Path of Exile 2 introduces a host of changes that refine and modernize the ARPG experience while preserving the POE 2 Currency deep mechanics and player agency that defined the original game. One common frustration players face in any loot-driven game is limited inventory space. With the abundance of items dropping—from gear and currency to crafting materials and quest-related loot—knowing how to increase your inventory size in Path of Exile 2 can dramatically improve your quality of life.

While Path of Exile 2 retains the familiar grid-based inventory system, there are several new and returning ways to maximize your carry capacity and reduce time spent juggling items. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to increase your inventory size and manage your loot more efficiently.

1. Inventory Expansions via Equipment
In Path of Exile 2, certain gear pieces now come with inventory-affecting properties, particularly back items such as backpacks and utility belts. These are new equipment slots that can add small but meaningful inventory expansions.

Backpacks: Some unique or rare backpacks provide additional inventory rows or separate compartments specifically for flasks, maps, or crafting materials.

Belts with Storage Affixes: While belts traditionally boosted flask effectiveness or resistances, PoE 2 introduces belts that offer affixes like “+X to Inventory Rows” or “compartmentalized storage” for specific item types.

These equipment pieces can be found or crafted in mid-to-late game content, especially in leagues or expansions that emphasize looting and logistics.

2. Quest and Campaign Upgrades
Throughout the Path of Exile 2 campaign, you may encounter quests or side objectives that reward inventory upgrades—a welcome change from the original game. These are often tied to:

NPC progression: Helping certain non-combatant NPCs, such as traders or crafters, may unlock inventory-enhancing gear or permanent size increases.

Side Zones: Completing optional challenge zones or puzzle dungeons may reward utility upgrades, including extra inventory space.

Keep an eye on optional content in each act; some of the best upgrades come from off-the-beaten-path encounters.

3. Currency Pouch and Specialized Storage
To combat inventory clutter, Path of Exile 2 introduces dedicated storage areas for certain item types:

Currency Pouch: A special tab within your character’s inventory that automatically collects common currency items (Chaos Orbs, Alterations, etc.), freeing up inventory grid space.

Crafting Material Satchel: Found later in the game, this functions similarly to a currency pouch, but stores catalysts, essences, fossils, and similar crafting materials.

Map & Gem Cases: These specialized containers can hold maps or skill gems and are often rewarded or found during the midgame. They don’t increase your inventory per se but drastically reduce the burden on your main grid.

These systems are especially valuable for players who run maps or farm crafting materials frequently.

4. Stash Tab Usage & Town Trips
While not a direct upgrade to your in-field inventory, effective stash tab usage is essential to inventory management. You can’t increase your on-character grid infinitely, but you can reduce how often you fill it by:

Using dedicated stash tabs (Currency, Map, Fragment, etc.) for quick unloading between runs.

Portaling back to town mid-map to offload gear, especially if you’re running loot-heavy builds.

Filtering loot using the in-game loot filter to only pick up high-value items.

GGG is expected to integrate more quality-of-life stash features in PoE 2, including better in-map access and improved sorting tools.

5. Microtransactions & Premium Storage (Optional)
While the base game offers plenty of tools to manage inventory, Path of Exile 2, like its predecessor, is supported by cosmetic and stash microtransactions. Purchasing premium stash tabs can indirectly improve inventory management by:

Allowing auto-sorting of items.

Adding more tabs for organization.

Enabling public trading through stash tabs, reducing on-character clutter.

While optional, many players consider premium tabs essential for efficient long-term play.

Conclusion
Managing inventory in Path of Exile 2 is not just about space — it’s about strategy. With the addition of backpacks, currency pouches, and quest-based upgrades, the game offers more tools than ever to help players stay organized and spend more time killing monsters instead of sorting loot.

Whether you're a casual explorer or a buy POE 2 Currency hardcore mapper, increasing your inventory size and optimizing your storage methods is key to a smoother, more enjoyable Path of Exile experience.