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The Fragrance Club vs Scentbird

Thursday, December 5th

2024 Perfume Subscription Reviews

The Fragrance Club Review 2 Star Rating

The Fragrance Club

2 Star Rating
  • About 40 perfume options to choose from
  • 100% authentic fragrances
  • $18.95 for monthly deliveries
  • $19.95 for bi-monthly deliveries
  • $189.48 for an annual (prepaid) subscription
  • Free shipping on all clubs
  • Cologne subscription also available
  • In operation since 1997

The Fragrance Club has been shipping monthly scents since 1997. It's set up like most of its competitors: you choose a queue of perfumes (or colognes) that you like, and you'll get monthly or bi-monthly deliveries. You'll pay under $20 for your monthly deliveries, with savings when you prepay for a year upfront. We'd recommend against it, though: there were only 37 perfume choices at the time of our review, the site was full of typos, and there's not much chance of returning or exchanging scents you don't like. The customer support team at The Fragrance Club told us to look for a major revamp in the near future, but until then, this subscription earns a lower rating.

Scentbird Review 1 Star Rating

Scentbird

1 Star Rating
  • Over 700 fragrances to choose from
  • $16.95/month
  • 8mL (0.27 oz) in each delivery
  • Can save 50% on your first month (timed offer)
  • Cologne also available (as a separate subscription, no mix-and-match)
  • Free case with your first order only
  • In business since 2013

At first glance, Scentbird is a well-rounded perfume subscription that gives you plenty of new scents to try on. They'll give you lots of guidance in choosing which ones to add to your queue, from an in-depth quiz to a library with fragrance notes. You get a little bit less here (8mL) but you also pay a little less too ($16.95/month). Scentbird looks pretty good - until you see that the BBB rates the company with an "F” and says that there's a clear pattern of customers paying for a perfume subscription and never receiving it. Until Scentbird gets that figured out and subscriber feedback reflects it, this will be the lowest-ranked perfume membership on our list.

Which Perfume Subscription is the Best?

Perfumes have been an integral part of human culture for centuries, with scents carefully crafted from flowers, herbs, and exotic spices. From ancient Egypt to modern-day fashion houses, wearing perfume has always been a way to express identity, mood, and even status. Fast forward to today, and the art of choosing a fragrance has evolved.

Perfume is no longer just about sniffing your way through the options at the department store counter - perfumes can capture emotions in a bottle, or even become as distinctive as your signature. But here's the thing: perfume shopping in traditional stores can be overwhelming.

The Best Perfume Subscriptions Compare Perfume Subscriptions Compare Perfume Subscription Reviews What are the best Perfume Subscriptions Best Perfume Subscription Reviews

Perfume Subscription FAQ

A perfume subscription is a membership that delivers new fragrances to your mailbox every month. Think of it as a "scent club”: just like foodies can get hot sauces and fashionistas can get accessories, fragrance fans get to try out something new with each delivery.
As long as you get your subscription from a reputable retailer, yes. You'll often see the word "decant” used in reference to these services and to other discount perfume shops: it just means that they buy the original, authentic fragrances in bulk and transfer them to smaller containers.
Yes! Perfume subscriptions eliminate the "blind buy” expense of getting a full bottle of a fragrance you hope that you'll love... but wind up hating. Maybe you already have a Jimmy Choo or Marc Jacobs scent in your regular rotation and you want to see if you like their newest release. Or you're going way out of your comfort zone and trying something with notes and a profile totally new to you. That's the beauty of perfume memberships: all the fun for much less money.
That depends on the one you select. Most clubs' monthly deliveries feature a small glass bottle with approximately 8 mL (or 0.27 oz) in an atomizer case. Some retailers expect you to swap out the tube in the case with every new perfume that comes, while others include a new case every time. Also, some perfume subscriptions include more than one fragrance per month. And, most memberships give you rewards points and/or discounts that can be used to get full bottles of any perfume you wind up wanting to add to your permanent collection.
Niche fragrances typically come from independent, lesser-known perfumers. They're not your well-known brands like Bvlgari or Calvin Klein. Some perfume memberships stick strictly to designer brands, others focus solely on niche brands - and a few let you choose freely from a catalog that includes both. If you love the idea of wearing a perfume that's cutting-edge or that no one else has, niche scents are the way to go.
Not at all: you'll get about 30 days of scent for the price of a couple of lattes. Most perfume subscriptions are priced between $15-$20 per month, and some memberships give you the first month at a big discount.
Unfortunately, most perfume memberships have a strict "no refunds” policy - but it's much more affordable to try a $14 sample size and find out you don't like it than to buy the whole bottle. However, our #1 perfume subscription lets you exchange anything you get that isn't a good match, up to five times every twelve months.
Yes! Why should women get all the fun? While some perfume subscriptions focus just on more traditionally feminine scents, most plans have options for cologne too. If you want to get both cologne and perfume, be sure to choose a retailer that offers that kind of flexibility. One of our top rate perfume subscriptions lets you get two scents (or more) in every delivery, and another gives you three masculine/unisex and three feminine niche fragrances each month.
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

The options seem endless, and after sampling just a few, your nose might struggle to differentiate between scents. Add the high price tags for full-sized bottles, and you might feel hesitant to commit to a single perfume without fully experiencing it. Enter perfume subscriptions, the modern solution to all your fragrance woes.

Perfume subscriptions are all about convenience and discovery. For a monthly fee, you receive sample-size perfumes from a wide range of brands. It's the perfect way to try new fragrances before buying the full bottle, which can save you money and prevent any buyer's remorse. Plus, it's a way to break out of your usual scent preferences and experiment with something new - whether that's a light, breezy scent for spring or a deep, sultry fragrance for fall.

Another perk? Perfume subscriptions often partner with both luxury and niche brands, giving you access to a curated selection that you might not find at your local department store. And, since most subscription services come in handy travel-friendly sizes, you can carry them wherever you go - ideal for someone who's always on the move or who needs to freshen up after work and before drinks.

Additionally, these subscriptions sometimes come with personalized recommendations, often after giving you a quiz to see which scents match your style and favorite notes. With fresh perfumes arriving every month, it feels like a little just-for-you luxury delivered straight to your door.

With so many options available, it's super-easy to find the right perfume subscription for your "scent style”. Here are some criteria to consider when deciding where to get started:

  • Brand variety. Some subscription services focus on well-known luxury brands, while others offer a mix of niche or indie fragrances. If you're someone who loves the classics, look for a subscription that includes iconic names. If you enjoy discovering up-and-coming perfumers, a service that focuses on smaller, boutique brands might be a better fit.
  • Customization. Look into whether the subscription allows you to choose the scents you want to try or if it's more of a mystery each month. Some people enjoy the surprise, while others prefer more control over what they receive. Also, check if there's an option to swap fragrances if you get one you don't love.
  • Pricing and flexibility. Prices for perfume subscriptions can vary, so choose one that fits your budget. Look into whether they offer monthly, quarterly, or annual plans, and whether you can pause or cancel your subscription easily.
  • Value. The vials that come in perfume subscriptions sizes can range from tiny vials to larger travel atomizers that last for nearly 150 sprays. If you're someone who likes to really wear a fragrance before deciding, opt for a service that offers more generous samples.
  • Additional perks. Some subscriptions offer added bonuses, such as discounts on full-sized bottles, access to exclusive perfumes, or fun packaging. If you're someone who loves those little extra touches, these perks could make one subscription stand out from the rest.
  • Reputation. Perfume subscriptions can look really similar on the surface, so check out what members are saying about the overall experience. Does the company deliver what it promises, on time, with no drama if something goes wrong? What does the Better Business Bureau have to say?

Ready to smell fantastic? The fragrance fans at Top Consumer Reviews have put some of today's most popular perfume subscriptions to the sniff test and ranked them from first to worst. Whether you're new to perfumes or a seasoned collector, there's a subscription for you, so prepare to experiment a bit and find your next favorite scent - without breaking the bank.

The Best Reviews of Perfume Subscriptions