Blue Apron’s No-Subscription Meal Kits Lead CNET’s 2026 Best Delivery List
Meal kits and fully cooked meal deliveries have become a staple for households looking to cut time and money on dinner. A 2025 survey found that U.S. adults spend roughly $4,300 a year on restaurant dining and takeout, while grocery prices rise faster than ever. In that climate, the convenience of having pre-portionated ingredients or ready-to-heat meals can feel like a lifeline.
What’s the Difference?
- Meal kits: Ingredients arrive pre-portionated with a recipe card. You cook the meal at home.
- Prepared meals: Fully cooked, only need to be reheated.
The main trade-off is time. Meal kits take 20-45 minutes to prepare, while prepared meals can be heated in a microwave or air fryer in 5-10 minutes. Per-serving costs are usually lower for kits ($6-$12) compared to prepared meals ($8-$20).
How We Tested
A trio of editors-an experienced meal-kit reviewer, a vegan wellness editor, and a novice cook-sampled at least three kits from every service. They followed the recipe cards verbatim, noted portion sizes, taste, and ease of use, and then compared notes to rank each company. Prepared meals were ordered in bulk to a New York office and tasted by a separate group of testers.
The 2026 Winners
| Service | Type | Focus | Price per Serving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Apron | Meal kit | Overall value, variety | $8-$12 |
| HelloFresh | Meal kit | Family-friendly, variety | $10-$12 |
| Marley Spoon | Meal kit | Gourmet, foodie | $9-$12 |
| EveryPlate | Meal kit | Cheap, comfort food | $6-$7 |
| Mosaic Foods | Prepared meals | Family bowls, $6 | $6-$12 |
| MealPro | Prepared meals | Restaurant-quality | $14-$22 |
Blue Apron: The Best No-Subscription Kit
Blue Apron announced a first-ever à-la-carte ordering option, removing the subscription requirement that most other kits impose. “For the first time in the company’s history you can order meals without a subscription,” the company said. This change eliminates the risk of forgetting to pause or cancel a recurring order and gives diners flexibility.
The company’s boxes still offer simple, balanced meals. A typical menu includes grilled chicken Caesar, shrimp scampi, and a vegetarian quinoa bowl, all priced between $8 and $12 per serving. The recipes are straightforward, making Blue Apron a good fit for busy families and people who want a quick, home-cooked dinner.
HelloFresh: The Best Overall Delivery
HelloFresh has long been a favorite for its variety and family-friendly options. The service offers six meal plans-vegetarian, keto, paleo, and more-each with a nutrition label that lists carbs, calories, sugar, sodium, and protein. Prices hover around $10-$12 per serving, and the company ships free to the West Coast when orders exceed $65.
The editors praised HelloFresh’s portion sizes and the clarity of its recipe cards. “The instructions are easy to follow, and the meals taste good,” said one reviewer. For households that want a quick, healthy dinner without the hassle of grocery shopping, HelloFresh remains a top pick.
Marley Spoon: The Foodie’s Choice
Marley Spoon, backed by Martha Stewart, is geared toward food lovers who value quality and variety. Its gourmet recipes feature fresh produce, high-grade cuts, and bold flavors. Prices range from $9 to $12 per serving. The service offers diet-specific options-keto, paleo, vegetarian-and the meal kits are designed to teach cooking skills while still being approachable for intermediate cooks.
EveryPlate and Dinnerly: Budget-Friendly Options
If you’re watching your wallet, EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the most affordable meal kits. Their plans start at $6 per serving, and the recipes are simple comfort foods like spaghetti Bolognese or chicken pot pie. While the portion sizes are modest, the low cost makes them a good option for individuals or couples who cook a few nights a week.
Mosaic Foods: The Cheapest Prepared Meals
Prepared meals can be even more convenient, especially for people who don’t want to cook at all. Mosaic Foods offers family-style bowls and salads that cost as low as $6 per serving. The company ships fresh, not frozen, so meals should be eaten within the week. For those who prefer plant-based or global flavors, Mosaic Foods also offers vegan and vegetarian options.
MealPro: Gourmet Prepared Meals
For diners who treat themselves, MealPro delivers restaurant-level meals. The company cooks each dish daily, so the food arrives as fresh as possible. Meals range from $12 to $20 per serving, with premium recipes costing more than $20. The service requires a minimum order of 18 meals, making it ideal for people who want a stockpile of high-quality dinners that can be reheated quickly.
Cost vs. Grocery Shopping
One of the biggest questions is whether meal kits save money compared to buying groceries. The answer depends on the service and the meals chosen. A 2025 study found that U.S. adults spend about $4,300 on restaurant dining and takeout annually. Grocery inflation has made it harder to stick to a budget. Meal kits, if chosen wisely, can actually be cheaper than buying the same ingredients at the store. For example, a budget kit that starts at $6 per serving can be less expensive than the cost of the groceries needed to make the same meal.
Health and Time Savings
Most meal-kit services provide detailed nutrition information, making it easier to track macros, calories, and sodium. They also offer diet-specific plans for people with diabetes, gluten intolerance, or those following keto or paleo. Prepared meal services cater to Whole30, keto, paleo, vegan, vegetarian, and organic diets, allowing consumers to regulate fat, sugar, carbs, and calories on a weekly basis.
Time is another major benefit. Meal kits reduce the nightly debate about what to cook and eliminate the need to shop for missing staples. Prepared meals, meanwhile, require almost no prep beyond heating and can be a lifesaver for people with busy schedules or limited cooking experience.
Final Verdict
Blue Apron’s new à-la-carte model makes it the best no-subscription meal kit for 2026. HelloFresh remains the best overall meal delivery service, offering variety and family-friendly options. For foodies, Marley Spoon tops the list, while EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the most budget-friendly kits. Prepared meal lovers should consider Mosaic Foods for affordable family bowls or MealPro for gourmet quality, depending on how much they’re willing to spend.
Whether you’re a seasoned chef, a busy parent, or someone who simply wants to eat better without spending a fortune, meal kits and prepared meals provide a convenient, cost-effective alternative to dining out. The key is to pick a service that matches your budget, dietary preferences, and time constraints-and then order wisely.
