Everlywell Review: A Nurse's Personal Experience + How It Compares To Competitors

Everlywell's innovative kits provide accurate results and make at-home testing affordable, simple, and personalized. The brand offers a wide range of tests that can be self-administered from your own home. With options such as STD screenings and food sensitivity tests, you can find the right test for you, depending on your health curiosities or concerns. What's more, the brand will even connect you with a certified clinician if further analysis or interpretation of results is needed.

At-home tests are cost-effective, convenient, and allow users to take responsibility for their health, without visiting a doctor's office or a lab. In fact, these tests have been so popular that the at-home testing kits market is expected to rise by 6.1% by 2029.

Everlywell has a streamlined process for home testing and made it more accessible. To get started, you need to order a test directly from their website. The tests can often be covered by HSA and FSA accounts, but make sure to confirm your coverage with your insurance carrier.

Once you receive your kit, the first step is to get it registered by simply scanning the kit's QR code in the brand's free app. The step-by-step sample collection instructions are succinct and clear. Just keep in mind, a blood spot sample can be difficult for some, as each circle needs about two to three drops of blood. My advice: Keep the card lower than your waist (not on a counter), so gravity can help produce enough blood to fill the circles.

Once your sample is collected, you'll simply ship the whole kit back with the prepaid label included in the packaging. I did not receive any tracking information, but eight days later an email alerted me that my sample was being processed. Seven days after that, I received another email that my results were ready.

Everlywell's tests rely on a collection of sample methods, including blood, stool, saliva, vaginal swab, and urine. Depending on the type of test, samples must be taken on certain days and at certain times, such as first thing in the morning after fasting.

When it comes to food sensitivity tests, caution is key. While tests promising food sensitivity detection without the guidance of an expert may be enticing, there are concerns about the lack of robust research on the tests—in other words, they are likely not the most reliable way to measure sensitivities.

Overall, I had a positive experience with Everlywell. The website was user-friendly, shipping was fast, and the directions were clear. As a health care professional, the sample collection was intuitive for me—but a video tutorial or demonstration would make the process even simpler.

What I struggled with was the lack of any indication that the lab had received my sample or that it was en route; I had to wait eight days for an email confirmation, and it took some time before I heard back from Everlywell with my results. When the results finally did arrive, I appreciated how clearly they were laid out but would have liked the recommendations to be a bit more personalized.

Everlywell's prices are competitive with other leading companies. With great value and quality, these tests truly do give you the most for your money. The brand now offers the option to purchase a stand-alone telemedicine visit, which costs $59 without insurance, or between $10 and $50, depending on your coverage plan.

LetsGetChecked

LetsGetChecked is a direct competitor with Everlywell, offering over 30 at-home testing options. It was one of the first brands to offer virtual consultations to review results (for an extra charge). The brand's costs and tests are similar to Everlywell; however, LetsGetChecked does not have food sensitivity panels and does not sell supplements directly from its site, while Everlywell does.

For more information, read our full LetsGetChecked review.

Imaware