We tested 25 meal kits — these are the 14 best for health, convenience and price

The New York Post tested 25 meal-kit and prepared-meal services and identified 14 top picks that combine nutrition, convenience and value. The review — a multi-year effort first begun in 2020 and retested in 2024–2025 — rated services on ease of ordering, prep and cook time, flavor and fullness, sustainability and price.

Testing included hands-on preparation of multiple recipes from each company, more than 250 meals cooked across five years of reviews and a detailed scoring rubric used to compare costs, packaging and dietary options. Reviewers tracked ordering experience, delivery reliability and whether boxes included allergen information or nutrition labeling, and compiled time and cost data to reflect real-world household use.

The roundup names EveryPlate the best overall meal-kit service for its low per-serving price and straightforward recipes that fit many household needs. Other category leaders include HelloFresh for beginners, Home Chef for families, Green Chef for organic and allergy-aware options, Factor for single-serve ready-to-eat meals, Dinnerly for the lowest cost, Marley Spoon for cooks who want more technique, and Blue Apron for menu variety. ButcherBox was highlighted as the best source for high-quality proteins, Little Spoon for children’s organic meals, Purple Carrot for vegan plans, Hungryroot for a grocery-plus-meal hybrid, Thistle for prepared healthy meals, What a Crock for slow-cooker convenience and other services for niche needs.

Health and dietary features were central to the evaluation. Several services provide clearly labeled plans for keto, paleo, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets; Green Chef and Little Spoon were singled out for organic sourcing and allergen information on ingredient cards. Ready-to-eat services such as Factor and Thistle offer calorie and nutrition information on meal sleeves or labels, while grocery-style kits such as Hungryroot deliver larger-format ingredients that can reduce per-meal packaging and encourage ongoing healthy grocery habits.

Price varied widely across the tested services. Meal-kit prices in the review generally ranged from about $4.99 per serving for budget options up to roughly $15 per serving for premium or specialty prepared meals. EveryPlate and Dinnerly represented the low end of that spectrum, with standard meals advertised under $6 per serving. Midrange kits such as Home Chef, HelloFresh and Green Chef averaged between $8 and $12 per serving depending on plan and menu selections. Prepared and specialty services including Thistle and What a Crock were toward the higher end but emphasized ready-to-eat convenience or time savings.

Sustainability and food waste reduction were evaluated alongside nutrition. The review noted that preportioned ingredients can reduce household food waste and that several companies use recyclable packaging and returnable or reusable insulation. Reviewers also recorded instances of single-use plastics and recommended that consumers check local recycling rules and the specific company’s packaging materials before subscribing.

Practical considerations factored into health recommendations. Consumers with limited fridge or freezer space may prefer a ready-to-eat plan such as Factor or Thistle or a curated protein delivery like ButcherBox, which ships frozen proteins rather than full meal kits. Families often favored services that offer larger portions or family plans; singles and busy workers preferred single-serve, heat-and-eat options. Reviewers also pointed out that many kits exclude basic pantry staples such as salt, pepper and oil, which can affect both cost and convenience if buyers do not already have them on hand.

The Post’s testing methodology combined repeated, hands-on cooking with consistent evaluation criteria. Ease of ordering, menu flexibility, ingredient quality, clarity of recipe instructions, prep and cook time, satiety and the environmental footprint of packaging were scored across each service. The report also noted market changes: some companies have altered subscription models or pivoted to a la carte offerings, and a small number of prior entrants are no longer in business.

Meal kits are not a one-size-fits-all solution, the review concluded. For consumers prioritizing lower cost and simple weeknight dinners, EveryPlate and Dinnerly emerged as practical choices. For those with specific health needs or allergy concerns, Green Chef and Little Spoon provide organic and clearly labeled options. Those seeking to minimize cooking time while maintaining nutrition may prefer Factor’s ready meals or Thistle’s daily-delivery prepared foods. Services that emphasize culinary skill and variety, such as Marley Spoon and Blue Apron, can support home cooks looking to expand techniques and menu variety.

The Post’s review is part of an ongoing coverage that includes product testing and updates as services change menus, packaging and business models. Consumers should consider diet, household size, time for cooking, storage capacity and sustainability preferences when choosing a provider, and verify current pricing and delivery availability by ZIP code before subscribing.

Meal kits can play a role in healthier eating patterns by offering portion control, diverse ingredient exposure and reduced food waste, but individual results depend on menu selections and how consumers incorporate kits into broader dietary habits. The New York Post’s hands-on testing provides comparisons across cost, convenience and nutrition to help readers make informed choices for their households.