What Do You Really Get In Mystery Boxes?
May 16 2025, Published 3:30 a.m. ET
Mystery boxes have become increasingly popular. The box company has a selection of items and randomly selects several items to put in the box before sending it out to the buyer. Each box will have the potential for some rare and high-value items while the majority of the items will be lower value.
Boxes might also include additional items and features like credit. Boxes can be a good purchase when a buyer doesn’t know specifically what they want to buy, or if they want to enjoy a surprise, but there is no guarantee that the buyer will get something they really want.
Mystery Boxes
Mystery boxes from companies like jemlit vary in value, contents, and rarity. Typical products include consumer electronics, clothing, and beauty items, although not in the same box. The cost can range from $20 to $50 or more, with more expensive boxes generally including more expensive items, or at least the potential to contain higher-value items.
Mystery Box Themes
Although there are general boxes that can include various items in different categories, most boxes are themed, either by the type of item or even by the manufacturer of the item. Themes might include holiday themes like Halloween or Christmas. They could be based on nations or events, or on specific products and brands. Some of the most popular mystery box themes include:
- Samsung – Samsung is well-known for its cell phones and mobile devices, but it also makes wearables, TVs, and accessories for all of these items. It is considered a premium brand, and buyers will generally be hoping for the latest model of Samsung Flip or Fold phones in these boxes.
- iPhone – Apple is also a popular brand of mobile phones, and the iPhone brand also makes watches as well as the highly coveted AirPods. Other iPhone mystery box items might include new watch skins, cell phone holders, or wireless chargers.
- Microsoft – Microsoft is one of the largest consumer tech companies in the world, responsible for everything from the Xbox game console to Windows PCs. Boxes can include a host of items related to these products and might also include GamePass and Windows Store gift cards.
- Beauty – From makeup to accessories, beauty mystery boxes are popular not only because they could contain valuable items like expensive makeup but their mystery contents also provide a good opportunity for the recipient to try something new.
- Fashion – From the latest jackets and dresses to accessories like ties and unique sock designs, fashion mystery boxes can provide a great way to mix up your style and try something that you wouldn’t ordinarily wear. And if you don’t like every item in the box, they can make great gifts for others.
Mixed Collections
Mixed collections don’t have a single theme or contain items related to a specific brand, although it is unusual to get a completely mixed box. Buying a box of completely random items increases the likelihood that you will be left with multiple items you don’t want. For this reason, box curators will offer boxes grouped by price and product type, at least.
By Value
Most mystery boxes are priced to be affordable and you can expect to pay around $20 to $50 for a box. You should get some idea of how many items you will receive, at least a rough guide, as well as a list of some of the potentially high-value items that you might manage to unwrap. It is even popular to sign up for a subscription so you receive a box every month or every few months.
By Product Type
While some boxes don’t necessarily offer items from a particular brand, boxes will usually be curated according to the product or item type inside the box. Fashion and beauty boxes are some examples, but you can also find consumer electronics boxes, kids' games boxes, and more. This does, at least, give you some idea of what kind of item you will receive and whether these meet your preferences and tastes.
Rare And Valuable Items
Mystery boxes are popular because they have the potential for buyers to unwrap rare and valuable items. The number of these items available is limited, but, if you buy a Samsung box, for example, there might be the potential to unwrap a Galaxy Flip Z. Or if you buy a fashion box, you could have the potential to unwrap an expensive pair of sunglasses. There is no guarantee you will get an expensive item in your box, though.
Other Items
Other items will usually be of modest value, and these will make up the bulk of a box. In that Samsung box, you might receive a new phone skin or a phone holder. This can include holders or accessories for items you don’t own, and this is one of the risks associated with buying mystery boxes.
Never Miss an
Daily updates from the heart of Hollywood, right to your inbox
By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Credits
Mystery boxes are usually offered by companies that specialize in offering a wide variety of boxes to their members. They aim to keep customers coming back to buy more boxes and do so not only by ensuring good quality items in the boxes they offer but also through the offering of credits. A lot of mystery boxes will include credits from the company, which effectively act like a loyalty program reward and provide money off a next box purchase.
Free Mystery Boxes
Mystery box companies might offer full loyalty schemes because they increase the likelihood of buyers buying more boxes. When the buyer buys a box, they receive a number of loyalty points and when they accumulate enough points, they can use these to get a free mystery box. The box might be randomly selected and filled, or the company might simply allow the buyer to choose a mystery box of a certain value so they can be sure of getting items they are interested in.
