Bated breath, a flurry of emotions, and that big "what if?": wondering if you're pregnant can feel like riding a rollercoaster. Good news: a home pregnancy test can swoop in and give you answers in a jiffy! These handy tests detect pregnancy hormones in your urine and can deliver the scoop on whether you're expecting—even before you miss a period. Say goodbye to suspense and hello to clarity without the wait. With several types to choose from, we've curated the top picks to deliver reliable (and speedy) results.
Check out comprehensive reviews of the top pregnancy tests here!
- Earliest Detection:Â First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test
- Most Affordable:Â ClinicalGuard HCG Pregnancy Test Strips
- Best Test with an App:Â Easy@Home 40 Pregnancy Test Strips with Urine Cups
- Easy-to-Read:Â Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test
- Best Eco-Friendly Test Kit:Â Natalist The Test Pack
- Best For Fast Results:Â Clearblue Rapid Detection Pregnancy Test
- Best for Double-Checking:Â First Response Triple Check Pregnancy Test
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The Best Pregnancy Tests
First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test (Buy on Amazon)
Earliest Detection
If you're impatiently counting down the days, the First Response Early Result test is your new best friend. It's the top-of-the-line over-the-counter pregnancy urine test—letting you know if you're expecting up to six days before your missed period with over 99 percent accuracy. We’re fans of the ergonomic handle, making it super easy to hold while doing your business. Plus, you can snag the “Test & Confirm” pack, which includes a digital test for that extra peace of mind.
Additional Specs
Results time: 3 minutes
Display method: Line
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Most Affordable
ClinicalGuard HCG Pregnancy Test Strips (Buy on Amazon)
ClinicalGuard Pregnancy Test: Say goodbye to the bulky plastic applicator and absorbent tip of your standard pregnancy test. Welcome to the world of simple strips! These little wonders (the same trusty strips found in regular pregnancy tests) are designed for a quick dip into a cup of urine.
The best part? They’re way more affordable than those applicator tests. So if you’re on a baby-making mission and plowing through tests each month, these strips can save you a pretty penny—plus, they come in handy bulk packs. AccuMed has a similar option at a similar price point.
Additional Specs
Results time:Â 5 minutes
Display method: Line
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Best Test with an App
Easy@Home 40 Pregnancy Test Strips with Urine Cups (Buy on Amazon)
Say hello to stress-free testing with this all-in-one strip pregnancy test kit! It includes cups for collecting urine samples, making the process a breeze. Plus, the kit syncs perfectly with the Easy@Home app to effortlessly track your results. Snap a pic of your test, log the date and time, and whether it’s a plus or minus—it’s super handy, especially if you’re on the exciting journey of trying to conceive. Cheers to making this part of parenthood a little easier and a lot more organized!
Additional Specs
Results time: 3-5Â minutes
Display method: Line
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Easy-to-Read
Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test (Buy on Amazon)
No more squinting at faint lines or second-guessing! Say goodbye to the old-school manual pregnancy tests and hello to our modern digital test. With Clearblue Early Pregnancy Teste 3 Count, you'll get a straightforward “Pregnant” or “Not Pregnant” result—no room for ambiguity here. Plus, the snazzy flashing lights will let you know how much longer until your results pop up (it might take up to three minutes). And the best part? You can take this test up to four days before Aunt Flo is supposed to visit.
Additional Specs
Results time: 1-3Â minutes
Display method: Words, Pregnant/Not Pregnant
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Best Eco-Friendly Test Kit
Natalist The Test Pack (Buy on Amazon)
Natalist offers a pregnancy test that's over 99% accurate and can be used up to five days before your missed period. It's super easy to use with straightforward instructions in both English and Spanish. Plus, the sleek and modern design is 100% plastic-neutral, making it a stylish and environmentally friendly choice. The kit also includes ovulation tests, making it perfect for modern parents actively tracking their cycle while trying to conceive.
Additional Specs
Results time:Â 5Â minutes
Display method:Â Line
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Best For Fast Results
Clearblue Rapid Detection Pregnancy Test (Buy on Amazon)
If you’re super eager and can’t wait a full three minutes, the Clearblue Rapid Detection Pregnancy Test gives you results in just one minute! This box includes three tests, perfect for those \"was that line really pink?\" moments. Do keep in mind, though, we've seen more reports of false positives with this speedy option than with others. Guess there's some truth to the saying, "patience is a virtue!"
Additional Specs
Results time:Â 1Â minute
Display method:Â +/-
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Best for Double-Checking
First Response Triple Check Pregnancy Test (Buy on Amazon)
Can’t decide which test to take? This kit has got you covered with a variety pack of three distinct pregnancy tests. One lets you check up to six days before your missed period, another provides a clear digital result, and the last one gives you an answer in just one minute.
First Response also offers the Comfort Check Pregnancy Test kit, perfect for those who want extra peace of mind. It includes a total of eight tests—three early results tests and five strip tests—so you’re always prepared.
Additional Specs
Results time: 1 minute, 3 minutes, 3 minutes
Display method: Line, Words Yes+/No–, Line
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A few more pregnancy tests worth noting are:
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How to Choose a Pregnancy Test: A Guide for Modern Parents
So, it’s time to pick a pregnancy test? Let’s break this down into simple steps, so you can find the perfect test without any added stress.
Accuracy
First things first—accuracy is key. The good news is, most pregnancy tests are over 99% accurate when used as directed. Planning to test before your missed period? Opt for a more sensitive early detection test to get those results ASAP.
Cost
Trying to conceive often means frequent testing. For budget-conscious parents-to-be, strip tests are the way to go. These dip-in-urine tests are not only cost-effective but usually come in bulk packs to keep your wallet happy.
Convenience
If you’re all about ease, consider the premium, pee-on-a-stick tests. Yes, they’re a bit pricier, but there's less fuss and no cleanup. Perfect for those on-the-move moments! Plus, digital test versions give clear, no-guesswork results, making them a favorite for many.
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FAQs About Pregnancy Tests
When is the Best Time to Take a Pregnancy Test?
"Many at-home tests can start showing a positive result as early as 8 or 9 days past ovulation," shares Dr. Rachel Mandelbaum, OBGYN and Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist. However, she notes, "the risk of testing this early is that completely normal pregnancies might not yet have enough human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to be detectable." Don't stress! About 99% of pregnancies will test positive on the first day of a missed period, which is usually around 14 days past ovulation.
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Does Time of Day Matter?
A bit. Your best bet is to take the test first thing in the morning when your hCG levels are most concentrated. Testing at other times is fine, but keep in mind that the earlier you are in the pregnancy, the greater the chance of a false negative. Oh, and skip the pre-test water chugging—diluted urine can make it harder for the test to detect hCG. Wait until you really have to go!
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How Soon Is Too Soon To Test?
Some at-home pregnancy tests, like First Response Early Result, claim they can detect pregnancy up to six days before your period is due. How do they manage this feat? Well, these tests focus on the hCG hormone. At-home pregnancy tests detect pregnancy by measuring hCG levels, and some can pick up on lower levels of hCG than others. According to Dr. Mandelbaum, the reason some tests can give you the good (or not-so-good) news earlier is they have a lower detection threshold for hCG. On the other hand, Dr. Alison Peck, an OBGYN and Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, notes there’s a risk in testing too early. You might catch what's known as a chemical pregnancy. This is when an embryo implants and starts to produce the pregnancy hormone beta hCG but then stops developing, causing the hormone levels to drop.
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Do You Ever Need To Take More Than One Test?
So, you've finally seen those two pink lines or that big “positive” on your test—woohoo! But before you raid the pharmacy for every test on the shelf, relax. Yes, taking more tests can ease some of that nervous excitement, and let’s be honest, we all do it. “Continuing to test is completely human—we all do it—but even if a faint line appears, it's positive!” says Mandelbaum. If you’re worried about false negatives, try to hang tight until you’re past that two-week wait.
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How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?
Ever wondered what’s happening behind the scenes of that magic stick you pee on? When an egg is fertilized, your body starts cranking out a hormone called hCG. During early pregnancy, hCG levels double every two to three days and reach their peak by the end of the first trimester. Pregnancy tests work by detecting the presence of hCG in your urine. However, as Mandelbaum points out, “while home pregnancy tests are pretty good at confirming you’re expecting, they can’t tell you the exact hCG levels or how those levels may be changing over time.”
Peck adds that at-home pregnancy tests only catch the presence of hCG without quantifying it. That’s why your doctor may ask you to come in for a follow-up test, usually via a blood draw, which provides a clearer picture of your hCG levels—these levels skyrocket in the initial weeks of pregnancy. Peck recommends that patients who have faced infertility or previous pregnancy loss should see their doctor as soon as they get a positive result. If that’s not your situation, it’s generally okay to chill and wait a bit before making an appointment.
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How Accurate are Pregnancy Tests?
Peck explains that home pregnancy tests become more accurate the longer you wait to take them. By testing on the day of your expected period, or afterwards, you'll get a clearer answer because your body will have had time to build up that hCG in your system.
