REVIEWS: Dollar store pregnancy tests

For today's review Id like to discuss Dollar Store Brand pregnancy tests.

For the purposes of this review I am using Dollar Tree Brand: Pro-Care Pregnancy Tests.  They can be bought in Canada at the price of $1.25

About this test:
The box themselves reads that the test in Over 99% accurate with easy to read results.  The test box itself looks something like this:

This test comes with 1- test, 1 - urine dropper, instructions on the back of the box. The directions tell you to set the test flat, drop 4 drops of urine ONLY to the small well on the test, results can be read as soon as the control line appears and should not be read past the 10 minute mark.  EASY!  Each test comes individually wrapped in foil and has an expiration date clearly labelled.  The box also indicates that this test has an HCG sensitivity level of 20mIu. This test has a license from Health Canada, I had previously read that the tests did not have this prior.  This test now does have the licence and is under a new name and sold in stores: dollarama which is now known as Dollar Tree. 

Trying the test: 
I have tried these tests and all have been negative, however i have not been pregnant so this would be accurate.   When I had Kamden I took one with a friend because we just wanted to see what would happen and if it actually worked. It did work, mine was positive and hers was negative.  The control line is very obvious and two pink lines would appear if the test was positive

Pros: individually wrapped, own dropper, small, great price, red die
Cons: must pee in a cup or other clean urine collection tool, stigma over price

My thoughts and assessments:
Those of us who are TTC go through a lot of supplies. We go through on average 3-4 pregnancy tests per month and 10+ ovulation tests per month {this is what i go through} and to be honest it doesn't matter if the test costs $10 or $30 - the results are the same.  This goes for a test that is costing $1.  Hardcore TTCers usually buy tests online at about 50 cents per test - what makes those tests any more special then the $30 Clear blue test from the store?  Nothing IMO....  All tests are looking for the same thing and that's HCG levels.   One important fact to look for in a pregnancy test is SENSITIVITY.  For example my Dollar store test has sensitivity of 20mIU and most other tests (life brand, frer, etc) also have the same.   WALMART brand tests have a level of 25mIU and therefore are not as sensitive as the dollar store test! In my opinion these tests are all on the same level.   That being said there is only 1 other test which may be superior and we all know and trust - First Response Early Pregnancy Detection tests.   They have a 15mIU detection and is perhaps the BEST tests however for general testing the Dollar Store tests are just as accurate.  ALSO - i have learned in my TTC journey not to trust BLUE die tests, i did learn a few months ago that evaporation lines happen and it literally scared and disappointed me.  IMO - get a red die test!  Dollar Store Brand tests do use red dies.  LASTLY - a line is a line, a faint line is still a line!  Any coloured line should be interpreted as a positive result as long as it was in the allowed time frame [usually 10 mins].

When in doubt use a FRER!  If you get a positive on the Pro-Care test I suggest testing with a FRER, but i would say this about ANY other test.  As always theses tests should not take take the place of a professional medical opinion.   Happy testing!