Best Meal Kits 2025: I've Tried 7 Services (Honest Reviews & Comparison)
Wondering if meal kit delivery services are worth it? After trying 7 different meal kits and receiving over 173 boxes (that's 346+ dinners!), I can tell you exactly which ones are worth your money. This meal kit comparison reviews HelloFresh, Blue Apron, Hungryroot, Home Chef, and more based on real experience, not sponsored content.
These services deliver fresh ingredients and recipes right to your door, taking the guesswork out of what’s for dinner. For a busy week, they’ve been a lifesaver.
I currently get four meals a week, usually by splitting between two different services. I enjoy having two boxes show up at different times. It gives me variety without overloading my fridge or schedule.
If you’ve been wondering which box meal service is right for you, I’ve personally tried several of the most popular ones and I’m sharing my honest thoughts below.
📦 What Are Meal Kit Delivery Services?
Meal kit delivery services send pre-portioned ingredients and recipe cards directly to your door, usually one time per week. Instead of meal planning and grocery shopping, you choose meals from their weekly menu, and they deliver everything you need to cook those specific recipes.
How meal kits work:
- Choose your plan (number of meals per week, servings per meal)
- Select recipes from the weekly menu
- Box arrives at your door with exact ingredients needed
- Follow recipe cards to cook fresh meals at home
- Skip weeks or cancel anytime
Who are meal kits good for?
- Busy professionals who want home-cooked meals without planning
- People wanting to learn new cooking skills
- Anyone tired of grocery shopping
- Households trying to reduce food waste
🛒 Benefits of Meal Kit Delivery Services
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No last-minute store runs. Everything you need is included in the box. No more discovering your grocery store is out of garlic or green onions.
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Better cooking skills. I’ve learned so much from following the step-by-step instructions. Many meals I never thought I could make before now feel easy.
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Less waste. The portions are perfectly sized, so I throw away far less food.
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Less decision fatigue. With the meals already picked and planned, I don’t spend time trying to figure out what to make each night.
✅ Meal Kit Comparison: 7 Services I've Tried
Here’s a breakdown of the box meal services I’ve personally tried, with a mix of my own impressions and some widely reported pros and cons:
| Service | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| HelloFresh |
My personal favorite
Variety of recipes with fresh, colorful ingredients Clear recipe instructions Easy to customize or swap meals Fast customer support and credits if something is missing or damaged |
Packaging waste can add up
Some meals repeat often if you subscribe long-term Occasional ingredient freshness issues |
| Blue Apron |
My second favorite
Creative recipes and restaurant-style meals Well-balanced flavors Great instructions and cooking tips Also very responsive to problems with credits |
Some ingredients have arrived past their prime
Fewer dietary options than some others More prep work than HelloFresh |
| Hungryroot |
Combo of groceries and meal kits
Quick, no-fuss meals Good if you like to mix and match ingredients Great for snacking and specialty diet needs |
Not my personal favorite
Feels more like pre-made meal prep than real cooking Recipes aren’t as exciting or unique |
| Home Chef |
Easy-to-follow meals
Some oven-ready or 15-minute options Good when I need a break from Blue Apron |
I don't enjoy it as much overall
Flavors can feel basic or bland Less adventurous meals Limited options for special diets |
| Marley Spoon |
Martha Stewart-inspired meals
Beautiful presentation and interesting ingredients |
I just didn’t like it
Felt overly complicated and not worth the effort Some meals turned out disappointing |
| Factor |
Fully prepared meals—just heat and eat
Great for low-carb, keto, and high-protein diets Fresh, not frozen |
No real cooking involved
Smaller portion sizes Not for people who enjoy making meals from scratch |
| Green Chef |
Certified organic ingredients
Good for paleo, keto, gluten-free meals Very flavorful and healthy options |
More expensive than others
Can feel a bit “health food-ish” if you’re not into that Some meals require longer cook times |
🧭 How to Choose the Best Meal Kit for You
With so many options, here's how to pick:
Consider your cooking skill level:
- Beginner: HelloFresh (easiest instructions)
- Intermediate: Blue Apron (teaches techniques)
- Don't want to cook: Factor (pre-made)
Consider your diet:
- Low-carb/Keto: Factor or Green Chef
- Vegetarian/Vegan: Purple Carrot or HelloFresh veggie options
- Organic: Green Chef
- Gluten-free: Home Chef or Green Chef
- No dietary restrictions: HelloFresh or Blue Apron
Consider your schedule:
- Busy: HelloFresh (quick options), Factor (ready-made)
- Love cooking: Blue Apron (complex recipes)
- Hate cooking: Hungryroot (minimal prep)
Consider your budget:
- Tightest budget: EveryPlate
- Mid-range: HelloFresh, Home Chef
- Premium: Blue Apron, Green Chef
My recommendation: Start with HelloFresh for 2-3 weeks. If you want fancier recipes, try Blue Apron. If you want faster meals, try Hungryroot or Factor.
🤔 Are Meal Kits Worth It? My Honest Take
After 173 boxes over several years, here's my honest answer:
Meal kits are worth it if you:
- Hate meal planning and grocery shopping
- Want to learn new cooking skills
- Struggle with food waste
- Have a budget for convenience ($8-12 per serving)
- Enjoy cooking but need inspiration
Meal kits are NOT worth it if you:
- Are on a tight food budget (grocery shopping is cheaper)
- Already love meal planning
- Prefer eating out to cooking
- Need very specific dietary restrictions
- Have picky eaters (limited menu options)
My verdict: For me, meal kits are absolutely worth it. I pay about $70-90 per week for 2 dinners (4 servings each), which is less than ordering takeout and way less stressful than grocery shopping. The cooking skills I've learned alone have been worth the investment.
Cost breakdown:
- Meal kit: ~$9/serving = $18/meal for 2 people
- Groceries: ~$5-7/serving (but requires planning, shopping, and you might waste ingredients)
- Takeout/Restaurant: ~$15-25/person
For my lifestyle, the convenience is worth the extra $2-4 per serving.
💡 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Meal Kits
"After 173 boxes, here's what I've learned:
1. Check your delivery day - Choose a day when you'll be home or can access the box quickly
2. Plan which meals to cook first - Cook seafood and delicate proteins first, heartier meals later in the week
3. Read the recipe card before starting - Saves time and prevents mistakes
4. Don't be afraid to modify - Skip ingredients you don't like or add extras from your pantry
5. Save recipe cards - I keep my favorites and make them again with grocery store ingredients
6. Use promo codes - First-time customers always get big discounts. Try a service with a discount before committing
7. Skip weeks strategically - Don't let boxes pile up during busy times or vacations
8. Try multiple services - I rotate between HelloFresh and Blue Apron to keep things interesting
❓ Meal Kit FAQs
Q: Which meal kit is the cheapest? A: EveryPlate (owned by HelloFresh) is the most affordable at around $5-6 per serving. Of the ones I've tried, HelloFresh and Home Chef are similarly priced at $7-10 per serving.
Q: Can I skip weeks or cancel anytime? A: Yes! All major meal kit services let you skip weeks or cancel without penalty. I skip weeks all the time when I'm traveling or just need a break.
Q: How long do the ingredients stay fresh? A: Most ingredients stay fresh for 3-5 days in your fridge. The meat and seafood are packed with ice packs and should be cooked within 2-3 days of delivery.
Q: Do I need to be home for delivery? A: No. Meal kits are packed with insulation and ice packs to stay cold for several hours. I've come home 8+ hours after delivery and everything was still cold.
Q: How long does it take to cook each meal? A: Most recipes take 30-45 minutes. Some services like HelloFresh offer "quick & easy" options that take 15-20 minutes. Factor is pre-made and just needs reheating (5-10 minutes).
Q: Are meal kits good for weight loss? A: They can be! Portion control is built-in, and you can choose low-calorie options. Services like Factor and Green Chef specialize in healthy, calorie-controlled meals.
Q: What if I get a damaged or missing ingredient? A: Every service I've used has been great about this. Just contact customer service with a photo, and they'll credit your account. HelloFresh has been especially responsive.
🍽️Best Meal Kit Discounts and Promo Codes (2025)
"Want to try a meal kit? These are my personal referral links with the biggest discounts:
🥇 HelloFresh - My #1 Recommendation Get a free box Best for: Beginners, variety, reliable quality
🥈 Blue Apron - Best for Foodies Sign up here Best for: Restaurant-style meals, learning techniques
Hungryroot - Best for Quick Meals Save $40 on your first order Best for: Minimal cooking, grocery/meal mix
Home Chef - Good Budget Option Try with a discount Best for: Simple meals, budget-conscious
Factor - Best Pre-Made Meals Get $150 off Best for: No cooking, keto/low-carb diets
Full disclosure: If you use these links, I may receive a small referral credit at no cost to you. I only recommend services I've personally used and enjoyed!
📝 Simple Wrap-Up
If you’ve ever struggled with meal planning, or felt frustrated when your grocery store is missing a key ingredient, box meals can be a helpful solution. For me, the biggest benefit is having everything I need delivered and clear instructions that have truly improved my cooking skills.
If you’re new to meal kits, I recommend starting with HelloFresh. I've ordered 173 boxes or 346 dinners from HelloFresh. It’s consistent, easy to follow, and has great variety. Blue Apron is a close second for me when I’m in the mood for something a bit fancier. The others might work better for different lifestyles or tastes, so don’t be afraid to try a few and see what clicks for you.
Looking for honest product reviews?
I write about items I’ve personally purchased, used, and loved.
👉 Read more product reviews here.
Do you use any meal kit services? I’d love to hear what’s worked (or not worked) for you in the comments below.
Sensibly and simply yours,
Kat
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