Taking a pregnancy test can be a nerve-wracking experience regardless of the outcome you are hoping for. Choosing a reliable and accurate pregnancy test is crucial to avoid confusion and added stress. These tests work by detecting the hormone hCG in urine, which is produced during pregnancy.
We’ve compiled a list of the best early pregnancy tests based on cost, readability, quick turnaround times, and sensitivity levels for detecting the pregnancy hormone. In this article, you’ll find the perfect pregnancy test for your needs and budget.
Our Top Picks
- Most Sensitive Pregnancy Test: First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test
- Quickest Pregnancy Test: First Response Rapid Result Pregnancy Test
- Best At-Home Pregnancy Test: Easy@Home Pregnancy Test Strips Kit
- Best Digital Pregnancy Test: Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test
- Best Pregnancy Test Strips: MomMed Pregnancy Test Strips
- Best Budget Pregnancy Test: ClinicalGuard Pregnancy Test Strips
- Best Ovulation And Strips Kit: Pregmate Test Strips Predictor Kit
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Early Pregnancy Tests Picks
First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test – Most Sensitive Pregnancy Test
- Easy to use
- Easy to read
- Accurate
- The most sensitive compared to other tests
- Sometimes you’ll get bad indents so just be careful with these. But they generally work really well
This test can give you results as early as six days before your expected period! Plus, it comes with a complimentary EasyRead App that works with the Early Result test, providing you with instant and over 99% accurate* outcomes of “Pregnant” or “Not Pregnant” after scanning your test lines.
This test is capable of detecting most pregnancy hormones, and you’ll have your results in just three minutes. An independent study has shown that this test is the most accurate one for early pregnancy detection and can be used comfortably in the comfort of your own home.
First Response Rapid Result Pregnancy Test – Quickest Pregnancy Test
- Result in 1 minute
- Super sensitive
- Very simple to use
- Make sure to follow the instructions
- A bit pricey
The First Response Rapid Result Pregnancy Test can give you quick results in just one minute, providing relief from the anxiety that comes with waiting. This test is designed to detect the pregnancy hormone with a detection rate of over 99% when used as early as the day of your missed period. The technology of this test quickly isolates and detects the pregnancy hormone in urine, making it possible to get your results in one minute.
Easy@Home Pregnancy Test Strips Kit – Best At-Home Pregnancy Test
- Super easy to use
- Instructions are clear and easy to read
- Comes with 20/25 pieces
- Very cheap
- The line doesn’t get very dark early on
The Easy@Home early pregnancy hCG test strip comes with software, which digitizes and saves test results, can predict ovulation, and monitor periods using a BBT chart. The test is simple to use; dip it in your urine and wait for 5 to 10 seconds for the dye to appear in the result window.
The results are easy to interpret; two lines mean pregnant, while one line indicates not pregnant. hCG concentrations as low as 25 mIU/ml can be detected in less than 5 minutes, and pregnancy can be detected one day prior to the expected period. To keep them safe, each test is packaged in its own pouch for easy storage.
Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test – Best Digital Pregnancy Test
- These tests identify both estrogen and LH
- High/peak usually lines up with other fertility signs like EWCM
- You can use the same holder for your next cycle if you have strips left over
- Very easy to tell when you hit the peak, unlike dip strips which can be difficult to tell
- You can’t be discreet as unwrapping them individually is loud
With Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Tests with Smart Countdown, you’ll receive a clear digital outcome that you can trust. You may get results up to 5 days before your missed period, making it a fantastic choice for women who want to know as soon as possible.
The Smart Countdown feature assures you that the test is running and gives you an estimation of when you’ll get your result in words. You’ll also appreciate the wide tip and built-in Floodguard(TM) Technology, which makes using the test a breeze.
With over 99% accuracy, you can rely on the Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test with Smart Countdown for clear and precise results, beginning on the day you expect your period.
MomMed Pregnancy Test Strips – Best Pregnancy Test Strips
- Urine cups to test
- Easy-to-use test strips
- Directions are clear
- Lots of tests for the price
- The test cups are flimsy and very shallow though they do work
This test works by detecting the presence of hCG, a hormone that is produced during pregnancy and can be found in urine as early as the first few days after conception. With an accuracy rate of over 99%, you can trust the clear and crisp lines to give you an accurate result. Plus, as the pregnancy progresses, the lines on the test will get darker, giving you even more reassurance.
Using Colloidal Gold Technology, these strips are highly sensitive and specific, ensuring reliable results every time. And, with the included larger urine cups, collecting the sample is easy and convenient.
ClinicalGuard Pregnancy Test Strips – Best Budget Pregnancy Test
- These are sensitive
- Easy to read (it’s either yes or no, no indents and no evaporation lines)
- Accurate
- Cheap
- Very small (half the width of most other dip strips)
These strips are a great budget option and are super sensitive, detecting HCG at levels as low as 25mIU, especially during the first eight to ten weeks of pregnancy when HCG levels rise rapidly.
You don’t need to be a scientist to interpret the results. Positive results will show clear colored bands in both the control and test zones, making it easy to see if you’re pregnant. A negative result will show only one color band in the control zone and none in the test zone, indicating that you are not pregnant.
These test strips can provide results in just five minutes and may even detect pregnancy up to five days before your missed period.
Pregmate Test Strips Predictor Kit – Best Ovulation And Strips Kit
- Great bargain
- Easy to read
- Instructions are very easy to understand
- Tests are accurate
- Using these strips is not as easy as just peeing in a cup and testing yourself
Made in the USA, this package offers both cost-effectiveness and dependability. While Pregmate offers several multi-packs for their strip tests, this particular option stands out.
By using an at-home ovulation test kit, you can easily predict ovulation. Simply hold the test strip in your urine stream for three seconds. If you see two visible lines and the test line is equal to or darker than the control line, it’s likely that you will ovulate within the next 24-48 hours.
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How To Choose The Best Pregnancy Test?
- Accuracy: Pregnancy tests vary in their accuracy. Some are more accurate than others. It is important to choose a test that is highly accurate so that you can be sure of the results.
- Sensitivity: Because early pregnancy tests are more sensitive and detect lower hCG levels in your urine, they may provide you with a positive result up to five days earlier. They are more prone to produce a false negative and are less reliable than routine testing.
- Display Method: The majority of at-home pregnancy test kits function by having a piece of paper that changes color in response to the presence of hCG. Consider a digital test if you are concerned about your ability to read a pregnancy test. This straightforward readout displays the words “Not Pregnant” or “Pregnant.” A strip test will show two lines, either parallel or in the shape of a plus sign, signifying pregnancy, and one line or a negative sign for not pregnant.
- Cost: Pregnancy test kits range in price from just under a dollar for bulk purchases with minimal packaging to more than $25 for a single pregnancy test. The effectiveness of a test is not always associated with how much you spend on it.
How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?
Pregnancy tests work by checking for the presence of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a woman’s urine (1). hCG is produced by the placenta shortly after the fertilized egg implants in the uterus. Most pregnancy tests can detect hCG in urine within 10 days of implantation.
What Not To Do Before Taking A Pregnancy Test?
There are a few things you should avoid doing before taking a pregnancy test, as they could potentially impact the accuracy of the test. For example, you should avoid drinking a lot of fluids before taking the test, as this could cause you to produce a diluted urine sample. You also shouldn’t urinate frequently before taking the test, as this could also impact the accuracy. Additionally, you should avoid using any products that could potentially interfere with the test, such as body lotions or oils.
When To Take A Pregnancy Test?
There are a few things to consider when deciding when to take a pregnancy test. One important factor is the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). This hormone is produced by the body during pregnancy and is necessary for the development of the baby.
hCG levels can be detected in urine, and the level of hCG increases as the pregnancy progresses. For this reason, it is recommended to wait until the first day of the missed period to take a pregnancy test, as this gives the body time to produce enough hCG to be detectable in a urine test.
However, the best way to ensure an accurate result is to wait to take the test until at least one week after the missed period. However, some home pregnancy tests on the market claim to be accurate as early as four or five days before the missed period. If you want to take a pregnancy test before a missed period, it is best to check the instructions to see if the test you are using has this claim.
How Many Pregnancy Tests Should I Take?
It ultimately depends on how accurate you want your result to be, and how much money you are willing to spend. If you want to err on the side of caution, you could take multiple pregnancy tests over a period of a few days or weeks. This will help to ensure that you get a definitive answer, one way or the other.
On the other hand, if you are trying to save money, you may want to take just one or two pregnancy tests. Keep in mind that home pregnancy tests are not always 100% accurate, so you may want to take more than one to be sure.
How Accurate Are Pregnancy Tests?
Most home pregnancy tests claim to be about 99 percent accurate if used correctly. However, this percentage can vary depending on the brand of test, when the test is taken, and how early in the pregnancy it is used.
Home pregnancy tests are typically more accurate if they are done closer to the time of a missed period (2). They may not be as accurate if they are done too early in the pregnancy before the level of hCG has risen enough to be detected.
If a home pregnancy test is positive, it means that the test has detected hCG in the urine. A positive result is generally an indication that a woman is pregnant. However, there are a few conditions that can cause a false-positive result. These include ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, and ovarian cysts.
A negative result means that the test has not detected hCG in the urine. A negative result is generally an indication that a woman is not pregnant. However, there are a few conditions that can cause a false-negative result. These include using the test too early in the pregnancy, not using the test according to the instructions, and certain medications.
How Do Home Pregnancy Test Kits Work?
Home pregnancy test kits measure the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine. hCG is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. The level of hCG in your urine increases as your pregnancy progresses.
Most home pregnancy test kits can be used either with your first-morning urine (when hCG levels are highest) or at any time of day. You will need to follow the instructions that come with your kit.
Generally, you will either hold the test strip in your urine stream or collect your urine in a cup and then dip the strip into the urine. The strip will then change color to indicate whether or not you are pregnant.
How Long Does It Take For hCG To Show Up In Urine?
It typically takes about two weeks for hCG to show up in urine after conception. However, this can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the sensitivity of the pregnancy test and the individual’s hCG levels. Some women may notice a faint positive result sooner than two weeks, while others may not get a positive result until after four weeks.
However, some home pregnancy tests are designed to be sensitive enough to detect hCG in the urine at concentrations as low as 25 mIU/mL, so it is possible to get a positive result on a urine test a few days after conception (3).
How Do You Tell If You’re Pregnant Without A Test?
There are a few signs and symptoms that may indicate you are pregnant, such as:
- Missed/Very light period
- Nausea/vomiting
- Fatigue
- Change in appetite
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Frequent urination
Why Do I Feel Pregnant But The Test Is Negative?
There are a few possible explanations for why you might feel pregnant but test negative. It could be that you are experiencing a false pregnancy, which is when your body is fooled into thinking it’s pregnant even though it isn’t. This can happen due to psychological factors or hormonal imbalances.
Another possibility is that you are pregnant but it is too early for a pregnancy test to detect the pregnancy hormone hCG in your urine. Wait 48 hours before retesting if the result is negative but you still feel you are pregnant since the hCG level will usually double within that period.
