Best Pricing
Everlywell
- Type of Test Finger prick, vaginal swab, urine sample
- STDs It Tests For Chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis, herpes 2, trichomoniasis
- Time to Receive Results 3 to 5 days
- Insurance Accepted No
- Prescribes Medication Yes
- Laboratory Certification CLIA and CAP
- Collection Process Mail in
How it works
Everlywell offers seven STD at-home tests with separate options for males and females. The female and male STD tests screen for seven of the most common sexually transmitted infections: chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis, herpes 2, and trichomoniasis.
The method of collecting samples varies based on the test:
- The female STD test involves a finger prick and vaginal swab.
- The male STD test involves a finger prick and urine sample.
- The chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis tests require a urine sample, while the HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C tests require a finger prick.
After you’ve received your test kit and collected your sample for testing, you’ll use the supplied packaging to send the sample to a certified lab (via the U.S. Postal Service), with prepaid shipping. Transit typically takes two to three business days after which (one to three days) you’ll receive your test results via the company’s online platform.
Everlywell uses testing labs certified by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), which are the federal standards applicable to all U.S. facilities that test human specimens, according to the CDC. Several Everlywell labs are also accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), an organization that helps laboratories maintain accuracy of test results and exceed required standards for various federal agencies.
After Everlywell sends its samples to a CLIA-certified laboratory for processing and testing, the laboratory sends the test report to an Everlywell physician in the customer’s state for review.
You’ll be notified by email if you have negative results and by phone if you test positive. You can also access your results through the Everlywell online platform. If you test positive, in-network board-certified physicians can discuss your results, establish follow-up testing, or prescribe certain medications, depending on the regulations in your state.
Why we chose it
Our reviews team named Everlywell “Best Pricing” because of its competitive pricing. Everlywell has the cheapest options of all the at-home testing kits on this list. For example, if you want a chlamydia and gonorrhea test, it costs $69 from Everlywell, $79 from myLABbox, and $99 from LetsGetChecked.
Or if you’re looking for a full-panel test, it might cost you $220 without insurance for the Full Control Kit from NURX to test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis C, while the Everlywell STD Test, both Female and Male, tests for those STIs and trichomoniasis for $169. Everlywell also occasionally offers sales for its at-home STD kits.
What our testers thought
During our reviews team’s research, the company had a 30 percent off deal on all the STI tests, making it an even cheaper option. Check back for holiday specials and other promotional deals.
When our reviews team tried calling the customer support team, there was an automatic voice message that instructed us to connect with the support team via email. If being able to reach someone by phone is a priority for you, this company may not be the best fit.
Best for Customer Support
LetsGetChecked
- Type of Test Finger prick, urine sample
- STDs It Tests For Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, HIV, syphilis, gardnerella, mycoplasma, ureaplasma
- Time to Receive Results 2 to 5 days
- Insurance Accepted No
- Prescribes Medication Yes
- Laboratory Certification CLIA and CAP
- Collection Process Mail in
How it works
LetsGetChecked offers three at-home STD test options, from a simple option that tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea at $99, to a ‘complete 8 package’ that screens for eight different diseases and infections. Depending on which test you choose, tests require either a finger prick or urine sample. The company has helpful videos on each product page, such as the one for the Simple 2, about how to collect your sample.
Like Everlywell, LetsGetChecked includes the materials and a prepaid label to ship your sample to their laboratory. It takes approximately two to five days to receive your results, potentially one day earlier than Everlywell. You’ll be notified by email that your results are available.
To view them, you’ll log into your account. If you test positive, LetsGetChecked has a team of board-certified physicians and nurses who can discuss your results. Medication is only available for certain STIs, such as chlamydia, trichomoniasis, gardnerella, mycoplasma, and ureaplasma. It’s important to note that medication isn’t available online in certain states, so be sure to check whether your state is included.
Why we chose it
LetsGetChecked is our reviews team’s pick for “Best for Customer Care” because of its various support and availability options for customers. In addition to a 24/7 customer support team (which no other company on this list has), the company has a team of dedicated nurses that can help you navigate the different treatment options if you receive a positive result. That level of support is crucial, and no other company on this list provides both 24/7 customer support and a separate team of nurses for customer questions.
The company also has helpful videos on each product page, such as the one for the Simple 2 test package, demonstrating how to collect your sample.
LetsGetChecked offers both a prescription and medication service at no extra cost. Having the cost of medication included is a noteworthy perk. The LetsGetChecked clinical team will even send your medication to your house so you can avoid a visit to the pharmacy.
What our testers thought
LetsGetChecked has a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page and an online form for emailing questions. When a member of our reviews team filled out this form, they immediately received an automated email confirmation, followed by a personalized email response approximately three hours later. The company’s online chat requires you to fill out your name and email to start chatting. Live chat hours can vary depending on the day, due to higher or lower traffic online and on the phones.
A dedicated team of nurses is available to help guide you through your treatment options Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The nurses are also available through the customer support number. When you call, a member of the customer support team will confirm some details before transferring you to the clinician team.
Best Variety of Testing Options
myLAB Box
- Type of Test Finger prick, urine sample
- STDs it Tests For HIV 1 and 2, hepatitis C, herpes 2, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, mycoplasma, and HPV
- Time to Receive Results 1 to 5 days
- Insurance Accepted No
- Prescribes Medication Yes
- Laboratory Certification CLIA and CAP
- Collection Process Mail in
How it works
Depending on the test, myLAB Box requires either a finger prick or urine sample.
The cost of the kits includes shipping to and from the lab, as well as consultation with a telemedicine physician if you test positive. Two-day shipping costs $7 extra and overnight shipping is available for an additional $45.
You’ll be notified by email that your results are available, which is also logged in your myLAB Box account. If you test positive, the company includes a free phone consultation with a physician — but you have to request it. To request a consultation, email customerservice@mylabbox.com with your order number, and then the company will send you a questionnaire before the phone call.
Prescriptions are available for some STIs, but it depends on your state of residence and symptoms.
Why we chose it
myLAB Box is our reviews team’s pick for “Best Variety of Testing Options” because the company offers 19 at-home STD test kits, ranging from the Total Box, which includes 14 STD tests for $369 to $399, to the Boomer Box, a kit specifically designed for older adults for $189. With 19 kits, myLAB Box has more than double the amount of tests offered by the company with the next-highest amount on this list (Everlywell, with seven).
Adding to its variety, myLAB Box has several individual tests (if you don’t want to purchase a set of multiple tests), including HPV, syphilis, HIV, herpes, and more. If you’re looking for an at-home STD test kit for both you and your partner, myLAB Box has the Love Box for $499 — a couples’ kit with eight tests for each person.
What our testers thought
As our reviews team walked through the ordering process, we found two important notes on estimated delivery dates for testing kits:
- Allow for one to two extra days for processing during holidays.
- Orders placed on Friday after 11 a.m. PST, or over the weekend, will be shipped on Monday.
This transparency from the company is a quality that our reviews team appreciated and thought would be beneficial during the potentially stressful process of purchasing an STD testing kit, during which expediency is often one of the most important factors.
Best for Insurance
Nurx
How it works
Nurx offers three at-home STD tests. The cheapest option is the Basics Covered Ki at $150 without insurance, and $75 with insurance. It screens for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. More expensive options include screening for additional STIs.
The method of collecting samples from Nurx varies based on which test you select — the collection methods are finger prick, vaginal swab, urine sample, throat swab, and rectal swab.
It takes approximately seven business days to receive your results for Nurx STD testing kits, which is the longest results turnaround time on this list. The average is about three days. For those who value expediency above all else, Nurx may not be the best choice.
Depending on how you opt into the Nurx messaging system, you’ll either receive an email with the results information from the provider or an email that you have a new message (see Figure 1), which offers extra protection and privacy for your STI results. If you test negative, a person from the Nurx medical team will contact you and help you determine the best next steps. The initial consultation is $15, but there is no additional cost for follow-up conversations.
Nurx offers treatment for some STIs, such as chlamydia and trichomoniasis, but it doesn’t offer treatment for all STIs, and specifically not for ones that require treatment by injection, like syphilis and gonorrhea. You will work with the medical team or your healthcare provider on the length of follow-up care.
Nurx is a telemedicine provider that prescribes medication to its clients, but only in the 36 states that allow it. During the checkout process, if you “request a prescription,” you’ll be prompted to select the state you live in to determine whether your state qualifies.
Why we chose it
The biggest benefit of Nurx is that it’s the only service on this list that accepts insurance for STD testing kits, which is why we named it “Best for Insurance.” In-service networks for Nurx STI testing include Blue Cross Blue Shield and other providers. If you have an out-of-network provider, you’ll need to pay for Nurx services out of pocket. The company will give you a receipt for you to seek out-of-network reimbursement.
If you test positive and need medication, Nurx accepts insurance from Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, OptumRx, United Health Care, and Tricare. Medicaid and Medicare are not accepted.
In addition to being one of the only at-home STD testing services that offers coverage through insurance, Nurx also offers unlimited messaging for one year with its licensed providers. This is helpful added support for those navigating a positive STD/STI result.
What our testers thought
One of the features our reviews team liked most about Nurx is its smartphone app, available through the Apple Store or Google Play Store. The app houses your prescriptions, test results, and more, all in one location.
When our reviews team called the helpline, the wait time was long — approximately 30 minutes. When a member of our reviews team emailed the company about a general question, it automatically created an account to keep the conversation secure and private. But, Elma, the support specialist, didn’t answer our question and instead directed us to order a subscription and fill out a profile before helping.
When a member of our reviews team used the live chat function, the support team responded within 30 seconds and was helpful in answering our questions. The agent didn’t push for a sale and provided excellent customer support, including asking if we had any follow-up questions. We also liked that it wasn’t necessary to fill out a form with an email or name before using the chat (unlike the Everlywell customer service form or the LetsGetChecked live chat), which keeps the experience private and simple.