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We scoured the options and found that test kits from LetsGetChecked, Everlywell, Verisana, myLAB Box, DTILaboratories, and PTS Diagnostics are the best for monitoring A1C levels at home.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 37.1 million people ages 18 and older had diabetes in the United States in 2019. More concerning: 8.5 million adults who met the criteria for diabetes hadn’t received a diagnosis.

Diabetes tests, like A1C tests, are useful both as a:

  • tool to screen or diagnose prediabetes or diabetes
  • metric for monitoring how diabetes is progressing

Your A1C, or HbA1c, as it’s sometimes referred to, is like a snapshot of your glucose readings over the past 8–12 weeks.

While your blood glucose readings can fluctuate throughout the day, your A1C is an average of these readings. The higher your level is, the more at risk you are of having complications from diabetes.

Your A1C can fluctuate with:

  • lifestyle changes
  • certain medications
  • hormonal changes

Because of this, it’s important to make sure you’re checking your levels at least twice per year if you’re getting treatment for diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.

It’s possible you may want to check your A1C more often if your doctor recommends it.

You can take this test at your doctor’s office, but with advances in telehealth, you now have more options for at-home testing.

Some people do at-home tests as a supplement to routine monitoring. If your goal is to substitute home testing for a test ordered by your doctor, it’s a good idea to first discuss it with them.

To select the best HbA1c test kits, we considered the following factors:

We reviewed the type of testing offered and whether testing was done at home or by going to a lab. The variety of these test kits allows for options for every person’s unique needs.

Learn more about how we select and vet products.

TestPriceInsurance coverageResults
LetsGetChecked$79 for Diabetes Test,
$89 for Diabetes and Heart Test		accepts FSA and HSA cards;
doesn’t take insurance		2–5 days
Everlywell$49, or $24.99 with membershipaccepts FSA and HSA cards;
doesn’t take insurance		within 5 days
Verisana$49nonewithin 3 weeks
myLAB Box$74none2–5 days
DTILaboratories$50.95nonewithin 24 hours
PTS Diagnostics A1CNow SelfCheckabout $75none 5 minutes

If your A1C levels are outside your target range or you want to discuss your results, make an appointment to talk with a doctor.

High A1C levels may be a sign of an underlying condition or diabetes. This can cause complications and symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, and frequent thirst and urination.

Your doctor may take additional tests, change your medication, or modify your treatment plan.

If you have diabetes and are meeting your treatment goals, visit your doctor every 6 months. If it’s difficult to meet your treatment goals, visit your doctor every 3 months.

Also meet with a doctor if you:

  • think you have diabetes
  • have a high chance of developing diabetes
  • develop any new symptoms or health conditions
  • have existing health concerns that worsen

Are A1C test kits accurate?

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), some things can skew results. Your home reading should never be used to diagnose diabetes.

Can you get a false A1C reading?

It’s possible to have a false A1C reading.

Certain conditions, such as hemolytic anemia or an enlarged spleen, can cause a false low reading. Other factors, such as older age or obesity, can elevate A1C levels, too, even if you don’t have diabetes.

What are the symptoms of a high A1C?

If you have a high A1C, it’s a sign your treatment is not managing your diabetes well, and your blood sugar is too high.

You might experience the following symptoms:

  • increased thirst
  • fatigue
  • nausea
  • dry mouth
  • shortness of breath
  • frequent urination
  • fruity smell on your breath

It’s important to use your A1C as part of your diabetes monitoring, but it doesn’t replace daily blood sugar checks.

There are instances when your A1C might not be accurate. Always make sure you’re informing your doctor of your results and any symptoms you may be having.