9 FDA-Authorized At-Home COVID-19 Tests You Can Order Online
Amazon
Editor's note: As of January 17, 2022, Americans are eligible to receive free rapid COVID-19 tests sent directly to their homes. Each household qualifies for four free tests, which are expected to ship in seven to 12 days. To place your order, visit special.usps.com/testkits.
Coronavirus cases have hit an all-time high across the United States, which means more people than ever are getting tested regularly. While finding an appointment to get tested may be difficult right now (depending on your location), the Food and Drug Administration has authorized several at-home COVID-19 tests for emergency usage, so people can still test themselves in a timely manner if they are experiencing symptoms or believe they've been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
The FDA has authorized a number of at-home rapid antigen and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 tests, which are the two types of tests typically offered at official testing sites. To find out if a test you own or want to purchase is FDA-authorized, search the name on the site's antigen diagnostic tests page for rapid tests, or the molecular diagnostic tests page for PCR options.
Home tests sold at major drug stores like Walgreens and CVS continue to be limited in stock, but there are still plenty of options available online. As of January 15, 2022, COVID-19 tests purchased online are eligible for reimbursement through select health care insurance companies. If your provider has not set up a preferred network of pharmacies or online retailers, you can keep the receipt for your test and submit a claim for reimbursement. If your provider has set up a network of preferred retailers, you can still purchase tests outside of that network for up to $12 per test. For more information regarding at-home test reimbursements, go to cms.gov.
Here are nine FDA-authorized at-home COVID-19 tests you can order right now:
iHealth COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test, 2 Pack, $17.98; amazon.com
On/Go At-Home COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test, 2 Pack, $24.88 (orig. $39.99); amazon.com
BD Veritor Rapid COVID-19 Digital Test Kit, $34.06 (orig. $39.99); amazon.com
DxTerity COVID-19 Saliva At-Home PCR Test Kit, $80.75 with coupon (orig. $99); amazon.com
Lucira Check It COVID-19 PCR Test Kit, $75 with coupon (orig. $89); amazon.com
EmpowerDX At-Home COVID-19 PCR Test, $99.99; amazon.com
Everlywell COVID-19 PCR Test Home Collection Kit, $109; everlywell.com
Indicaid Rapid Home Antigen Test, 25 Pack, $300 (orig. $500); shopmaskc.com
Detect COVID-19 Starter Kit, $75 (orig. $88); detect.com
iHealth COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test
Amazon
At $18 for a pack of two tests, the iHealth at-home COVID-19 test is one of the most affordable options on the market right now. (It's also Amazon's best-selling clinical diagnostic test.) The rapid antigen test requires a self-administered nasal swab, and results can be detected within 15 minutes. iHealth says the test can be used for those aged 2 and above; persons 15 and older can collect their own test samples, while adult administration is required for ages 2 to 14. The brand also has an app that can be used to track results for larger groups who are testing at once.
Buy It! iHealth COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test, 2 Pack, $17.98; amazon.com
On/Go At-Home COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test
Amazon
On/Go's rapid antigen nasal swab test claims to have one of the speediest results compared to its competitors, detecting a positive or negative result in just 10 minutes with 95 percent accuracy, according to the brand. It features a user-friendly app that provides test instructions, helps you correctly interpret sample results, and lets you store and share historical data. The nasal swab test can be used on anyone ages 2 and up.
Buy It! On/Go At-Home COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test, 2 Pack, $24.88 (orig. $39.99); amazon.com
BD Veritor Rapid COVID-19 Digital Test Kit
Amazon
The BD Veritor test has been a popular option among Amazon shoppers; it's currently the third best-selling clinical diagnostic test kit on the site and has even sold out a couple of times, but it's back in stock (for now). The two-pack of rapid tests requires a smartphone to scan your results, which are then interpreted in 15 minutes via the free Scanwell Health app. More than 1,100 customers have left the kit a five-star rating, saying it's "easy to use" and that they "love the app element."
Buy It! BD Veritor Rapid COVID-19 Digital Test Kit, $34.06 (orig. $39.99); amazon.com
DxTerity COVID-19 Saliva At-Home PCR Test Kit
Amazon
Unlike the more common nasal swab tests, DxTerity is a PCR COVID-19 test that uses a saliva sample. To complete the test, register your kit at DxTerity.com, collect your saliva sample in the tube provided by following the included instructions, and ship the sample the same day at a FedEx location. (DxTerity provides a prepaid mailing label.) You will be sent an email when your results are available, which many reviewers say was about 24 to 48 hours later.
Buy It! DxTerity COVID-19 Saliva At-Home PCR Test Kit, $80.75 with coupon (orig. $99); amazon.com
Lucira Check It COVID-19 Molecular Test Kit
Amazon
Lucira's at-home molecular test is more sensitive than a rapid antigen test, per the brand. It falls somewhere in between a rapid and PCR test based on the way it works — it detects genetic material from the virus similar to a PCR test, but in a fast, 30-minute time frame (similar to a rapid test) and without the need to send it to a lab. Unlike other nasal swab tests, the sample reader is a small device — instead of a flat pamphlet — that lights up to let you know whether your test is positive or negative. It's approved for ages 2 and up.
Buy It! Lucira Check It COVID-19 PCR Test Kit, $75 with coupon (orig. $89); amazon.com
EmpowerDX At-Home COVID-19 PCR Test
Amazon
The EmpowerDX at-home PCR COVID-19 test requires a nasal swab collection that is mailed the same day to a laboratory, which processes your sample and gives you results within 48 hours after receiving it. (The brand provides a prepaid FedEx mailing label.) EmpowerDX claims its test is "airline approved," and a few shoppers say it worked smoothly for flights that require a negative test before departure and general traveling. However, if you intend to use an at-home test for traveling, it is recommended to refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's travel guidelines and pay careful attention to the timeline for receiving the results.
Buy It! EmpowerDX At-Home COVID-19 PCR Test, $99.99; amazon.com
Everlywell COVID-19 PCR Test Home Collection Kit
Everylywell
Everlywell is known for its wide array of home health tests, including allergy and food sensitivity options, and its at-home COVID-19 test was one of the first to hit the market during the pandemic. While it uses a similar process of other at-home PCR tests — you'll mail back a nasal swab sample to a laboratory for results in 24 to 48 hours — one standout feature is that if you test positive, a health consultant is available to guide you through the next steps. Everlywell recommends its test for people 18 and older and does not currently offer one for children.
Buy It! Everlywell COVID-19 PCR Test Home Collection Kit, $109; everlywell.com
Indicaid Rapid At-Home Antigen Test
Maskc
If you're looking for a bulk pack of tests, you can purchase a 25-pack of Indicaid's rapid COVID-19 test via Maskc's website, an online retailer known for its celebrity-loved face masks. Indicaid's nasal swab test works similarly to other rapid tests, and you can expect results in about 20 minutes. Right now the 25-test pack is on sale for $300 from its original $500 price point, making each individual test's value about $12.
Buy It! Indicaid Rapid At-Home Antigen Test, $300 (orig. $500); shopmask.com
Detect COVID-19 Starter Kit
Detect
Detect's molecular test works similarly to Lucira's at-home COVID test — it'll provide you with "PCR-quality" results in an hour, without having to send your results to a lab. The brand's starter kit comes with one nasal swab test and a reusable hub that is required to process the results of the test. PEOPLE's Style and Beauty Director, Andrea Lavinthal, recommends Detect's at-home test: "Of all the tests I've tried, Detect is definitely the most high-quality — the La Mer of the at-home Covid tests, if you will."
Due to high demand, Detect's test kits are restocked daily at 12 p.m. EST, so they may be sold out depending on the time of day you visit the website.
Buy It! Detect COVID-19 Starter Kit, $77 (orig. $88); detect.com
