Direct-to-consumer genetic testing now a booming industry—and it’s easy to see why. A simple swap of the inside of your mouth can provide you with insights into your ethnicity, health, and long-lost family tree. But with so many options on the market, it can be tough to choose the right DNA test for you. Here’s a breakdown of two popular at home DNA tests, AncestryDNA and 23andMe, to help you pick the best DNA testing kit.
Family History & Ethnicity
When it comes to searching for long lost family members, connecting to DNA matches, and tracing regions your ancestors came from, there’s a clear winner: AncestryDNA compares ethnicity across 150 regions, while 23andMe compares across 31 regions. AncestryDNA also offers family matching, so you can find distant cousins or reconnect with biological siblings through anonymous email and message boards. If you’re looking to deep dive into genealogical research, AncestryDNA makes it easier than ever.
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Health & Wellness
23andMe has a leg up on AncestryDNA when it comes to health and wellness screening. The company offers an ancestry test and a bundled test that includes ancestry, health predisposition, and carrier status. The latter is what you’ll want to choose if you’re interested in health and wellness reports, browsing your chromosomes, learning your carrier status, and finding out your risks for genetic diseases. This is a great option for those who recently learned family members have a genetic disease, or for those who are considering visiting a genetic counselor before starting a family. AncestryDNA has an ethnicity and traits bundle, but doesn’t screen for the same common health conditions.
Price & Reviews
Both tests hover at around 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon, so choosing the right DNA test kit for you comes down to what you’re hoping to learn about yourself and your budget. The most basic 23andMe DNA kit that screens for ethnicity comes in a $99 on Amazon while AncestryDNA’s most basic test comes in at $69. AncestryDNA’s ethnicity and traits bundle comes in at $89 but doesn’t offer the same comprehensive health and wellness screening as 23andMe which comes in at $169 for the bundle kit.
Final Verdict
When it comes to picking the best DNA test kit, AncestryDNA pulls ahead for genealogical research. If you’re looking for answers about your health, 23andMe is the smart pick.