Best At-Home HPV Test: 4 Options for 2024

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A person can screen themselves for human papillomavirus (HPV) with a home HPV test. Studies suggest that home HPV tests are as accurate as those that doctors provide, but they may not test for all strains of HPV.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV is a very common sexually transmitted infection (STI). The CDC estimates that approximately 42 million people in the United States currently have an HPV infection, while roughly 13 million individuals contract the virus each year.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
sexually transmitted infection (STI)
HPV infection
Home HPV tests typically provide a swab so that a person can collect a small sample from their cervix or vagina. They then send the sample back to a laboratory that tests for several high risk strains of HPV.
high risk strains of HPV
This article looks at the 4 best HPV tests available online and discusses HPV testing in more detail.
A quick look at the best at-home HPV tests
Best for follow-up support: TBD Health HPV Test | Skip to review
TBD Health HPV Test
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Best affordable option: Everlywell HPV Test – Female | Skip to review
Everlywell HPV Test – Female
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Best for insurance coverage: Nurx HPV Screening | Skip to review
Nurx HPV Screening
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Best for fast results: myLAB Box At-Home HPV Test Kit | Skip to review
myLAB Box At-Home HPV Test Kit
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In May 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved self-collection for HPV testing in healthcare settings with a test from Roche Diagnostics. This means that while a healthcare professional must order this test for those who want to test for HPV, a person can collect the sample themselves. This will make testing more accessible and private.
May 2024
Alternatively, an individual can try an at-home test, which may provide a more accessible option for those with busy schedules or limited access to clinics or health insurance.
health insurance
However, people should not test for HPV before age 25 years. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) recommends individuals have an HPV test every 5 years until they are 65 years old.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Best at-home HPV tests
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
Click here to learn more
TBD Health HPV Test

Collection method: vaginal swab
Results in: 3 to 5 days
Tests for: HPV-16, HPV-18, and 12 other strains
Insurance coverage: accepts HSA and FSA
Follow-up guidance: access to online clinical team regardless of results
$125.00 AT TBD HEALTH
*Price may vary.

TBD Health offers a home HPV test and a physical sexual health clinic in Las Vegas. The test looks for several high risk strains of HPV, and people can discuss positive and negative results with TBD Health’s clinical team. The company also offers unlimited messaging with the clinical team in relation to the test. If necessary, the team can prescribe medication.

TBD Health ships the kit in discreet packaging and free of charge. It includes a vaginal swab, tube, biohazard bag, and a prepaid shipping label a person can use to send their sample to the lab.

However, the HPV test kit is not currently available for New York residents.

A one-time test costs $125, but people who need to test regularly for HPV can choose several subscribe and save options, including:
monthly: $110 per kit
every 3 months: $115 per kit
every 6 months: $122 per kit
bundle & save: minimum purchase of three kits for 10% off each kit

tests for high risk strains of HPV
several subscription options
unavailable in New York
test is fairly expensive
tests for high risk strains of HPV
several subscription options
unavailable in New York
test is fairly expensive
Returns: no returns
Shipping: free shipping
Returns: no returns
Shipping: free shipping
Everlywell HPV Test – Female

Collection method: vaginal swab
Results in: a few days
Tests for: HPV with reflex to HPV-16, HPV-18, and HPV-45
Insurance coverage: accepts HSA and FSA
Follow-up guidance: access to independent physician network to discuss questions and treatment options if there is a positive result
Use code “HEALTHLINE25” for 25% off.
$69.00 AT EVERLYWELL
*Price may vary.

According to its website, Everlywell offers an at-home HPV test that looks for 14 high risk strains of HPV.

The service sends tests through the mail after a doctor has reviewed and accepted the customer’s order.

If the healthcare professional does not think an HPV test is suitable for a particular person, they will notify Everlywell, and the company will issue a refund.

A person must follow the instructions in the test kit for collecting their sample before mailing it to Everlywell. The company then sends the results to the doctor who approved the test.

A person’s results will be available on the company’s secure online platform. They can choose to share their results with a doctor if they want further advice.

Everlywell offers a semi-annual subscription for 15% off test kits. People can also use a flexible spending account (FSA) or a health savings account (HSA) to pay for their at-home test.

Learn more about Everlywell.
Learn more about Everlywell.

FSA- and HSA-eligible
regular input from Everlywell’s medical team
tests are not eligible for insurance coverage
FSA- and HSA-eligible
regular input from Everlywell’s medical team
tests are not eligible for insurance coverage
Returns: no returns or refunds
Shipping: free shipping
Returns: no returns or refunds
Shipping: free shipping
Nurx HPV Screening

Results in: 7 days
Collection method: vaginal swab
Tests for: HPV-16, HPV-18, and 12 other strains
Accepts insurance: yes
Follow-up guidance: yes, if the test returns a positive result
$79.00 AT NURX
*Price may vary.

Nurx is a telemedicine company that offers home testing kits, birth control, and emergency contraception.

According to the company, the test checks for the 14 most high risk strains of HPV that may potentially develop into cancer.

A person can order the test online by answering a few health questions and paying a $30 consultation fee. This $30 fee includes unlimited messaging with Nurx doctors for a year.

A person can pay with a credit card, or the company can bill a person’s insurance provider. The test ships free of charge in discreet packaging. However, it is not currently available in all 50 U.S. states.

A member of the Nurx team will discuss a person’s results with them.

The HPV test from Nurx costs $49 with insurance and $79 without, plus the $30 consultation fee.

accepts insurance
people can get access to the medical team for a year
medical consultations cost extra
accepts insurance
people can get access to the medical team for a year
medical consultations cost extra
Returns: no returns
Shipping: calculated at checkout
Returns: no returns
Shipping: calculated at checkout
myLAB Box At-Home HPV Test Kit

Results in: 2 to 5 days
Collection method: swab
Tests for: HPV-16, HPV-18, and 12 other strains
Accepts insurance: no
Follow-up guidance: complementary phone call with a myLAB physician affiliate
$89.00 AT MYLAB BOX
*Price may vary.

This myLAB Box HPV home test kit is for females ages 30 years and older. The company recommends individuals take a test even if they received an HPV vaccine.

The kit involves a swab collection method, which reportedly only takes 5 minutes to complete at home. An individual can then use the prepaid envelope to send their sample to the company’s lab.

myLAB Box claims to issue test results within 2 to 5 days and offers free phone consultations for those wishing to discuss their results with a doctor.

The HPV test costs $89, which includes free shipping. However, it is not currently available to people who live in New York.

fast turnaround for results
medical consultations are free over the phone
more expensive than other options
unavailable in New York
fast turnaround for results
medical consultations are free over the phone
more expensive than other options
unavailable in New York
Returns: no returns or refunds
Shipping: free shipping
Women-Founded
Returns: no returns or refunds
Shipping: free shipping
Women-Founded
Comparing the best at-home HPV test kits
The table below compares the five HPV home test kits this article describes.
TBD Health
Everlywell
Nurx
myLAB Box
How we choose HPV tests
Medical News Today chooses at-home tests that meet the following criteria where possible:
Laboratories: Where possible, MNT will choose companies that process test samples in Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified labs. This means they follow state and federal regulations.
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified
Budget: MNT chooses at-home tests that suit a wide range of budgets.
Privacy: MNT includes companies that offer robust and transparent privacy measures, such as data protection and discreet packaging.
Test result speed: MNT selects companies that inform customers when they will receive their test results and whether they will receive them via email, app, or phone.
Further support: MNT will indicate whether a company offers further support, such as a follow-up phone consultation with a doctor to discuss test results.
What to consider in an at-home HPV test
People should consider the following factors when choosing an at-home HPV test:
Collection method: Most tests will only be suitable for females. A person needs to carefully read which collection method a test requires and choose one suitable for their anatomy. Learn about cervical screening for trans women.
Learn about cervical screening for trans women.
Payment methods: Health insurance is unlikely to cover at-home HPV tests. A person must read the company’s website carefully to see if it accepts their health insurance and whether it accepts FSA and HSA payments.
health insurance
FSA and HSA
Lab certifications: People must prioritize buying tests from companies that use CLIA-certified labs to analyze samples.
Follow-up advice: Some companies may offer follow-up advice from healthcare professionals. A person may feel more comfortable purchasing a test from a company that offers this service.
Are HPV tests accurate?
Companies that make at-home HPV tests warn that, if possible, people should not use them in place of regular PAP smears or other screenings. Additionally, the NCI states that HPV is a group of over 200 related viruses with 12 high risk types that may cause cancer. At-home HPV tests do not test for all strains of HPV.
PAP smears
NCI
cancer
One 2021 study indicated that self-collected vaginal samples were comparable in detection performance to samples a clinician collected. This means that tests could pick up on high risk HPV strains from samples people collected themselves compared to samples a clinician collected. However, researchers concluded that urine samples were not as accurate.
2021 study
A 2019 study also provided insight about urine samples for HPV testing, with researchers reporting that collecting and testing preservative-fixed urine samples may offer a reliable way to screen people who have a higher chance of contracting HPV. However, larger studies are necessary to prove the effectiveness of urine-based HPV testing fully.
2019 study
preservative-fixed urine samples
If a person receives a positive result from a home HPV test kit, they need to contact a doctor as soon as possible. A healthcare professional can and will conduct additional tests and advise on the individual’s next steps.
Learn more about HPV.
Learn more about HPV.
Preliminary studies suggest home HPV testing can help improve outcomes for people who otherwise may not be able to receive regular screenings.
A 2019 study showed that mailing home kits to women who otherwise may not be able to access regular testing helped increase the number of cervical cancer screenings. The researchers recommend further studies on how to send out testing kits most effectively.
2019 study
cervical cancer screenings
A 2020 study showed similar results, with the researchers suggesting that self-sampling was more cost-effective than clinic-based testing.
2020 study
Is there an HPV test for men?
There is no HPV test for men. This is because it can be hard to get a good sample from the penis, and many males will not show symptoms if they have an HPV infection.
A healthcare professional will typically look for visual signs of an HPV infection, such as genital warts.
typically
Learn more about HPV in males.
Learn more about HPV in males.
Symptoms of HPV
HPV may not always cause symptoms. However, the CDC states that symptoms can include small, raised warts on the genitals. If an individual notices any new growths on or around their genitals, they may wish to seek medical assistance.
CDC
warts on the genitals
A person may wish to consult with a doctor to undergo regular sexual health screenings to keep on top of their sexual health and any changes they experience to their genitals.
The CDC recommends that people get the HPV vaccine to help protect against this STI. This vaccine is suitable for children ages 9 years and older and adults up to age 26.
CDC
HPV vaccine
Older adults who have not previously received the HPV vaccine may also wish to speak with a doctor about getting vaccinated.
Frequently asked questions about at-home HPV tests
A person may wish to purchase an at-home HPV test if they believe they have or a sexual partner has HPV.
Additionally, an at-home HPV test may be more convenient for those who cannot access an in-person healthcare visit.
A person may wish to purchase an at-home HPV test if they believe they have or a sexual partner has HPV.
Additionally, an at-home HPV test may be more convenient for those who cannot access an in-person healthcare visit.
At-home HPV tests often require a cervical or vaginal swab.
People need to carefully read the company’s website and test instructions to determine what sample is necessary to test for HPV.
At-home HPV tests often require a cervical or vaginal swab.
People need to carefully read the company’s website and test instructions to determine what sample is necessary to test for HPV.
At-home HPV tests may be of similar accuracy to the those a doctor may perform.
However, at-home HPV tests may not test for all strains of HPV. Additionally, a person should not use these tests as a replacement for a Pap smear or other health screenings.
At-home HPV tests may be of similar accuracy to the those a doctor may perform.
However, at-home HPV tests may not test for all strains of HPV. Additionally, a person should not use these tests as a replacement for a Pap smear or other health screenings.
Yes, it is possible to test for HPV at home. People can buy an HPV test from an online testing company such as Nurx or Everlywell.
A more accessible and affordable test is a vinegar test. This can indicate the presence of HPV by turning genital warts white. A person applies a small amount of vinegar to the genital area using a cotton swab. If there are any invisible genital warts present, these will turn white within minutes.
This test is an affordable and accessible alternative to lab HPV tests that scientists developed to help females in developing countries access HPV testing.
help females
Yes, it is possible to test for HPV at home. People can buy an HPV test from an online testing company such as Nurx or Everlywell.
A more accessible and affordable test is a vinegar test. This can indicate the presence of HPV by turning genital warts white. A person applies a small amount of vinegar to the genital area using a cotton swab. If there are any invisible genital warts present, these will turn white within minutes.
This test is an affordable and accessible alternative to lab HPV tests that scientists developed to help females in developing countries access HPV testing.
help females
The best HPV test is one that tests for a wide range of high risk strains of HPV. The best at-home HPV tests will offer access to a medical team for advice, discreet shipping, and fast turnaround times for results.
The best HPV test is one that tests for a wide range of high risk strains of HPV. The best at-home HPV tests will offer access to a medical team for advice, discreet shipping, and fast turnaround times for results.
There is no rapid test for HPV that can give people results in minutes. People will often have to wait up to a week for their HPV test results.
There is no rapid test for HPV that can give people results in minutes. People will often have to wait up to a week for their HPV test results.
Summary
Several home HPV tests are available that can help detect high risk strains of HPV. However, home tests should not replace routine Pap smear tests or screenings.
A person can order an at-home HPV test online, perform it at home, and send it back to a laboratory to receive their results. The FDA has recently approved self-collection tests that doctors can order for people wanting to test.
People who have a higher chance of contracting HPV may wish to consider getting regular sexual health screenings with a doctor, as not all home HPV tests screen for every strain of HPV.