The Best Star Wars
Trading Card Sets for Collectors

Star Wars trading cards have been around since the original 1977 film, but the modern hobby has exploded with premium products that rival anything in the sports card world. From chromium refractors to on-card autographs of the biggest names in the franchise, Star Wars cards offer something for every type of collector — whether you're a display-it-on-the-shelf fan or a serious investor.

Here's our breakdown of the best Star Wars trading card sets currently available, ranked by collectibility, investment potential, and overall quality.

Topps Chrome Star Wars

The gold standard. Topps Chrome Star Wars applies the same chromium refractor technology used in Chrome Baseball and Chrome F1 to the Star Wars universe. The result is a gorgeous product with a deep parallel rainbow, on-card autographs, and a comprehensive checklist spanning all eras of the franchise.

Why it's great: Chrome refractors are iconic in the hobby. The parallel rainbow (Refractor, Purple /299, Blue /199, Green /99, Gold /50, Orange /25, Red /5, Superfractor 1/1) gives collectors at every budget something to chase. Autographs of actors like Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Daisy Ridley command premium prices.

Best for: Both collectors and investors. Chrome Star Wars cards hold value well and the brand recognition is unmatched.

Topps Star Wars Masterwork

Masterwork is Topps' ultra-premium Star Wars product. Every box is loaded with hits — autographs, sketch cards, relics, and beautifully designed inserts on thick card stock. The production values are outstanding, and the autograph checklist typically includes the most desirable signers in the franchise.

Why it's great: If you want guaranteed premium hits, Masterwork delivers. The sketch cards (original 1/1 artwork drawn directly on the card) are unique to this product and highly collectible. The canvas-style base cards are display-worthy on their own.

Best for: Collectors who want high-end hits and don't mind paying a premium for guaranteed quality.

Topps Star Wars Sapphire

Sapphire is an online-exclusive, allocation-only product that's become one of the most sought-after releases in the Star Wars card world. The distinctive blue-tinted chromium finish is stunning, and because production runs are limited, the cards hold exceptional value.

Why it's great: Limited production + beautiful finish + strong collector demand = a product that consistently appreciates. Sapphire parallels of key characters can command prices well above their Chrome equivalents.

Best for: Investors and serious collectors. Sapphire is hard to get at retail, which makes live breaks one of the best ways to access the product.

Topps Star Wars Finest

Finest occupies a sweet spot between the accessible Chrome line and the premium Masterwork tier. It features a mix of base cards, refractors, autographs, and special inserts with a focus on clean design and strong photography. The checklist typically covers characters across all Star Wars eras.

Why it's great: Good hit rates at a mid-range price point. The design work is consistently excellent, and the parallel rainbow offers plenty to chase without the extreme rarity (and cost) of Sapphire.

Best for: Collectors looking for a balance between price, quality, and collectibility.

Topps Living Set: Star Wars

The Living Set is an ongoing, print-to-order series where Topps releases new Star Wars cards on a weekly basis. Each card features original artwork and is only available for a limited window. Once the window closes, no more are printed — ever.

Why it's great: It's an affordable way to build a curated Star Wars collection over time. The artwork is often spectacular, and because each card has a known, finite print run, collectors can make informed decisions about rarity and value.

Best for: Budget-conscious collectors and fans who want to collect slowly and intentionally.

Vintage Topps Star Wars (1977–1983)

The originals. The 1977 Topps Star Wars set was one of the first movie-based trading card products ever made, and high-grade examples are genuine pieces of pop culture history. The five-series set covers the entire original film and features iconic stills, behind-the-scenes photos, and the famous sticker inserts.

Why it's great: Pure nostalgia and historical significance. A PSA 10 Darth Vader from the 1977 set is a legitimate grail in the trading card world. Even mid-grade vintage Star Wars cards are affordable and fun to collect.

Best for: Vintage enthusiasts, display collectors, and anyone who appreciates the history of the hobby.

Where to Find Star Wars Cards

At Break To Survive, we regularly break Star Wars products on our WhatNot live stream — including Chrome, Masterwork, Sapphire, and more. It's the best way to access premium products at a fraction of the retail cost, and you get to watch every pack opened live.