best buys
The best pregnancy tests 2023
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Pregnancy tests can be expensive, and if you're trying to conceive the cost can really start to add up.
Some women can tell as soon as they fall pregnant – whether it's down to a mystical sixth sense or just morning sickness kicking in early.
You can buy pregnancy tests which tell you how many weeks you are, ideal for women who have sporadic periods and may not be able to pinpoint when they conceived.
We've selected some great tests to suit everyone, whether you're a bulk-buyer or prefer to make one more expensive investment.
1. Clearblue pregnancy test with weeks indicator, (two digital tests)
*Best for women who want to know the details
*Lets you know how many weeks pregnant you are
*Perfect for using if you're unsure when you conceived
*Pack of two, just to be sure, plus it clearly displays 'not pregnant' if you haven't conceived
This test is a great choice if you know you're pregnant but have no idea how many weeks – perhaps you have an irregular period or can't remember when your last one was. Of course, you could just wait for your first appointment with a doctor or midwife, but the more impatient among us will want to know immediately!
2. Pregnancy test strips (pack of 15)
*Best for the bulk-buyers
*15 tests, ideal for women who want to make extra, extra sure – and it tests up to six days earlier than your missed period
*Wider width strip makes them easier to use
*Can be taken at any time of the day, and won't be affected by contraceptive medication, alcohol, paracetamol or other common drugs.
These testing strips are a good choice for women who want to make extra sure that they're pregnant without spending a fortune on buying lots of more expensive tests. Not only do they test up to six days earlier, they also only cost £3.25 for 15 tests! They're over 99% accurate, too.
3. First Response early result pregnancy test (pack of two)
*Super early detection – this test can be used six days earlier than your missed period
*Pack of two tests so you can double check
*Uses lines to show whether you're pregnant or not
*Detects hormone levels consistent with pregnancy in 76% of women 6 days before the day of missed period
Have a feeling you're pregnant, but haven't missed your period yet? This test detects pregnancy super early, which can be a lifesaver if you have an event planned where there will be alcohol, but it's right before your period is due.
4. Clearblue easy pregnancy test
*Best if you just want a simple pregnancy test
*Over 99% accurate from the day you expect your period
*With an easy to use and handle shape
Just want a test which will tell you if you're pregnant or not? These Clearblue easy tests are simple to use and fuss-free. You can test four days early, and a positive is indicated by a cross. Plus, you get two in a pack, so any faint positive can be re-tested a few days later. The handle is easy to grip, and these tests are ideal if you have recently missed a period or if it's late.
5. Clearblue rapid detection, £10.99
*Best if you hate waiting for results
*Detects hormone levels in blood and displays a result in as little as a minute
*Highly accurate and easy to understand
If you're in a real hurry, these tests display a result in as little as a minute. The box comes with two tests, so you can be doubly sure of the result. Test from the day of your missed period for the best results, plus these tests are easy to use thanks to their ergonomic handle and clear display.
How much does a pregnancy test cost?
Pregnancy tests range in price from next to nothing to £15 or thereabouts.
The cheapest ones, unsurprisingly, are low on features but are just as accurate as the more expensive branded ones.
Believe it or not, you’ll even find these on the shelves of your local pound shop.
Spending a little more will get you a supermarket pregnancy test kit that tells you if you’re pregnant by means of coloured lines or spots, which appear if they detect pregnancy hormones in your urine.
The more expensive tests have additional features that make them easier to read, such as a definitive ‘yes or no’ reading rather than a combination of lines.
Max the budget, and you’ll be able to buy a pregnancy test that will tell you how many weeks pregnant you are.
What to look for
All pregnancy tests work in the same way – by detecting levels of pregnancy hormone in your urine.
That means you’ll need to pee on the test stick, or collect some urine in a clean container and dip the stick into it.
After a few minutes, the test will reveal whether or not you’re pregnant.
The cheapest pregnancy tests are simple, flimsy dipsticks similar to the type your doctor would use to check your urine for infection.
They’re very basic, and you’ll need to dip-test your urine rather than weeing on the stick, but because they’re so inexpensive, they’re good if you’re a serial pregnancy tester.
If you’re less used to doing pregnancy tests, a kit that spells out more clearly whether you’re pregnant or not – and how far along you are – takes the guesswork out of testing.
These are more expensive but less hassle as you just pee on the stick rather than having to collect a sample.
Most pregnancy tests are about 99 per cent accurate if you test on or after the day your period was due.
False positives are extremely rare, but negative results are more likely to be incorrect, for example if you test too early.
You can buy ‘early response’ tests that aim to tell you whether you’re pregnant before your period is due.
These work by detecting smaller amounts of pregnancy hormone than standard tests, but the earlier you test, the less reliable the result will be.
Pregnancy tests are often sold in packs of two so if you’re not convinced by the result, you can try again a few days later – or if it’s a negative, save the spare test for your next cycle.
Need to know
If you get a negative result but are sure you’re pregnant – the best tactic is to wait a few days and then test again.
Because home pregnancy tests are so accurate, your doctor is likely to take your word for it if you tell him you’re pregnant – it’s rare that he’ll want to do another test to confirm your pregnancy.
Bear in mind that some medications can affect the result of your pregnancy test, including some fertility treatments.
You can check the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine to see whether it’s likely to have an impact.
