The Best Pregnancy Tests We Tried at Home for Fast, Accurate Results

Best Pregnancy Test: Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test with Smart Countdown

Why We Like It

The Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test with Smart Countdown works quickly, is easy to use and interpret, and is pretty affordable. Plus, the smart countdown feature saves you a lot of stress. 

One of the trickiest parts about taking an at-home pregnancy test is figuring out when to check your results: not waiting long enough and waiting too long can skew your reading, leaving you with an inaccurate result. The countdown timer tells you exactly when your results are ready, and then displays “pregnant” or “not pregnant” clearly on the screen. 

In testing, we appreciated how easy it was to wait for and read our results (which, by the way, were ready in just 90 seconds!). The test was also durable, with a heavy-duty cap that prevented any mess, and allowed for multiple methods of urine collection. This test worked exactly the way it should have and gave clear, accurate results—all for a reasonable cost—making it an easy pick for best test overall.

But Take Note

Our tester genuinely couldn’t find any downsides to using this test, but if we could improve it at all, we would appreciate some indication that we had exposed the test to enough urine. (That’s a minor complaint, though!)

The Details:

• Recommended testing window: 5 days before missed period
• Number of tests included: Varies
• Result display: Digital
• Result time: 3 minutes (listed); 1.5 minutes (in test)

Fastest Results: Clearblue Rapid Detection Pregnancy Test

Why We Like It

Even with “rapid” in the name of this test, we were still surprised by how quickly the Clearblue Rapid Detection Pregnancy Test confirmed pregnancy: In about 10 seconds, we had a plus sign in the results window. And speaking of plus signs, we appreciated that this test offered symbols for positive and negative results instead of making us interpret single or double lines. (There was a control line to reassure us the test was working correctly and giving accurate results.) We also loved that the test strip turned pink when enough urine had been absorbed, taking out the guesswork there, too. 

We also tested the Clearblue Pregnancy Test Combo Pack, which includes both the digital and the analog tests in one package for Type As who want to double-check their results. As with the test of the individual versions, we found that each one of these tests turned out quick, accurate results. We particularly liked the wide tips of all the tests and how they turned from white to pink once they were sufficiently saturated with urine. The tests were easy to handle, simple to interpret, and good quality despite being sold in a cost-saving combination pack.

But Take Note

Though this didn’t happen in our test, some complain that tests with blue dye can be harder to see or seem like false positives. In that case, a combination pack with the digital test might be more reassuring.

The Details:

• Recommended testing window: 5 days before missed period
• Number of tests included: Varies
• Result display: Analog
• Result time: 3 minutes (listed); 10 seconds (in test)

Best Early Detection: First Response Test And Confirm Pregnancy Test

Why We Like It

Both the analog and digital tests in this kit were incredibly easy to interpret during testing. The test can work up to six days before your missed period (a day earlier than Clearblue). But since tests are always more accurate when you get closer to your missed period, you can use the second test to confirm it in a few days.

The process for testing is just about the same for both—you can hold both in a stream of urine for five seconds, or dip it into a cup of urine for 20 seconds for the analog test and five seconds for the digital. Our pregnant tester was surprised by how little urine was needed for the tests to provide accurate results. While there is no countdown clock on the digital test, there is a clock that starts flashing once it’s been exposed to urine, indicating that you’ll get results within the next three minutes. The digital test displayed “yes” or “no” when it was ready, and the analog test gave us thick, bold double lines (no squinting required!). 

But Take Note

If you’ve had a hard time trying to conceive, the solid, all caps “NO-” of the digital test may seem a little harsh. 

The Details:

• Recommended testing window: 6 days before missed period
• Number of tests included: 2
• Result display: Analog and digital
• Result time: 3 minutes (listed); 3 minutes (in test)

Best for Extra Extra Assurance: First Response Triple Check Pregnancy Test

Why We Like It

If you’re trying to conceive and think this month might be the month, the First Response Triple Check Pregnancy Test Kit is a convenient way to confirm your suspicions three times over. Use the Early Result test up to six days before your period, follow it up with the digital test for a clear “yes” or “no,” then triple-check again right after you miss your period with the Rapid Result test. In our testing, we found that all three tests were easy to use. The early and digital tests delivered results before three minutes were up (for our tester who was months into her pregnancy). The Rapid Result showed up almost immediately. All three tests had clearly defined display screens and weren’t messy at all. 

But Take Note

It can be a little tricky remembering which test to use when (or in which order to test) since all three are different. But we think you can handle it.

The Details:

• Recommended testing window: 6 days before missed period for Early Result and Digital tests, after missed period for Rapid Result test
• Number of tests included: 3
• Result display: 2 analog, 1 digital
• Result time: 1–3 minutes (listed); 30 seconds to 2–3 minutes (in test)
  

Best With Ovulation Test: Frida Fertility Ovulation + Pregnancy Test and Track Set

Why We Like It

If you need to track ovulation before trying to conceive and then ultimately testing for pregnancy, this kit is a cost-effective, nicely packaged way to meet all your conception needs. The Frida Fertility Ovulation + Pregnancy Test and Track Set pregnancy tests were straightforward and easy to use, plus we liked that the kit included a reusable cup and plastic bag for urine collection. The tests gave us clear, easy-to-read results in just a few minutes. And the user-friendly display was simple and intuitive. We didn’t test out the ovulation strips (since our testers were already pregnant), but since you get 30 of them with this kit, it’s reasonably priced for someone going through this whole process.

But Take Note

If you’re not planning to test for ovulation, this kit will include way more supplies than you need (though Frida does also sell a pregnancy test kit). We’ve heard from other customers that the ovulation strips can sometimes be hard to read.

The Details:

• Recommended testing window: 6 days before missed period
• Number of tests included: 2
• Result display: Analog
• Result time: 5 minutes (listed); 3 minutes (in test)
  

Best Budget: Pregmate Pregnancy Test Strips

Why We Like It

If you don’t care about having a plastic testing device or digital features like a smart countdown, the Pregmate Pregnancy Test Strips are a cost-effective way to test often and regularly. We found these tests to be a fast and accurate way to determine pregnancy, with clear testing and control lines. You can still test up to five days before your missed period. Depending on which pack you’re buying, you can pay from $0.29 and $0.44 per strip, which is a pretty great deal for anyone who’ll need to be testing regularly.

But Take Note

We didn’t love that there was no option to insert the strip into a stream of pee, and you pretty much have to pee in a cup and dip these strips into it to collect a sample accurately. Also, according to instructions, the results have to be read right at five minutes and won’t be accurate after that.

The Details:

• Recommended testing window: 5 days before missed period
• Number of tests included: 25 (varies)
• Result display: Analog
• Result time: 5 minutes (listed); less than 1 minute (in test)
  

Best Value: Up & Up Advanced Early Result Pregnancy Test

Why We Like It

Our experts all confirmed that analog tests are just as accurate as digital tests when used correctly, so if you can stockpile the Target Up & Up Advanced Early Result Pregnancy Test on the cheap and still rely on the results, why wouldn’t you? In testing, we found these tests to work quickly and accurately. 

We also liked the longer, wider design of these tests. If you prefer to literally “pee on a stick” rather than in a cup when taking a pregnancy test, the handle makes it much easier (and less messy). 

But Take Note

This is a basic test that isn’t available anywhere other than Target. It’s also more expensive than strip options like Pregmate.

The Details:

• Recommended testing window: 5 days before missed period
• Number of tests included: 2
• Result display: Analog
• Result time: 2 minutes (listed), immediately (in test)