Most at-home tests can detect low levels of HCG, between 20 and 50 mIU/mL, which is the measurement expected from a typically progressing pregnancy around four weeks. They can be bought over the counter for a low-cost and are easy to access, whether you’re looking at the dollar store, Amazon, or Target.
Before you make a baby announcement and before you start setting up a nursery, testing is the beginning of your parenting journey. If you’re trying to conceive or suspect you may be pregnant, an at-home test can get you an answer quickly, but which test should you buy? Here are the need-to-know facts about the best home pregnancy tests.
First Response
First Response Triple Check Pregnancy Test has a 4.5-star rating with 1,145 reviews on Amazon. It’s the best-selling test out there, putting it at the top as the best pregnancy test. You can buy it at most big stores and pharmacies or grab the three-pack through Amazon Prime.
This test is an early detection pregnancy test. You can take it as early as 6 days before your expected period. The unique thing about this option is that each of the three tests is different, allowing you to test three ways to get confirmation of your result.
Users on Amazon love the accuracy of these tests, with many expecting parents saying they didn’t receive false positives or negatives and that their doctor’s visit confirmed what their test said was true. Additionally, the instructions are well-written with pictures, making it easy to use the First Response Pregnancy Test exactly as intended without the risk of false results.
Wondfo 25 (HCG) Pregnancy Test Strip
The cost of pregnancy tests can really add up, especially if you’re testing more than once or twice. The Wondfo 25 pack of HCG Pregnancy Test Strips provides a budget-friendly way to test your HCG levels without compromising your desire for accuracy.
Just like our number one pick, you can use a Wondfo test stick as early as 6 days before you miss your period. This is because these tests can detect HCG levels as low as 10 mIU/mL in the urine. It is worth noting, however, that the sooner you test the more likely you are to get a false negative, requiring you to repeat the test as the date of your expected period approaches. So even though it is difficult, it’s always best to wait until your period is actually due before you take a test.
The Wondfo Pregnancy Test Strips have a 4-star rating on Amazon with over 500 user reviews. It might not be the highest-rated pregnancy test out there, but the big advantage of this test is that you can early and often without a huge expense. Some of the low-star reviews report false positives, which is important to know before you get too excited about your results! However, most of the reviews have great things to say, asserting that their accuracy is fairly comparable to more expensive tests.
Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test
Digital pregnancy tests like the Clearblue Digital Pregnancy tell it to you straight with a simple yes or no in the results window. If you’ve ever found yourself squinting at your test results, trying to determine if you’re really seeing a line or just a shadow, you’ll appreciate how digital pregnancy tests take the guesswork out of testing.
Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Tests have a mid-range price for a pack of three. While they’re not the cheapest tests on the market, they’re still in line with what you’d expect from a name-brand test. As one of the best pregnancy tests, they have a 4.4-star rating from Target customers. The positive reviews mention the accuracy of these tests. It can certainly ease anxiety knowing a “yes” means “yes” and a no means no (or at least not yet, as you can still get a negative if it’s very early on in your pregnancy). The cons found in negative reviews seem to relate to defective tests, but there are few enough to suggest this isn’t a consistent issue with this test.
e.p.t Early Pregnancy Test
While we’re not sure e.p.t Early Pregnancy Test can compete with the best pregnancy test, this is a brand that has a long history of providing accurate, at-home testing options. So, if it’s the only thing available during a last-minute run the grab a test, you can feel OK relying on it for accurate results. Like most at-home tests, they boast of 99% accuracy. Amazon sells a two-pack of e.p.t Early Pregnancy Tests and they have a 4-star rating.
According to reviews, this test is easy to use and read. With two windows, you’ll know for sure which line is your positive and which is just a control line. There are a handful of reviewers who left one star because the test they bought didn’t work.
The big downside to using this test is that it doesn’t provide a result as early as other options like First Response and Clearblue. This brand is meant to be used 4 days before your missed period, so if you’re in a hurry to find out, this might not be the right choice for you.
ClinicalGuard HCG Pregnancy Test Strips
If we were planning to award a prize for the most affordable pregnancy test, the Clinical Guard HCG Pregnancy Tests would definitely win. Through Amazon Prime, you can grab a 50 pack for under $15. These tests are a great option for someone who is trying to conceive and testing often or for several months in a row.
For as cheap as these tests are, you might expect lackluster reviews, but that simply isn’t the case. Clinical Guard Pregnancy Test Strips hold a 4.4 rating from Amazon reviewers. According to some of the 5-star reviews, the best thing about these tests is their accuracy and how quickly they provide a result. A few negative reviews mention faulty tests, but the critical feedback on these tests are few and far between.
PREGMATE Kit
For our readers who are trying to conceive, we love the idea of a kit instead of buying a single or three-pack of tests. The PREGMATE Kit includes both ovulation tests and pregnancy tests. 100 ovulation tests can be used to help predict the most fertile days of your cycle to help you conceive. And as the time for your next expected period arrives, you have 20 pregnancy test strips to use as well.
This kit sells on Amazon and has a 4.7-star review from 1,086 users. The benefit of this kit, according to reviews, is the accuracy of both tests. Users who have used this test while trying to conceive found the ability to predict fertile days incredibly helpful. A handful of negative reviews mentioned that test sticks were hard to read, so plan to do a little research if you find the directions in the kit unclear.
No matter which pregnancy test you choose, don’t be afraid to reach out for additional support from a medical professional if you aren’t sure about your result. While at-home pregnancy tests are usually pretty accurate when used correctly, it’s always best to speak with your own care provider if you have any questions or concerns with pregnancy or pre-pregnancy planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate are home pregnancy tests?
Many of the at-home pregnancy tests available boast of 99% accuracy when you test after your missed period. It isn’t common to experience a false positive, according to the Mayo Clinic. In some cases, a very early loss can result in a positive result followed by a negative result and the start of your period, known as a chemical pregnancy.
After a positive test should I contact a healthcare professional?
If you get a positive result from an at-home pregnancy test, the next step is to reach out to a healthcare provider. While many women won’t see a doctor right away, your chosen provider will give instructions on when to set up your first appointment.
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