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are cheap pregancy tests reliable?

Are Cheap Pregnancy Tests Reliable?

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You may have noticed that inexpensive pregnancy tests are popping up in places like discount stores and online. So the question is, are these off-brand, cheap pregnancy tests reliable?

We did a bit of research and found that the experts at the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) had already looked at this. Their verdict on cheap pregnancy tests? YES, even low-cost pregnancy tests can be reliable.

How Can Cheap Pregnancy Tests Be As Good As the Posh Ones?

It first helps if you understand that all pregnancy tests are designed to read the levels of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine.

Where the discount tests may differ from the more expensive name brands is that the more expensive brands are often able to read lower levels of hCG. At-home tests can read hCG levels that run anywhere from 10mIU/ml to 50 mIU/ml. All tests are required to read hCG levels of at least 50mIU/ml.

Zoom Baby Early Pregnancy Tests detect hCG at 10mIU/ml — this means they are as sensitive as the most expensive early pregnancy tests on the market in the UK now. They are CE marked.

Cheapest UK Pregnancy Tests

At Zoom Baby we always want to offer the best value pregnancy tests on the market. You have loads of choices when it comes to buying pregnancy tests. We are always on the lookout to make sure that our prices are the best!

Some of the best and cheapest pregnancy tests are listed below. All are 99% reliable when used correctly. Those that are listed as “extra-sensitive” or “early” can generally be used 4-6 days before your expected period is due. Regular or standard pregnancy tests are designed to be taken on the day of your expected, missed period in order to ensure maximum reliability.

Note: Prices listed below were last checked on 1st October 2024. Please verify current prices as they may have changed.

If you’re looking to buy any of the big brands such as First Response, or Clearblue, you may want to consider buying online rather than stepping into a chemist or supermarket. Buying online is often cheaper when purchasing premium pregnancy tests. For example:

Clearblue Rapid Detection Pregnancy Test — (Price checked on 1st October 2024)
Zoom Baby — £4.25 each
Sainsbury’s — £6.50 each

On premium brands it’s clear to see that there may not be a massive difference in price between online and in the shops. When you’re testing regularly though, the costs can be high. Any money that can be saved is worth saving. Zoom Baby offers free delivery on orders over £20 and discount codes for returning customers, which all helps to bring the price down even more.

How Do My hCG Levels Determine If I’m Pregnant?

When you’re pregnant your hCG levels in your urine double every 72 hours. This increase of HCG starts in the earliest stages of your pregnancy, even before a fertilised egg has the chance to attach to your uterus wall.

Can You Trust a Cheap Pregnancy Test?

An investigation by medical watchdog the MHRA has shown that the inexpensive pregnancy tests are accurate. Experts from the agency told women to look out for a CE mark on kits, which is a sign of quality and safety. An MHRA spokesman said: “Customers should always look out for the CE mark. If they carry this, it means that they are a legitimate device. Just because they are cheap it does not mean that they cannot be trusted.”

Pregnancy Test Strips: Should You Use Them To Learn If You’re Expecting

Many people are under the assumption that the low cost of pregnancy test strips are not as effective as the digital pregnancy or branded-mid-stream tests like First Response and Clearblue are. The reality is that most cheap pregnancy tests strips are as precise as the expensive brands and could even detect if you’re pregnant earlier than other more costly pregnancy tests that are available.

Why Are Pregnancy Test Strips Less Expensive?

There are three key reasons why the pregnancy test strips are less expensive than other models:

  • They don’t have as much packaging to them.
  • They’re not advertised as often.
  • The test format is simpler. It’s a dip in urine and read pregnant test compared to what you get with other testing options.

Positive Aspects Of Using Pregnancy Test Strips

  • They don’t cost as much money as other options.
  • They can be purchased in bulk.
  • You can test more often.
  • Compact and discreet, allowing you to put them in your purse or luggage.
  • They work as an early detection pregnancy test.

Negative Aspects Of Using Pregnancy Test Strips

  • You must collect urine in a container to do the test.
  • You have to read the test results yourself.
  • A faint line on a test is often hard to interpret and you may have to retest to be sure of the result

If you believe you are pregnant and live in the UK, you can purchase these highly-accurate, less expensive early detection pregnancy tests from Zoom Baby with same day shipping.

How Do I Use A Home Pregnancy Test?

Regardless of the test you purchase, inexpensive or name brand, they all have a couple of things in common. Each test will require you to urinate on the test or to dip the test in a small cup of urine. After you have waited for the designated amount of time, up to 10 minutes depending on your brand of test, your test results will appear. Each test has a different method for reading its results—like a plus sign or a negative sign, or a different colour for positive and negative. Read the instructions of your test to make sure that you are reading your results correctly and within the correct time-frame.

Keep in mind that the earlier in your pregnancy you are testing, the lower your levels of hCG. This means that your early test results may come back as negative, but you could still be pregnant.

How to Get the Most Accurate Results from Cheap Pregnancy Tests

Getting accurate results from cheap pregnancy tests isn’t just about the test itself – it’s also about how you use it. Here are some tips to boost your chances of a reliable result:

  1. Test first thing in the morning. Your urine is more concentrated then, making hCG easier to detect.
  2. Don’t drink lots of water before testing. This can dilute your urine and lead to false negatives.
  3. Check the expiration date. Even cheap tests can go bad over time.
  4. Follow the instructions to the letter. Timing matters!
  5. If in doubt, wait and retest. hCG levels double every 48-72 hours in early pregnancy.

Remember, no test is 100% accurate. If you get a negative result but still think you might be pregnant, wait a few days and try again. Or better yet, chat with your doctor – they can run blood tests that are even more sensitive than home pregnancy tests.

When Is The Best Time To Use A Pregnancy Test?

To increase your odds of accurate results it is best to wait until you are at least one day late with your period. It is at that point in which at-home pregnancy tests with the CE mark have an accuracy rate in the high 90% range.

When taking a pregnancy test do not forget the importance of reading the directions. Even if you have taken at-home pregnancy tests in the past remember that each brand is different so you should follow the directions precisely.

Advancements in Pregnancy Testing Technology

As of October 2024, while the basic principles of pregnancy tests remain the same, advancements in technology have introduced new features and improved accuracy in some brands. Digital pregnancy tests and app-connected tests have become more common, offering features like result storage and pregnancy tracking. However, these often come at a higher price point and may not necessarily be more accurate than traditional tests. Always check the latest product information and reviews when making your choice.

Photo by Zoom Baby

This post first appeared in 2020. It was last updated in October 2024.

Zoom Baby is a leading supplier of Pregnancy Tests and Ovulation Test Kits

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