Gelatinous Cube | Illustration by Olivier Bernard
If you're into Magic and other trading card games, or if you just love showing off your pop culture tastes at game night, you’ve probably seen the buzz around Squaroes. These square-shaped, collectible deck boxes by Ultimate Guard promise both style and substance, offering designs from franchises like SpongeBob, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and even Magic: The Gathering. But are they actually worth the price? How do they hold up in day-to-day use? And what’s the ordering process like?
I got my hands on them and went through the whole experience, from browsing the site to unboxing and testing out some Squaroes deck boxes. Here’s everything you need to know before you pick one up for yourself.
What Are Squaroes?
Square Up | Illustration by Manuel Castañón
Squaroes are a fun and stylish way to store your trading cards, especially if you're a fan of franchises like Magic: The Gathering, Avatar: The Last Airbender, SpongeBob SquarePants, or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Made by Ultimate Guard, these deck boxes aren't just about protecting your cards—they're designed to be collectible items in their own right. Each box features bright, detailed artwork of iconic characters, turning your storage into a mini display piece.
On top of that, they’re super practical. Each one holds up to 100 double-sleeved cards, so they’re perfect for most decks. They also use a magnetic closure (Collector’s Cases only) with an extra locking system (called the ZnapClaw) to keep your cards safe and secure.
Squaroes are made in Germany using mostly renewable materials, which is a nice bonus if you're into eco-friendly products.
What really makes Squaroes stand out are the Collector’s Cases. You can get themed cases that fit up to eight Squaroes or even 1,000 cards, and they’re designed with specific themes.
It’s a clever mix of MTG products and fandom that’s perfect for serious players and pop culture collectors alike.
- Fully printed collectible deck box with secure closure
- Made in Germany from 78% renewable resources
- Deck box holds up to 100 double-sleeved or 120 single-sleeved trading cards
- Designed to fit into the Squaroes Collector's Case or other large storage options from Ultimate Guard
- Durable and rigid box
Why Buy Squaroes?
If you’re looking for something functional and durable that also shows off your pop culture taste, Squaroes are definitely worth checking out. Here’s what makes them stand out:
- They’re made to fit full decks. Each Squaroe comfortably holds up to 100 double-sleeved cards, so you don’t have to worry about tight fits or wear on your sleeves.
- They’re packed with pop culture flair. With bold, colorful designs featuring characters from Magic: The Gathering, South Park, TMNT, and more, these deck boxes are perfect for fans who love to rep their favorite franchises.
- They’re tough and eco-friendly. Built in Germany using mostly renewable materials, Squaroes don’t just protect your cards—they do it sustainably. The strong magnetic closure on Collector’s Cases and ZnapClaw lock also makes sure everything stays secure during transport.
- You can upgrade with themed cases. If you’re the kind of person who likes to keep things organized (and stylish), you can grab matching Collectors’ Cases—like Appa from Avatar or the TMNT Turtle Van—that hold multiple Squaroes or tons of cards.
- The Collectors Case offers space for up to eight Squaroes or alternatively 900 (double-sleeved) to 1000 (single sleeved) individual trading cards.
- Strong magnetic closure with additional ZnapClaw locking mechanism
- Full-color printed, resistant Xenoskin material
- This listing is for the Collectors Case only. Squaroes characters are sold separately.
Squaroes: Is Ordering/It Worth it?
If you’ve been eyeing Squaroes online and wondering if they’re really worth the hype—or the price tag—you’re in the right place. I went through the full experience myself, from browsing the site to holding the product in hand, and I’ve documented each step along the way. Let’s break it all down.
There are a couple of ways to get your hands on Squaroes. You can start either on the official Squaroes site or head over to Ultimate Guard’s website—they both list the same products.
However, when it comes time to buy, both sites redirect you to Amazon.
That’s not a bad thing, but you’ll want to pay attention to who’s selling it. Make sure it’s the official Ultimate Guard Amazon page—you’ll get better quality control and support than from random third-party sellers. Bonus tip: If you’re more into shopping local, the Ultimate Guard site also has a store locator so you can check which game stores near you carry them.
Browsing Product
While you can check out all the Squaroes on their main website, it’s probably easier to just head straight to their Amazon store if you plan to buy one.
They’ve got a dedicated tab there, where you can browse by franchise—which is super handy if you’re looking for something specific like Avatar or Magic: The Gathering—or you can scroll through the full lineup.
Personally, I like using the franchise filter. It’s quicker and gets you right to what you want. But if you’re just browsing for fun or want to explore all their product lines, the general section is a good place to poke around.
One thing I noticed: Not every franchise has a matching Collector’s Case. For example, the Magic: The Gathering Foundations line-up doesn’t seem to have one yet. Also, some items might be out of stock, so you could end up seeing third-party sellers. Just keep an eye on the prices—they might be a bit higher than what Ultimate Guard normally charges.
Ordering Product
Ordering a Squaroe is pretty straightforward since everything runs through Amazon. You can search directly on Amazon or start from the Squaroes or Ultimate Guard websites, which redirects you to their official Amazon listings. Just make sure you're buying from Ultimate Guard's official Amazon store to ensure product authenticity and quality.
If you're ordering from outside the U.S., like I did from El Salvador, be prepared for additional shipping charges and import fees. Amazon estimates these costs at checkout and labels them as “Import Fees Deposit” or similar. These fees cover taxes, duties, and handling costs associated with international shipping. In my case, I had to pay extra customs fees upon delivery, which is something to keep in mind when ordering internationally.
It's also worth noting that shipping times can vary depending on your location and the shipping method you choose. While Amazon provides estimated delivery dates, international shipments may experience delays due to customs processing.
Product Delivery
The delivery process was smooth and efficient once I placed my order. Despite ordering from El Salvador, my Squaroe arrived in under 15 days, which was pleasantly surprising given the international shipping involved.
I was actually impressed by how securely it was packed. The Squaroe came nestled in a bunch of thick paper carton, with extra protective boxes around it to make sure nothing was damaged in transit.
The product itself wasn’t exposed at all—it felt like it was packed with care to survive the trip, and it definitely did.
Are Squaroes an Effective Deckbox?
Now for the real test: How well do Squaroes actually work as deck boxes? I’ve been using one for a bit now, and here’s the lowdown.
First off, these things are solid. Like, really solid. Once they’re shut, they won’t open on their own. I even gave mine a little shake test, and nothing budged. That said, this ultra-secure seal has a bit of a learning curve—especially when the product is brand new. You might find yourself using more force than expected to open it at first, and it can feel like the lid’s about to go flying. Don’t worry; it won’t—but be prepared to get used to the motion.
As for capacity, it holds up perfectly for 100-card Commander decks, even with sleeves.
I also tried to fit it into the matching Collector Case, which is supposed to hold up to eight Squaroes.
That worked—but only if you remove the extra plastic wrapping they come in. Otherwise, the space shrinks and you'll probably only fit six comfortably.
Not a big deal if you’re using your Squaroes to store active decks, but it’s something collectors should know.
It's also worth pointing out that the Collector’s Case is made from a different material, more of a durable fabric than the deck boxes themselves, which gives it a nice contrast in texture while still feeling premium.
In terms of build, these are leagues above your typical plastic deck boxes. They feel more secure and durable—no flimsy hinges or cheap material here.
One of my biggest concerns was whether they’d scratch or wear down quickly, like a lot of flashy deck boxes do. So I tested it. I ran my nails over the surface and… nothing. No marks, no fading. I didn’t go as far as testing it with a knife (because, well, come on), but it’s safe to say this thing can handle being tossed in your bag without worry.
Overall, Squaroes aren’t just eye-catching—they’re tough, tight, and reliable.
The Verdict: Are Squaroes Worth It?
While they might cost a bit more than your average deck box—and product availability can vary if you’re trying to collect specific franchises—Squaroes really deliver when it comes to function and flair. If you're after something that’s sturdy, secure, and visually fun, they’re a fantastic choice.
From a practical standpoint, they do the job exceptionally well. The lock mechanism keeps everything in place, the build feels solid and long-lasting, and the interior easily fits a full Commander deck with sleeves. Plus, they bring a pop of personality to your setup that standard boxes just don’t offer.
And with all the new Secret Lairs and Universes Beyond products dropping lately, it’s easier than ever to theme your decks around your favorite shows or characters. Want a SpongeBob deck with a Plankton case to match? You can totally do that—and it looks awesome.
Are There Any Magic: The Gathering Squaroes?
Yes, there are! Squaroes has teamed up with Magic: The Gathering to bring us some awesome designs featuring fan-favorite planeswalkers like Ajani and Liliana Vess, plus even a box for Loot.
However, there isn’t a dedicated Collector’s Case for the MTG line—at least not yet. While the individual boxes look great, if you’re hoping to store them all together in a themed case like you can with other franchises, you might have to get a bit creative for now.
Wrap Up
Retraction Helix | Illustration by Phill Simmer
At the end of the day, Squaroes hit a sweet spot between collectability and practicality. Sure, they come at a slightly higher price point, but for what you’re getting—sturdy construction, secure design, and that extra layer of fandom flair—they’re well worth the investment.
Have you tried Squaroes deck boxes? Let me know your experiences in the comments below or over on the Draftsim Discord.
Thanks for reading!
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