The 8 Best Ovulation Tests of 2021

What To Look for in an Ovulation Test

Sensitivity

Ovulation tests measure LH, or luteinizing hormone, to determine when you’re most fertile. Tests will detect when that hormone is at its peak, predicting when you’re most likely ovulating. As for sensitivity levels, a test with a 20-50 IU/L(international units per liter) will typically capture the surge of LH.

The usual range for LH levels is 1.9-13.6 IU/L, but when a woman is fertile, that number can reach as high as 118 IU/L. The sensitivity level should be written on the test or in the description of the product online.

While many women want to drink a lot of water before testing, this is actually a big no-no. "Drinking lots of water prior to testing can also dilute LH in the urine and make it harder to pick up a positive surge," Dr. Thornton explains. "It is best to avoid large water intake prior to testing to avoid false-negative results."

Cost

When shopping for ovulation tests, it’s important to consider the price of the tests and how many you’ll receive in a pack. If you’re looking for something on the lower end of your budget, ovulation test strips are typically around $15 to $25, give or take a few bucks either way.

"The cheapest form are simply strips of paper typically with 2 lines, a control line and a test line," says Dr. Thornton. "They require you to determine if the test line is darker than the control line.  This can be difficult for some women to interpret especially if you don’t get a strong LH surge."

Digital tests will cost you more and are usually between $30 to $60. You can also look at the price per test in a pack to help you make your decision. "There are many different OPK (Ovulation Predictor Kits) kits available with a wide range in how difficult or easy they are to interpret," mentions Dr. Thornton. "The most expensive variety of predictor kits are digital where the test strips are interpreted for you."

Readability

From digital to strips to apps, ovulation tests come with many different result images, but some of them can be hard to read. Digital tests may have a smiley face while strips will show you lines. More modern and tech-forward options allow you to scan your results through an app for ultra-clear results. Depending on your comfort level, you'll want to choose a test you feel confident reading.

You can also monitor your cervical mucus and basal body temperature chart, Dr. Thornton recommends. "Your body’s basal temperature increases minimally when you’re ovulating and can help confirm that ovulation has occurred," she says. "To track this, a woman must check their temperature each morning at the same time before getting out of bed and plot it on a chart. When you ovulate, the hormone progesterone causes your temperature to rise approximately 0.5 °F."

FAQs

How long after a positive ovulation test do you ovulate?

It’s not an exact science but expect to ovulate about 12-24 hours after a positive ovulation test. There are 6 days in the month that count as your most fertile days.

"The 'fertile window' for conception is defined as the 5 days leading up to the day of ovulation and is the time frame when the viability of both eggs and sperm should be maximal," says Dr. Thornton. "It is estimated that the fertilizable life of the human egg lasts up to 24 [hour] post ovulation and that sperm can survive up to 5 days in the reproductive tract. The majority of sperm is believed to survive 48-72 hours, which is why intercourse is mostly likely to result in pregnancy when it occurs within the 3 day interval ending on the day of ovulation."

Knowing how long sperm is believed to survive will help you know when it's best to try to conceive. "This is also why a couple does not necessarily have to have intercourse on the actual day of ovulation to be able to conceive, but it needs to occur at some point in the fertile window," Dr. Thornton explains.

When should I start testing for ovulation?

You can test for ovulation at any time of the day, but experts suggest the morning as it may give you the best results. If your typical menstrual cycle is 28 days you would perform an ovulation test 10 or 14 days after starting your period. "Ovulation occurs 14 days prior to the onset of menstrual bleeding (the period)," says Dr. Gersh. "For [people] with a 28-day cycle, it usually occurs 14 days into the cycle (mid-cycle)."

You may even be able to tell when your ovulation is happening by changes to your body. "Some can tell ovulation is occurring by the change of her cervical mucous and an increased sex drive," Dr. Gersh explains.

How long after ovulation can you take a pregnancy test?

For the most accurate results, wait until at least 7 days after ovulation to ensure the hCG levels are high enough to give a positive test. However, this can also depend on your menstrual cycle because while most women ovulate 10 to 14 days before their menses, some women are irregular.

"For example, most [mensturating people] with 28 (day) cycles will ovulate somewhere around the 14th day of their cycle or approximately 2 (weeks) into their cycle.  This can vary from cycle to cycle," Dr. Thornton says. "Those with shorter menstrual cycles typically ovulate sooner in their cycle and women with longer cycles often ovulate later.  If a [person] does not have regular menstrual cycles this can sometimes be a sign that they are not ovulating and always warrants an evaluation with a gynecologist or fertility specialist."

 Can an ovulation test detect pregnancy?

In short yes, ovulation tests can detect pregnancy but they are meant to predict ovulation and should be used for that. The hormones that ovulation tests and pregnancy tests are looking for have different functions in the body, but their structures are very similar. 

To put it simply, ovulation tests are meant to tell you when you're ovulating; they're not designed to tell you when you're pregnant. "OPKs test your urine for a surge of a hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH), which normally occurs 24-36 (hours) prior to ovulation," Dr. Thornton describes. "Some kits also measure a hormone called estrogen, which increases as an egg is growing and can help predict 'high fertility' days prior to the 'peak' or 'surge.'"

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Deanna McCormack is a copywriter and freelance writer who covers beauty, fitness and parenting for a number of outlets. She’s a mom to an infant and 2-year and well-versed in all things related to motherhood and pregnancy.

Additional reporting by Ashley Ziegler