If you’re a dog owner, you’ve probably come across BarkBox before—whether it’s on your Instagram feed, in a YouTube ad, or from another dog lover raving about how their pup is “now waiting for the mailman.” But with all the subscription boxes out there, you’ve probably wondered: Is BarkBox really worth it, or is it just another gimmick in a cute package?
We took the plunge, signed up for BarkBox, and tested it for three months—with the help of some enthusiastic furry helpers. Here’s our honest, chew-tested, and tail-wagging (or not) review.
BarkBox is a monthly subscription box specifically for dogs. Each box contains:
You can customize it to your dog’s size and allergies, and even choose a more durable version (called the Super Chewer) if your puppy destroys toys in minutes.
Let’s start with what you’re probably here for: What’s actually in the box?
Squeaky, crinkly, and surprisingly durable. 10/10 play rating from our tester pup.
A plush banana toy with hidden pockets. Interactive and well-loved.
Smelled great (yes, we checked) and caused no tummy issues. Tail wags all around.
Took about 20 minutes to devour. Kept our pup quiet, focused, and happy.
A squeaky plush vampire with detachable parts.
Rubberized and spooky. Great for fetch and tough chewers.
Soft, breakable treats ideal for training and no tummy upset.
Gobbled in minutes with no digestive issues. A fang-tastic snack!
Here’s the real test: Can the toys last more than five minutes?
If your dog is a gentle or moderate chewer, regular BarkBox toys are ideal. They’re interactive, crinkle, and squeaky, with clever designs and great textures.
However, for aggressive chewers, BarkBox also offers the Super Chewer Box, which replaces plush with sturdier rubber or nylon toys. In our experience, these held up much better and were more appealing to power chewers who typically shred things in seconds.
We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the BarkBox treats. Here’s what stood out:
None of our test dogs had any digestive issues. Even dogs with food intolerances did well when we selected allergy-friendly options in the BarkBox profile.
With BarkBox you can easily customize your plan:
They even offer replacement toys if your dog doesn’t like something or destroys it immediately.
This is where BarkBox really shines. We once contacted them because one of their toys arrived damaged in the second month. Within 48 hours, we had a replacement toy—and an added surprise.
Their “Happy Pup Guarantee” means they always do it right, no questions asked.
BarkBox ships free to the contiguous U.S. and for a small fee to Canada, Alaska, and Hawaii. Packages typically arrive between the 15th and 20th of each month.
Although you can’t return an entire opened box for health and safety reasons, BarkBox offers a hassle-free return policy. If you don’t like something, you’ll exchange it free of charge.
They call it the “Scout’s Honor” rule. If your puppy isn’t happy with an item, the problem will be resolved—whether by sending a new toy, an extra treat, or customizing future boxes.
You can choose:
You can pause, cancel, or change your plan at any time from your account dashboard – no hidden hurdles.
| Plan | Cost per Box |
|---|---|
| Month-to-Month | $35 |
| 6-Month Plan | $26/month |
| 12-Month Plan | $23/month |
Considering you get two toys, two bags of treats, and a chew toy, the value per item is actually quite high. Toys alone often cost $10 to $15 at pet stores.
BarkBox isn’t just marketing hype. It actually brings joy—to both dogs and their owners.
Here’s our bottom-line take:
BarkBox is ideal if:
Not the best choice if:
BarkBox combines fun, quality, and convenience. Whether your dog is a gentle cuddler or a toy destroyer, there’s a crate for them. And while the marketing is catchy and clever, the experience is truly worth the barking.
