What are the pros and cons of pricier pregnancy tests?
You might be able to obtain a reliable result sooner if you use a test that costs more because it may be more sensitive to hCG levels. But it’s not a guarantee. No matter how much you pay, taking a test before the day of your anticipated period increases your risk of receiving a false negative or false positive result.
There are also those extra bells and whistles. A digital display may be slightly more expensive but may be simpler to read and understand. The same is true for examinations with plastic handles or quicker wait times. More tests are typically included in more expensive packs, which can be useful if you know you’ll want to double- (or triple-) check your results or have extra pregnancy tests on hand in case you need to try again the following month.
What are the pros and cons of less expensive pregnancy tests?
They work just as well, but their main advantage is that they’re less expensive. If you use cheaper pregnancy tests as directed by the manufacturer, the results will still be up to 99 percent accurate.
As for the drawbacks, less expensive options lack features like a plastic handle or a marginally shorter wait time that might make pregnancy testing more practical. Additionally, they might have simpler line-based displays rather than digital readouts, which, according to some studies, may be more difficult for users to understand and correctly interpret. For example, if a line on the display is incredibly faint, you might question whether the outcome truly matters.
Finally, a less expensive box might contain fewer pregnancy tests. Therefore, it might be worthwhile to pay more for a box with more sticks or strips if you like the idea of being able to confirm your results.
How accurate are home pregnancy tests?
Many home pregnancy tests claim to be 99% accurate. However, home pregnancy tests vary in their capacity to detect pregnancy in individuals who have just missed a period. Take another test one week after your missed period, or get in touch with your healthcare provider, if you receive a negative test result but continue to believe you might be pregnant.