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.
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. I always appreciate the brochure of contents that lets me know about the contents and often includes a discount code for my next purchase.
Inside the GQ Best Stuff Spring 2024 Box
Fourlaps Athletic Level Tech Tee - Retail Value $68
The featured item in this quarter's box is an athletic shirt from Fourlaps. Subscribers have to use a voucher to choose their size. It's only offered in Navy. It's a simple shirt engineered to keep you at an optimal body temperature while also looking polished. According to their site, Runner’s World named it the "ultimate year-round running shirt." The anti-microbial shirt uses active particles to vent heat in warm conditions and retain heat if it’s cold. It's even perfect for someone, like me, who is not athletic. It's lightweight, soft, and looks low-key. I loved the fit immediately. The only thing that will get me to stop wearing this shirt is getting too big for it, which may happen if I don't start being more athletic.
Slowtide Sundown Quick-Dry Travel Towel - Retail Value $45
While the tee is the first item of this box, this item draws the most attention: a colorful, double-sided, quick-dry towel from Slowtide. I was totally expecting a small dish towel, but this baby measures 30 by 60 inches. It's a full-sized towel. So it's great for the pool, beach, campsite, whatever. It absorbs four times its weight in water, doesn't hold on to sand like regular towels, and of course is fast drying. I know it's a good item when my wife claims it before I have a chance to review it. It's hers now.
American Crew 3-in-1 Tea Tree Shampoo, Conditioner & Body Wash - Retail Value $9
I don't know the science of a 3-in-1 head and body wash, but I love efficiency, so sign me up. This all-in-one shampoo/conditioner/body wash is from American Crew. Personally, I'm a sucker for tea tree scented things, so this product was made for me. My only complaint is that it wasn't a bigger bottle.
Popsockets Custom Magsafe Popgrip - Retail Value $34
Included in this quarter's box is a voucher for a free customized pop grip from Popsockets. For the unfamiliar (me), it's a magnetic phone grip with a swappable top. It comes with a magnetic adapter, if your phone isn't immediately compatible. It also functions as a convenient stand so you can watch videos on the fly.
There is a whole world of customization available on the website, included some of their own designs and use of artificial intelligence. But as a father, of course I found the closest picture of my kids and used that. I think this is a super cool item for GQ to offer in one of its boxes. It's different, functional, and customizable. The latter is a complaint I have always had with GQ's vouchers: the only thing you can ever choose is the size (See the athletic tee above). So good on them for trying something new in that department.
Symbiosis De-Puffing & Dark Circles Relief Eye Serum - Retail Value $127 (Currently on sale for $89)
If you read back through my reviews, you would find multiple examples of me saying I don't know the first thing about eye cream and that I think it'd too expensive. But every time, I try it out and enjoy it. This one from Symbiosis is infused with hydrating and anti-ageing ingredients including Hyaluronic Acid, R.N.A. and Collagen. It's aimed "to soothe and renew fatigued eyes that have been marked by puffiness and dark circles, resulting in a calmer, rejuvenated eye area."
That's all well and good, but with items like this, I just can't get over the price tag. This small tube accounts for nearly half of the value of the whole box. I'm not poo-pooing eye cream, but when I see the cost of something like this, I think of how many other gentlemanly things that could have been in the box in its place: a tie, a watch, cufflinks, a pair of loafers, etc.
Note: If you think the price tag is a little high, a quick search will products sub-$20 results on eBay and the like. Just FYI.
Rhino Skin Solutions Repair Cream - Retail Value $5.95
This repair cream from Rhino is a non-greasy lotion for soothing sore and worn skin, muscles and joints. Ingredients include: magnesium for tendon and connective tissue health, honey as an antibacterial and moisturizer, menthol for pain relief, the anti-inflammatory willow bark, and salicylic acid for skin regeneration. Their site said it's made for those who climb, ski, or work out, but also those who wash dishes or play video games. My only complaint is that it wasn't a bigger bottle.
Modu Exfoliating Mitt - Estimated Value $2, pack of 5 is $10.
For an experience like a Korean spa at home, check out this exfoliating mitt from Modu. I was introduced to exfoliating cloths in GQ's limited edition "Future of Grooming" box. (Someone actually mentions these mitts in the comments.) I like the long version for getting my back, but really dig this mitt version. It provides a soothing exfoliating experience for getting rid of dry skin and other pore-clogging dirt. The site says, for best results, take a bath in warm water for at least 5 minutes, and then start scrubbing.
Gloves in a Bottle Hand Shielding Lotion - Retail Value $9.95
During the dry winter months, I am reaching for my moisturizer constantly and I'm always annoyed when I have to do the dishes or wash up the kids, which means I have to moisturize again. Well, Gloves in a Bottle aims to lower the number of times you have to re-moisturize during the day. According to the site, "This fragrance and colorant-free soothing lotion lasts from 4 to 12 hours or more and does not wash off, ensuring long-lasting protection from home and workplace irritants and toxins. Comes off naturally with the exfoliating outer layer of skin cells." I am now a big fan of this product. My only complaint is that it wasn't a bigger bottle.
Additional Offers
This quarter's box included an additional coupon for a deal from Factor_. 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
Overall, a great installment by GQ Best Stuff Box. The items were all varied and useful. The products were all perfect for me. I think I'm going to say the shirt is my favorite part of this box, because it's immediately going in my weekly rotation and I will wear it until I grow out of it. A close second is the towel, which will get a lot of use this summer at the pool. I loved the customizable Popsocket. So cool of GQ to include different kind of functional item that the customer gets to make their own. The mitt was a nice throw-in. The body wash, repair cream, and hand lotion are all incredible and will quickly be used up. I don't often say this, but all three items are ones I may look for at the stores from now on. The eye cream seems nice, but is lost on me. I know I'm harping on this, but for the price of the eye cream GQ could have given us full size bottles of the other products. Despite that, I really thought this was one of the best boxes I've seen from GQ, because I liked every part of it and every item was a hit for me.
Keep track of your subscriptions by adding this box to your subscription list or wishlist.
Let's Talk About Value
By my calculations, this box clocks in at around $257. That's more than four 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 is the eye cream at $127. Regardless, that's a great value for only $59.
For $59 for this box, here's approximately what you're paying for each item:
- Shirt ($68): $15.64
- Travel Towel ($45): $10.35
- 3-in-1 Wash ($9): $2.07
- Popgrip ($30): $6.90
- Eye Serum ($127): $29.21
- Rhino Cream ($5.95): $1.38
- Exfoliating Mitt ($2): $0.46
- Gloves Lotion ($9.95): $2.30
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 "Spring 2024" GQ Best Stuff Box for a guy in your life... or yourself?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.