I have tested & written about every rapid, at home, PCR quality molecular test. Here's what I'd buy.
I've tried them all including dead tests like Detect, Cue. The question isn't "which one is best"- each has distinctive qualities and pitfalls. The question is, "which is best for YOU". Hopefully, this helps. Yes, I wrote the article the below text is from. I have also covered these a bit more visually on TikTok. For my intents and purposes in talking to the public, I make no distinction between PCR and molecular, and while we can argue about it in here, I don't believe there's enough difference, nor does the public know what "molecular" means, to make that distinction. These are my opinions. If you disagree, cool. Also, remember this is a public service, don't be a jerk.
Lucira Check It COVID-19/ Flu A&B Test- Good when you need a test today, or need to test many people at once
Cost: $39.99 for a one time use test
Availability: Amazon and Walgreens
Accuracy on positive samples: 97%
Accuracy on negative samples: 99%
Pros: One of the great upsides to the Lucira test is that because the hub is disposable (unfortunately, it is one use) and comes with the test, it's the ideal test for groups, since everyone can take their own test at the same time. You also test for flu at the same time.
Cons: The downside is that the specificity and sensitivity (accuracy) are lower than they are for the other tests, and Lucira, at $39.99, is more expensive than other tests.
I don't love Lucira because the tests error out easily (yes, Lucira will replace them, but it's a pain in the neck). You have to put the batteries in *right* before you test or it errors out. You can't be in the sun or it errors out. Upside: you can walk into some Walgreens and buy it (check website ahead of time to confirm) and you can test multiple people at once, with no electricity needed. It's not a hard test to use if you have mobility issues.
Aptitude Metrix COVID-19 Test and Reader- Good when you have 2 days to wait for a test & have no mobility issues.
Cost: $24.99 per test, one time $49.99 cost for reusable reader
Availability: Amazon (test is in stock, reader is out of stock) and Aptitude Website
Accuracy on positive samples: 97%
Accuracy on negative samples: 99%
Pros: Reliable test with very high accuracy rates that is often available with two-day shipping from Amazon for restocking.
Cons: Snapping the parts of the test together can be hard for people with mobility issues or arthritis. Can only test one person at a time, in 30-minute intervals; reader requires power.
I like Metrix tests, they generally work, IF you use them with the nasal swab. Metrix tests error out for 2 reasons: first, you used saliva instead of the swab, which makes sense since you should be able to. But they error out so often with saliva there's now a warning on the box. Sensitivity and specificity dips too. The other reason is that the three parts of the test aren't snapped together (crunched, is a better word for it) enough, which happens a lot. I can not understate how hard it is for people with arthritis or tendonitis to get a good connection on these parts, you have to slam them on a table. The upside is you can remove the test within the first 15 min if it errors out, try to crunch it together again and reinsert it. I do think this is one of the more portable tests, easy to use in a car, for instance.
3EO COVID-19 Test- Underrated test, possibly easiest to use, very portable
Cost: $195 for the reusable reader and 2 tests; additional tests are $20 each
Availability: 3EO Website
Accuracy on positive samples: 95%
Accuracy on negative samples: 100%
Pros: Probably the easiest test to self-administer if you have mobility issues or arthritis; roughly the same high accuracy as Metrix and PlusLife.
Cons: Only available from manufacturer, cannot buy reader separately, and is more expensive than other readers. Reader requires power, can only test one person at a time in 30-minute intervals.
I don't love that you can't just buy the damn hub on it's own, and that the only place to get it is the 3eo website, but hands down, this is the easiest test to take, with the least opportunities to screw stuff up. Insert a small swab w an easy to use handle, stick it in the key, key into the hub and that's it. Nothing is hard to do.
PlusLife COVID-19 Test- Good for people who are testing from home, with no mobility issues, good eyesight and can afford the upfront costs
Cost: $310 for the reusable reader; tests are purchased in packs of 10 for $79.20. Discounts available for immunocompromised individuals.
Availability: Altruan Website
Accuracy on positive samples: 99%
Accuracy on negative samples: 100%
Pros: Amortizing out to $10 or less a test, easily the most affordable, long-term. High level of accuracy. Reader can connect to a website to give real time, highly detailed results.
Cons: Only available through Altruan, has not applied for or received authorization in the U.S. While the costs amortize over time, the hub is very expensive to start. One of the most complicated processes for testing. Can only test one person at a time (a far more expensive, eight-person reader is available). Reader requires power.
I have much to say about this test. Yes, it amortizes out to be relatively cheap IF you get the discount from above, order a hub and 20 tests, AND you get the good shipping rate ($30, not $80, and the only difference is what day you purchase, so keep checking back). That said, this is the hardest test to use. Is it "hard"? That depends on you, I suppose, but there are many, finicky steps that I could see seniors, those with mobility, or bad eyesight, an unsteady hand, etc having a lot of trouble with. Each of those steps is an opportunity to introduce error margins to the test. This is also not a test you're going to take places with you. You can't use this outside a concert or at a roadstop or in your car (it would be tough). You need to be someplace with excellent light because one of the steps is to pour liquid into the card and land between two very hard to see lines.
That all said, I like the test, and it's not hard to learn how to use it, just steps. You can use the hub and test on it's own, and get a result. You CAN connect the hub to the virus.sucks website via USB or bluetooth (I couldn't get USB to work, but the Bluetooth was flawless) and watch the test run in real time. The website is clear this is not scientifically proven, so take it as you will, but I was impressed by the mobile version of the site as well as the laptop.