The best pregnancy tests for clear, trustworthy results

Whether you're trying to conceive or not, if you think you might be pregnant the last thing you need to worry about is whether or not you can trust your pregnancy test results. We've conducted our own thorough reviews of six of the most popular pregnancy tests currently available, putting them through their paces on a number of variables including reliability, speed, accuracy, durability and value for money.

We've also consulted maternity health experts as well as Mumsnet users - the largest online network of mums in the UK - to help narrow down a shortlist of the best pregnancy tests, from those you can use up to six days before a missed period to others which give you your answer in just 45 seconds.

There are two main types of urine pregnancy tests - those which work by being held midstream as you wee and others which are designed to be dipped into a collected sample for a specific amount of time. On top of that, there are a huge number of pregnancy tests available which offer a variety of features, from budget-friendly test strips you can use to track a line's progression, to user-friendly digital tests which simple state 'Pregnant' or 'Not Pregnant'.

As with our guides to the best pregnancy pillow and the most effective stretch mark cream, we've consulted our Mumsnet users as well as medical experts in obstetrics to help narrow down the best pregnancy test to give you fast, reliable results. In this case, we consulted experienced midwife Marie Louise, a.k.a. The Modern Midwife, on what makes the best pregnancy test, when the best time is to take a pregnancy test, and what to do if you get a positive result.

When is the best time to take a pregnancy test?

Pregnancy tests work by measuring the amount of pregnancy hormone hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadoropin) in your urine - so it's important you wait until enough hCG has built up to show on a test. Usually this is around the time your period would be due, but there are some pregnancy tests which claim to be able to detect hCG up to a week before this.

'The best time to take a pregnancy test really depends on your cycle and of course when you conceived,' experienced midwife Marie Louise, author of The Modern Midwife's Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond tells Mumsnet. 'Not everyone has regular periods so going by your menstrual cycle may not be possible. HCG is the hormone detected in home pregnancy tests, it rises as pregnancy progresses.'

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How do home pregnancy tests work?

Pregnancy tests detect the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG), in your urine. This hormone starts to be produced around six days after fertilisation.

During the first trimester, the pregnancy hormone increases from less than 5mIU/ml to over 100,000mIU/ml, and the further into your pregnancy you are, the more present this hormone will be in your urine.

How accurate are home pregnancy tests?

According to midwife Marie Louise, 'Very accurate when taken at the best time. Always do ensure you read the test instructions and result properly. I’ve looked after a few mums who have misread results or taken a test too early, got a false negative and not repeated the test.'

Are cheap pregnancy tests accurate?

Known as 'internet cheapies' by regular posters on the Mumsnet Conception boards, cheaper pregnancy tests have the benefit of coming in larger, bulk-buy packs - such as the One Step Ultra Early Test Strips featured in this guide - which is a great option if you want the reassurance of testing over several days (or multiple times a day in some cases!) They aren't always as accurate when it comes to early detection, so if you're testing before your period is due, you might be better off with a First Response Early Result.

Are expensive pregnancy tests better?

'If a pregnancy test is sold by a reputable, registered company it doesn’t matter if you opt for the cheaper option or buy in bulk,' explains Marie Louise. 'This maybe a good idea if you are trying or know you have potential difficulty conceiving. Pregnancy tests can be expensive!'

What should I do after testing positive?

'First and foremost give yourself a minute,' says Marie Louise. 'This may seem obvious but regardless of whether this is a planned pregnancy or not, you need to take a breath and process your news. It’s okay to feel a very wide range of emotions and flitter between them.

'Depending on your plans for your pregnancy you will need to take different routes. If a positive test is good news you need to book an appointment with a midwife between 8-10 weeks going by your LMP (last menstrual period). If you’re not sure you can simply self refer to your local midwifery services or call your GP for further information.

'If you are not sure whether you would like to continue with the pregnancy you can explore your options with your GP or NHS online and if you know you will be terminating the pregnancy you can self refer to The British Pregnancy Advisory Service, Marie Stopes U.K. or a local GUM clinic.'

How should you take a pregnancy test?

Generally speaking, as the levels of the pregnancy hCG hormone rise every two or three days during pregnancy, a pregnancy test will be more accurate the later you leave it after having unprotected sex.

The most sensitive pregnancy tests can detect 10mIU/ml and some of these can be used before your period is due. However, the NHS generally advises that you take a pregnancy test from the first day of a missed period.

If you’re not sure when your next period is due, aim to test at least 21 days after you last had unprotected sex.

What other kinds of pregnancy tests are there?

Home pregnancy tests work by detecting the hCG hormone in your urine, however, in some circumstances, such as when you are having fertility treatment or have medical conditions, you may be asked to head for a blood test with your doctor.

In most cases, the home pregnancy tests will be very similar to the urine-based pregnancy tests used at your local doctors, hospitals and family planning clinics.

What to look for in a pregnancy test

• Ease of use - Most pregnancy tests involve measuring the level of hormone present in your urine, but some are easier to use than others. Most home pregnancy tests tend to have a plastic casing around them, but you can also buy cheaper pregnancy strips, such as One Step, which have no casing but can be just as effective at detecting hCG. When testing, you would need to dip an uncased pregnancy strip into a pot of urine rather than attempt to wee on it.

• How early can you use it? - The most sensitive pregnancy tests such as First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test can detect 10mIU/ml and some of these can be used before your period is due. It's worth noting, however, that the NHS recommends taking a pregnancy test from the first day of a missed period or at least 21 days after having unprotected sex.

• Digital or line results? - Most home pregnancy tests will display a second line (either a cross or a line in the test area) if hCG is detected. Some more expensive pregnancy tests have a digital display to indicate whether you are pregnant or not. The Clearblue Pregnancy Test With Weeks Indicator even estimates how many weeks along you are.

• Interpreting results - How easy is it to interpret your results? Some Mumsnetters have found themselves doubting the visibility of lines on dye-based pregnancy tests, with pink dye often being easier to view than blue. If you’re after a simple yes or no, then the digital tests may be the safest option. It’s also important you follow the instructions with dye-based tests, as reading them outside of the measurement window can lead to evaporation lines.

• Number of tests - If you’re after some reassurance, you may want to consider buying a pack of more than one test. If you want to test regularly, a test you can buy in bulk at a relatively low cost, such as One Step Pregnancy Strips, might work for you. Other tests tend to come in packs of two or three too.

What is the most accurate pregnancy test to take?

Many Mumsnetters swear by the First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test as the most accurate pregnancy test. While out of stock at the moment, the First Response Triple Check tests are well-regarded for accurate results you can trust up to three times.

This test has been found to be the most sensitive pregnancy test on the market – with the ability to identify all four forms of hCG in your urine. It promises a 99% accurate reading if you test on the day of your expected period, but if patience isn’t your strong point, you can even use it up to six days before your period is due, making it the best early result pregnancy test we’ve found. We also liked that it came in a pack of two for extra reassurance or for using at a later date.

Which week in my cycle should I take a pregnancy test?

It is recommended you take a pregnancy test on the first day after your period would have been due. If you have irregular periods, you may prefer to instead test around three weeks after you had unprotected sex.

Many women refer to the ‘two-week wait’ - the period between ovulation and (ideally) a missed period, after which the hormone is likely to be present if you are expecting.

Is a blue or pink dye pregnancy test better?

All home pregnancy tests work the same way - by measuring the hCG levels in your urine- but when it comes to dye-based tests, which are the ones which give line results, there is some debate as to whether pink dye based tests or blue dye tests are better. Whilst this is a frequent topic of discussion on the Mumsnet Conception boards, the general consensus is usually that pink dye tests - such as First Response Early Result tests - are more trustworthy than blue dye tests, which can be more likely to show evaporation lines and even false positives.

What are the best pregnancy tests UK?

For early and reliable pregnancy detection, the First Response Triple Check tests offer three-in-one ways to check for pregnancy: an early result test you can take up to six days before your period is due, a digital yes/no result test and a rapid result test which delivers results in less than one minute.

Can I get a pregnancy test on the NHS?

In most cases, you can pick up pregnancy tests online, from pharmacies or supermarkets at a relatively low cost, and this is a discreet and private way to test at home.

If you prefer, however, you can also ask for a pregnancy test free of charge with your GP or at your local sexual health clinic. If you are under the age of 25, you may also get a pregnancy test from your local Brook centre.

How we chose our recommendations

Products tried and tested by real parents

Mumsnetters love nothing more than supporting others who are TTC (trying to conceive), so our forums are jam-packed full of real-life experiences from mums and mums-to-be, many of whom have been sharing photos of their tests and asking for reassurance from the Mumsnet community.

First, we gathered Mumsnet users’ feedback on the best pregnancy test brands and the products that they personally have used and would recommend to friends and family. We vetted their experiences to learn more about the tests they found easy to use, easy to interpret and, most importantly, believed to be a reliable and accurate measure of pregnancy.

Expert guidance

We know just how important it is to be able to trust the brands you are using for such a key moment in your life. For that reason, we thoroughly researched and vetted the brands and pregnancy tests included in this round up to ensure they were well-regarded by medical professionals, with many of these tests being recommended and rated by doctors and family planning clinics. In most cases, medics agree that whilst they may vary in sensitivity levels, home pregnancy tests are generally an accurate way to detect pregnancy, so long as they are used correctly.

We also consulted maternity medical expert Marie Louise, an experienced midwife and hypnobirthing specialist, to review the facts about pregnancy tests and how to choose the right one for you, as well as when to take it and what to do next.

Honest consumer reviews

Finally, we trawled through a significant number of authentic online reviews on retailer sites such as Boots, Superdrug and Amazon to research wider consumer experiences of pregnancy tests on our shortlist, looking out for any consistent frustrations, weaknesses or factors you might want to consider when selecting which pregnancy test to buy.

We put six of the most popular pregnancy tests through their paces with an in-depth, rigourous testing procedure. Our tester Tina wanted to find out which tests explained the process most clearly, how easy it was to take the test, how much reassurance you get that you're doing it correctly and how much packaging would go to landfill when the test was complete. She assessed each test carefully for speed, reliability, durability, accuracy and value for money, combining these scores for an overall rating.

It’s worth remembering, that whilst all home pregnancy tests vary in terms of sensitivity and method of use, they are generally accurate so long as they are used correctly. You may also find some reviewers stating they have experienced false positives or negatives. This could be due to a variety of reasons, but it's important to read the instructions before you take the test to ensure you're using it properly and at the right time.

Why you should trust us

Mumsnet has been helping parents make their lives easier since 2000 and, in those years, we’ve seen, tried and reviewed thousands of products.

We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.

Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.

About the author

Mum-of-three Jenny Wonnacott is a Content Editor for Mumsnet, specialising in writing, editing and optimising pregnancy care and child play content.

Before joining the content team at Mumsnet, Jenny worked as a journalist for newspapers, radio, TV and b2b trades magazines for over a decade. She is also a bestselling sci-fi author (writing as J M Briscoe) and parenting blogger.

As a parent of three primary school-aged children, Jenny is passionate about making Mumsetters' lives easier through rigorous research of all items recommended in buyers' guides such as these, as well as product reviews and expert advice on all things pregnancy and child play related.