Subscription boxes: everyone talks about them, you probably know at least one person who uses them, and there are a bazillion options in every category imaginable. Seriously, you can get anything in the mail monthly from a dive bar T-shirt to apocalypse survival gear and candy; every niche is covered. It's easier than ever to test one out too—many subscription box services have veered from commitment-based contracts to month-to-month, so getting a fix now comes with way less stress (why yes, we will take one box of Bacon of the Month).
We love surprises, and we love feeling special even more, so it only made sense to try out the best of the boxes and see which ones are worth shelling out for. This first go-around, we tackled accessories, delighting in packages that deliver everything from shiny baubles to bags direct to your doorstep. While some act as rental services and others are pre-paid delights, there's a model for every taste and wallet. Check out the gallery below to see what catches your fancy. Bonus: Because we love you, we even snagged some exclusive discount codes as well.
Our Favorite: Rocksbox
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Cost: $19 a month for unlimited jewelry rental (three pieces at a time).
The dirt: Rocksbox won our hearts with no contest. Not only does the service let you try before you buy (or, shoot, just get a never-ending rotation of pieces to try), everything down to the packaging and personalized insert card was smartly put together, fresh, and trendy. Sign up and take a style survey, then head over to their digital showcase where you can add pieces you like to a wish list. A stylist then sends out a mix of wish list items with handpicked ones in the cutest of boxes tied with a bubblegum pink bow. The combined value of the jewelry usually sits around $200 and once you get them, you can wear everything as much as you want until you're ready to get another three new pieces. If you fall in love with something, keep it at a discounted price.
Code: Enter "nylonmag" at checkout to receive your first month free. Offer ends April 15.
The Zoe Report Box of Style
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Cost: $100 per season or $350 for the year (four boxes total).
The dirt: Did you know Rachel Zoe has her own subscription box service? A quarterly box with items hand curated by Zoe herself along with a team of editors, the Box of Style comes packed with more than $300 of the best fashion, beauty, and lifestyle items. There's also a booklet that comes with styling tips and letter detailing inspo for the overall theme. The spring box is all about the festival season: the hero item is a caramel leather bucket bag, perfect for on-the-go necessities, dry shampoo is always a must, we'll be sporting that silver and turquoise cuff at Lollapalooza, and is that a bottle of the Concentrate by La Mer we spy? Oh my gosh, we feel so fancy! Yes, $100 a pop might seem spendy for a box, but it is quarterly, and the objects inside are so maj.
Cate and Chloe
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Cost: Pick from one of three tiers: The Starter Package at $19.99 per month (one piece of jewelry + perks), Double the Fun at $29.99 per month (two pieces of jewelry + perks), or Full VIP Status at $39.99 per month (three pieces of jewelry + perks).
The dirt: Take a style quiz then wait as the stylists surprise you each month not just with jewelry selects, but a bonus item as well. We were treated to a palm-frond ring, agate crystal-like earrings, and a supremely simple and elegant silver pendant necklace. Our surprise item was a coral infinity scarf perfect for spring. The three items definitely felt and appeared spendy and while we decided to be surprised with the contents, there's also an option to customize the experience further with the stylists. If you choose the VIP package, you'll also get extra exclusives like discounts and first release designs not available to anyone else.
Code: Enter "NYLONMAG20" to get 20 percent off the Starter Package month-to-month subscription.
Jewel Bits
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Cost: One month for $39, discounts for subscribing longer.
The dirt: NYC-based Jewel Bits divides their pieces into three categories: Boho Babe, Glam Girl, and Classic Chick. Pick one, and they'll send you two to four boutique pieces every month, all delightfully and individually packaged. We picked Boho Babe and received a bracelet along with two necklaces (and accompanying earrings). The best piece was a metal fringe necklace that tiered in color with matching ear candy. All the pieces are yours to keep. Though we enjoyed some of the pieces, others were a miss and the value wasn't as dramatic as other box companies we favored.
Code: Enter "NYLON10" for 10 percent off the first box.
Olia Box
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Cost: $25 for two to three pieces a month, $35 for three to four pieces a month, and $45 for four to five pieces a month.
The dirt: Take a brief quiz (see a pattern happening here?) to log your preferences with styles (dainty vs. bold and chunky, for example), metals, and more, and then wait to see what arrives. If you get the highest tier, wow, there's a lot inside. The pieces were varied, as we requested, and ranged from a bejeweled statement necklace to a dainty ring and fashionable hoop earrings with just the right amount of detail. Though it wasn't a home run across the board, overall the pieces were wearable and trendy. The biggest box is a spendy commitment per month, but one or two surprises for yourself might be worth the investment.
Code: Enter "NYLON" to receive $5 off your first package.
Bezel Box
Cost: $35.67 per month.
The dirt: Choose one of three style profiles and Bezel Box will ship you four to five pieces of jewelry a month. Decide between Boho, Cosmo, or Icon, and the pieces will come along with an adorable card sporting an inspirational quote. Our card's quote was from Diane Von Furstenberg and was accompanied with drop flower earrings, an enamel flower bracelet, faux diamond studs, and a statement necklace. They say the combined value of the jewelry is approximately $150, but it didn't feel nearly as upscale as what we saw from other brands. Should you decide you want to give them a go, there's also a Mini Subscription at $19.97 a month that delivers two pieces of jewelry. Every order also earns you points which can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases.
Code: Enter "Nylon16" to get 10 percent off a subscription every month. Good until April 30.
