CookUnity Review: Why I Ditched Freshly and Factor

I used Freshly, then Factor for higher ingredient quality. Eventually, I landed on CookUnity for their creative, restaurant-quality dishes.

Why I Ditched Freshly:

Freshly was my entry point into the world of prepared meals, but it quickly became clear that it wasn’t cutting it. The meals were convenient, but the ingredient quality and flavor were lacking. The chicken often had a frozen taste, and the vegetable sides were bland and uninspiring. Freshly’s offerings felt more like glorified TV dinners rather than gourmet meals. The variety was also limited, with a lot of repetitive flavors and ingredients. After a while, it felt like I was eating the same thing over and over again. So I changed to Factor.

Why I Eventually Ditched Factor:

Factor was a significant upgrade from Freshly, especially in terms of ingredient quality. The chicken didn’t have that dreaded frozen texture, and the meals were generally more flavorful. However, Factor also has its downsides. Post-HelloFresh acquisition, I noticed a decline in ingredient quality. They started simplifying ingredients, switching from whole roasted fingerling potatoes and whole mushrooms to cubed potatoes and sliced mushrooms, which impacted the overall texture and enjoyment of the meals. Factor also overuses certain ingredients like Brussels sprouts, which isn’t ideal for my taste.

So I Tried CookUnity!

CookUnity wins hands down for me in flavor, ingredient quality, and variety. Factor dishes might score a 3-4 on a meal-delivery service scale (not a restaurant or home-cooked scale), but no Factor dish matches a CookUnity. CookUnity offers a wide range of dishes from celebrity chefs like Ludo Lefebvre and John Delucie (availability varies by region, so check their site). The ingredient selection is much richer: large shrimp, salmon, cod, tilapia, barramundi, seabass, trout, octopus, lamb, ribs, steak, duck, tacos, pizza, soups, pastas, and veggies like eggplant and bok choy, plus cold salads.

So while Factor’s meals are tasty and a step up from Freshly, especially in meat quality (e.g., chicken breast without that frozen taste). They lean towards healthier frozen meals. I love their thick-cut pork chop, which I haven’t found in CookUnity. Factor rotates core proteins (chicken, beef, pork, salmon, shrimp, mushroom) with various veggies and sides, offering good weekly variety. However, post-HelloFresh acquisition, some favorite ingredients have been simplified. They also overuse brussel sprouts, IMO.

Factor Versus CookUnity

Shelf Life:

Factor uses modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), which works well. I get both deliveries on the same day, and Factor meals have a best-by date 8 days later. CookUnity’s meals need more active management with best-by dates ranging from 2 to 6 days.

Health:

Factor excels in low-carb, full meals with protein, veggies, and some carbs. They use alternatives like riced broccoli, cauliflower, and zucchini pasta. CookUnity meals tend to be higher calorie, with keto and paleo options less of a focus. CookUnity’s menu is more about indulging in rich, protein-heavy dishes, sometimes requiring you to add your own veggies for a balanced meal.

Consistency:

Factor meals are consistently the same in terms of ingredient proportions and cooking quality. CookUnity, while still excellent, can have slight variations in ingredient quality and cooking (e.g., cod slightly overcooked, less succulent steak).

Cost:

Freshly was the cheapest, followed by Factor, and then CookUnity, slightly more expensive. Factor recently added a $10 delivery offset, making them cost the same as CookUnity but for lesser quality food. Factor has introduced upcharge meals, but I find CookUnity’s upcharge options, like rack of lamb or trout almondine, worth the extra cost.

Managing Meals:

Both websites are user-friendly. CookUnity allows you to leverage your ratings to easily see your favorites. Neither excels at auto-selecting meals, but their choices are decent if you don’t make a selection.

Environmental Impact:

CookUnity wins here, but it varies by location. I get a reusable cooler bag with gel packs, which the delivery service takes back if left out. Factor uses recyclable boxes and insulation but adds wasteful referral ads each week.

Ease of Prep:

Factor is super simple: puncture plastic, maybe remove a sauce jar, and microwave for 2 minutes. CookUnity has a range of instructions and sometimes inconsistencies, like not always telling you to remove sauce jars or separate heating instructions. Still, it’s fairly straightforward.

Support:

Both are responsive and helpful, though CookUnity offers live chat, while Factor seems to prefer calls. Email works well for both, with same-day responses usually.

Delivery:

Both use gig-delivery platforms, which can be hit or miss. Onfleet (CookUnity) has a better success rate, with timely text notifications. Axlehire (Factor) has been inconsistent recently, correlating with the $10 delivery surcharge.

Overall, CookUnity offers superior flavor and ingredient variety, while Factor excels in shelf life and health-focused meals. Both services have their strengths and are worth considering based on your preferences.

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