Best Cheap DNA Testing Kits in 2021

DNA analysis technology is gaining momentum and popularity as it reveals the multitudes about one’s health and ancestry. In fact, more people are now interested in knowing their origin and their characteristics using DNA profiling technology. 

As a result, DNA testing has become accessible and affordable to almost everyone in society. Additionally, specialized features have been introduced. You can now determine how prone you are to grey hair and wrinkles in old age through DNA analysis. 

However, you need to know the best DNA testing kits to help you trace a parent’s identity, investigate the health of your skin, and create your family tree. Of course, you also need to consider your budget when buying DNA testing kits. 

With that said, here’s a list of the top 3 most affordable testing kits that you can consider. 

 

Testing Kits	Price	Best for	Collection Method	Results time
MyHeritageDNA	$49	Ancestry testing	Cheek swab	4-6 weeks
Vitagene	$89	Health DNA	Saliva	4-6 weeks
Paternity Depot	$59.99	Paternity analysis	Cheek swab	7-10 days

 

 #1.MyHeritageDNA

Among those available, this is the most affordable testing kit for ancestry testing in the market today. This kit is made by one of the three leading DNA testing companies called My Heritage, a company that has a database of over 1 million users spread across 40 geographic regions. 

Yet, the best thing about this DNA testing company is that it can help you connect to distant relatives because of its extensive network of family trees in many geographic regions in the world. 

Aside from this, this kit retails from $49 to $59 per kit across major online retail outlets, making it one of the most affordable ancestry DNA testing kits in the market. 

Moreover, My Heritage uses the genetic markers of people living in a region to determine the origin of their ancestors. 

As a result, they can provide a comprehensive map that indicates where your ancestors came from. Because genetic history is essential to many people, My Heritage DNA tests are popular in many regions worldwide. 

Pros 

• Covers over 40 geographic regions, making it easier to trace distant relatives
• Offers specialized deals often
• The most affordable of the three leading DNA testing kits in the world
• Users can have their data included in the company’s genealogy database for future references. 
• The company has maintained the privacy of the user’s data since there have been no reported cases of data privacy breaches so far. 

Cons 

• Does not offer health screening services

 

#2.Vitagene 

Living DNA is the best DNA test kit that offers health reports and plans for users. In fact, this kit gives deep insights into the user’s own health besides ancestry testing. 

These kits are produced by Vitagene Company which has an ancestry database spread across five regions in the world. However, their database is not as extensive as those of their competitors. Nevertheless, users like the health aspect of this DNA testing company. 

Moreover, with a retail price of $89 in most online stores, the Vitagene DNA test kit is the most budget-friendly kit that offers health information. In addition, after collecting saliva samples and sending them to the company, you will have the results in 4-6 weeks. 

The results will include your ancestry details and health information such as recommended physical exercises, ideal food supplements, and food items to avoid. 

Moreover, Vitagene also offers a specialized product that comes with a free DNA testing kit, a health report, fitness protocols, ancestry breakdown report, and packages of supplements. 

However, it costs more than the standard kit because of the specialized services. Aside from this, users can order such implements from the company in the subsequent months at $63 per month. 

Pros 

• Affordable price considering that it offers additional services
• The DNA testing kit comes with health test kits such as vitamin D test kit, thyroid test kit, inflammation test kit, food sensitivity test kit, and sleep and stress test kit.
• Easy and quick at-home tests
• Provide engaging and interactive ancestry and health report at the same time

Cons 

• Specialized packages can be expensive

 

#3. Paternity Depot 

Lastly, Paternity Depot has the fastest results turnaround for paternity DNA tests. Aside from this, it’s also the most affordable paternity test kit in the market. In addition, unlike other companies which collaborate with independent laboratories, Paternity Depot has its own laboratories. 

As a result, they eliminate the middlemen, helping them make their services quick and affordable. Moreover, since they perform all the tests and laboratory works on their own, they guarantee users an accuracy of 99.99%. 

Aside from this, paternity tests are confidential and sensitive because of the sensitivity of the results. 

Therefore, Paternity Depot strives to maintain high accuracy standards with its services. Additionally, they strive to release the results in the shortest time possible to ensure that confidentiality is maintained. 

With their DNA testing kit, your cheek swab samples are obtained for analysis in the in-house laboratories operated by PhD-level scientists. 

Likewise, the samples can also be collected from toothbrushes, hair, bones, teeth, nail clippings, semen, handkerchief, Kleenex, chewing gum, toothpick, razor, cigarette butts, or urine. 

Of course, depending on the test taken, the results can confirm or exclude the biological relationship between the supposed mother and child, uncles and aunts, nieces and nephews, father and child, or siblings. 

Overall, this is possible because scientists use the sample to compare the genetic DNA markers in the users’ genomes. 

Pros 

• High accuracy of 99.99% because results are double-checked
• Results are available in 7-10 days, making it the test kit with the fastest turnaround of results. 
• Employs in-house and certified laboratories, which reduce cost and time. 
• Affordable prices 

Cons

• Results lack legal merit meaning that they cannot be used in court proceedings. 

 

Final Thoughts 

Overall, DNA testing is gaining popularity as more people want to know their ancestry and trace their distant relatives. However, it can be challenging for most people to find the best yet still highly affordable DNA testing kits in the market.

With that said, the DNA testing kits mentioned above can be the best options you can find on the market these days. After all, they offer high-quality DNA testing services and accurate results without breaking the bank.