PSA vs BGS vs CGC vs SGC: The Complete 2026 Guide
Which grading company should you use for your Pokémon cards? We compare PSA, Beckett, CGC, and SGC on grades, fees, turnaround, and market value.
Choosing the right grading company can mean hundreds of dollars difference in your card's value and weeks in turnaround. Here's the definitive comparison for Pokémon collectors.
PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)
PSA is the gold standard. A PSA 10 typically commands 5–8× the raw price, and PSA slabs have the deepest secondary market. For most Pokémon collectors, PSA is the default choice for valuable cards.
- Scale: Whole numbers 1–10
- Economy tier: $25 / ~45 days
- Walkthrough: $1,000 / next business day
- Best for: Vintage holos, high-value cards, mass market appeal
BGS / Beckett (Beckett Grading Services)
Beckett is famous for its Black Label 10 — awarded only when all four subgrades (centering, corners, edges, surface) are perfect 10s. BGS slabs are visually distinctive with subgrade labels. A BGS 9.5 often rivals a PSA 10 in value.
- Scale: 1–10 in 0.5 increments, public subgrades
- Economy tier: $25 / ~60 days
- Black Label 10: The rarest designation in card grading
- Best for: Cards with potential for perfect subgrades
CGC (Certified Guaranty Company)
CGC entered Pokémon grading in 2020 and quickly gained respect. Their "Pristine 10" is notably harder to achieve than a PSA 10, making CGC 10s rarer and sometimes more desirable for condition-sensitive collectors.
- Scale: 1–10 in 0.5 increments (Pristine 10, Gem Mint 9.5)
- Economy tier: $20 / ~75 days
- Best for: Condition-sensitive collectors, lower-cost grading
SGC (Sportscard Guaranty)
SGC has a strong reputation for strict, consistent grading. They're particularly well-regarded for vintage cards and have been gaining traction in the Pokémon market.
- Scale: 1–10 in 0.5 increments
- Economy tier: $18 / ~60 days
- Best for: Vintage cards, collectors who want strict grading at lower cost
Which Should You Use?
For most Pokémon collectors: PSA first, especially for cards valued over $100 raw. If your card has potential for perfect subgrades, consider BGS. If budget is a concern, CGC and SGC offer lower economy fees with quality results.