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One of the most important activities we carry out every day also tends to be one of the least planned for: eating. Although we know we’re going to be eating at some point, when the time comes, some of us find ourselves standing in front of an open refrigerator, pondering our available options, and looking for the easiest route to a healthy meal—or feeling annoyed by the lack of options because we haven’t been food shopping. We may reach for a quick, sometimes unhealthy, fix in those moments.
Ellie Stamerjohn, a registered dietitian nutritionist with Nourish in Dallas, Texas, says there is a strong connection between what we eat and how we feel.
“Diets rich in whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, have been associated with improved quality of life and reduced likelihood of developing cognitive decline and depression symptoms.”
Because food has such a measurable impact on your emotional health (some of us are a bit too familiar with the irritable feelings that come with feeling “hangry” after waiting too long to eat), planning meals ahead of time can take a lot of the stress out of deciding what to eat and may even help you to make better choices.
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by your lengthy to-do list and need to better optimize your time, or you’re committed to a long-term dietary plan for weight loss, healthy aging, or going vegetarian or dairy-free, having groceries delivered to your home can be a convenient solution.
Approximately 20 percent of shoppers in the United States bought groceries online in 2022, a number that is expected to increase. Our Handbook Team reviewed grocery delivery services to assess cost, quality, and convenience.
Best grocery delivery service overall: Misfits Market
Misfits Market is on a mission to cut down on food waste in the United States by selling surplus or slightly damaged organic grocery items at a discounted price. We like this mission-based business that works with farmers and food producers to provide seasonal groceries to people around the country.
Which grocery delivery service is right for you?
- Misfits Market: Best overall
- Fresh Direct: Best for people in the North East
- Amazon Fresh: Most convenient
- Thrive Market: Best for pantry staples
- Instacart: Best variety
Compare the best grocery delivery services
Membership required to shop? | No | No | No | Yes | No |
Associated Fees | Flat-rate shipping starts at $5.99 | $6–$15 delivery fees, varies by location; $129/year for free delivery | Free shipping for Prime members who spend over $100 | Yearly plan: $60/year Monthly plan: $12/month | $3.99 delivery fee and service fee |
Availability | Continental United States | NY, NJ, CT* | CA, IL, NY, NJ MD, PA, VA, & WA. | Continental United States | Continental United States and parts of Canada |
*New York: Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan, Nassau, Queens, Rockland, Staten Island, Suffolk, Westchester
New Jersey: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Union
Connecticut: Fairfield
Jersey Shore (summer only)
Hamptons (summer only)
HelpGuide Handbook’s testing methodology for grocery delivery
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Our Handbook Team tests the top grocery delivery programs by signing up as mystery shoppers to try the service and order groceries for one week’s worth of meals. So far, we have tested 8 of the top grocery delivery platforms. During that time, we do the following:
We become familiar with each grocery delivery service to learn how they work, the types of groceries they offer, and if they deliver items on time and in good condition. We specifically ask each tester to evaluate each grocery delivery service for the selection, convenience, food safety, cost, delivery options, and whether they offer any items besides groceries, like prepared meals, household items, toiletries, or cleaning products.
Testers also note their interactions with customer support. If an item is damaged during delivery, testers contact the brand’s customer service to learn how quickly they respond and how they fix any issues with a delivery.
We also surveyed grocery delivery service users to learn more about their experiences. We use these survey results, our testing data, and insights from nutrition experts to develop a thorough perspective on each grocery delivery service we review.
How we test grocery delivery
Our Handbook Team focuses on three core elements of grocery delivery services:
Convenience
Shopping online and getting groceries delivered to your home can be a convenient time-saver for busy people. The only part of home delivery we find inconvenient is when the boxes are heavy, making them a bit challenging to carry alone or to walk-up apartments. Packaging the delivery in a few smaller boxes makes it easier to carry and increases our convenience score for that brand.
Food safety
Food quality and safety are important factors when it comes to grocery delivery. We look at the type of packaging, number of freezer bags or ice blocks, and insulation to determine if the food has been packaged with safety in mind.
Cost
Cost can be a big factor when considering a grocery delivery service. We prefer to browse through the products before deciding whether to subscribe to the service. Misfits Markets does not always send the same products but provides a sneak peek of some items they’ll be sending. Amazon Fresh allows you to scroll through the entire website before entering personal data, such as your email address or phone number. Thrive Market, which offers pantry staples, adds fees for extras like wine delivery.
Other factors we consider
Some grocery delivery services offer prepared meals, which our testers order and assess for taste and whether the portion was just right, too much, or not enough. While portion sizes vary from person to person, the prepared meals generally failed to keep us full between meals. However, if you need portion control because of dietary requirements, the prepared meals can help you stay on track.
Best grocery delivery service reviews
Best overall grocery delivery service: Misfits Market
Best for people living in the Northeast: Fresh Direct
Most convenient: Amazon Fresh
Best for pantry staples: Thrive Market
Best variety: Instacart
Frequently asked questions
Buying groceries online can be valuable for people with mobility issues, those with chronic illnesses who want to avoid crowds, and those who want to better organize their time. Whether you are buying pantry staples, fresh produce, or premade meals, it’s important to research each grocery delivery service to ensure they have the foods that will benefit your health and a good reputation with customers.
Grocery delivery service prices vary from site to site, and many have additional fees, especially when buying wine. Many services offer new member discounts or free shipping, and some will reduce the delivery cost or waive it altogether when you spend a specific amount. Shopping online allows you to quickly compare prices without having to travel from store to store.
Grocery shopping is relatively easy for people who are used to shopping online. The websites are often built with colorful pictures and descriptions of the foods available so you can see what you are buying before you click through to payment.
- Nearly 20 percent of U.S. shoppers bought groceries online in 2022. (2024, February 26). U.S. Department of Agriculture. Link
- Lane, M.M., Gamage, E., Travica, N., Dissanayaka, T., Ashtree, D.N., Gauci, S., Lotfaliany, M., O’Neil, A., Jacka, F.N., & Marx, W. (2022). Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Nutrients, 14(13). Link