FOR A LOT of us, the holiday season consists of spending time with loved ones under the same roof. But during the pandemic, that also means increasing the risk of contracting and spreading Covid-19. To help prevent this, it's important to get tested regularly (along with getting vaccinated and wearing a face mask). There are free testing sites across the country, but those pressed for time can trade in the long lines for rapid at-home Covid tests, which can provide results in 15 minutes or so.
But with hundreds of options out there, it's tough to know which one to buy (if they're even in stock). Below, we've rounded up a few different options—based on FDA authorization and availability—to help make the search easier. The FDA says it's currently evaluating the ability of at-home tests to detect Omicron variant, and preliminary results suggest the Abbott BinaxNow and Quidel QuickVue test kits are able to detect it (we've highlighted them below with a star). So far, members of our team have used some, but not all, of these tests.
Table of Contents
- 7 Rapid At-Home Covid-19 Tests
- How Accurate Are Rapid At-Home Covid Tests?
- Fluctuating Stock and Insurance Coverage
- One Test to Avoid
- Retailer Test Kit Pages
- Delivery Apps That Offer At-Home Covid Test Kits
- How Accurate Are Rapid At-Home Covid Tests?
The FDA has granted each test below “emergency use authorization,” but these tests aren't 100 percent accurate. Most at-home rapid antigen tests have a sensitivity of roughly 85 percent (varies by test), according to the FDA. There is a chance you could end up with a false positive or a false negative. Nearly every kit comes with two tests for repeat testing, so you can double-check your results.
If you test negative: Experiencing Covid-19 symptoms but got a negative test result? Take another test, following the manufacturer's instructions (usually within two to three days). The same goes if you test negative and aren't experiencing any symptoms—especially if you've been to a gathering with several people. As per the CDC, it's possible the sample was collected too early in the infection and may show up positive after a few days. If it's still negative, then it's possible any symptoms you have aren't Covid-related.
If you test positive: Take another test to verify the result. If both results are positive, you should quarantine for 10 days and wear a mask around others. You should also make sure to contact your primary care physician as well as friends and family that may have been exposed. Those experiencing severe symptoms should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Many of these tests rely on the honor system—mask up and stay home.
There's a chance your test result may show up as invalid. This means the test didn't work. If this happened with your first test, you can try again with the second one in the box (though you'll need to buy another pack to test again).
Snagging a rapid at-home Covid test isn't as simple as walking into a drugstore or clicking Add to Cart these days. Stock is in constant flux, so you'll need to regularly check online or at physical retail stores. We suggest calling your local drugstores and pharmacies to check for availability.
To keep up with increased demand, retailers are capping the number of tests per customer. At Walgreens, you'll be limited to four tests per purchase both in stores and online; Walmart is limiting its customers to eight tests when you purchase online (there's no limit in-store). At CVS, you'll only be able to purchase six tests at a time.
At-home kits can add up in cost quickly. The Biden administration recently announced plans to distribute 500 million rapid at-home Covid test kits across the US for free, but this won't start until January. Your only option is to pay out of pocket for over-the-counter rapid kits. For now, kits are only covered by insurance if they’re ordered through your medical provider, based on your symptoms. But we recommend saving receipts, as your private health insurance company might reimburse you. Have a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA)? You can opt to use either to purchase rapid at-home covid test kits.
Walgreens, Walmart ($14), CVS, Sam's Club ($14), Rite Aid
Abbot's BinaxNow kit provides results within 15 minutes after swabbing your nose and inserting the sample into the included test card. You can then use Navica, the companion app, to self-report your results. Those who test negative will receive a temporary encrypted digital pass that they can use as official proof of their test result. With two tests in each box, the company recommends taking another one over the course of three days—no sooner than 24 hours but no later than 48 hours. A few members of the Gear team have used this test. We cannot verify its accuracy, but we can say it was relatively straightforward to use.
Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Simply Medical, Everlywell ($25), Carewell ($26)
With the QuickVue at-home test, all you need to do is swab both your nostrils, swirl it in the prefilled tube of solution, and dip in the test strip for 10 minutes. If the result is positive, you'll see both a blue line and a pink line appear on the strip. If it's negative, you'll only see a blue line. This kit also comes with two separate tests, so you can take another one within three days. I have used this test, and I found it easy to administer and understand.
Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart ($30), Walgreens, On/Go ($30), Ro ($30)
On/Go's at-home kit comes with a connected app that helps guide you through the process. Once you create an account, you'll use the test cassette, extraction vial, vial cap, and nasal swab included in the box to collect your sample. After 10 minutes, you'll be prompted to upload a photo of your results, and the app will confirm whether you're positive, negative, or invalid (at which point you can try again).
CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, ExpressMed ($16), FlowFlex
FlowFlex is the most affordable test on this list. Unlike with most of these kits, you only get one test per box. But unlike other tests, the FDA is confident enough in this one that it doesn’t advise you to test yourself again after a few days—unless you feel new symptoms coming on. The process is similar: Swab your nose, dip the swab in the solution, and squeeze a few drops onto the test card. After 15 to 30 minutes, your results will appear. The company says it's likely that the test can detect the Omicron variant, but it hasn't verified this just yet.
Amazon, Wyze ($14), iHealth ($14)
The iHealth Covid-19 kit comes with a nasal swab, solution, and a test card. After collecting your sample and soaking it in the solution, add three drops of it to the test card. In 15 minutes your result will appear on the card, and you can then upload it to the companion app. If you test negative, you'll get access to an iHealth Pass to use as digital proof. The company says it is “very confident” that its test can detect the Omicron variant, though it's still conducting experiments.
Rather than interpreting lines on a test card, the BD Veritor uses a companion app to provide you with digital results. After collecting your sample and waiting 15 minutes, you'll have to scan your test card via the Scanwell Health app to see whether you're positive or negative. From there, you can store encrypted versions of your results on your phone. Warning: An app is required to use this test, so you should check if your phone is compatible.
InteliSwab looks different from the standard at-home Covid test kit, and it also requires the longest wait time. Instead of a separate nasal swab, this one comes with a flat pad attached to the result window. Once you swab both nostrils with the flat pad, insert it into the tube of solution and wait 30 to 40 minutes for your results to appear.
All of the tests above have been given an emergency use authorization by the FDA. Ellume's test kit got one too. However, in October and November of 2021, it was recalled due to “higher-than acceptable false-positive test results” for Covid-19. An FDA spokesperson says the recall only affected certain kits. If you're buying a new kit, you should be fine—the connected app won't let you proceed with the test if it finds your kit is a part of the recall.
Unfortunately, that's not all. More recently, security researchers were able to fabricate positive or negative test results through Ellume's Bluetooth-enabled test device. The company has since fixed the issue via a security patch. But these are just too many red flags for us to be able to recommend this one at the moment.
Depending on where you're located, at-home rapid Covid tests might be sold out. If you want to continue to browse for availability, below is a list of retailers selling kits.
If you've been experiencing symptoms or don't want to leave your house, you can order an at-home Covid test through a food delivery service app for same-day delivery (if the app is available in your area). Below is a list of apps that offer test kits.
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