Nicotine tests are used for situations like pre-employment, workplace testing, schools and for insurance purposes. It can be detected in the body due to the use of tobacco, vaping, e-cigarettes, nicotine patches, and nicotine gum. However, instead of looking for nicotine directly during testing, laboratory tests actually look for one of the major metabolites of nicotine use, known as “Cotinine”. Below, we will compare the 3 Best At-Home Nicotine (Cotinine) Tests of 2024 that are available for sale. We will compare the kits using a point system and will assign points in the categories of sensitivity, price, delivery speed, ease of use, convenience and customer support. 3 is the highest possible score in each category and 1 is the lowest possible score. Each category will be added up for a total score which we will use at the end to determine 3rd place through 1st place.
3rd Place: Magenta – Nicotine/Cotinine Urine Test Kit, Ultra-Sensitive
Magenta is an at-home cotinine test which uses urine samples and is more sensitive than the industry standard cutoff of 200 ng/ml. This allows for lower concentrations to be detected for more days after the date of last use.
Sensitivity
-100ng/ml cutoff.
-Max detection time is 7-10 days
Score: 2
Price
-$12.50 for 5 tests: $2.50 per test (Amazon price)
Score: 2
Delivery Speed
-3 days (Amazon)
Score: 2
Ease of Use
-Dip the tip of the test in urine for 10-15 seconds and read the result in 5 minutes.
-Process is straight forward and easy to follow.
Score: 3
Convenience
–Must collect a urine specimen. Will need to plan adequate time to hydrate.
-Need access to a restroom.
-A urine collection cup is not provided with the kit, so one will need to be sourced. It cannot be urinated on directly like a home pregnancy test.
Score: 1
Customer Support
-Magenta has no website that could be found. Any issues with the product would have to be handled through Amazon (if that is where the kit was bought from). If you have an issue or question, you can message the seller through Amazon’s live chat function.
-Despite the resources provided by Amazon, I didn’t like the absence of a phone number and email, in addition to the lack of a website. The manufacturer could do better in establishing an online presence and making themselves more accessible to the customer.
Score: 1
Magenta Total Score: 11
2nd Place: Prime Screen Nicotine/Cotinine Urine Test Kit
Prime Screen is a trusted name in the at-home testing space, so it comes as no surprise that they have delivered over 15 million results over the years and partnered with 13 Fortune 500 companies. This at-home cotinine test uses urine samples and has a sensitivity which is right at the industry cutoff. It is the most cost effective out of the 3 kits and it has the most comprehensive customer support and online presence.
Sensitivity
-200 ng/ml cutoff.
-Max detection time is 1-7 days
Score: 1
Price
-$5.00 for 10 pack: $0.50 per test (Amazon price)
Score: 3
Delivery Speed
-3 days (Amazon)
Score: 2
Ease of Use
-Dip the tip of the test in urine for 10 seconds and read the result in 5 minutes.
-Process is straight forward and easy to follow.
Score: 3
Convenience
–Must collect a urine specimen. Will need to plan adequate time to hydrate.
-Need access to a restroom.
-A urine collection cup is not provided with the kit, so one will need to be sourced. It cannot be urinated on directly like a home pregnancy test.
Score: 1
Customer Support
-Prime Screen has a very helpful website that displays contact information, business hours, shipping policy, return/refund policy and order tracking. They also have a “Contact Us” inquiry form that you can fill out and send back if you run into an issue.
Score: 3
Prime Screen Total Score: 13
1st Place: AccuBio Nicotine/Cotinine Saliva Oral Fluid Test Kit
Formed in 2022, AccuBio is a UK based company whose initial focus was on COVID testing, before later expanding into other products like cotinine testing. This kit uses saliva instead of urine and is the most sensitive test kit among this others.
Sensitivity
-30ng/ml cutoff
Score: 3
Price
-$18 for a 6 pack: $3.00 per test (Amazon price)
Score: 1
Delivery Speed
-3 days (Amazon)
Score: 2
Ease of Use
–The swab is rubbed around the mouth until enough saliva has saturated the internal strip. The swab is then placed into the test device and twisted until secure.
-Results are read in 10 minutes.
Score: 3
Convenience
-The key selling point with this kit is that saliva is used instead of urine. No urine cup or restroom is necessary and there is no need to plan extra time to hydrate.
Score: 3
Customer Support
-AccuBio’s website displays basic contact info, although it doesn’t mention their business hours, or shipping, return and refund policies. Fortunately, they do have a “Contact Us” inquiry form which customers can fill out if they have any questions or issues.
Score: 2
AccuBio Total Score: 14
Best At Home Nicotine (Cotinine) Test: Final Results
3rd Place
Total Score: 11
Magenta
2nd Place
Total Score: 13
Prime Screen
1st Place
Total Score: 14
AccuBio
Best Budget Friendly Nicotine(Cotinine) Test: Prime Screen
Best Overall Nicotine(Cotinine) Test: AccuBio
All 3 of these test kits performed as expected. However, Accubio emerged as the overall winner as it leads the pack in sensitivity and convenience. Meanwhile, Prime Screen shines as the best budget friendly choice. Which kit you choose will depend on what is most important to you. Whether it be sensitivity, price, convenience, or a combination of factors, these kits can help you meet your nicotine testing needs.
