Man Crates sells unique gifts, which come packaged in sealed wooden crates that need to be opened with an included miniature crowbar. Many of the positive reviews on the website mention the fun challenge of opening the crates.
There are more than 150 crates available on the website, with varying themes, prices, and gifts inside. There are crates for many hobbies and passions, including sports, beer, whiskey, cooking, and grilling.
While the crates are marketed toward people who identify as men, anyone can enjoy them, regardless of gender identity.
Shipping does cost extra and varies depending on the crate selected. According to the website, orders ship within 1–2 business days.
If you are ordering a crate for a special occasion, you can choose a specific arrival date when you’re checking out. Otherwise, you’ll see a guaranteed delivery date after you choose your shipping option.
With more than 150 different crates available on the Man Crates website, it can be difficult to know which one will be the best fit for your intended recipient.
All of the crates on the website vary in price from as low as $29.99–$199.99, so consider your personal budget before selecting the crate you’d like to purchase. Additionally, remember to factor in the cost of shipping, which is extra and will depend on the crate you choose.
Part of the experience of these gifts is the challenge of getting the crate open. If you want your loved one to get the opportunity to open a crate, be sure to check that your chosen gift is packaged in a crate, rather than a regular box.
You’ll also want to think about the person the crate is meant for and what types of hobbies or interests they have. There are a variety of types of crates available that can suit your recipient’s preferences.
Lastly, if you choose a personalized gift, don’t forget to factor in the extra time it will take to produce.
How we chose
We researched the best Man Crates based on the following criteria:
- Reviews. We included crates with at least 4.5 out of 5 stars.
- Vetting. All the products included have been vetted to ensure that they meet Healthline’s medical and business standards.
- Variety. Our list includes crates with different themes that are suitable for varying interests.
Best for whiskey lovers
Personalized Whiskey Crate
Price: $$
The Personalized Whiskey Crate makes a great gift for the whiskey lover in your life and comes with rocks glasses, coasters, and ice molds.
You can personalize the rocks glasses with lettering and style. Adding the customization will increase shipping time, though, so be sure to factor this in.
This crate also includes a journal that’s meant for taking notes and writing reviews on different types of whiskey.
It’s clear that this whiskey crate is a fan favorite, as it has 5 out of 5 stars from almost 300 reviews on the Man Crates website and a 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon.
Reviewers comment that the etching on the glasses is well-done, and they make for a great gift. However, some disappointed customers felt that the crate was overpriced.
Here is a list of everything included in the Personalized Whiskey Crate:
- 2 (9-ounce, or 266 mL) personalized, heavy-bottom rocks glasses
- 2 Tovolo ice sphere molds
- 2 slate coasters
- a 33 Glasses of Whiskey Drinking Journal
- 4 ounces (113 grams) toffee almonds
- 4 ounces (113 grams) citrus chili cashews
Best for beer lovers
Personalized Beer Aficionado Crate
Price: $
This crate includes coasters, a personalized bottle opener, and five beer glasses. Remember to factor in extra time for shipping of personalized items.
If your loved one enjoys different types of beer, this may be a great choice. However, if they prefer drinking beer from a bottle or can, this gift may not be worth the cost, since no beer is actually included in the crate.
While the crate has only positive reviews on the Man Crates website, there aren’t many reviews in total. Reviewers have said that this crate makes for a fantastic gift and the customer service is great as well.
Here is a list of everything included in the Personalized Beer Aficionado Crate:
- 5 beer glasses:
- IPA beer glass
- pilsner beer glass
- hefeweizen beer glass
- stout beer glass
- Saison beer glass
- 5 letterpress coasters
- personalized wood veneer bottle opener
Best for coffee lovers
Caffeine Fiend Crate
Price: $$
The Caffeine Fiend Crate is a great gift for the coffee lover in your life. The crate includes two different kinds of coffee beans along with everything they’ll need to experiment with their new coffee.
The Heart of Darkness beans are a dark roast from Brazil. The other included coffee, Alpha Coffee Warrior Select, is a medium-dark roast.
Additionally, while the items can be used for a freshly brewed cup of coffee at home, they’re also easily portable. The GSI Javamill is a thermos and French press all in one, so you can prepare a cup of coffee and enjoy it on the go.
Reviews on this crate are 5 out of 5 and mention that not only is the crate a fun challenge to open, but the coffee is high quality and delicious.
Here is a list of everything included in the Caffeine Fiend Crate:
- GSI French press thermos and French press
- GSI Javamill portable grinder
- spoon/clip
- 12 ounces (340 grams) Alpha Coffee Warrior Select coffee beans
- 12 ounces (340 grams) Heart of Darkness coffee beans
Best for grillers
Pit Master Crate
Price: $$
If you’re shopping for someone who loves to grill, this crate might be the perfect fit. It includes just about everything you need to get grilling — aside from the grill itself.
With 5 out of 5 star reviews, it’s clear that this crate is also a fan favorite. Many reviews mention the quality of the items included, specifically the BBQ fork and heavy-duty leather gloves.
On a similar note, reviewers also commented on the included rub and sauces being delicious.
That said, this crate has some mixed reviews on Amazon. Its overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 is great, but some disappointed customers have written that their crates were delivered with broken bottles of barbecue sauce and that the crate is too expensive.
Here is a list of everything included in the Pit Master Crate:
- leather gloves
- 19-inch (48 cm) BBQ fork
- meat claws
- silicone basting brush
- 1.5 cup (355 mL) cast iron sauce pot
- 3 smoke cans
- barbecue meat rub
- 16-ounces (473 mL) Honey Sweet Sauce
- 16-ounces (473 mL) Touch of Heat Sauce
Best for meat lovers
Cow-pocalypse Crate
Price: $$
With 5 types of jerky and 5 out of 5 star reviews, it’s easy to see why the Cow-pocalypse Crate is great for meat lovers.
Like most crates, many of the reviews mention that part of the positive experience is the opening of the crate.
Additionally, reviewers comment on the great variety and taste of the jerky included in the crate.
That said, the price of the crate is on the higher end, given its contents. important to note that part of the cost is the crate itself. If you’re looking to keep costs down, this may not be the best option.
Here is a list of everything included in the Cow-pocalypse Crate:
- 2 (3-ounce, or 85-gram) packages Carnivore Candy sweet spicy jerky
- 2 (3-ounce, or 85-gram) packages Archer crushed red pepper jerky
- 2 (3-ounce, or 85-gram) packages Chef’s Cut cracked chipotle pepper jerky
- 2 (3.2-ounce, or 91-gram) packages Bakke Brothers ghost pepper jerky
- 2 (2.15-ounce, or 61-gram) packages Field Trip beef original jerky
Best for the chef
Cast Iron Cooking Crate
Price: $
The Cast Iron Cooking crate includes a cast iron skillet that can be used as a deep-skillet, a Dutch oven, or griddle, making it perfect for the chef in your life.
While this crate does have 5 out of 5 stars, there aren’t many reviews in total. The available reviews comment on the high quality of the skillet as well as the great customer service with Man Crates.
The crate also includes pasta, chili mix, and a cornbread mix so your loved one can get started cooking right away.
Here is a list of everything included in the Cast Iron Cooking Crate:
- 3-in-1 cast iron skillet
- 6.25 ounces (177 grams) Montana Creekside Classic Chili Mix
- 1 pound (0.5 kg) cornbread mix
- 16-ounces (454 grams) organic durum semolina rigatoni
- 18.7-ounces (530 grams) organic tomato and Italian olive sauce
Best for the DIY chef
Chef Knife Making Kit
Price: $$$
While this crate is much more expensive than the Cast Iron Cooking Crate, it makes for a great gift for someone who not only loves to cook but enjoys DIY projects.
The crate includes everything needed to make your own chef knife by hand. High-end chef’s knives can be very expensive, so it makes sense that this crate would be pricey.
It’s important to note that this option doesn’t actually ship in a crate, but rather in a cardboard box. So, if you’re hoping to experience the fun challenge of opening the crate, this may not be the choice for you.
Reviews mention that the instructions for building the knife are straightforward and even humorous. Reviewers also comment on the good quality of the finished product.
Overall, the Chef Knife Making Kit is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars. Unsatisfied customers have written reviews commenting that this crate is priced too high for what you get. Additionally, some were disappointed that this option came in a cardboard box, rather than in a crate.
Here is a list of everything included in the Chef Knife Making Kit:
- VG-10 Damascus chef knife blade blank
- Micarta handle scale set
- Mosaic pens
- chef knife–making guide
- 2-ton syringe epoxy
- rasp and file set
- graded sandpaper set
- bench vise
- drill bit
Best for Bloody Mary lovers
Personalized Bloody Mary Crate
Price: $
If you’re looking for a gift for the Bloody Mary lover in your life, this may be a suitable option.
This crate has 5/5 stars on the Man Crates website, and customers seem to enjoy the unique pepperoni straws and personalized Collins glasses it comes with.
Keep in mind that shipping may take a little longer if you decide to add personalization to the glasses.
On a similar note, while the crate does include most of the ingredients needed to prepare a Bloody Mary, you’ll have to supply your own alcohol.
Here is a list of everything included in the Personalized Bloody Mary Crate:
- 2 (10.5-ounce, or 311-mL) personalized Collins glasses
- 4-ounce (114 grams) bacon rimshot
- pepperoni straws
- 8-ounce (227 grams) Demitri’s classic seasoning
- 8-ounce (227 grams) Demitri’s chilies and peppers seasoning
- 8-ounce (227 grams) Demitri’s extra horseradish seasoning
- 6 (5.5-ounce, or 163-mL) cans tomato juice
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