The GQ Best Stuff Box is a quarterly men's subscription from GQ magazine that's $59 per quarter (or $216 per year with an annual subscription) and ships for free. 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, women love it as well.
As of this review, GQ is currently offering a discount for new subscribers: Only $39 for your first box, if you buy quarterly. Or $176 for an annual subscription. That comes out to $44 a box. In addition, new subscribers get an additional item.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
GQ's classic box is always a surprise and welcome sight. Aside from the look of the box, my real first impression is always the weight of the box. That often lets me know if it's full of items or if there will be vouchers to send away for the big items. This was one pretty full, but still had one voucher. I always appreciate the brochure of contents that lets me know about what's inside and often includes a discount code for my next purchase.
Inside the GQ Best Stuff Summer 2024 Box
DIFF Billie Black Grey Polarized Sunglasses - Retail Value $114
The big item this quarter is a pair of Diff sunglasses. The style is called "Billie" and they are 100% UV protected with scratch-resistant nylon lenses. I think they look pretty classic. I dig the squared-off frame, which is made from hand-cut acetate. These are my third pair of GQ Summer Box sunglasses and my second pair from Diff. While these are some of the best sunglasses I've received in a subscription box, I'm going to stick to my usual sentiment: this would have been better as a voucher. People feel so differently about styles of sunglasses that subscribers should have been given at least a few options. However, again, I actually really like these and they are already in my car in hopes that Pennsylvania will see the sun again some time this year.
Case-Mate Travel Tech Organizer - Retail Value $40
My family has a lot of travel plans this year. We usually have a specific pocket in our suitcase for chargers, but this organizer is much sexier. The Travel Tech Organizer keeps your tech essentials safe and makes traveling with all your devices easier by giving each item a secure space. This lightly padded travel organizer protects your belongings from drops and bumps while the mesh inner pockets separate individual items. The external zipper pocket keeps your essentials, such as passports, wallets, and headphones, within reach.
Tactica M.100X Bundle Pack - Retail Value $55
This multitool from Tactica boasts 18 functions and 12 hex bits. The shaft stores two of the bits inside its composite frame, if you don't want to always carry around the separate bit clip. If you explore the tool you'll find things like imperial + metric wrenches, rulers, box cutter, and more. It's a good enough item, but there are a million different multi-tools. As is, this one is just – and this is my first time writing this - "mid." The material is very sturdy, there are a lot of bell and whistles, and it looks cool. However, it's inconvenient that there are two parts. I found it clunky to use, because the odd shape makes it hard to twist and keep the bit in the screw. It's really well made, but overall I'm underwhelmed. Especially for the price tag.
WILL PERFORM By Serena Williams Lidocaine Pain Relief Spray - Retail Value $13
Subscribers will receive either a cooling pain relief roll-on OR a pain relief spray from WILL PERFORM. I received the latter. The fast-acting pain relief spray is crafted to halt pain with a combination of Lidocaine and botanicals. The quick-drying spray not only eases aches and soothes muscles but won’t leave you smelling like a medicine cabinet. Full disclosure, I am the least active person on the planet. I can't speak to how it works on aches and pains from physical activity. But I can tell you it makes my neck pain feel a little better, drys quickly, and has little to no smell. Maybe an athletic user can comment with a personal account.
BEVEL Clear Shave Gel - Retail Value $10
Made to help reduce the chances of nicks, cuts, and irritation while shaving, this non-foaming, clear shave gel from Bevel provides comfort and protection during your routine. Made with aloe vera and cucumber extract, it smells absolutely wonderful. I would apply it to my face even when I'm not shaving. It's as soothing as it is useful. I don't say this often, but I may be interest in buying this product in the future.
WATERDROP Microlyte Rapid Hydration Cubes - Retail Value $14
These tiny cubes from WATERDROP provide you with five electrolytes, nine vitamins, and zinc that can be enjoyed anywhere, quickly, and all in a little package. There are several flavors. This one is blueberry. There are no calories, no sugar, no caffeine. Normally I don't get too excited about electrolyte drink mixes, but I dig these little cubes and their minimal packaging. Seems like a good way to get a great drink without all the plastic waste.
FIGHTCAMP Punch Trackers, Quick Wraps, and 45-Day Free Trial (Bonus Offer) - Estimated Value $158
For a bonus offer, Fightcamp is offering a starter pack kit for anyone interesting in throwing a punch. The kit includes punch trackers, quick wraps, and a 45-day free membership to on-demand workouts. Use the punch trackers to track your metics in real time. Compete with friends, try to out-do your own score, and discover new ways to work out. The quick wraps go on quickly and provide some gel padding to soften the blow. Each wrap has a small pocket for the punch trackers. In addition to the trackers and wraps, subscribers will be given a 45-day free trial membership to Fightcamp. There are 1,000s of on-demand workouts available with more added weekly and workouts led by real fights. One account can have unlimited profiles. So get your partner or family involved. I thought this kit was a wonderful inclusion for subscribers. It's different, interesting, and promotes exercise.
I do have one small gripe: to get the items, you have to sign up for the free trial membership, which requires credit card info. I understand that's how membership works and we can cancel anytime, but I don't like that subscribers only get the trackers and wraps if they sign up. To be fair, this kit is a bonus offer. It's not included in the total value of the box. So subscribers are not missing out on the value, if they don't want to sign up. However, I would have liked to see GQ/Fightcamp include the items in the box, offered the membership trial in addition, and given subscribers the option.
Additional Offers
This quarter's box included an additional coupon for a deal from Factor_, Naked Wines, and All Citizens. I think this is a great way to spread the word, and they will be perfect for some subscribers. However, I don't count them toward the value of the box.
Verdict
Ultimately, this installment of GQ Best Stuff Box was a win. It's not the best box, but I got enough out of it to be happy. I really do like the sunglasses, but they're such a personal style choice that I wonder how other subscribers will feel about the choice being made for them. The travel organizer was a great item to include in this box. I'm a sucker for any useful item GQ includes, especially one that helps me organize. I thought the punch trackers and wraps were a really cool inclusion. It's proof that there are all kinds of new ideas to bring to subscribers. But please don't require credit card info to get an item. The pain relief spray, shave gel, and hydration cubes were all great, interesting products. And finally the multitool was OK, but it was the price tag that made me expect more from it. Overall, a decent installment. If I could change something, I'd take out the multitool and add something a little more summer-y.
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Let's Talk About Value
By my calculations, this box clocks in at around $246. That is without the punch trackers and wraps, which GQ doesn't include in the overall value. (For the record, the bonus item would put the value at a whopping $404, which is nuts.) That's nearly five times the cost for GQ Best Stuff Box. That's on par for this subscription, but I think it's worth pointing out that nearly half the value are the sunglasses at $114.
For $59 for this box, here's approximately what you're paying for each item:
- Sunglasses ($114): $27
- Organizer ($40): $9.48
- Multitool ($55): $13.06
- Relief Spray ($13): $3.08
- Shave Gel ($10): $2.37
- Hydration Cubes ($14): $3.32
To Wrap Up
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes. As of this post, the box is still available.
Would you grab the "Summer 2024" GQ Best Stuff Box for a guy in your life... or yourself?
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