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With Covid concerns once again lingering in the country, people are taking extra precautions this year as they return to work from the holidays or head out for winter travel. Hand sanitizer is once again a must, and airlines are still promoting the wearing of masks when traveling (aside from when you’re eating and drinking).
Related: The Best Breathable Face Masks to Wear Right Now
Another way people are ensuring the safety of themselves (and others): using rapid at-home Covid tests, to quickly check that everyone is coronavirus-free. But how do you find these home Covid-19 tests and how exactly do they work? Here’s what to know about using at-home Covid test kits and the best rapid tests to buy online.
In This Article
The Best Rapid Home Covid Tests
How to At-Home Rapid Covid Test Kits Work?
How Quickly Do You Get Results From a Rapid Covid Test at Home?
Are At-Home Covid Tests Safe?
Are At-Home Covid Tests Legal?
Where to Buy the Best Rapid Covid Tests for Home
Whether you’re testing before heading back to work or want to check your own Covid status before traveling or heading to an event, there are a number of good rapid Covid tests that you can buy online right now. Here’s where to find some of the top-rated, at-home Covid-19 tests available to ship online.
Even if you’re not feeling the symptoms, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, and that’s where a good rapid Covid test can help you feel more secure about your health. Yes, you may just be feeling sick from a cold, mild flu or RSV, but you can’t rule out Covid with certainty until you take a test.
Of course, any Covid test or diagnosis should be taken seriously, so speak to your doctor if you have concerns about using a Covid test at home or if you’re experiencing prolonged symptoms.
BEST OVERALL: On/Go At-Home Covid-19 Rapid Test
EDITOR’S CHOICE: BinaxNOW Antigen Self Test
EASY TO USE: QuickVue At-Home OTC Covid-19 Test
BEST-SELLER: iHealth Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test
1. On/Go At-Home Covid-19 Rapid Self-Test
The On/Go Covid-19 Antigen Home Test uses a shallow nasal swab that you can administer on yourself, with results in just 15 minutes. The company says its test detects the antigen protein of all known major Covid-19 variants, including omicron.
This kit is super convenient to take with you on the go (as the name suggests), with single, individually-wrapped rapid tests that tuck easily into your bag or suitcase (Walmart also has two-packs on sale for $25). We’ve also had party hosts hand out these tests to guests before an event, to make sure everyone is safe.
You’ll want to download the On/Go companion app to guide you through the process. The app can also help you interpret your results and share your information with medical providers if necessary.
Users found the test easy to use and understand, though reviewers say you’ll want to make sure the nasal swab is properly inserted at least one-inch into your nostril, and that you rotate it around the lining of your nose for the required amount of time in order to get an accurate reading.
Amazon
2. BinaxNOW Covid‐19 Antigen Self Test
One of the most popular at-home Covid tests available online is the BinaxNOW Antigen Self Test. Made in the USA, each pack includes two tests, with results in just 15 minutes.
BinaxNOW uses a shallow nasal swab that’s easy to administer yourself, and the company says it’s safe and gentle enough even for kids as young as two years old. The test helps detect multiple Covid strains too, include the Delta and Omicron variants.
For best results, the company says to wait at least 24 hours (but no more than 48 hours) in between tests. This is our go-to Covid test at home, for its ease of use and accuracy.
Walmart
3. Quidel QuickVue At-Home OTC Covid-19 Test Kit
This over-the-counter Covid test boasts a 4.6-star rating (out of five) from more than 9000 reviewers online. The test kit includes two individually-wrapped foam swabs to collect a sample from your nose, along with pre-filled tubes, tube holders and test strips.
The rapid testing kit gets you results in just 10 minutes; a blue line means you’re negative, while a pink and blue line means you’ve tested positive. We’ve used this kit ourselves and the swab is relatively comfortable and easy to insert, while the test has simple, easy-to-follow instructions and results.
Amazon
4. iHealth Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test
This FDA-authorized rapid test is currently the number one best-seller on Amazon, with more than 20,000 verified reviews. Users and employers are purchasing these kits for family gatherings, parties and large events alike. This is also the same test distributed by the USPS to its employees to ensure a safe return to work.
Like the other at-home tests above, this one uses a nasal swab that’s inserted 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch up your nose to collect a sample. Swirl the swab into the included testing solution and then put a couple of drops of solution onto the test strip.
This rapid Covid test delivers results in 15 minutes — if only one line shows up, you’re negative; if two lines show up, the test is positive.
Unlike some of the other self-administered Covid tests on our list, iHealth says their test is non-invasive: you don’t have to insert the tip of the swab too deep into the nasal cavity to collect a sample — and to get a result.
This is the one we’ve used the most and it was always super easy and comfortable. Some reviewers say this has made it great to use the test for children, though per the manufacturer, adults should always help administer the test to anyone under the age of 15. You should also consult your doctor before testing any kids for Covid.
Note: The FDA granted a recent shelf-life extension for the iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test, which extended the shelf-life of all iHealth tests from six months to 15 months.
Amazon
5. Flowflex Covid-19 Antigen Home Test
A great place to find rapid home testing kits in stock is at WellBefore.com, which is one of our favorite sites for N95 masks, KN95 masks and other PPE.
The site is currently selling the Flowflex Antigen Home Test Kit, which gets you an easy-to-use nasal swab, a collection tube and a testing strip to analyze your results. This is one of the most simple tests to use and the most “comfortable” — the swab only needs to be inserted about half-an-inch into your nostril and you only need to swirl the swab 4-5 times.
WellBefore also has a super helpful video on its site that walks you through the entire process — no need to download an app or read a confusing instruction booklet to get your Covid test results at home.
WellBefore
Looking for where to buy more at-home Covid-19 tests online? Walmart has a full selection of rapid testing kits that are available to purchase online, are FDA-approved and shipping now. See more at Walmart.com.
How Do At-Home Rapid Covid Tests Work?
While going to a doctor’s office or pharmacy to get tested for Covid is still your best option, a number of manufacturers have released self-serve Covid tests that are FDA-authorized for home use.
These rapid Covid tests use a shallow nasal swab to collect a sample — simply insert the soft tip into your nostril, then swirl it around your nostril lining for 10-15 seconds (or as directed by the manufacturer). The swab is then placed into a test tube with a reagent solution that’s designed to react to the sample if the SARS-CoV-2 virus is detected.
Seal the test sample and wait for your results. Different at-home tests vary in terms of format, but most rapid Covid kits will display your results on a test strip, similar to a pregnancy test. Look for the corresponding symbol or marker to determine your result (I.e. one line means you’re negative, two lines mean you could have Covid).
It’s worth nothing that these rapid home Covid tests are only used for the detection of proteins from SARS-CoV-2, and not for any other viruses or pathogens.
How Quickly Do You Get Results From a Rapid Covid Test at Home?
Most of the new at-home rapid Covid tests will give you results back in 10-15 minutes — much faster than even the rapid Covid tests you get in person. It’s not an instant Covid test, but it will cut down the amount of waiting time.
And unlike some at-home Covid tests (or the popular DNA kits), which require you to mail in your sample for analysis, these rapid Covid tests get you a result on the spot — no lab testing necessary.
Are At-Home Covid Tests Safe?
All of the at-home Covid tests on our list are FDA-approved, which means the agency has deemed them as safe and suitable for at-home testing. These rapid home tests work for both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, and some of the brands on our list say their tests are safe to use on children as well, though we recommend consulting with your medical provider first.
It’s not just safe for at-home use either: a number of companies and sports teams are using these rapid testing kits on employees and players. One of them, Cue Health, says its Covid-19 tests have been purchased for use by organizations like Google, the NBA, MLB, NASA and The Mayo Clinic.
If you’re feeling the onset of Covid symptoms, make sure you’re also wearing an effective face mask and taking proper precautions to isolate yourself if necessary, in addition to regular testing.
Are At-Home Covid Tests Legal?
Yes, these at-home rapid Covid tests are 100% legal to buy online and use at home.
The FDA still recommends going to the doctor if you have serious symptoms or are concerned about possible exposure to Covid. However, the latest at-home Covid tests are FDA-cleared and approved for use under an EUA (Emergency Use Authorization). That essentially means that the rapid home testing kits are only authorized for use so long as the FDA deems necessary.
Many of these home Covid tests are also FSA and HSA-eligible, meaning your purchase online could be covered under your Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account under insurance.
