Tracking your fertility and ovulation is a must if you're trying to get pregnant, especially if you have irregular cycles or a condition like PCOS. Luckily, there are plenty of home testing kits and strips available with instructions, all offering an affordable way to work out when you're ovulating so you can plan sex and increase your chances of pregnancy.
Before you jump in, it's important to understand the different types of tests, how each one works, their accuracy, and which ovulation test is the best for reliable results. That's why we've created this handy guide! We'll review the ten best BBT thermometers, ovulation kits (OPK) and tests with digital tracker apps from trusted brands like Clearblue, Easy@Home and One Step which can all be ordered online, stress-free, from Amazon, Tesco and Boots.
Quick List - Top Ovulation Tests
Clearblue
Predicts More Fertile Days Than Any Other Test by Tracking Estrogen Levels
femometer
A Discreet BBT Thermometer With a Stylish Look Thats 100% Waterproof
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Strips measure LH hormone levels in your urine to help predict when you're going to ovulate. LH hormone levels surge when the egg is ready to be released, which triggers ovulation 24 to 36 hours later. These tests have 97% accuracy for women with regular periods. If it's positive, the test line will be darker than the control line. However, women with a light surge may have a faint line that can be tricky to read.
One thing to note is that, because you can only use each strip once and you have to test for a few days to detect your surge each month (more if you have irregular periods), you will need to buy a large pack and keep restocking them, which can become expensive.
Looking for a handy app to track your period? Browse our top 10 suggestion for the best period tracker apps!
Designed just like a pregnancy test, digital ovulation tests are much easier to use than strips. Some tests show an image – or like Clearblue's, a smiley face – when you're at peak or high fertility. That's easy enough to understand!
These tests also monitor LH surge using urine, but some can detect estrogen levels, too, allowing you to identify four or more fertile days for a better chance of pregnancy. Your estrogen levels increase before ovulation, creating an environment where sperm can survive for around five days.
Although you won't have to replace the digital holder, you will need to buy refill test sticks which, again, can get expensive. It's best to pick a larger pack of 20 or so that will last two to four months.
You can chart BBT body temperature to find when you've ovulated, as your temperature will slightly rise at this time. If you take your body temperature every day, you should notice a pattern with three consecutive higher temperatures. Over time, you can use the data to predict when you're most likely to ovulate.
BBT tests are inexpensive, but they're not always accurate. It'll save money as you'll only need to buy one device, but the tests aren't always reliable as many factors can affect your temperature, like illness or a poor night's sleep.
You will also need to use the thermometer straight after you wake up, unlike LH surge tests which you can do at different times. Sitting up or walking around can affect the results, so you have to test the right way at the same time each day.
LH surge tests have varying sensitivities measured in milli-international units per millilitre (mIU/ml). This measurement tells you the minimum amount of LH the test can identify in your urine, with a lower number having a greater sensitivity.
In terms of numbers, 25 mIU/ml is sensitive enough to detect an LH surge for most women, as studies have shown (on average) that women have an LH level of 44.6 mIU/mL the day before ovulation. However, LH levels can vary greatly from person to person, so if the 25 mIU/ml test isn't working, you can opt for a 20 mIU/ml test.
BBT thermometers also have sensitivities stating the degree to which they measure temperature in celsius. Ideally, they should have a sensitivity of 0.05°C to set them apart from normal thermometers. This will allow you to document the small temperature change that happens during ovulation.
One useful thing to consider is whether the test is compatible with a fertility app. Using an app makes it easier to track ovulation and plan for your most fertile days. If the test has its own app, even better, as they record data in an auto-generated chart and eliminate the need to write it down on bits of paper that could easily get lost.
Some can even help read results from LH strips if you're unsure whether the line is dark enough. You just need to snap a picture of your results and upload it, then the app will record if you're at your peak. Very handy! You can also record the data by hand if you haven't got a smartphone or prefer the old-fashioned method. It works the same, but you will have to dot down the results yourself and keep them in a safe place.
Here are our picks for the best pregnancy apps in the UK.
Ovulation tests recommend different wait times for your result to appear. It's vital to wait for the correct amount of time to make sure you have accurate results. Positive results quickly appear, but you need to wait the full time to confirm negative results. If you leave it for longer than the time limit, the results can be invalid.
Tests with longer wait times are suitable for people with laidback lifestyles, but a shorter recommended time is needed if you live a busy life. You'll be able to fit the test in around work or on your lunch break without potentially affecting the accuracy of the test!
A final inclusion to look out for is whether your ovulation kit comes with a pack of pregnancy tests. There'll be no need to purchase everything separately, saving you time and money and generally making life easier!
BBT thermometers can also tell when you're pregnant, although it may not be the most reliable option. Your temperature would usually dip before your period starts, but it will stay the same if you're pregnant. Don't rely on this result alone, though. It's always best to double-check with a pregnancy test, too.
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Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Clearblue Digital Ovulation Test Kit | ![]() | Predicts More Fertile Days Than Any Other Test by Tracking Estrogen Levels | |
2 | Easy@Home Ovulation Test Strips | ![]() | A Quick but Effective 5-Minute Test That Works With the Premom App | |
3 | One Step Ovulation Strips | ![]() | Sensitive NHS Quality Strips in Eco-Friendly Packaging | |
4 | femometer Thermometer for Ovulation | ![]() | A Discreet BBT Thermometer With a Stylish Look Thats 100% Waterproof | |
5 | MomMed Ovulation Test Strips | ![]() | Pack Complete With 60 Urine Cups and an Ovulation Chart to Make the Process Much Easier | |
6 | BABYMAD Digital Basal Thermometer | ![]() | A Flexible BBT Thermometer With a Soft Tip That’s Easy to Use | |
7 | Boots Ovulation Test Kit | ![]() | Durable Strips With a Plastic Casing and a 99% Accuracy Rate | |
8 | Fairhaven Health Fertile Focus Personal Ovulation Microscope | ![]() | Saliva Based Fertility Test Approved by Doctors | |
9 | Ovaview Fertility Tests Kit | ![]() | Handy Kit Including Wide Sensitive Strips and a Monthly Subscription Deal | |
10 | Wondfo 50 Ovulation Strips | ![]() | All-In-One Pack Including 50 Ovulation Strips and 20 Pregnancy Tests |
Standard tests usually predict two days where you're most fertile, whereas this test can predict four or more by also tracking estrogen levels. That'll give you more opportunities to get pregnant! It's also very easy to understand, as it'll show a smiley face when you're at peak fertility and a smiley face with rays when you're at high fertility.
If that hasn't sold you, Clearblue was the number one brand recommended by doctors on a survey in the UK. Add this to its 99%+ accuracy, and you can see why we rate this trustworthy product as the best ovulation kit available.
These ovulation test strips are specially designed to work with the Premom app. It'll automatically read and compare results, and you won't need to keep any old samples that can start to smell funky! The results can be read in under 5 minutes, too, so you won't have to wait around on a busy morning.
This brand also has quality checks performed by third parties so the strips can have optimal effectiveness. These best-selling strips are available in various pack sizes to suit your needs, all for a great price.
Are you looking for a trustworthy medical-quality test? Then you've found it, as the tests are the same ones the company supplies to the NHS. The company is also eco-friendly and tries to use recycled packing when possible.
These strips are 3.5 mm thick, making them easier to use without error than other, thinner versions. Plus, they have a 20 mIU/ml sensitivity, which is much better for detecting a lighter surge.
Does messing around with pee seem off-putting to you? Here's a different way to track ovulation: a BBT thermometer. It comes in a discreet case that looks like makeup, so you can carry it around without revealing you're trying for a baby. Plus, it's completely waterproof, which will protect it against any accidents.
The screen also has a soft yellow backlight, which will make it easy to read in the morning without straining your eyes. You're also able to track your readings with the free associated app; your BBT measurement will be automatically sent over via Bluetooth.
This kit comes with 60 free urine cups to make taking your readings easier and less messy. And you won't have to purchase them separately or find something to use around the house! A handy paper ovulation chart and instructions are included too – perfect for anyone who prefers to record results the traditional way.
As well as the 60 urine cups, 60 pieces are included in the pack, so they're sure to last you a while before you need to restock. The strips are quite thin, though, so they can be hard to use without causing damage.
Babymad's BBT thermometer is a new model with a flexible and soft tip that makes it easier and more comfortable to use. The upgrade makes a sound when the final reading is ready too, so you know when the result is correct.
The readings taken are to two decimal places, one more than a normal thermometer, so it's worth grabbing a specialised device like this. You may wish to use it alongside other kits or strips for a more accurate prediction, though.
Are you fed up with flimsy strips? We've got the solution for you! This kit comes with a plastic casing that's much more sturdy than strips alone. It's also over 99% accurate, so you know the results from the test will help to give you the best chance of getting pregnant.
From Boots' trusted own brand, these tests produce results quickly to stop you from wasting time. Just be aware that this kit only comes with seven pieces (and no pregnancy tests), so you'll have to buy a new pack each month or stock up on a few from the get-go.
This ovulation test kit helps women identify the days when they are most likely to get pregnant by observing changes occurring in their saliva during the monthly cycle. Women have an "oestrogen surge" just before they ovulate, which makes a fern-like pattern appear in their saliva due to hormonal changes.
Fertile-Focus offers the best, most powerful 50x magnification lens for quickly identifying these crystal "ferning" patterns. This test is easy to use as it only requires a drop of saliva onto the given lens to be able to observe a pattern. However, at 98% accuracy, it slightly lags behind compared to the other tests on our list.
This handy ovulation kit has a subscription deal, so you can get refills without placing a new order every month. As well as being nice at wide at 3.5 mm, they are also very sensitive with 20 mIU/ml, so they have a better chance of showing up your LH surge for easy reading.
These award-winning strips are high-quality and trustworthy, with independent studies backing their 99%+ accuracy. They don't come in the most discreet packaging, which could be an issue if you live with housemates and want to keep your private life private.
There are a whopping 50 ovulation strips in this pack, so they're sure to last you a while and help you save a bit of money. Plus, 20 pregnancy tests are included, so you can tell if all your planning has paid off!
Unfortunately, the pregnancy tests aren't known for being the most accurate and have given some people false results. However, the ovulation tests themselves do have a greater sensitivity, which is better for people with a light LH surge.
There is a chance that if you are pregnant and use an ovulation test, you will get a positive result However, it's also possible for you to be pregnant and for an ovulation test to show that you're not. In a nutshell, ovulation tests are unreliable in detecting pregnancy.
Ovulation tests are not meant to tell if you're pregnant. A positive ovulation test doesn't mean that you're pregnant, and a negative test also does not mean that you aren't. To know for sure if you are pregnant, use test kits designed to detect pregnancy.
Yes. But to avoid a false positive result, it's best to wait for the body's human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone levels, which can remain elevated even after a miscarriage, to fall to an undetectable level.
Written and researched by Rosa Fairfield
No. 1: Clearblue|Digital Ovulation Test Kit
No. 2: Easy@Home|Ovulation Test Strips
No. 3: One Step|Ovulation Strips
No. 4: femometer|Thermometer for Ovulation
No. 5: MomMed|Ovulation Test Strips
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