Stay Prepared and Stock Up on These At-Home COVID Tests Ahead of the Next Surge

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As COVID-19 variant EG.5, nicknamed “Eris,” continues to spread across the U.S., it’s important to be prepared ahead of a possible infection by stocking up on the best at-home COVID tests. So once symptoms begin, you can test quickly from the comfort of your home.

Meet the experts: Linda Yancey, M.D., an infectious diseases specialist at Memorial Hermann Hospital; and Peter Kasson, M.D., Ph.D., B.S., of University of Virginia’s departments of Molecular Physiology and Biomedical Engineering.

As we head into our fourth year of life with the novel Coronavirus, at-home tests have come a long way. Now, instead of waiting in line for hours for a free rapid test, there are over a dozen options to choose from online. And now that most insurance companies no longer reimburse your COVID-19 tests, finding an affordable and reliable option is so important. While many experts won’t recommend a specific brand, both Linda Yancey, M.D., an infectious diseases specialist at Memorial Hermann Hospital; and Peter Kasson, M.D.,Ph.D., B.S., of University of Virginia’s departments of Molecular Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, pointed to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s page for at home COVID tests. It’s also important to note that many tests have what is called an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), which basically speeds up the approval process.

Our top picks

“For at-home COVID tests, the most important thing is testing early and often,” explains Dr. Kasson. “A positive result from most at-home tests means you probably have COVID, but a negative result is less informative. So it’s good to look for an FDA-authorized test (pretty much everything you can buy) that you can test repeatedly with. If you want to go down the rabbit hole a bit more, you can try to choose particular tests that are highly sensitive: these are often a bit more expensive but a negative result would mean you probably don’t have COVID.”

We tested the most popular options, and with the help of our experts, narrowed down the best home COVID tests to add to your medicine cabinet.

COVID-19 Antigen Self Test, 1 Pack, 2 Tests

Abbott’s BinaxNOW COVID-19 antigen self-tests have become a staple in my home, after having contracted COVID-19 twice in five months. I find the test card easy to use and read (the red positive line showed up quickly the two times I tested positive), the nasal swab easy to hold, but the dropper of the solution is sometimes difficult to wield. Overall these are my go-to COVID tests. And, they have a shelf life of 22 months, meaning I can rest easy knowing that these will last me a while—hopefully.

At-Home OTC COVID-19 2 Test Kits

Prevention Associate Editor, Madeleine Haase, has used QuickView, saying, “It was helpful to have the holding spot for the sample vial while administering the test, not all tests include that helpful feature!” She also noted “very easy-to-follow instructions.” Health News Room Senior Editor Alyssa Jung also uses these at-home tests, recommending them for their ease of use.

COVID Test Kit

If deciphering a faint red line isn’t for you, then ellume’s COVID test’s smartphone app’s clear indication of “positive” or “negative” results is a great alternative. Though, it’s important to note that iterations of this test were recalled in 2021, but should no longer be on shelves. Be sure to cross-reference the recalled lots to make sure you’re purchasing the right ones.

This test is a bit more involved, requiring a smartphone component and the downloading of an app which then walks you through step-by-step instructions. The test comes with processing fluid, a nasal swab, a dropper, and an analyzer (where your sample goes). Its generally a similar process to other tests on this list, but a bit more involved in that you need to watch a video on your phone to use it.

COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test

I’ve used this test a couple of times and was pleasantly surprised to find how simple it is. Though the price tag might be jarring at first, keep in mind that there are five tests per box. However, you do have to insert a top into the dropper, which can be difficult. Prevention Editor in Chief Sarah Smith has used this test multiple times. “My family ended up with a stockpile of these, since they were the brand of choice for our public school system, which sent home two tests a week for several months,” she says. “It’s easy to use and the instructions are clear, so I came to rely on it for all the testing we do!”

Amazon shoppers love the home test, giving it over 200,000 reviews and accumulating nearly five stars.

COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test

With two tests per pack and a short 15-minute wait time for results, the Celltrion DiaTrust is another great test. It does have an added step, however, when compared to others on this list. Users must swab their nose, then mix the swab with the provided solution that is already in a tube. Next, you must manually put on the filler cap before dispensing the solution into the test. Overall it’s fairly simple, but having to mix the nasal swab with the solution can feel cumbersome when compared to the ease of the BinaxNow test.

Flowflex Covid-19 Antigen Home Test

If you’re looking for a COVID test without bells and whistles, and that’s sold in individual tests instead of a pack, then consider Flowflex. I’ve used this test multiple times and it’s super straightforward. It has an extra step in that you must mix the nasal swab after swabbing, into the dropper with the solution, similar to other tests on this list. Then you add the dropper top and dispense four drops onto the test port. Overall an easy experience, but again, the dropper can be cumbersome.

InteliSwab At-Home COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test 2 Tests

This at-home COVID antigen test is a bit different from others on this list in that the test device displays the results. Meaning there are only two components to this test, the swab and the solution. Though our editors did not test this device, according to the directions, you simply swab your nose with the test device, and place it into the solution at an angle, letting it sit on the stand for 30 minutes. It comes highly reviewed with over 400 ratings on Walmart and four stars.

“I LOVE this covid test! Compared to all the others I’ve tried (and I’ve tried most of them), it was so simple to use. I didn’t have to measure any drops or get them into a tiny hole...For Inteliswab, the swab IS the test...it’s all in one, preassembled. I just swabbed my nose, put it in the tube of liquid, and got my results after a while (Negative, thankfully!). Definitely the easiest test I’ve tried so far...I’ll be getting more for the whole family,” writes one Walmart shopper.

One Rapid COVID-19 Self-Test Kit

Another affordable, single-test option, On/Go has over 6,000 ratings on Amazon and nearly five stars. Each kit comes with detailed instructions with helpful graphics—but, the text can be small for some. The kit comes with a test cassette, nasal swab, solution, and dropper cap. “Worked well! Tested when I first felt ill and was negative, Tested when I felt like was dying and it was positive. So seems to work. Easy to use too,” writes one Amazon shopper.

Pixel COVID-19 PCR Test Home Collection Kit1.0ea

The only PCR test on this list, this at-home COVID test doesn’t actually happen, well, at home. You perform the test at home with a nasal swab and send the sample in a prepaid pack to Labcorp, where they test your sample. Users usually receive results in one to two days, by phone call. The longer turnaround time and hefty price tag dissuades some, but for those looking for a PCR test where the sample is collected in the privacy of your own home, this option may be for you. According to the instructions, you must set up an account online, so there is a digital component. While Walgreens users were mixed, some loved the product. “So happy that you had this very necessary product, and everyone was so helpful,” one shopper wrote.

How to choose the best at-home COVID test

Look for FDA approval. “Make sure that the test you are using is on the FDA-approved list of tests,” says Dr. Yancey. “If you are testing kids check to see if the test is approved for their age group. Some tests are not approved for children.”

Consider buying multiple tests. Some tests require something called serial testing, which is when you take a test and then test again within a certain time period (like 36 or 48 hours). Be sure to read the full instructions to find out if the test you are taking suggests serial testing.

Check the expiration date. Unfortunately, COVID tests expire. Be sure to check a box’s expiration date before using the test. “A lot of tests have had their expiration dates extended after companies demonstrated to the FDA that they are still accurate,” Dr. Yancey says.

What is an FDA EUA?

EUA stands for Emergency Use Authorization. “Part of the FDA’s job is to approve medical diagnostics. The approval process is extremely rigorous and can take a very long time,” explains Dr. Kasson. “During the COVID public health emergency, the FDA could use a process called Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to review and approve tests on a faster (but still rigorous) basis. Unlike normal approval, EUA is a time-limited authorization, and the FDA typically continues to monitor diagnostics and countermeasures authorized under an EUA. The declaration that COVID-19 continues to pose a public health threat means that EUAs can be extended through at least December 2024. It is anticipated that most diagnostics and therapies for COVID-19 will eventually be transitioned to normal FDA approval.”

What are the types of at-home COVID-19 tests?

There are two types of at-home COVID-19 tests, explains Dr. Kasson. Antigen tests and molecular tests.

Antigen. “The most common test is an ‘antigen’ test. Those usually have the little pink stripes you see. Antigen tests work by detecting COVID-19 proteins. They typically contain antibodies against part of the virus. These antibodies are stuck on tiny beads that clump together and change color when the antibodies bind, and this causes a visible line to show up on the test. There are some other variations of the antigen test, but this is fundamentally how it works,” Dr. Kasson explains.

Molecular. The other kind of at-home COVID test is a “molecular” test, Dr. Kasson explains. “This detects the viral genome, and it typically uses a nucleic acid amplification method to amplify a signal from a very small number of viral particles. Such tests are more similar to the ones you would get at the doctor’s office, but they are adapted for home use. Molecular tests often have more complicated readouts (sometimes lights or an app), and they are typically more expensive but more sensitive in detecting COVID-19,” Dr. Kasson says.

Are at-home COVID tests accurate?

“At-home COVID tests are as accurate as the sample they are given,” Dr. Yancey says. “It is important to get a good swab from the nose and closely follow the instructions on the test. Antigen tests are most accurate once symptoms have started. The molecular tests can give false positives in patients who have already recovered from COVID.”

Dr. Kasson agrees. “Antigen tests for COVID-19 typically have a low ‘false positive’ rate, so a positive result usually means you have COVID. It varies from test to test, but about 99 of every 100 people who have a positive antigen test usually have COVID. However, these tests require more of the virus to turn positive, so a negative result, particularly on a single antigen test, doesn’t completely rule out COVID,” he explains. “That’s why it’s good to test multiple times, usually on consecutive days. Molecular tests for COVID-19 have a similarly low false positive rate but also have a low false negative rate, so a negative result on a molecular at-home COVID test means you probably don't have COVID. This is because molecular tests can detect a much lower level of virus.”

How we chose

We tested a dozen COVID-19 tests after consulting Linda Yancey, M.D., an infectious diseases specialist at Memorial Hermann Hospital; and Peter Kasson, M.D.,Ph.D., B.S., of the University of Virginia’s departments of Molecular Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, to receive their insights on what makes a great at-home COVID-19 test. We also poured through countless user reviews and referenced the FDA’s website for EUA tests.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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