7 Best NFTs to Buy in 2024 (Popularity and Sales Volume)

The NFT industry is growing quickly, offering profitable opportunities for investors and traders. But with countless digital art collections available, determining the best NFTs to buy can be overwhelming.

In this guide, we’ll dive into some of the most popular NFTs to invest in right now. We’ll look at factors like artist reputation, market trends, and community engagement to help you make better decisions.

Key Takeaways:

1. The best NFTs to buy or invest in right now are Bored Ape Yacht Club, Pudgy Penguins, Sorare, Solana Monkey Business, NodeMonkes, Crypto Punks, and Azuki due to their high sales volumes and strong community support.
2. To invest in top NFT arts, set up a digital crypto wallet, purchase cryptocurrency, and choose an NFT marketplace like OpenSea or Magic Eden.
3. To choose the best NFT projects to buy, research market trends, evaluate the project’s community engagement, and assess the artist’s reputation and rarity of the NFTs.

Best NFTs to Buy in 2024: Our Top Picks

Here is our list of the top 7 best NFTs to buy now based on their recent sales volume and popularity:

1. Bored Ape Yacht Club – Best NFT to invest in, offering exclusive perks and high-value
2. Pudgy Penguins – Popular NFTs with charming designs, ideal for beginners seeking engaging digital art
3. Sorare – Coolest NFT project combining fantasy sports with valuable football player cards
4. Solana Monkey Business – Best Solana NFTs to buy right now for high profitability
5. NodeMonkes – High-trading Bitcoin Ordinals NFTs with historic significance, appealing to rare asset collectors
6. Crypto Punks – Iconic NFT collection with a rich history and a top choice for experienced NFT traders
7. Azuki – Trending anime-style NFTs to buy with a vibrant community

7 Top NFT Collections to Buy Now (Reviewed)

Let’s take a detailed look at the best NFTs to buy and invest in right now to make profits. The list includes some popular NFTs to invest in different blockchains including Ethereum, Solana, and Bitcoin.

1. Bored Ape Yacht Club

Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) is the #1 NFT to buy right now. Introduced in April 2021 by Yuga Labs, the collection has 10,000 unique cartoon apes, each distinguished by different traits such as fur, clothing, and expressions.

BAYC’s success is largely due to its strong community and expanding ecosystem. The owners, often referred to as “Ape Nation”, have fostered a vibrant culture surrounding the project. BAYC has also inspired several spin-off best NFT collections, including the Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC) and Bored Ape Kennel Club.

Beyond being mere digital art, BAYC offers tangible benefits to its holders. These include exclusive access to events, merchandise, and future developments. The collection has attracted several high-profile followers, including celebrities like Justin Bieber, Eminem, and Jimmy Fallon, who have become part of Ape Nation. Plus, companies like Adidas have also invested in these NFTs.

As of 2024, the BAYC collection has achieved total sales exceeding $4 billion and is currently held by 5,469 unique addresses. The floor price for a $BAYC stands at approximately 12.29 ETH (Source: Coingecko).

2. Pudgy Penguins

Pudgy Penguins are another best NFTs to buy currently featuring 8,888 unique, adorable penguin characters. These digital collectibles are minted on the Ethereum blockchain. Launched in July 2021, the entire collection sold out within a mere 19 minutes, showcasing the incredible demand and excitement surrounding these charming penguins.

Beyond their cute appearance, Pudgy Penguins offer exclusive benefits to their holders. These perks include access to private events, merchandise, and even intellectual property licensing opportunities. The project’s popularity is evident in its impressive sales figures. To date, Pudgy Penguins NFTs have generated over $1.1 billion in sales (Source: DappRadar).

In addition to the original Pudgy Penguins, the project has expanded to include other collections like Lil Pudgys and Pudgy Rods. Lil Pudgys also integrated with the LayerZero network. This allows these NFTs to bridge through multiple blockchains such as Polygon, BNB Smart Chain, and Arbitrum.

3. Sorare

Sorare is a popular NFT-based fantasy football platform. Now, it also supports NBA and MLB players. It’s more than just a game. It’s a digital marketplace where you can buy, sell, and trade officially licensed digital player cards. These cards represent real-world football players from top leagues around the globe.

The magic happens when you create your fantasy team using these cards. Your team’s performance is directly linked to the real-life performance of the players on your roster. This means your strategic choices and a bit of luck can earn you significant rewards, including cash prizes, more player cards, and exclusive experiences.

But Sorare isn’t just about gameplay. The digital player cards are NFTs, which means they are scarce and have real-world value. As player performance fluctuates and demand changes, so too does the price of their digital NFT cards. 

Sorare has attracted over 4.3 million users and formed partnerships with more than 300 football clubs and leagues globally, including major leagues like La Liga, Serie A, and the Bundesliga. Some high-profile cards, such as those of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, have sold for over $100,000. 

4. Solana Monkey Business

Solana Monkey Business (SMB) is one of the best NFTs to buy on Solana. The collection comprises 5,000 unique, pixelated monkey avatars. SMB gained attention early on due to its status as one of Solana’s pioneering NFT projects.

What sets SMB apart is its community-driven approach. Holders aren’t just owners; they’re members of the MonkeDAO, a decentralized autonomous organization that gives them a say in the project’s direction. Also, SMB NFT holders enjoy exclusive membership perks, including access to special community events, limited-edition merchandise, and the possibility of future airdrops.

The collection’s success is evident in its trading volume on platforms like Magic Eden, where SMB NFTs have been sold for substantial amounts. This strong demand has positioned SMB as one of the best NFTs to buy on the Solana network. The current floor price of SMB NFT is 21 SOL tokens.

5. NodeMonkes

NodeMonkes collection is a unique and popular series of Bitcoin Ordinals. This collection consists of 10,000 pixelated characters, marking itself as one of the first large-scale profile picture collections on the Ordinals platform. 

The collection has gained significant attention in the Web3 community, especially after Bored Ape Yacht Club co-founder, Wylie Aronow (aka Gordon Goner), purchased a rare NodeMonke, sparking a surge in demand.

It also includes a set of 400 honorary NodeMonkes created to celebrate Web3 luminaries. As of mid-2024, the collection has seen significant sales, including a record-breaking sale of one NodeMonke for 17 BTC, equivalent to over $1 million.

6. Crypto Punks

CryptoPunks, one of the first and most well-known NFTs to buy right now, debuted in 2017. Created by Larva Labs, the collection includes 10,000 unique 24×24 pixel art characters, each with its own combination of features. 

The characters are divided into several categories, including 6,039 male Punks and 3,840 female Punks, with some rarer types like zombies, apes, and aliens. Each character has distinct attributes such as accessories, hairstyles, and facial expressions, which contribute to their uniqueness.

Crypto Punks started as a free mint and quickly transformed into a multi-million dollar phenomenon. The scarcity of these pixelated NFT arts, combined with their early mover advantage, has driven their value through the roof. Some CryptoPunks have sold for millions of dollars.

In the early days, Crypto Punks inspired the ERC-721 token standard, which is the foundation for most NFT projects today. The collection has seen a total trading volume exceeding $3.89 billion with a current average floor price of 22 ETH each.

7. Azuki

Azuki is a digital NFT collection featuring 10,000 distinct, hand-drawn anime-style characters. Introduced in January 2022 by Chiru Labs, Azuki swiftly gained immense popularity, becoming a highly sought-after NFT alongside renowned collections like Bored Ape Yacht Club and CryptoPunks.

The project has a fictional metaverse city called Hilumia, where its characters and stories come to life. To broaden its community, Azuki introduced a companion NFT collection called BEANZ, which includes nearly 20,000 NFTs.

While Azuki’s initial mint price was 1 ETH, its floor price has skyrocketed, currently standing at a whopping 4.2 ETH. This surge in value, coupled with its active community and ambitious roadmap, makes Azuki a compelling contender for your portfolio of best NFTs to buy.

How to Choose the Best NFTs to Invest In?

NFT Trends

To choose the best NFTs to buy, it’s crucial to understand the NFT market trends. Follow platforms like OpenSea or Blur to observe trends. For instance, in 2021, the Bored Ape Yacht Club collection gained massive popularity, demonstrating how quickly trends can become profitable investments.

Artistic and Cultural Value

Consider NFTs from artists with established reputations or rising stars. Consider the artist’s reputation, previous work, and potential for future growth. For example, digital artist Beeple’s “Everydays: The First 5000 Days” sold for $69 million, showcasing the potential value of work from renowned digital artists.

Rarity and Scarcity

Like traditional collectibles, rarity and scarcity significantly influence an NFT’s value. Limited edition NFTs with unique attributes tend to be more desirable and potentially more valuable. Also, you can look for NFTs offering additional benefits. The Decentraland virtual real estate NFTs, for instance, allow owners to build and monetize content within the platform, providing utility beyond mere ownership.

Active Community and Support

A thriving, engaged community is a cornerstone of a successful NFT project to buy. Strong community involvement fosters growth, creates demand, and supports the asset’s value. Active participation on social media platforms, Discord channels, and other community forums can provide valuable insights into the project’s momentum.

Trading Volume and Liquidity

Examine trading volumes on marketplaces. For example, if you’re considering a sports-related NFT, you might look at the consistently high trading volumes of NBA Top Shot or Sorare as an indicator of sustained interest in sports NFTs.

Trending Blockchains

While Ethereum hosts many popular NFTs, alternatives like Flow (used for NBA Top Shot) or Solana offer different features. Understanding these can help you make informed decisions about which NFT ecosystem to invest in.

Where to Buy NFTs: Top NFT Marketplaces

NFTs can be bought on various online NFT marketplaces that specialize in digital collectibles. The top NFT platforms for purchasing digital art include OpenSea, Magic Eden, and LooksRare.

• OpenSea: It is the leading NFT marketplace, known for its vast collection of digital assets. It supports multiple blockchains such as Ethereum, Polygon, and Base, making it versatile for traders. From art and collectibles to virtual properties and domain names, OpenSea offers a diverse range of NFTs.
• Magic Eden: Another NFT marketplace popular for buying Solana NFTs. It is best due to Solana’s quick transactions and low fees. The platform focuses on gaming NFTs and digital collectibles, offering a carefully selected array of projects. Magic Eden also provides tools for NFT creators, allowing them to launch and mint their own collections on the platform.
• LooksRare: This is best for buying NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain, aiming to create a more community-focused marketplace. It features a unique system where you can earn LOOKS tokens for your activity on the platform. It distinguishes itself by offering lower fees than some competitors and by redistributing platform revenue to token holders.

How to Buy NFTs?

1. Set up an NFT wallet: First, create a digital wallet that supports NFTs, like MetaMask or Trust Wallet. This wallet will store your cryptocurrencies and NFTs securely. You can also use hardware wallets like Ledger and Trezor for NFT cold storage.
2. Get some cryptocurrency: Most NFTs are bought using Ethereum (ETH) or Solana (SOL). Buy ETH from a cryptocurrency exchange like MEXC or Binance, then transfer it to your crypto wallet.
3. Choose an NFT marketplace: Popular NFT marketplaces include OpenSea, Magic Eden, and Looksrare. Browse these sites to find NFTs you want to buy.
4. Connect your wallet and bid: On the marketplace, connect your digital wallet. When you find an NFT you want, you can either buy it outright (if available) or place a bid in an auction.
5. Complete the purchase: If you win an auction or choose to buy an NFT, confirm the transaction in your wallet. The NFT will then be transferred to your wallet, and the cryptocurrency will be sent to the seller.

For more information, read our detailed guide on how to buy NFTs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, among the top NFT collections are Bored Ape Yacht Club, Pudgy Penguins, and Sorare, known for their strong communities and impressive trading volumes. Other NFT projects to buy now are SMB, Node Monkes on Bitcoin blockchain, and Crypto Punks. These collections not only showcase unique digital art but also provide tangible benefits and exclusives for their holders. 

When selecting the best NFTs to buy, consider their market value, team, community engagement, and additional perks. By focusing on these factors, you can make profitable decisions and potentially benefit from the growing NFT space.

FAQs 

How can beginners invest in NFTs?

Beginners can invest in NFTs by setting up a cryptocurrency wallet like MetaMask or Phantom. Once funded with ETH or other supported cryptocurrencies, explore popular NFT marketplaces like OpenSea. The best NFT to buy for beginners is BAYC on the Ethereum blockchain and SMB on the Solana blockchain.

Why you should Invest in NFTs?

Investing in NFTs offers several advantages. First, NFTs provide access to unique digital assets with verifiable ownership on the blockchain. Second, they often represent innovative projects with strong community engagement, which can drive up their value. 

Third, NFTs can serve as digital collectibles with the potential for significant appreciation, similar to traditional art investments. Fourth, they provide diversification opportunities beyond traditional assets, including access to new markets and trends. Finally, investing in NFTs allows you to participate in the growth of emerging technologies and creative sectors. Read our overview of why buy NFTs for more information.

What are the best NFT projects to invest in?

Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), CryptoPunks, and Sorare are some of the best NFT projects to buy due to recent increases in their sales volume and popularity. BAYC and CryptoPunks are renowned for their artistic value and strong communities, while Sorare offers a unique blend of NFTs and fantasy sports. 

What is the most popular NFT art to invest in right now?

Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) currently stands out as one of the most popular NFT art collections. Its distinctive style, celebrity endorsements, and strong community have driven substantial price appreciation.

What NFT you should buy now?

BAYC and CryptoPunks are popular choices due to their established track record. For those interested in the Solana blockchain, “SMB” could be an option. Sports NFT enthusiasts might consider “Sorare” for its unique gameplay and potential rewards.

When to buy NFTs?

The optimal time to purchase NFTs is challenging due to the market’s inherent volatility. Periods of increased interest and media coverage often lead to price surges. However, buying at peak hype can also result in rapid value declines.

Also, NFTs backed by strong communities, utilities, or partnerships tend to hold value better during market downturns. NFT investors with a higher risk tolerance may prefer buying during initial offerings (IOs) for potential early gains. Those seeking stability might opt for established projects with a proven track record. Here is our in-depth guide on when should I buy NFTs.

Are NFTs safe?

Yes, NFT safety is relative. While blockchain technology, the foundation of NFTs, offers robust security for ownership verification, the underlying asset itself can be vulnerable. Factors like project, team, personal security practices, and the potential volatility of NFT markets significantly impact the overall safety of your investment.

What are the cheapest NFTs to buy now?

The gaming NFT collections are generally cheap NFTs due to their in-game use-case and to attract more new users. Sorare is one of the cheapest NFTs to invest with a floor price of 0.003 ETH only.