One Step Pregnancy Test review - fast, reliable and just 11p a test
Costing as little as 11p per test, One Step Pregnancy Test strips are certainly one of the most budget-friendly pregnancy tests you can buy - but just how reliable are they? MNHQ tester Tina put them to the test.
By Tina Williams | Last updated Feb 29, 2024
Price on writing: £5 for 50 (11p per test) | Buy now from Amazon
The verdict
The instructions are quite basic and there's no reassuring badge on the packaging that says the tests are approved by doctors - but after trying out several brands of pregnancy test, I'd say they're probably one of the best options available. If you're on a tight budget or you know you're going to be testing a lot, these One Step strips are a great choice.
Extremely easy to use
Fast and accurate result
A fraction of the price of other pregnancy tests such as Clearblue and First Response
More eco-friendly than the premium brands as doesn't have plastic casing
Doesn't offer the same level of reassurance as some of the premium tests
Requires a little preparation as you'll need a sample pot and a non-absorbent surface to put the test on while waiting for results
Instructions aren't as easy to follow as some other brands of test
Related: Discover more of the best pregnancy tests for fast, reliable results
How we tested
I tested six of the most popular pregnancy tests to see how they compared. From budget bulk buys to the premium tests on the market, I wanted to find out which tests explained the process most clearly, how easy it was to take the test, how much reassurance you get that you're doing it correctly and how much packaging would go to landfill when the test was complete.
I also timed how long it took to get a result and how easy (or not) the result was to read. At the time of testing I was in my second trimester of pregnancy, which probably impacted how quickly the test returned a result.
Ultimately I wanted to find out if there really was a benefit to shelling out £15 for a pregnancy test, when you could spend just 20p.
Worked great for me, accurate and always detected early (9-10 days past ovulation). Did come up faint at first but this was probably because I tested too early but I liked that I could see there was a line and it got darker when I tested a few days later.
One Step Pregnancy Test Strips
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How easy are the test instructions to follow?
The tests come with a small black and white leaflet with a couple of diagrams and a lot of medical jargon. Not the most user-friendly! If this was my first pregnancy test it would have been really overwhelming.
There was some information that just seemed unnecessary, like specifying the temperature of the urine sample which didn’t give me a lot of reassurance that I would be able to do the test correctly. In the end, the test worked like all pregnancy tests do, so it was actually very straightforward.
Read next: For more pregnancy essentials, check out our guides to the best pregnancy pillow and the top-ranking stretch mark cream
How does the One Step Pregnancy Test work?
There's a little bit of set up to do with the One Step strip test, but once I had everything prepped, actually taking the test was very straightforward. You pee in a cup/sample pot, dip test up to the line for 10-15 secs and wait. There’s a line that shows really clearly where to dip up to which reassured me I was doing it correctly.
How long did it take to show a result?
The box said three minutes, but my result showed in five seconds.
How does the One Step Pregnancy Test compare to others?
I found that the instructions on the Boots Pregnancy Test Strips were a easier to follow than the One Step, but the results came far quicker and clearer on this test. It's a little messier than the more premium tests such as Clearblue and First Response because you need extra items and a flat non-absorbant surface to rest the test on while you wait for the result, but the benefit is that there's a lot less plastic waste, not to mention the cost!
You need extra items to do this test but then actually it’s a lot more hygienic and easier to do than the popular POAS ones, and far less plastic waste.
Does the One Step offer good value for money?
At 11p per test these tests offer really good value for money. Even if you only end up taking one or two tests they would still be cheaper than most pregnancy tests on the market. And they genuinely work as well, the results from this test were quicker and clearer than the First Response Early Results test which cost a hefty £7 per test.
If you’ve used a few pregnancy tests before and you feel like you’ve got the hang of how they work, I’d definitely recommend switching to these tests. So much less packaging, quick results and way cheaper than any of the mainstream tests on the market.
One Step Pregnancy Test Strips
Buy now from AmazonOverall verdict
If you’ve used a few pregnancy tests before and you feel like you’ve got the hang of how they work, I’d definitely recommend switching to these tests. So much less packaging, quick results and way cheaper than any of the mainstream tests on the market.
The instructions aren't quite as user friendly as the mainstream tests and there's no badge on the packaging that says the test is approved by doctors, but the results came clearly and quickly and that's really all I want from a pregnancy test.
About the author
Tina Williams is the Head of Editorial Content at Mumsnet where she leads a team of expert writers and editors to develop Mumsnet Swears By, the home for product reviews and buying advice, where parents test and recommend the products they love. She was previously Mumsnet’s Head of Reviews and developed a comprehensive testing system to rigorously test baby essentials and new product innovations.
About Mumsnet Reviews
All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing – this includes recommendations from the Mumsnet Talk boards. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.
All prices correct at time of publication