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Tovala Review

Tovala combines the convenience of meal delivery with the innovation of smart cooking. With chef-crafted, fresh meals and a countertop smart oven that does the cooking for you, Tovala is perfect for busy individuals who want real food without the prep, mess, or guesswork. Just scan, relax, and enjoy perfectly cooked meals in under 25 minutes.

TOVALA
9.5
Lowest Prices
Best Meal Kits
Fresh Ingredients
Written by:Casey Newton

About Tovala

Tovala is a Chicago-based meal delivery and smart appliance company that brings together fresh, chef-made meals and a revolutionary countertop smart oven. Designed for people who want great food with minimal effort, Tovala’s system lets you scan a meal’s QR code and let the oven handle the cooking—no prep, no cleanup, no guesswork. Meals stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week, and the service offers a wide range of single-serve options perfect for busy professionals, health-focused individuals, and solo diners.


What Sets Tovala Apart?

The standout feature of Tovala is its smart oven—a compact, WiFi-connected appliance that steams, bakes, and broils meals with multi-step precision, all from a simple QR code scan. Unlike other services that rely on your microwave or stove, Tovala eliminates the guesswork by automating the cooking process entirely. You can even scan store-bought grocery items (like frozen pizza or pop-tarts) for perfectly timed cooking. It’s a meal delivery service and a smart cooking system rolled into one.


How to Use Tovala

Getting started with Tovala is fast and straightforward:

Choose Your Plan – Select between 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, or 16 meals per week. You can adjust your plan at any time.

Get the Oven – Purchase the Tovala Smart Oven (heavily discounted if you commit to a 6-week meal plan).

Pick Your Meals – Browse and choose from 30+ weekly options via the Tovala app or website.

Scan & Cook – When the meals arrive, just scan the QR code and let the oven take care of the rest.

Auto-Pilot Ready – Skip or cancel deliveries anytime. You’ll continue getting meals weekly if you don’t make changes.

The oven itself updates automatically via WiFi and is ready to cook both Tovala meals and select grocery items.


About the Food

Tovala meals are crafted by in-house chefs and offer a rotating weekly menu with around 30–35 different dishes. Meals are single-serve and arrive fresh (never frozen), ready to store in the fridge for up to 7 days. The menu includes:

Comfort foods like BBQ Meatloaf and Chicken Alfredo Gnocchi

Global-inspired meals like Harissa Salmon or Chicken Tikka

Health-conscious options including “Calorie Smart,” “Carb Conscious,” and “Gluten Friendly” tags

A few vegetarian choices weekly, though vegan options are limited

All nutrition info, ingredients, and allergens are listed clearly. Meals are generally under 700 calories and have balanced macros—though sodium content can be high on some dishes.


Mobile App

Tovala’s mobile app is sleek, easy to navigate, and essential to the experience. You can:

Select and rate meals

Set and manage delivery preferences

Get reminders when it’s time to pick meals

Control the smart oven remotely

Scan grocery barcodes for auto-cook instructions

You’ll also get notifications about shipping, oven updates, and new features. It’s a must-have tool for Tovala users.


Prices

Tovala meals start at $9.99 and range up to $12.99 depending on the dish and quantity ordered:

4 meals/week: ~$12.99 per meal

6–10 meals/week: ~$11.99

12–16 meals/week: as low as $9.99

The Tovala Smart Oven normally retails for around $299, but you can get it for as low as $69–$119 with a minimum 6-week meal commitment. There’s also a 100-day risk-free trial—if you’re not satisfied, you can return it.


Customer Service

Tovala offers strong customer support via:

Live Chat on their website and app

Email Support for general inquiries

Phone Support during business hours

A robust Help Center with FAQs and how-to guides

Users report fast and friendly responses. You’ll also get proactive updates via email or the app about your meals, delivery, and oven features.


Overall Opinion

Tovala is one of the most innovative meal delivery options on the market today. It stands out by combining fresh, tasty meals with a smart oven that cooks them to perfection—hands-free. It’s especially well-suited for singles or small households who want convenience without sacrificing food quality. The meals are fresh and flavorful, and the oven adds serious value by replacing your toaster, steamer, and even microwave for many dishes. While you do need to buy the oven, the ease of use and quality make Tovala a strong choice for anyone looking to simplify mealtime without cutting corners.

Pros and cons

Pros
Effortless Cooking
High-Quality, Fresh Meals
Flexible Plans
Smart Oven Versatility
Cons
Upfront Oven Purchase Required
Single-Serve Portions Only
Limited Meal Customization
Not Ideal for Strict Diets