Best Subscription Boxes: Our Award Winners
Everyone always asks us "what are the BEST subscription boxes?" We turned the question over to the only people who know more about monthly subscription boxes than we do—our readers!
Each year, we host a vote for which of YOUR favorite box brands deserve more recognition. Whether you're looking for a subscription to help make your life easier and keep you up with current trends, or looking for practical gift ideas, we've got dozens of subscription boxes to explore.
Check out the lists of winners below to find out which boxes our readers recommend most. Want more best-ofs? Read our MSA Editors’ picks for categories like coffee, chocolate, and geek boxes!
Subscription Boxes for Every Person
For Women: FabFitFun
FabFitFun ($49.99) is a quarterly lifestyle box that includes top trendy picks for the season– everything from beauty products, skincare, fun accessories, and new wellness products with a total retail value of at least $200. Members also get great discounts on add-on products through their Edit Sale.
“The customization and add-on options put this one over the top! Not to mention the amazing variety of products. No more shoeboxes full of red lippies and liquid eyeliner! I’m lookin’ at you, Ipsy!” – Kim W
For Men: Dollar Shave Club
Dollar Shave Club (starting at $5) is a well-known razor subscription service that features high-quality products at affordable prices. In addition to razors, you can stock up on toothpaste, shampoo, and more to keep your bathroom fully stocked on a regular basis. Choose the frequency of your deliveries, the precise items you want to get, and cancel at any time.
“My husband loves his shaving subscription & it’s not overly complicated for him.” – Gina
For Teens: OwlCrate
OwlCrate ($29.99) sends literature-loving teens a new release, page-turning YA novel each month, plus 3 to 5 unique book-related goodies.
“A themed box of fun stuff that uses the senses and isn’t too babyish.” – Sunnymay
For Kids: KiwiCo
KiwiCo ($19.99) provides hands-on fun activity crates for kids of all ages, from 0 to 16+. Each age range is a different experience customized to your child's interests and capabilities to make every month a fun and educational experience.
“The projects they come up with are just astonishing. They put incredible thought into carrying out a theme in a really age appropriate way. My kids have discovered how tension works, circuits and gears. The projects are fun to make and turn out as described.” – Kristin
Clothing & Stylist Subscriptions
Best Overall Personal Stylist Service: Stitch Fix
StitchFix ($20 styling fee) is a personal styling service with options for women, men, and kids. Take an in-depth survey on size, style, and pricing, and your stylist will hand-pick 5 items just for you. Keep what you love and return what you don't.
“This is the only fashion box I’ve subscribed to. I like the pairings and offerings and how they’ve started adding on necessities for a decent price.” – Rowan
Women's Clothing: Rachel Zoe Box of Style
Rachel Zoe Box of Style ($99.99) features $400 worth of Zoe and her team's favorite fashion, beauty and lifestyle items for each season. You can expect gorgeous jewelry and accessories, cosmetics, beauty products, and other luxurious items.
“Style is on trend and well put together for every box.” – Liabc
Men's Clothing: Gentleman's Box
Gentleman’s Box ($29) will help get your classic, professional wardrobe up to speed. Boxes typically include stylish accessories like ties, socks, and pocket squares, as well as grooming product samples.
“Great value for young men getting started in business attire.” – Kathy S
Kids Clothing: kidpik
Kidpik is a clothing box just for girls sizes 4-16. Each box contains 7 high-quality fashion choices of apparel, shoes, and accessories designed to complete beautiful multiple mix and match outfits. Pay only for what you keep, with no styling fee and free shipping and returns.
“Love everything I get in my daughters Kidpik box – great way to get stylish clothes and shoes for kids!” – slchambers13
Beauty Boxes
Best Overall Beauty Box: Ipsy
Ipsy ($10) is one the most popular boxes we review! Readers love the variety (high-end and drugstore products, makeup and skincare, beauty tools and beauty products) and personalization they get from this super affordable subscription.
“The variety of brands and products ipsy provides can’t be beat. They really try to send products their customers like.” – Jamie G
Best Skincare Products: Allure Beauty Box
Allure Beauty Box ($15) is a monthly box from the editors of Allure Magazine, featuring a mix of deluxe and full-size samples from mostly high-end beauty brands. Recent boxes have included some of the hottest names in the skincare game—Sunday Riley, Caudalié, Drunk Elephant, La Mer, Glow Recipe, and more!
“For the latter half of 2018, Allure truly stepped up their game to deliver quality skincare items for you to sample. I’ve since made some amazing discoveries that I made full size purchases of” – JustJese
Best for Makeup: Boxycharm
Boxycharm ($21) will send you 4-5 full-size beauty products every month, curated from a mix of established and indie brands– and every box has a total retail value of over $100.
“Boxycharm is every makeup junkie’s holy grail” – GintareT
Boxes for All Budgets
Under $15: Birchbox
Birchbox ($15) was one of the first beauty subscription boxes, and it continues to be one of our readers’ faves! Get samples of top skin, hair, and makeup products, each month—it’s up to you whether you’d prefer to be surprised by what they pick for you or to see everything you’re getting before the box ships.
“It’s -hands down- my favorite! Amazing customer service and deals. My favorite hair brands, I’ve find them here! LOVE IT!” – slchambers13
Over $50: POPSUGAR Must Have Box
POPSUGAR Must-Have Box ($75) is a quarterly assortment of style, wellness, and beauty essentials curated by the editors of POPSUGAR.com. With a retail value of over $250 per box, it’s like getting a gift from your most trend-savvy friend every season.
“I can always find something I like in the quarterly boxes. It is such a good mix of really nice products I didn’t know I might like/need/want.” – Jody
Food & Drink Subscriptions
Best Snack Box: Graze
Graze ($13.99) offers over 100 different healthy snacks in super-handy single-serve packages. It’s a fantastic option for families looking to pack lunches or stock up on wholesome treats that are great on the go and customized to your preferences.
“We have been getting Graze for many years and love the small packs and how easy they are to carry out of the house” – M Williams
Best Weekly Meal Kit: Hello Fresh
Hello Fresh ($8.74-$9.99 per serving) serves up classic, crowd-pleasing flavors, plus a few fun twists. We love that their ingredients come bundled by recipe, so that you can easily take them from the fridge to the countertop and get started.
“First (and only) box subscription I use. It is great!” – Sherry
Best Wine: Winc
Winc (Starting at $13/bottle) offers members monthly recommended wines based on their preferences and ratings for past boxes. Use their suggestions or pick anything you want from their catalog, and easily skip months online if needed.
“Fast shipping is the best and many wines to choose from.” – Mendez
Boxes For All Interests
Best Ethical Choice: CAUSEBOX
CAUSEBOX ($54.95) curates at least $150 worth of products each quarter sourced from socially-conscious companies. This lifestyle box includes a broad variety of broads like cosmetics, home decor items, gifts, accessories, jewelry, and other self-care treats.
“I love how this box contributes to the betterment of the world while spoiling me rotten with high quality items.” – Lauralee M
For Avid Readers: BOTM
Book of the Month ($14.99) offers a curated monthly selection of 5 new hardcover books for subscribers to choose from. Pick which title you’d like to receive on the first of the month, or let Book of the Month choose for you.
“It is always so hard to choose between the 5 selections – every month. They do a great job curating.” – Kristin
For Adults-Only: Heart & Honey
Heart & Honey ($69.99) is an approachable lifestyle box with a sexual health and wellness focus, filled with a variety of items from toys to beauty and gifts.
“Classy and beautifully curated.” – Shannon S
For Dog Owners: BarkBox
BarkBox ($29) has unique themes each month, and comes filled with quirky toys, treats, and grooming products picked for your dog based on their size.
“Customer service was on point, they made it so personable for my pupper.” – Scarey
For Cat Lovers: Cat Lady Box
Cat Lady Box ($39.99) hand picks cat-themed gifts for their subscribers each month. Upgrade to Crazy Cat Lady Box to get surprises for your feline friends, too.
“This is a splurge at $40 a month but so worth it!” – Esoteric Tartan
Fandom & Pop Culture: Loot Crate
Loot Crate ($19.99) delivers the perfect box for the geek in your life who loves all things sci-fi, fantasy, and fandom. Collectibles and apparel are typically exclusive and have a $45+ retail value.
“I gifted this to my husband, and he loves this! Every month he gets a cool shirt, funky socks, and comical underwear.” – Cocoa Gaijin 412
Community Picks
Best for New Products
Looking to stay ahead of top trends and discover new beauty and lifestyle products before anyone else? Our readers recommend these 17 boxes for their top notch product curation.
Best for Newbies
New to the world of subscription boxes? These brands are a safe bet for those starting out, and promise a reliable value, trustworthy customer service, and excellent overall experience.
Best Loyalty Programs
Think outside the box! These subscription boxes have amazing benefits beyond their regular deliveries to your mailbox, in the form of rewards, exclusive sale offers, and more.