Written by Rhiannon Davis. Reviewed by Jenny Wordsworth.

When you’re staring at a pregnancy test, waiting for the result, it’s easy to assume that a digital test, flashing a clear “Pregnant” or “Not Pregnant”, must be more reliable than its non-digital counterpart. After all, it looks more high-tech, more definitive. They're also often significantly more expensive. But the reality is that digital pregnancy tests aren’t actually more accurate, and they create significantly more waste in the process. 

How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?

Both digital and non-digital pregnancy tests detect the same hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), in urine. This is the hormone your body starts producing after implantation occurs. The test strips inside both types of tests contain chemical reagents that react to hCG levels, indicating whether or not you’re pregnant.

A non-digital test displays results with lines, one for negative, two for positive (or similar variations, depending on the brand). A digital test, however, simply reads the same lines but then uses a tiny electronic component to convert that result into words on a screen.

Digital Doesn’t Mean More Accurate

While digital tests may seem more advanced, they aren’t more sensitive or reliable than non-digital tests. If the sensitivity of tests is the same, they're the same product, and the internal mechanics are virtually identical. In fact, the digital reader is interpreting the same test strip you’d find in a traditional pregnancy test. If anything, digital tests potentially introduce more room for error due to battery life, screen malfunctions, and potential software glitches.

So why do some people think digital tests are better?

• Perceived clarity: Many people find reading line-based tests confusing (e.g., “Is that a faint line?”). Digital tests remove interpretation by displaying a simple message.

• Marketing and branding: Digital tests are often marketed as “advanced” or “ultra-clear,” leading consumers to believe they are superior.

If the sensitivity of the digital and non-digital tests is the same, for example, both detecting hCG at 10mIU/mL or 25mIU/mL, then they’ll be equally accurate. You can test the same number of days before your expected period, depending on the sensitivity stated on the box. Remember to follow the instructions whenever you’re testing. 

What’s Inside a Digital Test?

It’s easy to assume that digital pregnancy tests must be more advanced on the inside, but what’s actually going on behind that little screen might surprise you.

Inside every digital pregnancy test is… a regular test strip. The same kind you'd find in a traditional test. The only real difference? A tiny optical sensor scans the result, and a mini circuit board interprets it and powers the display to show either “Pregnant” or “Not Pregnant.” There’s also a small battery (usually a coin-cell lithium one) that powers the electronics.

So really, you’re paying more for a tiny computer to read the same lines your eyes could and to throw all that extra tech in the bin afterwards.

My wife had been checking if she was pregnant, initially with test strips, which can cost as little as 20 cents each. She got some positive readings, so wanted something "more accurate", a digital test.

Here it is. $12/ea, and it literally just reads a test strip. What a scam. pic.twitter.com/JGFnytbwFd

— Xtoff (@CrunkComputing) August 10, 2020

The Environmental Impact: More Waste, Same Result

One of the most significant downsides of digital pregnancy tests is the sheer amount of waste they create from components that are unnecessary for actual test function. Unlike traditional tests, which are mostly plastic and paper-based, digital tests contain:

• Batteries (often lithium coin cell batteries, which are difficult to recycle and can be hazardous in landfill)

• Circuit boards (containing electronic components that contribute to e-waste)

• Extra plastic casing 

And all of this goes in the bin. Digital tests cannot be recycled, and once discarded, the electronic components (such as lithium batteries and circuit boards) become e-waste, which can leach toxic chemicals like mercury and lead into the environment. Given that millions of pregnancy tests are used each year, this is an area where unnecessary waste could be significantly reduced.

Are Digital Pregnancy Tests Ever Worth It?

There are instances where a digital test may be beneficial, particularly for people who struggle to interpret line tests. But in terms of actual performance, digital and non-digital tests work the same way. If you want a clear answer, a good-quality non-digital test is just as effective, with less environmental impact.

A More Sustainable Choice

If you’re looking for a way to reduce waste while trying to conceive, consider:

• Using non-digital pregnancy tests – These are just as accurate and create significantly less waste.

• Choosing tests with recyclable packaging – Some brands are making efforts to reduce plastic use.

• Avoiding tests with unnecessary electronics – unless you genuinely need the digital readout, an analogue test does the same job with less impact.

Key Takeaways

Digital pregnancy tests might look sleek and modern, but they don’t offer any advantages in accuracy or reliability over non-digital tests. What they do offer, however, is more plastic, more waste, and greater environmental harm. If you’re looking for the best option for both your fertility journey and the planet, a well-made non-digital test is the better, more sustainable choice. Oh, and digital tests cost more too (OVUM costs £4.50 per single test, an equivalent sensitivity digital test costs £9).