Medically reviewed by Sheri Puffer, M.D., FACOG, ob-gyn
Written by
Jessica Booth | Jan 12, 2024
BabyCenter selects products based on the research of our editors and the wisdom of parents in the BabyCenter Community. All prices and details are accurate at the time of publication. We may earn a commission from shopping links.
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BabyCenter
- Best overall pregnancy test: First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test
- Best digital pregnancy test: Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test with Smart Countdown
- Best pregnancy test strips: Easy@Home Pregnancy Test Strips
- Best early pregnancy test: Clearblue Early Detection Pregnancy Test
- Most sensitive pregnancy test: Wondfo Early Result Pregnancy Test
- What to look for when buying a pregnancy test
There’s nothing quite as anxiety inducing as that three- to five-minute wait while taking a pregnancy test. Regardless if it’s positive or negative (and whichever one you’re hoping for), one thing remains the same: You want results quickly, and you also want to trust the results you see.
Most home pregnancy tests work the same way, using urine to detect the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone which starts appearing in your pee when you’re expecting. There are two main ways to test: one is to pee directly on a stick, while the other is to pee into a small cup and then dip in a test strip or use a dropper to put urine on a specially prepared area. After a few minutes, you get your result: positive (which means pregnant) or negative (either not pregnant, or there isn’t enough HCG detected to get a positive result).
This all sounds simple enough, but choosing from the wide array of pregnancy tests can be bewildering. Do you opt for digital ones that give a clear readout, early detection tests that promise results up to six days before your missed period, or “cheapie” test strips that can be bought in bulk? To help, we’ve spoken to experts and read community reviews to find the best pregnancy tests on the market that you can trust for reliable results.
How we chose the best pregnancy tests
To find the best pregnancy tests, we started by consulting experts. We spoke to two doctors: Tarun Jain, MD, Opens a new windowa reproductive endocrinologist at Northwestern Medicine Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine in Chicago, and Melissa Dennis, MD, MHA, FACOGOpens a new window, chief medical officer at Partum Health in Chicago. Each were able to tell us what the most important factors are when buying a pregnancy test so we could determine what makes one test better than another. In order to see which tests were most popular and why among the people who actually use them, we turned to moms and moms-to-be both in the BabyCenter staff and in the BabyCenter community who have tested out numerous pregnancy tests.
Why trust us?
BabyCenter's reviews are created based on parents' real-life experiences using products - experiences of editors and writers who are parents themselves, and also of the millions of parents and pregnant women who make up the BabyCenter Community. Our editorial team uses these insights, as well as feedback from the doctors and other experts on our Medical Advisory Board, to give you accurate and fact-based information, including the pros and cons of different products. That way, you can decide what's best for you and your family.
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Best overall pregnancy test
First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test
Photo credit:
Amazon
Buying options:
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The gold standard of pregnancy tests, First Response Early Result is the one most long-haul TTC’ers use to confirm their pregnancy. Fans say it’s more sensitive than other tests, and a 2005 study on over-the-counter pregnancy tests proved this claim, finding that the First Response Early Result test (or FRER, as it’s often called) detected HCG at a concentration almost four times lower than other tests.
You get results in a reasonable three minutes, and with First Response’s new EasyRead app, you can scan and confirm your test to see the words “pregnant” or “not pregnant” if the lines aren’t crystal clear to you, or you feel unsure about the results.
Two BabyCenter staffers also swear by this pregnancy test. Sarah Darby, Senior SEO Content Specialist and mom of a 2-year-old says she has been “a die hard fan” of this test. “I got a positive on those much earlier than any other brand,” she says, noting how easy it is to use.
Leah Rocketto, Associate Commerce Director and mom of a 2-year-old agrees with the accuracy and ease of use of this fan-favorite test. “The results are quick, and I appreciate the comfort of being able to learn earlier,” she says.
Heads up
First Response Early Result tests can be pricey, especially if you want to take numerous tests.
Parents say
“I think this is a very reliable brand! I got results with this pregnancy one week before my expected period.”
“Definitely use a frer. I got my bfp 4 days before missed af. $tree still showed negative Eta: I read as low as 6.5 which is what made me finally pee on one.”
“FRER's have always been my go-to. I believe they are the most accurate dependable ones on the market. Don't quote me on that though!”
Specs
- Test accuracy percentage: Over 99% accurate
- Speed of results: Results in 3 minutes or less
- Display type: Two lines for pregnant, one for not pregnant. EasyRead app can be used to read the words “pregnant” or “not pregnant.”
Best digital pregnancy test
Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test with Smart Countdown
Photo credit:
Amazon
Buying options:
| AmazonOpens a new window |
| TargetOpens a new window |
The Clearblue Digital test has a few clever features which help elevate it above competitors. It’s the only test with a smart countdown, which reassures you that the test is working while you wait. It also has a wide, absorbent, “no mess” tip with what Clearblue calls “floodguard technology.” In other words, this prevents excess urine from “flooding” the test strip and interfering with results. Women especially appreciate that the digital display that clearly states “pregnant” or “not pregnant” leaves no room for interpretation either.
I have two daughters (one is 4-years-old and one is 2-years-old), and I used this Clearblue test every time I wanted to see if I was pregnant. Although it’s definitely pricey, I loved that it gave me such a clear response with the actual words “pregnant” or “not pregnant,” and I also loved the countdown. I was always so anxious I had done something wrong, and this made it very clear that the test was working properly before the results appeared.
Heads up
This is another pricey test, with three costing around $16.
Parents say
“Use clear blue and get the one that clearly states "pregnant" or "not pregnant" so that it's less confusing to interpret. Also, follow the instructions in the pamphlet to a T if you can.”
“Dollor tree ones work but I got that extra one a little more expensive the Clear blue to be sure”
Specs
- Test accuracy percentage: Over 99% accurate from the day of your expected period
- Speed of results: Results in 5 minutes or less
- Display type: States “pregnant” or “not pregnant”
Best pregnancy test strips
Easy@Home Pregnancy Test Strips
Buying options:
| AmazonOpens a new window |
| TargetOpens a new window |
The Easy@Home test strips are one of the brands that BabyCenter community members rave about the most when it comes to pregnancy test strips. With the ability to detect HCG levels as low as 25 mlU/ml (which is the standard amount for a pregnancy test), Easy@Home takes three minutes to show results and can be used 10 days after ovulation. The results appear in the form of clear red lines: two if pregnant, or one if you're not pregnant. Because there are an impressive 20 tests in a box, you can take several tests at once if you want the extra peace of mind.
Heads up
Some recommend against using these tests strips for early detection because they aren’t as sensitive as other tests.
Parents say
“Love them! Caught my 9 dpo no hold evening test! And I like them for progression so far. Very impressed and I would recommend.”
“Easy @ Home is the only pregnancy test I used when I got pregnant with my son! I first tested at 11 DPO and got a light but noticeable line. I think it would have probably been positive and 10 DPO too had I tested.”
“Easy @ home is my favorite. I swore them off for a minute because I had some convincing shadows and indents but then when I did get a bfp, it ended up being the most sensitive out of all the ones I tried.”
Specs
- Test accuracy percentage: Over 99% accurate
- Speed of results: Results in 3 minutes or less
- Display type: You will see one line for negative and two lines for positive
Best early pregnancy test
Clearblue Early Detection Pregnancy Test
Photo credit:
Amazon
Buying options:
| AmazonOpens a new window |
| TargetOpens a new window |
| WalmartOpens a new window |
If you simply can’t wait until you’ve missed your period, then opt for the Clearblue Early Detection Pregnancy Test, which can give you results as soon as six days before your missed period. Its special “DualSense Technology” is supposed to help prevent false positives for the small percentage of women who aren’t pregnant but have HCG in their urine. Women also like that this test can be dipped or peed on for greater versatility, and that the tip is extra wide for easier use. Plus,, the tip changes color as you’re using it so you know you’re using it properly.
I’ve turned to these tests when I couldn’t get my hands on a digital one, and I found them very easy to use and always accurate.
Heads up
Some reported these tests bearing evap lines.
Parents say
“Definitely stay away from blue dye! They are the worst. I would get a Clear Blue test with pink dye or a FRER.”
“ClearBlue is always the best for me!”
Specs
- Test accuracy percentage: Over 99% accurate
- Speed of results: Results in 3 minutes or less
- Display type: You will see one line for negative and two lines for positive
Most sensitive pregnancy test
Wondfo Early Result Pregnancy Test
Photo credit:
Amazon
Buying options:
| AmazonOpens a new window |
The highly sensitive Wondfo is a TTC-er’s classic test. Wondfo claims its test can detect HCG levels as low as 10 mlU/ml (the standard pregnancy test detects HCG levels of 25 mlU/ml) within three to five minutes. With 25 individually sealed tests per pack, Wondfo encourages you to test multiple times over the course of a few days; the line gets darker as the test picks up more HCG in your urine. At this point, some people opt to buy a FRER or digital test to confirm.
Just a note: Even though Wondfo claims its tests can pick up a pregnancy seven days after ovulation, implantation doesn’t occur immediately, and HCG isn’t produced in your urine until after an embryo has implanted. So don’t give up testing until your period arrives.
Heads up
Some found that the darker line progression didn’t work for them.
Parents say
“I like wondfos too because they're so sensitive.”
“Wondfo- Serviceable if you want to test every time you pee. Earliest positive was 4.5dp 5dt (9.5dpo).”
Specs
- Test accuracy percentage: Over 99% accurate
- Speed of results: 3 to 5 minutes
- Display type: One line for negative, two lines for positive
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What to look for when buying a pregnancy test
According to experts and BabyCenter moms, these are the most important factors to take into consideration when buying a pregnancy test:
- Accuracy: Obviously, you want to choose a reliable pregnancy test that will give an accurate result. The good news: most fit the bill. “Home pregnancy tests are just as reliable as those that are done in a doctor’s office,” Dr. Dennis says. “When used properly, urine pregnancy tests are 99% accurate.” She notes that you should always make sure the pregnancy test is not expired before you use it, as this can affect results.
- Sensitivity: Some pregnancy tests are labeled as more sensitive athan others, although Dr. Jain notes that almost all of them are able to pick up on early pregnancies. If you can’t wait for a missed period to take a test, you’ll want to opt for a test marketed specifically as an early detection test – some can pick up on a pregnancy as soon as six days before you miss your period. If you can wait until you’ve missed your period, you can buy a regular pregnancy test, which may be a little cheaper.
- Ease of use: It’s key that you choose a test you can easily use and understand. “When choosing a pregnancy test, it is important to feel comfortable with the instructions and how the results will be displayed,” Dr. Dennis says. There are mainly two ways results are displayed, either with lines that signify pregnant or not pregnant, or with clearly-stated words that read “pregnant” or “not pregnant.” You should also consider the type of test, as some are more user-friendly than others. Some require peeing on a stick, while others involve using test strips or droppers.
- Value: Pregnancy tests are not always cheap. Digital and early detection pregnancy tests tend to be more costly, while pregnancy test strips are generally less expensive. If you want to buy multiple tests at once, you may want to opt for something cheaper to save money.
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