Best STD Tests
Unique panel tests not available elsewhere, including the couples' kit and the boomer box
Two to eight days
Mail Order
99.9%
Insurance check built into the ordering process
Five to seven days
Mail Order
99%
One year of unlimited online chat feature in exchange for an inexpensive, one-time fee
Seven days
Mail Order
84%–99.9%
Wide range of single and panel tests available
Two to seven days
Mail Order
99%
Get your results back in as little as one day
One to two days
Lab Visit
99%
STD rates in the US are on the rise. Staying informed of your sexual health status can help you protect yourself and your sexual partners. To that end, we've put together this comprehensive guide listing five of the top companies that can help with your next STD test. You'll learn about their strengths and weaknesses, as well as the individual features that make each service provider unique.
Our Top Picks For Best STD Tests
- MyLAB Box — Best For Wide Range of Tests
- STDCheck — Best For Quick Turnaround Time
- Everlywell — Best For Affordability
- Nurx — Best For Free Follow-Up Consultation
- iDNA — Best For Customizable Test Bundles
Best STD Tests Reviews
Why we chose it: MyLAB Box offers a broad range of test options, from single disease testing that you can purchase à la carte, to a 14-disease panel. You can even choose the LGBTQ+ – friendly couples' kit, which provides two comprehensive eight-disease panel tests in a single package.
The MyLAB Box website offers at-home STD tests for virtually every STD and common combinations of STDs under the sun. You can choose from five-, eight- and 14-panel tests. They also offer testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV and HPV, a rapid UTI home test, and tests tailored toward older adults.
Its prices are in line with the competition, although you can find more affordable budget options. MyLAB Box boasts quick turnaround times — in most cases, you can expect to get your test results in two to eight days. MyLAB Box makes test results available online for greater speed and convenience. Also, its website claims accuracy rates of up to 99.9 percent.
In addition to its at-home STD tests, you can also choose from a range of health tests. These include COVID-19, flu, general health, family planning and men's and women's health testing. All STD testing kits are manufactured in the USA.
MyLAB Box offers a complimentary consultation over the phone if you test positive for an STD. You'll have the opportunity to speak with a licensed physician, and you may even receive a prescription depending on the extent of your symptoms. However, this service is not available in all states.
Why we chose it: STDCheck is an STD testing service that offers a turnaround time of just one to two days, as well as same-day STD testing. This places it among the fastest STD test services in the country.
The tests themselves take just a few minutes to conduct. All tests are FDA-approved, and all of its labs are CLIA-certified. Its prices trend toward the more affordable end of the spectrum. Despite those perks, STDCheck doesn't offer much variety in terms of its testing packages. You can choose from a 10-disease panel that covers the following illnesses and infections:
- HIV Type 1
- HIV Type 2
- HSV-1
- HSV-2
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
You can also choose from a chlamydia and gonorrhea panel, herpes types one and two panel and a range of individual tests. Its expansive à la carte menu makes mixing and matching different test types easy. However, you may pay more compared to other companies offering a more expansive array of bundled test types.
STDCheck lets you order your tests online. To get tested, you'll print out your lab form and travel to the nearest STDCheck laboratory — the company maintains 4,500 locations nationwide. Look up the nearest STDCheck location online before you make a purchase because STDCheck does not offer mail-order service.
If you test positive, STDCheck offers a consultation with a physician who will write you a prescription for a fee. The company website claims that its tests are 99 percent accurate. However, it asks that you wait until the incubation period has concluded before ordering a test for the best results. STDCheck gives you the option to pay with an FSA or an HSA card.
Why we chose it: This mail-order test provider has a more limited range of choices than some competitors. However, it makes up for it with its below-average costs.
Everlywell isn't the only STD test provider on our list that accepts insurance. However, its aggressive approach makes it one of the easiest companies to deal with. When you create your online profile, Everlywell will conduct an insurance check to see if your network will provide coverage for your STD test and treatment.
If you test positive, you can chat with a physician online via video call. Everlywell will send your prescription directly to your pharmacy. One area where Everlywell could improve is its range of testing options. Currently, you can only choose between six test kits, including three-panel tests and five individual STD tests:
- Female STD test
- Male STD test
- STD panel: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis and trichomoniasis
- Chlamydia and gonorrhea test
- Female HPV test
- Trichomoniasis test
- HIV test
- Syphilis test
- Hepatitis C test
As you can see, Everlywell doesn't test for every STD, including some common diseases such as herpes. If you want a more comprehensive testing choice, you'll need to go with another service provider. Every laboratory that Everlywell uses is CLIA-certified.
Why we chose it: Nurx offers free follow-up services with a trained physician regardless of your STD status. You also get unlimited messaging with the Nurx medical team for matters regarding your test results for an entire year after purchasing.
Nurx offers moderately priced plans — it's neither the cheapest nor the most expensive option on the market. However, unlike some of its competitors, Nurx accepts most major health insurance plans, meaning you'll likely be left with a reduced bill. Nurx doesn't let customers purchase individual STD tests, making it a poor choice if you value customization.
You can choose from its Basics Covered, Full Control or Healthy V kits. The Basics Covered provides a limited number of options, while the Full Control offers a more expansive test range. You shouldn't order the Healthy V kit unless you are a woman. View the diseases tested for by each kit below.
Basics Covered
- HIV
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
Healthy V
- HIV
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Trichomoniasis
Full Control
- HIV
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Hepatitis C
Nurx is a mail-order service. You can download its smartphone app or create an account on its website to get started. Nurx will guide you through a series of questions to determine the best testing choice for you.
After you mail out your test, expect to see your results in the next seven business days. On its website, Nurx states that its rapid STD tests range in accuracy from 84 percent to 99.9 percent, depending on the disease and the type of testing.
Why we chose it: iDNA is a mail-order STD testing company offering four-panel test options and nine individual tests you can purchase à la carte. You can mix and match your tests to find the best option for you.
Its testing options aren't the most affordable on the market, and you'll have to pay out-of-pocket since iDNA does not accept insurance. If you're not happy with your test, iDNA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and will deduct the cost of shipping and handling from your refund. You can choose from the following list of individual tests:
- HSV-2
- HPV
- Mycoplasma and ureaplasma
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Trichomoniasis
- HIV I/II
- Hepatitis
- Syphilis
Its panel tests range from a simple chlamydia and gonorrhea test to comprehensive solutions that test for seven or more STDs. You can purchase a membership option separate from your test kit. Members get access to discounted prices, one free monthly test and the option to purchase a telehealth consultation from a licensed physician.
iDNA claims 99 percent accuracy on all of its tests. Its two- to seven-day turnaround time places it on the upper end of the spectrum in terms of the time it takes to receive your test results.
Other STD Tests We Considered
We evaluated each company based on the following factors: affordability, turnaround time, accuracy and range of STDs tested. The following companies provide competitive offerings. However, they did not make our main list because they failed to excel in one or more of our criteria.
LetsGetChecked
LetsGetChecked offers a range of panel and individual testing products. It provides standard industry features like access to testing from CLIA-certified laboratories. However, it failed to make our list because its laboratories may reject your tests depending on the types of medication or supplement you're taking.
Persona
You can purchase a broad range of testing options from Persona. Simply take your online order form into the lab indicated on your paperwork, and you'll receive in-person testing from a third-party provider.
Persona failed to make our list due to its outdated website user interface and lack of availability in all 50 states.
Quest
Quest offers a solid range of panel testing, including one tailored toward pregnant women. However, it failed to make our list due to its uncompetitive pricing, lack of stand-alone test options and limited geographic availability.
STD Tests Guide
We've put together this handy guide to help you better understand what STD tests are and how they work.
What Is An STD Test?
An STD test detects the presence of sexually transmitted diseases in the human body. Even though there are more than 20 different types of STDs out there, most tests are limited in their scope. An STD panel consists of multiple tests bundled together, with many covering anywhere from two to fifteen diseases.
As the name suggests, STDs are primarily spread through sexual contact. However, some diseases can also be passed through other means, like shared intravenous (IV) needles.
How Do STD Tests Work?
Depending on the disease you're testing for, you may give your medical provider a blood, cell or urine sample. Your sample will be sent off for testing regardless of whether you take it at home or an outside location like a doctor's office or a Planned Parenthood clinic. Commonly, you'll have to wait between two and 10 days to get your test results back. If your test results are positive, you may undergo further testing to confirm you're sick, since false positives do occur.
Some STD tests have near-instant results. For example, you'll get results from your rapid HIV test within 10 to 30 minutes. A doctor may deliver a tentative diagnosis after conducting a physical examination, although they'll likely want to follow that up with more rigorous testing for confirmation.
Important Things To Understand About STD Testing
Before we dive in, let's quickly cover some terminology. You may have heard the phrase sexually transmitted infections (STIs). While some claim that STIs and STDs cover different types of illnesses spread through sexual contact, in common use, the two are used interchangeably.
Diseases Screened
Each disease has its own specific test. Medical professionals recommend testing for specific disease types based on factors such as sex, age, sexual orientation, history of intravenous drug usage and more.
Diseases you'll want to screen for might be linked to regional outbreaks, suspected symptoms and other factors. Overlapping symptoms are common among STDs. For example, gonorrhea, herpes and chlamydia can all cause you to experience a burning pain in your urinary tract. If you suspect that your partner exposed you to an STD, your doctor may recommend that you undergo a panel test since it's common for STDs to remain asymptomatic.
Window Periods
The window period describes the intervening time between when you catch an STD and when it becomes detectable. Window periods vary by disease type. Chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhea may remain undetectable in your body for up to 14 days. You'll have to wait 10 to 90 days, depending on the type of test you'll take to learn about your HIV status.
Incubation Periods
The period between your initial exposure to the STD and the onset of symptoms is referred to as the incubation period. Incubation periods can range from a few days to up to six months.
The following list contains average incubation lengths for a few of the most common STDs.
- Chlamydia: 7-21 days
- Gonorrhea: 1-14 days
- HIV: 14-28 days
- Syphilis: 21 days to 20 years
- HPV: One month to 10 years
- Herpes: 4-7 days
Please note that these numbers are averages. Many STDs may take months or even years to manifest.
Certain STD symptoms are highly visible. For example, HPV may cause warts to spring up around your genitals. Syphilis sometimes causes chancres, or pus-filled sores, to appear on or around the genitals and anus. Other STDs manifest as a burning pain when you urinate or have intercourse.
HIV is an outlier. While symptoms can manifest in just two weeks in some cases, studies show the incubation period commonly lasts one to two years and may stretch on for more than a decade. HIV may initially manifest as a series of flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, rashes, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle aches and night sweats.
Testing Methods
STD lab tests vary considerably depending on the type of disease being tested for. You can test STDs in the following ways:
- Urine analysis: You'll have to take a sample of your pee.
- Cheek swabs: You or a medical professional will brush the inside of your cheek with a soft swab.
- Physical examination: A trained medical professional will examine your genitals and the surrounding regions for sores, rashes, warts, discharge and irritable skin.
- Blood sample: You or a medical professional will use a needle to obtain a small measure of blood from your body.
- Cell sample swabbing: You or a trained medical professional will obtain a cell sample using a soft swab from your genitals or anus.
Results
You'll typically receive your STD test results in two to 10 business days, although some tests conclude more quickly. Depending on your service provider, you'll likely receive a telephone call or get your test results through a secure online portal or app. If you've received your test through a medical provider like your family doctor or a Planned Parenthood clinic, you may be called in for additional testing and treatment.
STD Tests FAQ
How We Chose The Best STD Tests
We assessed each of the STD tests on our list according to the following criteria:
- Affordability: We chose STD tests that provided a high level of quality relative to their purchase price.
- Turnaround time: We favored STD tests with shorter turnaround times.
- Accuracy: Only the most accurate STD tests won inclusion on our list.
- Number of STDs tested: We evaluated each STD test kit based on the range of STDs it tested for.
Summary Of Digg's Best STD Tests
- MyLAB Box — Best For Wide Range of Tests
- STDCheck — Best For Quick Turnaround Time
- Everlywell — Best For Affordability
- Nurx — Best For Free Follow-Up Consultation
- iDNA — Best For Customizable Test Bundles
This content is meant for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or for diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of health conditions. Consult with a healthcare professional before making health-related decisions.
