Best Antigen Test
BinaxNow COVID-19 Antigen Self Test
Pros
- Available at most major drugstores
- Comes in several quantities
- Suitable for children age 2 and older
Cons
- Instructions aren't as clear as others
- Testing process can be confusing
Key Specs
- Test type: Antigen
- Collection method: Nasal swab
- Result speed: 15 minutes
- Shelf life: 22 months
We love that the BinaxNow COVID-19 Antigen Self Test is available from many online and local retailers, has a high accuracy rate, and provides results in just 15 minutes. The test detects viral proteins, known as antigens, in a nasal swab sample. These antigens are specific to COVID-19 and can indicate an active infection with SARS-CoV (the virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS) or SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for COVID-19), though it can't differentiate between the two.
The kit includes detailed instructions, a dropper with a buffer solution, one nasal swab, and a test card. To use the BinaxNow test, you'll prepare your test card by dropping the buffer solution on the test area, then inserting the swab into your nostril to collect a sample. It requires five rotations in each nostril, which should take around 15 seconds per nostril. The swab is then inserted into the test card and rotated to mix with the buffer. After closing and sealing the card, you can read your results in 15 minutes.
The test card has two lines: a control line and a test line. You'll see two lines if you have the virus and one line if you are negative. If no lines appear, the test is invalid and should be repeated with a new kit. Some users report having trouble understanding the instructions, so we recommend reading the entire booklet before opening the testing components.
Best Drugstore Test
Walgreens COVID-19 Test Kit
Pros
- Results in 10 minutes
- Comes with two tests
- Same-day availability in most Walgreens
- Prefilled buffer solution
- Curbside pickup and home delivery options
Cons
- Limited to Walgreens stores
- Only sold in packs of two
Key Specs
- Test type: Antigen
- Collection method: Nasal swab
- Result speed: 10 minutes
- Shelf life: 16 months
The Walgreens COVID-19 Test Kit is one of the best drugstore tests available. A quick and affordable option, the test gives results in just 10 minutes, and two tests are in each box, so you can test again in a few days to confirm your results. The kit includes instructions, two nasal swabs, two test strips, two prefilled droppers, and a tube holder to stabilize your sample.
Along with the test's convenience and speed, it has a simple process — only four steps to follow from start to finish. No additional expertise is required, which is why we recommend it.
Best COVID-19 and Flu Test
iHealth COVID-19 Flu A&B 3-in-1
Pros
- Only four steps
- Tests for COVID-19 and flu A/B
- Results for all three in 15 minutes
- Faster than other multivirus kits
- Prefilled buffer solution
Cons
- Results are somewhat confusing
- Not designed for those without symptoms
Key Specs
- Test type: Antigen
- Collection method: Nasal swab
- Result speed: 15 minutes
- Shelf life: 20 months
“During certain seasons, COVID and flu overlap, and it would be sometimes difficult to clinically tell them apart," says Carlos H Zambrano, MD, an infectious disease expert at Loretto Hospital in Chicago. Until recently, you’d have to take multiple tests to determine if any of your symptoms were related to one or the other. The iHealth COVID-19 and Flu A&B 3-in-1 simplifies testing by detecting and differentiating between COVID-19, influenza A, and influenza B.
The test detects the presence of corresponding antigens in your nasal swab sample. You collect your sample, swirl your swab in the premeasured buffer solution, and squeeze five drops into the test well. After 15 minutes, your results display on a small test cassette. It comes with multiple tests, allowing you to confirm your results by re-testing in a few days, per the manufacturer's recommendations.
We really like this test, but our research found that the results are slightly confusing for some users. The results window has four letters: C for control, A for flu A, B for flu B, and T for COVID-19. You should see one line under the control letter and one line under any positive result. If there are no lines at all, the test is invalid. Some people mistake the control line “C” for a positive COVID-19 result, so it's important to read the instructions carefully. This test is not intended for those without symptoms, so keep that in mind before purchasing.
Best Multipack
Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Home Test (5 Tests)
Pros
- Includes five tests
- Tests for multiple variants
- Comes with English and Spanish instructions
- Cost-effective for families
- Long shelf life
Cons
- Packaging issues
- Expiration dates may vary between kits
Key Specs
- Test type: Antigen
- Collection method: Nasal swab
- Result speed: 15 minutes
- Shelf life: 24 months
If you have a large family, a high-risk job, or simply want to be well-prepared with multiple tests on hand, the Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Home Test five-test box is a great option. This multipack allows you to test up to five times or share with others in your household.
This nasal swab-based antigen test takes 15 minutes to process. The contents are individually wrapped, so you can use what you need and save the rest for later. Instructions are clear and easy to follow; two red lines indicate a positive result.
We found that most users like the convenience of having multiple tests, but some noted discrepancies in expiration dates after purchase. The FDA extended the expiration dates for these tests (along with others), likely contributing to the confusion. To ensure that you have valid tests, double-check the expiration dates before use. You'll also need to retest following the serial testing guidelines.
Furthermore, our research indicates that some users had issues with how the tests are packaged. The components of each test are not packaged in a way that groups them by test. They arrive all thrown together in a single box, which some users found frustrating. Also, some users received incomplete packages when ordering the product online, with various test components missing. Make sure you have all of the test components before starting a test.
Best With Telehealth
On/Go One COVID-19 Antigen Home Test
Pros
- Insurance reimbursement available
- An app walks you through the testing process
- Provides detailed visual instructions
- Can share results with family or doctors
Cons
- Only available online
- App requires personal information
Key Specs
- Test type: Antigen
- Collection method: Nasal swab
- Result speed: 10 minutes
- Shelf life: 21 months
The On/Go One COVID-19 Antigen Home Test is ideal for those who prefer a more guided experience. Its app walks you through the testing process from start to finish, and even sets a 15-minute timer while you wait for the results. It also offers features like access to virtual care when you need additional guidance. (Though note you don’t have to use the app to use the test.)
You can purchase this test in quantities ranging from a single test to 288. It's one of the only FDA-authorized tests with a companion app that offers insurance reimbursement for qualifying individuals.
Best When Nonsymptomatic
Boson Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test Card
Pros
- Easy to use
- Prefilled buffer solution
- Simple result interpretation
- Designed for people with or without symptoms
Cons
- Available at limited retailers
- Only comes in packs of two
Key Specs
- Test type: Antigen
- Collection method: Nasal swab
- Result speed: 15 minutes
- Shelf life: 18 months
Some rapid COVID-19 tests are intended only for those with symptoms because they are less sensitive to detecting small amounts of the virus, but the Boson Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test Card can detect the virus in both symptomatic and asymptomatic people. This cassette-style test uses a nasal swab and prefilled buffer solution to provide your results in 15 minutes.
Instructions are straightforward, with a single red line next to the C indicating a negative result and two lines indicating a positive one. It's FDA-authorized, but it may be harder to find at brick-and-mortar stores than other options on this list.
/target-fa-step-covid19-antigen-pen-home-test-500x500.jpg?sfvrsn=53f6be0e_3)
Most Portable
Fastep COVID-19 Antigen Pen Home Test
Pros
- Ultra-portable
- Easy to use
- Easier to maintain sterility
Cons
- Cannot buy in bulk
- Only available online
Key Specs
- Test type: Antigen
- Collection method: Nasal swab
- Result speed: 15 minutes
- Shelf life: 21 months
The Fastep COVID-19 Antigen Pen Home Test is the most portable at-home COVID-19 test on the market, making it the best to keep in your backpack, purse, or pocket.
Most at-home COVID-19 tests come with several pieces, each wrapped in its own finicky packaging. The Fastep COVID-19 Antigen Pen Home Test contains the swab, results strip, and buffer solution in a single pen. To take the test, you open the package, which contains the pen and a base. Removing the cap from the pen reveals the nasal swab, which you use to collect your sample as you would any other antigen test. Then, you insert the swab into the base and press down. Fifteen minutes later, your results are visible through the "results window" inside the pen. That's it. No rubbing the swab inside a buffer solution and then precariously squeezing drops onto a test well, or inserting a test strip into a tiny tube of buffer. You simply press down, leave the pen and base vertical, and check after 15 minutes.
Not only does this make the test easier to take, but it also makes it simpler to keep the entire process sterile. You don't have to worry about keeping multiple small objects from touching non-sterile surfaces. As long as your hands are clean, there's no way for the nasal swab, buffer, or test strip to become contaminated.
We found two downsides to the Fastep COVID-19 Antigen Pen Home Test. First, it's not sold in-store anywhere that we could find, though multiple retailers sell it online. We also couldn’t find any retailers who sold any size other than two-test packages, so it seems that you can't buy it in bulk.
The Fastep COVID-19 Antigen Pen Home Test is the perfect COVID-19 test to carry around with you or bring on a trip, since it can be used almost anywhere.
Why Trust Everyday Health
Lindsay Modglin
Author
Lindsay Modglin is a former nurse and health writer who specializes in covering chronic illness, women's health, oncology, and wellness products that help empower readers to take control of their health and well-being. Her byline has been featured in many digital publications, including Healthline, Verywell Health, Parents, Forbes, Yahoo, AOL, Insider, and more. Her print work has been published in oncology magazines like Cancer Today and Cure.
Prior to becoming a writer, Lindsay started working in healthcare in 2012 as an optician while she was pursuing her nursing license before working as a registered nurse in a clinical healthcare setting. This experience gave her firsthand knowledge of the challenges and complexities that patients face when managing chronic illnesses and navigating the healthcare system.
Today, when Lindsay is not writing, she enjoys camping and traveling across the United States with her husband and three children. She also volunteers as a creative writer for a non-profit organization that supports children with life-threatening illnesses and as a soccer coach for her children's teams.
El Wilson
Author
When they were 12, El Wilson decided they wanted to be a writer when they grew up — and they never changed their mind, even though what they write about has changed a bit (though they do still find themselves writing the occasional love poem).
As a health and science writer, El has written about mental health, medicine, food, and nutrition for Eating Well, Shape, and AOL, among other outlets. You can also find their work in the second edition of Trans Bodies, Trans Selves: A Resource by and for Transgender Communities.
El is also a producer at the public radio show Living on Earth and works as the social media and communications manager for the STEM-education nonprofit Math4Science.
They live in Boston, where they enjoy playing sled hockey, drinking diet pop, and annoying their cat.
Michael S. Niederman, MD
Medical Reviewer
Michael S. Niederman, MD, is the lead academic and patient quality officer in the division of pulmonary and critical care medicine at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City; a professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College; and Lauder Family Professor in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. He was previously the clinical director and associate chief in the division of pulmonary and critical care medicine at Weill Cornell Medical Center.
His focus is on respiratory infections, especially in critically ill patients, with a particular interest in disease pathogenisis, therapy, and ways to improve patient outcomes. His work related to respiratory tract infections includes mechanisms of airway colonization, the management of community- and hospital-acquired pneumonia, the role of guidelines for pneumonia, and the impact of antibiotic resistance on the management and outcomes of respiratory tract infections.
He obtained his medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine, then completed his training in internal medicine at Northwestern University School of Medicine, before undertaking a pulmonary and critical care fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine. Prior to joining Weill Cornell Medicine, he was a professor in the department of medicine at the State University of New York in Stony Brook and the chair of the department of medicine at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, New York, for 16 years.
Dr. Niederman served as co-chair of the committees that created the American Thoracic Society's 1993 and 2001 guidelines for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia and the 1996 and 2005 committees that wrote guidelines for the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia. He was a member of the American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America committee that published guidelines for community-acquired pneumonia in 2007. He was also the co-lead author of the 2017 guidelines on nosocomial pneumonia, written on behalf of the European Respiratory Society and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine.
He has published over 400 peer-reviewed or review articles, and has lectured widely, both nationally and internationally. He was editor-in-chief of Clinical Pulmonary Medicine, is an associate editor of Critical Care and the European Respiratory Review, and serves on the editorial boards of Critical Care Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine. He has previously served on the editorial boards of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine and Chest. For six years, he was a member of the Board of Regents of the American College of Chest Physicians, and in 2013, he was elected as a master of the American College of Physicians.
Orlando de Guzman
Fact-Checker
Orlando de Guzman is a writer and editor with expertise in health and environmental news. He has a background in investigative and science journalism and has worked on documentary films about war and trauma, health, sanitation, and the changing climate around the world. His interest in health and medicine started after an early career as a medical and legal translator.
De Guzman is a longtime health and fitness enthusiast who is interested in nutrition, diet, and mental health. He participates in endurance sports and cross-trains in several traditions of martial arts from Southeast Asia. De Guzman is interested in how the progressively complex movements of martial arts training can improve cognition and mental well-being, especially for those with PTSD and for those approaching middle age and beyond.
De Guzman has a dual B.A. in communications and international studies from the University of Washington in Seattle. He is committed to factual storytelling and evidence-based reporting on critical choices that affect our planet.
Olivia Campbell
Editor
Olivia Campbell is the New York Times bestselling author of Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine and Sisters in Science: How Four Women Physicists Escaped Nazi Germany and Made Scientific History. She is a freelance editor at Dotdash Meredith and a freelance journalist. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, National Geographic, New York Magazine, Health, Parents, History, and The Guardian, among other outlets.
Campbell received a journalism degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master's in science writing from Johns Hopkins University, where she now acts as a thesis advisor. She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers.
Campbell lives outside Philadelphia with her husband, three children, and two cats.