5 Best Ovulation Tests to Find Your Fertile Days, Based on Our Testing

It's no surprise that the Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test earned a Best of The Bump award for overall best ovulation test. Not only is it affordable compared to other tests on the market, but it’s also easy to take and to read. While there are tests that provide more extensive results, I think reams of numerical data can be overwhelming for those who are just starting out, or frustrating to those who just need some insight into their most fertile days. The test provides a wider fertile window than your average test (up to four days, compared to two) since it tracks two hormones instead of one, but without a complicated learning curve.

And while I loved this test, you don’t have to just take my word—we also received a ton of positive feedback from our community members who have used this test successfully. “I used this ovulation test for two of my pregnancies, and both times I became pregnant after just one cycle!” says Ashlee Neuman, content director for The Bump and mom of two. “I loved how straightforward it was to use, and how accurate it proved to be. For those looking for a basic, reliable test that’s super user-friendly, this is a standout choice.” (See all of this year’s Best of The Bump winners.)

How it works

This urine test looks at two hormones: luteinizing hormone (LH), which surges just before ovulation, and estrone-3-glucuronide (E3G), which surges shortly before LH. By tracking both hormones, the Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test pinpoints up to four fertile days, compared to a two-day window on similar tests. A flashing smiley face appears during high fertility, followed by a static smiley face when peak fertility is detected. An empty circle indicates low fertility, in which you continue testing daily until you reach peak fertility.

How easy is it to use?

I loved the simplicity of this test. Unlike other ovulation tests that require interpretation of lines or color changes, the Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test clearly displays an icon to indicate fertility status. I also appreciated the reusable test holder, which you insert the test stick into for your results. To use, simply hold the absorbent tip of the test in your first-morning urine stream for three seconds and wait five minutes for your digital results. Our survey respondents gave this test high marks for ease of use, with several stating that the clarity of results was a major plus. "This kit was recommended by the fertility specialist, and it worked well for us. I used this on my own and got pregnant successfully," said Samantha, who conceived using this test. I also found the Clearblue Advanced Digital accurate in predicting my peak fertility day, which was confirmed by other fertility tracking methods.

Number of tests: 20 | Wait time for results: 5 minutes | Detection method: Hormones (LH & Estrogen)

Our community says:

Modern Fertility Ovulation Test Strips offer a lot of bang for your buck. The strips come with a companion app that tracks your ovulation test results, provides insight into your cycle and fertility and offers calendars for predicting your next period and fertility window.

I found Modern Fertility, our Best of The Bump winner for best ovulation test strips, to be a good all-purpose option as far as data collection is concerned. The app will offer you a wealth of insight into your cycle, but if you’d prefer to keep things simple, you can just compare the test strip to the color-coded chart on the back of the packaging—a small but useful feature, and not one you find on most test strips!

How it works

These strips measure the LH in your urine to pinpoint your most fertile days. Dip a test strip into an afternoon urine sample for 10 seconds, lay it flat on the included color-coded chart, and wait five minutes for the results. The test line darkens based on how much LH is present in your urine. The darker the line, the higher your fertility level. You can manually track your results or use the free Modern Fertility app to log a picture of each strip, which then generates a digital chart for you.

How easy is it to use?

These strips are straightforward. After testing, the control line should darken first, followed by the test line if it detects an LH surge. A faint test line means your LH concentration is low, while a darker line means you're getting closer to ovulation (high LH concentration). Per the included chart, a light pink line is considered an LH value of 0 to 10 mIU/mL, medium pink is around 25 and peak fertility is the darkest line at 45 to 60 (estimate).

While it’s not required for use, I love having the companion app to look back on my results. After each test, I took a picture of the test strip using the app, and it automatically recorded the LH value based on the color of the test line. You can also manually enter results if you wish. It's worth mentioning that lighting when taking a picture of the strip can make a difference in how it reads. I set up a space with consistent natural light for taking photos because you risk inaccurate results if photographing in dim lighting.

Number of tests: 20 | Wait time for results: 5 minutes | Detection method: Hormones (LH)

Inito uses one test strip (and a compatible app) to track four different fertility hormones: LH, E3G, pregnanediol glucuronide (PdG)—the marker of progesterone found in urine—and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which usually spikes right before an egg is released by the ovary. Tracking this many hormones at once can be extremely helpful for women with irregular cycles, because you’re not relying on any one hormone surge. Inito gives you hard numerical data for each hormone, along with cycle tracking and predictions, so you base your pregnancy planning on as much information as possible.

Based on my experience, I would highly recommend this Best of The Bump-winning kit—provided you have an iPhone. It gives detailed results on four hormones but still manages to be quite user-friendly. But the device is not compatible with Android phones, so it won’t work for everyone.

How it works

Unlike some digital tests that use a standalone monitor, Inito is a small device that snaps onto your iPhone's camera. After removing your phone case and attaching the clip, you dip the test strips into a first-morning urine sample for 15 seconds and insert the strip into the device. The app uses the camera's light and lens to take a picture of the strip, analyze your ovulation test results and give you a numerical value for each hormone. Results for all four hormones display in the app after just 10 minutes.

How easy is it to use?

This is one of my favorite ovulation tests because the app tells you exactly what to do. You download the app, create an account and connect the device to your phone via Bluetooth. The app guides you through the setup process and each test with step-by-step instructions. You can see each hormone level on an easy-to-read graph, which can be customized to only show select hormones. You can also manually add your basal body temperature if you're tracking it. As with any test, you should familiarize yourself with each hormone being tested and their role in fertility—and there are quite a few to familiarize yourself with—but once you do, the results are easy to understand. The app pinpoints up to six fertile days each cycle, more than most others. I love having the option to view all my results at once or one hormone at a time.

Again, you have to have a compatible iPhone for it to work. The phone clip is also specific to your phone's model, so if you upgrade your phone, you'll also need to buy a new phone clip.

Number of tests: 15 | Wait time for results: 10 minutes | Detection method: Hormones (LH, FSH, E3G, PdG)

Are you an Android user who’s feeling left out after reading about the great iPhone-only product above? Don’t worry: Mira’s Clarity kit is a Best of The Bump-winning option for women with irregular cycles and an Android phone. The Mira device measures LH, E3G, PdG and FSH for a more comprehensive understanding of your body than LH alone. It also includes an Android-friendly app to track your results, predict your fertile window and sync data in real time. And you won’t be settling for less with this test—the app is one of the best I've used, and the results were reliable compared to my peak fertility days on other tests.

How it works

The Mira Clarity kit measures four hormones using two test wands to determine your chances of ovulation. Like the Inito Fertility Monitor, it connects to your smartphone (iOS or Android) via Bluetooth. You’ll need to dip a wand-shaped test strip into a first-morning urine sample for 10 seconds, then insert the wand into the device. The app will then display your hormone levels after it’s done analyzing, which takes anywhere from 15 to 22 minutes.

How easy is it to use?

After downloading the app and creating an account, you connect the monitor to your phone via Bluetooth. Open the app and click the plus sign to see if a test is required that day and, if so, which kind. If it's a testing day, you turn on the device and dip the appropriate testing wand into your urine before inserting it into the analyzer.

The wait time is longer than other tests I've used. Sometimes, the Max Wand (which measures LH, E3G and PdG) and the Ovum Wand (which measures FSH) are required on the same day, and waiting for both tests means it can take around 40 minutes to get all your results. However, the educational value of being able to see your hormone fluctuations is worth the wait.

The Mira analyzer and app are very intuitive, so I had no issues using them, and the app guides you through each step of the testing process. I especially love that you can see your hormone levels in real time and track them throughout your cycle. The digital aspect takes the guesswork out of results and guides you on what to do and when to do it. This is also what makes this product ideal for women with irregular or unpredictable cycles: You just enter the dates of your period into the app, and it adjusts its tracking according to your needs.

The bundle includes the analyzer, 10 single-use Max Wands and 10 single-use Ovum Wands. You also get a charging cable, storage pouch and collapsible silicone cup. You'll need to purchase additional wands once you run out. Each refill pack has 20 wands, enough for one or two cycles, depending on the length of your cycle and how frequently you test.

Number of tests: 10 multi-hormone, 10 FSH | Wait time for results: 16 to 22 minutes per wand | Detection method: Hormones (LH, FSH, E3G, PdG)

The Tempdrop Fertility Tracker combines advanced technology with convenience. It's a basal body temperature (BBT) device that tracks your body temperature while you sleep. Many women use this information as a natural family planning method and to pinpoint their most fertile days, because your normal BBT raises by about half a degree after the release of an egg. This can be an especially good tracking method for women with PCOS, who may have higher baseline levels of LH that produce false positives on hormonal ovulation trackers. The tracker includes an armband and a small sensor that syncs to the free companion app on your phone.

Tempdrop was an effective, no-fuss solution for basal temperature tracking, and our Best of The Bump winner for best wearable ovulation test. There’s an up-front cost, and it’s a bit frustrating that you have to pay to unlock premium app features after buying the device, but once you’ve paid that initial price you don’t have to keep buying expensive strips, and the app is still quite functional even without the paid upgrade.

How it works

Tempdrop is worn on your upper arm while you sleep to capture and record your basal body temperature at night. Each morning when you wake, you sync the data by opening the app on your smartphone and long-pressing the button on the sensor until it begins flashing rapidly. After one minute, the app displays your BBT, and once it has enough data, it generates a chart showing your ovulation patterns. The app also has features for tracking other fertility metrics, like menstrual cycle, cervical mucus, intercourse and more. The premium (read: costs extra) version of the app gives you access to sleep tracking and a calendar view with additional insights into your cycle.

How easy is it to use?

After the 15-minute setup, Tempdrop was one of the easiest fertility trackers I tested. You have to download the app and create an account to start, then after answering a few questions about your cycle and pairing the sensor to your phone it’s ready to use. Just turn the sensor on by pressing the button until the light blinks once, and slip it on your upper arm before bed. In the morning, transfer the data collected by the sensor to your phone by opening the app and pressing “Sync Tempdrop.” However, if you forget this step, the sensor will temporarily store your data so you can do it later. After syncing, you can view that night's temperature or scroll through previous readings.

The sensor's battery is replaceable and lasts several months or longer (no charging is a major win!). I was impressed by the comfort of the armband and sensor; it didn't disrupt my sleep like I anticipated (I'm a light sleeper). I also appreciate that I can use it with other fertility tracking methods, like cervical mucus tracking. The amount of savings on ovulation tests alone makes this a worthwhile investment. But you’d like to really cover your bases, you can always opt to use it alongside a hormonal test.

Number of tests: N/A | Wait time for results: Syncs each morning | Detection method: Temperature