want to support an independent grader
• You think you have a truly perfect card worthy of Pristine 10

Industry Drama You Need to Know About

The PSA-Beckett Merger

I touched on this earlier, but it's worth emphasizing. Collectors Universe now owns both PSA and Beckett. That's a huge deal.

In late 2025, Congressman Pat Ryan actually asked the FTC to investigate this consolidation. His concern? Monopolization of the grading industry.

Whether you care about market competition or not, this matters for practical reasons:

• Less competitive pressure could mean higher prices
• BGS independence is now questionable
• CGC is the only major independent grader left

PSA's Consistency Problem

Here's something that made waves in late 2025: A batch of cards PSA had originally graded as 9s was offered back to them via their buyback program. When those same cards appeared in PSA inventory later? Eleven of thirty (36%!) had been upgraded to 10s.

When collectors pointed this out and demanded regrading, PSA complied—but the damage was done.

The truth is: grading is subjective. All three companies have consistency issues. But this particular incident was pretty embarrassing.

Why CGC's Independence Matters

With PSA and BGS now under one roof, CGC is the only real alternative. If you believe competition keeps everyone honest (I do), supporting CGC makes sense even if their sports card premiums aren't quite there yet.

How to Maximize Your Grades

Regardless of where you submit, do these things:

1. Pre-screen ruthlessly. Don't send cards that'll come back as 7s. It's a waste of money.
2. Check centering with a tool. Your eyes lie to you. Use a centering gauge or app.
3. Inspect surfaces under bright, direct light. Tilt the card. Look for scratches, print lines, anything.
4. Examine corners and edges with magnification. A loupe or phone macro lens works great.
5. Use proper holders. Penny sleeve + Card Saver (not top loaders for PSA).
6. Be honest about declared values. Underdeclaring causes problems.

I once sent a card I was SURE was a 10. Absolutely positive. Came back an 8. Had a tiny print line I'd missed that ran across the entire surface. You can't see it without perfect lighting. Painful lesson.

So Which Should YOU Choose?

There's no single "best" grading company. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something (or hasn't actually used all three).

Here's my quick cheat sheet:

• Maximum sports card value? PSA
• Detailed condition breakdown? BGS
• Budget-friendly bulk? CGC
• Pokémon and TCGs? CGC or PSA—both work
• Truly perfect card? BGS Black Label or CGC Pristine 10

The hobby is better with competition. Use the company that fits YOUR cards, YOUR budget, and YOUR goals.

And seriously—pre-screen with CardGrader.AI before you submit anywhere. Your wallet will thank you.