The 6 Best Cholesterol Test Kits to Buy in 2018

Looking for a solid, reliable kit that checks all the basic boxes of what you want a cholesterol test kit to do? The CardioChek Home Basic Analyzer is what you’re looking for, measuring total HDL and LDL cholesterol (the two main forms), along with triglycerides and glucose. Just bear in mind that, like many test kits, the required lancets and test strips are sold separately. However, the CardioChek Home Basic Analyzer is reasonably priced and cheaper than many other options.

Reviews state that the kit works well, with a high degree of accuracy and a surprising level of flexibility. While some note that skin creams and lotions can throw off the readings, this isn’t unusual for products relying on finger pricks to perform a blood test.

This test kit from First Check is both wallet-friendly and highly functional. In a single package, it provides tests for both HDL and total cholesterol. For approximate LDL, simply subtract HDL from the total cholesterol reading. Results take about five minutes, and fasting isn’t required before use.

Adding to its overall value, each set includes two lancets and two droppers for blood collection, along with supplies like gauze and bandages. Since it only includes two tests per kit (one HDL and one total), it’s not ideal for repeat use, but serves as an affordable alternative if you’d like to check your readings between doctor visits.

This kit from EverlyWell works a little bit differently than most test kits. Rather than immediate results, you’ll receive a secure online report with lab-verified information about your cholesterol and lipid levels. Simply collect a blood sample using the supplied materials and send it off in the included mailer. It’ll be sent to a lab for analysis and reviewed by a physician, with a report appearing online in around a week.

The test covers LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, and reviewers say the process is simple and the results are in line with tests they’ve performed at a doctor’s office. The kit includes everything you’ll need, like lancets and a blood collection card, and lab processing fees are included in the cost. Plus, the results are easy to understand, highly visual, and simple to share with family or your doctor.

The CardioCheck Blood Testing Device is the perfect combination of simplicity and utility, allowing users to test total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides using only two buttons. It’s also useful for testing for diabetes and other diseases. But the device’s true value comes into play when you consider what’s included: 18 lancets and capillary tubes, and six test strips for each of the three lipids CardioCheck screens. Results take about three to five minutes, and the device will store the most recent 30 for easy review.

Customers say the CardioCheck Blood Testing Device is simple to use, although some recommend comparing its results against a professional test to ensure accuracy. Reviewers point out that the ability to perform three different tests is a major plus, although you’ll need to use a different drop of blood for each one.

While this kit from Solana Health performs many of the same tasks as other products—testing for total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides—it comes with one important difference. Included with the kit is a supplement called Cardiol, which consists of vitamins that have been clinically shown to help manage LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This makes it a great pick for those who are just beginning to monitor their cholesterol. The test itself must be mailed in rather than performed at home—simply put your blood sample in the supplied envelope (postage is also included) and expect lab results to arrive in seven business days.

Customers say that the results are highly detailed and do an effective job of walking you through what your readings mean. If you want to get a baseline look at your cholesterol levels before you plan a potentially expensive doctor’s visit, this kit from Solana Health is a good first step.

At-home genealogy kits like 23andMe are all the rage right now, but did you know these services can also provide important information about your health? Rather than giving you a look into your ancestry, this kit from Color uses a saliva sample (rather than a blood sample) to test for Familial Hypercholesterolemia, a hereditary disorder that causes high cholesterol. According to Color, people with this condition are 22 times more likely to develop coronary heart disease. However, most people—even those with high cholesterol—don’t know whether they have this disorder.

Color’s test process is secure and physician-reviewed, and the company offers access to genetic counselors to help answer questions you might have after receiving your report. From there, you can discuss your results with your care provider and develop a care plan that suits your needs.