The antigen COVID-19 test at home keeps you updated on your health and gives you the answers you need if you think you have coronavirus. There are several types of tests on the market, each offering something a little different.

“The home test is an antigen test, also known as a rapid test of COVID-19, [and provides] results in 15 to 30 minutes,” said Laura Morris, MD, MSPH, a family medicine physician and co-chair. COVID-19 vaccination committee of the University of Missouri Health Care. “The home collection kit is a home-based swab and mailed to a testing company for PCR testing, [usually required] before treatment or before travel.”

Best Overall: BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test

The BinaxNOW test is a quick antigen test that provides immediate results at home with a front nose swab. After collecting your sample, you transfer it to the test card and wait for the results to appear in 15 minutes.

BinaxNOW gets a wide range of COVID-19, which combines the Delta and Omicron variants, 2 and combines two test cards so you can test yourself 36 hours apart for maximum accuracy. Testing is a quick and reliable and budget-friendly approach. The only current problem is finding one available from retailers; these tests have become very popular and are not available in most places.

These tests are approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) by Authorizing Emergency Use.3 Although testing alone is not approved by the CDC, customers can order testing through the Abbott’s Med site online and test can be monitored by telehealth visits, and then and test results in the free NAVICA app, which will meet the CDC’s travel requirements.4

Best with App: On/Go COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test

If the test-related test is at your own pace, ON / GO’s COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test includes your friend’s mobile app, which guides you on every step of the way — from sample collection to results interpretation. The kit incorporates a shallow nose swab for extra comfort, with the results giving ON / GO in 10 minutes. This test can detect all known COVID-19 variants, including Omicron.

The app stores all history results, so you can track your past data. After you get your test results, you can share them with family or friends.

Tests can be purchased in bulk, suitable for groups that need to be tested or before any large circles. However, if you would like to do without the required application, it may not be a very good fit.

This test is approved by the FDA for the Acceptance of Emergency Use

Best Rapid: QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test

The QuickVue At-Home OTC test is a great way to get a quick home test. It can give you a good or bad result in 10 minutes. However, the company says that you will achieve the most accurate results if you double check in 36 hours.

As with all advanced antigen tests, QuickVue includes two pre-nasal swab collections taken over two days. The results come from a small piece of paper — similar to a pregnancy test — and each kit includes both tests you need to fully test your COVID-19 at home.

However, these tests are not approved by the CDC for authorization of travel because different countries and airlines have different requirements for proof of negative testing, and these tests are intended for home use, personal use.

This test is approved by the FDA for the Acceptance of Emergency Use

Best Budget: Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Home Test Kit

If you expect to take the COVID-19 tests at home regularly, whether for work or personal reasons, you will probably want a more affordable option. Flowflex’s COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Home Test Kit is designed with a budget in mind, and requires only one test — unless you get new symptoms. It can be used for two years or more, so that it can be used in a variety of ways, can be tested whether you have it or not.

Complete with a test tape, removable protection tube, disposable nose swab, and one package installation, giving results in just 15 minutes. As a compilation, no app or smartphone is required — it is appropriate if you are looking for an idle option.

This test is approved by the FDA for Emergency Use Authorization.7 However, it should not be confused with the Flowflex SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test (Self-Testing), which comes in a blue box and is not approved by the FDA due to concerns about false test results.

Best for Kids: iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test

The iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test offers a two-year test for your family.

Although the nasal swab test kit requires many steps, it provides instant results in 15 minutes from its easy-to-read test card. And unlike other tests, its mobile operating system is not required to detect results. In case you test a team, a compatible mobile app allows a small group organizer to monitor the results of multiple testers, whether they are required for a school or event.

This test is approved by the FDA for the Acceptance of Emergency Use.

Best Serial Test: BD Veritor At-Home COVID-19 Digital Test Kit

Serial testing may provide additional peace of mind, and if you have some time to wait for the results, consider the BD Veritor At-Home COVID-19 test. Fill with a low nasal swab, intended to be applied twice in two to three days, no more than two days between tests.

Authorized for any testers older than two years, testing does not require a compatible smartphone to download the corresponding application and view the results. However, the benefits include digital commands, care support, and results in just 15 minutes. Additionally, this kit may be eligible for a refund from your health insurance provider, excluding Medicare.

Keep in mind that although some COVID-19 tests may not be used for asymptomatic, the BD Veritor kit has not been tested in patients without symptoms of infection.10

This test is approved by the FDA for the Acceptance of Emergency Use.