The 10 Best Ovulation Tests of 2024
If you’re trying to conceive, your best chance at getting pregnant occurs during a quick, 24-hour window that only happens once a month. During this time, your ovary releases an egg that needs to be fertilized within 24 hours, explains Jenna McCarthy, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist based in Jupiter, Florida. Using an ovulation test provides a heads up that your egg is about to drop and you’re entering your peak fertility window.
The best ovulation tests are affordable, simple to use, and easy to interpret. Most of them use simple technology to measure levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), which is what triggers the release of the egg, Dr. McCarthy explains. Keep in mind that if you have an irregular cycle, a hormonal condition like PCOS, or a lot of anxiety around maximizing your fertility window, you might want to use a specialized test.
To find the best ovulation tests, we had nine women test 17 ovulation test kits several times over multiple cycles when possible. Two of our testers actually got pregnant after using two of the kits. From affordable test strips, to confusion-free digital tests, to tests that sync with an app to help you track your full cycle, we’ve tested the leading ovulation kits to bring you the 10 best.
Most ovulation tests measure levels of luteinizing hormone, or LH, which is the hormone that triggers the release of an egg to be fertilized, says Dr. McCarthy, adding that this is the most accurate way to predict ovulation.
Some tests go one step further and also measure urinary estrone-3-glucuronide (E3G), which rises in the days leading up to ovulation, as well as pregnanediol glucuronide (PdG), a metabolite of progesterone that confirms ovulation occurred. These extra measures can be reassuring for women with PCOS or irregular cycles, Dr. McCarthy says.
The best type of ovulation test for you depends on how easy the test is to read, its cost, and whether you want it to work alongside an app, says Isabelle P. Ryan, MD, an OBGYN and infertility specialist at Pacific Fertility Center in California. Here are the key differences between the types of tests available:
- Ovulation predictor strips: Analog test strips are simple to use and often the most affordable, especially if you’re using them for several months. They also work well, says Dr. Ryan. Their main downside is the results may be hard to read and you’ll usually have to track any patterns manually.
- Digital ovulation tests: Digital tests can be helpful for anyone who has trouble reading the lines of a test strip, says Dr. Ryan. They also provide the interpretation and results for you, often telling you when you’re getting ready to ovulate and when you hit your peak fertility window. Some digital tests are also compatible with an app that allows you to track the timing of your ovulation each month. The main downside of digital ovulation tests is that they’re more expensive than strips.
- Wearable trackers: Wearables track markers like temperature, heart rate, and other biometrics. They don’t predict ovulation as accurately as urine test strips, and are more akin to a basal body thermometer (but much more convenient), says Dr. McCarthy. They can accurately predict ovulation windows for women with regular cycles using the previous month’s data. It’s worth noting that one of our editors did get pregnant while using our top wearable.
Amazon
Why We Like It
Of the 17 ovulation tests we tried out, Premom Easy@Home Combo Kit scored the highest for accuracy, ease of use, fast results, and consistency. The test is in the form of strips, so there’s no digital display, but it does have an accompanying app so you don’t have to interpret the results yourself (although we found it pretty easy to figure out the results). Just dip the test, check the results, snap a picture, and the Premom app will automatically align your valid test results for visible progression tracking. You can track and view your cycle, fertility window, and predictions for peak timing.
We found this kit to be incredibly accurate at predicting where we were in our cycle. What launched the Premom Easy@Home Combo Kit over the other contenders, though, is that it comes with 50 ovulation tests and also 20 pregnancy test strips, saving you money and trips to the store. And at $22 or, $0.44 per ovulation test, the kit also scored high points for value.
It’s Worth Noting
- These test strips only look for LH, so they aren’t a great option for women who have PCOS or for women with irregular periods.
- Some people may not like the messiness of dipping and retrieving a test strip in a urine cup.
Product Details
- Type: Test strips
- Number of tests: 50
- Result time: 5 minutes
Amazon
Why We Like It
If you don’t need the bells and whistles of a digital test or are looking to get a great bang for your buck, test strips work great for detecting LH in your urine, Dr. Ryan says. We tested seven brands of ovulation test strips, and Premom’sEasy@Home Ovulation Test Strips came out on top. We found they were easy to use and accurate to our ovulation surges.
Even though these test strips are basic, they come with an app that can scan a picture of your strip, interpret the results, and help chart your cycle. We found the app to be useful and especially appreciated that it sends alerts when you enter your predicted fertile window. While the instructions say the test could take up to five minutes, it was ready much earlier.
It’s Worth Noting
- Because these test strips only look for LH, they aren’t as reliable for people with irregular periods or PCOS.
- Some may not like that test strips can be messier than digital tests, which have longer handles and are more durable.
- We didn’t love the baby-focused packaging and felt the need to hide the box in the bathroom so visitors and family members wouldn’t assume we were trying to conceive.
Product Details
- Type: Test strips
- Number of tests: 50
- Result time: 5
Amazon
Why We Like It
Dr. Ryan and Dr. McCarthy both recommended the ClearBlue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test as a reliable and easy-to-use option. We love that this product tests for both LH and estrogen and typically identifies four or more fertile days each cycle.
Our editor, who has a longer cycle and a narrower ovulation window, found these tests to be easy to use and accurate. Unlike other tests she’s tried, this one never gave her a false positive. The digital display makes the results pretty cut and dry: You either see a blank circle or a happy face in the large display.
It’s Worth Noting
- The test only worked when we dipped it in a cup of urine. We tried three mid-stream tests first, which the directions say is an option, and ended up with an error message. That isn’t a small amount when you consider the tests cost $2.05 per unit.
- The test isn’t compatible with an app, so you can’t track trends in your ovulation as easily as you can with other tests.
- The results take six minutes, which might be a bit long for people with busy mornings.
Product Details
- Type: Digital
- Number of tests: 20
- Result time: 5
Amazon
Why We Like It
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, can raise your baseline LH levels high enough to cause a false positive on an ovulation test, Dr. McCarthy says. This is also true for premature ovarian insufficiency, or POI, Dr. Ryan notes. To get more accurate results, you’ll want to use a fertility monitor that also tests PdG levels to confirm ovulation took place. The Proov Predict and Confirm Kit comes with 15 LH test strips, 5 PdG test strips, and access to the Proov app, where you can take a picture of your test strip for more direct interpretation of the results.
This kit came with detailed instructions, and the app has a great interface that’s easy to use and comprehensive. For example, the app gives you detailed insight into what your most recent PdG or LH reading means for you in the context of your overall cycle.
Each test comes individually packaged, which we liked for convenience when traveling. The packaging felt young and fresh, and we liked that it didn’t have any photos of babies or “mommy” language, which can feel triggering to some people.
It’s Worth Noting
- While $44 is a solid value for all the tests included and the usability of Proov’s app, that cost can add up if you have trouble getting pregnant.
- The kit only comes with one Proov app card, which you lay your test on to then upload a photo. That means you’re laying urine-soaked strips onto the same card every day, which we thought was kind of gross.
Product Details
- Type: Test strips
- Number of tests: 15 LH tests, 5 PdG tests
- Result time: 5-10 minutes
Amazon
Why We Like It
If you have an irregular cycle, it’s a lot harder to know when to start using an ovulation test, which is why Dr. McCarthy recommends using a fertility monitor. The Mira Hormone Monitor Kit measures LH, E3G, and PdG to predict and confirm your ovulation and chart a six-day fertility window. After you dip a test wand into urine for 10-20 seconds, you insert the wand into a highly-calibrated egg-shaped “analyzer” and wait. After 21 minutes, your hormone results show up in the Mira App.
Our editor found Mira to be accurate and easy to use. She liked that she didn’t have to provide a lot of personal info to the app aside from the date of her last period. Although 21 minutes was a long time to wait for results, the fact that the app tracks your entire cycle, not just your ovulation window, is invaluable for anyone who doesn’t have a regular cycle and is trying to conceive. And while the kit is on the pricey side, it’s less expensive than having regular lab panels run by your doctor, and it’s also FSA and HSA eligible.
It’s Worth Noting
- Mira’s biggest downside is the hefty price tag. After the initial $230 splurge for the analyzer device and 10 wands, a resupply of Max wands, which detect all three hormones, will run you $89 for 20.
Product Details:
- Type: Test Wands and Device
- Number of tests: 10
- Result time: 21 minutes
Amazon
Why We Like It
If you want a trustworthy ovulation test but also want to keep costs down, the Wondfo Test Strips come in a box of 50 and run just $0.27 per strip, making them the least expensive test on our list. The strips are also easy to use. Just dip the test in a urine sample, and the results are ready in three to five minutes.
The results were accurate compared to other tests we tried, and they’re also clear and easy to read, using a single or double line system. The packaging was simple and frill-free, and we liked that there was no baby or mom language on the packaging. Each test is individually packaged, making them convenient for traveling.
It’s Worth Noting
- While this is a great deal on ovulation tests, 50 tests per box may be an excessive amount for some people.
- We noted that the time it took a test to show results wasn’t consistent, but it never took more than five minutes.
- Unlike our other top-pick test strips, these don’t come with an accompanying app.
Product Details:
- Type: Test strips
- Number of tests: 50
- Result time: 3-5 minutes
Ava Women
Why We Like It
The Ava Fertility Basic Tracker is an FDA-cleared bracelet with a sensor in the middle that collects data while you sleep. You sync it in the morning, which only takes about a minute, and it tells you five of the six most fertile days of your cycle. The biggest selling point for us: Our editor got pregnant while using this fertility tracker.
That being said, wearables are technically not ovulation tests. They work much like a basal body thermometer, analyzing small changes in your body temperature to indicate when your body has entered ovulation, Dr. McCarthy says. Your basal body temperature doesn’t rise until a day or two after ovulation, so wearables use data from the last time you ovulated and menstruated to predict when you will enter your next peak fertility window. Dr. McCarthy says this method of a basal body temperature chart can work quite well for those with a regular menstrual cycle.
Our editor, who reported that she finds using regular test strips quite tedious and has been trying to get pregnant for a long time, shared that repeated negative results can feel upsetting. She liked this tracker because she didn’t have to do anything other than open an app to see where she was in her cycle. As someone who’s been tracking her cycle since she was 14, she said the cycle prediction was more accurate than many period trackers she’d tried, and also liked that the bracelet provided insight into her sleep quality and patterns, especially since she said stress affects her sleep patterns and her cycle. Even if she didn’t wear it for a night, it maintained its accuracy. She got pregnant after trying during what the app said was her peak fertility window.
It’s Worth Noting
- You’ll have to be strategic about charging this device, since you’ll wear it during the day and at night. We found that plugging it in for a few hours before bed worked great.
- At $279, the Ava Fertility Tracker is not cheap. But it is FSA and HSA eligible and provides more insight than just a positive or negative ovulation result.
- The Ava Fertility Tracker and other wearables aren’t a great option for anyone with an irregular cycle.
Product Details:
- Type: Wearable
- Number of tests: N/A
- Result time: N/A
Amazon
Why We Like It
MomMed Ovulation Test Strips proved incredibly easy to use during testing. Simply dip the strip for five seconds, wait for five seconds, and read your results. The strips test for LH levels and were highly accurate
The instructions that came in the box were straight to the point about how to test, included a chart on when to test based on your cycle, and clearly displayed the results and how to interpret them. These tests were also accurate and affordable, at $0.29 per test strip.
It’s Worth Noting
- We had a few inconsistent results when trying multiple tests on the same day.
- The results are harder to read compared to a digital test, with a positive result registering from a barely-visible line to a dark line.
Product Details
- Type: Test strips
- Number of tests: 60
- Result time: 5 seconds
Amazon
Why We Like It
To use the Mosie Baby Ovulation Predictor Kit, you can either pee directly on the test for 10-15 seconds or dip the stick into a cup of urine for 10-15 seconds. Our testing found the results come consistently within five minutes, which is exactly as advertised.
We noted that the results were not only speedy but also clearly indicated with lines that appeared in the testing window. Unlike other tests, there’s no chance of error after the five-minute point. If the test is positive, it’ll continue to show a positive result indefinitely. We also liked that the test has two differently shaped windows for easy differentiation. A control line shows up in the triangle window every time, while another line shows up in the oval window. If the line is darker than the control, the test is positive.
We found that the Mosie Baby Ovulation Predictor was spot on with accuracy. The kit comes with seven tests, which equates to about $3 per test, as well as clearly written instructions.
It’s Worth Noting
- Since this test only detects LH, it isn’t the best fit for anyone with an irregular cycle or PCOS.
- The test doesn’t have a compatible app, though we had no issue interpreting the results on the digital display.
Product Details
- Type: Digital
- Number of tests: 7
- Result time: 5 minutes
Amazon
Why We Like It
ClearBlue is a highly-trusted fertility brand that both our experts recommend. We like the ClearBlue Connected Ovulation Test System in particular because it tests for LH and estrogen surges and also pairs your test with the ClearBlue Connected App. After inputting some info about your typical menstrual cycle and connecting the accompanying digital testing holder, you can test with any of the 25 strips. Insert the strip into the digital testing holder, and the results will sync with your phone and tell you if your chances of conceiving are small, high, or peak.
The strips are easy to read, too. After inserting the strips into the digital test holder, the holder will display a circle or a smiley face, flashing or solid depending on if you’re surging. This gives you an initial result, and the data uploaded to the app provides even more info. You can set up reminders for when you should start testing and compare your cycles over different months to maximize your understanding of your ovulation and, therefore, your chances of getting pregnant.
Our editor, who has an irregular cycle, not only saw accurate predictions with this test, but she also got pregnant. She said the reliability of this test was incredibly helpful for family planning and noted the kit never gave her a false positive. She liked that the system came with a ton of test strips, which were simple and easy to use, especially during one month when she ovulated much later than she was expecting.
It’s Worth Noting
- This kit isn’t the cheapest, but it’s reasonably priced considering everything it comes with.
- We wish you could buy additional test strips separately and continue to reuse the digital testing holder. When you run out of the included 25 test strips, you have to buy a whole new system.
- We didn’t like that when you get a peak fertility result, the digital reader won’t let you take another test for 48 hours, which may be annoying if you like to have double confirmation.
Product Details
- Type: Digital and test strips
- Number of tests: 25
- Result time: 5 minutes
- Premom Quantitative Ovulation Predictor: These test strips are easy to use and deliver clear results via a positive double line as well as an app chart showing when your LH levels are peaking. It didn’t win any top spots, but it’s a solid product for the money.
- Natalist Ovulation Test Kit: This kit is simple, easy to use, and comes with a urine cup, which we love. But we noted it was a bit hard to insert the test strips into the reader’s slots, and the kit predicted a shorter ovulation window than our control testers showed.
- Modern Fertility Ovulation Tests: These test strips are affordable, accurate, and easy to use. While they are readable on the strip, there is an accompanying app which was very finicky in allowing test strip photos to be uploaded. Ultimately, the app was more of a pain to use than a help.
- Stix Ovulation Test Kit: During testing, Stix failed to detect the ovulation window as early as other tests, and we found the tests difficult to fully saturate. We also noted it looks like a pregnancy test, which can be confusing for people storing multiple types of tests in their bathroom drawer.
- Clearblue Fertility Monitor with Touchscreen + Clearblue Fertility Monitor Test Sticks: The instructions are long and take a lot to sift through, and this test is expensive. We did note that the thoroughness of this monitor would be helpful for someone having trouble conceiving, but in our opinion, there are better fertility monitors for the money.
Nine of our editors tested 17 ovulation test kits several times over multiple cycles whenever possible. We rated the products on accuracy, ease of use, speed of results, consistency, and value. While we tested ovulation kits as thoroughly and consistently as we could, it’s worth noting that there are many uncontrollable and varying factors in women’s menstrual cycles, from stress to biological irregularities.
When used correctly, ovulation tests are about 98 percent accurate in letting you know when you’re most fertile, as indicated by a surge of luteinizing hormone. To that end, two testers got pregnant while testing the kits.
Here’s how we tested and rated each attribute:
- Ease of use: Clear instructions, convenient packaging, and easy integration into daily life were key factors. We also considered how messy each test was.
- Accuracy: We compared the ovulation predicted by their kits to our known ovulation symptoms and other tracking methods, keeping in mind that biological variability and external factors like stress or irregular cycles can affect a test’s accuracy.
- Speed of results: The best tests delivered results quickly and were easy to read. We also compared how long it actually took to get results to what the manufacturer claims.
- Consistency: We used the kits over multiple cycles when possible, noting how consistently each test detected our LH surge.
- Value: We considered each kit’s performance in relation to its price to determine whether the product was worth the cost.
We spoke with multiple experts at different stages of writing this article. Some experts helped us determine the best testing methodology, while others shared insight on what differentiates one ovulation test from another. Specifically, we interviewed:
- Dr. Katrina J. Heyrana, MD, PhD, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles
- Dr. Pinar Kodaman, MD, PhD, associate professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences and director of the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Elective at Yale School of Medicine
- Jenna McCarthy, MD, FACOG, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist with IVFMD in Jupiter, Florida
- Isabelle P. Ryan, M.D. a board-certified OB-GYN and infertility specialist at Pacific Fertility Center with special training in unexplained infertility and endometriosis. Dr. Ryan is also the medical director of Pacific Fertility Center’s Donor Egg Bank, the first independent frozen egg bank in Northern California.
- Cycle regularity: People with regular cycles and no other women’s health issues, such as PCOS, can use almost any ovulation test. It’s best to start testing about five days before ovulation, so it can be tricky to know when to start testing if you have an irregular cycle, says Dr. McCarthy. If you have an irregular cycle, it’s best to use a fertility monitor, which allows you to check your hormone levels every day and provides more comprehensive insight into your cycle. Monitors are more expensive up front, but will save you time, frustration, and probably money in the long run.
- Hormonal conditions: If you have a condition that affects ovulation or hormone production—particularly LH, like with PCOS or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)—you could get a false positive on an ovulation test, Dr. Ryan explains. Look for a test that measures both LH and PdG to confirm that you’ve actually ovulated.
- Cycle length: You’ll need to know your menstrual cycle’s length to determine when you usually ovulate and should start testing. Most women’s cycles are anywhere from 21 to 35 days long.
- Age: Dr. McCarthy points out that people over 40 often have shorter cycles and may ovulate earlier in their cycle. In these cases, it can be beneficial to start testing as soon as your period ends or use a more comprehensive fertility tracker, like the Mira Hormone Monitor.
- Reliability and accuracy: Both our experts agree the most accurate way to predict ovulation is by measuring levels of luteinizing hormone, or LH, which is what most ovulation tests do. Some tests measure other markers like E3G and PdG, which can lead to a more precise fertility window.
- Tech comfort level: If you like to keep things simple, opt for a strip test or a digital test. Many strip tests allow you to scan the test with your phone’s camera so you can use an app to interpret the results. Products like the Ava Fertility Watch or the Mira Hormone Monitor are slightly more complicated but also more comprehensive.
The best time to conceive is before or when the egg is released. The egg can only be fertilized for about 24 hours after leaving the ovary, which is why ovulation tests are so helpful when you’re trying to conceive. The best time to start using an ovulation test is roughly five days before you expect to ovulate, Dr. McCarthy says.
Most tests come with a calendar in the instructions packet to help you pinpoint the day you ovulate, but generally people with regular cycles will ovulate 14 days before their period starts. Keep taking a test until it confirms you’re ovulating or, in the case of digital tests, tells you you’re at peak ovulation. It doesn’t matter what time of day you take the test, but it’s important to take it at the same time each day, Dr. McCarthy says.
To take the test, insert the wand or strip into your urine mid-stream or dip it into a cup for a certain amount of time. Every test is different, so make sure you read the directions carefully.
How accurate are ovulation tests?
Most ovulation tests that detect urinary LH hormones are around 97 percent accurate, says Dr. Ryan.
Are ovulation tests as accurate as tracking my basal body temperature?
Ovulation tests are far more accurate at predicting ovulation than taking your basal body temperature (BBT). This is because your BBT doesn’t rise until a day or two after ovulation. Ovulation kits predict your fertility window before it begins based on hormonal changes, which makes them more accurate.
How many days after a positive ovulation test are you fertile?
It depends on the type of test you’re using. Many digital tests will be positive when you start ovulating, and then the next day will show a “peak” or “surge”, which is when you’re most fertile. Some strip tests will be faintly positive at the beginning of your fertile window and become darker as you come closer to ovulation. Others look the same throughout your whole ovulation window.
Can an ovulation test detect pregnancy?
No, an ovulation test detects hormones that are produced when your ovaries release an egg to be fertilized. At this stage you are not pregnant but could become so if you have unprotected sex.
Will ovulation tests work if I have PCOS or endometriosis?
People with endometriosis ovulate, so ovulation tests should work, Dr. McCarthy explains. If you have PCOS, ovulation tests will work but may show a false positive, so you’ll want to use a test that detects both LH and PdG hormones for the most accurate results.
Rachael Schultz is a long-time health and science writer who specializes in digging into research and interviewing doctors to provide readers with the most accurate information possible. She’s been writing about women’s health for the better part of a decade and, as she’s also a product journalist, has a unique understanding of what fertility products are worth your money.
