<p>Along with our Lab assessment, we send sample boxes to <a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/institute/about-the-institute/a36050588/gh-institute-product-tester/” target=”_blank”>real-life testers</a> across the nation who provide feedback on food quality, experience, ease of use and more. We considered grocery, meal and protein subscription boxes that <a href=”http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/easy/g4900/easy-make-ahead-meals/” target=”_blank”>make weeknight cooking easier</a> as well as coffee, tea, wine, spices and snack boxes. </p><p>You can learn more about how we evaluate food subscription boxes, as well as tips for finding the best one for yourself or as a <a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/gift-ideas/g29417662/unique-christmas-gifts/” target=”_blank”>unique gift idea</a> for a loved one, at the end of this guide. If you’re interested in meal delivery specifically, check out our top picks for the <a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-products/g32056950/best-meal-delivery-services/” target=”_blank”>best meal delivery kits</a>.<br></p>”/>
We’ve been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
1
Best Overall Meal Kit Subscription
Blue Apron Meal Delivery
1
Best Overall Meal Kit Subscription
Blue Apron Meal Delivery
Pros
- Great for beginners and seasoned home cooks
- Wide variety of plans
- Fresh ingredients and inventive recipes
Cons
- Premium options come at an added cost
Blue Apron is a big help when you just can’t fathom putting together a menu. This pioneering meal subscription box earned top marks from the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute and comes packed with fresh ingredients and clear instructions, so even kitchen novices will be able to create a home-cooked meal.
They have options for two- and four-person households, and the fast and easy meals are the ultimate weeknight hack and get a gourmet dinner on the table in under 30 minutes. Premium recipes are also available, which feature specialty proteins like duck, scallops and lamb.
RELATED: 10 Best Meal Delivery Services
Pricing | Plans range from $8 to $12 per serving, plus a $11 shipping fee. |
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Availability | Delivery available to the to the contiguous United States. |
2
Best Organic Meal Kit Subscription
Green Chef Meal Delivery
2
Best Organic Meal Kit Subscription
Green Chef Meal Delivery
Pros
- Pre-measured and prepped ingredients save effort and time
- USDA-certified organic ingredients
- Items come neatly packed
Cons
- Some meals not ideal for a low-sodium diet
The first meal kit service to provide USDA-certified organic ingredients, Green Chef offers easy-to-prepare, high-quality meals that can be ready in about 30 minutes or less. You can select from meals that accommodate a variety of dietary preferences including keto, plant-based, calorie-smart, protein-packed, gluten-free and Mediterranean.
Our testers continue to give this service high scores for quality, ease of recipe prep and inventive ingredients. One tester even said that the meals were “restaurant quality,” and multiple people commented on the fresh ingredients, great flavor combinations and generous portion sizes.
READ OUR REVIEW: Is Green Chef Worth It?
Pricing | Plans range from $12 to $13.49 per serving, plus a $9 shipping fee. |
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Availability | Delivery in the contiguous United States. |
3
Best Prepared Meal Subscription
Fresh N Lean Meal Delivery
3
Best Prepared Meal Subscription
Fresh N Lean Meal Delivery
Pros
- Special plans cater to specific dietary preferences
- Fully prepared meals require no prep or cleanup
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner options
Cons
- Meal plans are pre-set
Convenience and quality both shine from this organic premade meal delivery service. All meals are ready to eat in 5 to 7 minutes in the oven or 3 minutes in the microwave. Plus, each option is gluten-free and non-GMO. You can choose from plans like protein+, keto, Whole30-approved, paleo, vegan, vegetarian, low-carb vegan and Mediterranean among others or shop for meals à la carte.
Testers gave the service top scores for food quality and portion sizes and noted how satisfying the meals were. “The convenience is amazing. It really doesn’t get much easier for those that are short on time but still want to eat a meal that fits into their diet plan,” a tester said. Just note that the menu plans are all preset for the week, so if you want to customize your selections, you’ll have to opt to shop à la carte.
RELATED: Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services
Pricing | Meals start at approximately $10 per meal, and you can choose up to three meals a day for five or seven days. |
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Availability | Available everywhere in the continental United States. |
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4
Best Value Meal Kit Subscription
Dinnerly Meal Delivery
4
Best Value Meal Kit Subscription
Dinnerly Meal Delivery
Pros
- Affordable and easy recipes
- 100+ recipes every week
- Meals can be made in 30 minutes or less
Cons
- Recipe cards are digital instead of printed
In our surveys, we found that people who were on the fence about trying a meal delivery kit listed the cost as a big deterrent. But Dinnerly offers a budget-friendly meal kit that comes at a considerably lower price than most without sacrificing quality or recipe variety. In fact, the brand cuts costs by using digital recipe cards instead of paper and fewer ingredients per dish which translates to less chopping and cleanup after meal prep.
Our experts were impressed by the flavorful and creative meals. Testers really enjoyed them, too, saying that they were “satisfying, filling and out of our normal realm of what we would typically choose.”
RELATED: Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services
Pricing | Plans start at $5 per serving, plus $11.99 shipping. |
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Availability | Delivery available to most of the contiguous US states. |
5
Best Meat Subscription
ButcherBox Meat Delivery
5
Best Meat Subscription
ButcherBox Meat Delivery
Pros
- Wide selection of beef, chicken, pork and seafood
- Variety of customizable boxes to choose from
- High-quality cuts and sourcing standards
Cons
- Requires a lot of freezer space for storage
Get high-quality butcher cuts of your favorite meats and seafoods from this subscription service that delivers directly to your door. Select from one of four boxes: custom boxes allow you to create your own box and choose from more than 25 high-quality cuts; mixed boxes come with a selection of 100% grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken and pork raised crate-free; and the last two box types are beef and chicken only or beef and pork only. Both GH experts and at-home testers were thoroughly impressed with the quality and variety of the meats that the service provides.
All beef is 100% grass-fed and grass-finished, and the seafood was top-notch, making this a super versatile option for all eaters. Even the chicken nuggets scored rave reviews in our tests. Everything arrives frozen, so be sure to have plenty of freezer space available upon delivery!
RELATED: Top-Tested Meat Subscription Boxes
Pricing | Classic size boxes start at $146 and include free shipping. |
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Availability | Delivery available to all 48 contiguous states. Does not ship to Alaska, Hawaii or Canada. |
6
Best Seafood Subscription
Sizzlefish Wild Caught Seafood
6
Best Seafood Subscription
Sizzlefish Wild Caught Seafood
Pros
- Multiple types of fish available
- Fresh tasting and generous portions
- Solid packaging
Cons
- Subscription boxes start at 14 portions
Sizzlefish delivers high-quality seafood directly to your door, including wild Alaskan King salmon, wild Gulf shrimp, scallops, clams, crab and more. Our experts raved about the freshness of the fish, and testers described the service as “absolutely excellent” and “exceptional quality.”
One tester said, “There are not enough words to describe how tender, juicy and flavorful all of the fish tasted!” Both experts and testers agreed that the packaging was exceptional and everything arrived ice cold, even in the warm summer months. Take note that the subscription box requirements are somewhat large: They start at 14 portions.
RELATED: Best Seafood Subscription Boxes
Pricing | Subscription boxes start at $129.95 |
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Availability | Shipping is available anywhere in the United States. |
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7
Best Produce Subscription
Harry and David Fruit of the Month Club
7
Best Produce Subscription
Harry and David Fruit of the Month Club
Pros
- Premium quality produce
- Gifting options available
Cons
- Not ideal for meal planning
The gourmet fruit-of-the-month club collections from the iconic Harry and David brand are perfect for fruit enthusiasts and gifting. Choose from different collections, including seasonal fruit, exotic and specialty fruits, fruit and cheese pairings and even an organic fruit box. We like that you can also select which month you’d like your deliveries to start.
Other monthly clubs through the brand include decadent chocolates, chocolate-dipped fruit, wine and more. The premium quality of the fruit stood out to our registered dietitians. “I think it would be a unique gift for someone who enjoys fresh fruit and trying new things,” a tester said.
RELATED: Best Produce Delivery Boxes
Pricing | Boxes start at $94.99 for three months depending on the variety, and you can purchase up to 12 months in advance. |
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Availability | Delivery to all 50 states as well as the U.S. territories. |
8
Best Cheese Subscription
Murray’s Cheese Club
8
Best Cheese Subscription
Murray’s Cheese Club
Pros
- Multiple curated, themed cheese clubs
- Choose from 3-, 6- and 12-month options
- Free shipping on monthly club deliveries
Cons
- Unable to customize your box
A membership to Murray’s Cheese of the Month Club is the ultimate gift for that friend who crafts the perfect cheese board. There are a few different club plans to choose from, with the basic plan providing a rotating collection of two to four iconic cheeses to serve up at your next dinner party.
You’ll even get tasting notes to guide you through — we wouldn’t call that a cheesy gift. The Globetrotter’s Cheese Club features cheeses from destinations around the world.
Pricing | Cheese of the month club starts at $63. |
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Availability | Shipping available to most of the continental US. |
9
Best Charcuterie Subscription
Platterful Charcuterie Kits
9
Best Charcuterie Subscription
Platterful Charcuterie Kits
Pros
- Curated assortment of charcuterie essentials
- Generous portions
- How-to videos and step-by-step instructions
Cons
- Expensive
Love to entertain? A Platterful subscription gets you a beautiful assortment of new meats, cheeses, spreads and accompaniments every month to make the ultimate charcuterie board for guests. About 90% of the products you’ll receive are shelf stable, and the cheeses ship with ice and insulation so if you refrigerate them upon delivery, you can enjoy the board at your leisure.
Kits feed anywhere from two to eight people depending on the size. The site also has new how-to videos and step-by-step instructions every month, and you can order a one-time board if needed.
Pricing | Starting at $179 for a three month subscription. |
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Availability | Delivery to all 50 United States. |
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10
Best Gift Food Subscription
Goldbelly Subscriptions
10
Best Gift Food Subscription
Goldbelly Subscriptions
Pros
- Access to famous foods from iconic restaurants and brands
- Assortment of subscriptions to choose from
- Great for foodies
Cons
- Limited health-conscious options
Shopping for a gift for the ultimate foodie in your life? Or perhaps you want to try the latest food innovations yourself. Look no further than Goldbelly. Known for its gourmet and extravagant food selection, gift options include some unique subscription programs like monthly bacon, ice cream, pizza, cake and more. You can even get a monthly subscription for the best food in certain areas like NYC and San Francisco.
One GH staffer swears by the service and always uses Goldbelly for sending gifts to friends and family. The brand also offers many unique care packages that can put a smile on any face.
Pricing | Gift subscriptions come as low as $65 a month. |
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Availability | Ships throughout the domestic United States (including Hawaii and Alaska). |
11
Best Coffee Subscription
Atlas Coffee Club Subscription Box
11
Best Coffee Subscription
Atlas Coffee Club Subscription Box
Pros
- High-quality, single-origin coffee
- Includes tasting notes and coffee history
- Choose ground, whole bean or coffee pods
Cons
- Expensive
Featuring coffees that are specialty grade, single-origin and hand-picked at peak ripeness, Atlas Coffee Club is a favorite among the coffee experts at GH for its high-quality offerings. With the subscription model, your box will include some of the world’s best single-origin coffee, a postcard from each month’s country, as well as tasting notes and a coffee history for each batch. The boxes earned a 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award, and the brand’s pods won in 2023.
You can select your coffee type (ground, whole bean or coffee pods), grind type, roast preference and number of bags per shipment. Opt to receive deliveries every two or four weeks depending on your schedule.
Pricing | $28 per shipment |
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Availability | Delivery available to the United States, Canada, and APO/DPO/FPO addresses overseas. |
12
Best Tea Subscription
Sips by Personalized Tea Discovery Box
12
Best Tea Subscription
Sips by Personalized Tea Discovery Box
Pros
- Wide assortment of premium teas
- Box curated uniquely for you
- Access to expert-led tea classes
Cons
- Unable to customize your order
Tea enthusiasts will appreciate this tea of the month club box from Sips By, which earned a 2023 Good Housekeeping Tea Award. After answering a quiz, the brand will deliver four new premium teas monthly to your home based on your unique taste preferences. The personalization evolves based on your product ratings, comments and notes on the teas.
You’ll even get access to other perks like members-only virtual tea parties and tea education and recipes. Testers gave the box top scores across the board, with many noting how they loved the variety of teas and the pleasant flavors. “Both my 87-year-old mother and I enjoyed trying the different teas. She enjoys tea so I shared some of them with her,” one tester said.
Pricing | $16/month |
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Availability | Delivery to all 50 states in the US and all territories in Canada. |
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13
Best Wine Subscription
Wine Access Club
13
Best Wine Subscription
Wine Access Club
Pros
- Expert-curated wine selections
- Receive only certain types of wine or a mix
- Variety of wine clubs to choose from
Cons
- Limited delivery to certain states
Choosing the right bottle of wine can be intimidating, especially if you’re no sommelier. This wine club delivers six bottles of wine from around the globe each quarter, with expert-curated selections. You can receive only reds, only whites or a mix, or opt for rosés or sparkling wines. You’ll also get educational content to help you learn more about the bottles you are tasting, as well as the option to purchase more of what you like at a reduced price.
Looking for even more options? Check out our favorite wine delivery services here.
Pricing | $150 per six-bottle shipment, four times a year |
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Availability | Delivery available to most states in the US except Utah, Arkansas, Alabama and Mississippi. |
14
Best Baking Subscription
Red Velvet Baking Kits
14
Best Baking Subscription
Red Velvet Baking Kits
Pros
- Ingredients come pre-measured
- Fun, seasonal dessert recipes
- Can also purchase individual baking kits
Cons
- Unable to customize subscription
Empower your inner baker with this lovely subscription service that caters to delicious baked goods. You’ll receive all pre-measured ingredients and detailed recipe cards to whip up a variety of seasonal desserts once a month. You’ll learn new techniques along the way and will wow guests and family members with your new creations.
Recipes include Ginger Snap Cookies with White Chocolate, Apple Spice Cake with Sliced Almonds, S’mores Cupcakes and more. You can also shop the individual baking kits if you’d rather not opt for a subscription.
Pricing | $49 for two kits per month. |
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Availability | Delivery throughout the Continental USA. |
15
Best Spice Subscription
Burlap & Barrel Spice Club
15
Best Spice Subscription
Burlap & Barrel Spice Club
Pros
- Includes four full-sized jars of premium spices
- Spice stories and recipes to get you started
Cons
- Cannot make substitutions to the box
If you’re looking to spice things up in the kitchen, this seasonal seasoning subscription for Burlap & Barrel may be just what you need. Shipments come once a quarter and include four full-sized jars of spices, including pre-releases of brand-new spices and new harvests of the brand’s favorite spices.
You can’t make any substitutions to the box, but the surprise assortment can help get you out of routine in the kitchen and on your way to cooking up some delicious meals. This is the perfect gift for the foodie who loves to experiment in the kitchen.
Price | $45 per box (delivered per quarter). |
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Availability | Delivery throughout the US and Canada, including Hawaii, Alaska, US territories, and overseas military bases. |
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16
Best Candy Subscription
Candy Club Subscription
16
Best Candy Subscription
Candy Club Subscription
Pros
- Sweet and sour candy offerings
- “Love Your Candy” guarantee
Cons
- Subscription box is set at six jars
Kids at heart can satisfy their sweet tooth with this monthly box of curated candies from both famous and artisanal producers. Choose from mostly sweet or mostly sour to match your flavor preferences and then just wait for the treats to arrive. For the subscription box, you’ll get six jars of a curated candy assortment at each delivery. You can of course shop à la carte as well, if you’d rather forgo a subscription.
And no worries if you don’t like your candy; they’ll replace it free of charge. They also have adorable gift sets and party favors for all occasions.
Pricing | Starts at $29.99 per month plus shipping. |
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Availability | Delivery within the contiguous United States. |
17
Best Snack Subscription
Sakuraco Japanese Snack Box
17
Best Snack Subscription
Sakuraco Japanese Snack Box
Pros
- Premium Japanese snacks
- Includes tea and authentic Japanese kitchenware
- Detailed booklet about the snacks and Japanese culture
Cons
- Unable to customize your box
Experience some of the most popular snacks from Japan with this subscription box from Sakuraco. Founded in 2015, the brand highlights local Japanese snack makers when curating its assortment of traditional and modern treats. Each box contains 20 carefully selected artisanal snacks, plus Japanese tea and even authentic kitchenware so you can keep a piece of Japan in your home.
We also love that you’ll receive a beautiful booklet in every box with details about the snacks, allergens and Japanese culture. The quality of the items really wowed us in our tests.
Pricing | Starts at $32.50 per month. |
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Availability | Worldwide delivery |
How we test food subscription boxes
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we evaluate and test all different types of food products and services, from healthy snacks and supplements to food subscription boxes and meal delivery. Our experts are committed to bringing you the best of the best when it comes to quality, performance, flavor, nutrition and more. In our food subscription box tests, our in-house experts evaluate the services and coordinate for real-life testers across the nation to try them out too.
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We made our selections based on expert evaluation and tester feedback, including overall satisfaction, food quality, cost, recycling efforts and availability. Our picks for the best food subscription boxes cater to a wide variety of special diets, dietary preferences and food interests. We’ve also found that customization is important to many testers, so we took that into account. Although taste is subjective, we chose companies that earned high points overall with testers.
As a result of our testing, we believe the companies spotlighted above deserve recognition for their performance in their categories. That said, this is a fast-growing segment in the food industry, and we’re likely to see exciting new entrants emerging in the near future. We are currently and constantly testing new offerings in this category to keep readers up-to-date.
Nutrition Lab Director
Stefani (she/her) is a registered dietitian, a NASM-certified personal trainer and the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab, where she handles all nutrition-related content, testing and evaluation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from NYU. She is also Good Housekeeping’s on-staff fitness and exercise expert. Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family.
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