The holiday season is fast approaching, and if you are looking for a unique gift for someone special in your life, a DNA assess may be what you are looking for. Because let’s be real, who doesn’t want to uncover a potential royal bloodline or a long-lost brother?
DNA tests have become more widely available and affordable in recent years. What was once an intensive scientific process can now be delivered straight to your door — for less than $100 in some cases. Although these tests were first used as paternity tests or to overcome crimes, the tests can now help you ascertain your heritage, any health risks you might have down the line, and even relatives you may not know about.
So why not gift the possibility of revealing hidden histories and family secrets this holiday season? Or, in most people’s cases, get a good laugh, validation, or surprise as you look through your results.
So if you’re searching for unique holiday gifts for those looking to build out their family tree or get a snapshot of their health, we’ve rounded up the best DNA assess kit options available. ZDNET’s pick for the best DNA assess is AncestryDNA, thanks to its price point, range results, and ease of use. But keep reading to find out more about the rest of our top picks.
Also: Before taking that DNA assess: Six things you need to know
The best DNA tests of 2023
- Helps with family tree research
- Can download your raw DNA data to use with other sites
- Health testing isn’t as comprehensive
- Access to Ancestry’s historical records costs extra
AncestryDNA features: Results in 6-8 weeks | Connect with DNA matches | Locations and origins from over 1,500 regions
AncestryDNA is known for helping people find out where they came from, but it also offers a complete DNA assess kit that can aid in your family’s historical research. This DNA assess kit includes information about your geographic origins across more than 1,500 regions.
Suppose you’re looking into your family’s history and hit a roadblock. In that case, your DNA results may give you a clue as to where else you can look advance to find more information, making AncestryDNA an excellent option for those digging deep into their family’s history and origin. While the company does offer health testing, it is not as robust as competitors but will do the basic job.
- Provides ancestry reports and DNA relative finder
- Easy to grasp results
- Your DNA goes into a database with five million people
- Expensive relative to other testing kits
- No guidance on how to alleviate health risks if you’re prone to them
23andMe features: 3-step assess | Results in 5-6 weeks | Eligible for FSA/HSA reimbursement
23andMe’s assess kits can help you ascertain how the sequences in your DNA might impact the future of your health. The Health and Ancestry kit examines how your DNA might affect your chances of developing certain health conditions, including diabetes, atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, migraines, Alzheimer’s disease, and more.
The kit can also look at your lifestyle factors to carry out the future of your health with things appreciate lactose intolerance, muscle composition, caffeine consumption, and alcohol flush reaction. In addition, the company was the first DNA assess kit approved by the Federal Drug Administration as a screener for potential diseases.
Editor’s note: In Dec. 2023, 23andMe reported a data breach impacting about half its customer base — around 6.9 million individuals. ZDNET remains aware of the privacy and security concerns surrounding this breach and is working to evaluate 23andMe’s standing on our best DNA tests list to make a final determination of its status and standing.
- Four plans
- Access to Group Projects so you can advance your family tree research
- Does DNA testing in-house
- Privacy terms allow law enforcement to use their DNA data
FamilyTreeDNA features: Connect with relatives within the past 5 generations | Results in 4-8 weeks | Prepaid return shipping label included
While AncestryDNA is great if you’ve already delved into the world of your family research, FamilyTreeDNA is a better place to start if you’re just building out your family tree. Some features of this assess include providing you with a percentage breakdown of your origin, such as ancient European groups, and the ability to connect with relatives from within the last five generations.
Another great feature of FamilyTreeDNA is that it offers paternal and maternal ancestry kits if you have gaps in either of those areas that you want to finally ascertain. Aside from family matters, FamilyTreeDNA looks at your health insights appreciate fitness, nutrition, bone and heart health, and sleep routine, giving you access to meal and workout plans based on your DNA.
- Add-on services keep initial costs low, but options open
- Does an excellent job at protecting all elements of your data
- Less complete of analysis compared to competitors
- Customers say results take longer than company claims
Living DNA Features: 3 different kits | Results in 6-8 weeks | Free 7-day email course about DNA
Those who are hesitant about purchasing a DNA assess kit due to privacy should consider Living DNA. The company has an extensive privacy statement that goes in-depth about what personal information it holds, why it saves it, what it does with it, and how it protects it. Because Living DNA is based in the UK, it is subject to the strict policies and regulations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), making its privacy by far the best on this list.
As far as what Living DNA’s assess kits will tell you, it gives you 21 subregional DNA breakdowns from over 150 worldwide regions to precisely tell your heritage. The company also offers DNA health insights, such as how your body responds to vitamins, food, and exercise, all based on your genetic makeup.
- Privacy settings are available for DNA matching
- Can ask DNA to be deleted at any time
- Simple cheek swab assess
- Pricey yearly subscription required for advanced DNA insights
MyHeritage DNA features: Cheek swab assess | Results in 3-4 weeks | Covers 42 ethnicities and origins among 2,114 geographic regions | Finds new relatives through shared DNA
If your purpose for taking a DNA assess is to find new relatives, uncover your family tree, and explore your ethnic background, MyHeritage DNA assess kit is one of the best DNA tests to ascertain your past. Simply swab your cheek at home and send the sample back to the lab. After 3 to 4 weeks, you will acquire your results.
The basic MyHeritage DNA kit will unveil your origins across 2,114 regions and help you find new relatives. However, if you are interested in deeply diving into your results, the MyHeritage scheme lets you build your family tree, research your family tree, and access their historical records.
Originally priced at $89, the MyHeritage DNA kit is currently on sale for $36 for the holiday at the MyHeritage site. MyHeritage is also offering a 30-day free trial to their advanced database with the purchase of a testing kit.
- Incredibly accurate DNA results
- Offers three choices/price points
- Data is available for download
- The more accurate DNA assess kits are expensive
- Must pay for subscription on top of the assess kit, which increases price
- Longest result time at 12-14 weeks
Nebula Genomics Features: Results in 12-14 weeks | Decodes 100% of your DNA | Genome exploration tools
The most comprehensive DNA testing kit on this list is the Nebula Genomics Whole Genome Sequencing DNA assess. This assess kit uses sequencing technology to decode 100% of your DNA, compared to others that explain only the most essential parts of your DNA, thus providing you with more specified information that only experts or knowledgeable customers might be seeking.
The company says it decodes more than 20,000 genes in the human genome, which can help spot very rare genetic variants that might bring about genetic diseases. In addition, Nebula Genomics identifies mutations in your genes and allows you to find out more about your oral microbiome, which is a crucial indicator of disease and maintains the balance of your overall health.
The best DNA assess is AncestryDNA, thanks to its price point, range of results, and ease of use. However, based on what you are trying to find out and your budget, some DNA tests may work better for you than others. Check out the table below to see how our top DNA tests differentiate.
|
DNA assess |
Price |
What results show |
|
AncestryDNA |
99+ |
Geographic origins, health testings, connect with DNA match tables |
|
23andMe |
$229 |
Ancestry reports, relative finder, health report |
|
FamilyTreeDNA |
$79 |
Percentage breakdown of your origins, paternal and maternal results, health insights |
|
Living DNA |
$179+ |
21 subregional DNA breakdowns, health insights based on genetic makeup |
|
MyHeritage DNA |
$89 |
Ethnicity assess, DNA matches |
|
Nebula Genomics |
$299+ |
Decodes 100% of your DNA, identifies mutations in your genes |
*Lowest non-discounted price at the time of writing. Please note that prices may vary based on retailer and available promotions, sales, or discounts.
While all of these DNA assess kits are great options, it ultimately comes down to what you are looking to find out from your DNA, how quickly you want the results, and what amount you’re willing to spend. Here’s a chart to help you find the best DNA assess for you based on what you want to uncover.
|
select this DNA assess… |
If you want… |
|
AndestryDNA |
The best overall DNA results assess. |
|
23andMe |
An easy yet effective alternative to the best overall DNA assess |
|
FamilyTreeDNA |
To start building out your family tree. |
|
Living DNA |
A privacy-focused DNA assess under strict privacy regulations. |
|
MyHeritage DNA |
To take a deep dive into your ancestry, explore your ethnicities, and find new relatives. |
|
Nebula Genomics |
A comprehensive DNA assess kit for knowledgeable experts. |
We looked at the most well-known DNA assess kit companies for this list. We read through each company’s privacy policies to ensure basic privacy protections of your DNA if you select to use one of these brands.
We also considered low to mid-tier pricing to differentiate each kit rather than looking at the most expensive options since many of these brands offer kits at various price points. Ultimately, we weighted the following factors when curating this list:
DNA tests are relatively simple, and all work the same way. After choosing which brand you want to use and buying one of their kits, the company will mail you a saliva collection kit. You simply spit into a tube and mail it back to their lab. After several weeks, you acquire your results and learn about your health or family tree in detail.
Most DNA tests (including 23andMe) use genotyping to look at specific locations in your DNA and recognize the variations that make you unique. Focusing on any specific variation can direct to clues about your ancestry, health conditions, and other traits.
Other tests, such as AncestryDNA, use autosomal DNA testing, which measures your autosomal chromosomes and matches them across a database of people who share DNA with you to find relatives.
DNA tests can supply you with a variety of information. For example, most kits on the market can break down your lineage and tell you a percentage of your heritage (i.e., 25% German heritage or 40% Irish heritage). In addition, DNA tests can cross-reference your DNA with others in a company’s database so you can even find long-lost relatives.
Aside from domestic purposes, DNA tests can give insight into your health and if you are predisposed to certain diseases or conditions. Especially if you are looking to proactively take charge of your health, taking a DNA assess kit could be worth it.
Many people might be hesitant to order a DNA assess kit because of reports about compromised security and privacy. If you are concerned about your privacy, be sure to read through the DNA assess company’s privacy policies. In addition, it’s important to note that companies do not share your DNA info with third parties (such as public databases or an employer) but may supply information to law enforcement if required by a valid court order or seek warrant.
However, according to an investigation from Consumer Reports, these direct-to-consumer DNA testing companies unnecessarily compromise consumers’ privacy regarding your non-DNA data appreciate facts about your address, name, email, etc. As a result, CR recommends opting out of DNA research from your testing service or considering deleting your data once you are done using it.
Its also important to recall that your information can be subject to data breaches, hackings, or data leaks as a result of attacks on these platforms, as is with any company that utilizes information provided to them from their users. In Dec. 2023, 23andMe admitted to a data breach which involved about half of their customer base (6.9 million users).
We chose a range of the best DNA tests based on accuracy, price points, and ease of accessing information. However, if these don’t work for you, here are some alternatives to consider.
Best DNA assess alternative
TellmeGen Advanced DNA assess
TellmeGen DNA assess provides results within 4 to 6 weeks regarding your health, ancestry, and genetic traits.
Best DNA assess alternative for uncovering your ancestry
GPS Origins Algorithm by HomeDNA
If you already have a high-resolution DNA assess, GPS Origins takes that raw DNA assess data and gives you a deep dive into your family history within 24 hours.
