At-home COVID-19 tests are an important tool to protect others if you get sick during the pandemic, especially as new COVID-19 variants spread around the world. These easy to administer tests can spare you a trip to a test clinic or doctor, so you can avoid spreading germs.
The US Food and Drug Administration began granting emergency use authorizations for at-home collection kits in May 2020, and consumers have many different choices. Heck, you can even order one from DoorDash now.
After trying many at-home COVID-19 tests, I found that my overall experience was more or less the same with each test. I navigated to the website, took the symptom screening if there was one, put in my personal information, checked out and waited for the test to arrive. When the test was delivered, I followed the instructions to register the kit, collect my sample and ship the specimen back.
I didn’t have any particularly great or horrendous experiences with any of these testing companies, so I don’t necessarily recommend any one in particular. Only a couple stand out, including the new Ellume COVID-19 test, which is the first rapid at-home test with an EUA from the FDA.
The best at-home COVID-19 test for you ultimately depends on cost, whether your insurance, FSA or HSA covers the cost, and your preferred collection method (saliva sample or nasal swab).
Nonetheless, it’s worth knowing the small differentiators between the 10 coronavirus tests you can get without a doctor, which I describe here.
Who should take an at-home COVID-19 test?
At-home COVID-19 tests aren’t appropriate for everyone. Regardless of which brand you choose, it takes several days to a week to get your results from the time you order the test. Some people may require quicker test results due to their work or home environment, symptoms or other factors.
An at-home coronavirus test is appropriate for those who:
- Have known or suspected exposure to COVID-19 (with or without symptoms) and can stay home until they get their test results.
- Have mild-to-moderate symptoms and can quarantine until they receive a negative result or symptoms disappear for several days.
The common denominator? People must be able to stay at home while they await their test results. If you can’t stay home until you have a positive test (for example, if your employer requires it), or you need quicker results for any other reason, an at-home COVID-19 test is not right for you.
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The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.