CHOICE compare meal delivery services to find the best – HelloFresh, Marley Spoon and Dinnerly

Consumer experts have offered their verdict on meal delivery services after putting popular brands to the test to find the best in Australia.

CHOICE ordered and cooked two dishes each from meal boxes including HelloFresh, Marley Spoon, Pepper Leaf, Dinnerly and Everyplate. 

The experts rated the service for ease of ordering, presentation and temperature on delivery, ingredient freshness, recipe accuracy and more.

Of the meal delivery services tested, HelloFresh came out on top with 87 per cent, followed closely behind was Marley Spoon with an overall score of 86 per cent.

Followed closely behind was Marley Spoon with an overall score of 86 per cent. Everyplate came fourth after scoring 84 per cent

What are the best meal kit delivery services in Australia? 

CHOICE said the benefits of getting meal boxes are the easy-to-follow recipes, and the ingredients are perfectly portioned (pictured of a Hello Fresh meal)

1. HelloFresh – 87%

2-person box (three meals per week): $65.94; 4-person box (three meals per week): $119.88

2. Marley Spoon – 86%

2-person box (three meals per week): $69.00; 4-person box (three meals per week): $119.40

3. Dinnerly: 85%

2-person box (three meals per week): $43.50; 4-person box (three meals per week): $75.00

4. Everyplate: 84%

2-person box (three meals per week): $38.94; 4-person box (three meals per week): $68.55

5. Pepper Leaf – 83%

2-person box (three meals per week): $77.90; 4-person box (three meals per week): $125.80

Prices, which include delivery costs, are base prices for meal plans as of July 2021. TIP: Look out for promotional price reductions and discount vouchers

Dinnerly came third with 85 per cent, while Everyplate received 84 per cent and Pepper Leaf rounded up the top five with 83 per cent. 

The experts compared the price of HelloFresh Classic Plan meal box ($69.95 for three meals per week for two people) with the cost of buying the ingredients for those three meals in the same or similar quantities from Coles and Woolworths.

‘We found you don’t actually pay much less at a supermarket, and sometimes you pay more once you factor in delivery costs,’ the experts said.

‘But in reality when doing your weekly shop you’re more likely to take advantage of special offers or buy larger packs which are better value for money.’

Up to 87 per cent of subscription meal box users rated the food quality, freshness and taste as ‘good’, ‘very good’ and ‘excellent’. 

Dinnerly came third with 85 per cent, while Pepper Leaf rounded up the top five with 83 per cent

What’s the best ready-made meal delivery services in Australia? 

The Dinner Ladies came out on top for offering the best ready-made meal delivery service in Australia

1. The Dinner Ladies: 86%

For two people ordering three meals a week: $54; Per person per meal: $9

2. THR1VE: 85%

For two people ordering three meals a week: $80.70; Per person per meal: $13.45

3. Chefgood: 81%

For two people ordering three meals a week: $71.40; Per person per meal: $11.90

4. Soulara: 79%

For two people ordering three meals a week: $80.50; Per person per meal: $11.50

5. YouFoodz: 77%

For two people ordering three meals a week: $59.70; Per person per meal: $9.95

6. Nourish’d: 76%

For two people ordering three meals a week: $94.10; Per person per meal: $15.68

Prices, which include delivery costs, are base prices for meal plans as of July 2021. TIP: Look out for promotional price reductions and discount vouchers

‘Meal delivery services are predominantly marketed to time-poor families. But if you have limited cooking skills and want to eat home-cooked food, they can also be a great way to learn how to cook,’ CHOICE home economist Fiona Mair said.

She said the best things about getting the meal boxes are the easy-to-follow recipes, and the ingredients are perfectly portioned so there’s minimal wastage.

The experts also reviewed ready-made meals from services including YouFoodz, The Dinner Ladies, Soulara, THR1VE, Chefgood and Nourish’d.

Of the services tested, The Dinner Ladies came out on top with 86 per cent, followed by THR1VE (85 per cent), Chefgood (81%), Soulara (79%) and YouFoodz (77%).

They said the benefits of ordering prepared meals included minimal prep and being able to store in the freezer for future use.

After comparing the costs of two different dishes from prepared meal services with similar supermarket ready-made meals, the experts found the meal service dishes to be more expensive. 

A single serve of butter chicken from meal delivery services ranged in price from $9.95 to $23.99, but the Woolworths chilled version was just $6.90.