With the current world climate, we could all be forgiven for not wanting to traipse around the shops rummaging through clothing or grooming products which a bunch of other people have already rummaged through. Plus, even though we’ve probably done enough internet shopping for the next few generations, we're still not bored with getting new stuff – which is where the subscription box comes into its own.
When you sign up to a subscription box, you put forward some money together with a little bit of trust, and companies will curate monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly gift sets which are sent straight to your door. They’re the perfect mood-booster, and best of all, from fancy foods to clothing or retro gaming, there is a company and box specific to every guy's interests.
Quick List - Top Subscription Boxes for Men
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Now to the fun part, the shopping. Here we'll be considering the different styles of subscription boxes available, as well as how much you can influence what you receive and how much it's all going to cost you.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the different styles available. Of course, there are subscription boxes for everything, so, unfortunately, we can’t talk about them all here. Instead, we’ll be focusing on some of the more popular ones. However, don’t be afraid to stray from the regular path if your interests are a little more niche.
Food and drink are certainly the most popular of all subscription boxes, and as a result, the options are endless. From niche Japanese snacks to healthy recipe kits, it's just a case of looking for the type of food you like or would like to eat.
Most of the time, after giving the company an indication of what you’d like, you'll receive ingredients and a recipe book. From there, it’s all over to you. These are great for those that love exploring different cuisines but don’t quite know where to get started, or simply those who love to eat delicious and interesting food.
As you can imagine, you won’t be expected to do any cooking or preparation if you choose a snack subscription, as they will be pre-packaged.
What’s not to love about sprucing up your home with gifts from family, friends, or even yourself? The contents of home subscription boxes can include plants, vases, candles or other general homeware pieces. They usually have a touch of luxury about them and are often from brands other than those found on the high street.
Of course, you’ll want to check if there are preference options (more on this later) when it comes to this style of subscription. No-one wants to be paying £30 a month to keep receiving purple cushion covers for their green sofa, unless you're planning on selling them off, that is!
There is a broad scope when it comes to entertainment subscriptions, as they can range from retro cassettes to modern gadgets and pretty much everything in between. Anyone for a game of Super Smash Bros on the SNES?
This category of boxes are brilliant for anyone who likes to unwind and indulge in a little escapism. Again, you’ll want to check to see that you can arrange some preferences, as you’ll want to make sure the genre, age-range and other factors are suitable for whoever will be using it.
For some reason, there’s nothing quite like a new moisturiser, shaving kit or some decadent aftershave to make you feel special. These sorts of products help breed confidence, which in turn, is going to put a spring in your step. However, they can be a minefield, even for those in the know.
This makes subscription boxes the perfect place to start discovering new self-care products. This way, you can step away from the classic Lynx Africa set your mum has been buying you every Christmas for the past 15 years.
Depending on the company, there are different directions you can go, such as learning how to cut-throat shave (a brave move!), finding new serums for tricky skin, or testing different hair products. It’s all a case of identifying what you sort of products you would like to get, and then trusting the curator to do their job.
As we’ve touched on here and there in the article, you might want to check that you can give the company some indicator as to what your preferences are in terms of what you receive, without them telling you exactly what's inside, of course!
This feature is super important if you have specific dietary requirements, religious practices that need to be adhered to, or you simply don’t want to waste your money. After all, what would be the point in receiving a bunch of retro games for a console that you don’t own?
As you’re signing up, some companies will ask you questions about what you would like to receive so they can gauge what would be best for you. However, many also won't. This could be fun if you like the sense of mystery, but it might not be for everyone. We've noted how in-depth the preference choices are for all of our recommendations.
Finally, you’ll want to consider the price. This will vary depending on what type of products you subscribe to and the length of your commitment.
Companies offer different tariffs depending on how long you sign up, so if you choose only a single month, then you’ll likely pay a higher rate than those who sign up for a whole year straight off the bat. The most common options are bi-monthly, monthly, quarterly or annually.
If possible, it’s always worth looking out for companies that give you a trial, a discounted rate for the first month, or any other money-saving bonuses. These tend to be for first-time buyers and will help you get a sense of whether you think the company’s products are going to be the right fit for you.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Rise Coffee Monthly Subscription Box | ![]() | Never Lose Your Caffine-Induced Buzz Again | |
2 | The Retro Store Vinyl Subscription | ![]() | The Perfect Subscription for the Audiophiles | |
3 | Sniph Scent Subscription | ![]() | You Know It Makes Scents | |
4 | Post Book'd Book Subscription | ![]() | A Countrywide Book Club Focusing on Writers From the BAME Communities | |
5 | Blurt it Out Buddy A Kind Box for Unkind Days | ![]() | Look After Your Mental Health or Someone You Love With a Pick-Me-Up Package | |
6 | Flaming Licks Hot Sauce Subscription Box | ![]() | Take a Trip to Hot Sauce Heaven | |
7 | Bloom Box Plant Subscription Box | ![]() | Ideal for Green-Fingered Plant Dads | |
8 | Gadget Discovery Club Gadget Kits | ![]() | Sit Tight and Wait for a Digital Delight | |
9 | The London Sock Exchange The Quarterly Subscription | ![]() | Why Wait 'Til Christmas for New Socks? | |
10 | Restaurant Kits Food Kit | ![]() | Eat From Some of the Country's Favourite Restaurants Without Ever Getting Dressed |
Coffee just continues to grow in popularity and it's become a really serious business. So, for those who want to stay on top of the game and never lose that caffeine-induced buzz, which let's face it, is the majority of people, we'd like to introduce you to Rise Coffee.
These guys will send you two 220-250 g bags of specialised coffee each month. Not only that, but you'll get content that includes stories of their partners, recipe books and even delicious treats. If you're a hardcore coffee fanatic and 250 g seems too meagre, they do bi-monthly options too.
Looking for a monthly dose of nostalgia? The Retro Store has you covered. Whether you're wanting to give The Cure's Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me another spin or you're wondering what all the fuss is about The Stooges, The Retro Store's vinyl subscription is a guaranteed winner for those who love music.
You'll simply pick your favourite genres and how long you want to sign up for, and from there, all you need to do is get the speakers ready – each month, three new records will turn up ready to discover. If music doesn't tickle your fancy or you want more, The Retro also subscriptions for comics, retro games and cassettes.
Aftershave and perfumes can be expensive, and they're somewhat of a risky buy considering you get one squirt from the bottle before you have to take the plunge. Thankfully, these worries are a thing of the past with Sniph.
All you have to do is choose the kind of collection you'd like to explore, which can be changed at any time, and then let the curators do their thing. They handpick scents from glorious perfume houses all over the world, and for £14, you'll recieve a new 8 ml bottle each month. You can then go on to purchase full sizes from the website if you wish.
Post Book'd is another fantastic subscription that was born in 2020 as a response to the health pandemic. It is essentially a countrywide book club that focuses on putting the spotlight on writers from BAME communities, whether they're up and comers or well-established favourites.
The real kicker though is that 15% of each subscription is used by the company to donate books to those struggling with mental health conditions or currently serving time in HMP. Another factor we loved is that at the end of the month you can meet up, virtually, and discuss the texts you have read, helping create a sense of community.
Quite possibly one of the sweetest ideas in our whole ranking, this subscription box is all about making yourself, or whoever you're sending it to, feel better. After all, we all have bad days. In the box, you'll receive five gifts, such as some nice socks or possibly a skincare product, all designed to give the user a little pick me up.
This subscription is more than just getting yourself or a pal a few gifts though, as the company also try to help de-stigmatise mental health and support those who live with it. If that isn't money well spent, then we don't know what is.
Fan of hot food, hot sauces and generally all things spicy? Welcome to the UK's first hot sauce club. These guys have been ruling the roost in the subscription game since 2015, growing an assured fan base with each buyer developing into certified hot sauce aficionados.
In the box, you'll get a selection of three sauces, chilli jams, chilli chutneys, pickles or chilli-inspired marinades. Alongside this, you'll get a spicy snack and a recipe card. There's also a vegan option available for our cruelty-free brothers, and a 10% discount for your first sign-up.
If you or the person you're buying for is green-fingered or loves sprucing up the house, nothing does the latter like a few well-positioned plants. Nevertheless, finding the 'right' plants – and then keeping them alive – can almost be as difficult as raising and caring for a pet!
With the help of Bloom Box, things become a little more straightforward. These guys will send you green delights which arrive in pristine health and come with a pot or basket and a complete, easy-to-follow guide on how to keep them alive and thriving. You can also shop on the site for more if you get the plant bug.
The Gadget Discovery subscription is a little different to your average. Usually, companies will send you multiple objects – that way if you don't like one part of it you can hopefully enjoy the others. Not with these guys. They're so sure you're going to like what you receive that you only get one item, but, as they say in their own words, it's 'EPIC!'.
The items can wildly vary, but to give you an idea, some of the companies they've worked alongside include Google Home, Samsung and Oral-B. But with raving reviews from popular media outlets like GQ and Digital Spy, while you might not know what you're going to get, you'll know it's going to be good.
Instead of waiting for Christmas or a birthday, why not treat yourself or the bloke in your life to a steady re-up of exclusively-designed socks every quarter? The London Sock Exchange (great name), will deliver three classy, unique and well-made feet gloves to your door, and they'll even take your old grubby ones off you to recycle for free.
Not only will you get the socks, but you'll also get a look book advising how and what to wear with them. If the 12-month subscription seems like it'll be too many socks for you, there are also 6-month and one-off options.
Okay, this isn't strictly a subscription box as you order one at a time. However, you could do so once a month and make it feel like it! This kit contains ingredients to prepare delicious meals from venison burgers to ramen and tacos. Plus, it's for a great cause, so there was no way we weren't going to mention it.
You see, Restaurant Kits was created in response to the global pandemic and the lockdown of the hospitality industry. Pioneered by founders Mac & Wild, they got their boxes up to speed quick-sharp, then turned their attention to helping other businesses deliver magic to your door. And boy, do they, as it's like they whipped up ingredients from Merlin's very own pantry.
The most common trait between boxes is that they are generally packed beautifully with custom packaging and a thoughtfully-arranged presentation, which in turn makes the receiver feel like they’re getting a real treat.
Another appealing factor is that they aid in discovery. This way of shopping is great for those interested in items from consumer markets which have a wide amount of options, such as grooming or craft ales. These curated boxes will help you navigate through confusing and often saturated markets, and hopefully, find some new favourites!
Shunning a slog around the shops for an online order is only becoming more popular as the years roll on, but finding what you need can be tricky without seeing the item in person. Fortunately, helping you choose the right products is our forte! Here are some more recommendations for guys available for stress-free home delivery.
So there it is, our comprehensive guide to finding the right subscription box for men. Whether you're hoping to learn or try something new or you're just trying to look after yourself a little better, we hope you've found our buying guide and recommendations useful. Here's to 12 Christmases a year – something you definitely deserve!
Author: Lewis Clark
No. 1: Rise Coffee|Monthly Subscription Box
No. 2: The Retro Store|Vinyl Subscription
No. 3: Sniph |Scent Subscription
No. 4: Post Book'd|Book Subscription
No. 5: Blurt it Out Buddy |A Kind Box for Unkind Days
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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