The Best Subscription Boxes for Men, Tested for Quality and Value

MARY HENN FOR TASTE OF HOME

I’ve said it before, but if you ask my husband what his favorite part of my job is, he might say it’s when I get to test a meat delivery box. And Porter Road, essentially an online butcher shop, is one of my favorites.

The Best of Porter Road Box truly makes a fabulous gift for the meat lover in your life. With bone-in pork chops, ground beef, bacon, dry-aged steaks, breakfast sausage and chorizo links, this specific box offers a wide variety of all the brand has to offer. But Porter Road also has many other curated subscription boxes to choose from, too.

If you know (or you are) a meat lover who appreciates great-tasting cuts, it’s certainly a subscription  worth the investment. The meat I tried was flavorful, tender and high-quality, comparable to that of a local butcher shop with top quality meats.

Available every two, four, eight weeks or twelve weeks, you can choose how often your special, curated box of meat is delivered. And if you’d rather create your own custom subscription box to gift, you can do that too for a gift he’s sure to love.

EMILY WAY FOR TASTE OF HOME

Men like meat, right? If you’re looking for yet another meat subscription option, this one is bacon specific. Tester Marisa Hillman tried three months of Goldbelly’s bacon club, which offers approximately 2 to 5 pounds of bacon from a new butcher each month. Her first box, which was her favorite, came with four 14-ounce packages of bacon from The Loveless Cafe in Nashville: hickory, applewood, maplewood and peppered.

“I cooked a package of the Goldbelly bacon, immediately followed by a package of grocery store (Jimmy Dean brand) bacon,” says Marisa. “The difference was incredible. The Goldbelly bacon slices were thick and flavorful with minimal grease left behind. The grocery store bacon slices were thin and I had to empty the grease three times while cooking.”

Marisa’s second delivery was a bit more adventurous. It included two 12-ounce packages of bacon, one 8-ounce package of jowl bacon and one 8-ounce package of bacon bits from Smoking Goose in Indiana. While she didn’t love the jowl bacon, she did enjoy the bacon bits and Smoking Goose bacon.

Her third box included two 1-pound packages of regular bacon from Benton’s Smoky Mountain Country Hams. Marisa noted that the final shipment contained bacon which was mostly fat. While the fatty cuts didn’t particularly appeal to her, it may to folks who are open to non-traditional bacon—especially adventurous cuts.

CAROLINE LUBINSKY FOR TASTE OF HOME

With Murray’s Mac and Cheese Club, he can have fresh warm and gooey macaroni and cheese whenever. The mac and cheese arrives ready to be heated in the oven or stashed in the freezer, so a comforting meal is just moments away when the craving strikes.

You can opt for a three, six or twelve month subsctiption, and each month brings a shipment of two 32-ounce frozen mac and cheese portions. One is always Murray’s famous, classic cheddar flavor. The other is a different flavor each month that’s exclusive to the club.

“I received both a regular and spinach and artichoke mac. The mac and cheese looked good right out of the box, and both were still nicely chilled from the ice,” says tester Caroline Lubinsky. “I was a little surprised to see that they were a bit smaller than I expected for the price, but they looked appetizing in the pans.”

In comparison to other easy, cheesy brands (think Kraft or Annie’s), Murray’s definitely takes the cake. We also like that you receive a specialty flavor each month. While the packaging is more practical than it is pretty, this delicious subscription makes a great gift for someone who loves carbs.

PAUL RANKIN FOR TASTE OF HOME

Gourmet jerky delivered right to your door? Say less. If you have a jerky lover in your life, this is the gift for them.

Our own resident jerky lover Paul Rankin tried Jerky Dynasty Club and was impressed by everything from the presentation to the products. “I loved how much variety there was in the box, definitely plenty of jerky to get me through an entire month (or more),” he says in this Dynasty Club review.

Paul’s box contained three big bags of jerky and some smaller meat sticks. While the contents were mostly beef and pork jerky, there were also some unexpected meats like venison, elk and wild boar. In total, he received bags of Carnivore Candy Peppered Brisket jerky, Ayoba-yo Droëwors beef sticks, Smoking Gun Wicked Mary jerky and Hunters Reserve Roadkill summer sausage. He also enjoyed an Indian Valley Venison Pepper jerky stick and a Dill Pickle jerky stick. “The flavors were intense and interesting,” says Paul.

In addition to delicious jerky, Paul points out that this subscription is a great value. “Considering how much a regular bag of jerky is at the grocery store, this subscription box is a great deal,” notes Paul. “A regular bag of jerky is around $12 at my grocery store (for under 3 ounces), and this box gives you 16-24 ounces, so your dollar is really stretching far.”

EMILY WAY FOR TASTE OF HOME

The City Brew Tours club really is a club, complete with its own monthly podcast for die-hard brewski fans, making it the perfect subscription gift for hop heads.

While the main arm of the business focuses on in-person tours, long-distance beer lovers can still enjoy tasting and learning about bespoke breweries across the nation with the monthly beer box. Each box introduces subscribers to eight different beers, hailing from four breweries in a single city.

The City Brew Tours staff curates each selection and includes a detailed printout containing information about the tasting notes and breweries chosen, plus a little about the featured city. Inclusions range from sours to IPAs and everything in between, so it’s an ideal subscription for those who appreciate beers of all kinds.

While the beers are great, the club’s biggest appeal is the monthly, subscriber-only interactive Zoom call tasting featuring guest speakers, brewing experts and fellow beer enthusiasts. It’s a great way to connect with other brewers, gain insight and discuss flavors and new brew methods. Additionally, each subscription comes with a discount on City Brew Tours tickets in case you ever get the itch to join in person. A gift that keeps on giving!

“My box arrived filled to the brim with brews from Pittsburgh. The insert with an overview of the city, facts about Pittsburgh brewing and info about each beer was incredibly enlightening and a great introduction to what the city offers,” says Shopping Editor Emily Way. “It was also cool to have access to the tasting notes and enjoy two brews from each brewery—not to mention all the one-on-one insight gleaned from the Zoom call.”

KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME

You don’t have to know the ins and outs of his home coffee setup to gift this coffee membership subscription. The Cometeer coffee subscription features the convenience of instant coffee without the taste of instant coffee. Score! These genius recyclable capsules rely on flash-frozen coffee concentrate and ship directly to your door.

“I tried several types of Cometeer coffee a while ago, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. I can’t get over the convenience factor,” says Deputy Editor Katie Bandurski. “The pods are perfect on busy (or, let’s be honest, lazy) mornings when I don’t want to pull out my grinder and make a mess of grounds all over the countertop.”

Simply grab a pod from the freezer, mix it with hot water or milk and enjoy it as hot coffee, an iced latte or even an espresso martini. No brewing required! Moreover, Cometeer offers multiple roast options from over a dozen roasters.

To order, first decide if you want a variety roaster box, a decaf or half-caff box or a roaster-specific box. A membership sends 40 capsules to your door every four weeks. Prices vary depending on your box—but a subscription will snag you a discount of $20 or more over a one-time purchase. The brand also runs a variety of new subscriber discounts. Standard shipping is free with subscriptions, as well.

And don’t forget to check out the Cometeer Advent Calendar this year as an early Christmas gift for java lovers!

CAROLINE LUBINSKY FOR TASTE OF HOME

If he likes to indulge in a little charcuterie every now and then, a cheese of the month club is a cool way to shake up the usual cheddar or brie boards. Of all the options we’ve tried, Murray’s reigns supreme for its cheese of the month club. Rather, its cheese of the month clubs. Our favorite is the Cheese Explorer’s Club, which contains three different cheeses from a variety of cheesemakers across the globe each month.

We love the brand’s bold, outside-the-box cheeses from domestic and global cheesemakers, and the fun facts and serving tips included in each box.

“I got three herby Vermont Creamery Goat Cheeses in the first box of the month. The second month’s box had more variety: Murray’s Gemma Di Langa, Meredith Dairy Sheep and Goat Cheese and Alisios,” says tester Caroline of her three-month subscription. Even more notably, each box arrived completely chilled.

MARY HENN FOR TASTE OF HOME

And surely, you can’t go wrong gifting a snack club. Whether it’s savory or sweet, a box full of delicious treats is a surefire way to show your favorite foodie you care. Universal Yums is our favorite snack subscription that allows you to experience popular snacks from different countries.

In addition tasty treats, each snack delivery box also includes an illustrated map, a tasting worksheet, allergy labels and a pamphlet full of cultural facts, fun quizzes and background info on each treat. The snacks in this international snack box are genuinely sourced from their featured countries, which adds to the authenticity.

“I received the Yum Yum Belgium Box with 10 snacks,” notes product tester Annamarie Higley. “Unpacking this box made me want to pack my bags and head back to Belgium. The snacks were so authentic—every one of them was made within the country’s borders, excluding the chips, and this fact was very prominently noted.”

Universal Yums is a fun way to explore different cultures through snacks. With three box sizes to choose from, each package includes 5 to 18 snacks. You can choose a one-year subscription, pay for six months, or purchase one month at a time. To get started, pick from about 10 different destinations for your first box and enjoy a taste of somewhere new.

NANCY SNYDER FOR TASTE OF HOME

If you want to give the gift of snacks with a healthier twist, the monthly HealthyMe Living Snack Box is a great option. Each box includes 8 to 10 snacks carefully curated by a certified holistic health coach. Even better, the snacks feature minimal, high-quality ingredients without unnecessary fillers or artificial sweeteners.

The box arrived packed with 10 snacks wrapped in blue tissue paper, and all but one were new to registered dietitian and product tester Nancy Snyder. “From protein bars and popcorn to infused almonds and ginger chews, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and taste of each snack. I loved the variety and getting to try treats I couldn’t find at my local grocery store,” she says.

Prefer a specific diet? Choose a vegetarian or gluten-free box. Nancy found that the regular box also offers a nice mix of snacks to suit different dietary preferences.

You can order a one-time box or subscribe for 3, 6 or 12 months, with bigger savings for longer subscriptions. Even better, every box purchased provides 10 meals to No Kid Hungry.

EMILY WAY FOR TASTE OF HOME

This one is definitely an acquired taste, but seafood lovers and fans of trendy tinned fish will appreciate the Tinned Fish Club. Each month, members receive two to four premium tins of seafood, plus seasonings and pairing suggestions.

Tester Emily was impressed with the packaging and the flavors. “If you love fish and flavor, you really can’t go wrong with this box, which pairs uncommon, flavorful tinned seafood with mouthwatering seasonings, all shipped directly to your door,” she says.

Each box also includes a brochure with tasting notes, product details and pairing ideas, making it fun to discover something new. “As a big-time tuna fan, I loved receiving a tin of Santa Caterina tuna in Molho Cru sauce, along with mayo, crushed red pepper and pink sea salt to enjoy alongside,” Emily says.

For anyone who loves sardines, mussels, tuna and other seafood specialties, this subscription is a real catch!

How We Found the Best Subscription Boxes for Men

To find the best subscription boxes for men, we considered our own extensive testing with gift clubs. Over the course of testing for other lists, we compiled our “best overall” picks to inform this piece. Our expert team of editors and product testers thoroughly tested and evaluated each option in our own homes and kitchens, and we took notes on the following aspects:

• Shipping and packaging
• Giftability
• Cost compared to quality
• Freshness
• Variety
• Presentation
• Taste

FAQ

What is the best monthly subscription box for men?

When it comes to gift and subscription boxes for men, picks from brands like Bespoke Post and Dollar Shave Club are often recommended. But at Taste of Home, food is our specialty—and we know a thing or two about food subscriptions. That’s why we’ve rounded up our favorite food and drink subscription boxes for men, with something for every taste, from savory jerky and craft beer to bold coffee.

How do food subscription boxes work?

The boxes above deliver a curated mix of snacks, drinks and treats, typically on a monthly basis. You subscribe (or purchase as a gift), choose your preferences and a box of surprises arrives at your door.

Why You Should Trust Us

At Taste of Home, we’ve tested countless food and drink subscriptions, informing pieces like the best food subscription boxes, gifts of the month clubs, fruit subscriptions, chocolate subscription boxes, and so many more. For this roundup, we drew on that hands-on experience and our expertise in sampling and evaluating a wide variety of food and drink clubs to find the best options worth gifting to men.