Prices are accurate at the time of publication.
Birchbox
- Subscription box services are great for anything you love to receive on a regular basis.
- They can help you discover new products, develop your hobbies, or add convenience to your life.
- These boxes are great gifts, but if you're looking for other ideas, check out our list of the All-Time Best products we've ever tested.
By now, the subscription concept has been widely applied to pretty much anything you can buy, but it's most useful for the things you actually use and enjoy regularly. Whether that's razor blades for your daily shaving routine or books to read during your commute, a subscription box helps automate the process for buying and receiving products so you have more time to use said products.
Subscription boxes can help you discover new products in an arena you're already interested in or figure out if you want to pursue a hobby further. They're like trial runs for your various interests or needs and usually a lot more affordable than a full commitment. Plus, subscription boxes are great for gifting. With one fell swoop, you can gift three whole months of discovering new wine or trying out different perfumes.
If you do change your mind about your subscription, all the following services make it easy to skip next month's shipment or cancel your subscription.
Here are the best subscription boxes in 2021
Food and drink
- Best wine subscription: Winc
- Best coffee subscription: Trade
- Best tea subscription: Sips by
- Best beer subscription: Beer of the Month Club
- Best cocktail subscription: Cocktail Courier
- Best snack subscription: SnackCrate
- Best cheese subscription: Murray's Cheese
- Best meat subscription: ButcherBox
- Best meal kit subscription: Blue Apron
Beauty, grooming, and style
- Best beauty subscription: Birchbox
- Best shaving subscription: Dollar Shave Club
- Best men's clothing subscription: Menlo Club
- Best women's clothing subscription: Rent the Runway
- Best underwear subscription: MeUndies
- Best jewelry subscription: Rocksbox
- Best subscription for perfume and cologne: Scentbird
Hobbies and interests
- Best flower subscription: Bloomsybox
- Best plant subscription: Horti
- Best book subscription: Book of the Month Club
- Best game subscription: Unbox Boardom
- Best crafting subscription: The Crafter's Box
- Best subscription for kids: KiwiCo
- Best subscription for dogs: Barkbox
- Best subscription for cats: Meowbox
Connie Chen/Insider
Winc's straightforward ordering process, on-trend wine curation, and reliable shipping make it the best online wine club we've tried in the last few years. If your interest in a wine subscription stems not only from the need for convenience but also the desire to expand your wine knowledge, Winc offers informative resources, easy-to-digest bottle descriptions, and a community ratings system to help you develop your palate.
Winc delivers wine every month, but it's easy to adjust your membership to skip automatic shipments. Although it matches you to wines that it thinks you'll like based on your profile of tastes and preferences, you can also customize your shipment and browse Winc's complete catalog of varietals from all over the world.
Runners-up:
- Firstleaf, for affordable wine and big discounts ($80/month)
- Plonk, for natural and biodynamic wines ($110/month)
Read more about the best wine subscriptions we tested in 2021.
Trade/Instagram
Trade is where you can order top-quality coffee from cool roasters all over the country, like Verve (Santa Cruz, CA), Cuvee (Austin, TX), and Huckleberry (Denver, CO). If you're the type to immediately seek out the local specialty coffee shop when you travel to a new city, then Trade's the best coffee subscription for you — and you don't even have to leave your house to receive your beans.
All you have to do is tell Trade about how you take your coffee and it'll show you the best coffee you should be drinking every morning. It'll also provide the roaster's schedule for roasting and when your bag was roasted.
Runners-up:
- Driftaway, for sustainability-focused, single-origin coffee ($14.40/shipment)
- Atlas, for exploring the global coffee scene ($14/shipment)
Read more about the best coffee subscriptions we tested in 2021.
Sips by
Sips by is a personalized tea subscription that sends you four different teas (enough to make at least 16 cups) every month, so your tea rotation always stays new and exciting. You'll get to explore teas from big and familiar brands as well as local tea shops and farms and choose from loose leaf, bagged, herbal, and caffeinated teas.
If you weren't already familiar with all the benefits of tea, how to steep your tea, and the differences among all the tea types, Sips by shares plenty of educational resources to strengthen your tea knowledge.
Runners-up:
- Atlas Tea Club Starter Pack, for single-origin and global teas ($14/shipment)
- David's Tea Tasting Club, for exclusive and seasonal tea blends ($35/shipment)
Beer of the Month Club
Choose from five different beer memberships in this club: Microbrewed, Hop Heads, Rare Beers, International, and US and International. Each of these clubs gives you 12 12-oz beers in different styles from a few different breweries, plus brewery profiles and tasting notes. It's the most convenient way to tour breweries in the US and around the world.
The original club started in 1994, and its panel of brewmasters and beer judges only pick out a mix of the most interesting and innovative craft beers every month. The diversity of options means you can stop pigeonholing yourself into drinking (and pretending to enjoy) IPAs.
Runners-up:
- Tavour, for mobile-first beer orders (Price varies)
- Craft Beer Kings, for fun and creative flavors ($70/shipment)
Cocktail Courier/Instagram
Unless you keep your bar cart fully stocked and meticulously updated, it can be a hassle to source all the ingredients for a specialty cocktail you want to make. Let's also not forget that going out for happy hour requires putting on clothes. Cocktail Courier makes kits based on recipes from top bartenders and sends you all the ingredients you need, including the spirits. Keep in mind, though, you do need your own basic equipment, like glassware and a shaker.
For the subscription, just choose your favorite spirits and you'll only be sent kits with those spirits. There's also an option for just the mixers and garnishes, if you prefer to use your own alcohol.
Runners-up:
- Shaker & Spoon, for a variety of cocktails that focus on one spirit (from $40/shipment)
- SaloonBox, for group cocktail parties (from $49/shipment)
SnackCrate/Instagram
One of our favorite things to do when visiting a new country is to scour the snack aisles of the local grocery store. SnackCrate brings that same excitement and discovery process to your door. Every month's snack box focuses on a different country and includes full-sized snacks directly imported from that country. You'll also get a music playlist and booklet of games and facts related to the country.
There are three box sizes available to suit everyone from occasional grazers to snack aficionados.
Runners-up:
Murray’s Cheese/Instagram
New York City institution Murray's Cheese offers a few different monthly clubs that let you get your fix for creamy, stinky, soft, smoky, and hard cheeses. It's part indulgence, part educational experience.
The Classic Club is great for people who want a reliable way to enjoy cheeses you might not have heard of but still have an approachable flavor profile — think Montealva, a flaky and citrus-y goat's milk cheese from Spain or The Farm at Doe Run's butterscotch-infused cheese. If you want something more adventurous, try the Cheesemonger's Picks club instead.
Runners-up:
- Curdbox, for cheese plates including sweet and savory pairings ($49.95/month)
- Jasper Hill, for special release and limited-edition cheese from Vermont ($100/month)
ButcherBox/Instagram
In addition to pre-curated boxes of grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, and crate-free pork, ButcherBox lets you choose from more than 25 different cuts to make your own custom box. It's an easy way to get high-quality meat (up to 14 pounds every month) without having to visit your local butcher or farmer's market.
The subscription is also flexible in case you don't need that much meat every month. But if you're feeding a lot of mouths, hosting a barbeque, or just enjoy eating meat, you'll want to take advantage of ButcherBox's value every month.
Runners-up:
- Porter Road, for underrated cuts of meat and the best variety (Price varies)
- Snake River Farms, for high-end meat like American Wagyu ($225/shipment)
Read more about the best meat subscriptions we tested in 2021.
Read our reviews of ButcherBox, Porter Road, and Snake River Farms.
Blue Apron/Instagram
Blue Apron's flavorful, creative takes on familiar recipes and reliable, accurate delivery make it the best meal kit you can subscribe to. It's versatile and flexible, with meal options for all kinds of dietary preferences, a variety of plans for two- and four-person families, and add-ons like meat and seafood bundles, spice blends, and cookware and tools. There's even a wine add-on to complete your dining experience.
The meals (like chimichurri tilapia, one-pan prosciutto gnocchi, and sambal-peanut chicken noodles) are always delicious and the portions are generous — you'll even have leftovers, sometimes. The menu updates frequently and we rarely see the same recipe twice.
Runners-up:
- Sunbasket, for organic ingredients and health-conscious recipes ($71.94/3-meal, 2-serving plan)
- Everyplate, for the most affordable yet filling meals ($39.93/3-meal, 2-serving plan)
Read more about the best meal kit subscriptions we tested in 2021.
Birchbox/Instagram
Birchbox's mission is to make the vast world of beauty and skincare fun and less intimidating by giving you the freedom to sample tons of different products. Every month's affordable beauty box contains five samples you might like based on your Beauty Profile, featuring a variety of new and upcoming brands and products (makeup, skincare, haircare, fragrance).
The brands included reflect Birchbox's core values of sustainability, inclusivity, and supporting women. For example, there's a limited edition Brown Girl Jane box which is made by and for Black women's wellness.
Once you've tried a sample you really love, you can directly shop the full-sized product at Birchbox's shop. There's also a Grooming section with hair, face and body, and shaving essentials.
Runners-up:
- Kura, for clean skincare bundles customized to your needs (from $99/shipment)
- Prose, for personalized haircare like shampoo and hair masks (Price varies)
Read more about the best beauty subscription boxes we tested in 2021.
Dollar Shave Club/Instagram
There are a variety of ways you can get sharp and budget-friendly razor shipments from Dollar Shave Club: the first is the Starter Set, which costs just $5 ($20 every two months afterward) and acts as your trial run for the shave subscription. Or, you can take the site's quiz to receive a personalized recommendation of products based on your hair type and shaving needs.
Either way, this famous online shave club offers plenty of flexibility so that you'll always have a supply of razor blades and soothing post-shave essentials whenever you need it.
Runners-up:
Amir Ismael/Insider
Menlo Club, the styling service loved by NBA stars and our own senior style reporter, curates two to three pieces for you per month based on your style preferences and clothing sizes. Brands include Five Four, Grand AC, and New Republic, and the pieces are easy to incorporate into your existing wardrobe.
It's your best bet if you don't like or have time for clothing shopping because it offers high-quality clothing with plenty of variety. You can exchange sizes for free and you'll also get perks like exclusive discounts and early access to drops.
Runners-up:
- Stitch Fix, for clothing picks made by your own personal stylist ($20/shipment)
- Gentleman's Box, for stylish accessories like ties and socks ($35/shipment)
Read more about the best men's clothing subscriptions we tested in 2021.
Rent the Runway
With over 750 designers to choose from, Rent the Runway is the closet of your dreams for special occasions like weddings, workwear essentials, or simply to add excitement to your regular wardrobe. Its most popular plan lets you rent four pieces at a time, twice a month, for just $99 a month (for the first two months).
We've always found it easy to pick out, wear, and return dresses, tops, loungewear, and accessories from the service. It's all the fun and excitement of wearing designer clothing, without the exorbitant price tags or complicated dry cleaning.
Runners-up:
- Stitch Fix, for clothing picks made by your own personal stylist ($20/shipment)
- Nuuly, for affordable rentals from Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Free People ($88/shipment)
Rocksbox/Instagram
The right jewelry can bring an outfit to the next level, and with Rocksbox, the search for the perfect ring, earring, necklace, or bracelet is easy and very affordable. The $21 monthly membership gets you three pieces of jewelry from brands like Kendra Scott, Slate, 8 Other Reasons, and more, and the best part is you can swap the pieces as many times as you want during the month.
If you fall in love with a piece and decide to buy it, your membership fee turns into a credit towards your purchase, saving you even more money.
Runners-up:
MeUndies/Instagram
MeUndies makes incredibly soft and comfy underwear in a variety of cuts and a huge selection of fun, ever-rotating prints and patterns. Though new underwear every month may seem unnecessary, you might just change your tune once you try a pair from MeUndies. All its fabrics are breathable and stretchy and last through years of washes.
The part to look forward to the most? Collecting all the unique prints, which have included sharks, a "Space Jam" collaboration, and sun-tanning alligators in the past.
Runners-up:
- Underclub, for designer underwear in a range of styles (from $15/shipment)
- Savage by Fenty Xtra VIP, for access to monthly drops and exclusive deals from Rihanna's lingerie brand ($49.95/shipment.
Scentbird/Instagram
Fragrance is so personal to each individual person that it only makes sense to turn buying perfume or cologne into a sampling experience. Scentbird is home to over 500 fragrances from designer and indie brands, letting you discover your signature scent, add some variety to your current fragrance lineup, or simply try fragrances you wouldn't have access to otherwise. You'll be able to try perfume and cologne from Versace, D&G, Acqua di Parma and more.
Each 8 mL sampler bottle holds about 140 sprays — enough to use a couple times a day, every day of the month.
Runners-up:
- Scentbox, for an even larger variety of fragrances to choose from ($14.95/shipment)
- Skylar Scent Club, for limited-edition rollerballs made with clean ingredients ($20/shipment)
Lauren Savoie/Insider
Some people like food or shoes or jewelry, but for us, flowers are the ultimate monthly pick-me-up. BloomsyBox's monthly flower delivery service features one unique bouquet of 22-24 stems, and though you can't pick the exact flowers you want, the ones we've received from the service have always been gorgeous.
It's a lovely way to liven up your home with new and interesting arrangements and the flowers arrive fresh and undisturbed. Be on the lookout for cool, limited-time collaborations, like the current partnership with the New York Botanical Garden.
Runners-up:
- UrbanStems, for timeless arrangements and deliveries as frequent as every week ($55/shipment)
Read more about the best flower delivery services we tested in 2021.
Horti/Instagram
Horti is best for beginner plant enthusiasts who are interested in starting a plant collection but may not know where to start or how to learn the basics of plant care. Horti's subscription is strategically designed so you begin with hardy, low-maintenance plants but eventually graduate to more complex species as you develop your confidence and experience.
Each one always comes in a hand-painted pot (or you can opt for just the naked plants) and sometimes you'll also receive planting tools and accessories.
Runners-up:
- The Sill, for a robust variety of medium-sized, easy care plants ($60/shipment)
- The Plant Club, for unique, seasonal plants ($39/month)
Book of the Month Club/Instagram
As the OG national book club (since 1926!), Book of the Month has book curation down to a science, with its finger on the pulse of all the books that everyone seems to be reading and talking about lately. Every month you have the opportunity to choose from five hardcover books representing a variety of genres. Whether you're trying to start up a reading habit or already a voracious reader, the consistent shipments will keep you on track and make you a more well-read citizen.
It also offers a separate, formal Book Club service where you can organize your own book club with anyone in your circle.
Runners-up:
- Owl Crate, for signed young adult books and extra freebies ($32.99/shipment)
- Next Big Idea Club, for nonfiction books curated by big names in business and psychology ($21/month)
Unbox Boardom/Facebook
If you like to unplug and unwind with a board game, try the cleverly named Unbox Boardom subscription. Each month, you can either choose a new game yourself or let the gaming experts choose one for you. The membership has all kinds of unique games (strategy, family, trivia, and more) that you haven't heard of before and will keep you well occupied throughout the year.
Soon enough, you'll have a healthy stack of games to choose from any time you want to exercise your brain a bit. Past games have included Photosynthesis, a strategy game where you chase the sun to grow trees and Sabordage, a mayhem-filled pirate adventure.
Runners-up:
- Video Games Monthly, for classic and retro video games (from $34.99/shipment)
- Finders Seekers, for mystery and escape room games ($30/shipment)
The Crafter’s Box/Instagram
For people who love working with their hands, The Crafter's Box offers the convenient and affordable opportunity to try out different kinds of crafts and learn from real working crafters. In addition to the kit of materials, you'll receive access to a digital workshop and live chat with a community of fellow craft lovers.
The exciting lineup of craft options include fabric weaving, leather sandal making, paper making, soap making, and contemporary quilting. Since The Crafter's Box sends you all the materials you need, you can test drive various crafting types and figure out the one you love the most before you drop an entire month's paycheck at Michael's.
Runners-up:
- Kiwi Doodle Crate, for creative projects designed for teens ($22.95/shipment)
- Adults and Crafts, for small, approachable projects ($33/shipment)
Alicia Betz/Insider
Created by an engineer and mother of three, KiwiCo makes kits with toys and activities for kids of every age, from newborns to 14-year-olds. The science and art projects, designed by educators and scientists including but not limited to mechanical and industrial engineers, are age-appropriate and teach kids important skills like creative problem-solving, curiosity and tinkering, and hands-on craft.
The beauty of KiwiCo is it frees up time for parents: time spent researching activities to do, and time spent participating in those activities with their kids. Though parents can certainly join in on the fun, the kits work best when the child can play independently.
Runners-up:
- Lovevery, for developmental play kits for babies and toddlers (Price varies)
- Baketivity, for kid-friendly baking kits ($32.95/shipment)
Kate Barrington/Insider
Dogs and their owners love this popular subscription box, which sends toys, treats, and chews revolving around a creative theme each month. When you sign up, you'll share info about your dog, including its breed, birthday, and dietary restrictions, so that Barkbox can send a personalized collection of items.
The plush toys in particular are a pup favorite. Soft, squeaky, and durable, they're made for play. Barkbox also has the best themes and collaborations we've seen around, from movie character chews and toys to a winter cabin getaway bundle.
Runners-up:
- Pupbox from Petco, for treats, toys, and training resources specifically for puppies ($39/shipment)
- Kongbox, for highly rugged Kong products and especially playful dogs ($44.95/shipment)
Meowbox
Sometimes hair ties, lights, and cardboard boxes just won't cut it for your cat. That's where Meowbox comes in. Every box has five to six items, including high-quality toys and organic or grain-free treats that are always produced in the US or Canada. Plus, for every box sold, Meowbox donates a can of food to a cat shelter. It even provides a unique code you can use to track exactly where your donation has gone.
Like Barkbox, Meowbox offers adorable themed products, like a summer fishing bucket hat or a "skippy kitty rope" and kettlebell for cat-owner workouts. The a la carte shop also features paraphernalia for the owner so you don't feel left out of the fun.
Runners-up:
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