Herpes is a very common STD, with 1 in 6 people believed to be infected. It spreads easily through sexual contact, but many people don’t exhibit symptoms so don’t know they have it. But with an at-home herpes test, you can get answers quickly, discreetly, and inexpensively.
Prevent any potential spread of the virus between your sexual partners and take ownership of your own sexual health with an at-home herpes test. By testing for herpes at home, you avoid any embarrassment, awkward questions, and the long waiting times of a clinic, while still receiving fast and trustworthy results.
The key is getting the right herpes test – one that’s accurate, fast, and affordable. After weeks of research and hours eliminating the weaker companies that over-promise or don’t provide fast or accurate results, I’ve found the best at-home herpes tests.
For a low-cost test with fast, accurate results chooseLetsGetChecked.
Short on time? Here are my top picks for at-home herpes tests for women
- LetsGetChecked– Best at-home herpes tests serving 28 global locations.
- MyLab Box – Fast at-home herpes test with free and discreet shipping.
- STDCheck.com – Affordable herpes tests with no doctor’s appointment needed.
Test Discreetly for Herpes with LetsGetChecked!
What We Look For in the Best At-Home Herpes Tests
We looked at many different factors when searching for the best at-home herpes tests. The most important criteria are:
- Speedy results – Every company on this list provides fast results, to prevent long, anxious waiting times.
- Discreet and private testing – At-home herpes tests should be delivered in nondescript packaging and results should be secure and private.
- Accurate results – I ensured each company on my list uses CLIA-accredited labs to analyze samples, to guarantee the most accurate results possible.
- Types of Herpes Tested – Offering tests for the two common types of herpes, Herpes Simplex Virus I (HSV-1) usually associated with oral herpes, and Herpes Simplex Virus II (HSV-2) usually associated with genital herpes.
- Doctor or nurse consultation – For positive results, patients receive a consultation with a medical professional to discuss the next steps and prescribe treatment if necessary.
- Value-for-money – Accurate at-home herpes tests for a fair price.
Our Best At-Home Herpes Tests Reviewed
1. LetsGetChecked – Best At-Home Herpes Test
- Tests for both herpes type 1 & 2
- Nurses available 24/7
- Results in 2-5 days
- Additional screening for: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, bacterial vaginosis, mycoplasma, ureaplasma
LetsGetChecked offers discrete and accurate at-home testing for herpes, screening for both HSV-1 and HSV-2, and providing speedy results.
The herpes test kit from LetsGetChecked is delivered in nondescript packaging and contains all you need to determine if you have contracted the STD, from the comfort of your own home.
No swabs are required, just a finger-prick blood sample, which is analyzed in a CLIA-accredited lab for HSV-1 and HSV-2. Your results arrive in your secure online account in two to five days. As it screens for herpes antibodies – for the most accurate results – it’s recommended to wait 12 weeks after unprotected sex before taking this test.
LetsGetChecked also has a urine test for both types of herpes, which is included in the Complete 11 Kit, which screens for numerous STDs. The urine sample can identify an active genital herpes infection, where you may be experiencing symptoms including blisters around the genitals or anus, painful urination, and pain during intercourse. The urine test does not identify a dormant herpes infection.
After receiving your results, you’ll receive a confidential phone consultation with a nurse to explain what your results mean, discuss the next steps, and provide treatment options if needed. If you have any more questions regarding your results, the team of experienced nurses is available 24/7.
Screen for Herpes with LetsGetChecked!
2. MyLabBox – Free and Discreet Shipping
- Test for type 2 herpes
- Free discreet shipping
- Free consultation with an experienced physician
- Additional screening for: HIV 1 & 2, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, hepatitis B & C, syphilis, mycoplasma, HPV & high-risk HPV, yeast infection, and bacterial vaginosis.
Skip the doctor’s office with MyLabBox’s convenient at-home herpes test, which screens for HSV-2. This makes it a good choice if you suspect you have come into contact with genital herpes.
The herpes test kit is shipped free in discreet packaging, with no visible business information or product names. Once the kit arrives, it takes just a few minutes to collect your finger-prick blood sample, allowing you to return it to MyLabBox the same day in the prepaid envelope supplied.
You won’t be waiting long to receive your lab-certified results – they’ll be delivered to your secure online account within two to five days. You can be sure that your results are private and confidential, as they won’t be shared on the Medical Information Bureau database.
If you test positive for Type II Herpes, you’ll receive a free consultation with an experienced physician to discuss your results, answer your questions, and go through your treatment options.
If you want a more complete analysis of your sexual health, which includes a test for HSV-2, MyLabBox also offers at-home STD panels that test for up to 14 infections at once.
Get Tested for Herpes with MyLabBox!
3. STDCheck.com – Convenient Herpes Lab Tests Available
- Tests for herpes type 1 & 2
- Lab STD testing at 4,500+ locations
- Results in as little as 24 hours
- Additional screening for: HIV 1 & 2, HIV early detection, hepatitis A & B, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis
STDCheck.com doesn’t offer at-home test kits, but it still provides convenient herpes testing, without the long waiting times at an STD clinic or a doctor’s appointment.
With STDCheck.com, you can get a single blood test for both HSV-1 and HSV-2, or you can get blood tests for each type of herpes individually. These tests are 97-99% accurate between four and six weeks after exposure. After six weeks the test will remain 99% accurate.
You purchase your chosen herpes test kit online and visit one of the 4,500 testing centers across the US to provide your sample. No appointment, no paperwork, and no long waits, including for results.
Your samples are analyzed on-site, which means a shorter waiting time for results. You should receive them within 24 to 48 hours in your secure online account. If you test positive for one or both types of herpes, a doctor will be in touch to talk you through the next steps and advise you where you can receive the appropriate treatment.
Tests for HSV-1 and HSV-2 are also available in STDCheck.com’s 10 Test Panel, which is a good choice for a full sexual health check, also including screening for chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and more.
Get Fast Herpes Results at STDCheck.com!
4. Health Testing Centers – Clinic and At-Home Herpes Tests
- Variety of herpes tests
- At-home and lab-based STD testing
- Results in 2-4 days
- Additional screening for: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, hepatitis C, syphilis, trichomoniasis, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, high-risk HPVs, bacterial vaginosis, and candida vaginitis.
Health Testing Centers offer a number of at-home herpes test kits and testing at over 3,000 health centers across the country. Whatever option you choose, no doctor visit is required, and accurate, private results are assured.
The herpes tests available through Health Testing Centers are:
- Herpes Type 2 Test Kit – A blood test for HSV-2, which is most likely, but not guaranteed to be genital herpes. They also offer a blood test just for HSV-1, which is most often oral herpes.
- Herpes Type 1 & 2 Panel – A blood test for both types of herpes, but cannot distinguish between genital or oral herpes, even if you test positive for both.
- Herpes Simplex Virus 1 & 2, DNA PCR – A test that can detect the presence of HSV DNA in the blood. Often recommended in potential disseminated HSV infection where it is suspected that herpes has spread elsewhere in the body other than the mouth or genitals.
Testing for herpes is also available in four of the Health Testing Centers STD panels. All test results are private and confidential and will be delivered within two to four days of the lab receiving your sample.
A free physician consultation is included with each of the herpes tests if the results are positive. A prescription is issued at the discretion of the physician if the results are positive.
Get Tested for Herpes with Health Testing Centers!
5. Personalabs – Wide Variety of Herpes Blood Tests
- Blood tests for herpes, 1, 2 & 6
- Same-day lab testing at over 2,300 locations
- Results in 2-5 days
- Additional screening for: HIV, hepatitis A, B, & C, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, Epstein Barr virus.
Personalabs has a large variety of herpes blood tests, to help you take control of your sexual health. Tests for individual herpes infections, HSV-1 and HSV-2, and STD panels, which include a test for the virus, are all available to purchase online for same-day testing at labs in over 2,300 locations across the US.
Unlike the other companies on this list, Personalabs also tests for herpes type 6. This is a useful test for pregnant women, as HSV-6 can pass to an infant during birth.
How long it will take to receive your confidential results is dependent on the lab testing location and provider, but usually, it’s within two to five days.
If you test positive, you’re provided with STD counseling to support you through the next steps, as well as a doctor’s prescription for treatment, which can be filled at a pharmacy of your choice.
Screen for Herpes 1, 2 & 6 with Personalabs
6. Health Labs – Confidential Herpes Testing With No Appointment
- Herpes testing at 4,500+ locations
- No appointment necessary
- Results in 1-2 days
- Additional screening for: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis A, B, & C, HIV & HIV early detection, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, syphilis, trichomoniasis.
By visiting one of Health Labs’ 4,500+ CLIA-accredited labs for your herpes test, you cut down on the waiting time for results, by not having to ship your samples for testing.
Purchase your herpes test online – blood tests are available for the individual variants of the virus or for both at once – and your samples will be taken at the lab in just 15 minutes.
Health Labs also have a number of STD panels, which include a herpes test, for a more complete analysis of your sexual health, which may prove useful if you haven’t been tested for a while.
It only takes one to two days to receive your results in your secure online account, and certified health specialists will talk you through your results and what, if any, action you need to take.
Test for Herpes with Health Labs!
What’s in the Fine Print?
It’s always important to check the fine print, to make sure there are no hidden costs or surprises. I’ve done the hard work so you don’t have to, and here are a few things I’ve discovered.
- Shipping outside the US – Not all the companies on this list, ship outside of the US, including MyLab Box and Health Testing Centers.Plus, the lab testing companies, only serve the US, and not always in every state. Thankfully, my top-rated company – LetsGetChecked – serves 28 global markets.
- Prescriptions – A positive result for herpes does not guarantee a prescription. In most cases, a prescription for herpes treatment will be at the discretion of your consulting physician or nurse. Furthermore, if you are issued with a doctor’s prescription, you are likely to have to pay for the medication.
- Refunds – If you change your mind after ordering your kit, you may incur fees. For example, Health Testing Centers will send you a refund if you cancel your order prior to sending off samples, minus $25 which covers the shipping and kit costs.
How Accurate are At-Home Herpes Tests?
Herpes at-home blood tests have a sensitivity of about 80-98% as long as they are performed long enough after exposure for the HSV-1 and/or HSV-2 antibodies to be present in the bloodstream.
What Will the Results From an At-Home Herpes Test Tell Me?
The results of your at-home herpes test are simple to understand. You will be informed if you are ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ for HSV-1 and/or HSV-2.
You won’t be waiting long for your results from any of the companies on this list. Once the lab has received your sample, your results will be available to view in your secure online account, in less than five days.
How Do Our Top Picks Compete On Price?
The prices of lab and at-home herpes tests vary. While your sexual health is important, the cost is a factor likely to affect your choice, particularly if you’re sexually active and require regular herpes testing.
The price for a single herpes test (either HSV-1 or HSV-2) is the cheapest, but the better value for money is with a blood test for both types of herpes at the same time.
The companies offering testing directly at lab locations – STDCheck.com,Personalabs, and Health Labs – tend to have the cheapest herpes testing, by cutting out delivery costs.
But, the at-home herpes tests from LetsGetChecked and MyLab Box – are only a little more expensive, if you’d prefer to collect your own samples and maintain your anonymity.
Which At-Home Herpes Test is the Best?
The best all-around herpes test provider is LetsGetChecked.They offer discreet at-home herpes testing, with fast results, a team of nurses available around-the-clock, and shipping to 28 global markets.
Personalabs has the largest number of herpes tests, testing for three variants of the virus, as well as a PCR herpes test.
The fastest herpes test results are delivered by Health Labs and STDCheck.com, as the processing time is cut down by taking your samples at the lab directly. But, if you would prefer to collect your own samples, LetsGetChecked and MyLab Boxcan have your results ready in just a couple of days in some cases.
| Tests Available | Discreet Shipping | Consultation
Available |
Time to Results | Starting Price | |
| LetsGetChecked | HSV-1
HSV-2 |
✔ | ✔ | 2-5 days | $119 |
| MyLab Box | HSV-2 | ✔ | ✔ | 2-5 days | $89.00 |
| STDCheck.com | HSV-1
HSV-2 |
N/A | ✔ | 1-2 days | $45 |
| Health Testing Centers | HSV-1
HSV-2 HSV 1 & 2 PCR |
✔ | ✔ | 2-4 days | $89 |
| Personalabs | HSV-1
HSV-2 HSV-6 HSV 1 & 2 PCR |
N/A | ✔ | 2-5 days | $55 |
| Health Labs | HSV-1
HSV-2 |
N/A | ✔ | 1-2 days | $65.00 |
The Bottom Line
All of the companies I’ve recommended have excellent lab and at-home herpes tests, with fast, secure, and private results. Each company analyzes your samples in accredited labs, guaranteeing results you can trust.
My recommendation for the best at-home herpes test is LetsGetChecked, which offers cheap yet accurate testing for both HSV-1 and HSV-2, with speedy results and detailed consultation with an experienced physician in the event of a positive test.
However, if you would rather provide your samples in person, you can get same-day herpes testing with STDCheck.com at one of its 4,500+ testing centers across the US.
Best At-Home Herpes Tests in 2024
FAQ
How do you get checked for Herpes?
There are three ways that you can get checked for herpes:
Blood Test for HSV Antibodies
Blood testing for HSV 1 & 2 antibodies is the most common method of testing for herpes infection. This is because it can detect if you’re infected with herpes, even if you’re asymptomatic.
Viral Culture
A viral culture can be performed with a urine sample or a swab of the suspected infected area. The sample will be used to see if the virus grows in a lab culture. It is a good choice to confirm you have the virus if you’re experiencing symptoms, but it is only effective if the virus is active in a sore or lesion.
PCR Herpes Testing
PCR testing looks for HSV DNA from a blood sample or from a lip or genital sore. It can determine the difference between HSV-1 and HSV-2. PCR testing is expensive, but it is fast and efficient.
What is the window period for herpes?
The window period is the phase between being exposed to an STD – like herpes – and the time where an organism can be detected in the body, via the presence of antibodies.
The herpes blood test window period (for both Type 1 and Type 2) is three to six weeks. This is how long it takes for your body to produce antibodies that can be detected via testing. The majority of people infected with herpes will have detectable antibodies 16 weeks after exposure.
If you get tested during the window period, you may get a false-negative result from your at-home herpes test. This means you may have been infected with herpes, but believe you’re negative and therefore, may pass the infection on in the future to sexual partners. To be 100% sure about your herpes test result, make sure you carry out your at-home test after the end of the window period.
It should be noted that if you are experiencing physical symptoms of herpes – such as sores around the mouth or genitals, fever, and redness – you can get tested right away with any of the three testing methods.
The window period should not be confused with the incubation, which is the time it takes for your body to develop a response to the herpes virus i.e. for symptoms to appear.
For both Herpes Simplex Virus Type I (HSV-1) and Herpes Simplex Virus Type II (HSV-2), the incubation period is about the same at 2 to 12 days, with symptoms developing in around 3 to 6 days. When the vesicles break, causing ulcers, it will take four to two weeks to heal.
Can you test negative for herpes and still have it?
As mentioned above, it is possible to test negative for herpes and still have the infection. False negatives can be the result of:
- A blood test for herpes antibodies is performed during the window period
- If a urine sample or swab is taken when the sores have begun healing.
- A viral culture test not being able to identify asymptomatic herpes.
To avoid the risks of a false negative, if you’re sexually active, you should practice safe sex and get regularly tested for herpes. LetsGetChecked offers a subscription for herpes tests every three months, with a total saving of 30%.
What can cause a false positive herpes test?
A false positive can occur if, in the blood test, antibodies to similar viruses are detected through a cross-reaction. This would show as a positive in your results, although you don’t have the virus.
What does a positive HSV 2 IgG mean?
There are two types of herpes antibody tests; IgM and IgG. IgM antibodies can be detected for the initial 7 to 10 days following infection with HSV-1 or HSV-2, usually coinciding with the outbreak of sores and other symptoms. These antibodies increase for the first two weeks and then decline after the initial outbreak has passed.
IgG antibodies can take between four and six weeks to appear in the bloodstream after exposure to the infection, and usually last for life, even when the virus is inactive. This means you can test for IgG antibodies for much longer.
If you test positive for HSV-2 IgG it means that antibodies for Herpes Type 2 – most commonly associated with genital herpes – have been found in your blood sample, and therefore you are infected.
How soon can you test for herpes?
I know that you may be anxious to get tested following unprotected sex, or the development of symptoms, but it is advised that you wait 6-12 weeks after sexual contact before taking an at-home herpes blood test. This allows enough time for the antibodies of HSV-1 and/or HSV-2 to develop.
If you are sexually active you should get tested for herpes (and other STDs) regularly. LetsGetChecked offers a 30% saving on each herpes finger prick test if you subscribe for tests every three months.
If you are currently experiencing the symptoms associated with herpes, you can get tested via a urine or swab test right away to determine if you are infected with the STD. However, this will only prove effective if you are in the active stage of the infection.
Can you test positive for herpes without an outbreak?
Yes, you can. Many cases of herpes are asymptomatic, meaning you won’t experience any symptoms, but you still have the virus, which can be detected by a blood test. Once you are infected with either HSV-1 or HSV-2, it will be with you for life, even during the periods where you don’t have an active outbreak.
What is the most accurate test for herpes?
There has been some debate in recent years as to what is the most accurate herpes test is.
Arguably, blood testing for IgG antibodies is the most accurate test, as these herpes antibodies are present in the bloodstream for life, following infection with the virus. However, there can be false-negative results, if you’re tested within the herpes window. Plus, despite HSV-1 and HSV-2 being associated with oral and genital herpes respectively, a blood test can’t definitively tell you the area of infection.
Viral tests taken from a swab or urine sample during an active infection can help determine which variant of the virus you have, but they are ineffective in asymptomatic herpes cases.
