Are you ready to find the absolute best tea subscription box? If so, you’ve come to the right place; we’ve done the work for you to dig up the top 13 options on the market and provide information about what makes each one unique to its competitors. These boxes give you the chance to try a wide variety of tea so you can decide which are your favorites and which you could do without.
In addition to sharing our picks for the best tea boxes you can find, we’ll also give a little insight into some of the factors that should be considered when choosing the right subscription. Our reviews will go over many types of tea offerings that will suit everyone from the beginner to the tea connoisseur. But first things first, let’s take a look at the best boxes and why they deserve to be listed here.Quick Comparison: Top 13 Tea Subscription Boxes
| Product Name | Grade |
|---|---|
| Sips By | A |
| Teabox | A- |
| Simple Loose Leaf Tea Company | B+ |
| Plum Deluxe | A |
| Art of Tea | B+ |
| Dollar Tea Club | A |
| Blendbee | B+ |
| Tea Sparrow | A- |
| Tea Runners | B+ |
| Respyre | A |
| The Whistling Kettle | A- |
| Adagio Teas | B+ |
| The Tea Spot | A- |
1. Sips By
Sips By is a startup out of Austin that is female-founded and promises to connect tea lovers with over 150 global brands offering excellent tea. The company uses a questionnaire to determine your preferences and then ships out four teas in every box along with brewing instructions and flavor descriptions. Each shipment will make around 15 mugs of tea, although that number can be increased if you re-steep the bags you like the most.
This is a bagged and loose-leaf tea subscription with a selection of options from caffeine-free herbal tea to tea with a high caffeine content. Those who opt for loose-leaf teas will also find biodegradable tea bags that you can fill in your own kitchen. Depending on the date, you’ll get personalized tea or teas that are pre-packaged based on the season.Highlighted Features
Cost
$15 a month for 15 cups of at least four types of tea
Availability
Sips By offers delivery of teas in the United States as well as in international countries.
2. Teabox
One of the things that sets Teabox apart from other companies like it is that you can order tea in whatever way best suits you. There are individual loose-leaf teas, tea packs that feature a selection of teas from one specified region, as well as subscription boxes with various types and amounts of teas. The subscriptions you can choose from include Tea Lover, Tea Avid, and Tea Enthusiast and have enough tea for 12 to 150 cups depending on your selection.
Other things that Teabox does right are offering worldwide free shipping, providing personalized subscription plans, and including beautiful teaware in the shop. You can also expect to receive your tea in about four to six days after it ships if you are within the United States.Highlighted Features
Cost
$39.99 for a monthly subscription or $35.99 a month for a three-month subscription
Availability
Teabox offers free worldwide express shipping for customers around the globe.
3. Simple Loose Leaf Tea Company
Those who enjoy a variety of teas that come as often as you like them will appreciate the options at Simple Loose Leaf Tea Company. When you sign up for an inexpensive subscription, you choose the sort of teas you want from herbal, black, and green tea (or go with a sampler which might contain any) and select a monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly delivery schedule. It comes with filters and tasting notes, so you have everything you need to brew.
Each of the teas that come with your box are fresh, quality loose-leaf teas that are hand-packaged right here in the United States. You’ll also find that they come in a recyclable container, so you don’t have to worry about eco-friendliness when you choose this option.Highlighted Features
Cost
Costs ranges from $10 a month to $108 a month based on the frequency of deliveries, plus a shipping charge
Availability
Simple Loose Leaf Tea Company offers shipping to the United States, Canada, and various international countries.
4. Plum Deluxe
Are you the kind of person that appreciates trying truly unique teas that you can’t find anywhere else? This is the premise behind Plum Deluxe, which offers a one or two tea subscription every month. In addition to the expected unique blends of tea, your monthly package will also come with a sample of another tea, brewing instructions, recipes, and tea pairings.
This isn’t the type of subscription box where you choose the teas you get, so every box is going to be a surprise with flavors like Chocolate Hazelnut Dessert, Dark Night of Orange Spice, or Passion Blend. The membership has a reasonable price, whether you go with one or two teas, and you often get discounts on other items for being a part of the club.Highlighted Features
Cost
Subscription to tea of the month club starts at $10 for seasonal teas
Availability
Plum Deluxe ships to the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
5. Art of Tea
Art of Tea has a membership that you can customize in terms of how long you want to receive tea (between three months and a year), as well as what sorts of teas appeal to you with options like Explore, Caffeine Free, and Single Origin. Those who choose loose-leaf tea will receive four ounces in each shipment unless you go with Single Origin, which offers two ounces. If you choose tea bags, there will be 12 in your box.
This is the sort of membership that works well for you if you are interested in trying many different types of organic tea over several months. It offers good value and its beautiful packaging and impressive variety can make it a great gift for a friend or family member. It’s a great way to try new blends that you probably wouldn’t find elsewhere or think up on your own.Highlighted Features
Cost
Cost of subscription ranges from $65 for three months to $215 for an entire year
Availability
Art of Tea currently ships the subscription box only to the United States.
6. Dollar Tea Club
As you can probably guess from the name, Dollar Tea Club offers a selection of tea samples for a very low price. The most famous subscription is a dollar a month and offers three teas and tea filters to use to brew your new flavors. In addition, the first time you have the tea delivered to you, the company will also add one Honeystix for no extra charge that tastes great when used in the teas sent to you.
There are also other subscriptions with more tea for those who enjoy more than an occasional mug, including the Sommelier with enough for one, two, or three cups each day. If you find that you like the Honeystix that come with the first package, those are also available as an add-on for under $4. The Sensei subscription comes with them standard, as well as an infuser during the first month and tea filters every month.Highlighted Features
Cost
Subscription costs start at $1 for three blends each month to $25 for someone who drinks three cups daily
Availability
The Dollar Tea Club ships only to the United States and Canada.
7. Blendbee
If you’re someone searching for a simple and affordable way to bring more artisan teas into your life, Blendbee may be the one for you. When you join this tea club, you get two loose-leaf tea blends every month (or you can choose a bi-monthly or quarterly delivery system). Rather than getting the same few teas over and over, this brand creates various new blends so that every cup is a pleasant surprise.
Along with the bags of tea, your package will include instructions for steeping as well as muslin tea bags that can be used again and again. It’s also easy to join: all you need to do is choose between caffeinated and decaf options and put in your personal information. Apart from the subscription box, this brand also offers a massive number of custom blends that can be purchased on an individual basis.
Highlighted Features
Cost
$25 or more a month, depending on the frequency of deliveries
Availability
Blendbee ships to the United States, U.S. territories, and Canada.
8. Tea Sparrow
Tea Sparrow is a tea subscription service that offers only tea that has no artificial flavorings or additives and uses only recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable packaging. Every month you get a different selection of teas that includes one black, one green, one herbal, and one rooibos tea. Some of the flavors you can expect throughout the year are things like Organic Darjeeling, Baked Apple Rooibos, London Fog, and Organic Peppermint.
Another thing that stands out with Tea Sparrow is that they offer a money-back guarantee if you don’t like the choices you get and they won’t ask any questions about the refund. You also get the option of choosing between tea bags or loose-leaf tea and can opt for only herbal or caffeinated teas if that’s what you prefer.Highlighted Features
Cost
Subscription cost is $20 for any tea box selection from the company
Availability
Tea Sparrow offers subscription shipping to the United States and Canada.
9. Tea Runners
When you go with Tea Runners for your subscription, there are four different boxes to select from. The original includes a variety of blended teas, pure teas, and herbal teas; the black tea box has only black teas of various types; the pure box comes with black tea, green tea, white tea, and other non-blended teas; and the herbal tea box only included decaffeinated teas. You can also decide to have the teas delivered once a month, every two months, or every quarter.
This company makes it easy to enjoy tea, and the website lets you switch boxes, customize your box, or set your delivery schedule to meet your needs. For those who are in the United States and Canada, you can also enjoy free shipping on every delivery you get. All tea comes in a resealable pouch to stay fresh longer.
Highlighted Features
Cost
Monthly memberships run $25 a box, three-month memberships are $67.50, six-month subscriptions are $127.50, and yearly memberships are $255
Availability
Tea Runners offers shipping to the United States, Canada, and international countries.
10. Respyre
Anyone who is a fan of herbal teas and beverages that improve wellness should consider looking at the options from Respyre, which focuses efforts on health and happiness. Every month, you will receive two loose-leaf teas crafted with ingredients known to help with wellness. All boxes come with a specific theme, with past examples including Immunity, Digest, Relax, Sleep, and Detox.
When you order from Respyre, you can expect to receive your tea in three to five days, and if you go for a gift box, it includes a handwritten note as well as $10 in-store credit. This is a unique tea subscription since it is focused on health and wellness, unlike other boxes that might offer one or two herbal teas in a selection of other options.Highlighted Features
Cost
$14.99 for a monthly box, $12.99 a month for a three-month subscription, or $11.99 a month for a year subscription
Availability
At this time, Respyre ships only to the United States and Canada.
11. The Whistling Kettle
If you’re someone who appreciates carefully curated teas that are the best of their kind, the Whistling Kettle is a fantastic option. You can choose from several different types of subscriptions with one for health and wellness and another for adventure that offers a wide variety of teas. There are regular boxes with five types of teas, as well as “Plus” boxes with enough tea for two mugs a day.
The Health and Wellness box has teas with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, while the Adventure box has everything from black and green tea to white, oolong, herbal, and Pu-Erh tea. The Purist box has no added flavors, so you can really enjoy the tea taste, while the Black box will only come with black teas to enjoy.Highlighted Features
Cost
Subscriptions range from $16 to $24 each month, depending on the selection
Availability
Offers shipment of subscriptions worldwide from Canada.
12. Adagio Teas
Are you a huge fan of strong loose-leaf teas? Then you’ll be happy to hear that Adagio Teas subscription has an extensive selection of loose-leaf teas for you to enjoy, although there are also bagged teas to choose from if you prefer. Some of the tea types you can choose from with this service include Japanese green tea, Chinese Pu-Erh or oolong tea, rooibos from South Africa, and more.
If you want to try a sample from the company, you can get one for only a couple of dollars, while larger containers can go to as high as $70. The Better Tea Club does have a cost associated with it but ensures you get monthly shipments for a low price with black, decaf, green, white, oolong, flavored, or herbal tea.Highlighted Features
Cost
Subscription costs run about $59 for a six-month membership or $99 for a full year subscription
Availability
Adagio Teas ships to the United States, U.S. territories, and a variety of international countries.
13. The Tea Spot
Another of the best subscription boxes for tea lovers comes from the Tea Spot, which offers handcrafted blends made in Boulder, Colorado. Each of the shipments comes with four different kinds of teas that are intended to match the current season. The selections come in a beautiful box and include an educational postcard so you can learn more about the tea you are about to steep.
This isn’t the kind of subscription that lets you choose your tea. Instead, you blindly receive four blends to try every month. In addition, there is free shipping with the subscription as long as you are located in the lower 48 states.
Highlighted Features
Cost
Monthly boxes are $14.95, while quarterly boxes range from $38.95 to $44.95
Availability
The Tea Spot ships to the United States, U.S. territories, and some international addresses.
Buyer’s Guide for the Best Tea Subscription Box
Now that you have an idea of many of the top tea subscription boxes on the market, it’s time to think about what makes the perfect option for your own kitchen. Among the factors that should go into selecting a long-term subscription are your own budget, the kinds of tea that you most enjoy drinking, and whether you prefer loose tea or bagged tea. However, there are several other factors to consider, each of which will be discussed below.
Varieties of Tea Included in Monthly Tea Subscription Box
Are you the kind of person who likes only green tea or who prefers only herbal blends? On the other hand, you might be someone who likes all tea and wants to try every kind you can get your hand on in your favorite mug. Considering where you fall on this spectrum is crucial since some subscriptions offer a single variety of tea while others have dozens or hundreds they could ship out every month.
The Frequency in Which Teas Boxes Are Sent Out
Most of the tea boxes you are going to come across will send out a large number of tea bags or loose-leaf tea every month, but this isn’t the only possibility. Some of the companies have weekly shipments, bi-weekly shipments, or offer shipments every quarter. You’ll want to take a moment to think about how much tea you want every month and how often you want it to show up at your door to choose the right box for your household.
Price of the Subscription Box and Your Own Budget
While many of the subscription boxes on this list are relatively inexpensive, there are exceptions to the rule. Being aware of your own budget and how much you can spend on tea each month is another consideration you need to think about. The last thing you want to do is find a box service that matches your need only to find that it’s something you can’t afford in the long run.
Having a budget in mind before you do a deep delve into your options will keep you on track to choosing a box that works right for you.
Choice Between Tea Bags, Loose Leaf Tea, or Both
Some people out there enjoy the convenience of tea bags, while others are fans of loose-leaf tea, and a few individuals are happy to use tea in both forms. If you care deeply about whether you get bags or loose tea, that’s another thing that you have to look at when choosing a subscription box. There’s no point in choosing a company with excellent, rare tea if it’s only going to be available in a form that you prefer to avoid.
Access to Rare Teas or Teas in Limited Stock
If you’re someone who appreciates limited stock or rare teas, there are going to be some subscription services that meet your needs better than others. While some boxes will put out an occasional limited tea, others try to offer them consistently to give you a better level of options. However, those who are okay with regular teas will probably be happy with less expensive subscriptions that have more traditional tea offerings.
