The best Valentine's Day flower delivery services to send a bouquet by Friday, tested and reviewed

Flower variety: 35 stems of seasonal flowers | Features: Arrives burlap-wrapped and hand-tied

Although it's one of the pricier options on this list, the XOXOXO bouquet's presentation alone makes it worth every penny. It arrived wrapped in red and pink recyclable paper (which is a slight departure from Farmgirl Flowers' signature burlap), and it was clear just how fresh the blooms were — no browned edges, no roughed-up leaves, just 35 eye-catching stems. Farmgirl promises to "always ship the highest quality stems" even if they don't match the ones in the photos, and I can say, without question, that the seasonal arrangement I received was even more beautiful than the one pictured online. I shared the love (well, flowers) with my mom, and her response sums it up: "It's not your typical bouquet. It's a nice selection of flowers, and I love their choice of filler." It's no wonder this one takes the top spot. 

Note: This bouquet is now sold out, but you can get the smaller version (XOXO) in time for Valentine's Day!

Flower variety: Roses, alstroemeria and carnations | Features: Add on chocolates and a candle for an extra charge.

This is one of the most basic bouquets of the bunch, but it's proof that sometimes simple is best. Each and every flower was at peak freshness upon arrival, and they remained that way for nearly two weeks. Sure, I trimmed the stems a few times and changed the water daily (per FTD's advice), but they certainly exceeded the brand's seven-day fresh flower guarantee. 

The one thing to keep in mind is that FTD employs local florists, which means the selection may vary from one location to the next. I was so impressed with this particular bouquet that I looked into sending an identical one to my mom, who lives in the next state over, but it wasn't available. Luckily, they have dozens of other arrangements to choose from.

Note about Valentine's Day shipping: This particular bouquet may not be available in your area, but FTD has others with next-day shipping. 

Quick hand-delivery in the U.S. and Canada, but results may vary. The Artisanal Pitcher Bouquet for Mom looked great on the site, but I received something different. Every local florist they work with is different, so your result will be dependent on the florist used in your delivery area.

Flower variety: Roses, carnations, Peruvian lilies, Limonium and fuchsia stock | Features: Comes with glass cylinder vase. 

Similarly, 1-800-Flowers taps local florists to carry out its orders, so no two bouquets are the same. As you can see, the bouquet I received (hand-delivered to my New York City apartment, no less) was stunning but looked slightly different than the pictures online. I didn't mind that there were more purple flowers mixed into the bunch, but this may upset some shoppers who pick bouquets based on color. That said, this arrangement proved why 1-800-Flowers has been in the game for so long: The service is reliable, fast (same-day shipping is available in most locations) and seamless from start to finish. Plus, the shipping fees are considerably less than the other brands on this list, so you can send beautiful blooms for a whole lot less. And now through Feb. 14, you can save up to 40% on all red roses — get two dozen for just $45.

Note about Valentine's Day shipping: Flower selection varies by location. Head to the website and enter the recipient's zip code to see the whole selection with accurate shipping estimates. 

Flower variety: Roses, alstroemeria and carnations | Features: Has a 7-day fresh-flower guarantee.

Dare I say, the bouquet I received was even more eye-catching than the one on the ProFlowers website. There was a lot more to it — in addition to the flower varieties stated online, the florist also worked in some Gerbera daisies and Hypericum berries, both in the same vibrant red hue. That's because, like 1-800-Flowers and FTD, ProFlowers hires florists in your area to create their arrangements, so the selection is ultimately the florist's choice (and dependent on what they have on hand). This particular bouquet is available for same-day delivery in select locations, but keep in mind that this may vary, depending on where you're sending it.

Note about Valentine's Day shipping: This particular bouquet may not be available in your area, but FTD has others with next-day shipping.

Flower variety: Freshest stems available | Features: Pair it with the brand's in-house perfume, hand cream or tote.

I know, I know, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but I definitely did when my Fresh Sends delivery hit my doorstep. The box was decked out in its Valentine's Day best, complete with red hearts, sweet details and a heartfelt reminder that I'm "seen, known, loved." The bouquet itself was wrapped in a holiday edition of The Fresh Times (their very own newspaper) and tied with a pink satin bow. Once I pulled the fresh blooms out of the box, I uncovered yet another hidden gem: a message that said I'm receiving this gift because "you matter to someone." Cue the happy tears.

The attention to detail was unlike any other flower delivery service — and the same can be said for the flowers themselves. When placing your order, Fresh Sends doesn't lay out the specifics and instead says that you'll get "the freshest stems available," so it was a fun surprise to see a mix of roses, snapdragons, alstroemeria and more blossoming beauties. 

Note about Valentine's Day shipping: You can order the Valentine's Day Send while supplies last, but there's no guarantee that it'll arrive by Friday.

Flower variety: Lilies, roses, hydrangea and hypericum | Features: Add a vase for an additional $10.

I gave my mom a three-month flower subscription from BloomsyBox two years ago, but this was my first time seeing one of their bouquets up close. It didn't disappoint. It arrived wrapped in paper with extra protection around the more delicate blooms like hydrangeas, and everything inside the box was recyclable (a win in my book). BloomsyBox ships flowers from the farms where they are picked, which means they arrive just a few days after they are cut. As a result, the lilies were still in bud form, but that's a plus since I got to watch them bloom in the days to follow. And while it was certainly eye-catching, its fragrance is what really caught my attention. Between the roses and lilies, this bouquet was just as fragrant as it was beautiful. 

Instead of settling on a singular bouquet, sign your sweetie up for a monthly flower subscription to keep the love going well beyond Valentine's Day. With the Original Subscription, they'll get 20 stunning stems each month. Take it month-by-month or pay for the whole thing upfront. 

Note about Valentine's Day shipping: Explore the next-day delivery options to guarantee arrival by Feb. 14. All orders must be placed by 12 p.m. EST.

Flower variety: Roses, spray roses, carnations, Scabiosa, ranunculus and anemones | Features: Add a vase or add-on gift for an additional cost

Roses typically get all the attention on Valentine's Day (and understandably so), but the ranunculus and anemones steal the show in this bouquet. The variety of stems is what really impressed me. There weren't any carnations or cheap fillers — just quality blooms that looked more elevated than traditional red and pink roses. Unlike some of the other Valentine's Day flower delivery services on this list, not all of the packaging was fully recyclable, but the bio-based hydration wrap was a great way to keep flowers fresh without the risk of bacteria. Something fun to note: In addition to vases, you can select from an assortment of sweets, candles and other small add-ons to round out your gift.

Note: Get this bouquet on Valentine's Day, depending on where you live. Free shipping is only available on orders of at least $130.

Flower variety: Roses, anemone and Limonium | Features: Add a vase for an additional cost.

The flowers are cut fresh and shipped directly to your door, which is why the company claims that their blooms often peak about two or three days after their arrival. I found this to be true: The roses, in particular, looked a bit weathered when they first arrived (granted, I wasn't able to unbox them right away), but after a day's worth of water and sunshine, they perked back up. If you're a rose rookie like I am, then here's a tip: Some roses have guard petals, which are often lighter in color or have spots, so be sure to remove them before placing the flowers in a vase. Thankfully, The Bouqs Co. had clear instructions to do just that!

Flower variety: Garden roses | Features: Get a $50 gift card when you spend over $149 (for a limited time only)

Grace Rose Farm is an expert in garden roses — not the traditional roses that you may be familiar with. They arrived as semi-bloomed buds and took about three or four days to take their ruffled, rounded shape. I didn't take off the guard petals since Grace Rose Farm mentioned that they'd be out of sight once they were fully bloomed, and they were right. I basked in the beauty of this pretty-in-pink bouquet for a whole week, which is rare given the short lifespan of most roses. The quality is hard to beat, but the prices are rather steep. Most of their standard bouquets with 18 luxe roses come in at $89 or $99, which is considerably more than the other picks on this list. 

Note: One or two-day shipping is available for $25.

Flower variety: 36 Eternity roses | Features: Flowers last a year or longer

Kris Jenner, Paris Hilton and Gigi Hadid love these long-lasting roses, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that an arrangement as big as this one (it's the size of my coffee table!) has a price tag that only Hollywood's biggest names can justify. But if you're working with a bigger budget, then they're a solid option, especially since they can last for at least a year without any watering or maintenance. The flowers look and smell like the real deal (because they are!), which can't be said for other preserved roses on the market.