Firstleaf vs Laithwaites
Firstleaf
LaithwaitesWe may earn a commission from links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never changes our picks. How we make money.
Quick verdict
Firstleaf edges it overall, winning 3 of 4 rating categories. Firstleaf is cheaper to start ($39.95 vs $49.99).
Choose Firstleaf if…
You’re beginners who want someone to learn their taste for them. A personalized wine club that learns from your bottle ratings. The $39.95 six-bottle intro box is one of the best deals in wine clubs; regular boxes are fair value at about $15 a bottle.
See current offerChoose Laithwaites if…
You’re households that drink a case a quarter and like classic Old World styles. A big, long-established merchant with a famous intro deal: six bottles for about $50 delivered, then a 12-bottle case every three months for around $160 plus shipping.
See current offerSide by side
| Firstleaf | Laithwaites | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 4.3/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Value | 4.5/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Wine quality | 3.8/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Choice & personalization | 4.4/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Flexibility | 4.4/5 | 4/5 |
| Starting price | $39.95 | $49.99 |
| Approx. per bottle | $14.99 | $13.33 |
| Bottles per shipment | 6 or 12 | 6 intro, then 12 |
| How often | Every 1, 2 or 3 months | Every 3 months |
| Shipping | $9.95 on 6 bottles; free on 12 | $19.99 per case (or $89/year Unlimited) |
| Intro offer | - | - |
| Guarantee | Replacement credit for bottles you don’t like | 100% money-back on any bottle |
| Skip / cancel | Skip, delay or cancel online | Skip or cancel any time |
| What you can choose | Red, white or mixed; the algorithm picks bottles, you can swap | Reds, whites or mixed cases |
| Ships to | Most US states (not all: checked at sign-up) | Most US states |
| Best for | Beginners who want someone to learn their taste for them | Households that drink a case a quarter and like classic Old World styles |
Firstleaf: pros & cons
- The intro box works out to under $7 a bottle
- Rate each bottle and the next box adjusts to your taste
- Reds-only, whites-only or mixed, every 1-3 months
- Easy to skip or cancel in your account
- Most bottles are Firstleaf’s own labels, so you can’t look up outside reviews
- Regular price is roughly double the intro price
- Six-bottle boxes add a shipping fee
Laithwaites: pros & cons
- Excellent intro value
- Lots of European wines at around $13 a bottle
- Swap bottles before a case ships
- Money back on anything you don’t like
- $19.99 shipping per case adds up
- Regular case price is triple the intro offer
- Heavy marketing emails and calls