You have probably imagined the scenario of taking a home pregnancy test and finding out you’re having a baby in your head a million times. But you probably never spent much time thinking about actually buying the pregnancy test at the drugstore. Staring at all those boxes with descriptions claiming they can detect your pregnancy with the highest certainty.

There are a plethora of pregnancy tests on the market. Some have an open stream type, while other brands have dropper-style testing that eliminates the mess. With so much variety and information, how do you pick the right one?

Of course, the best way to figure out what kind of pregnancy test is right for you is by doing your fair share of research online. That’s the only way you can find all the information you need and get an answer to the following question.

How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?

All tests work by measuring levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a pregnancy hormone produced by the placenta. 6 to 12 days after fertilization, this hormone shows in women’s urine and builds up daily.

However, for the hCG levels to be detected on a urine pregnancy test, women need to wait about 19 days post-fertilization to get tested. Otherwise, trying too soon will affect the accuracy and may produce a false negative.

You must be wondering what indeed accounts for the price variations among different tests. To answer your question, the first reason is that some tests are more sensitive to the pregnancy hormone level than others. Some tests are made to produce a result within 5 to 7 minutes, while others shorten that period.

Other positives may be that you don’t have to wait until the first day of your missed period but do the test 6 days prior and with increased accuracy.

Brands also pay a lot of attention to the design of the lines and eliminating the evaporation line that may produce a false result at times. Additionally, some increase the content in the packaging, so you get two sticks instead of one.

So, which one is right for you? Let’s review one of the best-selling tests, the Equate One Step Pregnancy Test, and all its features.

Review of the Equate One Step Pregnancy Test

These Equate tests are designed to detect the content of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and provide an accurate result.

One of the most popular Equate tests is the One Step Pregnancy Test. It comes with two sticks in the package. So, if you want to be sure of the information, you can repeat the process in a few days.

This way, you rule out any errors that might have occurred as well.

The Equate brand states it has a 99% accuracy on the first day of your missed period. It is pretty sensitive to the level of hCG. Upon testing, it proves reliable even with the slightest of changes in the urine content.

When using the Equate test, you should follow the instructions and not test earlier than the day of your missed period. If you get a negative outcome but you suspect that you are pregnant, you should try again on the third day of your missed period.

Equate Pregnancy Test: The Positives and Negatives

To give you answers to your questions, in this article, we gathered some of the most helpful reviews of women who have used the test before.

Positive Reviews After Using Equate Test

• On the search for a test stick that shows good result lines but is budget-friendly, I found the Equate. These are easy to use and work with no error, just like more expensive pregnancy tests. I’m sure if you’re trying to get pregnant, you’ll prefer something that can tell you earlier. I always go with the same one. They get the job done.
• I bought this item for the first time at Walmart based on the descriptions I saw, and I really like how simple it is to use. The lines show clearly and I got a correct positive result in less than 2 minutes. The brand is trustworthy and I would recommend it to women looking for a good home pregnancy test on the market.

Negative Reviews After Using Equate Test

• Last month I purchased a test from this brand at Walmart and the experience was a terrible one. The blue lines are tricky, they give false positives, evap lines appear after just a few minutes so ensure you’re reading it exactly at that 3 minute mark or you’ll be fooled.
• I think this test did not detect the pregnancy hormone content level in my body. First, there was nothing but then it showed a negative, but when I tested with another brand a few days later, I got a true positive response. This thing is easy to use but not very accurate in my case.

Are Expensive Tests More Accurate?

After reading the positive and negative reviews of the Equate brand, let’s talk about the price point and how much you should expect to pay, depending on the test you buy.

Usually, more expensive tests guarantee a better sensitivity to the amount of hCG even before the first day of your missed period. For those, you can expect to pay more than $7 and up to $30. There, there is the addition of the digital display that bumps up the price too.

Also, some come with a dropper item that you use to drop urine into the test window, which can be handy.

However, the most important thing is that all of these tests are up to 99 percent accurate if you follow the instructions. Of course, a blood test is more accurate as it eliminates user error and can detect the hCG earlier.

The Pros and Cons of Less Expensive Home Pregnancy Tests

The first benefit is the budget-friendly price that is the determining factor for many people. When using the test as per the manufacturer’s instructions, you should expect at least about 99% accuracy.

They can detect the content of your hCG levels just as well, so why pay more, right?

However, some other things affect your experience when you buy a cheaper brand. For instance, budget-friendly tests only come with a stick you have to urinate on, and it can create quite a mess. Also, you will probably have to wait for the results longer, and it is more likely that at the first response, you will see an evaporation line that may confuse you.

Lastly, the cheaper tests probably contain fewer pregnancy sticks inside. So, if you want to confirm the results you had gotten, you have to buy an additional test.

The Pros and Cons of Expensive Pregnancy Tests

A more expensive test might be more sensitive to the content of your hCG levels. This means you will get more accurate results sooner. To avoid getting a false positive or negative, regardless of what test you buy, you still have to use it according to the instructions.

Another potential benefit is that pricier packs will contain more tests. This will save you the trouble of rushing down the pharmacy again to confirm the test response you had gotten. Plus, might you might want to have some spare ones for the next month too.

So, while it is possible for a more expensive test to give you a YES or NO answer to your important question earlier than the cheaper tests, it is still best to wait and test again on the first day of your missed cycle. This gives you the most reliable results, regardless of how much it costs.

What Kind of Home Pregnancy Test is Right for You?

Since all pregnancy tests will give you reliable results as long as you follow the instructions on the box, what kind is right for you depends on your preferences.

This is why we reviewed the Equate pregnancy test. According to reviews, it is budget-friendly and reliable and will give you the same results as the more expensive ones.

Indeed, if you want to find out sooner if you are pregnant, then you might opt for pricier pregnancy tests with a digital display instead of a window with a line. On the other hand, if money is your priority, getting the best value for your bucks will be the Equate. It has the basic results window without any extra features, so it may not be worth paying more for something else.

All in all, whatever you choose, make sure you pay attention to the expiration date on the box before buying it. Both expensive and cheaper tests aren’t good past this date and are likely to give a false reading.

Rest assured that the chances for an accurate result are equal. So, if you get a positive result, it’s time for an appointment with your doctor to confirm the reading and inform you of the next steps.