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For monitoring blood sugar levels at home, you can’t go wrong with tests from LetsGetChecked or Everlywell. Learn more and see what other A1C tests we recommend.

If you have diabetes or prediabetes, regularly monitoring your A1C blood sugar level is important for managing your condition and maintaining optimum health. A1C monitoring can also be used

We reviewed a wide variety of at-home A1C tests. These five meet our criteria for accurate results, ease of use, and privacy protection. Due to state laws and restrictions, not every test is

available in every state.

Staying on top of your health is important. Read on for our recommendations and to learn more about what’s important to consider when choosing an at-home A1C test.

High blood sugar can damage your blood vessels, and the nerves that control the heart, over time. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes doubles

your risk of heart disease and stroke.

If you were diagnosed with diabetes some time ago, the LetsGetChecked Diabetes and Heart Test, which checks your cholesterol levels, is a great choice. In addition to measuring your A1C,

this test measures important markers for heart disease, including cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and HDL percentage of total cholesterol.

LetsGetChecked also offers a Diabetes Test that measures A1C levels only. Both the Diabetes Test and Diabetes and Heart Test are finger-prick tests.

Your test kit will arrive in discreet packaging. Easy-to-understand instructions come with your test and describe the test activation and sample collection processes in detail.

You’ll activate your test when you receive the box and answer a short questionnaire. If needed, instructional videos are easily found on the testing page.

You can choose free delivery with standard shipping or choose express delivery for an added fee. LetsGetChecked ships anywhere in the United States but can’t ship to P.O. boxes or Air/Army

APO post offices.

Your test results for both tests will be made available within 2–5 days. If you have trouble understanding the test instructions or your results, unlimited virtual consultations with

clinical healthcare professionals are available. If any results are out of range, a nurse will call you before your results appear on the platform.

According to the company, LetsGetChecked tests are Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared. They’re available as one-time only purchases or via subscription. If you purchase a

subscription, you’ll get a new test every 3 months, at a 30% discount. These tests aren’t covered by health insurance. Health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs)

are both accepted.

The Everlywell hemoglobin (HbA1c) test provides accurate results at a budget price.

Everlywell also offers annual ($449) or monthly ($39) memberships, where you earn credits toward the purchase of all Everlywell tests.

After you order and pay for your test, it ships to your home in 5–7 business days. You’ll register your kit once it’s delivered using the ID number on the box.

Testing is done by pricking your finger, and instructional videos are available on the site.

A physician reviews your results, and you get those results delivered to your online account within 5 business days. This report also contains details of how to interpret your results. If

the results are positive, or out of normal range, a physician will contact you via phone to go over the results and discuss next steps.

Everlywell tests are not covered by insurance, but you can use your HSA or FSA to pay for them.

The myLAB Box Hemoglobin A1C Screening Test provides faster results than most other at-home tests. In some instances, you may be able to get your results within 1 business day of your test

being received by the lab.

Unlike most at-home test companies, women-owned myLAB Box offers a fast chat option on their website, so you can get personalized service, prior to purchase.

Ordering your test online is easy. It ships to you in discreet packaging.

You activate your A1C test online with the provided ID number, and then you collect your sample using the finger-prick method, which takes 5 minutes.

The sample needs to be mailed on the day you take the test. If your results come back out of range, you have the option of a free telehealth consultation with a physician.

The A1C test kit is temporarily unavailable in New York. It is not covered by insurance, although you may be able to use your HSA or FSA funds to pay for it.

According to the company, these funds have varying rules and regulations attached to them which sometimes prohibit their use for at-home tests. To be sure, check before you buy.

Pros & consTests are analyzed in CAP and CLIA certified labs.The results are ready in 1–5 days.MyLAB Box offers a free consultation from a physician for out-of-range results.A1C testing is

unavailable in New York at this time.Tests are analyzed in CAP and CLIA certified labs.The results are ready in 1–5 days.MyLAB Box offers a free consultation from a physician for

out-of-range results.A1C testing is unavailable in New York at this time.Product detailsCollection method: finger prickFollow-up guidance: option of a free virtual consultation with a

physician if test results are out of rangeTests for: hemoglobin A1CShipping: free shipping

DTILaboratories specializes in diabetes testing. Unlike many kits, this at-home A1C test is approved by the FDA. This mean that DTILaboratories conducted extensive testing on their product

and submitted their data to the FDA for independent review. This level of transparency is unmet by most other at-home testing companies.

In addition to the A1C test, DTILaboratories also offers a diabetes education series.

Delivery is typically 2 days from the time you order. You’re assigned a secured ID and password for the site. Your test kit comes with a patient ID, a sample collection device, and a

capillary device for pricking your finger. Only one drop of blood is needed. You can mail your sample back right away — no waiting for it to dry.

This A1c Test uses high performance liquid chromatology testing (HPLC-IE). According to the company, this testing method provides users with the most accurate results, since it tests for

abnormal hemoglobin that can interfere with A1C results.

Diabetes educators are available to discuss diabetes, and the test kit with you. They’re not authorized to discuss your results however, so make sure to share your readings with a healthcare

professional.

*Price may vary.

The CLIA waived PTS Diagnostics A1CNow Self Check monitor is unique in that it provides you with your A1C level reading within 5 minutes, on the device itself. Unlike the other at-home A1C

tests on our list, this test does not require you to send your blood sample back to a lab.

To use the test, you’ll collect a finger-prick blood sample for insertion into the device, during a 10-step process. It’s important to carefully read the instructions that come with the

test, and to follow them exactly.

A support line is available for your use 24/7, 7 days a week, if you need help with the device. Medical support is not provided, however, so sharing your results with a healthcare

professional is an additional, important step you shouldn’t skip.

The monitor comes with four test strips, for a year’s worth of quarterly testing.

These hand-held devices are compact, portable, and easy to store at room temperature.

They’re available online through commerce sites like Amazon, as well as in some brick and mortar pharmacies.

Since this device expires, we don’t recommend purchasing it through unknown sellers. Make sure to check the expiration date prior to purchase or use.

To select the best A1c test kits, we considered the following factors:

We reviewed the type of testing offered and whether testing was done at home or by going to a lab. The variety of these test kits allows for options for every person’s unique needs.

Testing your A1C levels at home can save you the trouble of needing to go to a medical office or lab, making it easier to manage your health. But there are some things to consider when

deciding whether this is a good option for you.

For example, you need to feel comfortable drawing your own blood via a finger prick. Also, home A1C tests aren’t covered by insurance. You may, however, be able to use a health savings

account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) toward your purchase.

If you feel that a home A1C test might be right for you, it’s important to know that not all tests provide the same level of support. Some tests, like those from LetsGetChecked and

DTILaboratories, offer consultations with healthcare professionals.

Finally, if you feel that a home A1C test might be right for you, make sure to purchase your test from a reputable retailer. Don’t buy from a resale site or seller you don’t know or trust.

Home A1C testing can be as accurate as in-person laboratory testing. However, it’s important to follow the test instructions exactly to get accurate results. Readings from at-home A1C tests

should never be used to diagnose diabetes.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, some factors can skew results. These can include natural fluctuations in your blood glucose level, which

can happen when you eat or exercise and when you’re sick or stressed. These kinds of short-term changes to your blood glucose level are more likely to affect the results of an A1C test.

Certain health conditions can also affect the accuracy of A1C results, including:

In addition, people of African, South and Southeast Asian, and Mediterranean descent may be more likely to have hemoglobin variants that can affect the results of this test.

Keep in mind that it’s possible to have a false A1C reading.

Certain conditions, such as hemolytic anemia or an enlarged spleen, can cause a false low reading. Other factors, such as older age or obesity, can elevate A1C levels too, even if you do not

have diabetes.

Your A1C, or HbA1c as it’s sometimes referred to, is a snapshot of your average blood sugar levels over a 2- to 3-month period. While blood glucose can fluctuate throughout the day, your A1C

is an average of these readings. The higher the level, the higher the risk of diabetes complications.

Because of this, it’s important to check your levels at least twice per year if you have diabetes. Your doctor may also recommend checking your A1C more often.

A blood test is the only way to test your A1C levels. But you can purchase a home A1C test that allows you to do the finger-prick blood collection yourself.

For home A1C test kits, like LetsGetChecked and myLAB Box options on our list, you collect a small blood sample and send it to a lab using the provided return packaging. Your results will be

available within a few days.

At-home monitoring devices, like the PTS Diagnostics option, allows you to collect a small blood sample and insert it into the monitor, where your results will be displayed within minutes.

A blood test is the only way to test your A1C levels. But you can purchase a home A1C test that allows you to do the finger-prick blood collection yourself.

For home A1C test kits, like LetsGetChecked and myLAB Box options on our list, you collect a small blood sample and send it to a lab using the provided return packaging. Your results will be

available within a few days.

At-home monitoring devices, like the PTS Diagnostics option, allows you to collect a small blood sample and insert it into the monitor, where your results will be displayed within minutes.

Yes. In addition to the at-home A1C tests listed in our roundup, which can be purchased online, you can buy A1C test monitors and some A1C test kits at retail stores, such as Walgreens,

Walmart, and CVS.

Yes. In addition to the at-home A1C tests listed in our roundup, which can be purchased online, you can buy A1C test monitors and some A1C test kits at retail stores, such as Walgreens,

Walmart, and CVS.

It might. A few small studies have shown that ingesting apple cider vinegar can affect fasting blood sugar levels.

But as this article explains, there is no concrete evidence that apple cider vinegar will for sure lower A1C levels in people with type 1 diabetes.

It might. A few small studies have shown that ingesting apple cider vinegar can affect fasting blood sugar levels.

But as this article explains, there is no concrete evidence that apple cider vinegar will for sure lower A1C levels in people with type 1 diabetes.

It’s important to use your A1C as part of your diabetes monitoring, but it does not replace daily blood sugar checks.

There are instances when your A1C might not be accurate. Always make sure you’re informing your doctor of your results and any symptoms you may be having.

The A1C test for diabetes allows doctors to see glucose levels over a 2- to 3-month period. Learn more here.

If you have diabetes, you can lower your A1C by making changes to your routine. Learn about the practices that may help.

High cholesterol typically doesn't cause any symptoms. In the majority of cases, the only symptoms it may cause are emergency events.

Clinicians may use an estimated average glucose (eAG) to help people with diabetes better understand their A1C result.

Watch this video to learn about important questions to ask your doctor about diabetes.

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are completely separate and unique conditions. Take the quiz and test your knowledge of the difference.

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