When you play Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2), your inventory fills up fast. So how do you know which PoE 2 items are worth keeping and which ones you should sell or trade? This guide will help you quickly tell the difference—even if you're a beginner. Understanding the value of your items can help you make smart decisions, save time, and earn valuable currency.

First, always check item rarity. In PoE 2, items come in four main colors: white (normal), blue (magic), yellow (rare), and orange (unique). As a rule of thumb, most white and blue items are not worth keeping unless they have high item level and great stats. Rare (yellow) and unique (orange) items are where things get interesting.

Second, look at item types. Items like high-item-level bases (such as Two-Toned Boots, Opal Rings, or Hubris Circlets) are always in demand. If you're not sure what to keep, remember that players often buy PoE 2 items with high resistances, movement speed, or critical strike bonuses. A rare pair of boots with +30% movement speed and two resistances? That’s a keeper.

Third, know your currencies. Divine Orbs, Chaos Orbs, Exalted Orbs, and Mirror Shards are top-tier currencies. If an item is worth several Chaos Orbs or more, it's usually worth stashing. Tools like trade websites can help you check prices, but this takes time. A faster way? Use experience: if you see mods like “+1 to Level of All Skill Gems,” “Spell Suppression,” or “Cannot be Frozen,” those are usually signs the item has high value.

Fourth, identify good sockets and links. A 6-link item, even if it’s a normal rarity, can fetch a good price. If it’s also high item level and a popular base, stash it! Players who want to buy PoE 2 items often search for these to craft their own builds. If you find a linked 5 or 6-link with good stats, it may be worth selling.

Fifth, don’t forget about influence and corruption. Items with Shaper, Elder, or Redeemer influence can have powerful modifiers. Similarly, corrupted items with +1 gems or good implicits are sought after. If you’re unsure, stash these until you can look them up or trade them.

Finally, if you’re short on time or just want to skip the hassle, you can also buy PoE 2 items safely and quickly from trusted sites like u4gm. Whether you need a specific unique or just want some high-end gear to progress, buying from u4gm can save you hours of farming.

In summary, to quickly judge PoE 2 items:

Check rarity: rares and uniques are usually better.

Look for top-tier stats: resistances, movement speed, +skill gems, etc.

Count links and sockets: 5-link and 6-link items have real value.

Watch for currency-worthy affixes: suppression, crit chance, etc.

Stash influenced or corrupted items with strong modifiers.

Don’t hesitate to buy PoE 2 items from reliable marketplaces like u4gm when needed.

Keep practicing and you'll soon recognize valuable drops in seconds. Efficient looting means more time enjoying the game—and building your dream character.