byLexi Dwyer
Fact-Checked by Haley Jena
| June 22, 2023
What to Expect selects products based on real-life testing conducted by staff, contributors and members our user community, as well as independent research and expert feedback; learn more about our review process. Prices and details are accurate as of the published date. We may earn commissions from shopping links.
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Best Pregnancy Test Overall First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test
Jump to Review$12 for 3 See at Amazon
Best Digital Pregnancy Test Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test with Smart Countdown
Jump to Review$27 for 5 See at Amazon
Quickest Pregnancy Test First Response Rapid Result Pregnancy Test
Jump to Review$7 for 1 See at Amazon
Easiest Home Pregnancy Test Clearblue Rapid Detection Pregnancy Test
Jump to Review$8 for 2 See at Amazon
Best Cheap Pregnancy Test Equate First Signal One-Step Pregnancy Test
Jump to Review$0.88 for 1 See at Walmart
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Whether you’re actively trying to conceive or wondering if your missed period could mean something more, waiting to find out if you’re pregnant can be a hopeful, anxious or exciting time — and maybe a combination of all three. That’s when you’ll want a reliable, easy-to-decipher pregnancy test.
Found everywhere from drugstores to the internet, pregnancy tests are over-the-counter indicator sticks or test strips that use urine to detect levels of a key pregnancy hormone. Naturally, you'll want to find one that's not only reliable, but also easy to decipher. Here’s everything you need to know about how pregnancy tests work and how to find the best one for you.
How do pregnancy tests work?
Home pregnancy tests all work the same way: by measuring the amount of the pregnancy hormonehuman chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine. To take a pregnancy test, you either pee directly on a stick or pee into a cup that you then dip a stick or strip into. Then, after a few nail-biting minutes, you’ll have your results.
Some tests may have different instructions or wait times, so it’s important to follow the directions exactly to make sure you get the most accurate reading. This is especially important when it comes to interpreting the result. For example, you always want to read your results within the window specified in the instructions. "As the paper and urine sample dry, the lines tend to smear and people can think they are pregnant," says Jennifer Roelands, M.D., OB/GYN and the founder of Well Woman MD in Yorba Linda, California.
Types of pregnancy tests
Although home pregnancy tests work the same way, their features can differ. The main types of pregnancy tests include:
- Early pregnancy tests: These pregnancy tests can pick up lower levels of hCG and, in turn, may be able to tell you if you’re pregnant up to five or six days before your missed period. Keep in mind, though, that the closer you are to the date of your expected period, the more accurate a home pregnancy test will be.
- Non-digital pregnancy tests: These pregnancy tests show your results in the form of blue or pink lines. Although they tend to be more affordable, they can also be more difficult to decipher if one of the lines is faint. If that’s the case, wait a day or two to take the test again.
- Digital pregnancy tests: These tests tend to be the easiest to to use and read, since they clearly display your results in words (i.e. “pregnant” or “not pregnant”), leaving little room for error. The downside? Digital tests tend to be more expensive.
Some pregnancy tests are packaged as a stick that you pee on directly, saving you the effort of peeing into a cup, dipping the test into that cup and then cleaning it (although if you prefer this method, many stick tests can also work this way). These can be digital or non-digital. Pregnancy strips, on the other hand, usually need to be dipped into a cup of urine. A third, less common type involves using an eyedropper to take urine from a cup and then drop it into the test’s reservoir.
How accurate are pregnancy tests?
Pregnancy test results are much more accurate if taken once you've missed your period, with most brands estimating about 99 percent accuracy. If you take a test before then, the range might only be around 70 to 75 percent, or even lower in some cases. False positives are rare, but according to Dr. Roelands, some factors that may cause one include testing too early, fertility mediciations that contain hCG or miscarriage. It's also important to note that achemical pregnancy (which is when an egg implants in the uterine wall but isn't able to develop) or anectopic pregnancy (when the egg develops outside the uterus) may also lead to positive tests, even if the pregnancy isn't viable.Again, false positives are unusual, but to be absolutely certain, you should schedule an appointment with your OB/GYN following a positive at-home pregnancy test for confirmation.
What to look for when choosing a pregnancy test
Keep these things in mind when you’re shopping for a home pregnancy test:
- Sensitivity: Some tests claim they can detect lower levels of hCG and may be able to tell you if you’re pregnant up to six days before your missed period. Think about when you’ll be taking the test and go from there, again, keeping in mind that the results will be more reliable closer once you’ve missed your period.
- Display: Digital tests that display the results in words are generally more user-friendly than ones with one or two lines, and particularly helpful to people with limited vision, as Dr. Roelands notes. There are also some tests in which the results can be read to you. Clearblue, for example, has partnered with theBe My Eyes app to offer people with low-vision or who are blind the option to read results privately over a video call, with the help of a Clearblue support specialist.
- Ease of use: Test strip packs are more affordable, but you might prefer the simplicity of a stick test rather than having to dip strips into a cup of urine or transfer urine using a dropper.
- Cost: Home pregnancy tests can range in price, but you'll likely pay more for a digital test or one that claims to be more sensitive. Roeland says this is important to consider if you have unpredictable periods, as you may require multiple tests to get a more accurate result.
- Expiration date: If you are using a pre-purchased pregnancy test, check to make sure the pregnancy test hasn't expired. Otherwise, your results might not be accurate. If you are purchasing tests to use at a later date, make sure the expiration date is far enough away that you have enough time to use them.
When is the best time to take a pregnancy test?
If you've been trying to conceive, you might feel the urge to start testing before you've missed your period, especially if you'retracking your fertility and seeing promising signals. But Dr. Roelands suggests taking a pause and waiting until you've actually missed your period. If your cycle isn’t regular or you don’t get periods at all, take a test three weeks after possible conception for the most accurate results.
"The accuracy of the test becomes 99 percent once you have passed the day of your missed period,” Dr. Roelands explains. While some tests say they can work as early as 10 days after unprotected sex, the results aren't very reliable and may not be accurate. "It is better to wait so you do not get discouraged about the results," says Dr. Roelands.
You might also be wondering what time of day is best for a pregnancy test. Dr. Roelands suggests right after you wake up, as your urine will be most concentrated at this time and thehCG levels will be easiest to detect. You might want to try taking the test before you've had anything to drink, but don't freak out if you forgot and had some water or coffee first. "Consuming a large quantity of water can dilute the sample, but don't stress if you had some water before your test,” says Dr. Roelands. “It is very sensitive to pick up hCG and a glass of water will not ruin the result.”
What if I've missed my period but the pregnancy test is still negative?
If your pregnancy test comes back negative, wait a few days and take another one. "Don't pee on six tests in a row," Dr. Roelands says. If you're still testing negative a few days into your missed period, contact your provider about scheduling a blood test to see if you’re pregnant. "If you haven't had your period by day 35 and the blood test is negative, then it's negative and you didn't ovulate that month," she says.
How we chose the best pregnancy tests
With Dr. Roelands' tips in mind, we scoured through recommendations from the millions of moms in the What to Expect community to find which pregnancy tests worked best for the largest number of people. We also made sure to pay attention to online reviews of each test to read about other users’ experiences.
Here are our picks for the best home pregnancy tests, including digital tests, early detection tests and more.
Why Trust Us?
What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.
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Best Pregnancy Test Overall
First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test
Buying Options
Amazon
$12 for 3
Target
$11 for 2
Walgreens
$16 for 2
Pros
- Easy-to-hold handle
- High rate of early reliability
- EasyRead App converts your pregnancy test lines into words
Cons
- Lines can be hard to read sometimes
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
With results that claim to be as accurate three days before your missed period as on the day you miss it (99 percent, to be specific), thisearly response pregnancy testis made for anyone who hates waiting (and who doesn't?!). Even those who took the test five days before their expected period had results in the 76 percent-accurate range, according to the brand’s tests.
There’s a helpful indicator next to the result window that reminds you two lines means pregnant and one line means not pregnant. You can also scan your test using the brand’s free Easy Read app, which instantly converts test lines into “Pregnant” or “Not Pregnant” for that extra vote of confidence. (That said, app users note that the technology could be improved.)
This early pregnancy test also gets bonus points for its curved handle — in other words, it's easy to use without getting pee on your hands.
Tests per package: Two or three
Display method: One or two lines or Easy Read app
Result time: Three minutes
Community Reviews
c2021l
"First Response are definitely the best for early testing, far more reliable than any blue tests"
Best Digital Pregnancy Test
Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test with Smart Countdown
Buying Options
Amazon
$27 for 5
Target
$14 for 2
Walmart
$15 for 3
Walgreens
$20 for 2
Rite Aid
$29 for 3
Pros
- Flashing countdown
- Clear digital message
- Results stay up for 6 months
Cons
- On the expensive side
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
Anyone who has spent hours trying to decipher a reading will appreciate the peace of mind thisdigital pregnancy test offers. In addition to a countdown that assures you the test is working, thisaward-winning Clearblue digital pregnancy test clearly displays “Pregnant” or “Not pregnant” in the results window — no ambiguity here.
The test claims to be 75 percent accurate four days before your expected period, but if cost is a concern, wait until the day before your expected period or the day of, when those numbers jump to 99 percent accurate. Moms-to-be who want to surprise their partner or loved ones with the big news by showing them the stick will be happy to learn that the results remain on display for six months (many other brands’ disappear in a day).
Tests per package: Two to five
Display method: Digital text
Result time: Three minutes
Community Reviews
cnh418
"clear blue always said pregnant when I was actually pregnant."
Quickest Pregnancy Test
First Response Rapid Result Pregnancy Test
Buying Options
Amazon
$7 for 1
Target
$12 for 2
Walmart
$16 for 2
Walgreens
$17 for 2
Rite Aid
$17 for 2
Pros
- One-minute results
- EasyRead App converts your pregnancy test lines into words
Cons
- Can’t test early
Why We Love It
It's been an agonizing couple of weeks since ovulation, and you don’t want to wait one more second to find out if you have a bun in the oven.
If this sounds familiar, you'll want to pick up aFirst Response Rapid Result pregnancy test, which displays your results in just 60 seconds. The test, which is 99 percent accurate starting on the first day of your missed period, uses enhanced technology to isolate and detect high levels of HCG, giving you results at warped speed. The potential downside to this, however, is that you can’t take the test before your missed period.
Tests per package: Two
Display method: One or two lines or Easy Read app
Result time: One minute
Easiest Home Pregnancy Test
Clearblue Rapid Detection Pregnancy Test
Buying Options
Amazon
$8 for 2
Target
$10 for 2
Walmart
$11 for 2
Walgreens
$15 for 2
Pros
- Indicator changes color to show it's working
- Easy to read
- Curved stick for easy holding
Cons
- Less accurate before a missed period
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
There’s no second guessing whether you usedClearblue’s rapid test correctly. As soon as you pee on the extra-wide tip, it will change from white to pink to show that testing is in progress. The results will show as. The results will show as a plus sign (pregnant) or minus sign (not pregnant) often in under one minute, but definitely within three.
This pregnancy test is 56 percent accurate four days before your missed period, and increases in accuracy every day before reaching 99 percent accuracy the day of your expected period. The ergonomic shape of the stick makes it a bit easier to hold as well, and the cap is also nice and big.
Tests per package: One to three
Display method: Plus sign or single line
Result time: One to three minutes
Community Reviews
Amyga2003
"I definitely trust Clear Blue."
Best Pregnancy Test Strips
Wondfo Pregnancy Test Strips
Buying Options
Pros
- Portable
- More affordable than others
Cons
- Dip method may bother some
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
If you’re the type who likes to test, immediately re-test to make sure, and maybe even test again the next day, just in case, then you’ll love these pregnancy test strips. You get the same 99 percent accuracy rate on the first day of your expected period that many pricier tests offer, and, with 25 strips in a pack, a lot more opportunities to test.
What you won’t get? A stick or wand to keep urine off your hands (which might bother you if you’re more squeamish) or super-fast results: Once you dip a strip into a cup of urine, lay it flat to dry, then wait 3 to 5 minutes. If a second line appears, you’ve got a positive result.
Tests per package: 25 strips
Display method: One or two lines
Result time: Three to five minutes
Community Reviews
babynoonan
"Love this brand! I used them for three years while TTC our daughter. They were cheap and always accurate for me, and I loved seeing the line progress when I finally got my positive."
Best Cheap Pregnancy Test
Equate First Signal One-Step Pregnancy Test
Buying Options
Pros
- More affordable compared to others
- Result may come quickly
Cons
- Urine must be transferred with dropper
- Result shouldn’t be read after 10 minutes
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
This pregnancy testgets rave reviews from moms in the What to Expect community for being accurate and much more affordable than its competitors. The main downside is that you'll need to provide your own clean catch cup, and then transfer your urine to the indicator with the supplied dropper.
But if you prefer to take pregnancy tests often, you certainly can't beat the price, which is less than a dollar per test at the time of publication. As with other tests, the company pledges 99 percent accuracy.
Tests per package: One
Display method: One or two lines
Result time: One to three minutes
Community Reviews
alex3975
"The 88 cent ones from Walmart are accurate as well, that’s how I found out I was pregnant at 3 weeks."
Ajb5111
I'm pregnant and the walmart test was the first to show me.
Best Eco-Friendly Pregnancy Test
Natalist Pregnancy Tests
Buying Options
Amazon
$16 for 4
Target
$16 for 4
Natalist
$16 for 4
Rite Aid
$19 for 4
Pros
- Company has plastic-neutral pledge
- Clear instructions
Cons
- On the pricey side
- Results take up to five minutes
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
Founded and run mostly by moms, Natalisthas set itself apart by creating what's currently the only plastic-neutral pregnancy test. That means that for every test you purchase, they pledge to remove the same amount of plastic waste from the environment.
The test itself is the straightforward pee-on-a-stick variety, and it's supposed to be 77 percent accurate starting five days before your period is due, and jumps to greater than 99 percent accuracy up to three days before. The instructions are clearly written and easy to understand, and the chic line drawings sprinkled throughout add a bit of flair.
Tests per package: Four
Display method: One or two lines
Result time: Five minutes
Community Reviews
Secondbreakfast14
"I also like the Natalist tests. They are not as sensitive as FRER, but more sensitive than many on the market."
View Sources
- Jennifer Roelands, M.D., OB/GYN and Founder of Well Woman MD, Yorba Linda, California.
- Cleveland Clinic,Anovulation, August 2021.
- Cleveland Clinic, Causes of a False Positive Pregnancy Test, October 2021.
- Cleveland Clinic, Pregnancy Tests, January 2021.
- Mayo Clinic,Home Pregnancy Tests: Can You Trust the Results? February 2021.
- Planned Parenthood, Pregnancy Tests.
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office on Women’s Health, Pregnancy Tests, February 2021.