Free NHS tests vs bought tests

[OnceYouKPop]

I've tested negative for the past 3 days on the free LFT you get from the NHS but I'm hearing more anecdotal evidence that these tests are less sensitive than others you can buy at supermarkets etc

I'm CEV and would want antivirals so getting a quick accurate result is really important. I am of course aware my symptoms could be down to other virus/flu etc. I have also heard that positive results can take a while to show up in any case.

Does anyone have any specific experience of different LFT being more accurate than NHS ones?

I’ve heard that when the tests changed to nasal only (flowflex) they were missing the new variant and it was best to still swab throat and nose to pick up the omicron.

Dh just used flowflex nose only and picked up straight away , instant positive
None if them are 100% accurate though
I had covid back in jan and only PCR picked it up never tested positive on a LFT , had it afew months later and LFT picked it up but only a few days into symptoms, where as dh LFT picked up first day symptoms
Seems to just be different for everyone
Dh has covid now and i have symptoms although mild but testing negative on LFT 's, staying home for a few days anyway as a precaution

I am eligable for antivirals and got covid two weeks ago.
I had two different kinds of tests, all NHS. One old pack of Flowflex and a newer pack of generic ones. I compared tests.
I got an instant dark positive with the flowflex on day 1 but I swab throat and nose even though they say nose only.
The other test (long swab throat and nose) was negative. Day two I got a faint positive with the other test.
So yes they do vary but you can only register an NHS test.