I Ordered Groceries from iHerb for 4 Weeks in a Row — Here’s My Full Review (Plus, How It Compares to Other Delivery Services)

These days, there are seemingly endless ways to shop for groceries. One of the fastest growing in popularity — a holdover from our COVID-era ways —  is through online grocery delivery. There are online retailers that have practically everything you could ever need (like Amazon Fresh) , and highly specific outlets that cater toward particular needs and preferences.

Among these specialized retailers is iHerb, which focuses on pantry and household staples like vitamins, supplements, and organic snacks. As some consumers become more health-conscious and selective about what they buy, iHerb is carving out a bigger space on their grocery lists. I tried the delivery service for a full month to see if it’s worth the hype. 

iHerb is an online retail platform that focuses on health and wellness. Rather than functioning as a traditional grocery delivery service, iHerb specializes in vitamins, supplements, and beauty items, alongside a curated selection of pantry staples like organic snacks, teas, and specialty foods. Its catalog features upwards of 50,000 products from a variety of well-known name- and specialty brands.

Getting started with iHerb is simple and similar to shopping on most other online retailers. You don’t necessarily need to make an account to shop because there are no required membership fees or subscriptions to join, but creating one can make shopping easier as it’ll save your shopping preferences and account information for seamless ordering. 

Instead of operating on a weekly delivery model, iHerb has a traditional shop-as-you-go system. Customers can browse its wide selection of items, then place orders whenever they choose. Once you’ve filled your cart, you can select from various shipping options depending on your location and how quickly you want your items to arrive. iHerb also offers features like order history, personalized recommendations, and auto-ship (subscription) options for frequently purchased products, making it easy to restock essentials without having to reorder each time.

It really depends on what you get. Overall, iHerb is very competitive when it comes to pricing. I’ve found that those items are consistently $1 to $2 cheaper than its organic counterparts in stores. 

There is a $30-order minimum ( the same dollar amount needed to get free shipping), which I’ve never had a problem reaching as I live in a two-person household. You can see the price of items as you shop, so there are no surprises, and you can curate a cart based on your personal preferences. 

After spending some time shopping on iHerb, my first impression was just how easy and great the experience felt. It’s not a traditional grocery retailer, so I had to shop at another store for things like eggs and produce. Still, I found a ton of variety within its niche: Between pantry staples and snacks, there was more than enough to build out a well-rounded cart.

Everything is sorted by category, like vitamins, beauty, home, pet, and, of course, grocery. The site is well-organized, making it easy to browse categories or search for specific items. Even better, I noticed that many products were routinely discounted (often 15% to 20% off) on top of already competitive pricing, which made it feel like I was consistently getting a good deal.

After familiarizing myself with the website, I sat down on a Monday morning and ordered my first grocery haul for just under $150. I stocked up on a mix of essentials and fun extras: a variety of vitamins, staples like rice and coconut milk, and tinned fish. I also added snacks and pantry items like chips, crackers, sauces, and plenty of seasonings. It ended up being a surprisingly comprehensive haul for a site that isn’t strictly a grocery service. Over the next three weeks, I ordered another large box for around the same amount. Here’s everything I received over the four-week period:

• Pantry: black beans, chickpeas, all-purpose flour, sprinkles, baking soda, rice flour, tinned fish, coconut milk, rice, chips, crackers, buffalo sauce, marinara sauce, bone broth, seasonings, and popcorn
• Vitamins: Vitamin C gummies, electrolyte packets, protein powder 
• Miscellaneous: parchment paper, dish soap

There aren’t specific delivery dates like other online grocery retailers because there aren’t specialty refrigerated items that can be tricky to ship), so you can really shop and order as it fits and suits your schedule. 

Shipping was also so seamless. Everything arrived incredibly fast (honestly faster than expected) and landed at my door within just two days of placing the order. Each item was packaged carefully and securely, with nothing damaged or out of place.

One of the most enjoyable parts of shopping on iHerb was seeing how easily everything fit into my everyday meals. Even though it’s not a traditional grocery service, I ended up making a surprisingly wide range of things with what I ordered. One afternoon I threw together a quick tuna salad using some of the tinned fish, crackers, and buffalo sauce. It was simple but felt elevated thanks to the quality of the ingredients. Another day, I made a pot roast with the coconut milk and rice, which turned into an easy, comforting meal with minimal effort. 

The snack selection is where iHerb really shines, though. I had chips and crackers on hand for quick plates (sometimes pairing them with the tinned fish) and impromptu snack boards. As a baker, I also thoroughly enjoyed the wide variety of specialty flours, sprinkles, and other baking staples that made it easy to keep my pantry stocked for quick brownies and cakes (which I made a handful of throughout the month). 

iHerb gave me a lot of flexibility. I found my kitchen stocked with interesting, good-quality ingredients that made everyday cooking (and snacking) feel a little less routine.

The TL;DR is yes, especially if you like specialty organic groceries. For shoppers who frequently buy organic pantry staples and vitamins, the service can be especially practical. If you’re someone who likes a one-stop shop, it might not be your ideal platform. 

I plan to continue using the service. The ability to shop easily, access a wide selection, and feel confident about purchasing responsibly adds to its appeal. Plus, there’s no membership fees, which make it affordable and extra flexible without all of the commitment. 

I’ve tested several grocery delivery services as part of my job as a groceries editor at The Kitchn. (Reviewing groceries is also one of my passions.) I ordered a variety of groceries from iHerb and tested them over the course of four weeks. Throughout this time, I took notes on delivery, quality, and functionality of the platform. Every product in this review was eaten by me and used in my very own kitchen. 

Sign up: https://www.iherb.com/

Have you tried iHerb? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.