Path of Exile 2 Guide: Best Stash Tabs to Buy
If you're new to PoE 2 or planning to optimize your stash space, this guide will walk you through the best stash tabs to buy, their uses, and how to maximize their value. Let's dive deep!
Why Are Stash Tabs Important in Path of Exile 2?
Before discussing the best stash tabs, it's crucial to understand why stash tabs are so vital in Path of Exile 2.
Massive Loot Accumulation: PoE 2 features a loot-heavy system with countless items, currency, maps, and crafting materials dropping every run. Without enough stash space, your loot management will quickly become a nightmare.
Trade Hub: Stash tabs act as your trading hub since you list items from your tabs to sell or buy Path of Exile 2 Currency.
Organization & Efficiency: Proper stash tabs reduce clutter and make it easier to find items, plan crafting, or prepare builds.
Value: Some stash tabs have special properties that increase their value, either for trading or for personal efficiency.
Types of Stash Tabs in Path of Exile 2
PoE 2 continues many of the stash tab features from the original game, with some improvements. The main types of stash tabs you'll encounter include:
1. Regular Stash Tabs
Basic storage tabs with no special features.
Usually unlocked for free or bought cheaply.
Good for overflow or general use but limited in functionality.
2. Premium Stash Tabs
Purchased with microtransactions.
Larger inventory space than regular tabs.
Often have special color-coding options and borders.
Can be used for trading or personal organization.
3. Currency Stash Tabs
Designed specifically to hold currency items.
Have special sorting features that automatically arrange currency items.
Great for currency hoarders and traders.
4. Essence Stash Tabs
Tailored for essence items.
Auto-sort and filter essence types.
Essential if you farm essences regularly.
5. Divination Card Tabs
For storing divination cards.
Auto-sort cards and display full sets.
Very useful for farming or trading div cards.
6. Map Stash Tabs
Designed to hold maps.
Special auto-sorting and tier grouping.
Perfect for players focused on mapping.
7. Premium Quad Stash Tabs
Larger 4x size tabs.
Popular among traders for displaying large sets.
More expensive but worth it if you trade a lot.
8. Special Themed Tabs
Occasionally introduced during events or microtransaction bundles.
May have unique artwork or special effects.
Usually more cosmetic but sometimes valuable for collectors.
Best Stash Tabs to Buy in Path of Exile 2
With the above types in mind, let's go through the best stash tabs for various player types and explain why they stand out.
1. Currency Stash Tabs
Why Buy: Currency is the backbone of Path of Exile 2 Trade economy and crafting system. Having dedicated currency tabs that auto-sort items like Chaos Orbs, Exalted Orbs, and Shards drastically improve your workflow.
Auto-Sorting: These tabs automatically arrange currency in a neat order, saving you time and frustration.
Capacity: They typically hold more currency stacks than regular tabs.
Trading Efficiency: Easy to find and price your currency when trading.
Recommended For: Players who farm a lot, trade currency frequently, or craft heavily.
2. Divination Card Stash Tabs
Why Buy: Divination cards are critical for obtaining powerful items, unique rewards, and crafting materials.
Auto-Sorting: Automatically group cards by set.
Track Completion: You can easily see which cards you still need for a set.
Trade and Collection: Helps organize cards for trading or selling full sets.
Recommended For: Players who farm divination cards regularly or flip cards in the market.
3. Map Stash Tabs
Why Buy: Maps are the endgame of PoE 2, so organizing them efficiently is a priority.
Auto-Sort by Tier and Region: This lets you quickly find maps you want to run or sell.
Inventory Management: Prevents clutter and lost maps in general stash tabs.
Trade Efficiency: Easier to price and list maps for sale.
Recommended For: Endgame players focused on running and trading maps.
4. Premium Quad Stash Tabs
Why Buy: Quad tabs provide 4x the inventory space of a standard tab and are highly sought after by traders.
Large Display: Showcase large item sets, valuable uniques, or bulk currency.
Trading Hub: Many traders prefer quad tabs as they can see all items without switching tabs.
Visual Appeal: Useful for organizing big collections in a compact way.
Recommended For: Players active in trading or those who want maximum organization in fewer tabs.
5. Essence Stash Tabs
Why Buy: Essences are important crafting materials, and like other specific stash tabs, Essence tabs make sorting and managing them simple.
Auto-Sort: Quickly separate and store essences by type and tier.
Trade and Crafting Efficiency: Makes it easier to find and sell or use essences.
Recommended For: Players farming essences or crafting gear with them.
6. Regular Premium Stash Tabs
Why Buy: If you're not focusing on one particular type of item, premium stash tabs with color customization and increased size are useful.
Custom Organization: You can manually sort gear, crafting items, or miscellaneous loot.
Color Coding: Helps visually differentiate tabs for faster access.
Extra Space: More inventory slots than free tabs.
Recommended For: Casual to mid-level players who want better organization but don't focus heavily on one item type.
How to Prioritize Your Stash Tab Purchases?
If you're planning to spend money or currency on stash tabs, here's a general prioritization strategy:
Start with a Currency Tab: Since currency is used everywhere, having a dedicated tab early is invaluable.
Add Map Tabs: As you progress to endgame, maps will overwhelm your stash. Add these next.
Get Divination Card Tabs: If you farm cards, this will streamline your play.
Buy Premium Quad Tabs for Trading: If you trade a lot or want to show off your collection.
Add Essence Tabs and Regular Premium Tabs: Once your core needs are met.
Tips to Use Stash Tabs Effectively
Color Coding: Assign colors based on item types (e.g., blue for currency, green for maps).
Naming Tabs: Give descriptive names to avoid confusion.
Use Stash Tab Filters: Utilize in-game filters or community-made tools to further sort items.
Keep Tabs Organized: Regularly clean out tabs to prevent clutter.
Trade Smart: Use stash tabs to prepare bulk trades or set up buy orders.
How Much Do Stash Tabs Cost in Path of Exile 2?
The exact pricing depends on the platform and current currency exchange rates in the game, but typically:
Regular Tabs: Free or very low cost.
Premium Tabs: Range from a few dollars or in-game currency equivalents.
Currency/Map/Essence/Divination Tabs: Slightly more expensive due to specialized features.
Quad Tabs: The most expensive due to larger space and trading utility.
Check official Path of Exile 2 store or in-game vendor for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing.
Conclusion
In Path of Exile 2, efficient stash management is just as important as character builds or combat skills. Investing in the right stash tabs can save you countless hours, reduce frustration, and improve your overall gameplay experience.
For most players, currency stash tabs and map stash tabs are the first must-haves, followed by divination card tabs if you farm those items. Traders will find premium quad tabs invaluable, while casual players can benefit greatly from regular premium tabs with customization.
Remember to organize your stash smartly, keep track of your items, and upgrade your stash tabs as you progress. Your future self will thank you when you breeze through inventory management and can focus fully on enjoying the deep and rich world of Path of Exile 2.