Drowning in loot on Kairos? Borderlands 4’s generous enemy drops can quickly overwhelm your limited inventory space, forcing tough decisions about what to keep and what to discard. While the game doesn’t make it obvious how to drop items, mastering this essential skill – along with smart inventory management – will keep you looting efficiently without missing out on valuable gear.
Here’s your complete guide to dropping items, managing inventory space, and maximizing your loot potential in Borderlands 4.
The game doesn’t clearly explain how to drop items, but once you know the controls, it’s straightforward. Here’s how to drop items from your inventory on every platform:
PC (Keyboard & Mouse)
Open your inventory
Highlight the item you want to drop
Press and hold the “R” key until the item drops
Xbox (Controller)
Open your inventory
Select the item you want to drop
Press and hold the “Y” button until the item drops
PlayStation (Controller)
Open your inventory
Select the item you want to drop
Press and hold the “Triangle” button until the item drops
Pro tip: The hold duration prevents accidental drops, so make sure you hold the button long enough for the action to complete.
Alternative: Using the Swap Function
Before dropping items outright, consider using the swap function for equipped weapons:
How Swapping Works:
Pick up a new weapon while your inventory is full
The game prompts you to swap with your currently equipped weapon
Your old weapon drops to the ground automatically
Your new weapon becomes equipped immediately
When Swapping is Useful:
Quick weapon upgrades during intense combat
Field testing new weapons without inventory juggling
Emergency situations where you need better gear immediately
This method is faster than opening your inventory during combat, making it perfect for those heated firefights where every second counts.
Smart Inventory Management: Better Than Dropping
While knowing how to drop items is essential, dropping should be your last resort. Borderlands 4 offers much better alternatives that can actually benefit your progression:
Selling Items for Profit (Recommended Method)
The Junk System:
Borderlands 4 includes a brilliant “Junk” marking system that streamlines selling unwanted loot:
Step-by-Step Process:
Open your inventory regularly (after each major fight)
Mark unwanted items as “Junk” using the designated button
Head to any vending machine in safe areas
Press the “Sell All Junk” option for instant cash
Why Selling is Superior to Dropping:
Immediate cash flow for purchasing better gear
No wasted loot value – everything has monetary worth
Supports upgrade purchases from vending machines
Funds ammo and health restocking
What to Mark as Junk:
Lower-level weapons that you’ve outgrown
Duplicate gear with worse stats
Weapons that don’t match your build or playstyle
Common/uncommon items when you have rare alternatives
Clear inventory space before opening golden chests
Prepare bank storage for multiple legendaries
Mark current gear as junk before key usage
Plan for immediate gear upgrades
Platform-Specific Considerations
PC Players:
Faster inventory navigation with mouse controls
Keyboard shortcuts for marking junk
Multiple inventory management mods available
Easier organization with precise cursor control
Console Players:
Slower navigation requires more strategic planning
Controller shortcuts for common actions
Limited mod support emphasizes vanilla strategies
Couch co-op sharing considerations
Quality of Life Tips
Regular Maintenance Habits:
Clean inventory after each major location
Visit vendors regularly instead of accumulating junk
Bank valuable items before risky encounters
Update gear based on level progression
Visual Organization:
Arrange weapons by type or element
Group similar items together
Use favorites system for essential gear
Color-code mentally by rarity levels
Conclusion: Master Your Loot Game
Effective inventory management in Borderlands 4 transforms from a chore into a strategic advantage. By understanding when to drop, sell, or bank items, you’ll maintain optimal loadouts while maximizing your progression potential.
Key Takeaways:
Dropping is last resort – selling and banking are better
Use the junk system religiously for easy vendor sales
With these inventory management skills mastered, you’ll spend less time sorting through loot and more time enjoying the chaotic, explosive action that makes Borderlands 4 so addictive!
Share your love
Sacheen Chavan
Sacheen Chavan is a seasoned gaming enthusiast, content creator, and tech lover with over 6 years of experience in the gaming industry. He has contributed to platforms like BollywoodFever and Buzzing Bulletin, where he shared insights on gaming trends, esports, and the latest gear.
Known for delivering honest reviews and practical tips, Sacheen helps gamers level up their experience — whether it's dominating the esports scene, grinding through RPGs, or testing cutting-edge tech. He blends hands-on experience with a passion for community-driven content.