Best At-Home Diabetes Tests

• Best for confidentiality: LetsGetChecked Home Diabetes and Cholesterol Testing | Skip to review
• Best for accuracy: Everlywell Home HbA1c Test | Skip to review
• Most comprehensive panel: Diabetes Management Blood Test | Skip to review
• Best for prevention: LabCorp Diabetes Risk | Skip to review
• Best for FDA approval: DTI Laboratories At Home A1C Test Kit | Skip to review
• Best for follow-up support: MyLAB Box At Home Diabetes Hemoglobin A1C Screening Test | Skip to review

In the United States, around 1 in 10 people live with diabetes, and of these individuals, around 90–95% have type 2 diabetes. The 2020 National Diabetes Statistics Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that an estimated 37.3 million people in the United States have the condition.

The CDC also states an additional 96 million adults in the U.S. have prediabetes. This condition presents with above-normal blood sugar levels that often precede a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. As many as 80% of people with prediabetes are unaware that they have this condition.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends diabetes screenings for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in adults aged 35–70 with overweight or obesity.

Home diabetes tests measure hemoglobin A1C, which doctors refer to as HbA1c. People who discover elevated HbA1c levels after taking a home diabetes test should consult a doctor.

HbA1c tests are just one type of test a doctor may order.

HbA1C is also called glycated hemoglobin. It is a form of hemoglobin associated with a person’s blood sugar levels. A1C forms when glucose binds with hemoglobin. It stays in the blood for approximately 3 months. A1C levels rise with blood glucose levels.

Anyone who suspects that they may have elevated blood sugar levels can benefit from taking a home diabetes test. Those with prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and type 1 diabetes can also consider using these tests.

The CDC states that regular blood sugar levels fall between 70 and 140 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) of blood. Those with hyperglycemia have blood sugar levels above 140 mg/dl and may qualify as having prediabetes.

Home tests measuring HbA1C may report it differently than the levels mentioned above. A person’s results can be reported as a percentage that shows whether they are above or below typical A1C levels, or as an estimate average glucose (AEG) number.

All at-home diabetes tests come with full instructions and tools to collect, store, and ship samples.

Individuals using at-home diabetes tests should:

• wash and dry their hands
• clean the testing area with a sterile wipe
• prick their finger with a small lancet
• squeeze their finger and allow their blood to form into a droplet

They should then place their blood samples on the testing strips provided, seal them inside a biosafe envelope, and mail it back to the designated lab for evaluation.

Medical News Today has tested some of the products below. Reviewers may have received some products from the manufacturers for free, which does not influence their review. All opinions are the reviewers’ own.

The table below compares each test in this article for the price, results time, and more.

When choosing an at-home diabetes test, a person should consider the following factors:

• Price: The cost of at-home tests can vary, but many are between $50–80. People should consider how detailed they would like their results to be, as cheaper tests may not offer as much insight as more expensive tests.
• Test type: At-home diabetes tests are finger prick kits. Some may use dried blood spot kits, while others will ask for a small vial of blood. Dried blood spot kits may be more susceptible to environmental changes than vials. A person can research the pros and cons of both of these methods before purchasing a test.
• Accreditation: Brands will state whether their tests are FDA-cleared or whether they sell tests that doctors would use. Before buying a test, a person should verify any claims on FDA clearance or approval.
• Results turnaround: Some labs can return results within 2 days, but others may take up to 2 weeks. If a person needs results quickly, they should choose a company that offers a fast turnaround or expedited analysis.
• Extras: Some people may benefit from extra services that some brands off, such as free doctor’s consultations. However, others may prefer to speak about their results with a doctor they know well. A person should always discuss their results with a doctor before changing their diet or lifestyle.

A person should speak with a doctor if their results show that they are at risk of or they may have diabetes.

A person should seek medical advice if they have symptoms of diabetes, which include:

• frequent urination
• excessive thirst
• unintentional weight loss
• fatigue
• blurred eyesight
• excessive hunger
• itchy genitals
• slow healing cuts or wounds

Different companies will provide test results differently, but typically, a person will receive an email advising their results are ready. They can then log on to the company website and view their results on their secure dashboard.

If a person’s results show irregularities, some companies will arrange for a doctor or healthcare professional to contact them directly for follow-up advice.

However, it is important to note that these tests might not be as accurate as those that doctors or lab professionals administer. A person’s doctor may also recommend undergoing a second test to confirm certain results.

If a person is interested in checking their blood sugar regularly or has already received a diabetes diagnosis, they may benefit from an at-home blood glucose monitor.

How to monitor blood sugar

Most at-home diabetes monitors include:

• a small needle known as a lancet
• a lancet holding device
• blood testing strips
• a glucose-reading meter

A person using a home diabetes test pricks their fingers with the small lancet and lets their blood form into a droplet. They then place the droplet onto a test strip that they insert into an electronic meter that reads the blood glucose levels.

The result appears on the meter’s display usually within 15 seconds. Some meters can also store readings and provide average measurements within a specified time.

Learn more about how to use blood sugar monitors.

However, some blood sugar monitors do not involve finger pricks.

Learn more about the best blood sugar monitors without finger pricks.

At-home diabetes testing kits can help people determine if their blood glucose levels are too high, which may indicate prediabetes.

Anyone with a diabetes test result that indicates high glucose levels should consult a doctor for further testing.