The 8 Best At-Home COVID-19 Tests, Tested and Reviewed

We Also Tested

• Quidel QuickVue At-Home COVID-19 Test: This test has clear instructions and less packaging waste, but a slightly different testing process, which could be confusing if you’re used to doing most of the other at-home tests on the market now.    
• Ellume COVID Test Kit: The app-based results are definitive and provide the next steps if you test positive, but both the instructions and the results can only be viewed on the app. This limits the use of this test to people with a smartphone (and savvy enough to use the app). 
• BD Veritor At-Home COVID-19 Test Kit: Because the test results are displayed as “positive” or “negative” on the app, there’s no mistaking your results with this test. But there are no printed instructions, only a lengthy in-app video. It also includes a lot of unnecessary, wasteful components.

Our Experts

• Michael Blaivas, MD, chief medical officer at Anavasi Diagnostics
• Sanjeev Jain, MD, PhD, a board-certified allergist and immunologist 
• Wilbur Lam, MD, PhD, professor, and W. Paul Bowers research chair in the department of pediatrics 
• Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, professor of medicine and associate division chief of the division of HIV, infectious diseases, and global medicine at UCSF/San Francisco General Hospital

How We Tested the At-Home COVID-19 Tests

Under the guidance of medical professionals, we tested 22 at-home COVID-19 test kits in the Verywell Testing Lab. Because of the limitations of rapid antigen tests, we couldn’t evaluate the tests for accuracy; instead, we focused on the testing process and the results delivered, considering how each test worked, how easy it was to follow the instructions, and how quickly and clearly the results were given.

• Speed: We timed each COVID-19 test to see if the results appeared in the time frame given by the instructions. We made note if we received our results faster or if there we complications as we were waiting for them.
• Readability of Results: We assessed every test for how easy it was to understand the results. We made sure to take note of any confusing instructions and how often we needed to consult them on how to move forward with the testing process.
• Performance: We considered how easy it was to use the test and whether our results felt reliable. The clearer and more precise the results, the better.  

The Difference Between Antigen and Molecular Tests

There are two primary types of at-home COVID-19 tests available on the market: antigen tests and molecular (such as PCR) tests.

• Antigen: An antigen test uses body fluid (often from a nasal swab) to detect specific proteins from the virus in your system. Antigen tests can provide results quickly and easily, making them ideal for at-home use. However, these tests are most accurate when there’s a high viral load present. Because of this, people who have COVID-19 and only have a small viral load at the time of the test could potentially receive a false negative result. 
• Molecular/PCR: A molecular test (including polymerase chain reaction tests or PCRs) can indicate a COVID-19 infection by detecting genetic material from the virus in your system. While molecular tests take longer due to lab processing (with a speed of up to seven days depending on your location), they’re more accurate than antigen tests. The test is considered “highly sensitive,” resulting in minimal false negative results. This type of test is best if you’re planning ahead, can wait a bit longer for results, and are prioritizing test accuracy. 

What to Look for in At-Home COVID-19 Tests

• Results Speed: While PRC tests can take several days to give you a result, most antigen tests provide results in anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, making them a better choice in terms of speed, says Sanjeev Jain, MD, PhD. When using an antigen test make sure you’re paying close attention to the instructions from start to finish, including how to read the results, he notes.
• Accuracy and Recalls: It’s important to note that several at-home COVID-19 tests have been recalled for false positives or negatives, though this is less likely to occur now that manufacturing processes have become more uniform and regulations have become better understood, says Dr. Seheult. We are closely monitoring the recalls in this product category and will update this document immediately as needed.
• Method of Collection: A COVID-19 test sample can be collected in three ways: nasal swab, oral swab, and saliva “spit tube.” You should consider the user before choosing a test—kids, for example, may be more willing participants for a spit test than a nasal swab—but it’s important to know that not all collection methods are created equal. Dr. Jain mentions that studies have shown that nasal and saliva tests are more accurate when it comes to detecting COVID-19.
• FDA Emergency Use Authorization: Just because your local drugstore is selling it doesn’t mean a certain test is a smart purchase. If it hasn’t been authorized by the FDA, you should pass it over for one that has. Our roundup only includes tests that have been authorized by the FDA. Dr. Morris explains that the FDA keeps a list of authorized tests and that using an FDA-authored test means that it meets performance and quality control standards. Be wary of cheap, unbranded tests, especially if they lack instructions. Dr. Blaivas recommends checking the FDA’s medical device recalls website to make sure the test you’re considering hasn’t been pulled from the market because it doesn’t detect newer mutations of COVID-19, since that affects the test’s accuracy.

Are At-Home Covid-19 Tests Accurate?

You can trust the results from an at-home COVID-19 test with some caveats. Dr. Jain says that the ability to find COVID-19 in a self-collected sample is similar to one taken by a healthcare provider. The exposure timeline matters the most: you may need to test once and then wait a few days (when your viral load could be higher) to test again for the most accurate results. This may be needed if you develop symptoms after the first antigen test. Dr. Morris explains that it’s important to follow the specific instructions of each test as written by the manufacturer from start to results. Each test is a little different, and no one should assume that they know what to do based on past experiences or intuition.

Why Trust Verywell Health

Sarah Bradley has been writing health content since 2017: everything from product roundups and illness FAQs to nutrition explainers and the dish on diet trends. She knows how important it is to receive trustworthy and expert-approved advice about over-the-counter products that help you manage everyday conditions. Although she didn’t personally test the cooling pillows featured in this list, she has experience testing other personal care products for Verywell Health—and as a migraine sufferer, she understands the importance of finding a pillow that improves your sleep instead of keeping you up at night.

Brittany Johnson has been working at Verywell Health as a commerce writer since 2022 and has been writing professionally for over a decade. She takes COVID-19 very seriously and has tried different methods of COVID-19 testing. The iHealth Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test is her favorite test that she’s used due to the simplicity of the test and straightforward nature. Keeping our community safe starts with the individual, and she tries to do her part by frequently testing whenever she can.