The Best Fertility Monitors According to a Nurse

• Best overall: Mira Starter Kit |Skip to review
• Runner-up: Clearblue Fertility Monitor |Skip to review
• Best intravaginal fertility monitor: OvuSense Advanced Fertility Monitor |Skip to review
• Runner-up cervical fluid fertility monitor: kegg Fertility Tracker and Kegel Ball |Skip to review
• Best thermometer fertility monitor: Femometer Vinca 2.0 Digital Basal Thermometer |Skip to review
• Runner-up thermometer: Tempdrop Monitor |Skip to review
• Best budget fertility monitor: Easy@Home Ovulation Test Kit |Skip to review

If you’re a generally healthy person under the age of 35 and simply want to know when you’re ovulating so you can time intercourse, a simple at-home urine test should do the trick. These test strips are inexpensive and easy to use, much like an at-home pregnancy test.

If you have a history of irregular periods, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid concerns, are over the age of 35, have been trying to get pregnant longer than a year, or are experiencing uncertainty about how to get pregnant or what’s going on with your body, you may wish to try a fertility monitor.

Some people may find that monitoring data while trying to get pregnant increases stress levels, but some studies indicate that women using ovulation monitoring didn’t feel any increased stress and actually felt empowered and more able to achieve their pregnancy goals.

Many monitors have apps that will track and interpret your data, and may be used in conjunction with seeing your OBGYN or a fertility specialist. It’s worth noting that these monitors are more expensive, more involved to use, and don’t guarantee a certain outcome. If you have concerns about your fertility, it’s still worth having a conversation with a healthcare professional.

Yes, but not all methods are equal. This 2017 review of research concluded that measuring urinary levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen (E-1-3-G), and progesterone (PdG) have the highest accuracy when predicting when ovulation will occur, as well as confirming that ovulation has occurred.

Assessing cervical mucous is moderately effective, while tracking basal body temperature (BBT) is considered the least effective method of fertility tracking. This is because BBT is affected by many factors, such as sleep, alcohol intake, room temperature, illness, fever, and medications.

There’s some debate within the medical community about the exact implications and accuracy of BBT tracking. With app-based technology it’s possible to get some useful information from a BBT tracker, but it’s considered less effective than urinary hormone testing.

We included some BBT fertility monitor options in case that’s your preferred method of tracking, or your healthcare professional recommends it. However, the gold standard for at-home ovulation testing is a simple test strip to check for urinary LH. Several of the options we feature, including our top pick, are urine tests that also include urinary progesterone (not just LH) and data tracking and interpretation.

We used the following criteria to select the best fertility monitors:

• FDA registration: Many of these products have approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).Tempdrop is the only product on our list that hasn’t been evaluated by the FDA.
• Online reviews: Our picks have mostly positive customer feedback that relates to effectiveness, accuracy, and ease of use.
• Published research: While more high quality research is needed in the area of at-home fertility monitors, we scoured the available scientific data to determine whether these monitoring methods are effective for helping people achieve pregnancy and learn about their menstrual cycles.

Pricing guide

• $ = under $100
• $$ = $100–$200
• $$$ = over $200

Best fertility monitor overall

Mira Starter Kit

• Price: $$
• Type: digital urine test

Mira measures urinary progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and estrogen-estradiol metabolite with 99% accuracy. Mira connects to an app that tracks your results.

To test, you collect a urine sample and insert the test wand into the monitor. You’ll need a separate wand to test for progesterone.

While more research is needed, some research indicates that urine testing for both luteinizing hormone (which indicates ovulation will soon occur) and progesterone (which indicates ovulation has occurred) may increase effectiveness of cycle tracking, particularly for women who have irregular cycles or underlying health conditions that may cause them to ovulate infrequently.

Because of this, Mira may help people with irregular cycles or PCOS to understand their cycles better. Mira is also useful for people who want to track hormones for mood, sleep, and hormonal acne.

The Inito fertility monitor is another comparable option with the same smart features that costs about $50 less, but it’s only compatible with iPhones. For that reason, we made Mira our top pick.

Runner-up fertility monitor

Clearblue Fertility Monitor

• Price: $$
• Type: digital urine test

The Clearblue Fertility Monitor measures urinary estrogen and luteinizing hormone (LH) with 99% accuracy. The monitor indicates your two peak fertility days and high fertility days before ovulation, but it won’t chart your hormone levels or provide as much additional tracking data as the Mira.

A 2020 study conducted by scientists at the development company that makes Clearblue products found that using this test kit to time intercourse during the fertile window increased the likelihood of pregnancy within two monthly cycles.

An older 2007 study also found that women who used the Clearblue Fertility Monitor were 1.89 times more likely to get pregnant within two cycles than women who didn’t use this monitor. From 80% to 90% of participants said the monitor is convenient and easy to use.

It lets you know which days you need to test, which involves inserting a urine test wand into the monitor. The urine test strips must be purchased separately. You must use this test within the same 6-hour window each day.

This monitor features a user-friendly touchscreen that can store up to six cycles of personalized information. You can share this data with your doctor and use it to compare cycles.

Best intravaginal fertility monitor

OvuSense Advanced Fertility Monitor

• Price: $$$
• Type: wearable (intravaginal)

This monitor provides you with an 8-day fertile period and notifies you 24 hours before you ovulate.

It tracks your cycle and measures progesterone levels to confirm ovulation.

Progesterone rises sharply after you ovulate, so it’s considered one of the more reliable methods to determine that ovulation has actually occurred.

This may be helpful for people with irregular menstrual cycles (as people with regular cycles may have more success with the traditional LH urine sticks that tell you when you’re about to ovulate, rather than when ovulation has already occurred).

To use the OvuCore monitor, you insert it in your vagina overnight. It measures your body temperature every 5 minutes and sends the data to the app. You’ll receive a notification once you ovulate.

Runner-up cervical fluid fertility monitor

kegg Fertility Tracker and Kegel Ball

• Price: $$$
• Type: wearable (intravaginal)

The kegg fertility tracker monitors the changing electrolyte levels of your cervical fluid. This helps to determine your fertile window and peak fertility so you can correctly time intercourse. While not as accurate as measuring hormone levels, it’s more accurate than tracking basal body temperature.

In a 2013 study of more than 300 women, researchers concluded that while cervical mucus monitoring isn’t a common method of fertility tracking, participants who consistently tracked their cervical fluid were significantly more likely to get pregnant (even if they weren’t using other methods to track ovulation) than those who didn’t monitor their cervical fluid.

The device doubles as a Kegel ball so you can strengthen your pelvic floor muscles before you take your daily reading, which only takes a few minutes. You’ll need to do your reading within the same 2-hour window each day.

The kegg tracker connects to a free fertility app that displays your daily results, menstrual cycle data, and fertility status and predictions. According to the company, kegg is best for people who have regular cycles. kegg provides online chat support and gives you the option to join a supportive private Facebook group.

Best thermometer fertility monitor

Femometer Vinca 2.0 Digital Basal Thermometer

• Price: $
• Type: thermometer

The Vinca 2.0 is a smart basal body temperature (BBT) thermometer that measures your morning temperature.

You stick it under your tongue just like a regular oral thermometer, but BBT thermometers read to a more accurate degree than ordinary thermometers. This allows them to catch the small increases in temperature that indicate hormonal changes in your cycle.

It’s worth noting that basal body temperature isn’t considered the most accurate way to track your cycle, although it has been used for many decades.

The device then displays your results on the small LCD screen and transfers the information to the Femometer app via Bluetooth.

The app also tracks your menstrual cycle and hormone indicators.

We also evaluated the higher-tech Daysy smart BBT thermometer, but it sits at such a high price point. For the cost, most people would be better served by investing in one of the more accurate urine testing monitors, such as the Mira, ClearBlue, or Inito. Additionally, a 2018 study on the product’s efficacy was retracted over flawed methodology, so there are concerns around how well it works and whether it could lead to unplanned pregnancies.

Runner-up thermometer

Tempdrop Monitor

Price: $$$

Type: wearable (armband)

Typically monitoring BBT requires taking your temperature with a BBT thermometer immediately upon waking from a full night of sleep. Instead, Tempdrop is an armband device that measures your basal body temperature.

Some find it more comfortable and user-friendly than other armband monitors. You wear it while you sleep so you don’t have to worry about waking up at the same time each day, so it’s great for people who have an irregular schedule.

You can sync the information to the Tempdrop app, which includes options to chart other signs of fertility so you can learn more about the phases of your cycle. You can also use the app to connect to the support team and community.

Worth noting: The Femometer will give you the same temperature information for less than half the price, but if you want something a little more comprehensive with a more user-friendly app and are willing to spend the money, this could be for you.

Also consider that for just around $20 more than the cost of Tempdrop (plus the ongoing price of additional wands), you could purchase the Mira for a more accurate option than both Tempdrop and Femometer.

Best budget fertility monitor

Easy@Home Ovulation Test Kit

• Price: $
• Type: urine test

If you simply want to know when you’re going to ovulate each month, it doesn’t get much easier or more affordable than the Easy@Home Ovulation Test Kit. This box contains 25 ovulation test strips, as well as 10 pregnancy test strips (which makes it an absolute steal, since pregnancy tests can be expensive all by themselves).

The strips aren’t fancy, but the instructions are clear and you can get results within minutes.

Depending on how regular your cycles are and your pregnancy goals, you can choose to test every day, every other day, or every few days during your cycle. The test strips are measuring for the surge in LH that happens in the 2 days prior to ovulation.

To select the best fertility monitor, there are several factors to consider:

• Decide if you want to test your temperature, hormone levels, or vaginal fluid. From here, you can decide which type of device you want to use.
• Consider your lifestyle and schedule if the test requires you to test at a specific time or window of time. Some monitors require daily tests while others prompt you to test on certain days of the month.
• Factor in the cost of the device and testing strips, which can add up over time.
• You can also decide how detailed you prefer your data to be and if you want to use an app. If you have irregular cycles or any health condition, select a suitable device for your needs.

If you are under the age of 35 and have been trying to conceive for a year or longer, make an appointment to see a fertility doctor. If you’re over the age of 35, make an appointment after 6 months of trying to conceive without success. If you’re over the age of 40, see a fertility doctor after 3 months of trying to conceive or as soon as possible.

A fertility doctor can perform a thorough evaluation that involves hormonal tests, blood work, physical exam, and an ultrasound. Understanding your body and risk factors is helpful, and your doctor may suggest interventions or treatments to best address your needs.

What is the best fertility monitor for PCOS?

We think the Mira fertility tracker is the best for those with PCOS or irregular cycles because it measures progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and estrogen, which is considered to be the most accurate way to detect ovulation.

How much do fertility monitors cost?

Basic fertility monitors, such as thermometers, may cost around $50 while many devices cost several hundred dollars. Some monitors require you to purchase additional testing strips, which can cost up to $100 every few weeks.

Are fertility monitors covered by insurance?

You may be able to use your insurance plan, flexible spending account (FSA), or health savings account (HSA) to cover the cost of fertility monitors.

Fertility monitors can help you to track your menstrual cycle to predict ovulation and fertility. This information can help you determine the best time for intercourse if you want to conceive. Most devices are easy to use and provide valuable insights into your menstrual cycle and fertile periods.

In most cases, we recommend using a basic ovulation urine test strip because they’re both accurate and cost effective, but if you’re wanting more information or experiencing difficulty conceiving, you might want to invest in something more comprehensive. It’s worth talking with your doctor if you’re concerned about your fertility.

However, remember that fertility monitors are not 100% accurate or foolproof, nor do they guarantee conception. Furthermore, they aren’t intended to prevent pregnancy.