Trying To Conceive? We Tried These Top Ovulation Tests And Got Pregnant! (2024)

Trying To Conceive? We Tried These Top Ovulation Tests And Got Pregnant! (1)

If you’re trying to conceive, ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) are more accurate than period tracker apps, says Carolina Sueldo, MD, a board-certified fertility specialist and founder of Ceibo Fertility Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. OPKs work by detecting hormone levels. While some monitor metrics using wearable devices, most test for luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine. This hormone triggers the start of ovulation. So, if an LH surge is detected, it usually means ovulation is going to occur in the next 36 hours, explains Karenne N. Fru, MD, an Atlanta-based OB-GYN and founder of Muna Fertility. If intercourse is timed during this short window, it could increase your chances of getting pregnant, she adds.

But with so many on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose. That’s why we dove into the research and consulted experts to narrow down the very best ovulation tests, then put them to the test, with 10 editors testing 18 different ovulation kits at home. Of these, seven wowed us on attributes like accuracy, ease of use, and more—and two even led to pregnancy! Here’s how they stacked up.

Types of Ovulation Tests

Ovulation tests all share the same goal—to help you understand when you’re most likely to conceive. Most require a urine sample at home to detect the ovulation hormone, though some involve wearable devices that collect metrics to pinpoint ovulation. Here are the different types of ovulation tests to choose from:

  • Test sticks: Traditional ovulation kits refer to test sticks—the plastic kind you pee on, wait, and look for a dark line that indicates an LH surge. These work quite well, but the lines can sometimes be difficult to read, says Isabelle P. Ryan, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist with Pacific Fertility Center in San Francisco.
  • Test strips: Test sticks have a plastic casing, which is a cost that gets passed along to the consumer. Not to mention, the extra plastic creates waste. Test strips are the same as test sticks but with the outer plastic casing. They’re the best budget-friendly option, but they can be somewhat messy and hard to read.
  • Digital tests: Digital ovulation tests look similar to pregnancy tests. You pee on them, wait a few minutes, and allow the test to interpret the results for you. These are easier to use because you usually look for a positive indicator, such as a smiley face, rather than a thin line, says Dr. Ryan.
  • Wearable devices: If you don’t want to pee on a stick, you don’t have to. Though pricey, wearable devices are convenient and offer far more metrics than just an LH surge. Simply wear a bracelet on your wrist and allow it to start tracking data, including the best days to try for a baby, cycle length, sleep health, and more.

What Healthcare Providers Want You To Know

We asked women’s health and fertility experts for the most important features when choosing an OPK. Here’s what the experts recommend prioritizing:

  • Accuracy and reliability: It’s important to choose an accurate and reliable ovulation test, says Anate Brauer, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist and OB-GYN in New York City. OPKs that detect an LH surge work well on their own, but choosing a test that also detects estrone-3-glucuronide (E3G) can make it even more accurate, Dr. Ryan adds. Not all OPKs detect both hormones, but it may be worth exploring kits that check for more than one.
  • Technology features: Though it can sometimes be buggy, technology often makes our lives easier. Features like digital interpretations and mobile app integrations can make ovulation tests more convenient to use, says Dr. Brauer. Some—like the Ava—even remove the often essential but messy part—the peeing on a stick.
  • Budget: You don’t have to spend a lot of money to track your ovulation, though options exist across all price points. If you have the budget to splurge on additional features, go for it. They either collect more data or make testing easier on you, but they’re not mandatory.
  • Easy to use: The simplest OPKs are usually the cheapest but aren’t always the easiest to read. You might have to squint your eyes to look for lines that indicate a positive result. This has no effect on a test’s accuracy, but digital tests offer the best balance of budget and convenience. For maximum convenience, opt for wearable devices that require little to no effort.

Our Top Picks

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Best for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS):

Mira Hormone Monitor Max Kit at Amazon ($229)

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In This Article

  • Types of Ovulation Tests

  • What Healthcare Providers Want You To Know

  • Our Picks

  • How We Tested the Ovulation Tests

  • How to Take an Ovulation Test

  • When to Take an Ovulation Test

  • Our Experts

  • FAQ

  • Why Trust Verywell Health

Pros

  • Tests for multiple hormones

  • Instructions are clear and easy to follow

  • Smiley symbols are easier to read than lines

Cons

  • You have to repurchase the entire system when you run out of test sticks

  • When you get a peak fertility result, you can’t retest for 48 hours

  • Yielded errors when we peed directly on the stick

Key Specs

Type: Digital | Sensitivity: 40 mIU/ml | App Integration: No | Additional Hormone Tracking: Estrogen

Why We Recommend It

If you’re wondering which ovulation test experts recommend, it’s this one. This Clearblue ovulation test is not only easy to use and read, but it also checks for both LG and estrogen, which makes it more accurate, explains Dr. Ryan. Plus, one of our editors with an irregular cycle became pregnant while using this ovulation test. She ovulated later than expected, and had it not been for this OPK, she wouldn’t have caught the unexpected LH surge that led to pregnancy.

We had better results when dipping the tip into a urine sample rather than peeing directly on it. The best part about this OPK is the easy-to-read results. One of three symbols will appear—a circle for low fertility, a flashing smiley face for high fertility, and a non-flashing smiley face for peak fertility. ClearBlue recommends testing until you get a peak fertility result, which indicates an LH surge and the time you’re most likely to get pregnant. You’ll need to know which symbols to look for, but we found this more straightforward than deciphering lines on traditional test strips. The results appear quickly, too, and they don’t disappear right away in case you missed them. On average, it took about 5 minutes for our results to pop up.

The kit includes 20 test sticks (about $1.65 per stick), which could last several cycles. In comparison, we also tested the Mosie Baby Ovulation Predictor Kit, which only comes with seven test sticks. Even though we found it to also be straightforward to use, the cost works out to about $2.86 per test stick, and it only tests for LG. That means you get more accuracy for less money with the Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test.

Keep In Mind

This kit includes a reusable holder, which signals sustainability and affordability. However, refills aren’t available, so you have to repurchase the entire kit when you run out of test sticks. We also found it frustrating that you can’t retest after getting a peak fertility result. While this saves test sticks, it’s frustrating when you want to double-check your results. We also ran into errors when we tried peeing directly on the stick. We recommend using a collection cup and dipping the stick in it, which is a little less convenient.

  • Trying To Conceive? We Tried These Top Ovulation Tests And Got Pregnant! (3)

  • Trying To Conceive? We Tried These Top Ovulation Tests And Got Pregnant! (4)

  • Trying To Conceive? We Tried These Top Ovulation Tests And Got Pregnant! (5)

Pros

  • Tests for four hormones

  • Suitable for women with PCOS or irregular cycles

  • Predicts your six most fertile days

Cons

  • Refill wands are pricey

  • It takes about 20 minutes to get the results

Key Specs

Type: Test wands and monitor | Sensitivity: 0 to 30+ mIU/mL | App Integration: Yes | Additional Hormone Tracking: Estrone-3-glucuronide (E3G), Pregnanediol-3-glucuronide (PDG), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Why We Recommend It

There are many ovulation tests to choose from, and Mira uniquely combines the advantages of a few of them. The kit includes ten fertility wands and a monitor. The wands are similar to test sticks since they’re sturdy, but rather than pee on them directly, you’ll dunk the absorbent tips into a urine collection cup.

The actual testing process is nothing new, but here’s how Mira is different: You’ll insert the end of the Mira wands into the monitor, which tests for four fertility hormones and syncs the results to the integrated app. It takes a bit longer to get the results since it checks for LH as well as estrogen, progesterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone, but we found the visual data very satisfying.

It was also very accurate. Our editor had blood tests taken while testing the Mira device, and the Mira results were in line with professional lab results. It successfully detected our editor’s LH surge during her cycle. There are even trials to back up its accuracy.

Though this option is pricey, we can see how some women could use the additional data it provides. Ovulation tests that only detect LH surges are designed for women with regular cyclesbut may be inaccurate for some women, explains Dr. Fru. She adds that ovulation tests that check for multiple hormones aremore helpful for women withPCOSor irregular cycles.

Keep In Mind

You only have to buy the system once to get the monitor, but the refill wands are pricey for packs of 20. It’s also the kit with the longest wait time to get the results. On average, we had to wait about 20 minutes for the results to become available. On occasions we wanted to retest, the process took about 45 minutes.

  • Trying To Conceive? We Tried These Top Ovulation Tests And Got Pregnant! (7)

  • Trying To Conceive? We Tried These Top Ovulation Tests And Got Pregnant! (8)

Pros

  • Easy to use

  • No urine sample needed

  • Collects a lot of data points

Cons

  • Pricey

  • Not suitable for women with implanted electronic devices

  • Requires daily charging

Key Specs

Type: Wearable device | Sensitivity: N/A | App Integration: Yes | Additional Hormone Tracking: N/A

Why We Recommend It

You don’t need a fancy tool to track your cycle and ovulation, but it can come in handy. Our editor had manually tracked her cycle with pen and paper for years before trying out an app but found this wearable device from Ava easier and more accurate than any other method. In fact, this device helped our editor get pregnant.

Using the Ava bracelet couldn’t be simpler or more convenient. Simply charge it during the day and wear it overnight while you sleep. When you wake up, the bracelet takes about a minute to sync to the app and load your results. This eliminates the hassle of collecting a urine sample, and we also found it alleviates some of the stress and mental load when trying to conceive.

If you love the metrics that wearable devices provide, you’ll appreciate the Ava fertility bracelet. It collects a wealth of data related to your fertility as well as your overall health, such as sleep, stress, temperature, heart rate, and more. While ovulation sticks and tests are best at identifying an LH surge, this device pinpoints at least five of your most fertile days—not just your peak ovulation. Wearable fertility trackers may seem too good to be true, but research shows that they can accurately detect ovulation to increase the chances of conception.

Keep In Mind

The Ava fertility bracelet doesn’t come cheap. You also have to stay on top of charging it every day, and it’s not suitable for those with implanted electronic devices such as pacemakers.

  • Trying To Conceive? We Tried These Top Ovulation Tests And Got Pregnant! (10)

  • Trying To Conceive? We Tried These Top Ovulation Tests And Got Pregnant! (11)

Pros

  • Generous amount of test strips

  • Individually wrapped

  • Quick results

Cons

  • Urine collection cups aren’t included

Key Specs

Type: Strips | Sensitivity: N/A | App Integration: No | Additional Hormone Tracking: N/A

Why We Recommend It

Women’s health products and fertility tools can be pricey, so we explored some options that don’t break the bank. A 50-pack of Wondfo test strips come out to about $0.30 per test, which is one of the most affordable OPKs we tested.

The Wondfo kit is basic and has no frills, but it did what we needed it to. The strips are individually wrapped, which was convenient when our editor was traveling. To use them, you dip the stick into a urine collection cup for about 10 seconds. We tested these strips over two cycles and found them consistent, accurate and available quickly. It usually only took about 3 minutes for the results to populate. The LH surges that were detected were in line with our editor’s usual cycle, so we didn’t question their accuracy.

In comparison, the MomMed Ovulation Test Strips we tested came out to about the same price per test, but they weren’t always accurate. We had a few duds, leading us to the conclusion that they’re not consistent enough to meet our standards. We also tested Pregmate Ovulation Test Strips, which come out to about $0.50 per test, and even though all test strips are a bit messy, we found theirs messy to the point that we couldn't recommend them. The Natalist Ovulation Test Kit we tested comes with 30 strips (so about $0.76 per test), and at more than twice the price of Wondfo, we found it wasn’t as sensitive.

Keep In Mind

Most OPKs require you to pee on a stick or dip the end of a test strip into a cup you’ve peed in. This kit falls in the latter camp, but you’ll have to provide your own cup, which can be messy and inconvenient.

  • Trying To Conceive? We Tried These Top Ovulation Tests And Got Pregnant! (13)

  • Trying To Conceive? We Tried These Top Ovulation Tests And Got Pregnant! (14)

  • Trying To Conceive? We Tried These Top Ovulation Tests And Got Pregnant! (15)

Pros

  • Budget-friendly

  • Instructions are clear and easy to follow

  • Generous amount of ovulation and pregnancy tests

Cons

  • Strips are small and short

  • Can be messy

  • Collection cup not included

Key Specs

Type: Strips | Sensitivity: 25 mIU/mL | App Integration: Yes | Additional Hormone Tracking: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Why We Recommend It

Women on their trying-to-conceive journey are all too familiar with ovulation and pregnancy tests. They’re not the same, and you’ll likely need both to conceive naturally. This kit provides 50 ovulation test strips and 20 pregnancy test strips, making it a convenient and affordable option.

This kit doesn’t have any bells and whistles—it’s a basic kit, and we liked that about it. The instructions were easy to follow, and the results were available within less than five minutes. Though it’s a budget-friendly kit, you can log your results in the integrated app, which was a nice touch and not something we expected at the price point.

Our editor, who has a very consistent cycle, found these ovulation tests spot on. The results were consistent with her usual tracking method, so we didn’t doubt its accuracy.

Keep In Mind

Test strips are the most basic type of ovulation test, but they’re not for everyone. These strips were shorter and smaller than others we tested, making them messier. You can’t pee on them directly, so you’ll also need to provide your own collection cup.

  • Trying To Conceive? We Tried These Top Ovulation Tests And Got Pregnant! (17)

  • Trying To Conceive? We Tried These Top Ovulation Tests And Got Pregnant! (18)

How We Tested the Ovulation Tests

To determine the best ovulation kits, we enlisted a team of our editors to conduct firsthand testing. These editors tested 18 products, taking care to follow the provided manufacturer’s instructions. The testing window varied, but on average, we tested the products across one or two menstrual cycles.

We then collected insights based on the following attributes:

  • Accuracy: While ovulation tests aren’t perfect and we expected some false readings, they’re up to 99% accurate, according to research. We had editors test multiple kits at the same time to check for false positives.
  • Ease of Use: All ovulation tests work similarly—by detecting the LH hormone as a baseline predictor of fertility—but they’re not all designed the same. Some are simpler, and some are more complex. We always followed the manufacturer's instructions, which can vary, and shared our firsthand account of how user-friendly we thought each was.
  • Speed of Results: It usually takes about 5 minutes for results to show up after taking an ovulation test. Some of our results were ready in less time, while others took up to 20 minutes. We timed how long it took us to know our results so we could compare the fastest tests.
  • Value: We tested ovulation kits at every price point—from $8 to $279. According to the OB-GYNs we spoke to, the more expensive ovulation kits aren’t necessarily better, but they do come with more convenient features and offer more data. Everyone’s budget and needs are different, but after testing each kit for at least one cycle, we shared whether we felt the price was fair for what you get.

How to Take an Ovulation Test

Prior to using an ovulation test, you should read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them, Dr. Sueldo says. Their accuracy often relies on how well you follow the instructions, so don’t skip that vital step. Though the instructions can vary, you can typically expect the following steps to taking a traditional ovulation test:

  1. Unwrap the stick or strip and remove the cap if it has one
  2. Pointing downwards, place the absorbent tip in the urine stream or urine collection cup for 5-7 seconds
  3. Wait for the results, which can take several minutes to appear

In test strips, a second line that’s as dark as or darker than the control line indicates a positive result. Digital tests take the guesswork out of deciphering the lines. They have easy-to-understand symbols, such as a smiley face, to showcase a positive result.

When to Take an Ovulation Test

Ovulation occurs once per month, and the window is brief, so it can be difficult to detect. To increase your chances of detecting an LH surge, get familiar with your cycle and start testing a few days before your predicted ovulation. A regular cycle typically lasts between 28 and 32 days, though it can vary. In a normal cycle, ovulation typically occurs between days 11 and 21. Your cycle begins on the first day of your period, so start testing early on in your cycle. Dr. Ryan recommends beginning to test on day 9 or 10 of your cycle.

When it’s time to test, the time of day can also make a difference. Test timing recommendations can vary per kit, so it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Some recommend testing first thing in the morning. Generally, it’s best to test earlier in the day when urine is most concentrated, says Katrina J. Heyrana, MD, an OB-GYN at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles. Your second void of day is typically best, she adds. You want concentrated urine, so Dr. Heyrana recommends holding your pee for a couple of hours. You also want to avoid drinking large amounts of fluids before taking the test.

Once you have a positive result that indicates ovulation, Dr. Sueldo recommends having exposure to the sperm that day and the following day. A positive result means it’s either time for intercourse or insemination in women trying to conceive, she says.

Our Experts

A handful of physicians helped inform our research, methodology, and testing. The experts we spoke to include:

  • Anate Brauer, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist and OB-GYN in New York City
  • Karenne N. Fru, MD, an Atlanta-based OB-GYN and founder of Muna Fertility
  • Katrina J. Heyrana, MD, an OB-GYN at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles
  • Pinar H. Kodaman, MD, PhD, founder and medical director of Connecticut Reproductive Medicine, PLLC, a Reproductive Endocrinology, and Infertility (REI) practice slated to open in early 2025
  • Isabelle P. Ryan, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist with Pacific Fertility Center in San Francisco
  • Carolina Sueldo, MD, a board-certified fertility specialist and founder of Ceibo Fertility Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What’s the difference between an ovulation test and a pregnancy test?

    Ovulation and pregnancy tests are similar, but they check for different hormones. Ovulation tests check for a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), which determines when you’re ovulating. Pregnancy tests check for the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine, which only develops when women are pregnant.

  • Can I use ovulation tests to prevent pregnancy?

    Some women use ovulation kits to know when to avoid intercourse so as to prevent pregnancy. However, they shouldn’t be used as your sole form of birth control, Dr. Ryan says. This is because pregnancy is still possible outside of the window of ovulation since sperm can remain in the female reproductive tract for up to five days, she explains.

  • How long after my LH surge will I ovulate?

    Ovulation tests predict ovulation within a 24- to 36-hour window, Dr. Ryan says. It’s possible for ovulation to occur the same day of or the day following a positive ovulation test result.

  • If I get a negative result, does it mean I'm not ovulating this cycle?

    A negative ovulation test result means that an LH surge wasn’t detected, but this doesn’t mean you won’t ovulate in your current cycle. It could mean that you haven’t ovulated yet. It’s also possible that the test yielded a false negative.

Why Trust Verywell Health

Lacey Muinos is a freelance health writer who regularly covers women’s health. With almost a decade of experience reporting on health products, she regularly consults medical experts to provide quality recommendations, and has interviewed board-certified OB-GYNs about everything from period products to endometriosis and fertility.

Trying To Conceive? We Tried These Top Ovulation Tests And Got Pregnant! (2024)

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