Not knowing whether you're pregnant can bring about a whirlwind of emotions - excitement, wonder, and worry. Luckily, with the accuracy and reliability of pregnancy test kits today, finding out whether or not you are actually pregnant is an extremely speedy and fuss-free process.
Not only are the pregnancy tests offered today easy to use, but also easily accessible and can be purchased at any convenience store near you.
When should you take a pregnancy test?
It may be difficult to know when to take a pregnancy test - especially as some of the symptoms associated with early pregnancy are synonymous with premenstrual syndrome.
However, your chances of being pregnant will be higher if you are sexually active.
Aside from missing your period, do look out for the following symptoms that may be early indicators of pregnancy:
How do pregnancy test kits actually work?
Once an egg becomes fertilised, a woman’s body will start to produce a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
Pregnancy test kits are designed to detect this hormone as it rises significantly during the early stages of pregnancy.
Typically, pregnancy test kits can be used in two ways. The first is by holding the stick directly in your stream of urine, and the second is by peeing in a cup and then inserting the stick in the cup.
After that, you will need to lay the stick flat and wait up to a few minutes before your results appear.
How to choose the best pregnancy test kits
Although most of the pregnancy tests available on the market today are accurate and reliable, some tests may have more to offer than others.
Below are some of the factors to consider before choosing which pregnancy test to buy.
- Time taken for Results: Some pregnancy tests are able to produce results faster than others.
- Price: You should choose tests that are appropriately priced and within your budget. This is especially important when you are trying to conceive and need to use the kits regularly.
- Detection Capabilities: Pregnancy tests have different detection capabilities, where the more accurate brands are able to detect your pregnancy earlier than others.
Our 5 Top Picks for Pregnancy Test Kits
To make things easier, here are our recommendations for the 5 best pregnancy test kits:
[product-comparison-table title="Top Picks for Pregnancy Test Kits"]
Earliest Detection Test Kit
First Response Early Result Pregnancy Detection Test Strips is the only brand that can tell you if you are pregnant 6 days before you even miss your period.
Not only is this test kit designed to pick up on trace amounts of hCG, but is guaranteed to be over 99 percent accurate.
Additionally, it is easy to use and results are displayed where 2 pink lines indicate pregnancy and a single red line indicates not pregnant.
Features We Love:
- Able to tell you if your pregnant 6 days before your period is due.
- Easy to use.
- Over 99% accurate.
- Award winning pregnancy test.
- Includes 2 tests.
- Quick results in 2 minutes.
Cons:
- More pricey than other brands.
Most Value for Money Test Kit
The Presio Diagnostics Early Midstream Pregnancy Test Kit is easy to use and even has an accuracy of above 99 percent!
It comes in a twin pack and is easy to use. You only need to dip the absorbent tip in your stream of urine for 10 seconds before results start to form.
It should be used after you missed your period, and results take three to five minutes.
Features We Love:
- Easy to use.
- Includes 2 tests.
- Over 99% accurate.
Cons:
- Cannot be used before your missed period.
Most Detailed Test Kit
With an accuracy of above 99 percent, the Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test has a unique special feature where it is able to tell you how far along you are, so you have a better gauge of when you are due.
Moreover, this test has high detection capabilities, and can detect trace amounts of hCG up to 4 days before your period is due.
Features We Love:
- Able to tell you if your pregnant 4 days before your period is due.
- Able to tell you how far along you are in weeks!
- Easy to use.
- Over 99% accurate.
- Quick results within 3 minutes.
Cons:
- More pricey than other brands.
Highest Assurance Test Kit
While the FIRST RESPONSE, Triple Check Pregnancy is the most expensive Pregnancy Test Kit on this list, this is definitely justifiable as it comes with 3 different test kits.
Each test is to be taken at a different time to learn your results, giving its users maximum assurance.
Features We Love:
- Provides 3 different ways to test for pregnancy.
- Easy to use.
- Over 99% accurate.
- Comes with:
- Early Results Test: Test as early as 6 days before the day of your missed period and read your result after 3 minutes.
- Digital Test: Test again before the day of your missed period and read your result after 3 minutes.
- Rapid Result Test: Test on the day of your missed period and read your result after 60 seconds.
Cons:
- Significantly pricier than other brands.
Quickest Results Test Kit
The Predictor Express Pregnancy Test Kit is by far the fastest test kit on the market, in terms of result speed. It is easy to use and has a very high accuracy of over 99 percent.
However, one con is that it can only be used after the day of your missed period.
Features We Love:
- Must be used after your missed period.
- Over 99% accurate from the day of your missed period.
- Easy to use.
- Exceptionally quick results within 1 minute.
Cons:
- Cannot be used before your missed period.
Price Comparison
Here’s a price comparison table of the best pregnancy test kits on the market today:
Note: Each item and price is up to date as of publication, however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
Tips for using pregnancy test kits
Use first-morning urine
First-morning urine exhibits the highest concentration of hCG, thus it would be best to take the pregnancy test in the morning.
Follow the instructions
While different pregnancy tests generally contain similar instructions, it's important to follow them clearly and carefully in case there are some specifics you must do to obtain an accurate result.
For instance, some tests state how long you need to wait before results are produced and when the test is no longer valid to be read.
Use a cup (if you need to)
Sometimes it can be hard to control your stream of urine, especially when aiming for such a small area of contact that is the absorbent tip.
Thus, it may be better and more convenient to collect your urine in a cup and dip the absorbent tip into it for the recommended amount of time.
Here's another bunch of pregnancy test kits you can choose from. Read: Pregnancy Test Kit: A Guide to Knowing You're Pregnant
