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"Am I feeling more tired than usual?" "Are my breasts more tender than they normally are?" When trying to conceive, you may begin questioning every possible pregnancy symptom. While your first instinct may be to take a home pregnancy test, you might be wary about doing so if you're concerned that the results won't be accurate. It's a valid fear – there's nothing worse than taking a pregnancy test only to get hit with a big fat negative because you took it too soon.
Whether you're in the two-week wait after an embryo transfer or 10 days post-ovulation, the urge to pee on a stick can be strong. Luckily, there are now tests on the market that can detect pregnancy as early as 6 days before your missed period. Still, not all home pregnancy tests are created equal. Some may give you a better bang for your buck, while others have an impressively high accuracy rating.
The best home pregnancy tests for early detection
Pregnancy tests should be clear and trustworthy. So to help you understand your options, we’ve pulled together a list of our top 10 pregnancy tests for all of the early testers out there.
1. First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test (FRER)
Our top pick for early pregnancy tests is a clear winner: First Response Early Result is so sensitive you can get results as early as six days before your missed period. According to the manufacturer, it can pick up 10 mIU/mL of hCG 100% of the time and 6 mIU/ml about 50% of the time, and its accuracy only increases the longer you wait. This test will give you your results in three minutes, and you'll get clear results with sharp, easy-to-see lines. Two lines mean you're pregnant, and one line means you're not pregnant.
What we love about this pregnancy test: Along with being the most accurate home pregnancy test for early detection, it has an ergonomically curved handle that makes it easier to handle when placing it in the urine stream.
2. Labcorp OnDemand™ Quantitative hCG Pregnancy Test
While an at-home pregnancy test can tell you whether or not you're pregnant, the only way to know your exact hCG level in early pregnancy is by having your blood drawn and tested.
Accessing these results is simple: Labcorp OnDemand offers quantitative hCG pregnancy testing at an affordable price point without needing to schedule a healthcare provider visit. Testing can be done at one of Labcorp’s 2,000+ Patient Service Centers, including over 400 Walgreens locations. Results will be delivered privately to your inbox the next business day.
What we love about this pregnancy test: Unlike other tests that can give conflicting results due to varied hCG concentrations, the Labcorp OnDemand beta hCG blood test can detect pregnancy with greater accuracy because it measures the amount of hCG in your blood beginning as early as 10 days after conception.
3. Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test with Smart Countdown
"Is there one line, or are there two?" "If there are two lines, why is one really, really, really hard to see?" Sound familiar? If you're testing at home, Clearblue's Digital Pregnancy Test with Smart Countdown can help alleviate some of the anxiety by taking the guesswork out of trying to read the results. First, a flashing timer on the test screen counts down to the result, which takes around three minutes. Then, instead of showing you barely-visible lines, the test will read either "Pregnant" or "Not Pregnant."
What we love about this pregnancy test: With the ability to detect hCG levels as low as 10 mIU/ml, you can take this test as early as five days before your missed period, with 99% accuracy on the day of your missed period.
4. Clearblue® Rapid Detection Pregnancy Test
Rounding out our top 3, the Clearblue® Rapid Detection test can give you results up to five days before your missed period, detecting hCG levels as low as 25 mIU/ml. While it doesn't use the words "Pregnant" or "Not Pregnant" to provide results like the Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test, it instead uses a plus (+) or a minus (-) symbol to make it easy to understand whether or not you are pregnant.
What we love about this pregnancy test: This test uses "Floodguard Technology" to prevent urine from getting inside the test, and there's also a wide absorbent tip. This prevents you from possibly having to take another test in case too much urine gets on the one you're taking.
5. First Response Triple Check Pregnancy Test
If you're the type that needs extra reassurance, First Response has your back. First Response Triple Check Pregnancy Tests come with three tests in one kit that allows you to test up to six days before your missed period. Plus, you can get your results in just one minute.
What we love about this pregnancy test: Taking just one pregnancy test never feels like enough. This test kit includes three tests so you can confirm and then re-confirm your results, making absolutely sure they're accurate.
6. Natalist Pregnancy Test
Created by a team of moms and doctors on a mission to reduce the shame, misinformation, and outdated product offerings women experience on their path to parenthood, Natalist's pregnancy test can detect as little as 10 mIU/mL of hCG as early as 5 days before your expected period. After taking the test, lines appear in the square control window within 5 minutes. So congratulations, you're pregnant if there are two lines, even a faint one!
What we love about this pregnancy test: In addition to being 99% accurate, this pregnancy test is 100% plastic neutral and the instructions are super easy to follow. It's also incredibly affordable, with the cost as low as $3.00 per test when you buy in bulk.
7. Proov Check Early Pregnancy Test
Known for its PdG-test and full cycle tracking kit, Proov now offers a Check Early Pregnancy Test that can detect the hCG hormone as early as six days before your missed period. Results take about five minutes to appear, and the tests are both affordable and convenient. This test may also be easier to read since Proov uses bright pink dye instead of blue dye, which some users may have difficulty interpreting.
What we love about this pregnancy test: Proov Check tests were created by fertility experts and an infertility veteran. They guarantee that those who use this test will always receive clear, easy-to-interpret results.
8. Easy@Home Pregnancy Test Strips
Looking for a simple, easy, and cheap way to see if you are pregnant? Consider trying Easy@Home Pregnancy test strips. All you have to do is dip one of the strips in urine, wait for the dye to reach the window, and read your results. This typically takes less than five minutes: Two lines mean you’re pregnant, and one line means you’re not pregnant. Not quite as sensitive to hCG as some of the other brands on this list, this test will still give you accurate results at least one day before your missed period.
What we love about this pregnancy test: These budget-friendly tests are a great price, and you can buy them in bulk. Plus, even though they're inexpensive, they're just as accurate as many of the other pricier tests on the market.
9. Premom Pregnancy Test Strips
For those on a budget, Premom Pregnancy Test Strips are probably the most cost-effective option on this list, averaging $0.33 per pregnancy test. If you're testing over multiple months while trying to conceive, these tests are a great option. They can detect hCG levels in your urine as low as 25 mIU/ml at 99% accuracy, and it only takes 3 to 5 minutes to get your results.
What we love about this pregnancy test: As a bonus, these test strips come with an ovulation app, which you can use to track your monthly cycle.
10. Wondfo Pregnancy Test Strips Early Detection (Extra-Sensitive)
Another win for your wallet, the Wondfo Early Result Pregnancy Test has over 3,000 reviews on Amazon with a 4.5-star rating. This test gives accurate results two days earlier than your standard pregnancy test. All you have to do is dip the test strip in urine for 5 to 10 seconds, and you'll get your results in 3 to 5 minutes.
What we love about this pregnancy test: Each test is sealed in its own individual pouch, and it can be carried with you anywhere. Plus, each package comes with a whopping 25 tests.
Whichever option you choose, may the odds ever be in your favor!
Jennifer “Jay” Palumbo is a freelance writer, infertility and women’s rights advocate, former stand-up comic, author of the blog, “The 2 Week Wait,” and proud IVF Mom. Her articles have been featured in Time magazine, Huffington Post, and ScaryMommy. She has been interviewed on news outlets such as CNN, NPR, and BBC, where she has demonstrated her ability to make even reproductive issues fun and educational. You can follow her "infertility humor" on Instagram at @jennjaypal.
