The best subscription boxes of 2021, according to our readers
Whether you’re looking for a fashion upgrade, the latest fitness gear, your next beach read or an easy dinner solution, there’s probably a subscription box suited perfectly to your needs. Some are a special splurge, others are little life savers and all of them offer the convenience of showing up at your doorstep each month or quarter.
We asked our readers to vote for their favorites, and the results are in.
Click on each category below to see the winners:
Best Beauty Subscription Box: Kinder Beauty Box
Winning beauty box ships out vegan skincare — Photo courtesy of Kinder Beauty Box
Kinder Beauty Boxes include more than $85-worth of vegan, cruelty-free and clean skincare, makeup, hair care and body products. Everything is shipped in eco-friendly packaging, so you can feel good about discovering your new beauty favorites.
Vote: Best Beauty Subscription Box »
Best Book Subscription Box: Unplugged Book Box
A “bookish, self-care experience” — Photo courtesy of Unplugged Book Box
Unplugged calls itself a “bookish, self-care experience” that includes one new release book, three to five self-care items curated from small businesses and one or two novelty products, like bookmarks or art prints, designed by Unplugged.
Vote: Best Book Subscription Box »
Best Clothing Subscription Box: Short Story
Winning box sends styles for those 5’4″ and under — Photo courtesy of Short Story
Short Story offers personal styling for petite fashionistas 5’4” or under. Each box comes with five pieces curated based on your budget and style profile. Try them on and keep what you like.
Vote: Best Clothing Subscription Box »
Best Food Subscription Box: The Rancho Gordo Bean Club
Feast on heirloom beans and grains with this subscription — Photo courtesy of Rancho Gordo
The immensely popular Rancho Gordo Bean Club sends out quarterly shipments featuring six bags of heirloom beans and a grain. Subscribers get to sample legumes with unique flavors and textures that might otherwise be difficult to find.
Vote: Best Food Subscription Box »
Best Health & Wellness Subscription Box: RunLocker
Upgrade your running routine — Photo courtesy of RunLocker
This box created by runners for runners features products and advice to help athletes of all levels achieve their goals. Boxes contain apparel, nutritional items, skin care products and the latest running gear from top brands.
Vote: Best Health & Wellness Subscription Box »
Best Meal Delivery Service: HelloFresh
This is the second win for HelloFresh — Photo courtesy of HelloFresh
HelloFresh boxes come with easy to follow recipes and ingredients sourced directly from farms and producers, all packed in meal kits that slide right into the fridge. This company wins with variety — a combination of 20-minute meals, global eats, one-pot wonders, kid-approved meals and gourmet options.
Vote: Best Meal Delivery Service »
Best Subscription Box for Kids: Raddish
This kit gets your kids inspired in the kitchen — Photo courtesy of Raddish
Raddish is a monthly cooking club for kids. Each kit has a seasonal, global or holiday theme and comes with three recipes, a kitchen tool designed for young chefs, a hands-on craft or experiment, collectables, culinary skills lessons and a complete grocery list. The April kit, Spring Picnic, has recipes for pimiento cheese dip, Southern biscuit sandwiches and strawberry cupcakes.
Vote: Best Subscription Box for Kids »
Best Subscription Box for Travelers: Treeline Thyme
Fuel your wanderlust with this reader favorite — Photo courtesy of Treeline Thyme
This quarterly box features full-sized, locally-made products selected with travel lovers in mind. It’s an excellent way to support local businesses while learning more about destinations and the makers that live there.
Vote: Best Subscription Box for Travelers »
Congratulations to all these winning subscription boxes and delivery services.