Keeping up with the constantly evolving world of consumer technology has never required more effort. At the same time, because of all the innovation, there are always new gadgets and products to learn about and consider buying. This combination creates a constant cycle of consumer research for techies, gearheads, and gamers alike — but thankfully, that’s where a solid tech subscription box comes in.
Unlike press releases and live-streamed product launches, subscription boxes inject a sense of fun and awe back into the process of learning about and acquiring new pieces of technology. Tech subscription boxes keep up with everything from the latest headphones to drones, in addition to providing a handful of gear or gadgets that will be new, but not impractical, to the recipient. All you need to do is sign up, select your preferred delivery plan, and answer a couple of questions about your interests to help curate the box. Once that’s done, simply wait for the box to arrive on your front doorstep to begin exploring.
From product-specific accessories like phone cases to learn-to-code platforms, there is a tech subscription box for tech-inclined people of all levels and at all budgets. But before you click the "Sign Up" button, there are a few things you should take into consideration.
Best Overall: Breo Box Best Budget: Gadget Discovery Club Best for Learning By Doing: Creation Crate Tech Prodigy Best Gadget Subscription Box: Gadget Club Tech BoxBest for Kids Learning to Code: Bits Box
Consider what you want your subscription box to give you other than surprise items. While some tech subscription boxes claim to provide something for everyone, the fact is that if you want to ensure you get products you care about and will actually use, you should find one that closely aligns with your specific goals. For example, if you want to use the box to teach your kid how to code, you should consider a subscription such as Creation Crate instead of Breo Box, which focuses on gadgets. To avoid feeling like you wasted your money, try to avoid becoming distracted by flashy new gadgets (unless that’s what you came for), and focus on finding a box that aligns with the original reason you wanted one.
Also, subscription boxes make fantastic gifts, especially for those hard-to-buy for people in your life, because there's very likely something in the box they'd appreciate. Dads, grads, and techies love these boxes.
Tech subscription boxes are typically delivered on a monthly or quarterly basis. Generally, the delivery schedule comes down to personal preference. However, if you're looking for a gadget-focused box, you might want to consider the fact that quarterly deliveries may provide larger, better gear since the total cost is spread across fewer deliveries. If you choose a box with quarterly deliveries, make sure to pay close attention to the cancellation policy; you don’t want to get stuck paying for a box you don’t want three months in advance.
Subscription boxes come in all shapes and sizes, and the number of items included isn’t necessarily an indicator of the quality or what the price should be. Be sure to consider both the quality of items included in past boxes as well as the number to get a sense of what the overall value of the box is. Another angle to take when considering the number of items included in each delivery is whether they will be enough to sustain your interest until the next delivery. On the other hand, if you’re space-constrained, you might want to avoid boxes with loads of unique items.
We investigated more than 16 different subscription boxes, including boxes with a direct technology focus as well as those with an indirect technology link. We cast a wide net that included boxes with different delivery timelines and different subscription costs to ensure that nothing was overlooked. We narrowed down the boxes on our list by reviewing dozens of verified consumer reviews in conjunction with our own assessment of what each box has to offer. Throughout the process, we targeted a few key areas of evaluation, which informed our final selections:
Usefulness: We made sure our final selections consisted of subscription boxes that offered useful and enjoyable enhancements instead of fleeting products that didn’t see the light of day after being unboxed. Price: Our final selections strike a balance between the cost to the consumer and the value of the goods in the box. We went beyond the marketing materials to assess whether the products included in past boxes truly reflected the stated ‘total value’ of each box. Product Longevity: It’s easy to forget that the products included in subscription boxes aren’t produced by the box aggregator. Although this can cause headaches when products break or when subscribers have product-specific questions, the best tech subscription boxes have warranties and processes to mitigate that. Ultimately, our final selections are the product of a thorough investigation and analysis of customer reviews and data from past boxes, such as what items were included and at what price. Each selection performed well in each of the three core categories or performed exceedingly well in one and well enough in the other two.
1Best Overall
ProsCons
Some gadgets need extra items like batteries before they can be used Breo Box is a quarterly subscription that specializes in providing a wide range of gadgets designed to enhance everything from your music listening experience to your exercise routine. The Breo Box is ideal for gadget generalists and people who are interested in exploring new tech in a variety of fields. It's also the best tech subscription box to gift someone when you're unsure which tech they'd love the most.
We love that the variety of products found in each Breo Box isn’t random. Instead, every box is hand-curated with an overarching theme that links each item to one another, such as health and lifestyle essentials. Although it’s not the cheapest box on the market, the included items are not only cohesive in their theme but also in their quality. Breo has built a reputation for providing high-quality products that live up to the claimed potential value of $300.00.
Past boxes have included everything from drones and action cameras to electric coffee mugs, portable irons, and even a scalp massager. It's our best overall tech subscription box because each item in the Breo Box is sure to be unique, and even if you don't subscribe to learn, you’re bound to come away with knowledge of a few new pieces of tech.
Delivery Schedule | Quarterly deliveries |
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Cost per Box | $159.00 from Breo |
Number of Items Included | 5-8 |
2Best Budget
Pros
Wide variety of gadgets
Useful products Cons
Potential for less than 4 items per boxAs the name implies, this subscription box is focused on providing the latest and greatest gadgets. Everything from wearables to smart home devices is fair play with this box. The only question you’re asked when you sign up is your level of familiarity with tech, with the highest level being “gadget geek.” This selection partially determines the nature of the products you will receive.
Past Gadget Discovery Club boxes have included items such as wireless charging pads, intelligently designed compact key holders, and intelligent blenders. Gadget Discovery Club is as close as you can get to that skymall sense of pure consumer delight.
Delivery Schedule | Quarterly deliveries |
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Cost per Box | $99.00 from Gadget Discovery Club |
Number of Items Included | Up to 4 |
3Best for Families
Pros
Engaging for parents and kids
Builds long-term skills
High-quality products Cons
Not every box is going to be a winThe Creation Crate Tech Prodigy subscription box takes a holistic approach to building technological understanding in children and young learners. Rather than focusing on one aspect of technology, subscribers to the Tech Prodigy box get access to 18 months of hands-on projects that cover everything from circuity to coding.
Although the nature of the projects for each month can vary, all projects are united in their technological focus. Verified reviewers frequently report that the Tech Prodigy box helped their kids and young learners discover new topics for exploration and areas of interest. This tech subscription box is ideal for gaining exposure to the broader world of technology without it being overwhelming.
Delivery Schedule | Monthly |
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Cost per Box | $39.99 from Creation Crate |
Number of Items Included | 1 project |
4Best Gadget Box
Pros
High-quality products
Strong mix of tech across boxes
Substantial incentive to use annual billing plan Cons
Number of gadgets can varyThe Gadget Club Tech Box subscription strikes the right balance between quality, quantity, and price for their gadget-obsessed subscribers. Past boxes have included everything from drones and retro-redesigned game systems to charging stations and desk fans.
Subscribers to the Gadget Club Tech Box find it ideal because they’re always looking for new tech to test but can never decide what to get. If that sounds like you, consider the Gadget Club subscription box.
Delivery Schedule | Monthly |
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Cost per Box | $49.95 at Cratejoy on a monthly billing schedule |
Number of Items Included | 1-3 items in each box |
5Best for Kids Learning to Code
Pros
Advances in complexity with each monthly delivery
Builds long-term skills
Material can be accessed from anywhere Cons
Digital version isn’t as engagingBitsBox is the go-to subscription for teaching kids how to code. Although understanding computer science has only grown in importance, the ability to teach it has generally lagged when it comes to younger learners. Bit Box directly addresses that by providing monthly lessons that build off one another, like lessons in school.
Through a mix of digital and hands-on work, subscribers to Bits Box work towards the creation of an app. Not only does the curriculum build technological literacy, but so does the learning portal and coding platform. Subscribers who upgrade from digital to basic or from basic to premium get access to exclusive content and learning libraries to further advance their skills.
Delivery Schedule | Monthly |
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Cost per Box | $16.95-$47.95, depending on the tier, on a monthly billing schedule |
Number of Items Included | 1 project per box with a variable number of components |
6Best for Budding STEM Learners
Pros
Free sensor kit to get started
Includes access to deep archive of content and experiments
Online support for further questions Cons
Some experiments and kits require outside products/purchases Developing technological literacy has never been more important, and the STEM Subscription Box from Because Learning addresses this critical skill with fun experiments delivered to your front door each month.
In addition to building essential STEM skills and a foundational understanding of the importance of technology, each experiment is optimized to teach young learners about critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, and data-driven decision making. This tech subscription box is sure to keep kids and teens with a STEM interest engaged and eager to learn more month after month.
This is a great, affordable tech subscription box that makes a great gift because it won't break the bank, and if the kid hates it, you're not out a ton of cash.
Delivery Schedule | Monthly |
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Cost per Box | $21 at Because Learning, billed monthly |
Number of Items Included | At least 5 new lessons and worksheets each month |
7Best for Teachers and Educators
Pros
Content covers critical tech-oriented education skills
Great value for teachers looking to boost their skills Cons
Only ideal for educators Teaching and education have undergone waves of transformation in recent years, especially after the move to online learning during the pandemic. The Tech and Teach subscription box is geared towards addressing the issues arising out of these abrupt transitions, such as poor understanding of the available tech and how to use it.
The items included in each box are designed to enhance an educator’s ability to use technology in service of their lessons, whether that entails reaching a wider audience through remote methods or more deeply engaging students with technological in-classroom techniques. To top it all off, subscribers get access to one-on-one coaching, where they can ask experts specific questions relating to their use cases.
Delivery Schedule | Quarterly |
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Cost per Box | $115.00 on a quarterly billing schedule |
Number of Items Included | 1-2 gadgets, 1-2 tech-inspired items, and 1 30-minute coaching session with a tech expert |
8Best for Budding Engineers
Pros
Incorporates substantial learning opportunities
Monthly projects are useful and applicable to daily life Cons
Age-range isn’t as wide as they claim The Eureka Crate by KiwiCo is perfect for kids, tweens, and teens who are ready to put their minds and hands to work. The projects included in this subscription crate are designed to instill in the recipient an appreciation for how technology works in our world to make our lives better. Not only can they inspire young learners to dive deeper into their passions, but verified reviews indicate that parents love completing the projects alongside their kids because they are learning as well.
Although the crate is clearly oriented towards younger users, and we don't recommend it for all adults, that doesn’t mean adults wouldn’t enjoy doing these projects with their kids. Fun projects have included guides on how to make an articulated desk lamp, an electric pencil sharpener, and a wooden ukulele. One of the best aspects of this subscription box is the fact that you are left with a tangible product of your own creation at the end, which encourages further learning.
Delivery Schedule | Monthly |
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Cost per Box | $32.95 at KiwiCo, billed on a monthly basis |
Number of Items Included | 1 project per box with a variable number of components |
9Best for Those With a Knack to Hack
Pros
Quality hands-on learning content
Free domestic shipping
Includes online guides as well Cons
May be too in-depth for some users
High-level of complexity The HackerBox combines tried-and-true hands-on learning techniques with expert guides to allow people of intermediate skill and above to learn about new technology, especially hardware. The HackerBoxes focus on reaching an audience with technological familiarity and an interest in problem-solving.
Although each box comes with an included guide, each project is designed to be an enjoyable challenge. Past boxes have included computing chips, remote control car kits, and guides on how to build face-tracking camera mounts.
Each box comes with a unique ‘collectible card,’ as HackerBox calls it, to showcase the completed project when you're finished. Ultimately, if you’re looking to level up your technological understanding and engineering know-how, this is the subscription box for you.
Delivery Schedule | Monthly |
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Cost per Box | $44.00 on HackBoxes |
Number of Items Included | 1 project per box with a variable number of components |
10Best for Fashionistas
Pros
Free subscriber-only gift case every quarter
Different pricing tiers to choose from
Easy to cancel Cons
Only one type of product included While most of the other tech subscription boxes on our list aim to provide an array of tech to learn about and experience, Casey offers a narrower approach. With this subscription, you get to select or be surprised by a new phone case every month or every quarter.
You can select from different pricing tiers, but all subscribers to Casely get 40% of the retail price for their monthly purchase. It’s easy to switch up and down pricing tiers on a month-to-month basis, and it’s also easy to skip a month or cancel.
Casely offers thousands of designs to choose from across the most popular phone models, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility.
Delivery Schedule | Monthly or quarterly |
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Cost per Box | Variable but typically $18-$24 |
Number of Items Included | 1 |
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