There are dozens of pregnancy tests available, but which is the best pregnancy test? Most tests will use a similar pregnancy detection method (more on that soon), so they are all fairly accurate.
The main difference is how sensitive a test is (yes, accuracy ratings are important).
How Pregnancy Tests Work
Before reviewing any product, it’s important to know how these tests work. It’s a scientific method that is used in virtually every over-the-count test.
Using a woman’s urine, pregnancy tests are able to determine if a woman is pregnant or not. A special hormone, called hCG, is found in the urine of a woman that is pregnant, and is produced by the placenta.
All of the tests, aside from blood tests, will use a woman’s urine to find a sufficient amount of the pregnancy hormone hCG. This hormone takes a few weeks to build up to a sufficient level for detection.
Most tests will have a sensitivity of 20 – 25 miU/ml. The lower this measurement is, the earlier the pregnancy can be detected.
The best early pregnancy test will have a low miU/ml. The absolute minimum amount of hCG that can be detected is 5 miU/ml, but no current over-the-counter tests go quite this low.
Top 3 Pregnancy Tests Comparison
1. First Response Early Result Review
The #1 best seller in Amazon’s Pregnancy Tests category. First Response Early Result is the premiere choice for one reason: its low miU/ml level.
Due to the lower miU, this test can accurately predict pregnancy up to 6 days before a woman’s missed period.
Usage
Usage is simple and easy. A woman simply urinates on the front of the test and waits for the test to display one or two lines.
- One line means not
- Two lines means pregnant.
Simple to read and use, the test will display the result in just 3 minutes. It’s recommended that the test be used in the morning and 6 days before a missed period for best results.
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Technical Information
There are a few technical and statistical specifications that First Response provides:
- It’s the only test that can work 6 days before a missed period.
- Tests show that 76% of woman used First Response 5 days before their missed period with 100% accuracy.
- Women that use this test 4 days before a missed period can expect an accuracy level of 96%.
- A 99% detection rate is seen when the test is taken 3 days before a missed period, or after the missed period.
As far as miU/ml is concerned, the manufacturer has not listed the exact detection level. While many users state the test indicated pregnancy early on, one study conducted by CBS shows that First Response can predict pregnancy with as little as 6.5 miU/ml.
This is such a low amount that it is close to the amount of hCG doctors would expect near the date of implantation. First Response has the best early pregnancy test on the market today.
First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test, 3 tests, Packaging May Vary
Pros
- Extremely accurate
- Low level of sensitivity
- Detects pregnancy up to 6 days before a missed period
Cons
- Lines can be faint
There are currently 534 customer reviews for this product with an average 4.3 star rating. The only complaint is that the lines that indicate pregnancy are very faint, so they can be very hard to see.
This is not a common issue, but it does seem to occur in some tests. First Response Early Response is a highly recommend pregnancy test that is highly accurate and provides the earliest detection on the market.
2. Clearblue Pregnancy Test Review
Clearblue’s Advanced Pregnancy Test is like having 2 tests in one: a pregnancy test and a week estimator. Available in a 3-pack, Clearblue is very accurate and deserving of a position on our top 3 best pregnancy test list.
Usage
Usage is as simple as First Response, but a little easier to actually read. The way to use this is simple:
- Urinate on the stick.
- Wait until the LED display illuminates.
It’s really that simple. The display will say “pregnant” followed by how many weeks pregnant a woman is according to the estimator.
This is indicated in the following manner:
- 1-2 for 1 to 2 weeks into pregnancy.
- 2-3 for 2 to 3 weeks into pregnancy.
- 3+ indicates that you’re 3 or more weeks into pregnancy.
One of the major benefits to this test is that it does not have hard-to-read lines, and the wait time is very minimal. Ultimately, this is the easiest test on the market to reads, and you won’t have to worry about test strips drying out, which does occur on occasion.
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Technical Information
The technical information provided is as follows:
- Works as a 2-in-1 test for pregnancy and weekly estimator since ovulation has occurred.
- Predicts pregnancy up to 5 days before a missed cycle.
- The #1 choice among OB/GYNs. (According to the manufacturer.)
- A 99% accuracy rate.
- A sensitivity of 25miu/ml.
- 65% of women detect pregnancy 5 days sooner.
- 90% of women detect pregnancy 4 days sooner.
- 97% of women detect pregnancy 3 days sooner.
- 98% of women predict pregnancy 2 days sooner.
Accuracy in detection rate 2 days sooner than a woman’s next menstrual cycle begins is lower than First Response, yet it is still very accurate.
Clearblue Advanced Pregnancy Test With Weeks Estimator, 3 Count
Pros
- Easy-to-read digital display.
- Detection up to 5 days before a missed period.
- Comes in a pack of 3.
- Includes week estimator.
Cons
- The week estimator is not highly accurate.
The week estimator is not highly accurate, with many women stating that the test indicated “1-2” weeks in the morning, and during a same-day retest, the results were “2-3” weeks. The biggest issue is urine dilution, which may lead to the wrong week estimator results.
The estimator measures the amount of hCG in the body, so there is a certain level of error involved. The Clearblue pregnancy test provides highly accurate results and even includes a weeks estimator.
This highly recommended pregnancy test has 320, 4 star reviews on Amazon and is recommended by OB/GYNs across the world.
3. Wondfo Pregnancy Test Review
One of the most highly rated tests on Amazon. The Wondfo pregnancy test strips are medical-grade and highly accurate.
Unlike other tests on our list, these tests are strips, and they come in a pack of 25, although a pack of 50 can be purchased. Despite the large number of strips, these tests are around the same price range as other tests – so you can keep testing minus the cost.
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Usage
Usage is also a little different with test strips than with other tests. This is what you’ll need to do:
- Urinate into a cup.
- Place the test strip in the cup.
- Let the strip sit in the urine for 3 seconds.
- Take the strip out and place it flat on a table.
Once this is all done, you’ll have to wait about 5 minutes before the results are seen. Results are a little more difficult to read with this model than other tests.
This is done in the following manner:
- Positive : Indicated by two solid lines.
- Negative : Indicated by a top solid line.
- Invalid : Indicated by no lines or by only a bottom line.
The top line is a control line that will display regardless of the level of hCG in the urine. If the line is not displayed, this means the test is invalid and you will need to redo the test.
Technical Information
The following technical information is provided:
- The test takes 5 minutes to display results.
- A sensitivity level of 25 miU/ml.
- Detection up to as little as 11 miU/ml.
The product does not include any accuracy information, but users love this product, so it does produce quality results.
Wondfo Pregnancy Test Strips, 25-count medical
Pros
- 25 strips are included.
- The test takes 5 minutes to display results.
- Detects pregnancy early on.
Cons
- No accuracy statistics available.
In terms of accuracy, there aren’t statistics listed by the manufacturer. However, tens of thousands of consumers have used these test strips with a high level of accuracy.
It’s safe to assume the medical-grade strips come with as much accuracy as the two previous tests on our list, but remember, this is a 25 miU/ml test, which doesn’t come with a 6 or 5 day early prediction statement. Wondfo is a trusted brand in pregnancy testing.
While this model may not predict early pregnancy, it has been able to predict pregnancy with as little hCG as 11 miU/ml. With 800+ reviews and a 4.1 out of 5 star rating, these test strips are best in terms of value – you get more for your money.
Final Assessment
In terms of early detection, we recommend choosing the First Response Early Result due to it providing the earliest possible pregnancy detection on the market. The Clearblue test beats First Response in terms of ease-of-use, and comes with an LED display that is very easy to read, so you won’t squint to see the lines.
The Wondfo is the perfect choice if you want to conduct multiple tests. They come in a packs of 25 or 50 and are rated as medical-grade.