Think That You Might Be Pregnant? Here Are the Best Tests to Find Out!

Having been both a fretful young woman not wanting to be pregnant and also, later, a woman desperately wanting to see a second line, I understand that pregnancy tests are fraught little devices. Because so much is riding on them, you should know how they work, how to use them, and which ones are the best. To find this out, I spoke with Dr. Veronica M. Alvarez-Galiana, M.D. of Community Health of South Florida, Inc.

How Do They Work?

Pregnancy tests test your urine for human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). HCG is a hormone produced by trophoblast tissue, which is found in early embryos. Alvarez-Galina says that the tests on the market test for the beta type of this hormone at differing levels. Traditional pregnancy tests look for HCG at higher levels than early-type pregnancy tests, which are more sensitive and can predict pregnancy even before your cycle is set to begin.

There are several different types of pregnancy tests, including digital readout tests, plus sign or line applicator-based tests, and those jumbo packs of urine dip tests that many a TTC mom has purchased after spending too much on digital tests. (It’s me, I was the TTC mom buying tests in bulk.)

It turns out that there’s no one pregnancy test better than another. Galina tells Best Products, “The only advantage is that digital tests don’t leave room for any questions.” Digital tests are black and white, yes or no, pregnant or not pregnant. No holding the test up to the light to squint and look for a faint line, no vagueness at all. Also, early pregnancy tests are good for people tracking their ovulation who want to test a bit sooner.

Besides that, it's all a matter of choice, convenience, cost, and the age of your tests. The one big thing that Dr. Alvarez-Galina stresses is that an expired test is not a reliable test. If your tests have been in your drawer for a while, you should throw them away. Expired tests can lead to false-positive results, which no one wants.

Each of these pregnancy tests has shown to be accurate, and I chose a variety of the best-reviewed pregnancy tests at every price point and in every style.