Hey there, fellow fragrance lover! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the next intoxicating scent to add to your collection. But with countless perfumes out there, it can be tough (not to mention expensive) to commit to a full bottle without test driving it first. That‘s where fragrance subscription services come in clutch!
Two of the biggest players in the game are Scentbird and Scentbox. Both let you choose a new designer fragrance to try each month, delivering a 30-day supply right to your door. However, while they share the same basic concept, there are some key differences that might make one better suited for your needs and preferences.
So, which scent club should you join? I‘ve put both to the test, and I‘m here to give you the full scoop in this head-to-head Scentbird vs Scentbox review. By the end, you‘ll have all the deets you need to decide which subscription deserves your heart (and your nose). Let‘s dive in!
Getting to Know Scentbird
Scentbird is the OG of luxury fragrance subscriptions, launching way back in 2013. The founders‘ goal was to make exploring new scents as fun and accessible as trying a new lipstick shade.
Here‘s how it works: you start by taking a quick quiz about your fragrance preferences. Then, you can pick from a personalized selection of over 500 designer and niche scents each month. Scentbird will send you a generous 8ml sample of your chosen fragrance in a sleek, refillable case.
One thing I really love about Scentbird is the emphasis on discovery and community. In addition to the quiz, there are plenty of ways to find your next signature scent:
- Browsing by fragrance family, occasion, or specific notes
- Checking out other members‘ reviews and recommendations
- Voting on upcoming scents to be added to the collection
It‘s like having a bunch of fragrance-obsessed friends sharing their secrets!
What Sets Scentbox Apart
The newer upstart challenger, Scentbox, was founded in 2016 with a straightforward mission: letting you "date" luxury fragrances before going all in on a pricey bottle.
With Scentbox, you can choose from a whopping 850+ authentic designer scents from over 200 top brands. Each month, you‘ll get a 9ml travel spray filled with your pick. The selection is seriously impressive, with everything from crowd-pleasing bestsellers to rare and celebrity-beloved picks.
While Scentbird is known for a more curated, Personal experience, Scentbox is all about pure variety and freedom of choice. You can sort by fragrance family, occasion, season, trend, or even zodiac sign to find your match. The only downside is it can be a bit overwhelming if you‘re new to the perfume world and not sure where to start.
Another key difference is Scentbox offers a lot more options for men‘s colognes, with 180+ to choose from. In contrast, Scentbird‘s selection definitely skews more feminine overall. So if you‘re shopping for yourself or your guy, that‘s something to consider!
Tale of the Tape: Scentbird vs Scentbox
Now that you‘ve gotten to know our contenders, let‘s see how they stack up in a few key areas:
| Feature | Scentbird | Scentbox |
|---|---|---|
| Fragrance Selection | 500+ designer & niche scents | 850+ designer scents |
| Decants/Sample Size | 8ml | 9ml |
| Subscription Price | $16.95/month | $14.95/month (standard), $19.95/month (premium) |
| Bonus Items | Free reusable case | None |
| Gift Subscriptions | 3, 6, or 12 months | 3, 6, or 12 months |
| Loyalty Program | Earn points for reviews, referrals, etc. | None |
| Discovery Tools | Personalized quiz, browsing by category, community reviews & forum | Browsing by category, occasion, trend, etc. |
| Shipping | Free in US, Ships by 15th of each month | Free in US, Ships within 2 days of order |
As you can see, both services offer great value for money and exposure to an impressive range of scents. Scentbird has a bit of an edge in personalization/curation and membership perks, while Scentbox boasts the most extensive catalog.
What Real Customers Are Saying
Of course, specs only tell part of the story. To really gauge quality and user experience, we need to go straight to the source: real customer reviews and feedback.
I did some sleuthing on Influenster, Trustpilot, and Reddit (home of brutally honest opinions) to see what subscribers have to say. Here are some recurring themes:
Scentbird
- "I didn‘t think I‘d like the scents chosen for me as much as I did. The quiz is spot on!"
- "I discovered so many amazing new fragrances I never would have found otherwise."
- "The 8ml vials last a long time – I can easily test a scent for several weeks."
- "It‘s so fun reading reviews and bonding with other members over our favorite scents."
- "Had issues canceling my subscription a couple times, but customer service was responsive."
Scentbox
- "I love that I‘m totally in control of what I get each month. The variety is unreal."
- "I‘ve gotten to try fragrances that are impossible to find in stores near me."
- "Sometimes shipping is slower than expected, but not a dealbreaker."
- "You really can‘t beat the price for authentic, non-counterfeit designer samples."
- "Wish there was a rewards program or more member perks like Scentbird."
My Firsthand Experience: Scentbird vs Scentbox
Hearing from other users is valuable, but you know I had to go hands-on and see for myself! I‘ve personally had subscriptions to both Scentbird and Scentbox on and off for years.
With Scentbird, I adore the online community aspect. It‘s so rewarding to share your new favorite find and feel like you‘re part of a those-who-nose club. I‘ve received spot-on recommendations from other members that became staples in my rotation. The monthly shipments also feel more special with the cute case and occasional surprises.
On the Scentbox side, I‘ve been wowed by some of the hard-to-find and prestige offerings in the collection. I never thought I‘d have the chance to wear scents from houses like Roja, Memo Paris, or Xerjoff! The 9ml sprayers are also perfect for stashing in your purse for on-the-go freshening up.
At the end of the day, I‘ve thoroughly enjoyed my experience with both services. Gun to my head, I‘d have to give the slight edge to Scentbird for the personal touch and community vibe. But Scentbox is a very close second, and I still maintain an active subscription to both!
Subscription Gifts They‘ll Swoon Over
We all have that one impossible-to-shop-for person on our list (or is that just me?). If they happen to be a fragrance lover, a Scentbird or Scentbox gift subscription is a total gamechanger.
Both services offer gift plans for 3, 6, and 12 month durations. The recipient will be notified by email, and they get complete control over choosing their own scent each month. Zero guesswork, all the glory!
Here‘s how the pricing breaks down:
Scentbird
- 3 months: $45
- 6 months: $84
- 12 months: $165
Scentbox
- 3 months: $45
- 6 months: $85
- 12 months: $165
As you can see, the cost is pretty equivalent between the two. Scentbird might have a slight advantage for gifting since the recipient also gets a free case with their first shipment. But you can‘t go wrong with either one!
The Final Verdict
Congrats, you made it to the end of this epic Scentbird vs Scentbox showdown! By now, I bet you‘re eager to crown a winner. But the truth is, there is no universal "best" – it all comes down to your individual needs, preferences, and budget.
To recap, here‘s what I believe each service does better than the other:
Scentbird Wins For…
- Spot-on personalized recommendations
- Sense of community & belonging
- Generous 8ml sample sizes
- Loyalty perks for members
- New user & gift subscriptions
Scentbox Wins For…
- Largest selection of designer fragrances
- Prestige & niche offerings
- Affordable pricing tiers
- Flexible subscription options
- Gender-inclusive catalog
If you put a proverbial perfume gun to my head, I lean slightly Team Scentbird. I love the warm fuzzy feeling of unboxing my monthly case and spritzing on scents approved by my scentmate community. But Scentbox is hard to resist for its unparalleled range and fancy-schmancy picks.
Really, I recommend ANY fragrance lover try at least a month of both! Since you‘re not locked into a contract, you can see which one you jive with firsthand. Follow your nose, and you can‘t go wrong!
I hope this helped you navigate the wild world of perfume subscriptions to find your perfect fit. I‘d love to hear about your experiences with Scentbird, Scentbox, or any other services you‘ve tried. Drop your thoughts in the comments and let‘s keep the scent-sation going!
Until next time, stay fabulous and may your signature scent be ever in your favor.
XOXO,
Your Resident Fragrance Freak
