When it comes to the best meal delivery services, Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD states, “These subscriptions can be game-changing platforms for those short on time or those looking for portion-controlled, nutrient-dense dishes each night.” However, while these kits can take the strain out of hitting up the grocery store each week, you will still need to plan ahead for some prep time … unless you choose a prepared meal kit service such as Factor meals. With a rotating menu of over 50 heat-and-eat cuisines catering to a plethora of dietary needs, this popular meal delivery service may be your key to better meal prep and planning.
In our opinion, Factor can be an excellent service for time-stressed individuals unable to sustainably cook each night. Plus, the traditional protein, vegetable, and side layout of each meal can be a positive influence on your daily protein intake, albeit a little bland in terms of variety. (1) In this Factor meals review, our team of experts prepared, dined on, and examined this popular meal delivery service in accordance with our supplement testing methodology — our foundational protocol that’s guided our review of over 45 different meal kits and subscription models. In addition to the quantitative menu options and nutritional information, we also took note of the required prep work — spoiler alert: it’s not time-consuming — and tastes of each delivered meal. Ready to ring the dinner bell? Let’s sit down for supper and get right into our findings.
Factor offers an array of convenient, heat-and-eat meal servings that can cater to multiple dietary preferences. Additionally, each single-serving packaging
Medical disclaimer: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.
Main Takeaways
- You can order up to 18 meals each week — equivalent to six days worth of pre-made breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
- Each Factor meal is fully prepared and requires just a few minutes in the microwave or oven prior to consumption, meaning you don’t need a litany of cooking skills to chow down on nutritious dishes.
- While the pre-made nature of Factor is convenient, this does mean that substitutions for certain allergens or protein preferences may not be possible.
Factor Meals Specs
| Price Per Serving | Starting at $10.99 |
| Meal Kit Type | Prepared meals |
| Meal Options Per Week | Rotating menu of 50 entrées and over 70 add-ons |
| Servings Per Week | Up to 18 |
| Available Meal Preferences | Calorie-Smart, Keto, Carb-Conscious, Fiber-Filled, Chef’s Choice, Protein Plus, GLP-1 Balance, Flexitarian |
| Delivery Range | Contiguous United States |
| Some Meals We’ve Tried | Filet with Carrots, Tomato Basil Chicken Risotto, Spicy Poblano Beef Bowl, Blueberry Pancakes |
As one of the best healthy meal delivery services, Factor offers a convenient assortment of pre-made meals that cater to a range of specific diets and preferences. Subscribers can choose up to 18 different dishes across Factor’s menu of over 50 entrées and 70-plus add-ons such as desserts, side dishes, additional proteins, and more. Plus, there are menu options for specific diets like keto, high-protein, and plant-based, among others. “Meal kits can be a great option for those with specific dietary needs as they take the guesswork out of finding the proper ingredients for worthwhile dishes,” notes Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, registered dietitian nutritionist and BarBend expert contributor.
While this variety of some of the most nutrient-dense foods is appealing, our tester, a certified personal trainer, states that dish design is pretty standard across the menu. “Most dishes don’t veer from the protein-veggie-carb layout, which can be fine for a well-rounded plate but may begin to grow dull over time,” they add.
Despite the common theme to each meal, Factor’s required prep work (or lack thereof) still holds plenty of appeal. Given its status as a prepared meal delivery service, there’s no need to break out the pots and pans to craft a worthwhile dish — all you need is a microwave or pre-heated oven, and your meals can be ready in just a few minutes. Plus, while you’re waiting for your food to come to temperature, you can easily log the nutritional facts given their detailed inscriptions across the individual packaging. This can be great for those just getting a handle on how to count your macros for more informed dieting day in and day out.
In terms of portions, our tester notes that quantity can depend on your chosen meals. “Each dish I trialed was good for me, but I can see where larger appetites may feel underserved in certain circumstances,” they add. “That said, there are some offerings that contain up to 800 calories, so there is a good mix of low- and high-calorie meals, at least.”
Finally, Factor meals are available with entrées starting at $10.99. While this does make the cut to classify as one of the best budget meal delivery services, there are cheaper options on the market for those in need of lower costs. This $10.99 starting price is also over double the average price of a home-cooked meal (roughly $4.23), so be sure to run some numbers as you decide whether these microwavable meals are truly right for your finances. (2)
Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use Factor Meals
As with any subscription service from the best vegan meal delivery services to pre-portioned meal kits, market-style retailers, and more, there are different camps that fit different platforms. Below, we’ve listed a few groups we feel could benefit from Factor meals along with a handful that may fare better with a different meal service.
Recommended for:
- Athletes seeking high-quality cuisines in convenient, pre-made dishes
- Single individuals not needing more than 18 meals per week
- Those that don’t require customized dishes to align with their dietary restrictions
Not Recommended for:
- People that prefer to cook their meals as opposed to Factor’s heat-and-eat cuisine style
- Budget-minded individuals in need of a meal plan under $10.99 per serving
- Athletes primarily focused on plant-based meals — while available through Factor, the assortment is primarily based in the Western diet
Our Experience Using Factor Meals
The BarBend team is composed of certified personal trainers, competitive athletes, nutrition coaches, and lifelong fitness enthusiasts. To craft this Factor meals review, our team examined the popular meal plan service for multiple weeks, taking inspiration from our supplement testing methodology as well as our experiences with over 45 other meal subscriptions. We looked at Factor in a range of key qualities, rating the service’s performance on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), similar to how we’ve constructed our reviews of the best protein powders, creatine gummies, multivitamins, and more. Here are some of the highlights from those trials.
Menu Options
Meal variety can be a major influence on your meal kit of choice — you’ll likely want to chow down on a different dish every now and again, right? Thankfully, Factor offers a robust weekly menu of over 50 entrées and over 70 add-on items with options catering to specific needs like paleo, low-calorie, ketogenic, and more. Our tester, a certified personal trainer, states, “There’s a good bit of new dishes to choose from each week with a handful of carry-over if you fall in love with a specific meal.” However, we rate the menu at 4 out of 5 since there is less of a balance between meat-based and plant-based dishes which may be less than ideal for athletes following a vegan diet.
Given that Factor is a prepared meal service, you cannot customize your weekly order too much when it comes to the actual contents of each dish. For example, you cannot substitute a top plant source of protein in place of, say, a chicken breast or steak. That said, our tester notes that there are, at least, some plant-based options available and the potential allergens are well-detailed on each meal page for those that need to accommodate certain sensitivities. As such, we rate the customizations at 4 out of 5 — there’s no opportunity to fully craft your cuisine, but there are enough options to not leave you feeling hungry post-order confirmation.
Taste
Let’s get this out of the way — a microwavable meal will likely not match the fresh, crisp flavors of a home-cooked dish. However, our tester states that Factor packs as much zest and flavor as possible into each meal, resulting in a 4-out-of-5 rating for the category. “I had a steak tip dish in my one weekly allotment and was surprised to find that the steaks were (pre )cooked to a perfect medium rare,” they note. “Even after the allotted time in the microwave, each bite was the perfect amount of chew with no qualms surrounding juiciness or seasoning.”
In addition, we appreciate how Factor’s rotating menu offers up a range of different cuisines each week. In the mood for Italian or Mexican? There are likely some options to choose from. Be mindful, though, that our tester states each prepared dish shares a similar structure. “Every meal is basically a protein source, a vegetable, and some form of side. While this can be effective for well-rounded nutrition, it can begin to grow stale if you’re consuming these meals each night.”
Portion Size
Your energy balance — calories in versus calories out — can greatly influence your performance whether aiming for weight loss, weight maintenance, or weight gain. Accordingly, your portions should match your intended goals with nutrient-dense food sources that support your wellness routine while leaving you satiated. According to our tester, who rates the portions at 4.5 out of 5, “Factor seemed to have enough food in each dish for my needs, and I was able to find certain cuisines with up to 800 calories.” However, we understand that everyone’s needs are different, so we recommend taking a close look at the available nutrition information prior to selecting your meals each week.
Speaking of your weekly meal allotment, Factor orders can total up to 18 meals. While this may be a substantial number of meals for a single appetite, it may be too low if you’re planning on feeding multiple athletes with a single order. For families, it’s also important to remember that Factor is less customizable than other meal delivery kits on the market — if you’re trying to cater each order to picky eaters or children, you may be better served with a different platform.
Preparation
No time to prepare a delicious meal? Less than confident in your ability to whip up appealing dishes from scratch? These potential worries are nonexistent with Factor meals thanks to the convenient, heat-and-eat structure of each chosen cuisine. “All that’s needed is to vent the plastic film, set your microwave or oven to the appropriate time, and wait,” adds our tester. As such, we rate the ease of preparation at 5 out of 5.
We also appreciate the pre-made nature of Factor as it can eliminate clutter within your refrigerator. Rather than having a mix of pre-portioned kits or standalone ingredients strewn across your drawers and shelves, these meals can be easily stacked within your fridge for quick, on-the-go prep. We do note, though, that Factor doesn’t necessarily recommend freezing your pre-made dishes. You can keep these meals in the freezer to better retain freshness over extended periods, but the brand suggests freezing them as soon as possible after delivery for optimal flavor.
Value
A good deal can always make your evening — there’s a reason we have an entire round-up dedicated to the best cheap pre-workouts. While Factor’s meal options start at roughly $10.99 per meal, there are some services offering lower costs. As such, we rate the overall value at a conservative 3 out of 5.
Naturally, though, there are ways to lower this order total. Like other meal kit services, Factor routinely offers discounts on your first box, and the more you order, the lower the cost per serving. Of course, every budget is different, so be sure to shop around before finalizing your cart. Remember, too, that the average home-cooked meal can cost roughly $4.23 per serving — think about your regular grocery expenses and compare your future totals to this metric when deciding on a meal delivery service. (2)
What to Consider Before Buying Factor Meals
Meal delivery services can be excellent for managing your meal prep and may even inspire you to grow your skill set in the kitchen. As Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD states, though, “Not every meal delivery service is a bona fide winner. There are some red flags worth considering before finalizing your cart.” Below we’ve outlined some key factors worth your consideration when deciding on the best meal kit service for your wants and needs.
- Menu Variety: One of the main considerations you should have when choosing a proper meal kit service is the available menu. Aim for a platform offering an array of dishes that seem appealing to your palate without much repetition. Studies report that eating a variety of foods can help improve your vitamin and nutrient intake, so having a different cuisine every now and again can be beneficial. (3)
- Prep Time: When thinking of a prepared meal delivery service like Factor, prep work is usually minimal. However, for those with interests in cooking and meal preparation, be sure to take a gander at the recommended cook time for each chosen dish — some meal kits may still require over an hour of preparation, which may not jive with your specific schedule.
- Dietary Restrictions: There are many types of diets out there that are based on personal preferences or specific health sensitivities. If you’re aiming to use a meal kit service to better accommodate such needs, make sure your service’s menu can fulfill your desires with worthwhile dishes on a regular basis. “Regardless of your chosen diet, though, it’s best to prioritize meal kits using lean proteins, fresh fruits and veggies, and whole grains,” adds Bourgeois.
- Price Per Meal: While meal delivery services can certainly be more convenient than regular trips to the grocery store, you do pay for such luxuries. Be sure to take a gander at your budget prior to sign-up and ensure you can comfortably afford your delivered dishes and ingredients on a regular basis. Also, if you’d rather use your meal kit service in tandem with regular grocery shopping, be sure to read online about account management policies and if you can easily pause or cancel your subscription without much hassle.
Factor Meals Vs. Competitors
Factor is not without competition, similar to even the best creatine supplements, BCAAs, protein powders, and more. While we value Factor’s convenient heat-and-eat meal options, we do feel there are worthy competitors out there. We’ve outlined two such adversaries below that we feel stack up well to Factor’s offerings — Home Chef and Dinnerly.
| Factor | Home Chef | Dinnerly | |
| Price Per Serving | Starting at $10.99 | Starting at $9.99 | Starting at $5.99 |
| Meal Kit Type | Prepared meals | Meal kit, Prepared meals | Meal kit, Prepared meals |
| Meal Options Per Week | Rotating menu of 50 entrées and over 70 add-ons | Rotating menu of over 100 menu and market items | Rotating menu of over 100 entrées |
| Servings Per Week | Up to 18 | Up to 36 | Up to 24 |
| Available Meal Preferences | Calorie-Smart, Keto, Carb-Conscious, Fiber-Filled, Chef’s Choice, Protein Plus, GLP-1 Balance, Flexitarian | Protein-Packed, Calorie-Conscious, Carb-Conscious, Mediterranean, Keto-Friendly, Gluten-Smart, Pescatarian, Vegetarian | Gluten-Free, Low-Calorie, Low-Carb, Picky Eater Approved, Quick & Easy, Vegetarian |
| Delivery Range | Contiguous United States | Contiguous United States | Contiguous United States |
| Some Meals We’ve Tried | Filet with Carrots, Tomato Basil Chicken Risotto, Spicy Poblano Beef Bowl, Blueberry Pancakes | Acapulco-style Steak Quesadillas with Cheddar-Jack Cheese, Lemon & Herb Chicken with Pesto Butter & Ratatouille, Korean-style Fried Chicken with Cheesy Corn | Beef Stir-Fry in Garlic Sauce, Turkey Taquitos, Pastrami-Crusted Steak with Everything Bagel Potato |
Home Chef can be an ideal meal kit service for athletes looking to expand their cooking skill set thanks to the brand’s assortment of pre-portioned meals and prepared dishes. We also appreciate the multiple dietary filters across the menu that can cater to a range of preferences. However, those wanting to log key macronutrients with ease may be better served with Factor since all nutritional information for Home Chef recipes is only available online. Plus, our testers have noted that ingredient freshness — particularly in regards to produce like green beans, onions, zucchini, and peppers — can be hit-or-miss from one order to the next.
Like Home Chef, Dinnerly also offers pre-portioned meal kits as well as prepared dishes, but at a far more-budget-friendly price point of less than $6 per serving. Our testers also enjoy the vast rotating menu of over 100 different cuisines each week. That said, we prefer Factor given the packaging at play with this ultra-budget option. Rather than portioning ingredients by recipe, everything is contained in a single box — think unbagging your regular grocery order rather than organizing set meal kits.
Places to Buy Factor Meals
Factor — also marketed as Factor 75 — can be ordered directly from the brand’s retail site. Factor also has an accompanying app service, available on iOS and Android, for easier account management.
Customer Experience and Brand Reputation
Ordering your weekly Factor dishes, according to our tester, a certified personal trainer, is easy and convenient. Simply select your preferred cuisines and wait for your order to arrive. However, we score the delivery and packaging at 4 out of 5 since we did experience some damage during transport. “One of the gel packs did burst during shipment which called for some extensive clean-up,” notes our tester. That said, this could be attributed to our parcel handling service rather than Factor’s packaging, so take this note with a grain of salt.
In terms of customer service, we also rate the brand at 4 out of 5 since account management is handled seamlessly either on the Factor app or dedicated retail site. Our tester had no issues in pausing (and ultimately) cancelling their subscription, and any issues seemed to be resolved swiftly through Factor’s customer service outlet. To reach the brand with any inquiries, you can contact Factor via email (help@factor75.com) or phone (888)-573-5727.
When it comes to customer reviews, Factor currently holds a 3.8-out-of-5 rating on trustpilot.com, with many negative comments stemming from spam-related outreach about rating orders that were never placed. Of the positive responses, though, one customer notes, “The food is delicious and arrives as scheduled. Customer service is also great, and plenty of menu options as well as add-ons if you want extras!”
Our Final Verdict on Factor Meals
So, is Factor worth it when it comes to the surrounding hype and present convenience? In our opinion, yes! The simple heat-and-eat meals can be an excellent nutrition option for athletes and the array of different cuisines (alongside a rotating menu) should be enough to appease most palates. While there are cheaper options on the market, the convenience, taste, and access to nutritional information are enough for us to continuously place Factor amongst the best meal delivery services available today.
When looking to subscribe to a meal kit service of your own, it’s important to ensure that the available menu offers a range of different dishes, especially if you’re trying to cater to specific dietary needs. Think about the required prep time, too, if you’d prefer to spend as little time as possible slicing and dicing your way to a worthwhile evening meal. Set your budget, select your menu, and high-quality cuisines could soon be one delivery away.
Factor Meals Review FAQs
How much do Factor meals cost?
Factor meals can be purchased for costs starting at $10.99 per serving. Of course, though, your order total will be dependent on the amount of meals you order each week, so be sure to think about how much you’re likely to use this service and how much you’re willing to spend when calculating your weekly order quantity.
What is the delivery range for Factor meals?
Factor delivers to athletes living within the contiguous United States, meaning those in Alaska or Hawaii are unable to receive weekly meal shipments.
Can you freeze Factor meals?
Yes, you can freeze Factor meals for consumption at a later date, although the brand recommends eating your dishes in accordance with the listed “Best By” date stamped on the packaging. If you prefer to freeze your ordered dishes, Factor recommends placing them in the freezer as soon as possible from delivery to best preserve freshness and flavor.
References
- Walton, K., do Rosario, V. A., Pettingill, H., Cassimatis, E., & Charlton, K. (2019). The impact of home‐delivered meal services on the nutritional intake of community living older adults: A systematic literature review. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 33(1), 38–47. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31266095/
- Maggiolo, N. S. (2024, October 31). The cost of eating out vs eating in by State. The Cost of Eating Out vs Eating In by State. https://www.topnutritioncoaching.com/blog/cost-of-eating-out-vs-eating-in
- Vadiveloo, M., Parkeh, N., & Mattei, J. (2015). Greater healthful food variety as measured by the US Healthy Food Diversity Index is associated with lower odds of metabolic syndrome and its components in US adults. The Journal of Nutrition, 145(3), 564–571. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4336534/
Factor_
Pros
- Consistent Taste
- Diverse Meals
- Straight Forward Nutrition
- Natural Ingredients
Cons
- Slightly Inconsistent Textures
