How sensitive are easy at home hcg tests

No matter your desired outcome, taking a pregnancy test can be one of the most frantic and nerve-wracking experiences. The results determine the trajectory of the next, oh, 18+ years of your life and can bring about an enormously wide range of emotions.

If you’ve been trying to conceive for some time, you’re probably familiar with ovulation tests and have imagined the immense joy you’ll feel when you see those double lines staring back at you on an actual pregnancy test. It’s a rush of excitement, anxiety, and sheer happiness that can seem almost intangible when you’re on your 5th+ month (or 5th+ year) of peeing on sticks.

RELATED: Not Sure When To Take a Pregnancy Test? This Calculator Will Help

But even if this is your first time at the at-home pregnancy test rodeo, the experience is usually an incredibly personal process. This is why it’s nice that tests are sold over the counter and at a somewhat affordable price. They work by detecting the levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) (aka the pregnancy hormone) in your urine, which usually become present a few days after fertilization and then multiplies at a rapid pace every few days after.

It usually takes anywhere from 2-5 minutes for the test to show results, typically in the form of two lines to indicate a positive and one line to indicate a negative. If you think you’re pregnant and got a negative result, test again in a few days, since it’s possible that your levels of HCG simply aren’t high enough. This means you’ll likely need a handful of tests each month of trying to conceive (you can buy in multiples rather than in single packs to save a little on cost).

Here are some of the most trusted and user-friendly pregnancy tests on the market for 2020.

Whether you’re expecting or trying to conceive, consider stocking up on these pregnancy essentials that’ll come in handy during those nine months and beyond.

This article was originally published on July 13, 2020

Best Overall

First Response Early Result

  • Accurate up to six days before a missed period
  • Offers two ways to read results

How sensitive are easy at home hcg tests

Best Affordable

Easy@Home Pregnancy Test Strips

  • Each test strip costs only $0.45
  • Straightforward and easy to use

How sensitive are easy at home hcg tests

Best Easy-to-Read Digital

Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test with Smart Countdown

  • Test results up to five days before a missed period
  • Countdown feature shows you the test is working

How sensitive are easy at home hcg tests

Best Strips

Pregmate Pregnancy Urine Test Strips

  • Each box contains 50 strips
  • Most affordable option for repeated testing

How sensitive are easy at home hcg tests

Best for Early Testing

Clearblue Early Detection

  • Accurate up to six days before a missed period
  • Extra-wide tip for easy sampling

How sensitive are easy at home hcg tests

Best Biodegradable

Lia

  • Biodegradable tests made from natural fibers
  • Contains no plastic and is flushable

How sensitive are easy at home hcg tests

Best for Peace of Mind

First Response Triple Check Pregnancy Test Kit

  • Three different test types in one kit
  • Sensitive to all forms of pregnancy hormones

How sensitive are easy at home hcg tests

Best Starter Kit

Easy@Home Ovulation and Pregnancy Test Kit

  • Ovulation and pregnancy test together in one kit
  • Free app tracks your results and ovulation cycle

How sensitive are easy at home hcg tests

What level of hCG does EASY HOME detect?

Levels of hCG as low as 25 mIU/ml (FDA standard, For USA and Canada only) can be detected at 5 minutes. Results are over 99% accurate! Pregnancy is detectable 1 day before expected period. Each test is sealed in an individual pouch.

What pregnancy tests detect the lowest amount of hCG?

That said, when testing at home, the most accurate pregnancy test is one sensitive enough to detect hCG before a missed period. Based on our list, First Response Early Result is the most accurate home pregnancy test.

Are hCG tests sensitive?

Out of 18 brands tested, only one, the First Response Early Result Test, was sensitive enough to "consistently detect 12.5 mIU (milli-International Units per milliliter of urine) of hCG, considering the manufacturer's suggested read time, and produced both clear and faintly discernible positive results" on the first ...

How sensitive is first response to hCG?

Results: First Response Early Result had an analytical sensitivity of 6.3 mIU/mL, which was estimated to detect greater than 95% of pregnancies on the day of missed period.