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Introduction
Would you be able to tell if you had COVID-19? What about easy at-home Covid-19 test kits? What if you were asymptomatic? We should be wondering if this is the dawn of the zombie apocalypse “World War Z” warned us about.
Yes, it is good news is that the zombie apocalypse isn’t happening anytime soon to us. Healthcare workers are trying to test and also vaccinate most of the population from the virus worldwide with the help of these at-home Covid-19 test kits.
In this article, I’ll be reviewing five popular at-home Covid-19 test kits, so you can purchase the best one for you.
Where can I get The Best at-home COVID-19 test kits? Is testing for COVID-19 at home possible?
Yes, you can test for coronavirus in the comfort of your home for a good reason with Covid-19 home test kits. Leaving the house to get testing all the time is counterproductive.
That’s where the genius of an at-home Covid-19 test kit comes into play.
These are specially designed test kits that are portable and can be purchased over the counter, online, or prescribed by a doctor.
Using the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method (or another genetic boosting method) to see if it contains the virus’ genetic material from your sample collected. The antigen test also known as COVID rapid test can detect specific proteins on the virus surface.
While vaccination campaigns are ongoing, new variants of the disease have introduced a shocking number of symptoms and new cases. Hence, coronavirus testing is still a major part of keeping the virus from spreading uncontrollably. You can perform these COVID self-tests from home, or anywhere you happen to be.
We can test for coronavirus in three different ways:
Molecular tests require the collection of genetic materials through nasal swabs or saliva. Your sample is then processed using the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to see if it contains the virus’ genetic material.
Antibody tests often indicate whether a person has had COVID-19 in the past.
Antigen tests, also called rapid COVID tests, are designed to detect specific proteins on the virus’s surface. It also produces rapid results, faster than other tests.
Quick look At the Best At Home COVID test kits that money can buy.
- EverlyWell COVID-19 – an excellent choice for a reliable self-collection kit.
Labcorp OnDemand: at $119, this is a kid-friendly Covid-19 test kit suitable for children from Ages 2 and above.
DXTerity: this at-home test kit costs $95 and it’s a saliva-based test that is sensitive and provides 99% accuracy.
LetsGetChecked – is easy to use and is suitable for children aged 2 and above
Flowflex: An Antigen rapid home test kit that costs only $9.99 and provides results in 15 minutes.
BinaxNow – able to detect active COVID-19 infection using a minimally invasive nasal swab sample collection technique.
Nurx: Provides accurate PCR testing for only $29 with fast results available within 30 minutes of sample collection.
Letson/go: A rapid testing method that provides accurate results in just 10 minutes and costs $20.
Overview
The FDA has also given the EveryWell at-home COVID test kit full authorization for coronavirus testing option. Trusted by over one million people, this test makes collecting your samples easy, and then you securely ship them to a specified laboratory for testing.
Your results are ready between twenty-four and forty-eight hours and sent to you digitally with a set of guidelines to help you through the following steps. It’s that easy!
Highlights
- The EverlyWell COVID-19 kit requires a non-invasive lower nasal swab, making the sample collection process much more comfortable. The RTPCR is the one that processes the samples, and it gives an easy understanding and personalized feedback while you’re on the go.
Pricing
The EverlyWell kit costs $109 with no additional fees, and you can easily purchase it from the EverlyWell official website.
My Take
If you’re eighteen years or older and looking to carry out an at-home COVID test, EverlyWell is an excellent choice for a reliable self-collection kit.
Overview
The OnDemand COVID-19 PCR home self-collection kit is a child-friendly, easy-to-use, and convenient at-home Covid-19 test kit produced by Labcorp.
The company utilizes the specificity and sensitivity of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing on collected samples which is considered to be the Gold standard by the CDC for SARS-CoV-2.
Ever since it launched in March 2020, Labcorp has successfully carried out over 60 million Covid-19 tests making it tested and trusted by people all over the United States.
Highlights
· Labcorp OnDemand uses PCR testing to detect all known variants of the virus including the Omicron and Delta variants.
· Sample collection is comfortable for children and easy. All you have to do is take a nasal swab using the tools provided in the kit.
· It is not a rapid test and samples will have to be shipped to any designated Labcorp laboratory via FedEx.
· The results of the test are usually available and delivered 1-2 days from when your sample arrives at the laboratory.
· The result of your test will be made accessible online in your private Labcorp Patient or OnDemand accounts in an easy-to-read format.
· The Labcorp OnDemand comes with a free clinician consultation for customers who turn out to be positive.
· Labcorp also offers customers in-person Covid-19 testing at any of their Labcorp locations.
· A flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account is accepted.
Pricing
Labcorp OnDemand at-home Covid-19 test kit cost $119. However, your insurance could cut down the costs if you are insured and meet certain clinical guidelines for Covid-19 testing.
My Take
This at-home COVID test kit is easy to use and suitable for children older than 2 years. Although it may seem pricey, it does provide enough value for money, especially with the free consultation that comes with the package.
Overview
The DxTerity Covid-19 test collection kit makes Covid-19 sample collection and testing so easy and convenient with its non-intrusive method utilizing only saliva.
The tests are carried out on the collected saliva samples at designated laboratories using the highly-sensitive PCR testing method which is the gold standard for Covid-19 testing.
The testing method is more sensitive than antigen testing methods and it’s able to accurately detect all known Covid-19 variants.
Highlights
· Sample collection by DxTerity is easy and convenient requiring small amounts of saliva to be collected.
· All you have to do is collect your saliva samples, package and shipped using the prepaid return label included in the kit.
· The PCR testing method has been verified to work with all known Covid-19 variants, including the Omicron variant.
· All tests are carried out in a dedicated in-house laboratory to ensure better quality control and faster result turnaround.
· It can be used for people who are asymptomatic and can detect early infection with high accuracy.
· The results are made available to you online through the secure portal within 24-72 hours.
· DxTerity is an FDA EUA-authorized at-home Covid-19 test kit.
Pricing
DxTerity is available for sale at $95 on the company’s official website.
My Take
The saliva sample collection method is quite easy and convenient compared to the nasal swab method. So if you’re not a fan of having your nose poked with a long intrusive swab stick, this is a good choice for you.
Overview
The LetsGetChecked coronavirus testing kit is a convenient and gentle way to test for COVID-19 from the comfort of your home. All it takes is the careful collection of a lower nasal swab.
The at-home COVID test kit comes with a return shipping label, allowing you to easily send your sample back to their high complexity certified laboratory for analysis (CLIA). Using the RT-PCR/TMA technique, the results will be secure and authentic when sent to your online account. Between twenty-four and seventy-two hours after the samples have arrived, the results will be ready.
Highlights
- LetsGetChecked’s at-home COVID test kit is easy to use and more convenient. Other than the invasive and uncomfortable techniques used to collect samples at the hospital.
- After sample collection and shipping, you will receive notifications by both SMS and email, keeping you informed throughout the entire process.
Pricing
At $89, this at-home COVID test is affordable and available for purchase from their official website.
My Take
LetsGetChecked’s test kit is easy to use and is suitable for children ages two and above. The self-collection instructions are easy to follow; testing should feel no different from using a cotton swab to clean the inside of your nose. Sounds pretty cool, right?
Overview
Flowflex Covid-19 Antigen Rapid at-home test kit is a rapid rest carried out for the detection of Covid-19 antigens in collected body samples. It requires only 1 test and can only be used to detect active infection.
Sample collection is by performing a painless nasal swab and results are available in 15 minutes.
Antigen tests work by detecting Covid-19 antigens produced by the body’s immune system in response to an infection. The presence of these antigens indicates an active Covid-19 infection.
Highlights
· Flowflex is a rapid test for the detection of Covid-19 antigens.
· It is very easy to use and sample collection is by nasal swab method.
· It is FDA and EUA authorized for home use.
· The result is made available almost immediately, taking only 15 minutes.
· Cannot be used to determine the type of Covid-19 variant.
Pricing
Flowflex is very affordable at just $9.99.
My Take
If you’re looking for a cheap and fast way to quickly determine the Covid-19 status of a person without having to ship any samples and wait 24-72 hours for results, Flowflex is your best choice.
Overview
The BinaxNOW COVID‐19 Antigen Self Test is an at-home COVID test kit authorized by the FDA for emergency use.
The kit comes with two dropper bottles, two nasal swabs, and two sealed test cards. Using a simple nasal swab technique, you can quickly collect your own samples.
Best of all, you don’t have to ship your results anywhere; you get them in just fifteen minutes so that you can test yourself anywhere or anytime with the Covid-19 home test kits.
Highlights
- BinaxNow detects an active COVID-19 infection using a minimally invasive nasal swab sample collection technique.
- All you need to do is perform the test twice within three days (with at least thirty-six hours between tests).
Pricing
BinaxNow kit is available for $19.88 and can be purchased directly from Walmart.
My Take
For this at home test is great for children who are two years and up, and it should also be administered by an adult.
Overview
The Lucira Check It Covid-19 test kit produced by Nurx is a specially designed at-home test kit that can accurately detect the virus using the gold standard Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing method to provide results within 30 minutes right from the comfort of your home.
Yes, you don’t have to ship your samples to any designated laboratory. Sample collection is by nasal swab method and it is available for use by individuals over the age of 14.
Highlights
· Nurx Lucira Check It is an at-home Covid-19 test kit that accurately detects nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2.
· It has not been FDA-approved but is authorized for emergency use by the FDA under a EUA.
· Sample collection is by taking painless nasal swabs.
· The test results are 98% accurate.
· The battery-operated test unit can provide results within 30 minutes right in your home.
· It is the first and only single-use PCR testing kit sold directly to people.
· It is available in all 50 states in the United States.
Pricing
Nurx is available for sale at $29 on the company’s official website.
My Take
If you need to get fast and accurate at-home Covid-19 test results without having to ship your samples out to a laboratory for hours or days, the Nurx Lucira Check It is your best bet. It’s easy to use, fast, affordable, and reliable.
Overview
The On/Go 10-minute COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test kit is another rapid test kit on our list and it is capable of providing quick and accurate results in just 10 minutes.
Sample collection is by nasal swab which you can easily carry out yourself. On/go is capable of 98.2% accuracy thanks to its ability to easily detect antigen proteins from all the current Covid-19 variants.
Yes, you don’t have to ship your samples to any designated laboratory. Sample collection is by nasal swab method and it is available for use by individuals over the age of 14.
Highlights
· Letson/go at-home Covid-19 rapid test kit accurately detects SARS-CoV present in the body sample.
· It is an over-the-counter self-administered rapid antigen test.
· Sample collection is easy and convenient and requires a simple nasal swab.
· Results from the rapid test are available in just 10 minutes.
· There’s an IOS and Android application that you can install on your mobile to guide you through each test step, teaching you how to use the kit and interpret results.
· You can also view, track, and share the test results with your friends and family.
· Each box contains 2 tests.
Pricing
Letson/go is available for sale on the company’swebsite at $20 for a 2-set pack.
My Take
On/go is another option for anyone looking for a fast and reliable at-home rapid testing method for Covid-19. Capable of providing results in just 10 minutes and being very affordable, but it can’t provide information on what COVID-19 variant you have.
Are At-Home Covid-19 Test Kits Authorized By The FDA?
At-home COVID test kits bring one question to mind: does the FDA authorize them as safe and accurate methods of detecting the virus?
Yes, the FDA has authorized each of these tests for public use during the COVID-19 pandemic to help make testing more accessible. These tests meet the standards for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), meaning they have not completed the standard FDA approval process.
Before You Go...
These at-home Covid-19 test kits are a great way of easy testing at home for you. You no longer need to visit a laboratory or a hospital to know your Covid-19 status. Read my next article to ensure you know how to administer an at home Covid test by yourself.