Health and Wellness 8 At-Home STD Tests We Recommend for Protecting Your Sexual Health Make your sexual health a priority with easy at-home STD testing kits. By Rachel Murphy Rachel Murphy Rachel Murphy is a Kansas City, MO, health journalist with more than 10 years of experience. InStyle's editorial guidelines Published on March 16, 2023 @ 11:39AM Pin Share Tweet Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Photo: d3sign / Getty Images Getting regularly tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is an important part of maintaining your sexual wellness and overall health. But talking about getting tested for STDs and STIs can be awkward and embarrassing—even with your doctor. Thankfully, there’s an easier, more private way to find out whether or not you have an STI, and that’s with an at-home test. Instead of visiting a doctor’s office or lab testing site, you can now test at home for nearly every STI, including HIV, HPV, herpes, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and more. So to help you find the most accurate and effective at-home STI tests, we consulted with subject matter experts and evaluated 50 different at-home tests. Here are the ones we recommend. Our 8 Picks for At-Home STD Tests of 2023 Most Comprehensive: Complete Test by iDNA For Fast Results: Complete 8 by LetsGetChecked For Medical Support: Nurx Basics Kit For HIV Test: HIV Test Kit by MyLAB Box For HPV Test: HPV Test by Everlywell For Couples: Love Box At Home STD Test for Couples by MyLAB Box For Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Test: Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Test by Everlywell For Syphilis Test: Syphilis Test by Everlywell Words Matter Home testing and diagnostic companies often use the words “male” and “female” to describe who their tests are meant for. These terms refer to the sex someone was assigned at birth based on their external genitalia. Gender exists on a spectrum that extends beyond these binaries, and can change over time. We don’t condone the use of non-inclusive language, strive to use more accurate descriptions, and point out where these companies could do better. Similarly, the current medical terminology for all the tested conditions included here is sexually transmitted infections, not diseases. Many companies still use this terminology, so we’ve included it when appropriate. 01 of 08 Most Comprehensive: Complete Test by iDNA iDNA Learn More Key Specs Cost: $298Time to Receive Results: 4.5 daysSample Method: Blood, urine, and/or vaginal swab Why We Chose It The iDNA Complete Test offers testing for 10 different STIs, including HPV, making it one of the most comprehensive tests on the market. Pros & Cons Pros Tests for ten of the most common STDs, including HPV Fast turnaround time in two to seven days 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee when purchased outside of a membership Cons Not FSA/HSA eligible Medical support only available with a membership Overview Sometimes you just want to rule out all of the most common STIs and the iDNA Complete Test offers the most comprehensive test of all those we evaluated. This makes it an ideal option for people with uteruses—especially since unlike some of the other all-in-one tests, iDNA doesn’t require a trip to a lab for sample collection. All you need to do is provide a urine sample, blood sample, and vaginal swab in order to test yourself for 11 different STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, herpes 2, hepatitis C, HIV 1 and 2, HPV, mycoplasma, and ureaplasma. Since the Complete Test is exhaustive, it is one of the most expensive on our list, clocking in at nearly $300. But if used as an annual benchmark of sexual wellness, it’s ultimately less expensive than taking separate tests. The test results are processed in CLIA-certified labs (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments—meaning a facility vetted by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services), and the company’s online portal is HIPAA compliant so your results are secure and discreet. The biggest drawback to the iDNA test (aside from the price) is the lack of medical support; it’s up to you whether you consult a medical professional after a positive result. However, iDNA offers a membership that includes a 25% discount on all testing services and the option to consult with a doctor for a low fee in case of a positive test. 02 of 08 For Fast Results: Complete 8 by LetsGetChecked LetsGetChecked Learn More Key Specs Cost: $249Time to Receive Results: 2 to 5 daysSample method: Urine, blood via finger prick Why We Chose It LetsGetChecked has faster turnaround times than other companies that offer multi-infection kits, lower rates for subscribers, and follow-up consultations and treatment options. Pros & Cons Pros Free delivery Easy-to-follow video tutorials for sample collection Results reviewed by a clinician, and additional support is available Cons Not covered by insurance Additional fees for virtual consultation Overview Waiting for test results is undoubtedly the most challenging part of testing for STIs. Luckily, Complete 8, along with the other tests available from LetsGetChecked, features a fast turnaround time of just two to five days after mailing in your at-home sample. LetsGetChecked offers multiple STI tests (like Simple 2 and Standard 5), but we think Complete 8 is the most noteworthy for this list, even though it is on the more expensive side at $249. The Complete 8 looks for eight common STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis, trichomoniasis, gardnerella, mycoplasma, and ureaplasma. LetsGetChecked also offers virtual support and treatment after a positive result. Virtual provider appointments are available for $39. These clinicians can talk you through your results and prescribe medication to treat your STD. Medications can be sent to your home by mail or a prescription can be sent to your local pharmacy. 03 of 08 For Medical Support: Nurx Basics Covered NURX Learn More Key Specs Cost: $15 consultation fee; $75 for the test plus $30 service fee with insurance, or $220 for the test plus $150 service fee without insuranceTime to Receive Results: 7 daysSample method: Blood (via finger stick), urine, throat swab, rectal swab Why We Chose It Nurx is one of the only at-home testing kits that works with insurance, making it much more affordable out-of-pocket than others if you have an accepted plan. Additionally, Nurx provides medical guidance for both negative and positive test results. Pros & Cons Pros Works with insurance Prescriptions available when needed Provides one year of unlimited medical care after virtual consultation fee of $15 Cons Only available in selected states Without insurance, quite costly May have additional bill from testing facility Overview While most of our tests can be paid for using HSA or FSA funds but not with insurance, Nurx goes a step further by working with insurance companies to provide covered testing for five of the most common STIs: HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and hepatitis C. If you have health insurance, you add those details during checkout, and then pay the consultation fee, which is $15 with or without insurance. You’ll pay $75 plus whatever copay or deductible you owe for the kit, depending on your insurance plan, plus a $30 service fee. (Without insurance, the Basics Covered test kit costs $150 and the Full Control test kit costs $220, plus a $150 service fee.) The Basics Covered test requires you to collect a urine sample and blood sample. The Full Control test requires you to take a urine sample, throat swab, rectal swab, and blood sample (using finger a prick), which may sound intimidating, but clear instructions come with your test to guide you through it. You’ll not only have results delivered securely via a patient portal in approximately seven days, but you can also get unlimited access to a Nurx medical provider regarding the test results and follow-up care including a prescription for treatment. Unlike most other testing services, you’ll have access to that whether your results are positive or negative, so that you can have your questions answered no matter what. 04 of 08 For HIV Test: HIV Test Kit by MyLAB Box myLAB Box Learn More Key Specs Cost: $79Time to Receive Results: 2 to 5 daysSample Method: Blood draw by finger prick Why We Chose It The HIV Test from MyLAB Box is affordable and easy to complete at home, and includes physician support in the event of a positive test. Pros & Cons Pros Uses a blood sample, proven to detect HIV earlier than saliva tests Free telemedicine visit after a positive test Subscription service available Cons May return a false negative up to 12 weeks after infection Not covered under insurance Overview An HIV diagnosis is more manageable these days than it used to be, but testing for it can still be scary. MyLAB Box’s HIV Home Test is relatively low cost at $79, has free shipping, and includes support in the case of positive results. With a simple finger stick blood draw, the kit tests for both HIV-1 and HIV-2. Using the provided lancet, testers collect enough blood to cover the dime-sized sample area and use the provided weather-proof pouch and pre-paid envelope to mail the sample to the lab. MyLABBOX says that its HIV tests are clinically proven to be 99.9% accurate and are processed in a CLIA-certified lab. Once the sample is processed, your results will be uploaded to your secure online account in two to five days. The report can be viewed on your patient portal and downloaded to share with your medical provider. The HIV kit is already competitively priced at $79, but signing up for automatic delivery can lower prices even more. Users can opt for deliveries every three or six months. Given that HIV tests can return a false negative for up to three months after infection, frequent testing is advised. If you receive a positive result, you can meet with a physician virtually for free to decide your next steps. 05 of 08 For HPV Test: HPV Test by Everlywell Everlywell Learn More Key Specs Cost: $49Time to Receive Results: 6 daysSample method: Vaginal swab Why We Chose It The HPV test by Everlywell tests for 14 of the most high-risk HPV genotypes—including those most linked to cervical cancer—for the lowest price of the tests we reviewed. Pros & Cons Pros Extensive test array looks for the highest-risk strains of HPV Includes a physician review of results Physician will contact you to discuss positive results Cons Doesn’t screen for every variation of HPV Not covered by insurance Not a replacement for a pap smear Overview According to the CDC, roughly 13,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year in the U.S. One of the leading causes of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most common STIs. Although a pelvic exam is required to rule out cancer completely, the HPV test from Everlywell can detect the most high-risk strains of HPV. Unlike some other HPV tests we reviewed, the HPV test by Everlywell is available for people with a uterus over 21, although it is more recommended for those over 30. The results are securely delivered with bank-grade encryption and reviewed by a physician before you receive them so you can feel more secure in their accuracy—something that not all the companies we reviewed offer. If you receive a positive result, a physician will contact you to discuss the next steps free of charge. You can also schedule follow-up appointments to discuss test results or other sexual health questions you may have. Although the HPV test does reveal high-risk strains, this information should be used as a prompt for a further investigation with their doctor, not a diagnosis. Patients can share their results with their doctor when scheduling a complete cancer screening with a pap smear. 06 of 08 For Couples: Love Box At Home STD Test for Couples by MyLAB Box MyLAB Box Learn More Key Specs Cost: $378Time to Receive Results: 2 to 5 daysSample method: Finger stick blood draw, swab, and urine Why We Chose It The Love Box offers two comprehensive test kits that test for eight common STIs each and are for two people in any configuration: people assigned male/female, male/male, and female/female at birth. Pros & Cons Pros Three different gender combinations available Tests for eight different STIs Costs less than buying two separate eight-test panels Cons Doesn’t include HPV tests Not available in New York Overview What’s better foreplay than knowing that you and your partner are on the same sexual health page? With the Love Box from MyLAB Box, you can start your relationship, whether casual or serious, with your eyes open. The Love Box tests for some of the most common STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, HIV-1 and HIV-2, herpes simplex 2, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. Positive or negative results for each partner are delivered securely via an online portal. Partners can take the test together, but you will each need your own myLAB Box online account to get your results. While there are several specimens to collect (urine, blood, etc.), myLAB Box provides patients with all the supplies needed and easy-to-follow instructions. The box, which can be ordered for two people with uteruses, two people with testicles, or one person with a uterus and one with testicles, features two eight STD test panels. All tests can be completed at home. If there is a positive result, a telemedicine visit is included in the price. A telemedicine physician in your state can guide you through the results and prescribe treatment if appropriate. The best part? Buying the Love Box saves nearly $25 off the cost of two comparable test panels purchased separately. 07 of 08 For Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Test: Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Test by Everlywell Everlywell Learn More Key Specs Cost: $69Time to Receive Results: 6 daysSample method: Urine sample Why We Chose It Everlywell makes it easy to detect and treat these two very common STDs with a mail-in urine sample. With physician support, people who receive a positive result can quickly get a prescription for antibiotics and get back to life. Pros & Cons Pros One of the most affordable tests Physician support included Monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual subscriptions available Cons Results may take longer than other test companies Not peer-reviewed Overview Chlamydia and gonorrhea are common but curable. However, most of the cases have no symptoms. Enter: Everylywell’s Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Test, which can help you detect whether you have these STIs even if you have no symptoms. The test is easy to do at home via a urine sample and may be more cost-effective than a doctor’s visit depending on your insurance coverage. A urine sample must be collected at home, then mailed off for analysis to a CLIA-certified lab in a discreet package with a prepaid label. Results are reviewed by a physician before they’re delivered via a secure patient portal an average of six days later. They’re also very easy to read, according to the website, so you’ll know immediately if you need to consult a physician. Since all Everlywell tests feature a physician follow-up via telemedicine, positive cases (and any questions you might have) can be addressed immediately. Your provider can also prescribe medication to treat your STI because both chlamydia and gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics. With free shipping and the complete security and privacy ensured by HIPAA compliance, Everlywell makes testing for these often overlooked STDs easy and convenient. 08 of 08 For Syphilis Test: Syphilis Test by Everlywell Everlywell Learn More Key Specs Cost: $69Time to Receive Results: 5 to 7 daysSample Method: Finger prick blood draw Why We Chose It The Syphilis Test by Everlywell is the most affordable syphilis test we found, with a subscription option available for further testing. Pros & Cons Pros Most affordable test we found Physician consult included with positive test Monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual subscription available Cons May need to retest in three months to ensure infection has cleared Results are slower than some other companies surveyed Overview Unlike some other STIs we’ve mentioned, syphilis can have extremely serious consequences if it enters late stages, including dementia, blindness, and death. Luckily, the Syphilis Test by Everlywell only costs $69 and can detect the infection with a quick finger prick blood sample that you draw in your home. Like all of Everywell’s STI tests, the syphilis test specimen will be processed in a CLIA-certified lab and results will be reviewed by a physician before they’re sent to you via a secure, HIPAA-compliant patient portal. Since syphilis can mimic other STIs, the test is just a first step in confirming a diagnosis. Your results will be delivered to your secure online portal within six days. As with all Everlywell tests, a positive result means that a physician will contact you to determine your next step, whether that’s further testing to confirm a diagnosis or taking your current results to your primary care physician. Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics, but Everlywell doesn’t provide treatment plans, only guidance. Final Verdict When you’re ready to check on your sexual health, getting a more complete picture is often the best move. The iDNA Complete Test is the most comprehensive at-home STI test because of its wide array of detected STIs and fast turnaround time. Although medical support isn’t included in the price, it is available at a reasonable fee. If budget is a factor, MyLAB Box offers a variety of testing options, from full panels down to single STIs. The Love Box by MyLAB Box is an excellent deal for couples as it tests for eight different STIs and discounts the price for two people. Guide to Choosing the Best At-Home STI Test How Do You Know Your At-Home STI Test Is Good? An at-home STI test can offer comparable levels of privacy and discretion as a similar test completed in a medical office or lab. “In some cases, at-home tests can compare in accuracy to in-office tests, depending on the type of test and how it is processed,” says Lindsay Modglin, a nurse and health expert. However, at-home tests do have the potential to be less accurate since user error during sample collection can be a factor. For more accurate results, look for tests that use CLIA-certified labs for processing. These labs operate at the federal standard of excellence, ensuring that samples will be handled accurately. Brand reputation and whether a test is backed by peer-reviewed studies are also factors. Modglin says to double-check that the platform used to process results is secure and follows HIPAA guidelines. Read the privacy policy regarding sharing your personal information with third parties or government entities. Why Should You Consider an At-Home STI Test? Because of the sensitive nature of STI testing, many people prefer at-home tests so that they can complete them in the comfort of their homes rather than in a lab environment, which may be intimidating. It’s also helpful for people who don’t live near a testing lab or doctor’s office, or who physically can’t make it to one due to a busy schedule or a disability. It’s also easier to retain privacy using an at-home test, which usually comes in a generic box, so mail carriers and others are unaware of the contents. How to Compare the Best At-Home STI Tests When deciding which STI test is right for you, consider these factors: Price: If you know that you’ve been exposed to a particular STI, you may want to choose a disease-specific test for a lower price point rather than a more expensive multi-disease panel. Also, consider shipping fees for delivery and mailing to the lab. Processing speed: If time is a factor, you may want to look for a test that can return results in a couple of days.Medical consults: Do you want to speak with a physician after receiving your results? If so, choose a test that offers medical support.Accreditation: All processing labs should be Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified, meaning they’ve been vetted by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Privacy policy: Your medical information is sensitive information. Look for HIPAA compliance in all cases to ensure privacy and discretion. Frequently Asked Questions How Accurate Are At-Home STI Tests? Some at-home STI tests claim they’re over 99% accurate, but that should be taken with a grain of salt. While at-home STI tests can be as accurate as in-office tests, according to Modglin, there is a lot of room for error depending on how well you follow the instructions for taking the at-home test. In addition, the way the company processes your test makes a difference, too, with a CLIA-certified lab generally being more accurate. Even in the best of conditions, though, having a lab technician take samples could be more accurate due to their experience and the regulations they must follow for sample collection. When Should I Test for STIs After Exposure? This depends on what type of STI you may have been exposed to. “Some STDs can be detected within weeks, while others may take months to show up in tests,” says Modglin. “It's important to speak with your doctor or healthcare provider to determine the best time for you to get tested.” It’s also generally recommended to get tested annually if you are sexually active or have multiple partners. What Are the First Signs of Having an STI? Each STI has its own symptoms, but these are common signs that you may have contracted one. Pain or burning during urinationA rashDischarge, sores or bumps, or itching and burning from the genital or anal areaStrong genital odorPainful intercourseBleeding between periods What’s the Longest It Can Take an STI to Show Up? Some STIs have few symptoms and/or hide for weeks, months, or years before symptoms begin. Other STIs, such as gonorrhea, can be detected within two to five days of exposure. An HIV antibody test can detect infection within 18 to 45 days of exposure, but an RNA test, which would have to be administered in a lab, can detect infection as early as 10 to 33 days. If you test too early for any STI, you may receive a false negative, so it’s important to be willing to test more than once if you test soon after unprotected sex. Methodology We conducted extensive research to find the best at-home STI tests and considered more than 50 different test options from over a dozen companies. We chose the tests based on customer satisfaction, price, ease of use, speed, and accuracy. While many "at-home" testing solutions require a trip to a lab to collect samples, all of our selections allow you to collect samples at home. Each one also relies on CLIA-accredited labs to collect and process samples and is HIPAA compliant so users can be assured their medical history remains private. Edited by Ally Hirschlag Ally Hirschlag Ally is a senior editor for Verywell, who covers topics in the health, wellness, and lifestyle spaces. She has written for The Washington Post, The Guardian, BBC Future, and more. learn more Sources InStyle uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. CDC. Cervical Cancer Statistics. CDC. Chlamydia Fact Sheet. CDC. Syphilis – CDC Detailed Fact Sheet. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. What are the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?.