The 6 Best At-Home Sperm Tests for Reliable Results

These at-home sperm tests are a reliable and convenient way to test fertility.

About 9% of people assigned male at birth of reproductive age struggle with fertility issues. When you want a child and are struggling to conceive, uncertainty about the root of your fertility problems can take an emotional toll on your relationship and life. Although at-home sperm tests can’t replace a comprehensive medical fertility examination, they can be a great starting place to gather basic information about reproductive health. Each parent’s fertility plays a role in the odds of conception—with “male factor” infertility playing a role in up to half of cases of difficulty conceiving—so it’s important to look for markers of the reproductive health of both parents. For people who were assigned male at birth, this typically means looking primarily at several markers that sperm are healthy, including sperm count and concentration and the shape and movement of sperm. Hormones such as testosterone and estradiol are also sometimes measured because they play a role in the production of healthy sperm.

As the home testing industry grows, the options for home sperm tests are ever-expanding. There are many options, but not all are created equal, and some may serve your needs better than others. We reviewed 14 different at-home fertility testing companies. We asked users to share information regarding the cost, time-to-results, ease of use, type of test, and support provided. We sought to curate a list of at-home semen test kits to fit a variety of needs.

What do Sperm Tests do?

At-home sperm tests offer a private and generally easy way to check overall fertility health, including semen volume, sperm quality, sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm morphology. To some extent, fertility is a numbers game. The more sperm are in each milliliter of semen (sperm concentration), the more likely one will reach and fertilize an egg. However, the sperm must also be healthy enough to swim to an egg (motility), and only healthy sperm can penetrate and fertilize an egg. Morphology refers to the shape and form of sperm, and this metric is a good indicator of the overall health of the sperm.

With an at-home test, you will collect a sample of semen and either use a home analyzer device or send the sample to a lab that can assess the sperm within that sample for these key metrics. However, many other factors can affect fertility, such as hormones, including testosterone.

What Healthcare Providers Want You to Know

• Casual use: These tests are a great option for casual use. Medical professionals will want patients to undergo clinical testing for anything more serious. An at-home test will not include thorough interpretation and guidance from a medical professional. Since it relies on the user instead of a professional to collect the sample, there's a greater margin for error. Errors in sample collection can lead to incorrect or inconclusive results.
• FDA approval: Only some of the at-home semen testing kits are widely accepted by medical professionals. That’s because not all tests are FDA-cleared (the gold standard for these products) or have been validated in peer-reviewed research, meaning their accuracy has been confirmed. However, some tests have been validated and FDA-cleared.
• At-home results vs. lab results: Some test kits offer at-home results in minutes, while others require users to ship the specimen to a lab for testing. Typically, at-home tests only test a few of the fertility factors and can be more prone to human error, while lab-tested semen can offer a larger picture of male fertility.
• Consider your budget: At-home semen testing is far less expensive than traditional fertility clinic testing. However, the costs can still add up. If you require a simple one-time test, then any of the kits would be a great fit. If you plan to test frequently or over a period of time, you should consider a service that offers a subscription plan or inexpensive kits.
• Insurance: Some insurance plans cover fertility testing and treatments. Be sure to check the website of whatever testing company you choose to see if it accepts your insurance. Additionally, some companies that do not accept insurance will take FSA or HSA payments.
• Efficacy: Many at-home sperm tests promise greater than 95% accuracy, but there are some signs you can look for to verify that. For one, if a test is analyzed in a CLIA- or CAP-certified lab, that’s a good sign. These regulatory bodies ensure tests are being done correctly in laboratories. Look for a test that is FDA-cleared or that has been studied or used in research published in peer-reviewed journals. These are all good signs that the test has been validated and is trusted by medical experts.
  

When to See a Healthcare Provider

At-home sperm tests are a good starting place, but if you want a full picture of your overall fertility and guidance for improving your chances of conceiving, you’ll want to see a fertility specialist. Any health concerns should be discussed with a doctor who will run additional tests to form a clearer health profile.

The Best At-Home Sperm Tests of 2024

• Best for Testing and Freezing: Legacy For Today Kit
• Best for Fast Results: Labcorp Men’s Rapid Fertility Test
• Best for Semen Analysis: Fellow Semen Analysis
• Best for Fertility Improvement Tips: MyLAB Box At Home Male Fertility Test
• Best Budget: Bird & Be At-Home Sperm Test
• Best for Additional Insights: LetsGetChecked Male Hormone Advanced