This blaster offers an affordable entry into a premium hockey brand with exclusive parallels and a realistic hit chance, making it a solid value for casual collectors.
Price vs. rivals
Pricier
CheaperTypicalPricier
Positioned above typical NHL hockey blasters, reflecting the premium Artifacts brand with exclusive parallels and hit opportunities, though it doesn't reach the highest end of the hobby market.
Ease of use
Excellent 95/100
The blaster box is straightforward to open and the cards are easy to handle, making it very accessible for any average person.
Overview
If you’re after a low-cost, high-variance shot at NHL memorabilia cards and exclusive parallels, yes. The Upper Deck Artifacts Blaster Box review you’re reading now gets straight to the point: you’ll enjoy the hunt more than the guaranteed hits. At $32.99, it’s a fun gamble for set builders and collectors who value the chase over a sure thing.
This box solves one problem: how to open Artifacts without spending hobby-box money ($100+). It’s really for collectors who like parallels, don’t mind base cards, and understand that the “big hit” is a bonus, not a promise.
Key Features
Exclusive Aqua Blue and Jade Green parallels – You can’t get these in any other box. That’s the real draw here. They look sharp in a binder and trade well with other collectors who missed the blaster run.
Six packs, ten cards each – Standard blaster math. Sixty total cards. Enough to feel like you opened something, not so many you’re bored halfway through.
Chance for memorabilia and autograph cards – The box says “plus,” and that’s the right word. You might pull a jersey swatch or an on-card signature. Most boxes won’t. Set your expectations accordingly.
2026 2027 Upper Deck Artifacts design – The base set uses the same bold, relic-inspired layout as the hobby version. Your common cards don’t look cheap, which matters if you’re building the full set.
Blaster-friendly price point – Thirty-three bucks means you can buy two for the cost of a single hobby pack. For casual ripping, that’s the sweet spot.
Fit for You
You collect rookie cards and want a shot at a parallel of a top draft pick without paying hobby-box prices.
You enjoy the ritual of opening packs on a Tuesday night, but your budget doesn’t stretch to $100+ boxes every week.
You’re curious about the Artifacts brand and want to see if the base design and parallel system click with you.
You like trading duplicates with friends or at card shows, because these exclusive parallels have a small built-in market.
You need a small gift for a hockey fan who’ll appreciate the thrill of a possible hit more than the actual cardboard inside.
You’re chasing a complete base set and prefer buying sealed product over singles, even if it means extra commons.
Uses
Open it after a tough day when you want ten minutes of low-stakes gambling. The packs are easy to tear, the cards slide out clean, and you can sort them while watching a game replay. No mess, no sleeper hits to wait for—just rip and react.
Use it to introduce a new collector to the Artifacts line. The exclusive parallels give them something to chase that won’t require dropping hobby money, and the base cards are well-designed enough to not feel like filler.
Throw a box in your bag for a road trip or a card show. It takes up about as much space as a paperback, and you can open it anywhere with a flat surface.
Experience
The first thing you’ll notice is the packaging. It’s the standard blaster box with a window showing the top card. No frills, but it’s sturdy enough to survive shipping without denting the corners. Inside, each pack is thin and easy to tear with your fingers—no scissors required.
You’ll pull base cards for the first three or four packs. That’s normal. The excitement builds when you spot the edge of a parallel peeking through. The Aqua Blue and Jade Green parallels have a different finish than the base cards, so they stand out even before you flip them over. Owners tend to mention that these parallels look better in person than in photos, especially the Jade Green.
The memorabilia cards are a different story. Expect to see more base cards than hits. If you buy three boxes, you might get one memorabilia card across them. That’s the nature of blasters. The catch is that when you do pull one, it feels earned. The card stock is thicker, the relic window is cleanly cut, and the design matches the hobby version.
One small annoyance: the packs can stick together in the box, especially if they’re packed tightly. You’ll sometimes pull two out at once and have to separate them carefully. It’s a minor grip, but you’ll notice it after the fifth box.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Low entry price – At $32.99, it’s one of the cheapest ways to open Artifacts. You can buy a box for the price of a dinner out.
Exclusive parallels – The Aqua Blue and Jade Green cards are only in this blaster. If you want them, this is your only source.
Good base set design – The cards feel substantial, the foil accents are tasteful, and the player photos are crisp. You won’t feel embarrassed putting them in a binder.
Real chance at a hit – It’s not common, but memorabilia and autograph cards do show up. The odds are better than a lottery ticket.
Cons
No guaranteed hit – Most boxes will contain exactly zero memorabilia or autographs. If you’re buying for that, you’ll be disappointed more often than not.
High base card volume – You’ll end up with duplicates fast, especially of common players. Set builders can trade them, but casual collectors might get bored.
No premium short prints – The really rare Artifacts cards (like the Wood variation or the numbered RPA parallels) are hobby-exclusive. You won’t pull them here.
Boxes can be inconsistent – One box might give you two parallels and a memorabilia card. The next gives you all base. The variance is real and frustrating.
Advantages
Compared to the SP Hockey blaster, the Artifacts box offers more flash. SP leans toward photography and rookie focus, while Artifacts goes big on parallels and relic inserts. If you’re asking about the Upper Deck Artifacts vs SP Hockey blaster decision, think about what you want: parallel chases and exclusive colors? Artifacts wins. Rookie-heavy base sets and simpler aesthetics? SP is your pick.
The exclusive parallels are a genuine advantage. No other blaster at this price point gives you a card you literally cannot get anywhere else. That’s rare in the budget slot. For collectors who care about completing parallel rainbows or having trade bait, this matters.
Another edge: the memorabilia odds, while low, are better than most competitor blasters in this price range. You’re paying thirty-three dollars for a chance at a relic that would cost $15–20 as a single. The math works out if you buy in small quantities and don’t expect to hit every time.
Who Should Buy
Rip for the thrill – If you love the feeling of cracking packs and don’t mind commons, grab this box. It’s fun, fast, and cheap.
Parallel collectors – The exclusive Aqua Blue and Jade Green cards are worth the price of admission if you’re building a rainbow or filling a set.
Set builders on a budget – Complete the Artifacts base set with blasters instead of hobby boxes. You’ll pay less overall, though you’ll have more duplicates.
Gift givers – It’s a solid “thinking of you” present for any hockey card fan. The price is right, and the unboxing experience is satisfying.
Skip it if – You only want autographs or high-end memorabilia. Save your money for a hobby box or buy singles. This blaster will frustrate you.
FAQ
Is the Upper Deck Artifacts blaster box worth it?
For thirty-three dollars, yes, if you value the experience of opening packs and the chance at exclusive parallels more than a guaranteed hit. It’s not worth it if you need to pull a relic or autograph every time.
What are the odds of pulling a memorabilia card?
Upper Deck doesn’t publish exact odds for blasters, but buyer feedback suggests roughly one memorabilia card per three to five boxes. Autographs are rarer still. Treat any hit as a bonus, not an expectation.
How does this compare to an SP Hockey blaster?
SP focuses on younger players, sharper photography, and a clean base set. Artifacts gives you exclusive parallels and the chance at relic cards. Which one you prefer depends on whether you want flash or simplicity.
Are the Aqua Blue and Jade Green parallels exclusive to this box?
Yes. You cannot find those two colors in any other Upper Deck product, including hobby boxes or retail packs. That’s the main reason to pick this blaster over other options at the same price.
How many cards are in an Upper Deck Artifacts blaster box?
Sixty total cards. Six packs with ten cards each. That includes base cards, one parallel per pack on average, and a small chance at a memorabilia or autograph card replacing a base card.
Can you pull autographs from this blaster?
Yes, but it’s uncommon. Autographs are short-printed and appear in roughly one out of every ten to fifteen boxes. If you’re after autographs specifically, you’re better off buying a hobby box or the card itself online.
Final Verdict
This box delivers exactly what it promises: a low-cost way to open Artifacts, with two exclusive parallels you can’t get anywhere else and a real but low chance at a hit. It’s not for the collector who needs guaranteed value, but it’s a great option for anyone who likes the ritual of ripping and the thrill of the chase. The one thing to keep in mind is that you’re paying for the experience, not the outcome. If that sounds fair, you’ll enjoy every pack.
Upper Deck Artifacts Blaster Box vs the Competition in 2026
The 2026 Upper Deck Artifacts Blaster Box sits at a tricky middle point in the hockey blaster lineup. It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s also not the most premium. What it does offer—exclusive Aqua Blue and Jade Green parallels, plus actual memorabilia odds you can count on—makes it a solid pick for collectors who want something beyond base cards without spending $50+. But whether it beats the alternatives depends on what you’re hunting for in a box.
Product
Price Range
Key Strength
Key Weakness
Best For
Upper Deck Artifacts Blaster Box
~$33
Exclusive Aqua Blue / Jade Green parallels; guaranteed memorabilia odds
Low auto hit rate; fewer base cards than budget boxes
Collectors chasing color parallels and relic hits
Upper Deck Series 2 Blaster Box
~$25-30
Young Guns rookies are the foundation of many collections
No guaranteed hits; parallels are plain retail foil
Rookie hunters and long-term investors
SP Hockey Blaster Box
~$35-40
SP Authentic variation parallels; cleaner design
Fewer cards per box; higher price for similar hit odds
Collectors wanting a modern, upscale look
O-Pee-Chee Platinum Blaster Box
~$30-35
Retro aesthetic; tons of parallel sets (Rainbow, Prism, etc.)
No memorabilia or autos; base card heavy
Set builders and fans of vintage-style design
MVP Blaster Box
~$20-25
Low cost; high card count (packs are thick)
No hits; low resale value; boring inserts
Budget collectors or kids opening for fun
Upper Deck Artifacts Blaster Box vs Upper Deck Series 2 Blaster
If you’re all about rookie cards, Series 2 is still the king. Young Guns are the most reliable long-term value in hockey cards, and a blaster box gives you six or seven chances at them. The trade-off? You get almost nothing else exciting. The base design is plain, the foil parallels are uninspired, and you won’t pull a single memorabilia card. The Upper Deck Artifacts Blaster Box, on the other hand, delivers those exclusive Aqua Blue and Jade Green parallels on nearly every pack—they’re not super rare, but they look sharp and give every pack a small thrill. Plus, the memorabilia odds are real: you’ll hit a jersey or patch card roughly every other box. That matters if you hate the feeling of a box that’s just base and disappointment.
Upper Deck Artifacts Blaster Box vs SP Hockey Blaster
This is the comparison most people ask for, so let’s get specific: Upper Deck Artifacts vs SP Hockey blaster comes down to what you value in the unboxing. SP Hockey blasters run a few dollars more, and they lean into that premium SP Authentic lineage—think glossy card stock, acetate inserts, and the occasional Future Watch auto (though those are incredibly rare in blasters). The parallels are fewer and less colorful. Artifacts gives you more frequent hits, especially at the memorabilia level, and the exclusive Aqua Blue (out of /99) and Jade Green (out of /75) parallels are numbered, which SP blasters don’t offer at all. If you want a box that feels like a slow burn of small wins, go Artifacts. If you’re chasing one big swing and prefer cleaner design, SP Hockey might be your pick.
Upper Deck Artifacts Blaster Box vs O-Pee-Chee Platinum Blaster
O-Pee-Chee Platinum is the chaos option. You’ll open pack after pack of rainbow refractors, prism parallels, and color variations—sometimes five or six different parallel types in one box. It’s a blast for set builders who love sorting by color. But there’s zero memorabilia, zero autographs, and the base cards feel thin and flimsy. The Upper Deck Artifacts Blaster Box is the opposite: fewer cards overall, but each one has thicker stock, a foil finish, and that chance at a real jersey swatch. If you’re the kind of collector who wants a physical trophy card to sleeve up, Artifacts wins. If you’re happy with a binder full of shiny refractors, Platinum is a great alternative.
Who should pick the Upper Deck Artifacts Blaster Box?
You should grab this box if you want a mix of numbered parallels and the possibility of a relic hit without spending $50+. It’s the best hockey blaster box for collectors who are tired of opening plain retail blasters and never seeing anything thicker than a base card. The exclusive Aqua Blue and Jade Green parallels give you something to chase in every pack, and the memorabilia odds are honest—about 1 in 2 boxes yields a jersey or patch. That said, if you’re strictly after rookies or you’re on a tight budget, go with Upper Deck Series 2 or MVP instead. And if you prefer a more modern, design-heavy experience, the SP Hockey blaster is a worthy alternative. But for a $33 blaster that actually tries to reward you, Artifacts is the one to beat in 2026.
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