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The best at-home STD tests of 2025

Let's face it: Getting an STD test can be daunting. The traditional route — scheduling an appointment, enduring the endless waiting room stay, then finally meeting with a provider — all for a test that takes mere seconds to perform. It's no wonder people put it off. Fortunately, the best at-home STD tests offer a more convenient option. You can check the status of your sexual health without going to your doctor’s office or local clinic with at-home tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) or sexually transmitted infections (STI).

And the need for testing is significant. The US is facing record-high numbers of STDs and STIs, with gonorrhea and syphilis especially on the rise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2022, over 3,700 babies were born with syphilis — ten times more than in 2012 — resulting in 231 stillbirths and 51 infant deaths due to syphilis infection during pregnancy. While the younger generation is disproportionately affected by STD and STIs, perimenopausal women and seniors engaging with new partners after divorce or being widowed means they're at risk, too. "Many in this demographic don’t think to use condoms, since contraception may no longer be needed, thus the STI rate increases," explains Alyssa Dweck, MD, a gynecologist and chief medical officer at Bonafide Health.

Regardless of age, if you're sexually active it's important to proactively test for common STDs and STIs at least once a year, especially if you have multiple sexual partners. Fortunately, new testing options make screening more accessible than ever. The best at-home or hybrid at-home tests that screen for STDs and STIs are a reliable and fast, offering benefits like no anxious waiting for provider appointments, privacy to process your results at home and freedom from the hassle of insurance coverage and test pricing. "Access and affordability are benefits of at-home testing," says Dweck.

With dozens of at-home STD tests on the market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. To identify the best over-the-counter STD and STI tests available — including tests for herpes and syphilis — we consulted multiple doctors and testing experts to help evaluate key factors like the lab's ISO/IEC /CLIA-accredited, test accuracy, ease of use, medical providers availability for consultation, user experience and cost. Since needs and budgets vary, we made sure to include tests for various STDs at different price points. Here are the best at-home STD tests that met our rigorous evaluation criteria.

Update, April 15, 2025: We checked all test kit prices and availability. We added the test kit by Visby and more clearly spelled out the infections each of the products tested for. Our other picks remain unchanged.

Best overall at-home STD test

Factors to consider when buying an at-home STI/STD test

Several essential aspects can help guide your choice of an at-home STD test.

What you're testing for: For routine screening with a new partner, consider a test kit that checks a wide range conditions. If you've had known exposure to a specific STD or STI, you might opt for a targeted test or select combination of screenings.
Testing methods: At-home tests include instructions for self-collecting blood, urine or internal swab samples, which you then ship to a lab for testing. If you're not comfortable with home collection, consider a hybrid option that lets you visit a lab for specimen collection.
Budget: Test kits range from $45 for one or two conditions to over $300 for panels testing 10+ conditions. Insurance may cover the cost, and most tests accept HSA and FSA payments. Figuring out your budget beforehand helps narrow your choice between a full panel or specific condition screening.
Follow-up care: Some tests include healthcare provider counseling, while others don't — an important distinction, according to Stephen W. Leslie, MD, associate professor at Creighton University School of Medicine. "There are issues of follow-up and high anxiety when a test is positive and no healthcare professional is available," he says. Consider whether you'd be comfortable waiting to connect with your doctor about positive results, or if you'd prefer a test kit that includes immediate provider consultation.

How we chose

To find the best at-home STD tests, we consulted multiple doctors, asking them for their professional take on what to look for in an at-home or in-lab STD and STI kits — and which types to consider. From there, we researched more than 25 at-home options, evaluating their sensitivity, ease of use, follow-up care and user reviews.

Other STD test kits to consider

While the STD tests listed above are the best to test for a range of possible STDs or STIs, there are other solid choices out there, especially if you're looking to test for a specific condition. These include:

While yeast infections aren't considered STDs, it is possible to pass them to your partner during sexual activity. If you suspect you may have a yeast infection, check out the best at-home yeast infection tests, too.

FAQs

What's the difference between an at-home test and a hybrid at-home test?

With an at-home test, you collect all specimens in the privacy of your home, then mail them to an affiliated lab in a prepaid envelope or included box. Just because this is a DIY type of situation, doesn't mean doctors aren't for it. In fact, John A. Nelson, PhD, an associate professor at the Rutgers School of Nursing is a huge fan: "I'm a big advocate of home tests and home collection," he says. The tests are easy to use, allow for discretion and privacy — and allow you to avoid any potentially awkward conversations with your doctor or a stranger at a clinic. Plus, the results are accurate and received relatively quickly, says Nelson.

If you're uncomfortable drawing blood or taking samples on your own — and you prefer to skip a trip to your doctor or health clinic — the hybrid at-home test approach might be for you. Here, you purchase the test online and get your results electronically, but you need to visit a nearby lab to get samples taken, usually about a 5 to 10 minute process. Kevin Huffman, DO, a board-certified bariatric physician, shares that a benefit to the hybrid at-home test approach is that "proficient experts conduct in-lab testing, which provides a more extensive and precise evaluation."

What's the difference between an STI and an STD?

Even though the terms STI and STD are often used interchangeably, STIs are infections that have not yet developed into diseases, such as bacterial infections, viruses and parasites. In other words, STIs (infections) can develop into STDs (diseases) if left untreated.

Fun fact (or not): There are more than 30 different bacteria, viruses and parasites that can be transmitted sexually, yet no single test screens for all of them. Also, different STIs require different detection methods: some through urine, others via blood or swabs. Your chosen test will specify the collection method and what to expect.

How do at-home STI tests work?

Testing methods vary based on what's being screened. "Some require an oral or genital swab; others require urine or blood samples, which will then go to a lab," says women's health expert Jennifer Wider, MD, co-host of the Open Wider podcast. Read the test instructions carefully beforehand to ensure you're comfortable with the procedure.

How do I know whether I have an STI?

The only way to know for sure is to get tested. Many STIs have no symptoms, which means you could be positive without knowing it, says Wider. This puts you at risk for health complications such as fertility issues. And it increases the likelihood you'll spread the infection to others.

Are at-home STI and STD tests reliable?

Yes. According to the American Sexual Health Organization, most home tests should be as accurate as tests done in a doctor’s office. Though some experts are concerned that home herpes tests result in too many false positives. In the end, "many at-home tests are quite reliable, especially when specimens are collected properly and brought to a lab quickly," Wider says.

Where can I get a free STI and STD test?

Local health departments and sexual health clinics such as Planned Parenthood usually offer free or very low-cost sexual health tests. If you prefer to try a nearby clinic, visit your local health department's website to see what's offered. You may even be able to schedule an appointment for testing on the site.

Meet the experts

Alyssa Dweck, MD, gynecologist and chief medical officer at Bonafide Health
John A. Nelson, PhD, STI screening researcher and director of the AIDS Education and Training Center at the Rutgers School of Nursing

Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.

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