Home STI Test Kits UK 2026: Accuracy, Price & Where to Order
Compare home STI test kits in the UK. LetsGetChecked, Superdrug, SH:24, Better2Know and others compared on accuracy, price, turnaround and what they test for.
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- Reporting period
- 2026-04-29
- Last updated
- 2026-04-29
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- Mixed sources
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Home STI test kits let you collect a sample at home — urine, finger-prick blood, or a swab — and post it to an accredited lab for analysis. Results come back in 1-5 working days. No clinic visit, no waiting room, no awkward conversations.
The UK market has matured significantly. Several providers now offer lab-quality testing at home, with clinical support if you test positive.
Quick comparison
| Provider | From | Tests covered | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| SH:24 / Fettle | Free (NHS) | 4 | 2-5 days |
| Superdrug | £30 | 2-10 | 2-3 days |
| LetsGetChecked | £45 | 2-8 | 2-5 days |
| Better2Know | £49 | 1-14 | 1-2 days |
| Your Sexual Health | £59 | 2-12 | 1-3 days |
| Provider | Sample type | Clinical support |
|---|---|---|
| SH:24 / Fettle | Urine, blood, swab | Yes (NHS) |
| Superdrug | Urine, blood, swab | Pharmacy consultation |
| LetsGetChecked | Urine, blood, swab | Nurse callback |
| Better2Know | Urine, blood, swab | Doctor consultation |
| Your Sexual Health | Urine, blood | Doctor consultation |
All home STI test providers listed here use UKAS or CPA-accredited laboratories — the same accreditation standard as NHS labs. The test accuracy is clinically equivalent to a clinic visit, provided you collect the sample correctly.
SH:24 / Fettle — best free option
SH:24 and Fettle are NHS-funded services that post free STI test kits to your home. Coverage depends on your local authority. SH:24 operates across most of London, several counties in the South East, and parts of the Midlands. Fettle covers areas including Greater Manchester and parts of Yorkshire.
What it tests: Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV.
Sample type: Urine sample, finger-prick blood, vaginal swab (self-collected).
Results: 2-5 working days by text.
Pros: Completely free. Clinically supported. Treatment arranged if positive. Cons: Not available in all areas. Limited to the standard 4-test panel. No option to add herpes or hepatitis C.
Check availability by entering your postcode on the SH:24 or Fettle website.
Superdrug — best budget private option
Superdrug's online health service offers STI test kits starting at £30 for a single-infection test (chlamydia or gonorrhoea). Their comprehensive screen covers 10 infections for £90.
What it tests: Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, herpes (HSV-2), mycoplasma genitalium, trichomoniasis, ureaplasma.
Sample type: Urine, finger-prick blood, swab.
Results: 2-3 working days via secure online portal.
Pros: Trusted high-street brand. Lowest private price. Pharmacy consultation included. Cons: No nurse callback service. Less comprehensive clinical support than specialist providers.
Best kit: Complete STI Screen (£90) — covers 10 infections in a single kit.
LetsGetChecked — best for clinical support
LetsGetChecked is an Irish company with a strong UK presence. Every positive result triggers a call from a qualified nurse who talks you through next steps and can arrange treatment.
What it tests: Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, trichomoniasis, gardnerella.
Sample type: Urine, finger-prick blood, vaginal swab.
Results: 2-5 working days via app.
Pros: Nurse callback on every positive result. Good app experience. Discreet packaging. Cons: Higher starting price (£45). Slightly slower than Better2Know.
Best kit: Complete 8 (£149) — tests for 8 infections with full clinical support.
Better2Know — best for speed and range
Better2Know is the UK's largest private sexual health provider. Their home kits use the same labs as their 100+ clinics. They offer the widest range of individual tests, including less common infections like HTLV and HPV.
What it tests: Up to 14 infections including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV, syphilis, hepatitis A/B/C, herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2), mycoplasma, ureaplasma, trichomoniasis, gardnerella.
Sample type: Urine, finger-prick blood, swab.
Results: 1-2 working days.
Pros: Fastest results. Widest test range. Doctor consultation for positive results. Can upgrade to clinic visit. Cons: Higher starting price. Website can feel clinical rather than consumer-friendly.
Best kit: Platinum Home Test (£199) — 14 infections, the most comprehensive home kit available in the UK.
Your Sexual Health — best for individual tests
Your Sexual Health operates 40+ clinics and offers matching home kits. Useful if you want to start with a home kit and then visit a clinic for follow-up.
What it tests: Up to 12 infections.
Sample type: Urine, finger-prick blood.
Results: 1-3 working days.
Pros: Clinic network for follow-up. Good individual test pricing from £39. Doctor support. Cons: No swab option in home kits. Higher baseline price than Superdrug.
Best kit: Comprehensive Home Test (£179) — 12 infections with clinic follow-up option.
How accurate are home STI test kits?
Home STI kits use the same laboratory techniques as clinic tests — nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, and antigen/antibody testing for HIV and syphilis.
The key accuracy factors are:
Window period — Every STI has a window period between infection and when a test can detect it. Testing too early produces false negatives.
| Infection | Window period | Test method |
|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | 2 weeks | NAAT (urine/swab) |
| Gonorrhoea | 2 weeks | NAAT (urine/swab) |
| HIV | 4 weeks (4th gen) | Blood (antigen/antibody) |
| Syphilis | 3-4 weeks | Blood (antibody) |
| Hepatitis B | 6 weeks | Blood (antigen) |
| Hepatitis C | 6-12 weeks | Blood (antibody) |
| Herpes (HSV) | 3-4 weeks (blood) | Blood (IgG antibody) |
Sample quality — The most common cause of an invalid result is an insufficient sample. Follow the instructions exactly. For finger-prick blood, warm your hands first and do not squeeze the finger too hard.
Swab site — Throat and rectal infections will not be detected by a urine test alone. If you have had oral or anal sex, you need site-specific swabs. Not all home kits include these — check before ordering.
A negative result is only reliable if you test after the window period has passed. If you had a potential exposure in the last 2 weeks, a negative chlamydia/gonorrhoea result may not be accurate. For HIV, wait at least 4 weeks for a 4th-generation test.
What to do if you test positive
Every provider listed above offers some form of clinical support for positive results:
- Do not panic. Most STIs are treatable with a short course of antibiotics.
- Contact the provider's clinical team. LetsGetChecked calls you automatically. Better2Know and Your Sexual Health offer doctor consultations. SH:24 arranges treatment through the NHS.
- Get treatment. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are treated with antibiotics. Syphilis is treated with penicillin injections. HIV requires referral to a specialist clinic for antiretroviral therapy.
- Notify partners. Most providers offer anonymous partner notification services.
- Retest. Some infections require a follow-up test 2-4 weeks after treatment to confirm clearance.
Which kit should you order?
Free and standard screen — Use SH:24 or Fettle if available in your area. Covers the 4 most common STIs at no cost.
Budget private screen — Superdrug at £30-£90. Good if the NHS postal service is not available in your postcode.
Best clinical support — LetsGetChecked at £45-£149. Every positive gets a nurse call.
Fastest and most comprehensive — Better2Know at £49-£199. Widest range, fastest results.
Clinic follow-up option — Your Sexual Health at £59-£179. Start at home, follow up at a clinic if needed.
Compare STI test prices from home kit providers and private clinics across the UK.
Compare STI testing pricesFor blood-based health screening beyond STIs, see our guide to home blood test kits.
Frequently asked questions
How much do home STI test kits cost in the UK?
SH:24 and Fettle are free via the NHS where available. Private kits start at £30 from Superdrug, £45 from LetsGetChecked, £49 from Better2Know, and £59 from Your Sexual Health. Comprehensive screens range from £90 (Superdrug, 10 infections) to £199 (Better2Know Platinum, 14 infections).
Are home STI test kits as accurate as clinic tests?
Yes — all major UK home STI providers use UKAS or CPA-accredited laboratories, the same accreditation standard as NHS labs. The test methods are clinically equivalent to a clinic visit, using NAATs for chlamydia and gonorrhoea and antigen/antibody testing for HIV and syphilis, provided you collect the sample correctly.
How long until an STI shows up on a test?
Window periods vary: chlamydia and gonorrhoea 2 weeks, HIV 4 weeks (4th generation test), syphilis 3–4 weeks, hepatitis B 6 weeks, hepatitis C 6–12 weeks, and herpes 3–4 weeks via blood. Testing too early produces false negatives — a negative result is only reliable after the window period has passed.
Can I get a free home STI test on the NHS?
Yes — SH:24 and Fettle are NHS-funded services that post free STI test kits covering chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV. Coverage depends on your local authority: SH:24 operates across most of London, parts of the South East and Midlands, and Fettle covers areas including Greater Manchester and parts of Yorkshire. Results take 2–5 working days.
Which home STI kit returns results fastest?
Better2Know returns results in 1–2 working days, the fastest of the major providers. Your Sexual Health returns results in 1–3 days, Superdrug in 2–3 days, and LetsGetChecked and SH:24/Fettle in 2–5 days.
Do home STI kits cover throat and rectal infections?
Not always — throat and rectal infections will not be detected by a urine test alone. If you have had oral or anal sex, you need site-specific swabs. Not all home kits include these, so check before ordering.
What happens if a home STI test is positive?
Every major UK provider offers clinical support: LetsGetChecked calls you automatically with a nurse callback on every positive result; Better2Know and Your Sexual Health offer doctor consultations; SH:24 arranges treatment through the NHS. Most STIs are treatable with antibiotics — chlamydia and gonorrhoea with oral antibiotics, syphilis with penicillin injections, and HIV requires referral to a specialist clinic for antiretroviral therapy.
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