We Tested More Than a Dozen Meal Delivery Services

NBC News has published an extensive evaluation of the meal delivery market, highlighting top-performing services based on hands-on testing of more than a dozen providers. The report categorizes recommendations by consumer priorities, including affordability, dietary specialization, and convenience, reflecting the sector's shift toward hyper-niche targeting. These findings provide critical insights into how major players like EveryPlate, Sunbasket, and BistroMD are structuring their pricing and delivery models to maintain market share in an increasingly competitive landscape.

The evaluation highlights EveryPlate as a primary choice for budget-conscious consumers, offering meal kits starting at $5 per serving with a $10 shipping fee. The service provides flexibility for households of two, four, or six people, delivering between two and six meals per week. While recognized for its easy-to-follow recipes and variety, the review notes that the service occasionally suffers from missing ingredients, which remains a potential pain point for reliability in the value segment of the market.

For those seeking dietary customization and health-focused options, Sunbasket and BistroMD offer specialized solutions with varying price structures. Sunbasket provides traditional meal kits starting at $12 per serving and "Fresh & Ready" meals at $10 per serving, supported by a $6 shipping fee, though the service is noted as being less ideal for larger families. BistroMD targets the health-conscious market with five- or seven-day plans covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with prices starting at $7 per meal for the seven-day plan, though it carries a significantly higher shipping cost of $20.

Plant-based delivery is led by Purple Carrot, which offers prepared meals starting at $13 per serving with the competitive advantage of free shipping. While the service is praised for its strict adherence to plant-based diets and offering six to ten meals per week, it currently lacks the ability for customers to select specific delivery dates. These diverse offerings from Sunbasket, EveryPlate, and others demonstrate the industry's focus on balancing per-serving costs against logistics fees to appeal to specific lifestyle demographics ranging from budget-seekers to those with specific medical or ethical dietary needs.