Best Ice Cream of the Month Clubs

Goldbelly is the best overall ice cream subscription with a wide variety of flavors and free shipping.

By
Carrie Havranek
Carrie Havranek
Carrie Havranek
Carrie has 10+ years experience as a food writer, editor, and recipe developer. She is the author of Tasting Pennsylvania and a contributor to Simply Recipes since 2017.
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Updated January 14, 2022
Carrie Havranek

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Above Shot Of Ice Cream In Bowl On Pink Table

Sarah Saratonina / EyeEm / Getty Images

If you love ice cream, but don’t want to leave the house to enjoy it, you’re in luck. Trending delivery services now include ice cream in the lineup of goods that ship straight to your door. Many ice cream companies have hopped on the bandwagon, making it hard to select the one that's best suited to your tastes and eating habits.

We're here to help you select the best ice cream of the month club based on your family's preferences. Our list below makes it easy to purchase a unique gift for a friend, as well. Whether you prefer eclectic flavors—like cinnamon roll ice cream—or opt for tried-and-true flavors, like strawberry, there's something for everyone on our list.

Best Ice Cream of the Month Clubs of 2023

  • Best Overall: Goldbelly

    Goldbelly

    Goldbelly

    Key Specs
    Minimum price:     $89.99 for three months
    Flavor choice?:     No
    Shipping options:     Three, six, nine, or twelve months

    Why We Chose It: Goldbelly’s ice cream subscription includes ice cream, ice cream sandwiches, and gelato from various gourmet brands.

    Pros
    Delivers different flavors, products, and brands each month
    Free shipping on most orders

    Cons
    Requires a minimum three-month commitment
    Cannot customize brands, products, or flavors

    Overview
    Goldbelly is a delivery service that acts as a clearinghouse for various U.S.-based food brands. The company brings local and regional favorites to your doorstep, no matter where you live.
    When you subscribe to its ice cream program, you're guaranteed premium products from boutique creameries nationwide. The catch is, however, you can’t choose which brands or flavors come your way.
    Still, if you're looking for variety, reliability, and quality, Goldbelly's price is hard to beat. Plus, the company also includes products like ice cream sandwiches and gelato in your monthly shipment.

  • Best for Families: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream

    Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

    Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

    Key Specs
    Minimum price:     $199 for three months
    Flavor choice?:     No
    Shipping options:     Three, six, or twelve months

    Why We Chose It: Jeni's delivers four pints of different flavored ice cream to your door each month, assuring something for everyone in your family.

    Pros
    Offers more than 40 flavors, including non-dairy options
    Certified B Corp Company
    Milk and cream sourced from Ohio grass-grazed cows

    Cons
    Three-month minimum subscription
    Shipping costs extra (starting at $13 per month)

    Overview
    What started in 2002 as a Columbus, Ohio creamery has now turned into a 65-storefront business, complete with national distribution. Sure, you can get Jeni’s at local grocery stores and mass merchandisers, too, but the company produces so many flavors that never see store shelves.
    Odds are good that you and your family will find favorites in your subscription box of curated flavors. Like, what kid wouldn’t like "Buttercream Birthday Cake" ice cream? And mom and dad are sure to dig "Coffee with Cream and Sugar." The family foodie can get behind a pint of "Lemon and Blueberries Parfait." And anyone with a sweet tooth will enjoy a taste of "Skillet Cinnamon Roll."
    After your three-month subscription is up—and when you’ve found your new favorites—you can then create your own one-time shipment, including a range of dairy-free options.

  • Best Gourmet: McConnell’s

    McConnell’s

    McConnell’s

    Key Specs
    Minimum price: $195 for three months
    Flavor choice?:     No
    Shipping options:     Three, six, or twelve months

    Why We Chose It: McConnell’s premium ice cream brand produces some seriously creamy, gourmet ice cream. Plus, with its Pint of the Month Club, you get access to special flavors.

    Pros
    Special access to new flavors
    Milk from grass-fed cows
    Dense ice cream with a high butterfat ratio

    Cons
    Expensive

    Overview
    McConnell’s knows a few things about ice cream, as the company's been making it since 1 949. Its ingredients are simple and as unprocessed as possible. The milk comes from grass-grazed cows on family farms. And the ice cream is strikingly dense.
    While most brands contain around 14 percent butterfat and almost 50 percent air, McConnell’s packs in 18 percent butterfat and only 10 percent air. The difference results in super creamy ice cream and more bang for your buck. (Who sells air, anyway?)
    McConnell’s is also committed to using ingredients you can pronounce, and their ice cream pints are free of gums, starches, thickeners, and stabilizers. Plus, McConnell’s prices include UPS shipping to the lower 48 states and Hawaii. 

  • Best Variety: Salt & Straw

    Salt and Straw

    Salt and Straw

    Key Specs
    Minimum price: $68 a month
    Flavor choice?:     No
    Shipping options:     Delivers every one, two, or three months

    Why We Chose It: Salt & Straw's Pint of the Month Club offers five pints of new selections—flavors you've probably never heard of—each month.

    Pros
    Offers non-dairy options
    Can skip or cancel delivery anytime
    Community-minded brand

    Cons
    Minimum order of five pints

    Overview
    Salt & Straw started as an ice cream cart run by two cousins who had no ice cream experience. But soon, the business expanded to brick-and-mortar locations in several west coast cities (and Miami).  The company sources its cream from local farms that grass feed their cows and assure no growth hormones or antibiotics are used.
    Salt & Straw's handcrafted ice cream receives handcrafted names, as well, like "Salty Donut Guava Cheese." This grandiose flavor includes cream cheese ice cream with glazed brioche donut chunks, Florida guava curd, and puffed pastry streusel. Or, opt for vegan flavors, like "Freckled Mint Chocolate Chip" or "Marionberry Coconut Sherbert."
    This company's monthly subscription is a little different from others, as you simply choose your shipping frequency (for 20% off) and can cancel at any time. You get five pints each month, plus shipping (to all 50 states via ground or two-day air).

Final Verdict

Goldbelly won our pick for best ice cream of the month club due to its fair prices, reliability, and great variety. It aggregates many terrific brands under one website. So, as long as you can live with the element of surprise, you're always guaranteed a premium product. Also, if you develop a new favorite brand or flavor, you can order it for a one-time shipment from Goldbelly, once your subscription is up. 

Guide to Choosing an Ice Cream of the Month Service

Ice Cream Variety

Most ice cream subscription plans do not allow you to choose your monthly favors. So if you're in it for the long haul, make sure the company you choose offers many different flavors or brands. That way, if you choose to commit for a full year, you'll never get shipped the same flavor twice.

Pricing

Before choosing an ice cream of the month club, compare prices and the number of pints, or ice cream products, offered. Some less expensive plans may only ship four pints, whereas more expensive ones may ship six pints at a time. Artisanal ice cream, with ingredients sourced from local dairy farms and grass-fed cows, may also warrant a premium price compared to mass-produced brands.

Dietary Alternatives

Ice cream of the month clubs might work well for those with special dietary needs, as vegan and low-sugar options are sometimes available. That said, make sure to purchase from a brand that caters specifically to your needs, as most companies will not allow you to pick specific products for inclusion in a monthly subscription.

Nationwide Availability

Most ice cream of the month clubs will ship to locations in the continental United States for free or little charge. But if you live in Hawaii or Alaska, expect an extra shipping charge, and make sure the plan is even available in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do Ice Cream Subscriptions Work?

Each month, you’ll receive a specified number of pints of ice cream shipped to your doorstep. In some cases, you can select the flavors (although most companies don’t permit customizations). Certain companies offer minimum commitments of three months, whereas subscription-based services offer a discount on products shipped at regular intervals of your choice.

How Much Do Ice Cream Subscriptions Cost?

Ice cream subscriptions vary in price—from $89.99 to $199 for a three-month commitment—depending on the number of pints being shipped. Others offer subscription packages shipped at regular intervals and charge around $68 a month, which includes a subscription discount.

Are Ice Cream Subscriptions Worth It?

Yes! If you love ice cream and want to try new varieties and brands, an ice cream of the month club is definitely worth it. These plans also make great gifts for friends and family members. Lastly, ice cream subscriptions offer a fun way to sample artisan brands when you become bored with the selection of frozen novelties at your local grocery store.

Methodology 

We reviewed several companies before coming up with our list of the best ice cream of the month clubs. We selected companies that feature easy-to-navigate websites, offer up-to-date information, and are quick to respond to email inquiries. We also considered overall transparency, with details surrounding shipping, fees, company practices, and ingredients sourcing. The value-to-price ratio of each subscription also factored into our decision-making, along with the quality and uniqueness of the ice cream product provided.