There are over a dozen COVID-19 test kits authorized for use in the US and elsewhere, and useful sites for comparison shopping.
Testing, testing, testing! With the pandemic still in full swing and daily case counts remaining well over 100,000 across the US even as vaccines to protect against COVID-19 are rolled out, there are many reasons why someone would want or need to be tested for the virus. But it can be difficult to know where to begin. What test is best to buy and why?
There are a variety on the market. Some COVID-19 test kits detect the virus in your saliva. Others take a sample from the inside of your nose or cheek. In order to make your life easier, websites like Sitejabber and CNET are providing potential buyers with comprehensive lists of the COVID-19 test kits available in the US. On sites like these, you can find information about each kit, and what sets one apart from another. (Sitejabber has a comprehensive chart that is particularly useful, listing company names, test type, turnaround times, and most importantly, price). By using these online lists, you can find the best COVID-19 test kit to suit your situation.
Looking for a quick sneak peak? Take a look. Here are 3 COVID-19 test kits authorized by the FDA you can now buy online, priced from low to high.
Ellume $30 USD
Ellume’s COVID-19 test kit is an antigen test. Approved for use in people aged two years and older, it works by putting a nasal swab in your nose. You push it in, swirl it around, and then do an analysis for COVID-19 in your own home. Amazingly, you can get your results in as little as 15 minutes. Ellume’s test kit comes with processing fluid, a dropper, and a nasal swab. It all works alongside a smartphone app that provides you with step-by-step instructions to follow.
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Part of the beauty of Ellume’s kit is that it allows your test results to be transmitted to you via your smartphone. This technology uses a secure cloud connection. It allows your results to be shared with health authorities, employers, and schools. This contributes to more accurate COVID-19 mapping throughout the US.
Everlywell $109 USD
This COVID-19 test kit is an RT-PCR kit that also employs a nasal swab. It is approved for use in adults 18 years of age and older, and can take a few days to provide you with results. Take your swab and ship it free of charge to Everlywell’s lab. Get your results digitally within 24 to 72 hours. Promoted as a “gentle lower nasal swab for easy self-collection” this test doesn’t require you to stick your swab all the way to the back of your nasal cavity and as such it might provide a more comfortable testing experience.
Phosphorus $140 USD
Prefer a saliva test? Phosphorus allows users to avoid potentially invasive nasal swabs by allowing you to spit into a collection device. Send your sample to Phosphorus Diagnostics in New Jersey, and have your results sent back to both you and your physician.
There are over 15 different COVID-19 test kits now on the market in the US, and more awaiting authorization. Check out the sites mentioned above for more details and talk to your doctor or local health authority for more information about COVID-19 testing.
photo credits: Tsuguliev/Shutterstock.com
