9 Best Ovulation Tests (2021 OPK Review Guide)

Ovulation tests are a popular and easy way to help you understand more about your cycle.  Whether you’re trying to conceive or just looking for a better understanding of your biology, these at-home tests are designed to help you detect ovulation and pinpoint when you’re most likely to get pregnant.  

The brief window of time around ovulation is when you are at “peak” fertility, meaning it’s the best time to have sex in order to maximize your chances of becoming pregnant.  If you’re not tracking your cycle, pinning down the exact days of this window can be a challenge.  With such a short window of opportunity, timing is everything and it can be important to get it right.  Many turn to ovulation test kits while TTC as they help narrow down your fertile window and then time intercourse accordingly.

Tests like these can help you take control of your fertility but it’s important to note that they are not a replacement for working with your healthcare provider.  Home tests can only take you so far on your fertility journey and choosing the best ovulation test ultimately comes down to what works for you and your lifestyle.  Read on to see our roundup of the best ovulation tests!  

The best ovulation tests

The options for ovulation tests and predictor kits may seem endless.  They range from basic  testing to more advanced options like smart devices and wearable fertility trackers.  Every test is different and you’ll want one with the options and information that will work for you.  Depending on the complexity of the device, they can test for a range of other factors related to fertility as well including hormone levels and temperature.  

Making an educated decision can be hard when there are so many choices out there.  We’ve reviewed some of the most popular solutions to help you determine the best ovulation test for you.  We’ll look at what we liked about each one, what we thought they can improve, and who it’s for to help you make sense of all the noise – let’s get started! 

Mira

Mira offers a digital fertility analyzer that allows women to track hormone levels at home with a unique blend of science and technology.  Using a handheld device combined with a smart health tracking app, Mira provides personalized and accurate ovulation analysis through lab-quality hormone tracking.  The system uses urine samples to track luteinizing hormone, estrogen, and Pdg to give you a clear idea of when you’re ovulating and when you’re most likely to conceive.     

What we like

One of the best features of this tracker is that it measures exact hormone concentration levels rather than a range, threshold, or ‘smiley face’ approach.  By analyzing your quantitative hormone levels, you not only get accurate insights on your fertility, but highly personalized ovulation prediction.  And by measuring exact hormone concentrations, it makes it more suitable for women with irregular cycles.  And while Mira can definitely help you predict ovulation and plan for a baby, it can be useful for anyone who menstruates who wants to track their hormones for other health reasons. 

What they can improve

While the Mira system is on the pricier side of things when it comes to fertility monitoring, many times this can be offset by health insurance or a health savings account and may be eligible for reimbursement.  The cost of the testing wands can add up but the device itself can save you time and money compared to traditional fertility testing.    

Who it’s for

This device is useful for anyone who menstruates and is looking to track their hormones at home with lab-grade accuracy.  Since it measures exact hormone concentrations, it’s especially useful for people with hormone imbalances or irregular menstrual cycles. 

Ava

This wearable ovulation tracker comes in bracelet form that tracks physiological indicators used to predict ovulation.  While you sleep, it monitors your skin temperature, physiological stress levels (heart and breath rate), resting pulse rate, and overall sleep.  In the morning the information is synced to your phone and is used to help make predictions about when you will ovulate.    

What we like

This test is perfect for those who are squeamish about blood or don’t want to handle their urine.  There are no body fluids involved so it offers a non-invasive way to follow your fertility.  Bonus points for being able to act as a pregnancy tracker once you conceive.  

What they can improve

Because this option only measures certain physiological factors related to your fertility, many women found the predictions inaccurate and hard to plan around.  Reports of poor battery life and customer support were also common. 

Who it’s for

This fertility bracelet is perfect for anyone looking to track physiological factors related to their fertility and are hesitant to interact with bodily fluids.  Many people are sensitive or uncomfortable around blood or urine and this bracelet offers them an alternative.   

Proov

Rather than just predict your fertile days most other tests, the Proov kit has the added benefit of confirming ovulation has happened.  A mix of testing strips to be used at different times of your cycle help you predict that ovulation is not only on its way, but you can also confirm that it has actually happened.  The Proov system combines urine testing strips for LH and progesterone with an app to predict your fertile window and confirm that ovulation has taken place.  

What we like

If you are unsure whether you are even ovulating or not, this kit is sure to give you peace of mind.  Although on the pricier side, it can be invaluable for some to have that confirmation since we know stress and fertility are linked.  Testing progesterone levels goes above and beyond what many other kits test which can be helpful for those investigating hormone levels.  

What they can improve

Unfortunately because of the multiple testing strips (LH and progesterone) this test can be difficult to read or somewhat confusing.  Two bold lines on an LH strip is a positive result whereas only one bold line is a positive result on their progesterone strip.   

Who it’s for

If you are looking for a test that not only predicts ovulation but confirms it has happened this is the test for you.  That extra bit of information can give you the peace of mind you need or even set you down the right path to further testing.  If you’re unsure whether you are ovulating or not, this test can be a good way to confirm everything. 

Clearblue

A digital solution that’s easy to read, the Clearblue ovulation predictor uses a threshold-based system to monitor your peak fertile days.  This traditional ‘pee on stick’ test uses a digital monitor rather than test lines to let you know your fertile status.  Similar to other tests, this one monitors your estrogen and LH levels to predict fertile days and is geared towards those trying to conceive.  A flashing display will let you know whether you are in high fertility or peak fertility/ovulation.     

What we like

If you struggle to interpret the lines on a traditional test or are always second guessing your interpretation, you’ll love the simplicity of reading these results. They’ve taken the guesswork out of test results with a display that leaves nothing open to interpretation.  

What they can improve

For what you get, this test is pricier than most.  But if you struggle to interpret results or are just looking for foolproof simplicity it might be worth the added cost.  

Who it’s for

Each kit comes with 20 test strips so this one is perfect for the multi-testers out there. It’s great for those who are also interested in more detailed cycle information since it measures both your estrogen rise and LH surge.  It’s important to note that the company itself has no third-party certifications for this product and was involved in legal action regarding the alleged misrepresentation of the efficacy of certain test products.   

Modern Fertility

Much like their home hormone testing, Modern Fertility offers a precise way to predict your most fertile days through ovulation testing.  Their ovulation predictor kits use a traditional strip method to test LH levels and give you the most accurate prediction of when you might be ovulating.  An optional app allows you to track all the important stuff like your period (or sex) to give you personalized cycle predictions based on that data. 

What we like

The way they have partnered their tests with an optional app really sets this OPK apart from others.  You don’t have to use these features but it can be helpful for interpreting the results and keeping track of tests.  Their Slack community also offers support from fertility experts and other customers that make it unlike some of the alternatives.  

What they can improve

Although these tests are similar to other stick varieties, you pay for that additional tech support and their price reflects that.  If you don’t need the additional bells and whistles of app support or an online community, a simpler variety will suffice.

Who it’s for

This is a great option for those just starting to understand their cycle and ovulation.  The additional supports are a great learning tool and you can pair this with their other tests for a more complete picture of your fertility health.

Natalist

Sometimes aesthetics are everything and these traditional strip ovulation tests have been dubbed “the prettiest things you’ll ever pee on” and offer bulk pricing to boot!  On top of that, an “earth-friendlier” option offers a kit that includes paper strips and a reusable silicone cup (meaning you don’t have to buy your own urine collection cups separately).       

What we like

Natalist is a 100 percent plastic-neutral company and they put their money where their mouth is.  The reusable cup offers a huge environmental bonus and it is nice to have options.  These tests even come with a physical ovulation test tracker that allows you to see your progression from day to day and simple jargon-free instructions to simplify the whole process.   

What they can improve

These tests are more expensive than similar options, but many found the test cup and tracker worth the extra price.  If you opt for the disposable option, you are definitely paying for the convenience and even though they may be easier to use, there is more waste involved. 

Who it’s for

The instructions and accompanying illustrations in the Natalist testing kit make this an excellent option for anyone looking for a clear and easy to use test.  And if beautiful packaging and clean aesthetics help even in the tiniest bit, this is the kit for you.  

Oova

Born out of the founder’s personal journey with infertility, Oova is a fertility testing system that measures two hormones for ovulation tracking.  Using testing strips to measure progesterone and LH levels, the strip is scanned and sent to an accompanying app in your phone for analysis.  Information in the app is tailored to your goals and you receive a daily fertility action plan to help achieve those goals (ie. trying to conceive or hormone monitoring).

What we like

We like that with Oova you can not only predict ovulation (and your fertile window), but also confirm that it has occurred by testing the progesterone.  If you have irregular cycles, this can be an invaluable part of your fertility information that other tests may not provide.  

What they can improve

The data can be overwhelming and unless you are familiar with what everything means, this may be a bit much for the average person.  Like high tech options, this one is pricier than others but does offer the bonus of progesterone testing. 

Who it’s for

If you have irregular cycles, or an ovulatory condition like PCOS, you know that traditional ovulation kits may not work for you.  Oova offers an alternative that works well for those with irregular cycles or anyone looking for more hormone insights.  The app even allows you to share your results with your doctor! 

Pearl

More than just an ovulation tracker or OPK, the Pearl Kit includes hormone testing for accurate prediction of your fertile window.  Using urine test strips to measure 2 hormones, the kit combines a picture of the strip with detailed analysis to help you track your cycle and ovulation.  

What we like

The science and history behind Pearl is impressive and it will be a big plus for any technology lover.  The algorithm updates as you track your cycle and because you take a picture of each stick, you have a history of each test stored.  Many users found this one of the most helpful features of this test.  

What they can improve

The learning curve for this system is steep if you’re new to tracking your cycle (or fertility in general).  There’s little information about what your measurements actually mean so unless you know what you’re looking for, it can be overwhelming.  Many women with irregular cycles found this kit difficult to use or unhelpful and ended up using an alternative. 

Who it’s for

This is a great option for those looking for hormone analysis.  It’s detailed instructions and thorough testing procedure make it a great choice for anyone who likes a hands-on approach to information about their fertility.  Sometimes being able to pull things up on an app and see the process can give you a sense of agency during a time when things seem so out of your control. 

PREGMATE

A popular option for a reason, PREGMATE offers an ovulation tracking kit (or combo kit) that is an affordable choice, especially when you need to test a lot.  Using traditional test strips dipped in urine that test your LH levels, these kits are sold in packs of 20 or 50, meaning you’ll have lots on hand for multiple tests.  A positive result on the test indicates ovulation is around the corner and it’s baby-making time.    

What we like

These tests are widely available in both online and in-person stores and are a popular choice, especially when you know you’ll need a lot of tests.  Their multi-packs and kits also come with pregnancy strip tests to cover all of your needs in one affordable option.  Even better, the pregnancy tests included in these kits are sensitive enough to detect pregnancy before other tests!     

What they can improve

Like all ovulation predictor kits, there are circumstances where the results of your test may be unreliable and results can sometimes be confusing.  Difficult to read or faint lines mean you could get a false positive, not to mention making the whole experience that much more stressful.     

Who it’s for

This test is best for women who are looking for an affordable option to predict ovulation and don’t mind using urine -based test strips.  They may not be as reliable for those with unpredictable periods or longer than average cycle lengths.  If you know you’ll need a lot of tests, Pregmate offers a straightforward choice.     

Ovulation kit buying guide

Even if you’ve read all of the ovulation kit reviews, you can still be left with questions about which one is right for you.  Ultimately, the test that’s right for you will come down to your personal preferences, needs, and budget.  To help you make your decision, here are some things to look for when picking the right model.

Digital vs analog

Both digital and analog ovulation tests detect the presence of LH in your urine but show the results in different ways.  What we know as ‘analog’ test strips are the familiar pee-on-a-stick variety of paper strips where lines show up.  

Digital ovulation tests work in the same way but show a digital message on a small screen to indicate the test results.  These can vary from words to pictures that indicate you are ovulating.  Other digital methods include fertility monitors or tracking devices that may be more advanced.  

If you have trouble with the interpretation of the results on a line test you may feel more certainty with a digital test.  Keep in mind that you are paying for that convenience and most analog tests are as accurate as digital tests.    

App or no app?

Search ‘ovulation’ in any app store and you’ll see an endless list of options available to you.  However, apps are only as good as the information you put in them and they can be overwhelming if you’re not used to tracking your health digitally.

Some ovulation tests offer an algorithm or AI that syncs with the device to help predict your fertility while others strictly rely on user inputs.  While this can be helpful information to have, make sure you’re onboard with inputting (and reviewing) your information consistently before choosing a test with an app.    

Affordability

When considering the best ovulation kit, it’s important to remember the costs associated with testing regularly.  The price of the tests, as well as how many you’ll receive in a package, can be a big factor in choosing a kit.  

If you know you’ll need a lot of strips, consider the more economical option of basic paper strips. They may not have all the bells and whistles of digital versions but most brands offer the same level of reliability.  You’ll also save money by opting for a simpler device.  

Reliability

Used correctly, ovulation tests are over 99 percent effective in detecting an LH surge.  However, not all tests are created equal and not all tests will have the same quality.  Additionally, ovulation tests do not work reliably when certain drugs are present in the system.  For example, injectable fertility drugs like Pergonal or hCG can severely limit a test’s reliability and even women taking antibiotics or birth control may have less-than-accurate results.   

Reputation

While experts agree that most of the choices for ovulation kits on the market today are similar in terms of quality and accuracy, it’s also important to consider reputation.  Relying on ovulation kit reviews and reading about the experiences of other women may help your decision.  Consider both the experiences people have when using a particular test and the company that makes the test itself.  Companies that use evidence-based testing and rely on input from a team of medical experts are always a safe bet when considering reputation.  

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