As it turns out, the escape room craze hasn’t missed the subscription box bandwagon, as the two have come together to give us some of the most entertaining subscription boxes available. Of the many subscription boxes suitable for those with geeky tastes, puzzle subscription boxes offer some of the best bang for your buck. Think about your average escape room: One ticket usually costs between $25 and $40, and you’re going in a group of four to six. That’s anywhere from $100 to $240 for one room, completed in 60 to 90 minutes. You could spend the same amount on an entire year’s worth of puzzle boxes, with the added convenience of having them delivered right to your door. Invite those same friends over and you’ll have just as much fun with a good puzzle box as you would in an escape room. Here are some of the best puzzle subscription boxes to check out if you’re a fan of mystery and escape rooms.
7. Murder & Co.
Murder & Co. is the newest service on our list. This monthly subscription box places more emphasis on immersive mystery than impossible puzzles, but the puzzles will still provide a solid challenge. Box pricing: $50 per box (cheaper with multi-month plans) Every mystery is split into six episodes (each box is an episode) and you’ll need all six episodes to fully solve the crime. If you opt for a 1-box or 3-box subscription, you’ll only get a taste of the mystery—but if you decide you like it, you can renew and get the rest of them. The only thing is, at $50 per box, Murder & Co. is the most expensive puzzle subscription box we’ve seen yet. It’s justified in that the clues are also intended as gifts (e.g. mugs, books, trays, etc.) so you get more out of it, but you’ll probably want to try one month to see if it’s your thing.
6. CosyKiller
CosyKiller offers murder mystery intrigue delivered to your door every month. As of this writing, there are five different mysteries to solve, with each one consisting of 12 total boxes. Box pricing: $44.50 per box (cheaper with multi-month plans) Designed for “armchair sleuths,” CosyKiller’s immersive mysteries are loaded with puzzles, ciphers, and red herrings that’ll force you to be the best detective you can be—from the cosiness of your own home. This one is steeply priced at $44.50 per box (before multi-month discounts) but the narratives are tight and you get some cool bonuses in every box, including vintage memorabilia, replica items, and personalized letters written specially for you.
5. Conundrum Box
Conundrum Box comes from Team Conundrum, a group of escape room fanatics who haven’t just played hundreds of escape rooms but also designed and created 15 of their own escape rooms. That expertise shines brightly in each box here. Box pricing: $30 per box (cheaper with multi-month plans) Described as an “adventure in a box,” Conundrum Box is part escape room and part choose-your-own adventure tale. The makers put heavy emphasis on story-driven experiences, with all boxes woven into a grander overall narrative (but you can jump in if you haven’t played past boxes). One of the unique things about Conundrum Box is how each box includes a suggested playlist for your session (for more immersion) as well as recipes for foods and drinks that pair with the story.
4. Escape the Crate
Escape the Crate is the puzzle subscription box for those who dislike the idea of one mystery being stretched out over multiple boxes. Take advantage of this offer here. Box pricing: $30 per box (cheaper with multi-month plans) Each box that gets sent out by Escape the Crate is a complete, self-contained mystery. Each mystery is divided into multiple chapters, so you can pace yourself and take breaks as you wish. If you want to do one chapter every week, that’s more than valid! Unlike other puzzle subscription boxes, Escape the Crate is shipped every two months (rather than every month). That makes it a great option for busy sleuths who can’t keep up with a monthly mystery. All in all, Escape the Crate is the one we recommend if you can’t commit to a long, over-arching storyline and want each box to be its own thing.
3. Deadbolt Mystery Society
Deadbolt Mystery Society is a mouthful, but it’s also a really cool box filled with crafty puzzles, interesting characters, clue-filled interviews, and even QR code destinations that make the experience more immersive. Take advantage of this offer here. Box pricing: $27 per box (cheaper with multi-month plans) Every box by Deadbolt Mystery Society is a standalone mystery, meaning you don’t need to follow a long chain of stories to understand what’s going on and the mystery isn’t stretched out across many months. New boxes are sent out every month, so if you like self-contained puzzle boxes but want a greater frequency than what Escape the Crate offers, Deadbolt Mystery Society is the one for you. Deadbolt Mystery Society also stands out for being the cheapest puzzle subscription box service (among the ones worth getting, anyway). At just $27 per box, it’s hard to beat the value here.
2. Finders Seekers
Finders Seekers is a puzzle subscription box that takes the concept of an escape room and combines it with travel: every box has you exploring a new city around the world. Take advantage of this offer here. Box pricing: $33 per box (cheaper with multi-month plans) Of course, there’s still plenty of mystery that’ll have you scratching your head as you figure out what’s going on. The difference is that each self-contained box exposes you to world cultures as you decode cryptic messages and even discover underground societies. And the mysteries in Finders Seekers are NOT murder-related, so this is a good pick if you’re looking for a family-friendly option. Each box also comes with playlists and recipes that help bring the city to life. At just $33 per box, Finders Seekers is an economical activity that can bring the entire family together for a night of fun every month.
1. Hunt A Killer
When a private investigator comes to you for help in solving a crime, will you step up to the call? Take advantage of this offer here. Box pricing: $40 per box (cheaper with multi-month plans) Hunt A Killer sells itself as a murder mystery game, with each murder case consisting of six episodes (one box is an episode). You’ll need all six boxes of a particular season to solve that case and capture the killer. The boxes are filled with all kinds of clues and props that’ll make you feel like a real detective, including autopsy reports, witness statements, archived documents, private correspondence, and more. Note: If you aren’t sure about the subscription box model, Hunt A Killer sells entire seasons at once (called Box Sets). This is the most economical option, with each Box Set costing between $120 and $200 but containing the full six boxes from that season.
More Options for Puzzle-Solving Fun
Each of the above puzzle boxes cost about the same as a single ticket to an escape room, so they’re a pretty solid value if you’re in it for the mystery and challenge of solving a tough set of problems. Take advantage of this offer here. There’s just something exciting about getting a surprise puzzle delivered to your home each month. And when that surprise is specifically designed for puzzle-solvers like us, it’s even better. But if none of these puzzle subscription boxes caught your eye, you might be better off with a brain teaser puzzle toy instead:
