The 5 types of blind box collectors: which one are you?
By Léna, co-founder & Art Director at swap-iit
⏱️ Reading time: ≈ 4 mins
In the blind box community, we’re all hooked… but not in the same way. 😏 After spending loads of time on Discord, TikTok and in shops, I’ve ended up identifying five main types of collector. So, which one do you recognise yourself in? (Be honest, now.)
Contents
- 1. The completist
- 2. The chaser
- 3. The Aesthete
- 4. Casual
- 5. The trader
- And to be honest, we’re often a bit of a mix
- FAQ: types of collectors
1. The completist
His mission in life: to complete the series. The whole series. He knows off by heart exactly how many figures are missing, in what order, and he won’t rest until the empty slot in his collection is filled. For him, a duplicate isn’t a cute keepsake: it’s an obstacle standing between him and completing the set.
His line: “I’ve only got No. 7 left to go and then I’m done.”
2. The chaser
He couldn’t care less about common figures. What he wants is the chase, the mystery, the holy grail. Rare pieces, limited editions, drop exclusives. He takes part in live releases, queues up online at 9.59 am sharp, and is prepared to pay top dollar on the secondary market.
His quote: “I opened six boxes to get THE one.”
3. The Aesthete
For the aesthete, collecting is all about décor. They think in terms of displays, shelving, colour schemes and lighting. Their collection is a living mood board, and every new figurine must complement the rest. They buy as much with their eyes as with their heart.
Her line: “Hold on, that would look just perfect next to my pastel collection.”
4. Casual
The casual collector has no strategy. They walk past a display, can’t resist, and walk away with a box. No wish list, no tracking of drops – just the pleasure of the moment and the surprise. And honestly? They’re perhaps the most carefree of them all.
His line: “I just wanted to take one…”
5. The trader
The trader has turned his passion into a small business. He buys at launch, resells, swaps and knows the market values better than anyone. For him, the blind box is as much a pleasure as it is a game of optimisation. He often resells to fund his own ‘grails’.
Their phrase: “WTS full set, PM for price.”
And to be honest, we’re often a bit of a mix
Let’s be honest: no one fits a single profile 100 per cent. We might be completists with one series and casual with another, connoisseurs at the weekend and chasers when new releases drop. That’s the beauty of it: there are a thousand ways to collect, and none of them is right or wrong.
The one thing we all have in common, whatever our background? Duplicates that pile up. And that’s exactly why we’ve created swap-iit: to let you swap your duplicates for the pieces you’re missing, no matter what sort of collector you are.
We’re launching in September 2026. The waitlist is open: the first 500 people to sign up will receive a lifetime Founder badge and priority access. 💛
FAQ: types of collectors
What is a ‘chaser’ in blind box collecting?
A collector who is primarily looking for rare items (chases, secrets, limited editions) rather than completing entire series.
Should we focus on a single type of collector?
No! Most people are a mix of several profiles, which vary depending on the series and the time of year. That’s exactly what makes collecting so much fun.
Which type of collector has the most duplicates?
Everyone collects them, but it’s often the completists and chasers who have the most, as they keep opening boxes in the hope of finding a specific piece.