The GQ 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.
As of this review, GQ is currently offering a discount for new subscribers: Only $39 for your first box, if you buy quarterly. Or $176 for an annual subscription. That comes out to $44 a box. In addition, new subscribers get an additional item.
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 what's inside and often includes a discount code for my next purchase.
Inside the GQ Fall 2024 Box
Love Your Melon Beanie - Retail Value $35
This beanie from Love Your Melon is speckled with black and natural yarn. It measures 9” x 11” when uncuffed. It's made from 99% cotton and 1% LYCRA. It's just a little tight for my huge melon, so I've been letting my son wear it. I love the look. There are two versions in the GQ booklet. So some of you might get a solid, dark-colored beanie. I prefer the speckled one. On the website, all the beanies feature a red maple leather patch debossed with the Love Your Melon logo on the front. The hat in the GQ box doesn't have the patch and I couldn't be happier about it. Less branding is always a good thing. I think this is great, safe item for a winter box. I'll never get tired of receiving beanies.
Youth to the People Polypeptide-121 Future Cream - Retail Value $68
At $68, his moisturizing cream from Youth to the People is the most expensive item in this box. According to the website: peptides, plant proteins, and ceramides replenishes critical moisture for up to 24 hours and helps visibly firm, reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier. I always prefer fragrance-free creams. Let the product do what you bought it for and don't risk a customer's enjoyment on a smell. This made my skin feel light and cushiony when I tried it, but I haven't gotten to use it since my wife took it for herself. It's a hit.
Bursera Terracotta Palo Santo Holder and Incense Sticks - Retail Value $47
Palo Santo is believed to have energy purifying properties, but the ashes can leave your home a mess. This holder from Bursera is lightweight and heat-safe. So take it with you as you walk around the house and don't stress the mess. I really dig the timeless white and raw terracotta color palette. It is designed to hold your Palo Santo upright while capturing falling ashes. It also has a small hole for standard incense sticks as well. If you aren't the incense type (like me), it's so nice you could use it for other things. Put candy in it? Change? Use it as a really tiny serving dish? Whatever you dream up, this will look great in any room. Dimensions are 5.1 x 1.4 in. It fits sticks up to 1 inch thick.
Note: the holder is normally $30 and the sticks are sold separately here at $17. The holder is currently on sale for $25.
Asobu Whiskey Glass + Insulated Sleeve - Retail Value $30
While I'm more of a beer guy, I enjoy a whiskey from time to time. There's not many things that look more gentlemanly than enjoying a scotch on the rocks. But If you're like me, you're guilty of forgetting about your drink too long and no one wants a watered down drink. Fear no longer. Asobu now makes a double walled scotch sleeve, which comes with its own glass. It's stainless steel vacuum insulated. So, it keeps your drink cool and your hands dry, since it gives you a buffer from condensation. The rubber band on top keeps your whiskey glass secure in the insulating sleeve. It comes in a variety of styles.
W&P Design Frost Sphere Ice Tray - Retail Value $12
If you want to further your scotch experience, you're going to need large ice cubes. Check out this sphere ice tray from W&P Design. Easy to fill from the top, while a convenient side hole prevents overfilling for a perfect sphere every time. I've had similar items that did not do a great job, because they were always falling apart. This one holds together very well and it's easy to open when the ice is done. Crafts four perfect 2-1/2 inch spheres. The surface area makes the cube slow-melting; keeping drinks ice-cold and not diluted. Great for festive chilling in pitchers and punch bowls. Or maybe try one in your new insulated sleeve. It's dishwasher and oven safe. I don't know why the latter is important, but it was on the website.
Art of Shaving Sandalwood Shaving Cream - Retail Value $20
This Art of Shaving Sandalwood Shaving Cream is infused with sandalwood essential oil. This cream creates a protective lather that softens facial hair and provides a close, irritation-free shave while leaving your skin hydrated and smooth. Sandalwood is in every masculine product these days, but I am not complaining. Its warm, woody scent evokes sophistication. Perfect for normal to dry skin, the hydrating properties of glycerin help to keep your skin moisturized and refreshed, leaving you with a soft, comfortable finish. This is already in my rotation and I love it.
Dove Men+Care Whole Body Deodorant Stick - Retail Value $12
I've seen these around, but it's new to me. Check out the whole body deo collection from Dove Men+Care. It helps provide all-day, whole body odor control for pits to privates to feet. That's right. Deodorant is not just for your armpits anymore. The aluminum-free and non-irritant formula is infused with vitamin E to pack a crisp, clean scent with refreshing, woody notes. It glides on smooth to reduce skin friction and help avoid chafing. I must admit I'm wary about using the same deodorant stick for my pits, privates, and feet, but I've given a lot of new things a try while reviewing boxes and I'm not going to stop now.
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-free Sample Pack
I've been receiving drink mixes from Liquid I.V. for a long time and now I'm seeing their products everywhere. So they must be doing something right. So jump on the bandwagon and experience superior hydration with this pack of best sellers: White Peach, Lemon Lime, Raspberry Melon, and Green Grape. All with 0 sugar and 0 artificial sweeteners and 3x the electrolytes of the leading sports drink, made for refreshing, on-the-go hydration.
Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Dark Leather Eau de Parfum
GQ included a sample fragrance from Viktor&Rolf: The Spicebomb Dark Leather Cologne. Their website describes the fragrance as "an illicit encounter between dark leather and bare skin, Spicebomb Dark Leather unveils bold leather notes behind a blend of smokey woods and warm spices." They also describe it as "pleasing but powerful, subversive but refined." And be sure to click the link and check out the unique bottle design. For me, the nuances of every fragrance is lost on me, but I did like this one. I prefer full-size bottles, but at $140, I'm happy with my sample.
Additional Offers
This quarter's box included an additional coupon for a deal from Naked Wines, Factor_, and GQ itself. 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
While I must say I wasn't "wowed" by anything in this quarter's GQ Box, I can't complain. I've often said in my reviews that I prefer an item-heavy box to one full of grooming products. So, in a way, this was exactly what I wanted from GQ: items to make me feel more gentlemanly and a few things to help me smell better. Firstly, I will always, always love getting a new beanie. It's sort of a safe item, but I'm not complaining. I love the look and that there is no branding. I enjoyed the whiskey glass, sleeve, AND ice tray. Very thoughtful to have all those in the same box. The moisturizing cream was as advertised. The shaving cream is already in rotation. And the deodorant stick is on standby. Still not sure if I'm going whole body with that. The hydration powder and cologne are nice, but just samples. That leaves the incense sticks and holder, which I'm going to pick as my favorite item. That is strange because we have never been incense people, but I just love seeing a new, different kind of item in a subscription box. GQ Box did a great job of spreading the value around, instead of focusing on one, questionable, $100+ item. While there wasn't a big exciting item, I found this box to be more in line with the idea that this is a quarterly box of items/products to make you more gentlemanly.
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 $233. Believe it or not, that is actually on the low side for this subscription. Even so, that's around four times the cost for GQ Box and more than the promised $200 value. For the record, I didn't bother including the samples and additional offers.
For $59 for this box, here's approximately what you're paying for each item:
- Beanie ($35): $8.85
- Cream ($68): $17.20
- Sticks/Holder ($47): $11.89
- Glass/Holder ($30): $7.59
- Ice Tray ($12): $3.04
- Shaving Cream ($20): $5.06
- Deodorant ($12): $3.04
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 "Winter 2024" GQ 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.