These DNA test kits have become more popular and affordable in recent years. What was once a science-intensive process can now be delivered straight to your door – for under $100 in some cases.
While these tests were first used as paternity tests or to solve crimes, tests can now help you uncover your legacy, any health risks you may have. encounters and even loved ones you may not know.
We’ve rounded up the best DNA testing kit options available, whether you’re looking to build your family tree or get a snapshot of your health.
Featured: 3-step test | Results after 5-6 weeks | Eligible for FSA/HSA Refund
23andMe’s test kits can help you discover how sequences in your DNA can affect your future health. The Department of Health and Ancestry looks at how your DNA may affect your likelihood of certain health conditions, including diabetes, atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, migraines, Alzheimer’s disease , etc
This kit can also look at your lifestyle factors to determine your health future with things like lactose intolerance, muscle composition, caffeine consumption, and alcohol flushing reactions. In addition, the company has The first DNA test kit approved by the Federal Drug Administration as a screener for potential diseases.
Advantages:
- Also provides ancestry report and DNA kin finder
- Easy to understand results
Defect:
- Your DNA information is entered into a database with more than five million other people
- Expensive compared to other tests
- There are no guidelines on how to reduce your risks if you are prone to them
Featured: Results after 6-8 weeks | Connect with DNA Match | Location and provenance from over 1,500 regions
Ancestry.com is known for helping people find out where they come from, but it also offers a complete DNA test kit that can aid in researching your family history. This DNA test kit includes information about your geographic origin across more than 1,500 regions.
Let’s say you’re reviewing your family’s history and hit a roadblock. In that case, your DNA results can give you clues that you can look into further for more information, making AncestryDNA a great choice for history buffs and their family origins. While the company offers a wellness check, it’s not as powerful as its competitors but will do the basic job.
Advantages:
- Help with your family tree research
- Your raw DNA data can be downloaded for use with other websites
Defect:
- Incomplete health check
- There is an additional fee to access the Ancestors’ historical records
Featured: Connect with loved ones from the past 5 generations | Results in 4-8 weeks | Includes prepaid shipping label
While AncestryDNA is great if you’re already diving into your family research world, FamilyTreeDNA is a better place to start if you’re just building your family tree. Some of the features of this quiz include giving you a breakdown of your ancestry, such as ancient European groups, and your ability to connect with relatives within five centuries. past system.
Another great feature about FamilyTreeDNA is that it offers maternal and paternal ancestry kits if you have gaps in one of the areas that you want to explore eventually. In addition to family issues, FamilyTreeDNA reviews your health insights like fitness, nutrition, bone and heart health, and sleep habits, giving you access to eating and exercise plans based on your DNA.
Advantages:
- Four different plans to choose from
- Visit the Team Project so you can learn more about your family tree
- Is there a home DNA test?
Defect:
- Privacy provisions allow law enforcement agencies to use their DNA data
Featured: 3 different kits | Results after 6-8 weeks | Free 7-day email course on DNA
Those who are hesitant about purchasing a DNA test kit due to privacy concerns should consider Living DNA. The company has an extensive privacy statement that goes in-depth about what personal information it holds, why it saves it, what it does with it, and how it protects it. Since Living DNA is based in the UK, it is subject to the strict policies and regulations of General provisions on data protection (GDPR), making its privacy by far the best on this list.
As far as Living DNA’s test kit will tell you, it gives you 21 subregional DNA segments from over 150 regions worldwide to pinpoint your heritage. The company also provides insights into DNA health, such as how your body responds to vitamins, food, and exercise, all based on your genetic makeup.
Advantages:
- Additional services keep costs low, but options remain open
- Do an outstanding job in protecting all elements of your data
Defect:
- Less complete in terms of analysis than competitors
- Customers say that the results take longer than the company says
Featured: Results in 12-14 weeks | 100% decode your DNA | Genome Discovery Tool
The most comprehensive DNA testing kit on this list is the Nebula Genomics Whole Genome Sequences DNA test. This test kit uses sequencing technology to decode 100% of your DNA, compared to others that decode only the most essential parts of your DNA, thus giving you more specific information that Only experts or knowledgeable customers can search.
The company says it has sequenced more than 20,000 genes in the human genome, which can help detect very rare genetic variants that can cause genetic diseases. In addition, Nebula Genomics identifies mutations in your genes and allows you to learn more about your oral microbiome, which is a important indicator of disease and maintain the balance of your overall health.
Advantages:
- Extremely accurate DNA results
- Offers three choices at three different prices
- Data available for download
Defect:
- More accurate DNA test kits are super expensive
- Pay for a subscription on top of the test suite, which increases the overall price
- The longest time for results is 12-14 weeks
The best DNA test is 23andMe thanks to its price, range or results, and ease of use.
|
DNA test |
Price |
The results show that |
|
23andMe |
$99-$199 |
Ancestry report, relative finder, health report |
|
AncestryDNA |
$99-$350 |
Geographic origin, health check, connection with DNA matches |
|
FamilyTreeDNA |
$49 |
Percentage analysis of your origin, father and mother results, health insights |
|
Living DNA |
$79-$179 |
21 subregional DNA breakdowns, health insights based on genetic makeup |
|
The Genomics Nebula |
$299-$999 |
100% decode your DNA, identify mutations in your genes |
While all of these DNA test kits are great options, it ultimately depends on what you’re looking for to find your DNA, how fast you want your results, and how much money you have available. willing to spend.
|
Choose this DNA test… |
If you want… |
|
23andMe |
Best overall selection. |
|
AncestryDNA |
To conduct historical research on your origins. |
|
FamilyTreeDNA |
To start building your family tree. |
|
Living DNA |
A privacy-focused DNA test under strict privacy regulations. |
|
The Genomics Nebula |
A comprehensive DNA test kit for knowledgeable professionals. |
We have reviewed the most famous DNA test kit companies for this list. We carefully read each company’s privacy policies to ensure basic privacy protections for your DNA if you choose to use one of these brands.
We also consider low to mid-range pricing to compare each kit instead of looking at the most expensive options, as many of these brands offer kits at a variety of prices.
DNA tests are relatively simple and they all work the same way. After choosing the brand you want to use, the company will send you a saliva collection kit. You just spit into a tube and send it back to their lab. After a few weeks, you will receive the results and learn the details of your health or genealogy.
Most DNA tests (including 23andMe) use genotyping to look at specific locations in your DNA and identify variations that make you unique. Focusing on any particular variation can lead to clues about your ancestry, health status, and other traits.
Other tests, such as AncestryDNA, use autosomal DNA testing, which measures your autosomal chromosomes and matches them against a database of people who share your DNA to find them. row.
A DNA test can give you a variety of information. For example, most kits on the market can break your lineage and tell you the percentage of your heritage (i.e. 25% German heritage or 40% Irish heritage). Additionally, a DNA test can cross-reference your DNA with others in the company’s database so you can even find long-lost loved ones.
In addition to domestic purposes, a DNA test can provide detailed information about your health and whether you are susceptible to certain diseases or conditions. Especially if you are looking to actively take control of your health, using a DNA test kit can be very worthwhile.
Many people may be hesitant to order a DNA test kit because of the reports of compromised security and privacy. If you’re concerned about your privacy, be sure to read the DNA testing company’s privacy policies carefully. Also, it’s important to note that companies do not share your DNA information with third parties (such as public databases or employers) but may provide the information to the agency. law enforcement if a valid court order or search warrant requires it.
However, according to a investigation from Consumer Reportsthese direct-to-consumer DNA testing companies unnecessarily invade consumer privacy regarding your non-DNA data such as information about your address, name, email, Therefore, CR recommends that you opt out of a DNA study from your testing service or consider deleting your data once you are done using it.
Here are some other DNA testing options to consider:
