When choosing a food delivery service, be sure to factor in all your needs.
This meal kit company is a bit different from the others we’ve reviewed in our massive meal kit roundup of over 15 brands, as it offers ready-to-heat and eat meals fresh to your doorstep, as opposed to a box of ingredients.
Factor is great for those on the go who want a delicious, nutritious meal but aren’t interested in dealing with multiple dishes, a trip to the grocery store, or cooking. The meals are ready in just two minutes in the microwave and make a quick and easy breakfast, lunch or dinner.
This is truly the meal delivery service for everyone, as they offer traditional meat-based meals in addition to those with dietary preferences such as keto, vegan, and vegetarian, with some choices spanning more than one category.
If this already sounds like the perfect mealtime solution, shop now at the button below.
How Factor works:
The factor is easy to use (and even easier to cook) meal kit — but really, it’s more like a meal delivery service since there’s little cooking involved.
Meals come prepared and ready to heat and enjoy. This also means minimal clean-up, as all you have to do is throw away the packaging and wash your cutlery – it’s all done!
Each meal is designed by a nutritionist so it’s nutritionally sound. Most importantly, the ingredients and nutrition facts are listed on the page so you know what’s in what. There are more than 35 meals to choose from on the weekly menu, plus more than 60 extras, including smoothies, shakes, snacks and desserts. Some options are considered premium dishes, which are usually a little fancier, say a steak with truffle butter than a typical mashed potato. You’ll also find other top ingredients like barramundi, shrimp and filet mignon.
Factor is best suited for individuals or smaller families, as meals are all single portions. I like it best for business lunches and light breakfasts, but you can also order multiple meals and eat them together with loved ones. There are options for both carnivores and vegetarians, as well as calorie-smart, flexitarian, Keto and other options.
Factor price:
factor in how much you save on groceries and that can really be worth the splurge.
Like many meal kits, pricing varies depending on quantity. Choose six, eight, ten, 12, 14 or 18 meals, with prices ranging between $11.49 and $13.99 per meal. The more you order, the less expensive it is, so keep that in mind. Flat rate shipping is $10.99.
Food with factors:
When you look at the weekly menu, there’s a lot of variety, including American comfort classics, Asian bowls, Indian spiced dishes and other fusion creations from around the world.
As stated above, you can also sort by dietary or nutritional needs, with foods labeled as Chef’s Choice, Keto, Calorie Smart, Flexitarian, Protein Plus, Vegan & Veggie on the page.
For more ingredient visibility, each meal also has a QR code on the packaging sleeve itself, allowing you to view the full recipe online. Flip it over and you’ll also find all the nutritional information. The packaging is recyclable.
Our Factor review:
The pros:
- Dishes designed by nutritionists
- 35 plus meals, 60 plus extras, including snacks and smoothies
- Works for a variety of dietary needs, including vegan, keto and those looking to add more protein to their diet
- Food takes only 2 minutes to heat up in the microwave
- A more stable option
Disadvantages:
- Smaller portions than some traditional meal kits
- Not suitable for larger families
I’ve ordered a variety of Factor’s meals over the past four years and counting, choosing from their rotating menu of options. Wanting to taste everything, I chose Keto-labeled meals such as Indian Butter Chicken with Lemon Cilantro Cauliflower Rice, a vegetarian dish of Vegetable Ratatouille with Mascarpone Polenta, a vegan selection of chilies, a vegan three-bean casserole with corn and cream based tofu and even a more premium choice with peppercorn-spiced tenderloin, with fried buttery mashed potatoes, broccoli and peppers as a treat.
This fall, I tried even more meals and added shakes and smoothies as well:
For all meals, the only packaging is a slip sleeve and a plastic-covered microwaveable tray that must be opened to release the steam. I loved that the sleeve carried all the heating instructions as well as a color coded label to indicate whether the meal was meat, fish or vegetable based. It made it easier to know what I was grabbing from the fridge. Black Label is the premium dishes, so I made sure to save them for a special solo dinner.
After it was cooked, I noticed that somehow the fresh shrimp and red meat dishes didn’t dry out either, a problem I have quite often with normal cooking. I was also pleasantly surprised with the seasoning used in each dish, not having to add salt or pepper.
I will mention that these meals served me best as a lunch option, with a smaller portion than what I normally want for dinner. I was able to easily bring them into the office and use our break room to warm up and eat.
(Note: The meat will be cooked medium well to well done, but that makes sense since it’s technically the second cook, and I find the meat still tender.)
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Compared to other meal kits, Factor certainly steps up in terms of flavors, price, and ease of ordering. However, I admit it’s hard to compare it to kits where you actually have to slice and dice, as Factor’s meals are ready to go as soon as they arrive on your doorstep.
Final decision
Factor is the best meal delivery service for those who love healthy, delicious meals that can be prepared in two minutes, with no prep or cleanup. They are designed for the individual on the go and can be perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
I personally like to always have a few of these meals on hand for the work week, plus a fridge full of smoothies and shakes for a mid-day pick-me-up.
If you’re ready to consider all the time you’ll save the stress of what to eat, check out Factor and let us know what you think!
How we tested it
- Ease of ordering: Factor is easy to order, with a rotating menu of weekly options, plus extras.
- Preparation, cooking and cleaning time: There’s no prep or cleanup time at all, and meals take an average of two minutes to heat up.
- Taste and fullness: The flavor is all there, no need for extra seasoning. These meals may be lighter for some and may require the addition of a shake or smoothie.
- Durability: Factories can be one of the most sustainable options if you properly recycle the box, ice packs and trays from each meal. Discard the plastic cover after use.
- Price: Factories range from $11.49 to $13.99 per serving, which is also per meal, since these only serve one.
FAQ: What to look for when choosing a meal kit
Diet: Pay attention to the dietary options that each service caters for, from vegetarians and vegans to Keto and paleo. Food package delivery services that are transparent about ingredients and sources are preferable, as they can indicate the quality of the food.
House size: Count the number of people in your family and then calculate how much they eat to best calculate how many servings are needed to feed everyone. Some kits have larger portions, while others are just for one serving.
Budget: Meal kits and services have a wide price range, with average costs between $8-14 per serving. Some offer free shipping, making them more affordable in the long run, while others have a minimal outlay. Specialty meal kit services or health-related plans usually cost more, especially if organic products or meats are used.
Time: In theory, meal kits are meant to save people time. Consider how long you want to cook each night when choosing the best meal plan for you. Some take 30 or more minutes to cook, not including cleaning. Others are microwaveable and thus require no cleanup time. The latter may be better for those with busy lifestyles, while those who love to cook may prefer kits that require more effort but still save them a trip to the grocery store.
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