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It’s unavoidable. You’re going to spend a lot of time grocery shopping. Sometimes, you may make several trips every week. If you want to streamline your errands and maximize your free time, consider grocery delivery. Sure, it costs a bit more, but the time savings can be worth it.
The best grocery delivery services will deliver both perishable and non-perishable foods as well as home and personal care products. Most services even offer options for backups if your first-choice product is unavailable.
To help you find your favorite service, we’ve compiled a list of the seven best grocery delivery services. For your convenience, we’ve also broken down how each service works and how much it will cost you.
1. Amazon Grocery Delivery
How It Works
Always offering clever shopping innovations, Amazon is known for its Subscribe and Save program and convenient buy now, pay later financing. Now, anyone can use Amazon Grocery Delivery, even if you aren’t a Prime member.
Many U.S. cities or towns allow you to enjoy Amazon’s delivery and free grocery pickup services. To ensure your area is covered, log in to your Amazon account and enter your ZIP code.
You can shop for groceries from Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market. Amazon also offers a Same-Day Store that lets you shop for items from your local stores. It also offers free Grubhub+ food delivery service for Prime members.
While availability varies between regions, the product offerings may include access to a huge variety of fresh, frozen and dry goods. Depending on your region and the applicable laws, you may even be able to order alcohol. If it’s legal in your state, you will have to provide a valid government ID at the time of delivery.
The prices are typically fair and aligned with local supermarkets. As for the delivery window, Amazon Prime members can get two-hour delivery. While delivery times can vary, if you order during a busy time, you will receive an estimate when you begin shopping online.
In addition to the delivery fee, you have the choice to add a tip for your driver. It’s also recommended that you’re home during delivery to bring in your perishable items and prevent theft. However, in some areas, Amazon offers deliveries inside your garage with Amazon Key.
Why We Love It
Using Amazon Grocery Delivery is a great resource to save time. You can access lots of great brands, fresh produce and alcohol (if legal in your area). You can save time, and if you meet the shopping threshold, it could be just for the cost of your driver’s tip.
Amazon Grocery Delivery Fees
Although anyone can use Amazon Grocery Delivery, Prime members pay lower delivery fees.
Prime members pay:
- No fee for orders over $100
- $6.95 for orders $50 to $100
- $9.95 for orders under $50
Non-Prime members pay:
- $4.95 to $13.95, depending on the delivery window and order amount.
2. Instacart Grocery Delivery
How It Works
Instacart grocery delivery is scheduled and set up through the website or app by creating an account.
The service allows you to shop from a wide variety of stores in your area, including regional supermarket chains and big-box stores. Note that Instacart lets you access items from Costco without a membership.
You also have access to other types of shops, such as pharmacies, electronics stores, beauty shops and pet stores. Once you sign up for an account, you can explore the Instacart shopping options in your area.
To start shopping, you’ll select your stores and shop online for your groceries. You can see the prices of items as you shop. Retailers set prices for Instacart products, and some prices may be different than in-store prices.
The app will even show you real-time updates as your shopper picks your items. You’ll have a chance to chat within the app as they shop so that you can assist in managing the order or selecting product alternatives. Finally, you’ll pick a time and get your items delivered the same day.
Why We Love It
We love Instacart grocery shopping because it offers a wide variety of stores. Also, Instacart+ membership can help you save on delivery fees (unlimited free delivery on orders over $10) and lower service fees. Plus, membership gives you some great extra perks like Peacock streaming and a one-year subscription to New York Times Cooking.
Instacart Grocery Delivery Fees
Delivery fees for members apply to same-day orders over $10. Delivery fees may vary for express one-hour deliveries and club store deliveries.
You’ll also pay a service fee, which varies based on location, number of items and types of items. Alcohol orders will have a separate service fee.
It’s encouraged that you also include a tip for your shopper. That amount will go 100% toward your shopper/delivery person.
3. Costco Grocery Delivery
How It Works
Costco offers different types of grocery delivery based on your ZIP code. You can order and set up your grocery delivery online at Costco.com or with the mobile app.
Once you begin shopping, you’ll have to decide how fast you need your Costco items. You’ll have the option of same-day delivery or two-day delivery.
* Same-day delivery is offered through Instacart.
* Two-day grocery delivery is offered directly through Costco.
All grocery orders can be placed online by logging into your Costco account. Instacart allows you to shop for same-day orders even without a Costco membership.
Why We Love It
Getting your favorite Costco items without the trip is huge. Also, if you don’t mind paying extra, you can try out Costco products the same day without a paid membership.
Costco Grocery Delivery Fees
Same-day deliveries, with an order minimum of $35, will be subject to the fees charged by Instacart.
Costco members can order two-day delivery without a fee as long as they meet a $75 minimum. You will typically pay more for these items than in-store prices.
4. Target Grocery Delivery
How It Works
Target has partnered with Shipt for its grocery and same-day delivery, and you can order more than just groceries. In addition to the grocery basics like eggs, milk and bread, you can also pick up a wide variety of Target products from almost every department.
Target grocery delivery is offered through the website or the Target app. When you select same-day delivery, you’ll choose the delivery time and a shopper from Shipt will get your items. Your Shipt shopper will text you to find an alternative if your first-choice product isn’t available.
Why We Love It
Considering how much you can buy at Target, you can buy more than just groceries. The delivery service covers everything from household essentials to drugstore items. We also love that you can join Target Circle 360 to save on the delivery fees.
Target Grocery Delivery Fees
Target delivery costs $9.99 for those who aren’t members of Target Circle 360. If you have a Target Circle 360 membership ($99 per year), you’ll get free delivery on orders over $35.
5. Walmart Grocery Delivery
How It Works
Walmart grocery delivery is available in most major cities, but you’ll have to enter your ZIP code to make sure it’s available in your area. You can shop for grocery delivery on Walmart’s website or on the Walmart grocery app.
With this service, you can fill your online cart with all sorts of perishable and non-perishable grocery items as well as tons of other Walmart goods.
We love Walmart’s flexibility for scheduling the time and day for your delivery. This is helpful if you have a hectic work schedule because you need to be home to accept your order. Your cart will display the potential delivery times and associated fees for up to a week out.
Why We Love It
Walmart doesn’t upcharge its prices for home delivery, which is a nice perk compared to other delivery services. You can save more when you use Walmart promo codes.
Walmart Grocery Delivery Fees
Delivery fees vary depending on how fast you need the items. The fee is $7.95-$9.95 for most orders. Walmart+ members don’t pay this delivery fee on orders of $35 or more. Orders under that amount come with a $2.95 fee for same-day delivery.
6. Whole Foods Grocery Delivery
How It Works
Whole Foods is part of the Amazon family, so it offers Whole Foods grocery pick-up and delivery on Amazon.com. This service is only available for certain ZIP codes, so enter your ZIP code on Amazon to see if you’re covered.
You can buy tons of grocery items from Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods, including a large selection of organic products. Once you fill up your online cart, you’ll check out and schedule your delivery.
Why We Love It
Since Whole Foods isn’t the most affordable store, we’re happy it doesn’t upcharge its groceries. Prime members can also take advantage of special sales and promotions.
Whole Foods Grocery Delivery Fees
Prime members pay a $9.95 service fee to order grocery delivery and additional fees for rush orders. Non-Prime members will pay a service fee of $13.95.
7. Imperfect Foods Grocery Delivery
How It Works
Imperfect Foods is a grocery delivery subscription company that aims to reduce waste by selling quality produce that might not look the part, hence the term “imperfect.” They also sell “typical” products. The offerings include produce, meat, seafood, eggs, dairy, and household and pantry items.
You’ll have to sign up for an account and share your preferences. Imperfect Foods will assign you a specific shopping window and delivery day. During your shopping window, you can place your delivery for the week. You can make any changes before the window closes.
Why We Love It
In addition to its convenient delivery, we love the company’s dedication to reducing food waste through green initiatives and recycling.
Imperfect Foods Grocery Delivery Fees
In addition to a $1.99 operations fee, delivery fees start at $5.99. The service will sometimes waive your delivery fee if you meet a specific order total (determined by your location).
Although it’s a subscription service, you can skip weeks or cancel at any time without fees. You’ll be charged for items once they arrive at your home.
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