e.p.t. Digital Pregnancy Test
- Easy to read
- Built-in timer
- Not as accurate as claimed
- Inconsistent results
- Possible quality issues
Possible quality issues
Bottom Line
The E.P.T. Digital Pregnancy Test, formerly known as E.P.T. Certainty, is a reliable home pregnancy test that works best on or after the day of a missed period, not five days before as the manufacturer claims. It's highly accurate when used closer to the start of an expected period, and the "pregnant" and "not pregnant" results are clear and easy to read.
Accuracy
Best four days later. Independent studies show that the E.P.T. Digital Pregnancy test is 100 percent accurate four days after a missed period. While the manufacturer claims it's 99 percent accurate the day of a missed period, study results indicate that it's only about 68 percent accurate on that day. Users find it to be most accurate at 15 days past ovulation, about the time a period is expected to begin in an average 28-day menstrual cycle. Some women complain of getting different results from the same pack of two tests on the same day.
Sensitivity
Not ideal for early testing. The manufacturer says the E.P.T. Digital Pregnancy Test can detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels as low as 25 mIU/ml. However, one independent test shows it can detect levels as low as 2.9 mIU/ml in a low percentage of cases. E.P.T. recommends using the test on the first day of a missed period, adding that results can be obtained as early as five days before that day. What isn't mentioned is that the test correctly confirms pregnancy only 5 percent of the time at that five-day mark; most users will receive a false negative.
Ease Of Use
Words give definitive results. The E.P.T. Digital Pregnancy Test indicates pregnancy with the words "pregnant" or "not pregnant." Consumers say it's "fun" to see the word "pregnant," but it fades quickly so they can't show it off or save it as a keepsake.
The test is activated by either urinating directly on the stick for five seconds, or dipping it for 20 seconds into urine collected in a clean, dry cup. An hourglass timer flashes to show the test is working and to count off the three minutes until the test can be read. Numerous users complain about quality issues, saying the test never activated or they got a book symbol directing them back to the instructions.
| EPT Early Pregnancy Test Digital, 3 Count | |
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Our Sources
1. Clinical Chemistry
Review Credibility: Very Good This clinical study evaluates the urine samples of 120 known pregnant women to confirm the claims of early pregnancy detection of six tests. E.P.T. Digital Pregnancy Test claims to be "over 99% accurate from the day of your expected period" but study findings dispute that, saying the test is only about 68 percent accurate on the day of a missed period. It's 100 percent accurate four days after a missed period.
Review: The Utility of Six Over-the-counter (Home) Pregnancy Tests, Laurence A. Cole, August 2011
2. CountdownToPregnancy.com
Review Credibility: Very Good With about 415 pregnancy test results here, the E.P.T. Digital Pregnancy Test earns an overall rating of 4 stars out of 5 after a dozen or so reviews. Users say it's very accurate, with one getting an accurate reading at 11 days past ovulation (DPO), which is about three days before a period is expected to start in an average 28-day cycle. Others say it shows results more quickly than three minutes. A couple of negative posts don't specify what the issue may have been. An interpretation of the submitted statistics indicates that this test is most accurate at 15 DPO, about a day after a missed period for most women. It's most accurate at 19 DPO.
Review: Brand: e.p.t. Certainty Digital, Editors and Contributors to CountdownToPregnancy.com, As of April 2013
3. Amazon.com
Review Credibility: Very Good The E.P.T. Digital Pregnancy Test gets 2.4 stars out of 5 after more than 35 reviews. There are a number of complaints here about error messages and tests that never activate. Other users say they got different results when taking multiple tests on the same day. A few women say the test works great and is highly accurate even early in their cycles, but negative posts far outweigh the positive.
Review: e.p.t. Pregnancy Test, Certainty, 3-Count Tests, Contributors to Amazon.com, As of April 2013
4. Drugstore.com
Review Credibility: Very Good The E.P.T. Digital Pregnancy Test earns a score of 4 stars out of 5 after about 25 reviews. Most users say it works well but isn't accurate for early testing, just around the time a period is due. They also like that it's easy to read and the words are definitive. The few negative comments here aren't clear on what was wrong with the test, although one says it was defective.
Review: e.p.t. Digital Early Pregnancy Test, Contributors to Drugstore.com, As of April 2013
5. Parents.com
Review Credibility: Very Good Parents.com describes 10 home pregnancy tests, including how they work, when and how to use them, and their costs. Although no scientific studies are performed, editors name some top picks. The E.P.T. Digital Pregnancy Test isn't one of them and gets just a brief overview.
Review: 10 Home Pregnancy Tests (and How to Use Them), Sasha Emmons, Not dated
Pregnancy Tests Runners Up:
2 picks including: Amazon.com, Drugstore.com…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, Drugstore.com…
2 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, Drugstore.com…
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