Best DNA Test Kits for Asian Ancestry

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Knowing your ancestral origin significantly helps develop one’s sense of identity. After all, when you have accurate and correct information on which cultural groups you belong to and your overall genetic makeup, it fosters a greater sense of pride in your heritage.

In fact, according to the MIT Technology Review, more than 26 million people have taken DNA testing to find their ancestry. In turn, this staggering number of consumers willing to purchase DNA testing kits has paved the way for numerous biomedical companies and brands to offer at-home DNA testing products.

Of course, aside from gaining vital information about your ancestry, DNA testing also provides valuable information about your genetic makeup and how it can influence your health and lifestyle choices. 

However, DNA test kits and testing services have varying specialized services, and some are better for people of Asian descent than others. With that said, here are some of the best DNA test kits for checking your Asian ancestry.

 

What Is DNA Testing?

Home DNA testing is a quick, convenient, and painless way to provide you with a trove of information about your health and ancestry. These direct-to-consumer test kits are done at home with a simple cheek swab test or saliva sample. 

However, different brands usually offer different testing services, so it’s essential to research and find a brand that best fits your testing needs. Then, once you are done extracting your samples, you have to send them back to the laboratory for testing. 

In general, results are processed and recorded within two to four weeks. Then, an organized and intensive genetic report will be sent to your email or posted on your online account. Aside from this, hard copies are also provided upon request.

 

Why You Need an Asian Ancestry DNA Test?

In most cases, people take Asian genetic ancestry testing to know more about their heritage, learn about their roots, and find out who they are. 

Aside from this, DNA tests specially designed for Asians also offer genetic evidence with a wealth of health information, medical conditions, and carrier status.

With that said, here are some of the reasons to get an Asian DNA test:

  • Prove relations and find family members
  • Learn about your ethnicity and family history
  • Know your health and wellness traits and see if you have predisposed medical conditions
  • Discover genetic dispositions on some hereditary diseases
  • Check if you or your children are a carrier of certain genetic disorders

Overall, Asians have successfully assimilated all over the globe, which resulted in mixtures of races. In fact, Asian descent is found in most bloodlines, especially in the US, and home DNA testing is a simple, accurate, and cost-effective way to learn more about one’s origin. 

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Best DNA Test Kits for Asians

There are about 50 home DNA testing providers at present, and finding the right one for you can be daunting. That’s why we have narrowed down five of the best DNA testing kits to help you. 

However, before we deliberate each of their features and benefits, here’s a comparison table for a fast and brief overview. 

Brand Pros Cons Best For Price
MyHeritage DNA Easy-to-use cheek swap sample Add-ons requires an increase in price Asian Ethnicities and Genetic Groups $79
23andMe Results are stored for future reference Complete testing requires additional cost South and Central Asian Ancestry $99
AncestryDNA Offers solid and intensive results at an affordable price Requires an online subscription Central and Southeast Asian Ancestry $99
TeloYears Interactive maps and graphs for easy-to-understand  results No family finder feature Detailed Asian ethnicities and regional groups $89
FamilyTreeDNA Comprehensive genetic data reporting Doesn’t retain data for future reference Best for genealogical research $79

#1.MyHeritage DNA

  • With 61 million users and 12.6 billion historical records
  • Results are processed and released in 3-4 weeks
  • Affordable price point
  • Allows you to connect with your distant relations

MyHeritage is a known go-to product for ancestry research. Based on DNA messages, MyHeritage can find your heritage in the last 400 years. They specialize in genetic groups of ancestral location based on migratory patterns. 

As of 2021, they provide a wide array of services for the Asian genetics market. Aside from this, their tests are extensive. 

As a result, you are sure to get a load of information from their more than 690,000 genetics marker. Moreover, their testing service offers to help you look and match other members in their database who match your genetic information.

The good thing about going with their DNA test kit is that it is pretty easy to use and understand. This is helpful since ancestry testing and research can be somewhat confusing, especially if you are just starting. 

With that said, MyHeritage offers a simplified and easy-to-understand DNA framework profile for the information you need to begin your genealogical research.

Moreover, their results are segregated into different categories to identify which specific parts of Asia your ancestors came from. What’s more, they have a mapping feature to know how much Asian percentage you have in your bloodline. 

#2. 23andMe

  • Gives you beneficial updates on your results
  • Family tree model is available
  • DNA ancestry and health tests are available
  • Offers optional DNA relative finder

23andMe is a well-known DNA testing service provider, especially for those consumers of Asian origin. With their kits, you can quickly know what part of the world your family came from and how they came to Europe and North America. 

As one of the best DNA test kits, they offer a wide array of genetic testing. In fact, 23andMe gives you the most considerable amount of lineage information. In addition, they are the preferred DNA test because their results also provide your wellness traits aside from your ancestry. 

However, the company has received a backlash from the American Asian community because of the unclear categorization of Asian ethnic groups. Fortunately, this feedback has pushed them to better their Asian ancestral region category resulting in a more detailed and valuable Asian group category.

So, to create a larger pool of data, 23andMe is constantly updating its research to improve the accuracy of its results. In fact, they recently launched their Global Genetics Project that gives out free DNA testing for those of Asian descent to expand their database and improve their services.

#3.AncestryDNA

  • Includes many regions in Asia
  • Has a user forum where you can connect with other users
  • Shows migration maps on their results
  • Matches your genes to thousands of other members
  • Provides access to research help and genealogical documents

AncestryDNA is another one of the most notable names in the DNA testing industry. In fact, they have more than 10 million registered users in their database, so they have a higher probability of finding lost relatives than other DNA testing products. 

Aside from this, they offer the best DNA testing service for Asians with members from many different parts of Asia, including The Philippines, East, Central Asia, Lebanon, and Syria. Moreover, many people go with AncestryDNA because it allows them to connect with other users. 

Their website lets you include a link to your family tree, and you can also add a photo and create a profile so relatives can easily find you. Aside from this, other users can reach out to you if you opt to activate the connect feature on your account.

Lastly, AncestryDNA made significant progress by adding more Asian regions in their reference base so that their clients can see results with increasing granularity. 

 

#4.TeloYears

  • Uses next-generation genetic sequencing technology
  • Provides 100+ more data than other brands
  • Interactive and graphics maps
  • Give results on both your maternal and paternal lineage

TeloYears results provide a breakdown of your origin from central Asian countries, regions, and areas to help you find your specific ethnic groups. This feature is only available with them, and it is something no other DNA service provider has been able to do.

In fact, the TeloYears Asian ancestry report shows your Asian descent and will break it down to Asian regions whether your ancestors came from Central, East, Southeast, or West. This revolutionary genome sequencing technology provides DNA test results with a tremendous amount of information about your lineage and genetic ancestry.

Aside from this, their unique Centrillion technology provides clients of Asian descent a thorough breakdown of their ancestry with advanced interactive features for a more detailed ethnicity presentation. Overall, TeloYears is a guaranteed tool to help you understand your Asian ethnicity and origin.

#5.FamilyTreeDNA

  • Ancestral tracking to pinpoint your ancestor’s unique location
  • With 33 Asian ethnicity categories
  • Only provider to offer autosomal testing
  • Don’t participate in research for data security
  • Provides a client forum platform

FamilyTreeDNA is another excellent option for Asians who are new to genealogical research. So, if you want to try your hands on tracing and understanding your Asian ancestry, the FamilyTreeDNA test is for you.  

In this case, they have a vast genealogical community that can be a significant source of support and information if you want to elaborate on personal genealogical research. 

Moreover, their database is estimated to have over a million registered profiles to help you expand your knowledge in the process of DNA testing and ancestry tracing.

Aside from this, Asians will find their service particularly helpful in discovering their Asian roots with DNA tests that provide more accurate results and identify their ancestry. Lastly, their website is a unique platform for clients to discuss, learn, and mingle with one another. 

 

Final Thoughts

While DNA testing for Asian ancestry may not be as robust as it is for Europeans and Americans, the market for Asian DNA testing is gaining momentum, considering that Asians make up most of the world’s population. 

With that said, with the increasing number of accessible and affordable DNA testing products you can use, now is the best time to know more about your Asian ancestry.