Physical media is making quite the comeback in recent years. Various factors are driving this trend. To some extent, it may be a side effect of nostalgia. Similarly, young people may be embracing physical media formats merely because they’re “retro.”

In other words, it’s possible the physical media resurgence is little more than a fad.

However, I wouldn’t bet on it. I believe film fans, readers, and music lovers are making the switch back to physical media because it offers legitimate benefits that digital formats can’t deliver. For example, there’s reason to believe physical media promotes greater engagement with a piece of content, helping people truly focus on whatever they’re watching (or reading, or listening to, etc.). That’s a major advantage in our age of distraction.

On the other hand, I’m also aware of the economic realities of building a physical media collection. That’s one of the many reasons I strive to identify ways to save money on physical media.

Some might also wonder if physical media itself can be a wise financial investment. You might find it easier to justify purchasing discs, records, and other such items if you have reason to believe they will gain value over the years.

This is a nuanced topic. Generally, you probably shouldn’t treat DVDs, Blu-rays, 4K discs, and most records and books as investments. That’s not to say there are no instances in which the titles in your collection might become increasingly valuable over time.

The way retailers price used media should be a guide

One of the simplest ways to determine whether a given item will make for a rewarding financial investment is to check and see how much that item (or an equivalent) is currently selling for. In this case, that means checking the prices of used discs, books, and records.

You’ll notice a common trend: Most used media is priced significantly lower than new media. If you look into the used media pricing policies of retailers like record shops and used bookstores, you’ll also find that the policy is generally to offer very little money in exchange for customers’ used music, movies, and books. This should give you a sense of how valuable these items become after they’re initially released.

In most instances, the value of a piece of physical media is related to both the content it contains and its packaging. Both of these can degrade. This is why used copies of media tend to be affordable. It’s also why you shouldn’t expect a piece of physical media that you’ve purchased to gain value.

First editions, special releases, and similar media can be collector’s items

You might understand that a used copy of any piece of media will typically be less expensive than a new copy. That means it’s less valuable. Still, you might also understand that there are always exceptions.

Consider the examples of first edition copies of classic books. You don’t need to be a book collector to be aware that these can fetch a hefty price tag. On a similar note, many physical comic book collections can actually be worth thousands of dollars.

The problem is, it can be difficult to predict what type of physical media will appreciate in value over the years. You can invest in an item that’s already valuable due to its rarity, but this means the item will almost certainly already be expensive. You also might not be able to accurately determine the full extent to which it will or won’t continue to gain value as the years go on.

Yes, there are albums, discs, and again, rare books that can sell for a good price at auction. Auction and sales records indicate that certain factors influence how likely it is for a piece of media to gain that type of value. Along with an item being rare, it can also help if it’s signed. In the case of DVDs and Blu-rays, a disc might command a relatively high price if it’s an out-of-print edition from a boutique label. Whether a record will be considered valuable can depend at least in part on whether it’s since been reissued on vinyl.

Buy physical media because you love it, not because it’s valuable

Is it technically possible for a piece of physical media to increase in value? Absolutely. Again, there are plenty of examples of this happening.

That’s not to say it makes sense to approach physical media as an investment. Remember, there’s no simple formula we can apply to determine if a given piece of physical media will evolve into a rarity for collectors. While some dedicated enthusiasts may be able to accurately call when a piece of media will become valuable, most don’t have the time or experience needed to evaluate all the factors that contribute to said change in value.

Verdict? Collect physical media because it gives you an ideal way to enjoy content you love, not because you think you can sell it off and retire early.