Ripple Street (formerly House Party)

What's in the box: Each campaign is different, but a pack usually holds full-size or sample products from one brand, plus some branded swag, and sometimes a coupon or gift card for a store purchase.

Ripple Street, which used to be called House Party, is a free US program where brands send people products to try and share. Membership costs nothing. You sign up and then claim spots in campaigns. You don't get a box on a set schedule. Some campaigns send a party pack so you can host friends and try products together. Others send a personal pack for your household. Some give you a gift card or coupon to buy a product at a local store, and some ask you to buy it yourself, upload a receipt and get refunded. The site says those refunds arrive within two business days. In return, brands expect you to write reviews and post on social media, so it works best for people who enjoy sharing opinions online. The site does not promise you will be picked for any campaign, so how often you get packs can vary. The brands and products change from campaign to campaign, which keeps things fresh but also unpredictable. If you go in expecting an occasional free sample rather than a steady monthly box, it can be a fun way to try new products at no cost.