With DNA test kits, exploring your ancestry and uncovering potential health risks has become much easier and more accessible. Many people seek an affordable yet reliable option that doesn’t compromise on accuracy or comprehensiveness. However, navigating the numerous available kits, each claiming to be the best, can be overwhelming.
To help you make an informed decision, I’ve evaluated various DNA kits, focusing on essential factors: ease of use, data privacy commitment, and, most importantly, the accuracy of the information provided. After thorough investigation and comparison, I’ve identified a selection of DNA kits that offer both affordability and reliability, ensuring you receive valuable insights without compromising on quality or breaking the bank.
MyHeritage is the DNA kit I highly recommend. It stands out for its affordability (with prices as low as $36) without cutting corners on quality. Not only does it offer detailed ancestry information, but it also provides family tree building software, making it a top choice for those on a budget.
Short on time? Here are our top picks of the best cheap DNA tests
- MyHeritage – Our top pick thanks to its discounted price of $36 for a full ancestry DNA kit. Its regular prices are also very low (only $89), and you get access to a family tree building software and a vast database of historical records to explore your past.
- FamilyTreeDNA – Its FamilyFinder and DNA wellness kit costs only $79 (with frequent discounts); you can also get separate DNA tests that trace your maternal or paternal ancestry individually.
- AncestryDNA – Excellent DNA kits with the starting price of $99; you can also get a free trial of its family tree builder for 14 days, and explore some historical records risk-free.
- 23andMe – A great budget-friendly DNA test and a very popular choice, which means that you’ll be able to connect with relatives easily; get it for only $119.
- Living DNA – The most affordable health and wellness test, at only $119 (with a discount); it also offers ancestry services, so you can get a full picture of your past and how your DNA affects your health at one low-cost price.
Our Cheapest DNA Tests Reviewed
1. MyHeritage – Overall Best Value for Money (With Frequent Discounts)
| 💲Price | $89 (currently $36 with a discount!) |
| ⏲Results in | 4-5 weeks |
| 💧Type of sample taken | Cheek swab |
| 📜Type of reports offered | Ancestry (with a family tree building service) |
MyHeritage has quickly become a go-to choice for many because of its attractively low prices. In a market saturated with pricey options, MyHeritage stands as an oasis for those who are conscious about their spending. Its affordability doesn’t compromise on the comprehensive ancestry data it offers, making it a favored option for budget-conscious individuals eager to explore their roots.
MyHeritage offers more than competitive pricing; it features a vast global database that allows users to trace their lineage across continents. Its DNA matching capabilities frequently result in surprising connections, aiding users in finding distant relatives or uncovering new branches of their family tree. The platform is user-friendly, and its interactive tools make exploring one’s ancestry both engaging and insightful.
While it doesn’t offer DNA testing for health, it’s still a great choice for anyone looking to learn more about their ancestry. Plus, it will allow you to build your family tree and supplement it with photos and historical records. You can get a DNA test for only $36 right now (MyHeritage has a special discount), but even its regular prices are the lowest on the market, at only $89.
2. FamilyTreeDNA – Best for Tracing Your Maternal and Paternal Ancestry
| 💲Price | $79 |
| ⏲Results in | 6-8 weeks |
| 💧Type of sample taken | Cheek swab |
| 📜Type of reports offered | Ancestry, Health |
In the world of DNA ancestry testing, FamilyTreeDNA emerges as a noteworthy contender, particularly for those mindful of their budget. Offering a range of price points suitable for different needs, FamilyTreeDNA ensures that delving into one’s genealogical history doesn’t have to break the bank. This cost-effective approach allows more individuals to explore their lineage without feeling the pinch on their wallets.
Diving deeper than just affordability, FamilyTreeDNA boasts an impressive and diverse database. It offers users a chance to not only trace their direct lineage but also find distant relatives across the globe. The platform’s tools, such as the Family Finder, provide insightful glimpses into ancestral roots, enabling users to uncover stories and connections they might never have known.
It allows you to trace your lineage (both maternal and paternal) while also giving you information on your health and wellness. You can often get discounts too, which makes it even more affordable.
Get Started With FamilyTreeDNA
3. AncestryDNA – Best For Finding Family Members & Uncovering Traits
| 💲Price | $99 |
| ⏲Results in | 6-8 weeks |
| 💧Type of sample taken | Cheek swab |
| 📜Type of reports offered | Ancestry (with a family tree-building service) |
One of the best features is the traits report included which you can add to your ancestry test for a small fee. You can see how your genes influence traits like eye and hair color, taste perception, and environmental influences. It’s also one of the best tests for finding relatives, with over 18 million other AncestryDNA users. It scans the database to find anyone who shares your DNA and tells you exactly how you’re related.
There’s an extra fee for the family tree, but it’s one of the cheapest I’ve seen. For a low-cost monthly fee, you can search through millions of records and existing family trees, helping you to find your ancestors.
It takes 6-8 weeks to receive your DNA report. It includes a straightforward pie chart and visual representation of your ethnicity estimate, along with percentages, down to as low as 1%. Click on any region to learn more about every location in your DNA. You can trace your family’s migration maps around the world using your interactive map and uncover the regions that make up your heritage.
4. 23andMe — Best for a Detailed Ancestry Breakdown
| 💲Price | $119 |
| ⏲Results in | 3-4 weeks |
| 💧Type of sample taken | Cheek swab |
| 📜Type of reports offered | Ancestry (with a family tree-building service) + Health and Traits reports |
23andMe offers a budget-friendly way for you to explore your ancestry. It provides a detailed breakdown of your ethnic composition, tracing your lineage back to various global populations. By analyzing your DNA, it matches you with potential relatives, offering a unique insight into your familial connections.
It goes beyond just identifying your ethnic background; it also provides information on how your ancestors migrated over time. This feature, known as Ancestry Timeline, visualizes the historical movements of your forebears, giving you a clearer picture of your genetic heritage.
Another key feature is the Neanderthal Ancestry report, which determines how much Neanderthal DNA you carry. It’s an intriguing way to understand the ancient roots of your genetic makeup and see how it compares to the general population.
Lastly, 23andMe’s Maternal and Paternal Haplogroups analysis offers a deep dive into your lineage, tracing both maternal and paternal lines back to their origins. This aspect helps you connect to distant ancestors and understand the migration patterns that shaped your family’s history.
5. Living DNA – Best For Deep Ancestry & Nutritional Insights
| 💲Price | $99 |
| ⏲Results in | 6-8 weeks |
| 💧Type of sample taken | Cheek swab |
| 📜Type of reports offered | Ancestry, Health, and Wellness (with food and exercise recommendations) |
The combined DNA ancestry and well-being kit from Living DNA uncovers your ethnic origins and provides insights into your nutrition and fitness. Buying the combined test actually saves you over $60, but you could purchase them separately if you prefer. It takes 6-8 weeks to get your results with whichever test you choose.
Living DNA assesses your ancestry, mapping your ethnicity to 150 regions and 100 sub-regions, which gives you deeper origin insights than many other tests. It’s also quite unique because it offers extended ancestry. This shows you the migratory patterns of your ancestors from Africa over 10,000 years ago. And it analyzes your recent ancestry, too, tracking your ancestors’ movements from the last 500 years.
There’s also a Family Networks feature that finds your extended family through DNA matching. If your family members have opted into this feature, you can reach out to them. The wellness test is one of my favorites for diet and fitness insights. It shows you how your genes influence your vitamin response and metabolism of different foods such as gluten, caffeine, and lactose. You also get exercise tips and can learn how your body responds to different exercises, including weights and cardio. And it tells you how to optimize your body’s recovery after exercise.
What’s in the Fine Print?
It’s not unusual for DNA tests to come with hidden costs. And when you’re looking for a cheap test, it’s important you know exactly what you’re paying for so you’re not stung later down the line. I found a few things to be aware of.
A lot of the kits on this list make you pay for shipping. Usually, it’s no more than $10 for standard shipping, but if you want your kit fast, express shipping can sometimes set you back by as much as $40. Everlywell offers free shipping, though, as does LetsGetChecked.
Both Everlywell and LetsGetChecked offer subscription options, designed to help you save money. Just remember, you’ll keep being charged every 3, 6, or 12 months depending on the delivery you choose.
How Accurate Are the Best Cheap DNA Tests?
DNA testing companies often guarantee accuracy rates of 99% or higher, with precision potentially increasing based on the specific test selected. Conducted in certified laboratories using sophisticated scientific methods, the accuracy of these tests is consistently enhanced by technological progress.
The tests we’ve featured on this list are verified to provide high levels of accuracy, offering reliable outcomes.
Nonetheless, it’s important to acknowledge that no DNA test is utterly without error. Additionally, DNA test outcomes don’t offer a complete picture when it comes to detecting health conditions. For instance, a health and wellness test indicating a genetic predisposition for a certain ailment doesn’t guarantee the development of that ailment. Such tests are not substitutes for professional medical advice.
It’s also crucial to consider the interaction between your lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise, and your genetic makeup. Implementing suggestions from the test can be beneficial in understanding their potential impact on your overall health.
What Will the Results Tell Me?
Your DNA results can tell you many different things, from where you come from, to your risk of genetic diseases and even your lifestyle habits. You can learn about:
- Your ethnicity percentages and geographical origins
- Your family’s migration maps and movements around the globe
- Your predisposition towards certain health conditions and carrier risk status
- Your optimal diet and fitness routine
- Whether you have any food or environmental intolerances and allergies
- How your genes influence your physical traits and characteristics
- Whether you have any vitamin deficiencies
- Your organ function and overall health
A DNA test can also put you in contact with long-lost relatives. Most ancestry kits have relative finders that scan their database to locate your DNA matches, tell you how much DNA you share, and what their relationship is to you. If you’ve both opted into the relative finder, you can even contact them.
What’s the Best Cheap DNA Test?
If you’re hoping to optimize your diet and fitness, go for Living DNA. It’s comprehensive, budget-friendly, and gives you personalized recommendations on which foods to eat and what exercise routine to follow.
My favorite, though, is AncestryDNA. Its ancestry test is one of the best, with everything from ethnicity percentages to a traits report, plus excellent genealogy tools and resources.
| Test Categories | Free Shipping | Added Extras | Time to Results | Starting Price | ||
| MyHeritage | Ancestry and Family Tree | ✔ | Free trial for its family tree builder, and a cool app | 4-5 weeks | $89.00 | |
| FamilyTreeDNA | Ancestry, Health and Wellness | ✔ | No. | 6-8 weeks | $79.00 | |
| AncestryDNA | Ancestry and Family Tree | ✔ |
14-day trial of family tree builder |
6-8 weeks | $99.00 | |
| 23andMe | Ancestry, Traits and Health | ✔ | Neandarthal ancestry breakdown | 3-4 | $298.00 | |
| Living DNA | Diet & Fitness, Ancestry, and Health & Wellness | ✘ | Upload DNA from Ancestry, and 23andMe for a free report | 6-8 weeks | $119.00 |
FAQs
Why are the DNA tests in this article cheaper than others?
The DNA tests in this list offer the best value-for-money when compared to others in the same category, as they:
- Offer DNA tests in different categories for an affordable price.
- Provide a wealth of information from your DNA sample.
- Offer an interesting and insightful report with the most accurate information possible.
You may find companies that have cheaper DNA tests, but beware, as they may be too good to be true. It’s likely they provide insufficient and inaccurate information.
Is there a free DNA test?
There are no free DNA tests. However, there are some companies that allow you to upload your raw DNA data from a different provider and receive some additional information for free.
Living DNA allows you to upload DNA from 23andMe, and AncestryDNA to get a free report.
Which affordable DNA test has the largest database?
The DNA test with the largest DNA database is currently AncestryDNA with 18 million samples. Yes, these numbers are impressive, but completely meaningless if the DNA test doesn’t provide the information you are looking for. So, before purchasing your DNA test, check the features thoroughly.
Can I take the DNA test results to a doctor?
Of course, you can and you should! Your doctor has the professional knowledge to interpret your DNA results and recommend any lifestyle changes or provide treatment, based on your genetics.
How long does an affordable DNA test take?
The turnaround time of your DNA test will vary from company to company and may be influenced by workload. Usually, it takes between 4-8 weeks to produce your report.
