Factor Review 2024: Is It Worth the Money?
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Overview
Factor promises to be one of the most convenient meal delivery services around thanks to its no-cook meals. Owned by the same company as popular meal-kit service HelloFresh, Factor’s offering is even simpler, with fresh, prepared meals that take just minutes to get on the table.
I’ve reviewed lots of meal delivery services (including other HelloFresh brands), so I wanted to see if these prepared meals are worth the cost. I ordered a range of Factor meals from across its diet plans. I also looked at overall menu variety, pricing, ease of use, delivery, unboxing, add-ons, and the customer service experience.
Although not without its drawbacks, for me, Factor lives up to the hype. It offers plenty of health-focused meals that will suit most people. They’re easy to heat up in about 2 to 3 minutes. And you also get a bunch of extras, add-ons, sides, snacks, and keto-friendly desserts.
Pros | Cons |
| Variety of health-conscious plans | $10.99 shipping fee for every delivery |
| Restaurant-quality prepared meals | Not many plant-based options |
| Optional access to a team of dietitians | $9.99 surcharge for Gourmet Plus meals |
Factor’s Menu: Prepped Meals That Won’t Disappoint the Pickiest of Eaters
Factor caters to the needs of busy individuals who still want to eat healthy food. Each meal focuses on incorporating lean protein, carbs, and fresh vegetables, resulting in tasty-sounding options like Shredded Chicken Taco Bowl and Chipotle-Rubbed Pork Chop.
Meal Options: Factor Has Something for (Almost) Everyone
Factor offers a diverse selection of over 35 meals on its menu each week, all of which promise to be "restaurant quality." To choose from the whole menu, you can opt for the Chef’s Choice plan or select specific meal plans such as Keto, Calorie-Smart, Protein Plus, Flexitarian, or Vegan & Veggie.
Factor's menu impressed me with its clarity and user-friendly layout. Navigating through the options is a breeze, thanks to the clear organization and intuitive design. The menu uses color-coded tags to highlight the categories each dish belongs to. You can also consult lists like the best Factor Keto dishes for meal ideas.
I also like the chili pepper icon used to identify particularly spicy dishes. It’s on the Turkey Chili & Zucchini dish, which is a keto option, as it doesn’t include beans. It includes smoked Spanish paprika and roasted guajillo chiles to make a spiced and warming dish.
You can see 3 weeks’ worth of menus, so you know what’s coming up next. I like that new dishes are added each week to increase the variety on the menu. If you aren’t sure which meals you’ll enjoy, try the Top-Rated dishes that have received the best reviews. I also recommend Gourmet Plus dishes like the Roasted Garlic Filet Mignon & Shrimp or the Parmesan & Basil Mahi Mahi.
Author’s Tip: Keep in mind that the Gourmet Plus dishes come at a gourmet cost as well. They incur a surcharge, but you can’t see how much until you are logged in. For example, the Truffle Butter Filet Mignon pictured above costs an extra $11.99.
A Wide Range of Cuisines (+ Kid-Friendly Options)
In terms of cuisines, you’ll find Latin American, classic American, Italian, French, and even Filipino options. There’s also a great selection of different proteins including salmon, chicken, pork, beef, and even veggie options like beans.
Speaking of proteins, you can add quite a few extra proteins to your order. Choose from chicken wings, extra salmon, sausages, chicken breast, filet mignon, and lots more. Prices for the extras vary and these are in addition to your weekly cost.
As for whether Factor’s meals are suitable for children, I’d say that most of the meals are fairly kid-friendly. Though each dish is nicely spiced, I don’t find them to be too over-the-top. However, the single-serving nature of this service makes it less suitable for families.
Good Selection of Add-Ons & Extras
You also have the option to add breakfast items, smoothies, snacks, sides, and extra proteins for an additional cost. The smoothies are great for a tasty snack on the go and the sides can make your meals extra filling.
The availability of breakfast add-ons is great for getting a nutritious start to your day. Whether it's a protein-packed breakfast bowl, a satisfying egg scramble, or a grab-and-go breakfast option, you can kickstart your mornings with a fuss-free, balanced meal.
Vegetarians & Vegans Might Be Better off With a Different Service
Unfortunately, vegetarian and vegan dishes are in short supply, which is strange considering it has a specific Vegan & Veggie plan. Considering the minimum order is 6 meals per week, it looks like you will have to repeat some of your choices, which isn’t ideal. Factor caters best to those looking for an omnivorous diet.
If you’re looking more for plant-based meal kits and prepared meals, check out Purple Carrot. Its entire menu is vegan, which is a better choice if plant-based is your preferred diet. Learn more in my colleague’s Purple Carrot review.
There Are Lots of Options, but You Can’t Customize Meals
Factor is a prepared meal service, so ingredient customization is not possible. Since the meals are pre-prepared, the ingredients used in each dish are already determined and cannot be altered on an individual basis.
I recommend reviewing the ingredients list for each meal before making a selection, particularly if you have specific dietary restrictions or need to exclude certain ingredients. This gives you the chance to choose a different meal from the available options that better align with your dietary needs.
Factor cannot guarantee that any of its meals are free from any allergens. It states its meals are “produced in a facility that processes eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.” Any allergens are clearly listed on each recipe, so check the details before making your selection.
If you are following a gluten-free diet, I also advise caution. Although there are options on the menu that don’t contain gluten, Factor can’t guarantee its meals are 100% gluten-free. If you are severely allergic, Factor isn’t the choice for you. I recommend checking out Green Chef instead, as it has a full Gluten Free plan.
By choosing a plan, your weekly menu will display the most relevant dishes first. This makes it really easy to select recipes that align with your dietary needs. However, you can choose from all options on the menu (mix and match). This is great if you fancy a change or want to treat yourself to something different.
Factor’s Menu at a Glance
Diet | Is Factor Good For This Diet? |
Vegan | Sort of, there are a couple of options per week |
Vegetarian | Yes, 3+ options per week |
Keto | Yes, there are several options |
High-Protein | Yes, you’ll find a Protein Plus meal plan |
Low Calorie | Yes, there’s a Calorie Smart meal plan |
Balanced | Yes, there are lots of weekly options |
Gluten Free | Not guaranteed gluten-free, check ingredients |
My Unboxing Experience With Factor: Pretty Much Perfect!
Meals are delivered in a recyclable cardboard box and must be chilled on arrival. They will stay fresh in your refrigerator for 7 days until your next delivery. In fact, the meal I ate last during the week tasted as fresh as all the previous meals, which was really impressive. Microwaveable meals are super easy to store in your fridge, too.
In terms of sustainability, Factor is actually pretty good. I appreciate that most of Factor's packaging is recyclable. Boxes from Factor can be easily broken down and recycled curbside. The company uses various insulation types; laminated insulation is recyclable curbside, while PET and cotton insulations should be disposed of in the trash. The gel packs, made of 99% salt water, are non-toxic, reusable, and should be drained into the trash to avoid plumbing issues.
It’s great that the plastic containers and each meal’s cardboard sleeve can be recycled, too. Generally, there’s much less packaging to dispose of compared to meal kit delivery services.
Eating With Factor: Easy, Convenient & Mostly Delicious
If you want convenience then you’re in luck with Factor. With prepared meals, all you need to do is pop them in the microwave or oven. This means you can have a nutritious, hearty meal on the table in just a few minutes. Just check the heating times on the back of the packet.
Even though the portion sizes were decent enough for dinner, I often found myself reaching for Factor meals at lunchtime. They’re so quick and easy, it’s a great way to get a filling, “home-cooked” style meal during a lunch break when you might be more pressed for time.
Factor advises against freezing your meals, as they are crafted to be enjoyed fresh to maintain their taste and nutritional integrity. For the best dining experience, I recommend transferring your meals to plates before serving. It does create extra washing up, but I found this simple step elevated the meal's presentation and my overall enjoyment.
While some dishes impressed me, not every dish reheated with equal success in the microwave. Particularly, fish dishes and pasta meals fell short of my expectations after microwaving, often not warming evenly or losing their intended texture.
Additionally, Factor favors certain sides more than others, so look at every aspect of the meal when you’re picking dishes to avoid repetition. I didn't do this and ended up with green beans as a side dish across numerous meals.
Shortlist of My Favorite Meals
Truffle Butter Filet Mignon
This was easily the most gourmet microwavable meal I’ve ever tried. The highlight was the steak's charry, grilled flavor, offering an authentic taste of outdoor grilling that's hard to come by in city living. Priced at over $20 for a single serving, it’s a significant consideration for some. However, it’s a unique indulgence if you want a convenient and special treat.
The meal's presentation and the quality of the sides were pretty impressive. The steak, cooked to a medium well to well-done state, avoided being tough or dry, which is commendable for a microwaveable dish. The truffle mashed potatoes and roasted carrots stood out as my favorite sides for the week, making the overall presentation remarkably gourmet.
Black Pepper & Sage Pork Chop
This dish offered a gourmet experience without the Gourmet Plus price tag. The authentic grill flavor and the juicy, thick cut of the pork chop impressed me, making it a close contender to the premium steak offering. This meal proves that you can find high quality and indulgence even with Factor’s standard dishes.
Accompanying the pork chop, the brussels sprouts in cream sauce added a delicious twist to incorporating vegetables into a meal, a welcome change from the often bland side of steamed greens. While the broccoli side dish was my least favorite, the cheesy sauce was a delight when combined with the pork chop.
Dijon Cream Chicken Thighs
Cooking this meal in the oven rather than the microwave brought out an element of crispiness in the dish. The sautéed mushrooms were a personal favorite, far surpassing the typical green bean accompaniment in flavor and texture, and they heated really well in the oven. Although it took longer to oven-cook, this method spared the mushrooms from potentially getting slimy in the microwave.
While the Dijon cream sauce and mustard-forward flavor of the chicken were highlights, I would have preferred a whole cut. The abundant cabbage slightly overshadowed the chicken. A larger chicken portion with less cabbage could potentially improve this dish.
Thai Roasted Vegetable Green Curry
The Thai Roasted Vegetable Green Curry was a miss for me. Similar to previous experiences with green beans in other meals, their texture was disappointing. This meal suffered from a lack of definition, with the curry, vegetables, and rice mixing together to create just one big bowl of food. I’d have preferred the rice on the side.
Although this dish was a good vegan option, the taste and texture didn't impress me much. I liked that it was healthy and plant-based, but it struggled to shine on culinary merits alone. The mushy rice might make it less appealing even to those who enjoy curry flavors.
Chorizo Chili
Anticipating a unique twist on chili with the inclusion of chorizo, this dish fell short of my expectations. The lack of beans and one-dimensional taste profile rendered it more akin to a meat-heavy, sauce-drenched concoction. I certainly didn’t get the hearty, chili experience I wanted.
While the addition of sour cream and shredded cheese usually enhances chili, their presence couldn't salvage the dish from its flat flavor. The resulting taste was reminiscent of a sloppy joe from my childhood and I felt that this dish struggled to stand on its own.
Recipes Summary
Cook Time | Calories Per Serving | Suitable Diets | Allergens | Best For | |
Truffle Butter Filet Mignon | 2 to 7 minutes | 560 calories | High-protein, low-carb | Milk | Fine dining |
Black Pepper & Sage Pork Chop | 2 to 7 minutes | 720 calories | Keto, high-protein | Milk | Gourmet-style meal |
Dijon Cream Chicken Thighs | 2 to 7 minutes | 630 calories | Keto | Milk | Keto dieters |
Thai Roasted Vegetable Green Curry | 2 to 7 minutes | 540 calories | Vegan, low-calorie | Tree nuts | Plant-based lunch |
Chorizo Chili | 2 to 7 minutes | 610 calories | Keto, high-protein | Milk | Spicy meal |
Prices: Factor Isn’t the Cheapest Service, but It’s Worth the Cost
Order Size | Price Per Box (Before Shipping) | Price Per Box with Our Discount Code (Before Shipping) | Shipping |
6 meals | $83.94 | $41.97 | $10.99 |
8 meals | $103.92 | $51.96 | $10.99 |
10 meals | $124.90 | $62.45 | $10.99 |
12 meals | $143.88 | $71.94 | $10.99 |
14 meals | $160.86 | $80.43 | $10.99 |
18 meals | $206.82 | $103.41 | $10.99 |
You’ll get Factor’s lowest price per meal on the largest orders of 14 or 18 single-serving meals per week. If you decide to go for orders containing fewer meals, you’ll pay a bit more per serving. With our first-time customer deal (Enjoy a total of $130 off throughout your first 6 boxes + first box ships free!), you can get the largest box for $103.41.
Author’s Tip: You can always use our coupon code – Enjoy a total of $130 off throughout your first 6 boxes + first box ships free! – to help you with the cost of your first box. Shipping fees are $10.99 per delivery wherever you are located. This means that placing a larger order will save you more money in the long run, as you are paying for fewer deliveries.
As mentioned, the add-ons are priced separately and the cost varies. As a guide, you can expect to pay $10.99 for the Chorizo & Chive Scrambled Eggs and $9.99 for the Pancake recipes. Protein add-ons range from $9.99 to $24.99 for the Oven Roasted Mahi Mahi. Keto desserts like the Keto Cookies cost $14.99 and cheesecakes are $19.99.
The Wellness Shots, Juices, and Smoothies start at $23.99. You can also order picnic packs, which make a great lunch option on the go starting at $12.99.
There’s also a money-back guarantee. After speaking with a live chat agent, I was reassured that if I was unhappy with my delivery or the standard of my meals, then I would be compensated. If you have any concerns, you can reach out to customer services.
Shipping & Delivery: Everything Went Smoothly!
Factor delivers to all 48 contiguous states. You’ll be informed of your delivery day options when you sign up based on your location. The specific delivery carrier will vary depending on your location, too.
For my NYC location, I was offered any day Sunday to Wednesday, and my box was shipped by Axlehire. Tracking updates were limited, with notifications for shipment and when the order was out for delivery. Despite the broad delivery window provided, the package arrived promptly after the final alert, which was very efficient.
You don’t need to be home to receive your delivery. According to Factor, its insulated boxes and gel packs have been tested “in all seasons across all climates.” Deliveries can be skipped and orders edited easily via your online account. Any changes must be made before the cutoff time of Wednesday 11:59 pm Central Time.
How Factor Works: Step by Step Guide
Factor offers a simple subscription where you can select between 6 and 18 meals per week. You can conveniently explore the available menu options before you sign up. Let’s take a look at how easy it is to place your first order.
How to Sign Up (Just 5 Simple Steps)
Click Get Started and set your preferences. You’ll be able to change your order size in the future if you want to.
Choose your preferences. Pick your menu (meals can be mixed and matched) and select the number of meals you want for the week.
Enter your email address and choose a password.
Enter your address. In order to see available delivery days, enter your address. This is also the time to input our unique discount code.
Pay and choose your meals. Choose a credit card or PayPal as your payment method, check out, and choose your meals!
Factor will automatically select your meals based on your dietary preferences. You can easily edit these meals to suit you as well as choose any extras from the range of Factor’s add-ons. Your order cost will automatically update if you add anything else, and you are charged when your order is shipped.
Managing Your Subscription
You have until 11.59 pm CT the week before your delivery to make any changes. Your cutoff day is shown in your account. This includes canceling your subscription or making any necessary modifications to your order. This gives you a reasonable timeframe to adjust your plan. While the platform lacks active reminders for these deadlines, it does support meal ratings and feedback.
For a detailed guide on closing your Factor account, check out our step-by-step guide.
Customer Service: Decent Overall + Easy Cancelation
You can easily reach customer support via phone (during business hours) or use the 24/7 chat. If you want to speak to a customer advisor, you can call the team at 1 (888) 573-5727. Agents are available between 6 am and 11 pm ET Monday to Friday and 7 am to 7 pm ET on weekends.
Factor also has an FAQ page, but it’s not the most thorough I’ve seen. If you can’t find the answer to your question there, I recommend just reaching out to a chat agent.
Canceling my Factor subscription was uncomplicated, done through the account page without needing to contact customer service. The process involved responding to a quick feedback questionnaire. This approach is notably more user-friendly compared to smaller vendors I’ve tested, where you often have to speak to someone on the phone. I received confirmation of my cancelation immediately.
How Factor Compares to Other Meal Delivery Services
Factor vs. Green Chef
Green Chef has a similar number of recipes on the menu and is USDA-certified organic. The main difference is it only offers meal kits and not prepared meals. If you don’t mind cooking, it could be a good option. Additionally, it has more specialized diets like Mediterranean and Gluten Free.
Factor vs. HelloFresh
HelloFresh offers a vast array of globally inspired recipes that cater to a wide audience, from beginners to seasoned cooks. Its user-friendly approach, coupled with pre-portioned ingredients, promotes convenient home cooking. HelloFresh meal kits are cheaper than Factor’s prepared meals, and their larger serving sizes may suit couples and families better.
Factor vs. Home Chef
Home Chef offers customizable meals, allowing you to tweak ingredients to your liking. Its varied menu, coupled with the option to swap, upgrade, or double-up on proteins, gives you a more tailored cooking experience than Factor. It offers a range of low and no-prep meals, but Factor’s prepared dishes will be better for people who don’t want to cook at all.
The Bottom Line: Is Factor Worth It?
I definitely recommend Factor if you have a busy lifestyle but still want to eat healthy. It’s particularly suitable for you if you follow a keto diet or want low-calorie and high-protein options. It isn’t the best choice if you prefer plant-based meals, but it’s great if you just want a few meat-free nights a week.
I also love that you can access free nutrition consultations to keep you on track. This is a nice bonus if you’re trying to lose weight or start a new diet. Factor is a great service if you are looking for convenient, fresh, and healthy meals that save you the time and effort of cooking from scratch.
As with any premium service, I always recommend trying it out with a discount code first to decide if the quality and convenience are worth it for you. You can also check out our 10 Best Meal Delivery Services of 2024 article to help you compare and contrast our top recommended services to find the best option for your budget.
FAQ
Is Factor owned by HelloFresh?
Yes, Factor is a subsidiary of HelloFresh. This partnership allows Factor to leverage HelloFresh's extensive experience in the meal delivery service industry, ensuring that customers receive high-quality, chef-prepared meals that cater to various dietary preferences.
Do Factor meals go in the fridge or the freezer?
Factor meals are designed to be stored in the fridge. They are freshly prepared and should be consumed within a week of delivery, ensuring you enjoy the meals at their peak freshness and nutritional value.
How hard is it to cancel Factor meals?
I found canceling my Factor meals very straightforward. You can cancel your subscription directly from the account page, without needing to contact customer service. This process was user-friendly and allowed for a hassle-free way to end the subscription.
Are Factor meals expensive?
Factor meals can be considered a premium offering. While they may be pricier than some other meal delivery services, Factor’s pricing reflects the quality of ingredients, the convenience of having chef-prepared meals, and the diet plans available.
- Summary
- Overview
- Factor’s Menu: Prepped Meals That Won’t Disappoint the Pickiest of Eaters
- My Unboxing Experience With Factor: Pretty Much Perfect!
- Eating With Factor: Easy, Convenient & Mostly Delicious
- Prices: Factor Isn’t the Cheapest Service, but It’s Worth the Cost
- Shipping & Delivery: Everything Went Smoothly!
- How Factor Works: Step by Step Guide
- Customer Service: Decent Overall + Easy Cancelation
- How Factor Compares to Other Meal Delivery Services
- The Bottom Line: Is Factor Worth It?
- FAQ