The Four Best At-Home STD Tests of 2023

This content is researched and written based on extensive testing by an external reviews team and does not reflect the views or opinions of Everyday Health’s editorial team. Everyday Health may earn a commission from purchases of products featured in this article.

• More private and convenient than in-person testing
• Costs range from $49 to $399
• Tests for top infections such as HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis, herpes, syphilis, and trichomoniasis

The shame and stigma surrounding sexually transmitted diseases is enough to cause some to avoid getting tested altogether, according to a study published in 2021 in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. For others, it may not be possible to get to a clinic or doctor for testing. To help, many companies now offer at-home testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

STI rates have been increasing among both younger and older Americans, and some infections (such as chlamydia) can live in the body without symptoms, even while being actively transmissible, according to the Mayo Clinic. Knowing your sexual health status is a crucial step in protecting yourself and your future partners, especially since infections without symptoms can still wreak havoc, leading in some cases to permanent damage if not caught in time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

At-home testing is one way to ensure that you have a discreet and reliable solution.

Although there is a slight difference between STIs and STDs (a sexually transmitted virus or bacteria can be described as creating an “infection,” which may or may not result in a “disease,” according to the American Sexual Health Association), here we’ll use the terms interchangeably to reflect their real-world usage.

In this article, our reviews team identifies the top four at-home STD test kits of 2023 and compares the costs, types of tests, and how long it takes to receive results. We also address some important questions: What are STDs/STIs? How do at-home STD tests work? How reliable are at-home STD/STI tests?

Another important feature we’ve reviewed is the customer support team each company offers. In our reviews team’s July 2022 survey of 600 at-home STD test kit users, more than 24 percent reported feeling nervous or anxious before purchasing an at-home STD test. It can be an emotional process and having a support team available to help is important. We hope to alleviate some of your fears, so that you can take the next step forward and find the best at-home STD test kit for your needs.

• Best pricing: Everlywell
• Best for customer support: LetsGetChecked
• Best variety of testing Options: myLAB Box
• Best for insurance: Nurx

• Best for quick results: STDCheck
• Best for privacy of in-person test: PrioritySTD

Our reviews team recommends products and services we believe provide value in the lives of our readers. We spent more than 300 hours conducting in-depth research on at-home STD test kits to give you the most accurate reviews. Throughout this process, we:

• Engaged in independent research
• Consulted with three sexual health experts
• Mystery shopped six brands of STD/STI test kits
• Surveyed 600 STD/STI kit buyers
• Reviewed public health guidance on STDs and academic research into the efficacy of at-home tests
• Read verified customer reviews from trusted third parties such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot

• Price $49 to $169
• Type of Test Finger prick, vaginal swab, urine sample
• STDs It Tests For Chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis, herpes 2, trichomoniasis
• Time to Receive Results 3 to 5 days
• Insurance Accepted No
• Prescribes Medication Yes
• Laboratory Certification CLIA and CAP
• Collection Process Mail in

Our reviews team named Everlywell “Best Pricing” because of its competitive pricing. Everlywell has the cheapest options of all the at-home testing kits on this list. For example, if you want a chlamydia and gonorrhea test, it costs $69 from Everlywell, $79 from myLABbox, and $99 from LetsGetChecked.

Or if you’re looking for a full-panel test, it might cost you $220 without insurance for the Full Control Kit from NURX to test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis C, while the Everlywell STD Test, both Female and Male, tests for those STIs and trichomoniasis for $169.

Everlywell also occasionally offers sales for its at-home STD kits. For example, during our reviews team’s research, the company had a 30 percent off deal on all the STI tests. Check back for holiday specials and other promotional deals.

Everlywell offers seven STD at-home tests:

• STD Test – Female: $169
• STD Test – Male: $169
• Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: $69
• Trichomoniasis: $69
• HIV: $69
• Syphilis: $69
• Hepatitis C: $69
  
  

The female and male STD tests screen for seven of the most common sexually transmitted infections: chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis, herpes 2, and trichomoniasis.

The method of collecting samples varies based on the test:

• The female STD test involves a finger prick and vaginal swab.
• The male STD test involves a finger prick and urine sample.
• The chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis tests require a urine sample, while the HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C tests require a finger prick.

After you’ve received your test kit and collected your sample for testing, you’ll use the supplied packaging to send the sample to a certified lab (via the U.S. Postal Service), with prepaid shipping. Transit typically takes two to three business days after which (one to three days) you’ll receive your test results via the company’s online platform.

Everlywell uses testing labs certified by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), which are the federal standards applicable to all U.S. facilities that test human specimens, according to the CDC. Several Everlywell labs are also accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), an organization that helps laboratories maintain accuracy of test results and exceed required standards for various federal agencies.

After Everlywell sends its samples to a CLIA-certified laboratory for processing and testing, the laboratory sends the test report to an Everlywell physician in the customer’s state for review.

Test Result Notifications

You’ll be notified by email if you have negative results and by phone if you test positive. You can also access your results through the Everlywell online platform. If you test positive, in-network board-certified physicians can discuss your results, establish follow-up testing, or prescribe certain medications, depending on the regulations in your state.

The consultation and prescription are provided at no extra cost, but the medication itself needs to be paid for out of pocket or through insurance, according to the Everlywell website. Follow-up care varies depending on the STI you test positive for and your symptoms. Talk with the physician or your healthcare provider for more guidance.

Customer Service Contact Information

If you need support or have questions, you can contact the Everlywell customer support team in the following ways:

• Email contact@everlywell.com
• Phone 855-422-3855
• Online form

The customer support team is available Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m–5 p.m. CST.

When our reviews team tried calling the customer support team, there was an automatic voice message that instructed us to connect with the support team via email. If being able to reach someone by phone is a priority for you, this company may not be the best fit.

On the website, there is a chat box in the lower right-hand corner. When our reviews team used this feature to ask a question, the chat searched the Everlywell Knowledge Base. If that doesn't answer your question, you can select “Show me more” and the automated chat will pull up more help articles.

If the suggestions still aren’t helpful, there’s an option to rephrase the question or contact customer support. When contacting support, you are required to fill out your name and email address. Some of the other brands on this list don’t require that you submit personal information before asking questions, so Everlywell is less private in that respect.

Payment Options

For payment options, Everlywell accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, as well as payments from flexible spending accounts (FSAs) or health savings accounts (HSAs).

During the checkout process, you can choose free standard shipping (to nine business days) or express shipping for $28 more (one to three business days).

• Price $99 to $249
• Type of Test Finger prick, urine sample
• STDs It Tests For Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, HIV, syphilis, gardnerella, mycoplasma, ureaplasma
• Time to Receive Results 2 to 5 days
• Insurance Accepted No
• Prescribes Medication Yes
• Laboratory Certification CLIA and CAP
• Collection Process Mail in

LetsGetChecked is our reviews team’s pick for “Best for Customer Care” because of its various support and availability options for customers. In addition to a 24/7 customer support team (which no other company on this list has), the company has a team of dedicated nurses that can help you navigate the different treatment options if you receive a positive result. That level of support is crucial, and no other company on this list provides both 24/7 customer support and a separate team of nurses for customer questions.

LetsGetChecked offers three at-home STD tests:

• Simple 2: $99, Screens for chlamydia and gonorrhea
• Standard 5: $149, Screens for chlamydia and gonorrhea plus trichomoniasis, HIV, and syphilis

• Complete 8: $249, Screens for all of the infections included in the Standard 5 test, plus gardnerella, mycoplasma, and ureaplasma

Depending on which test you choose, tests from LetsGetChecked require either a finger prick or urine sample. The company has helpful videos on each product page, such as the one for the Simple 2, about how to collect your sample.

Like Everlywell, LetsGetChecked includes the materials and a prepaid label to ship your sample to their laboratory. It takes approximately two to five days to receive your results, potentially one day earlier than Everlywell.

Test Result Notifications

You’ll be notified by email that your results are available. To view them, you’ll log into your account. If you test positive, LetsGetChecked has a team of board-certified physicians and nurses who can discuss your results. Medication is only available for certain STIs, such as chlamydia, trichomoniasis, gardnerella, mycoplasma, and ureaplasma. Also, depending on regulations, medication isn’t available online in certain states, so be sure to check whether your state is included.

While Everlywell provides a free prescription consultation but charges for medication, LetsGetChecked offers both at no extra cost. Having the cost of medication included is a noteworthy perk. The LetsGetChecked clinical team will even send your medication to your house so you can avoid a visit to the pharmacy. Follow-up care varies, so talk with the physician or your healthcare provider for more guidance.

Customer Service Contact Information

If you need support or have questions, you can contact the LetsGetChecked customer support team in the following ways:

• Phone 315-508-7414
• Online form
• Live chat

The customer support team is available 24/7, either by phone or online chat. When our reviews team called, we were routed to the same automated phone menu, which included several options to help escalate the query to the appropriate customer care department.

LetsGetChecked also has a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page and an online form for emailing questions. When a member of our reviews team filled out this form, they immediately received an automated email confirmation, followed by a personalized email response approximately three hours later. The company’s online chat requires you to fill out your name and email to start chatting. Live chat hours can vary depending on the day, due to higher or lower traffic online and on the phones.

A dedicated team of nurses is available to help guide you through your treatment options Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The nurses are also available through the customer support number. When you call, a member of the customer support team will confirm some details before transferring you to the clinician team.

Payment Options

LetsGetChecked accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, as well as some FSA and HSA payments. LetsGetChecked also accepts payments from PayPal, Apple Pay, and prepaid credit or gift cards from Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.

Our reviews team liked the variety of flexible payment options, making the service more inclusive of customer’s different financial situations.

• Price $59 to $399
• Type of Test Finger prick, urine sample
• STDs it Tests For HIV 1 and 2, hepatitis C, herpes 2, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, mycoplasma, and HPV
• Time to Receive Results 1 to 5 days
• Insurance Accepted No
• Prescribes Medication Yes
• Laboratory Certification CLIA and CAP
• Collection Process Mail in

myLAB Box is our reviews team’s pick for “Best Variety of Testing Options” because the company offers 19 at-home STD test kits, ranging from the Total Box, which includes 14 STD tests for $369 to $399, to the Boomer Box, a kit specifically designed for older adults for $189. With 19 kits, myLAB Box has more than double the amount of tests offered by the company with the next-highest amount on this list (Everlywell, with seven).

Adding to its variety, myLAB Box has several individual tests (if you don’t want to purchase a set of multiple tests), including HPV, syphilis, HIV, herpes, and more.

If you’re looking for an at-home STD test kit for both you and your partner, myLAB Box has the Love Box for $499 — a couples’ kit with eight tests for each person. Depending on the test, myLAB Box requires either a finger prick or urine sample.

The cost of the kits includes shipping to and from the lab, as well as consultation with a telemedicine physician if you test positive. Two-day shipping costs $7 extra and overnight shipping is available for an additional $45.

As our reviews team walked through the ordering process, we found two important notes on estimated delivery dates for testing kits:

• Allow for one to two extra days for processing during holidays.
• Orders placed on Friday after 11 a.m. PST, or over the weekend, will be shipped on Monday.

This transparency from the company is a quality that our reviews team appreciated and thought would be beneficial during the potentially stressful process of purchasing an STD testing kit, during which expediency is often one of the most important factors.

Test Result Notifications

You’ll be notified by email that your results are available, which is also logged in your myLAB Box account. If you test positive, the company includes a free phone consultation with a physician — but you have to request it.

To request a consultation, email customerservice@mylabbox.com with your order number, and then the company will send you a questionnaire before the phone call.

Similar to Everlywell and LetsGetChecked, prescriptions are available for some STIs, but it varies by state of residence and symptoms. The length of follow-up care also varies, so make sure to ask the physician or your healthcare provider for more information.

Customer Service Contact Information

If you need support or have questions, you can contact the myLAB Box customer support team in the following ways:

• Email customerservice@mylabbox.com
• Phone 800-856-9522
• Online form

The customer support team is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST.

Payment Options

myLAB Box accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, as well as FSA and HSA payments. During the checkout process, you can choose free first-class shipping, two-day shipping for $7, or overnight shipping for $45.

• Price $90 to $220, dependent on insurance
• Type of Test Finger prick, vaginal swab, urine sample, throat swab, and rectal swab
• STDs It Tests For HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis C, and trichomoniasis
• Time to Receive Results 7 business days
• Insurance Accepted Yes
• Prescribes Medication Yes
• Laboratory Certification CLIA and CAP
• Collection Process Mail in

The biggest benefit of Nurx is that it’s the only service on this list that accepts insurance for STD testing kits, which is why we named it “Best for Insurance.” In-service networks for Nurx STI testing include Blue Cross Blue Shield and other providers. If you have an out-of-network provider, you’ll need to pay for Nurx services out of pocket. The company will give you a receipt for you to seek out-of-network reimbursement.

If you test positive and need medication, Nurx accepts insurance from Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, OptumRx, United Health Care, and Tricare. Medicaid and Medicare are not accepted.

In addition to being one of the only at-home STD testing services that offers coverage through insurance, Nurx also offers unlimited messaging for one year with its licensed providers. This is helpful added support for those navigating a positive STD/STI result.

Nurx offers three at-home STD tests:

• Basics Covered Kit: $150 without insurance, $75 with insurance,Screens for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis

• Full Control Kit: $220 without insurance, $75 with insurance, Screens for all the above infections plus hepatitis C

• Healthy V Kit: $190 without insurance, $75 with insurance, Made for people with vaginas; screens for the same STIs as the Basics Covered Kit, plus trichomoniasis

While these kits cost $75 with insurance, there’s an additional $15 consultation fee before the company sends you a kit. That includes the initial consultation with the Nurx medical team and unlimited messaging with the team throughout the length of a prescription. The Nurx medical team that handles the company’s at-home STD tests are physician’s assistants or nurses with various degrees of experience.

The method of collecting samples from Nurx varies based on which test you select — the collection methods are finger prick, vaginal swab, urine sample, throat swab, and rectal swab.

It takes approximately seven business days to receive your results for Nurx STD testing kits, which is the longest results turnaround time on this list. The average is about three days. For those who value expediency above all else, Nurx may not be the best choice.

Test Result Notifications

Depending on how you opt into the Nurx messaging system, you’ll either receive an email with the results information from the provider or an email that you have a new message (see Figure 1), which offers extra protection and privacy for your STI results.

Figure 1 A Results Notification Message from Nurx

If you test negative, a person from the Nurx medical team will contact you and help you determine the best next steps. The initial consultation is $15, but there is no additional cost for follow-up conversations.

Nurx offers treatment for some STIs, such as chlamydia and trichomoniasis, but it doesn’t offer treatment for all STIs, and specifically not for ones that require treatment by injection, like syphilis and gonorrhea. You will work with the medical team or your healthcare provider on the length of follow-up care.

Nurx is a telemedicine provider that prescribes medication to its clients, but only in the 36 states that allow it. During the checkout process, if you “request a prescription,” you’ll be prompted to select the state you live in to determine whether your state qualifies.

Customer Service Contact Information

If you need support or have questions, you can contact the Nurx customer support team in the following ways:

• Email support@nurx.com
• Phone 800-321-NURX

The customer support team is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST.

When our reviews team called, the wait time was long — approximately 30 minutes. The company also has a detailed FAQ section on its website. When a member of our reviews team emailed the company about a general question, it automatically created an account to keep the conversation secure and private. But, Elma, the support specialist, didn’t answer our question and instead directed us to order a subscription and fill out a profile before helping.

The Nurx App

One of the features our reviews team liked most about Nurx is its smartphone app, available through the Apple Store or Google Play Store. The app houses your prescriptions, test results, and more, all in one location.

Before ordering your STD testing kit through the app, you’ll need to create a username and password and then input your personal information, including the state you live in, your email, and your patient profile (gender identity, sex assigned at birth, date of birth, and more). You’ll then be asked a series of questions related to why you’re getting an at-home STD test (see figure 2).

Figure 2 The Nurx App

Payment Options

Nurx accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, as well as FSA and HSA payments.

In their research, our reviews team identified two other STD test kit companies you may want to consider. Although these companies do not offer completely at-home STD test kits (you can purchase the test online, but you must go in person to a lab to submit your sample), their other benefits, such as the fastest results time of any company on this list and a discrete experience, compelled our reviews team to include them.

• Price $24 to $259
• Type of Test Finger prick, urine sample
• STDs It Tests For HIV 1 and 2, herpes 1 and 2, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and hepatitis A, B, and C
• Time to Receive Results 1 to 2 days
• Insurance Accepted No
• Prescribes Medication Yes
• Laboratory Certification CLIA
• Collection Process In person

Our reviews team named STDCheck “Best for Quick Results,” since it offers the fastest turnaround time on this list: one to two days. The average for companies on this list is three days. With a majority (54 percent) of our survey participants stating that getting quick results is the most important feature of at-home STD testing, our reviews team recognizes the importance of a fast results process.

But one downside of STDCheck is that while you can order your test online, you must go into a testing center to give your sample, instead of doing it yourself at home. You’ll order your test code online and then take the code to your local testing center, where they will collect your blood or urine sample for testing.

STDCheck works with about 4,500 testing centers (see figure 3). But if you live in a rural area, it may not be the best choice for you, as the locations are mostly in major cities.

For comparison purposes, Denver and San Antonio each have 25 testing center locations, while Indianapolis has five and Anchorage, Alaska, just two.

Figure 3 STDCheck Testing Center Locations in New York City and Los Angeles

On the website, STDCheck states that STD tests usually take five minutes or less. But the downside of this service is you must go to a testing center, rather than doing the test at home.

STDCheck offers two STD test options:

• 10-Test Panel: $139 to $259
• Individual Test: $24 to $119

The 10-Test Panel checks for HIV 1 and 2, herpes 1 and 2, hepatitis A, B, and C, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. You can also purchase individual tests for these STDs. Both have the option to purchase the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved HIV RNA early detection test, which can detect an HIV infection as early as 9 to 11 days after exposure, according to the company’s website. Normal HIV tests detect the virus about 10 to 33 days after exposure, according to the CDC.

Test Result Notifications

Once all results are finalized by the lab and uploaded to your secure online account, you will receive a notification email or text that they are available to view.

If you test positive for an STD, STDCheck offers a phone consultation with a doctor to explain your results and let you ask any questions. Depending on what STD you test positive for, STDCheck also offers a phone consultation for $95, during which doctors can prescribe you medication and provide guidance on how to take it. The company also offers a prescription for your partner for an additional $95.

Prescriptions and follow-up care vary by state and symptoms, so connect with the doctor or your healthcare provider for more information.

Customer Service Contact Information

If you need support or have questions, you can contact the STDCheck customer support team in the following ways:

• Phone 800-456-2323
• Live Chat
• Online form

The customer support team is available Monday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CST.

When a member of our reviews team used the live chat function, the support team responded within 30 seconds and was helpful in answering our questions. The agent didn’t push for a sale and provided excellent customer support, including asking if we had any follow-up questions. We also liked that it wasn’t necessary to fill out a form with an email or name before using the chat (unlike the Everlywell customer service form or the LetsGetChecked live chat), which keeps the experience private and simple.

During the checkout process, you’ll submit your first and last name, gender, date of birth, and how you’d like to be contacted with your results. For example, you can receive your STI test results by email or text, or you can call in to get the results. STDCheck offers an added layer of privacy with an option that specifies, “Do not contact me, I will check my account or call in for results.”

Payment Options

STDCheck accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, as well as FSA and HSA payments.

• Price $59 to $198
• Type of Test Finger prick, urine sample
• STDs It Tests For HIV 1 and 2, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, herpes 1 and 2, and trichomoniasis
• Time to Receive Results 1 to 3 days
• Insurance Accepted No
• Prescribes Medication Yes
• Laboratory Certification CLIA
• Collection Process In person

Our reviews team named PrioritySTD “Best for Privacy of In-Person Test,” because in addition to complying with HIPAA, your credit card billing statement won’t show STD or STI after purchasing and will instead show a one-time payment to “SFHT.” Some other companies on this list also follow this practice, but not all (such as Everlywell).

This is useful for customers who want discretion or privacy, which many customers do, according to our reviews team’s survey. The majority of survey respondents (65 percent) chose “privacy” as the reason that they decided to purchase an at-home STD test kit rather than take an in-person test.

The downside of PrioritySTD is that you have to go into a Quest Diagnostics testing center instead of collecting your sample at home. You order your test code online, type in your ZIP code to find a nearby testing center, then go to your local testing center to have a patient services representative collect your blood or urine sample.

That said, when you arrive at the testing center, all of your information is already stored, so there’s no need to say why you’re there or what test you’re taking. You simply register with your name and give your sample. No information is ever sent to your home or reported to your healthcare provider, unless you approve it.

Still, PrioritySTD may not be a good fit if you live in a rural area far from any testing centers, or if you would just prefer to do the full process at home. PrioritySTD has approximately 4,000 testing locations (see Figure 4), which is less than the 4,500 available for STDCheck. Use the company’s Find a Lab tool to see if there are testing centers in your area.

Figure 4 PrioritySTD Testing Locations in New York City and Los Angeles

PrioritySTD offers three at-home STD test kits:

• Twin Panel: $119
• 10-Panel Test: $198
• Individual Tests: $59 to $189

The Twin Panel kit tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea, while the 10-Panel kit tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea plus hepatitis B and C, syphilis, herpes 1 and 2, and HIV 1 and 2. Individual testing kits are available for the above infections as well as trichomoniasis, HIV RNA early detection, and herpes early detection. Each STD test varies in terms of sample collection method, but they all require either a finger prick or urine sample. Results are expedited and are typically processed in 24 to 72 hours.

The PrioritySTD process is HIPAA-compliant, meaning the lab order and results are completely confidential and never disclosed without your consent. From ordering your test to getting results, all personally identifiable information is secure. PrioritySTD states on its website that the company complies with all state and federal regulations governing the reporting of positive test results, to ensure that you are not contacted in the event of a reactive test.

Test Result Notifications

Like most of the brands on this list, PrioritySTD will email you when your results are available. A physician consultation is available for $65 if you receive a positive result for chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis. PrioritySTD offers a discount coupon for your medication.

Also, like the other at-home STD tests on this list, prescription availability varies according to state regulations and your symptoms, as well as the length of follow-up care needed. Contact the care team or your healthcare provider for more support.

Customer Service Contact Information

If you need support or have questions, you can contact the PrioritySTD customer support team in the following ways:

• Phone 888-211-2365
• Live chat

The customer support team is available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. CST.

PrioritySTD also has an online chat function, which you’ll find in the lower right-hand corner of the company’s website. PrioritySTD has a handful of topics on its FAQ page.

A member of our reviews team contacted customer support via the online chat, and the customer representative was supportive and answered our questions quickly. They didn’t press us to make a purchase or require us to give them a name or other personal information, making the process simple and private.

Payment Options

PrioritySTD accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, as well as FSA and HSA payments. Like LetsGetChecked, PrioritySTD accepts PayPal payments as well.

At-home STD test kits have plenty of benefits, but they may not be the best fit for everyone.

According to our reviews team’s survey, the top three reasons people chose at-home STD test kits versus in-person testing were that they’re more private (65 percent), more convenient (57 percent), and more accessible (42 percent) than in-person tests. In addition to a private experience, all of the brands on this list use secure sockets layer technology (also known as SSL) to keep your information secure and comply with HIPAA regulations.

The top two disadvantages survey respondents reported in terms of their at-home STD test kits were that they were unsure which STDs/STIs to get tested for (39 percent) and that they had difficulty understanding the results (32 percent). Every brand on this list offers some type of consultation, either before or after testing, to help users know which test(s) they should order and how to understand the results.

Pros

• More privacy
• Convenience
• Better accessibility
• Less stigma

Cons

• Not sure which STI/STD to get tested for
• Difficulty understanding the results
• Unsure when to get tested
• Depending on the service, may not get in-person guidance from a medical expert

STDs, or sexually transmitted diseases, are generally acquired by sexual contact, according to the Mayo Clinic. The bacteria, viruses, or parasites that cause sexually transmitted diseases may pass from person to person via blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or other bodily fluids, or by skin-to-skin contact.

The Mayo Clinic notes that these infections can also be transmitted nonsexually, such as from mothers to their infants during pregnancy or childbirth, or through blood transfusions or shared needles, and that it’s possible to contract STIs from people who seem perfectly healthy and may not even know they have an infection, since STIs do not always cause obvious symptoms.

STDs Versus STIs

An important detail to note is that the terms STD and STI, while usually used interchangeably, actually have slightly different meanings.

STI refers to an “infection” and STD refers to a “disease.” An infection happens when a virus enters your body and your immune system kicks in to fight it, according to Planned Parenthood. Disease happens when the infection causes symptoms, damages part of your body, or leads to illness. Some infections don’t always result in disease, or the disease may take time to develop. For example, chlamydia is an STI that, if left untreated, can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, according to the American Sexual Health Association.

In this article we use both terms interchangeably to reflect their real-world usage.

Depending on which company you purchase from, there are two potential processes involved in at-home STD testing: mailing in your sample or submitting it in person.

Mailing In Your Sample

Companies like Everlywell, LetsGetChecked, myLAB Box, and Nurx follow a process like this:

• Order the test online or by phone.
• When the test arrives in the mail, collect your sample according to the instructions.
• Mail or drop off the sample at the lab.*
• Wait 1 to 11 days for the results.*
• Email, call, or check the mobile app when your results are ready.*

*Varies based on the company.

If you’re having a routine STD checkup or you’re not worried about getting the results quickly, the mail-in option might be the best route for you.

Submitting Your Sample In Person

The processes for PrioritySTD and STDCheck are slightly different. You still order the test online, but instead of collecting your sample at home, you go into a lab to submit a sample in person.

If your top priority is fast results and you don’t mind going to a testing center (although it’s usually less private and convenient), then submitting a sample in person may be a better option for you.

Positive Test Results

If you test positive, the STD testing services on this list will alert you of the results and discuss treatment options.

Most STD testing companies are required by law to report positive results to the health department in your state, according to the CDC.

The labs used by the companies on this list are all either CLIA- and/or CAP-certified. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulates all laboratory testing (except research) through the CLIA. The CDC, FDA, and CMS all support the CLIA program and clinical laboratory quality. CAP accreditation helps labs meet the required standards from federal agencies such as the FDA or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. One certification isn’t necessarily better than the other; they have different measurements of quality and standards to follow.

Some of the companies on this list offer a free physician or nurse consultation if the results of your test come back positive. Depending on the STD symptoms you’re experiencing, the physician may be able to send a prescription to your pharmacy.

The only company on this list that accepts insurance is Nurx. But every company on the list allows you to use FSA or HSA funds to pay the test fee.

STI Test Collection Process

There are various collection processes for the different STD tests on this list.

The methods for collecting a sample for testing include giving a urine sample, getting a finger prick for a blood sample, or doing a vaginal swab, throat swab, or rectal swab. Depending on the tests needed, you might be required to give multiple samples. For example, for the Nurx Full Control Home STI Test Kit, the collection methods include a urine sample, throat swab, rectal swab, and finger prick. Each test will specify the sample or samples that are needed.

Are At-Home STD Tests Accurate?

At-home STD tests are generally very accurate, although the accuracy rates can vary depending on the test and collection method.

Accuracy is determined by two things:

• Sensitivity This refers to a test’s ability to correctly identify people with the disease.
• Specificity This refers to a test’s ability to correctly identify people without the disease.

Gregory Marchand, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn and gynecologic surgeon who founded the Marchand Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery in Mesa, Arizona, says that at-home STD tests are very sensitive and reliable, often with greater than 99 percent accuracy. But, referencing a study published in July 2015 in PLOS One that confirms this information, Dr. Marchand concludes that a doctor visit is still the better option: “If you have time to stop by your doctor’s, it may be cheaper and will probably be covered by your insurance.”

You have a few options when it comes to taking an STD test, including:

• Fully at-home test
• At-home to lab test
• In-office test

Lee Phillips, EdD, LCSW, a psychotherapist and certified sex and couples therapist with practices in Virginia and New York, says that finding the right STD test for your needs depends on your comfort level. “For example, it may be their first time getting tested for STIs and they may want to do it in the comfort of their own home so they’ll have more privacy,” Philips says. “For a lab test, they may want privacy as well, so they will order the test online, complete the test and send it in. Also, at-home and lab testing may be more affordable and convenient.”

In our reviews team’s survey of STD test kit users, the majority of respondents (65 percent) reported that they chose an at-home test because it was “more private.” The second most common reason was that it was “more convenient.”

“Others may prefer in-office testing because they would like to have a conversation with their medical provider, and to make sure the tests are completed correctly,” Dr. Phillips adds.

“If the person is sexually active and single, I recommend they see a doctor for STI testing every three months,” says Phillips. “Also, if they are in a nonmonogamous relationship and they are sexually active, they should be tested every three months.”

Phillips adds that if someone feels like they may have contracted an STI and are concerned, they should see a doctor immediately.

If you’re sexually active, getting tested for STDs is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health, according to the CDC. How often you should get tested varies based on your age, gender, and other factors.

Marchand recommends getting tested for common STDs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, which have the potential to do serious harm if they are not treated. “Gonorrhea and chlamydia can both lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which can then lead to scarring of the fallopian tubes and permanent infertility,” Marchand says.

Here are some of the specifics about which STDs you should get tested for and how often, according to the CDC.

To curate our list of the best at-home STD tests, our reviews team looked at several STD kits from various brands on the market. We considered the following key factors in making our decision:

• Price
• Types of STDs tested
• Collection process
• Length of time to receive results
• Privacy policy
• CLIA or CLA certification of labs
• Customer service
• Access to follow-up care
• Options to prescribe medication
• Customer reviews

Getting tested for STIs, whether you’re a teenager or an adult, is important to your sexual health. And with the increase in STDs among the U.S. population and the growing preference for privacy and discretion during testing, at-home options have become a vital part of the process.

After researching the best at-home STD tests, our reviews team chose Everlywell as “Best Pricing.” LetsGetChecked could be a good option if you want “Best for Customer Support.” If you’re looking for more options, such as a kit for couples, myLAB Box may be a better choice for you, as it was our pick for “Best Variety of Testing Options.”

For people whose top priority is finding an STD kit covered by insurance, check out Nurx, which we named “Best for Insurance.” If privacy is your number one concern and you’re okay going into a lab for sample collection, our pick for “Privacy of In-Person Test” was PrioritySTD. And finally, STDCheck may be a good option if you want “Best for Quick Results” and don’t mind going to a center to get tested.