Best At-Home STD Test of 2023

Final Verdict

However you decide to do it, getting tested for STIs is a good idea. But our favorite home STI test kit is MyLAB Box's Total Box. The kit tests for a whopping 14 STIs, which makes it among the most comprehensive on the market. And, if you want to make testing a bonding activity with your partner, you can opt for the couples Love Box kit. 

If you want to know your HIV status as early as possible, there's no better test you can order for yourself than STDCheck.com's Full Panel STD test, including an HIV test with FDA-approved early detection. If you want a variety of kits to choose from, at reasonable prices or on a subscription basis, check out Everlywell. Or, if you're particularly nervous about your results, going with Nurx will give you access to a year of unlimited messaging with healthcare providers—regardless of whether you test positive for any STIs.

Compare the Best At-Home STD Tests

Company	Cost	Time to Results	What it Tests for
MyLAB Box Total Box Most Comprehensive	$369	2-5 days	Chlamydia (genital, throat, rectal), gonorrhea (genital, throat, rectal), hepatitis C, HIV I & II, herpes simplex 2, syphilis, trichomoniasis, mycoplasma genitalium; option to add HPV testing for women 30 or older
HealthLabs.com's Comprehensive STD Panel Best for Quick Results	$139	1-3 days	HIV (type 1 and type 2), Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis
MyLAB Box's Love Box Best for Couples	$378	2-5 days	Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes 2, HIV I and II, hepatitis C, trichomoniasis
Quest STD Basic Panel  Best for Accuracy	$199 + $6 physician fee	2-5 days	Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV 1 and 2
Everlywell STD Test - Female Best for Budget	$169	5-7 days	Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV 1 & 2, hepatitis C, and trichomoniasis
STDCheck.com Full Panel STD Test Best for HIV Test	$139, $259 with early HIV detection	1-2 days	HIV type 1 & type 2 antibody/antigen (4th gen), herpes type 1 & type 2, hepatitis A, hepatitis B & hepatitis C, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, plus option to add early HIV detection
LetsGetChecked Herpes Test  Best Herpes Test	$119	2-5 business days	Herpes simplex 1 and 2
iDNA HPV Test Best HPV Test	$88	2-7 days	14 types of the HPV virus
Nurx Basics Covered STI Home Test Kit Best for Medical Support	$150 + $14.50 service fee without insurance ($30+ with insurance)	7 business days	Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV I and II

Guide to Choosing the Best At-Home STD Test

What Is the Difference Between an STD and an STI Test?

The tests are the same. STD stands for sexually transmitted disease, while STI stands for sexually transmitted infection. An STI is any bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infection you can contract during sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex, or in some cases lighter play, like kissing. An infection can become a disease if you develop symptoms. And the reality is that a full two-thirds of STIs never actually lead to symptoms. 

But it's still important to get tested so you don't pass them to someone else, and so you can get treatment to prevent complications down the road. Plus, getting rid of the stigma of a word like "disease" can help encourage people to get tested, so public health and sex ed experts have been making a big push to ditch the "D" and get everyone talking about STIs. However, many testing companies still use the older, widely recognized acronym "STD" in the names of their panels.

How Do Home STI Tests Work?

STIs are caused by viruses, bacteria, and (less frequently), fungi. But the vast majority of tests don't look for the pathogens themselves. Instead, they're looking for immune cells your body makes specifically to fight specific infections, called antibodies, which can be found in the blood, urine, or in swabs taken from the vagina or anus.

Depending on the infection, and the test, the amount of time it takes for your body to make enough antibodies for a test to detect them can take anywhere from a week to several months. That's why it's important to time your testing well. If you found out today that you were exposed to an STI last night, it's too soon for a home test to detect it.

There are some exceptions. The FDA has approved an early detection test for HIV; regular antibody tests for HIV can't detect HIV for about 23 to 90 days after exposure. The early detection test looks for the genetic material of HIV (called RNA) and can detect it about nine to 11 days after exposure.

For other STIs, if you already have symptoms and you know you were exposed to an STI just a few days ago, you're better off going to a doctor who may be able to diagnose you based on your symptoms and tests using samples from the site of infection.

Are at Home STI Tests Accurate?

The short answer is yes. At-home STI tests are analyzed at the same types of laboratories as tests ordered by your doctor's office would be. The labs are held to the standards of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and the American College of Pathologists (CAP). These regulating bodies assess these labs to be sure they are using accurate, clean methods to analyze test samples. So, if you see "CLIA-certified" or "CAP-certified" on a testing company's website, you're probably in good hands. 

Most companies claim their tests are 90%-99% accurate and some have been used in peer-reviewed studies. The main variable in the reliability of these tests is the home collection process. If a sample you collected at home is too small or gets tainted, it could lead to less reliable results.

How Quickly Will an STI Show Up on a Test?

That depends on the STI and the test. Some STIs, like chlamydia, can be detected as soon as a week after exposure, while others take months to become detectable and may lay dormant for years. Some tests are more sensitive than others or use different technologies to detect infections early, like the early HIV test offered by STDCheck.com.

When Should You Take a Home STI Test?

Take a home STI test when you have any of the following symptoms, according to Dr. Perry:

Penis discharge
Increased frequency to urinate
Painful urination
Abnormal vaginal discharge
Lower abdominal pain

"You should also take an STI test when you have had unprotected sex or are about to enter a new relationship," she adds. It is also advisable to check your status if your partner reports that they have an STI.

How to Compare the Best At-Home STI Tests

There are dozens of home STI tests on the market and choosing one is a personal decision. But there are some key factors that can help narrow down your options: 

Price: Similar test panels may vary in price. Depending on the company, your insurance and the number of STIs a diagnostic looks for, a test panel may cost as little as $30 or up to nearly $400. Look for one that's accurate and clearly says it's run in certified labs but that fits within your budget. 
Types of STIs tested: Some home kits may offer testing for nearly every STI. If you haven't been screened in a while, this may be a good option for you However, it may be more cost-effective to get screened only for STIs you're likely to have been exposed to. Also, keep in mind that the CDC and doctors don't recommend screening for some STIs for everyone unless you have a known exposure.

Collection process

Length of time to receive results: The fastest tests can provide you with results in a day or two. Others may take upwards of a week. Balance how quickly you need the results with the quality of the test and the care you'll receive. 
Privacy policy: STI test results are a sensitive matter and your medical data should be protected. But be aware that testing companies are required to report certain results—like positive HIV tests—to state health officials. Others may use de-identified data in their research. Make sure you're comfortable with the policy at the testing company you choose. 
CLIA or CAP certification of labs: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and College of America of Pathologists (CAP) certifications mean a lab uses methods that are up to the standards of these agencies. Be sure the company you order tests from has one or both of these certifications. 
Customer service: Check reviews to be sure the customer service at a testing company is helpful and responsive, as you may have questions during the process. 
Access to follow-up care: Some companies market themselves as complements to medical care and will simply send you results. Others offer ongoing care after testing, regardless of your results. STI test results can be stressful or confusing, so be sure you have the support you need.
Options to prescribe medication: A handful of testing companies can also prescribe medications for STIs, which may be a good option if you don't have easy access to a prescribing healthcare provider. 
Customer reviews: Just because a company is large or well-known doesn't mean it will provide a good experience. Check reviews for accuracy of results, timeliness, and overall customer satisfaction.

If you think you'll need help determining results from your at-home test, taking an in-office test may be preferable. It's an immediate source of information, and an action plan can be created on-site in the case of a positive result.

Also, be sure the test you choose is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To determine whether the FDA approves a product, you can check the FDA's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ideally, you would test each time you switch partners and before having unprotected sex. Condoms and internal condoms can reduce your STI risks considerably, but are imperfect. If you have multiple partners, it's a good idea to get tested regularly, and everyone should test at least once a year for common STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV.
Yes. STIs have different latency periods—the time before your body makes the antibodies against them, which is what tests detect—so you may miss this window. Tests for most STIs pick up 90% or more cases, but that still means there is a chance an infection will be missed.
That depends on the STIs you are getting tested for. Urine and swab tests are the best options for infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea, while HIV and syphilis can only be detected in the blood. Most multi-panel at-home STI tests will analyze both.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and 2, hepatitis C, HIV, and HPV are not curable. However, in most cases, these infections can be managed with medication and for most people, they will not significantly affect life expectancy. But, left untreated, they can spread to others and lead to serious, or in some cases, life-threatening complications.

Methodology

We assessed about a dozen companies in researching the best at-home STI testing companies. Data collection focused on the accuracy and types of STI tests they perform, whether these are diagnostically valid, cost, how long it takes to get results, whether insurance is accepted or a prescription is required to get tested, and whether follow-up care like physician consultations or prescriptions are available. We also considered whether these companies had good reputations and were well-reviewed by customers when it comes to concerns like quick, clear communication and privacy. We have not included any home STI testing companies that don't analyze samples at CLIA- or CAP-certified labs, which are considered the gold standard.

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