The 9 Best Ovulation Tests of 2022

A quick look at the best ovulation tests and test kits of 2022

• Best for use with an app: Modern Fertility Ovulation Test
• Best mega pack: Easy@Home Ovulation Test Strips 100-Pack
• Best test strip: Natalist Ovulation Test Kit
• Best progesterone ovulation test: Proov Predict and Confirm Kit
• Best ovulation-pregnancy test combo: Pregmate 50 Ovulation and 20 Pregnancy Test Strips Predictor Kit
• Best smart test: Clearblue Fertility Monitor
• Best for details on your cycle: Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test
• Best budget pick: Wondfo LH Ovulation Strips
• Best hormone analysis: Mira Plus Starter Kit

Keeping track of your menstrual cycle can help you figure out when you’re most likely to get pregnant, stop yourself from getting pregnant, and keep an eye on your overall health. This can take a lot of time and effort, so ovulation tests are a convenient way to keep track of your fertility without having to guess.

An ovulation test is a great way to learn more about your cycle and figure out if and when you’re ovulating.

Usually, ovulation tests are used to try to get pregnant. “Ovulation tests are the best way to find out when you are most likely to get pregnant,” says Lucky Sekhon, MD, an OB-GYN, reproductive endocrinologist, and infertility expert at RMA of New York.

Research shows that people who want to get pregnant may have a better chance if they use at-home ovulation tests.

Sekhon says that some people might use ovulation tests to try to avoid getting pregnant by not making love during their fertile window.

“However, this method doesn’t work very often. So, if you want to avoid an unplanned pregnancy, I would choose a form of contraception that works better and is more reliable,” she says.

In this category of products, ovulation test strips are popular, but you can also get digital ovulation tests and smart devices that track ovulation.

Most often, ovulation tests are used to plan pregnancy. “Ovulation tests are best used when trying to identify the fertile window to conceive,” explains Lucky Sekhon, MD, an OB-GYN, reproductive endocrinologist, and infertility specialist at RMA of New York.

For those who want to get pregnant, research finds that using at-home ovulation tests may increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Some people might use Ovulation test strips to try to prevent pregnancy by avoiding intercourse during their fertile window, Sekhon adds.

What are ovulation tests?

Ovulation tests measure ovulation, which is when one of the ovaries releases an egg. With the help of sperm, this egg can become pregnant.

Most ovulation tests look at a hormone called luteinizing hormone that is made by the pituitary gland (LH).

Sekhon says that LH is a signal that tells the ovaries to release an egg. “The hormone signal travels through the bloodstream, gets filtered by the kidneys, and ends up in the urine. When it can be found in the urine, ovulation is likely to happen in the next 12 to 36 hours.

All ovulation tests use a sample of urine to find out if ovulation is coming up soon.

Types of ovulation tests

• Ovulation tests that only look for LH in the urine: These tests only look for LH in the urine.
• Ovulation tests that use LH and oestrogen: Some tests for ovulation can also find metabolites of oestrogen in the urine. “When a developing follicle has an egg that’s ready to ovulate and is full of oestrogen, it sends a message to the pituitary that LH should be released,” explains Sekhon. So, when oestrogen is found in your urine, you know that ovulation is about to happen. This could be helpful because LH is released in waves, and if you only test once a day, you might miss a surge. “Finding out that your oestrogen levels are high may help you know when you need to pay more attention and maybe even check twice a day.”
• Progesterone ovulation tests are different from the other tests on this page because they are done after you think you have ovulated. This is because the ovaries make the hormone progesterone after ovulation. Sekhon says, “Some newer test strips can detect progesterone, which is a nice way to confirm that you ovulated.”

How we chose

We talked to doctors about what to look for in an ovulation test in order to choose the best ones on the market. Experts agreed that the most important things to think about are:

• The tests on this list were chosen because they can be used to plan a pregnancy. They might also help keep you from getting pregnant if you use them with other, more reliable methods of birth control and ways to track your cycle.
• Budget: Ovulation tests come in a wide range of prices. Some of the items on this list are more expensive than others, which is usually a sign of how easy they are to use. Sekhon says that simple LH-detecting strips work really well, are usually cheaper, and can be bought in bulk if you only want to use ovulation tests to time sex and not necessarily to learn more about your cycle.
• It’s important that any ovulation test you use is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has approved all of the ovulation tests on this list.
• We also looked at reviews to find out which ovulation tests worked well for other people.

Pricing guide

• $ = under $20
• $$ = $20–$50
• $$$ = over $50

Healthline’s picks for the best ovulation tests of 2022

Best for using with an app

Modern Fertility Ovulation Test

• Price: $
• Test type: LH-only test strips
• Quantity of tests: 20
• Time it takes: 5 minutes
• Who it’s best for: people looking for a supportive community

Modern Fertility’s ovulation tests stand out because of the great app they made to help people understand and keep track of test results.

You can also track other signs of fertility with the app, so your cycle predictions are based on more than one piece of information. The app itself is much easier to use than many other apps that do the same thing.

Modern Fertility tests also come with an interpretation guide that is printed on the box. If you don’t want to use the app, this could help you figure out how strong the test line is.

Some reviewers say that the price is higher than they would like and that the tests are similar to options that cost less.

The fact that Modern Fertility has an active online Slack community where customers and fertility experts can help each other is a big plus. This can be especially helpful if you don’t know what your ovulation test results mean or are thinking about going to a doctor for advice.

Pros

• online support community available
• personalized cycle predictions
• valuable, user-friendly app

Cons

• strips detect LH only
• tests don’t provide detailed fertility information
• priced higher than comparable products

Best mega pack

Easy@Home Ovulation Test Strips 100-Pack

• Price: $$
• Test type: LH-only test strips
• Quantity of tests: 100
• Time it takes: 3–5 minutes
• Who it’s best for: buyers on a budget

If you want to get the most for your money, this large pack of 100 ovulation test strips should do the trick. Most people can use these dip strips to test for ovulation for many months, so they are a great choice if you want to keep track of ovulation for a long time.

Reviewers like that the Easy@Home ovulation test strips show the same amount of LH surge as more expensive brands.

As for the cons, some people say it was hard to figure out when they were ovulating based on how dark the test line was.

Still, a lot of people seem to like these test strips, and the brand makes it easy to keep track of results by scanning your test strips every day with a simple app. The app also helps you figure out when you’re having a low, high, or peak fertility day.

Pros

• good value for money
• comparable results to more costly options
• app available

Cons

• subjective result interpretation
• tricky to take photos to scan with the app
• time consuming

Best test strip

Natalist Ovulation Test Kit

• Price: $
• Test type: LH-only test strips
• Quantity of tests: 30
• Time it takes: 5 minutes
• Who it’s best for: people who want an environment-friendly test

If you want to use ovulation test strips instead of other kinds of tests, these are some of the best ones you can get. They come in packs of 30 and come with a cup made of silicone to collect urine.

The reusable cup is a big plus because it cuts down on waste and keeps you from having to buy separate urine collection cups. Natalist doesn’t use any plastic, so it makes sense that they give out this bonus.

These tests also come with a physical ovulation test tracker where you can put your tests and see how they change from day to day.

Reviewers like that each test packet has instructions on how to use it, so you don’t have to look for the box if you forget how long you’re supposed to leave the test in your urine.

Compared to other test strips, these are a little more expensive and come in less quantity. But reviewers say the price is worth it just for the urine test cup and tracker.

Pros

• straightforward interpretation
• easy urine collection
• 100% plastic-neutral company

Cons

• some may prefer dipsticks
• more expensive than some alternatives
• not made in the USA

Best progesterone ovulation test

Proov Predict and Confirm Kit

• Price: $$
• Test type: LH and PdG test strips
• Quantity of tests: 15 LH and 5 PdG
• Time it takes: 10 minutes
• Who it’s best for: people who want to know their fertile window and confirm ovulation

If you want to track progesterone to find out if you’ve ovulated, the Proov Predict and Confirm Kit might be right for you. The kit comes with 15 LH test strips to use before ovulation and five PdG test strips to use after you think you’ve ovulated.

Pregnanediol glucuronide (PdG) is a metabolite of progesterone that is found in urine. This means that if your levels of progesterone go up, you will be able to find PdG in your urine.

Even though these test strips are more expensive than others, reviewers say that they can give you peace of mind that you ovulated during your cycle.

Some reviewers even say that using these tests and getting negative PdG results helped them figure out that they needed more hormone testing.

Some reviewers might find it hard to figure out what these tests mean. This is because LH tests work the opposite way that PdG tests do. Two bold lines on an LH test mean that the test is positive. One bold line on Proov’s PdG test means that the answer is “yes” (and two lines are a negative result).

Even so, a lot of people find these tests useful. Sekhon says that the tests are a good way to find out if you are ovulating if you aren’t sure.

Pros

• includes LH and PdG tests
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• llows you to pinpoint ovulation
• useful for those who have PCOS who may get unclear results with LH

Cons

• pricier than some options
• you may not need PdG tests
• isn’t a direct substitute for progesterone blood tests

Best ovulation-pregnancy test combo

Pregmate 50 Ovulation and 20 Pregnancy Test Strips Predictor Kit

• Price: $
• Test type: LH-only test strips
• Quantity of tests: 50 ovulation and 20 pregnancy
• Time it takes: 5 minutes
• Who it’s best for: anyone interested in knowing their ovulation and pregnancy status

It’s a good idea to have pregnancy tests on hand, just in case, whether you’re trying to get pregnant or not.
The Pregmate pack has 50 ovulation tests and 20 pregnancy test strips, making it our best choice for a combination ovulation and pregnancy test. So you can keep track of when you ovulate and see if you’re pregnant for a few months.

Both tests look pretty much the same, but they are packaged in different colours to make it easy to tell them apart. Just dip a strip into your urine for 3 to 5 seconds, then lay it flat and wait 3 to 5 minutes to read the results.
Reviewers like that the pregnancy tests in this kit are very sensitive, which means they can find pregnancy before other tests that aren’t as sensitive.

Some reviewers have said that these ovulation tests are hard to figure out what they mean. As with most other ovulation test strips, two lines are not considered a positive result unless the test line is as dark as or darker than the control line.

Pros

• Easy-to-use, small box that’s easy to store.
• Finds fertile days and LH surge.

Cons

• Some reports of faulty strips may be hard to understand.
• This test only tells you the basics about your fertility.

Best smart test

Clearblue Fertility Monitor

• Price: $$$
• Test type: LH
• Quantity of tests: test strips sold separately
• Time it takes: 5 minutes
• Who it’s best for: people looking for comprehensive fertility information

The Clearblue Fertility Monitor is a great choice if you want something smart and high-tech. It keeps all of your ovulation test information in one place and has a touch screen that is easy to use.

Just dip a test wand into your urine sample, put it in the monitor, and wait 5 minutes for the results. The monitor tells you when to test and keeps track of your past cycles so you can see how things are going from month to month.

This device is for people who are trying to get pregnant. It is not good for people who want to avoid getting pregnant.

One bad thing about the device is that the test wands are sold separately, so you have to buy two things to get started.

Like Clearblue’s other ovulation products, this monitor looks at your oestrogen and LH levels to tell you when your fertility is low, high, or at its peak. Reviewers love this feature.

One thing that reviewers don’t like about the device is that you have to set a 5-hour window every day to test it. You can’t take the test for the day if you miss the window.

Also, if you buy pregnancy test wands for the monitor, you can check for pregnancy at the end of your cycle. This is a nice feature.

Pros

• provides comprehensive information
• easy to use
• stores past cycle information

Cons

• limited daily testing window
• must purchase wands separately
• company involved in a lawsuit in 2015

Best for details on your cycle

Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test

• Price: $$
• Test type: LH and estrogen test strips
• Quantity of tests: 20
• Time it takes: 5 minutes
• Who it’s best for: people looking to maximize chances of conception

This is the best choice for an ovulation test that tells you everything you need to know about your cycle. It can find more fertile days than a standard LH test strip because it measures both your oestrogen rise and your LH surge. This means you can try to get pregnant more often.

Also, if you want to avoid getting pregnant, you’ll know more about when you shouldn’t have barrier-free sex.
One potential downside of this ovulation test kit is the price. It costs more than other options, and you have to buy refills for the test wand every so often. Still, reviews show that most people think the extra cost is worth it to learn more about their bike.

Many reviewers say that the Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test took the guesswork out of trying to get pregnant.

That might be because, unlike with a typical ovulation test strip, you don’t have to figure out how dark the test line and the control line are. Instead, this ovulation test shows a blinking smiley face when an oestrogen rise is found and a solid smiley face when an LH rise is found.

Despite all of this, the company has no third-party certifications, privacy standards, or Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. In 2015, Clearblue was also sued for “allegedly lying about how effective a certain pregnancy test product was.”

Pros

• gives detailed, easy-to-understand information about the cycle, which increases the chances of getting pregnant.

Cons

• pricier option
• must buy replacement test wands
• company involved in a lawsuit in 2015

Best budget pick

Wondfo LH Ovulation Strips

• Price: $
• Test type: LH-only test strips
• Quantity of tests: 50
• Time it takes: 3–5 minutes
• Who it’s best for: experienced ovulation test users

The Wondfo LH Ovulation Strips are a good choice for those on a tighter budget. They give results in just 3 to 5 minutes, and reviewers say the results are clearer than with other similar tests.
Some reviewers were unhappy with how the tests were packaged and how unclear the instructions were on how to use them.

Still, some people say that these tests are the best and the best value. They are a good choice for people who already know how to use ovulation tests and don’t need much help.

Other reviewers say that because these tests are so cheap, they are perfect for people who have irregular cycles and may need to test more than once a month to find their LH surge.

Several reviewers also say that the Wondfo tests are great for people who aren’t necessarily trying to get pregnant but want to learn more about their cycle after stopping hormonal birth control.

The company has no third-party certifications, privacy standards, or BBB profile, which is something to keep in mind. In 2018, the company was also sued for infringing on a patent.

Pros

• inexpensive
• good for those with irregular cycles

Cons

• don’t accept returns if defective
• may be difficult to interpret

Best hormone analysis

Mira Plus Starter Kit

• Price: $$$
• Test type: E3G and LH test wands
• Quantity of tests: 10 in starter kit, additional wands sold separately
• Time it takes: 15–20 minutes
• Who it’s best for: those looking for an advanced in-home monitor that shows the full fertile window

Some ovulation test kits have bells and whistles that aren’t necessary to tell if you’re ovulating, but they can help you learn more about your fertility and hormones as a whole.

The Mira Fertility Tracker is a good choice for hormone analysis because it uses lab-grade technology and artificial intelligence to figure out how much of each hormone you have in your body.

It gives you a more detailed look at your levels than tests with only one or two lines.

Because Mira’s app uses machine learning, it slowly figures out your cycle. This helps you understand when your hormones are at their highest during your cycle. This makes it easier to figure out when you ovulate and when you are most fertile.

Mira shows an increase in the LH hormone, just like most other ovulation test strips. It also checks for E3G, which is an oestrogen metabolite that can be found in urine.

Even with a test kit, it can be hard to find your fertile window. Mira’s technology can find the fertile window up to 5 days before ovulation.

The price is a bad thing about this test kit. The starter kit is expensive, and you have to buy refills for the test wand on their own. Mira says to use 10–15 wands per cycle, which can add up over time.
Online customers who want to learn more about their cycles have mostly good things to say about the kit.

Pros

• user-friendly app
• AI data interpretation
• easy to use

Cons

• high price point
• need separate progesterone testing wands
• must buy supply refills each month

Test comparison

	Price	Test type	Number of tests	Time it takes
Modern Fertility Ovulation Test	$	LH-only test strips	20	5 minutes
Easy@Home Ovulation Test Strips 100-Pack	$$	LH-only test strips	100	3–5 minutes
Natalist Ovulation Test Kit	$	LH-only test strips	30	5 minutes
Proov Predict and Confirm Kit	$$	LH and PdG test strips	15 LH and 5 PdG	10 minutes
Pregmate 50 Ovulation and 20 Pregnancy Test Strips Predictor Kit	$	LH-only test strips	50 ovulation and 20 pregnancy	5 minutes
Clearblue Fertility Monitor	$$$	LH	test strips sold separately	5 minutes
Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test	$$	LH and estrogen test strips	20	5 minutes
Wondfo LH Ovulation Strips	$	LH-only test strips	50	3–5 minutes
Mira Fertility Kit & Ovulation Tracker	$$$	E3G and LH test wands	10 in starter kit, and additional wands sold separately	15–20 minutes

How to use an ovulation test kit

Using an ovulation test kit is similar to taking a pregnancy test because you have to urinate on a strip or put the strip into a sterile container of urine. Refer to the instructions that came with your kit for specific steps.

The LH rise is measured by ovulation tests to figure out when an egg is likely to be released and when a pregnancy is most likely to happen.

After you pee on the test strip, it will change colour or show a positive sign to show that an increase in LH has been found. If the answer is yes, you may start ovulating in 24 to 36 hours.

You may need to take several ovulation tests over the course of a few days to notice a rise in LH. If you don’t test one day, you might miss the surge.

It might be hard to know when to start testing. It depends on how long your period is, which is different for every woman. A person’s menstrual cycle can last anywhere from 21 to 35 days, but the average is 28 days.

Most people start ovulating about halfway through their cycle, or 12 to 14 days before the next cycle starts. It is best to start testing 3 to 5 days before you think you will ovulate. If your cycle is 28 days long, you should start testing on day 11.

Frequently asked questions

When should you start using ovulation tests?

It can be hard to know when to take an ovulation test if your cycles are longer or shorter than average.

Zaher Merhi, MD, the founder of Rejuvenating Fertility Center and an expert in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, says that he tells his patients to start using them every day around the 10th day of their menstrual cycle.

What time of day should you take an ovulation test?

Experts agree that it doesn’t matter as much when you take an ovulation test as long as you do it around the same time every day so you can measure your LH levels consistently over time.

Zitao Liu, MD, PhD, a board-certified OB-GYN and fertility doctor, says that it’s best to use ovulation tests after 11:00 a.m. Usually, LH levels are highest at this time.

How long after a positive test do you ovulate?

Sekhon says that ovulation usually happens within 36 hours after a positive LH test, but it could happen as soon as 12 hours later.

So, if you’re trying to get pregnant, you should have sex on the same day or the day after your positive LH test.

Is there anyone who shouldn’t use ovulation tests?

Sekhon says that ovulation predictor kits aren’t the best choice for people whose cycles are very irregular and hard to predict. “It doesn’t work very well if you have to check every day for months. Also, people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) tend to have high LH levels and may get false positives.

Merhi says that if you are taking medicine for fertility treatments, you shouldn’t use ovulation tests unless your doctor tells you to. “Some drugs can lead to false positives.”

Can an ovulation test detect pregnancy?

You may have heard that an ovulation test can also find pregnancy if you don’t have a pregnancy test on hand. This is because the pregnancy hormone hCG and the ovulation hormone LH are chemically similar.

Liu says that even though these hormones have a similar structure, they are very different in other ways. Because of this, there is a chance of getting a false-positive result, so he doesn’t suggest using an ovulation test to check for pregnancy.

Takeaway

There are so many ovulation tests on the market that it can be hard to decide which one to use. Some, like apps and monitors, have more bells and whistles, but simple ovulation strips will do the trick.

Rest assured that most of the choices are about the same in terms of quality and accuracy, as most experts agree. The best ovulation test for you depends on what you want, what you need, and how much money you have.
If you’re having trouble figuring out when you ovulate or if you’re trying to get pregnant and you keep getting signs that you’re ovulating but haven’t gotten pregnant yet, you might want to talk to a doctor or other healthcare professional for more help.