Genetic testing kits help you find the missing branches in your family tree, learn about countries of origin, and even reveal potential health issues. We test and provide side-by-side comparisons of the top services that deliver the information you want most.
Personal DNA testing is more popular now than ever before, as it can be done quickly in the comfort of your own home and at an affordable cost. Besides ancestry information, some DNA-testing services also include health-related reports. In other words, if you want to learn about your genetics, these testing kits are the way to go. We looked at five services to evaluate their simplicity, relative-matching features, and the best overall DNA-testing experience. In addition to AncestryDNA (the genetics-focused arm of Ancestry) and the Editors’ Choice award-winning 23andMe, we also evaluated HomeDNA, Living DNA, and MyHeritage DNA. How DNA Kits Work and What They Test Each kit works similarly: You answer a few questions about yourself, order the kit, collect your sample, register it (this is very important), send it back, and wait for the results. That said, they differ in the collection process and, to a smaller extent, the cost of shipping. When we tested 23andMe back in mid-2015, the company could not accept DNA samples collected in or sent from New York State because of local laws (we had to cross the border to New Jersey). The company was also unable to ship DNA kits to Maryland. The 23andMe shipping issues resulted in part because when the company first launched, it tested for a litany of health issues and genetic markers for disease, raising concerns from the FDA and state agencies. The company stepped back and has been working more closely with governmental agencies as it rolls out more features. Those restrictive laws are no longer on the books, and 23andMe has expanded its portfolio of tests. Competitors have also started adding health and wellness tests to their offerings, as well. AncestryHealth and MyHeritage DNA offer reports on carrier status and genetic health risks. LivingDNA has a wellbeing kit that provides insight into diet and exercise. HomeDNA tests for a healthy weight, skincare, and food and pet sensitivity. Swab, Scrape, Spit, and Send HomeDNA has the most straightforward DNA extraction process; swab each cheek twice with a cotton swab, and place the swabs in the included envelope. Living DNA and MyHeritage DNA have similar approaches.23andMe and AncestryDNA require that you spit into a tube up to the fill line (which is more challenging than it sounds), and ship it back with stabilization liquid. Most of the services said not to eat, drink, or smoke for 30 minutes to an hour before testing to get the best possible sample.
