The GQ Best Stuff Box is a quarterly men's subscription from GQ magazine that's $50 a box with free shipping. The box features $200 worth of products the editors have curated after testing and finding them to be the best in their class. Although this subscription is geared towards men, most women we know tend to love it for themselves.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About GQ Best Stuff Box
The Subscription Box: GQ Best Stuff Box
The Cost: $50/quarter + free shipping. Save with an annual subscription.
The Products: “The GQ BEST STUFF BOX is a quarterly subscription box featuring the things we love—rigorously tested and loved by GQ editors. It includes our favorite electronics, grooming products, and accessories—every box valued at over $200 each”
Ships to: The US (including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico)
GQ Best Stuff Box Fall 2020 Review
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The GQ Best Stuff box always comes with a fold-out info sheet that lists the included items and a little bit about each. It also tells you where you can purchase the item on the internet, along with the retail price. (Note: Sometimes what is included in the box is only a sample. The price is for a full-size item. I've done a little math to estimate the cost of what is actually in the box.)
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Brickell's Best Seller Sample Kit - Retail Value $25.00
Usually, GQ Best Stuff Boxes come with a voucher so that subscribers can order their preferred size of the season's offering (e.g. swim trucks, shoes, shirts). This quarter is different. There is a bonus offer for an 8-piece sample kit from Brickell, which has a face scrub featured below. When I ordered mine I was bummed to find this is not a special offer for subscribers, despite a unique GQ link. It's free (not including taxes and shipping) for anyone visiting the Brickell website. Although it is limited to one per household. I just received my kit in the mail, which you can check out below.
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I received my kit rather quickly. Just as advertised, it includes eight samples of products that Brickell offers. It includes shampoo, body wash, charcoal face wash, gel face wash, face moisturizer, anti-aging cream, eye cream, and a face scrub, which is featured in full-size in this GQ box (see below). Each sample is just enough to test it out to see if it's something you'd like to purchase in its full size. One small complaint, the freshness seals were all difficult to open. I had to pierce all of them with scissors to rip them open. Luckily, I found this out before I hopped in the shower. So far I've tried out the shampoo, body wash, charcoal face wash, and eye cream. The shampoo had a great minty smell and didn't leave my hair flat like my current shampoo. The body wash was pretty standard and smelled like the shampoo, but muted. The face wash left my face feeling great and smooth. Eye cream is something I've never used before this review. While it makes the skin under my eyes nice and soft, I don't think it will be something I add to my bare-bones routine. My favorite is still the face scrub, which I reviewed below. The kit also comes with a coupon code for 10% of your next Brickell purchase.
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Breda "Virgil" Watch - Retail Value $115
This season's big ticket item is a watch from Breda. The variant of this square-faced timepiece is a GQ exclusive. This timeless version is gold on gold with a black band. Breda's website offers several other color combinations on its website for this style watch, which they call "Virgil." The black and gold combo is well suited for most formal attire. While I appreciate the exclusivity of the item, I would have preferred a choice here, since there are many styles to consider. The GQ Best Stuff Box usually includes a voucher for personalizing one of its items, which they opted out of this quarter. I think it would have been neat to let subscribers choose different kinds of watches (formal, active, outdoors) or a least a choice between the color combinations of the "Virgil" watches. Having said that, this timepiece is certainly classic and will go with just about anything. It may not be my everyday wear, but I will definitely be keeping it with my formal attire. The watch also comes with warranty information as well as a 30% off coupon for your next purchase from Breda.
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Ezra Arthur No. 2 Wallet - Retail Value $65
My favorite of this season's box. I was just telling myself that after 20 years it is time to get a new wallet. This stripped down, beautifully bare wallet challenges you to really think about what you need to carry with you. It's 100% leather with no linings, rubber, or glue. Handcrafted right here in the U.S.A, it measures 3.7” x 2.5” x .1” and comes in a variety of colors. At first, I thought the stitching across the bottom should have included the outside flap as well, but as I have been using it the past few days I feel entirely confident in storing my most used card there. In fact, I would say it's even more secure than the main pouch in terms of the chances of something slipping out. Going from a traditional tri-fold to this minimal wallet is a big step for me, but so far I am liking it.
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Siren Song Studiolo Tray - Listed Value $14
This trippy tray is great for a nightstand or shelf where you throw your keys and change or, since it's dishwasher-safe, maybe use it to serve up a small snack. It is 6.5" x 4.5" which the site calls its small size. However, it's big enough to hold my new wallet and watch. Upon searching for the tray, I could not find it for purchase alone. It apparently only comes in a set of three different sizes for $55.
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Pair of Thieves Les Lignes Crew Socks - Listed Value $10 (available in a variety of colorways at varying price points)
Anyone else get excited about a pair of socks? These moisture-wicking crew socks are from Pair of Thieves. The socks are formal fit, but feel a little thicker. They come in a few different colors with lines from the toe up the shin. Value ranges from $6.99 to $14, depending on what color you want. The pair I received is blue with gold lines and is called "Aegean." There is also a women's version.
I feel as though I should start this part of the review by mentioning I am not huge on personal-care products. I am very much the 5-minute-or-less shower kind of guy. I appreciate a good, hot shower as much as the next person, but 20-minute showers (cough, my wife, cough) don't make sense to me. However, for the sake of the review, I'll be taking a nice, long shower to test all the following products. BRB.
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Brickell Renewing Face Scrub, 4 oz. - Retail Value $22
As mentioned above, Brickell's renewing face scrub is featured in addition to its sample kit. This was my favorite of the personal-care items. The exfoliating grit is just right. Some face washes I've tried feel oily and it's just another thing to wash off your face, but this feels like it's immediately working. The product also has a menthol scent, which you can feel on your face. This is a product I could see myself using moving forward.
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Marvis Whitening Mint Toothpaste, 0.5 fl oz. - Estimated Value $1.78 (Buy a full-size 3.8 oz. for $13.50)
Imported from Florence, Italy, this toothpaste is sure to put a smile on your face. I enjoyed the minty taste as much as I did the old-timey design and the travel-size silver tube. Note: For those of you who prefer toothpaste without SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) for sensitivity reasons, Marvis does have it listed among its ingredients.
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Sisleÿum for Men Anti-Age Global Revitalizer, 0.13 oz - Estimated Value $21.42 (Buy a full-size 1.7 oz. for $280)
I'm not embarrassed to tell you I had no idea how, where, or when to use this. Plus there is so little of it, I thought I was wasting it. So I just dabbed some under my eyes, since my kids have been keeping me up at night and it shows. While products like this are a little lost on me, I understand that there are those who appreciate taking care of their skin and looking younger. This will likely entice those people.
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Harry's Redwood Body Wash, 16 oz. - Retail Value $7.00
I've used Harry's products before and always found them top-notch. As I stated earlier, I don't take long showers. So a good body wash is a staple for me and this fits the bill. It just is what it is and smells good doing it. Lather up, rinse, and go. It has a great smell, which is very much a "guy scent." So I don't think I have to worry about my wife using it.
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Lumin After-Hours Recover Oil, 0.27 oz. - Listed Value $19.00
This oil says to leave on overnight or on a long flight. Since I won't be taking a flight any time soon, I guess I'll try it while I sleep. The product says it's for dry or damaged skin. My wife and I both tried it out and liked it. She said she really enjoyed the roll-on applicator, which I concur with. It comes with a coupon code for 25% off your next Lumin purchase.
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Bravo Sierra Hair & Body Solid Cleanser, 7 oz. - Retail Value $9.50
I normally don't wash my hair with bar soap, but since it was suggested I went for it and I have to say my hair feels pretty good. I like that it's a large, unscented bar and I can just lather up and go. I did see the site offers a scented version. I'm personally thankful for the unscented. The oversized bar feels like you get your money's worth.
Verdict: This season's GQ Best Stuff Box included a lot and balanced the personal items with care products. For skincare aficionados, this is another great box. Plus the items you get add a maturity to things you will use every day. My personal faves were the wallet and face cream. I did like the watch, but, as I mentioned, being able to choose a color scheme that fits my personality would have been a great option. If I had one other little nitpick, it would be that the body wash and solid cleanser essentially do the same thing. I like both products a lot, but feel like there could have been a different item, like deodorant or moisturizer. Please do not let my lack of expertise in self-care products dissuade you from trying them. Even for a guy like me, I was impressed by how much I liked them. GQ once again put together a solid effort and consistently one of the best subscription boxes out there. This box has a retail value of approximately $284 which is a fantastic value for a $50 subscription.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, the Fall 2020 box is available now and begins shipping in August.
Value Breakdown: For $50 for this box, here's what you're paying for each item:
- Watch: $20.24
- Wallet: $11.44
- Valet Tray: $2.46
- Socks: $1.76
- Face Scrub: $3.87
- Toothpaste: $0.31
- Revitalizer: $3.77
- Body Wash: $1.23
- Recovery Oil: $3.34
- Solid Cleanser: $1.67
Check out all of our GQ Best Stuff Box Reviews and check out some of our other favorite men's subscription boxes.
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Would you grab the Fall 2020 GQ Best Stuff Box for a guy in your life... or yourself?
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