The Best Subscription Boxes for Vinyl Collectors

Digging through crates is fun and all, but it can be difficult to find a good, playable record for a reasonable price. Thankfully, there are subscription boxes that make record collecting more affordable and easy.

Update, 12/20/22: Checked content for accuracy, product availability, and dead links. Added Amazon’s Vinyl of the Month Club.

Even with the rise in popularity of vinyl over the last decade, it may still come as a surprise that there are a ton of vinyl subscription boxes on the market right now. They all have their own perks (exclusive records, old records, new records, indie records, etc), but the general idea stays the same across all sites—build your record collection without wasting any time or money.

Many of these subscription services allow you to choose a preferred genre or even specific records that you’d like each month, so you won’t end up with anything lame. And some of these subscriptions offer exclusive records, art, and inserts that could increase in value as time goes on.

Of course, depending on your budget or your listening preferences, one subscription box may appeal to you more than another. Subscribing to more than one of these would be … expensive. That’s why we’ve taken the time to find the best vinyl record subscription boxes for everybody’s needs.

What to Look for in a Vinyl Subscription Box

The concept of a vinyl subscription box is pretty straightforward, but before you sign up, it’s worth having an idea of what to expect. Here are the features and important points you should consider as you look for a subscription:

• Selection: You (probably) don’t want a random grab bag of records, so make sure you find a subscription with the genres and bands you like, as not every service covers all of them. Also ensure the service works with vinyl in at least Very Good condition and that features the pressing you want (vintage, re-issue, 180 grams, etc).
• Fair Pricing: Does the box come with multiple records or just one? Does it come with art or other goodies or services? Does the asking price seem fair, or a ripoff? New vinyl can go for about $20-$30 a pop, so factor that in as well as shipping and the cost of any extra stuff before ordering to ensure you’re getting a good deal.
• Quality Packaging & Shipping: Because this is a vinyl subscription we’re talking about, and not t-shirts or DVDs or snacks, they should be carefully packed so they can withstand the toils (and drops and so on) that accompany shipping. We favor companies that use lots of padding as well as a hearty box or case for good measure so they’re ready to play on your turntable as soon as you get them out of the box.
• Robust Return Policy: Vinyl is fragile, and throwing records in the mail is hardly the best thing for them. As such, the subscription service you choose for them should not only do a good job of packaging the vinyl they ship but have responsive customer service and welcome any returns should there be any damage incurred during shipping. Avoid companies that deny returns, charge you for them, or are otherwise problematic in this department.

A Quick Note on Feedbands

We originally had popular vinyl service Feedbands in our lineup, which sent out listener-voted records each month. It centered around new and great indie music and gave its users exclusive first pressings and a tight indie music community. The company, unfortunately, said its continuation was unsustainable and was ultimately ceased in 2019.

Best Overall: Vinyl Me, Please

Vinyl Me, Please (starts at $33 per month) is one of the most popular record subscription services out there, and for good reason. Each month, Vinyl Me sends you an exclusive record, usually with a colored disc, a lyrics insert, or special artwork. And these aren’t some lame-brain records you’ve never heard of, they’re classics (and new hits) from all genres, including hip-hop and funk.

You get to decide which track you want each month: Classics (soul, blues, jazz), Essentials (must-haves across all genres and eras), Hip-Hop (old school to SoundCloud), or Country (classics through contemporary). But if you don’t like what Vinyl Me is offering, you can opt for a different record, or one that had been sent out a previous month. Some of Vinyl Me’s exclusive records have become popular collector’s items, so you may as well hop on the bandwagon now if you’ve got the dough.

Vintage Originals: Cratejoy Vinyl Record Club

If you’re a fan of subscription boxes, then you’ve probably heard of Cratejoy. The website’s full of unique subscription boxes, but we especially love its Vinyl Record Club subscription (starts at $32.08 per box). Records are all used originals, not re-issues, and have a VG grade (jackets and vinyl may have wear but are playable and look nice).

With the Cratejoy Vinyl Record Club, you get six used LP’s in the mail every month. But this isn’t some blind bag, Cratejoy sends out good and popular old records from your genre of choice, with options like Country, Folk, and Southern; Classic Rock 1960-80s; Soul, Funk, R&B; Movies, Soundtracks, Musicals; Hip-Hop/Rap 12″ & EPs; EDM, Disco, DJ, Dance; and Jazz, Blues, Pop, Vocal, Bands.

For roughly the cost of a single new record, this is a great way to pad your vinyl collection with some classics and some hidden gems.

Premium Picks: Black Box Record Club

Want only the most premium vinyl that matches your unique music tastes? Black Box Record Club is the subscription box you want, as it sends out two curated records each month. You’ll select your plan, connect your Spotify account, and complete your taste profile. Easy peasy!

This is an easy way to flesh out your vinyl collection according to your specific tastes. Black Box Record Club analyzes your most listened-to artists on Spotify then sends you records accordingly. And if you don’t have Spotify? No worries. You can still fill out the thorough “Taste Profile” survey, which logs your favorite artists and genres. Shipping is free for members in the United States, and you can even return unopened records that you already own (or don’t want) and get a replacement in the next box.

Great for New Artists: Vinylmnky

Vinylmnky (starting at $28.99 per month) is the leading subscription service for new, breakthrough records. Each month, you’ll get a copy of a brand new record, along with some exclusive items like artwork and inserts. Vinylmnky allows you to choose which genre you’d like and even gives you the opportunity to swap your monthly record for something else if it disappoints you.

Some of the recent artists that have been featured on Vinylmnky include Dropper, Girl in Red, and Wilderado. For those who appreciate established bands and artists, don’t fret. Vinylmnky has tons of great records from popular acts like Jimi Hendrix, Duran Duran, Joy Division, Fleetwood Mac, Animal Collective, Outkast, Deftones, Aesop Rock, My Morning Jacket, Gorillaz, Neil Young, Prince, Nirvana, Bob Marley, Olivia Rodrigo, Beastie Boys, Madlib, Daft Punk, and many more.

Colorful Mixtapes: Vinyl Moon

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Trying to scoop up a variety of new music? Prefer your vinyl and jackets to have a bold colorful style instead of the same old boring black disk? You want Vinyl Moon (starts at $31 per record). This creative service sends you a vinyl mixtape—yes, you heard me right, a vinyl mixtape—every month.

Every vinyl is a different color and features new music from around the globe. And what’s more, they each come with original interactive artwork inspired by the artists. Vinyl Moon curates 10 songs the presses them onto an ultra-deluxe LP. You can opt to subscribe to a new record each month or to past releases.

Great for Amazon Lovers: Vinyl of the Month Club

If you use Amazon for all your regular shopping and utilize its other services like Amazon Prime, Prime Video, Amazon Music, and more, the company’s Vinyl of the Month Club will keep your subscription services under one roof. And even if you don’t subscribe to those services, it’s worth taking a look at.

Each month, you’ll receive one vinyl record from one of the five Vinyl clubs available: Pop, Hip-Hop, Rock, Country, and Golden Era. Each club has its own pricing system ranging from $25 to $33 each month. And you can join multiple clubs to keep your growing vinyl collection as diverse as your tastes.

Plus, Amazon offers a gargantuan selection of vinyl and CDs that you can buy separately if you just can’t wait for your monthly record. And if you want to take a month off or cancel, you can do both at any time.