Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

Living DNA vs 23 and Me

Friday, December 6th

2024 DNA Testing Kit Reviews

Living DNA Review 3.5 Star Rating

Living DNA

3.5 Star Rating
  • Primarily focused on the British Isles and African ancestry
  • $124 for DNA ancestry kit ($90 on sale)
  • $145 for DNA ancestry + Neanderthal ($90 on sale)
  • $225 for DNA ancestry + wellbeing kit ($179 on sale)
  • Targeted health tests available
  • Shipping costs extra
  • Results in 6-8 weeks
  • Can upload your DNA from other sites at no cost
  • In business since 2004

Living DNA can connect you with your ancestry details from anywhere in the world, but these test kits specialize in results for people of African or British Isles descent. Test prices are a little higher than what you'll find higher on our list, but if you've already tested somewhere else, you can upload your DNA for free here - and potentially connect to 50,000+ other users with profiles on Living DNA. This isn't the best choice if you're not sure that your roots go back to the UK or Africa, but it could be a great supplement if you've already done a DNA test on another platform.

23 and Me Review 1.5 Star Rating

23 and Me

1.5 Star Rating
  • $119 for Ancestry service, often discounted to $60 or less
  • $199 for Health + Ancestry service
  • Premium and Total Health add-ons available
  • Can access 55+ health reports that meet FDA requirements
  • In business since 2006
  • Over 12 million DNA testing kits sold

23andMe has been one of the biggest names in home DNA testing kits for almost 20 years. While you can use them to connect with relatives and build your family tree, 23andMe's tests focus more deeply on health and wellness connections to genetic factors, like being predisposed to develop diabetes or cancer. You can even use 23andMe to access advice from clinicians who specialize in genetics. Unfortunately, though, 23andMe may not be around forever, plagued in recent years by significant data breaches and the looming threat of bankruptcy (which could mean that your DNA results are bought by a company that doesn't offer the same privacy and security promised by 23andMe). For all of those reasons, we no longer recommend 23andMe's DNA testing kits.

Where Can You Get the Best DNA Testing Kits?

DNA testing kits have become super popular, and it's easy to see why. They're like opening a personal time capsule of your family history, health information, or even discovering fun quirks about your genes. Ready to learn more about yourself at a cellular level?

Let's take a look at why you might want to take one of these tests, what information DNA testing kits can (and can't) provide, how accurate they are, and some helpful tips for choosing the right one. One of the most common motivations is ancestry. Many people want to know where their family history traces back to. Whether it's discovering you have roots in a different continent or confirming family lore, DNA tests often give people a deeper connection to their heritage.

The Best DNA Testing Kits Compare DNA Testing Kits Compare DNA Testing Kit Reviews What are the best DNA Testing Kits Best DNA Testing Kit Reviews

DNA Testing Kit FAQ

The two most common reasons for testing DNA are to determine one's ancestry and to identify underlying health conditions or predispositions. DNA testing may also be done to determine a child's paternity or detect infidelity.
Fortunately, no. A simple cheek swab or vial of saliva that can be returned by mail is usually all that's required.
That depends on the testing service you select. Some companies deliver your results in 1-4 weeks, while others have been known to take a month or longer.
Not necessarily. You'll probably pay somewhere between $59 and $649, depending on how comprehensive your selected test is.
Most of the time, no. DNA test kit prices usually include the cost of delivering the test to your home or office, the return shipping fees to the lab, and the cost of analyzing your sample.
DNA testing protocols are constantly evolving, especially with respect to tracking one's ancestry. Many of the companies use the company Helix to sequence your DNA. The individual companies are then responsible for interpreting the DNA results. You will see some differences between the different testing providers. Also, you may also want to share your results with your healthcare provider, so he or she can confirm any of the health-related results and request additional testing as needed.
Possibly, but that will depend on several factors. Not only will your relatives have to choose the same DNA testing platform as you, but both of you will have to set your account permissions to show DNA matches and to allow messages. That being said, thousands of people have connected with previously-unknown family members using many of today's most popular DNA testing providers.
That's an important question. Most DNA testing services promise to maintain your privacy by requiring your consent to share your results for matching or research purposes. You'll have to determine your own risk tolerance when it comes to concerns about data breaches, court subpoenas, and other ways your data could be accessed.
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

There's also been a rise in interest for proving a close genetic connection to countries that offer "citizenship by descent”: if your grandfather was, say, Italian and he was born after March 1861, you could use your DNA test (and the supporting documents you might find among the testing site's resources) as part of proving your relationship.

Then, there's the genetic health angle. Some tests go beyond ancestry and can tell you if you're predisposed to certain health conditions or traits. Imagine learning if you're likely to be lactose intolerant or if you carry a gene that increases your risk for certain diseases. It helps people make proactive decisions about their health or understand their family's medical history better.

Individuals also use DNA tests for finding living relatives. You might be interested in finding distant cousins or even uncovering long-lost family connections. Some DNA tests can match you with people who share portions of your DNA, helping you build a family tree with solid scientific backing. DNA testing kits have become a huge resource for people who were adopted or donor-conceived, enabling them to do some sleuthing and find out, based on who their DNA matches are, the identity of their biological parent(s).

Just be aware that taking a DNA test, especially those that offer connections with living matches, can be something of a Pandora's box. Current estimates from organizations like DNAngels say that anywhere from 5% to 29% of people taking a DNA test experience an "NPE” - a non-paternal event or sometimes referred to as "not parent expected”. Instagram reels and TikTok videos are full of test-takers who were stunned to learn that their dad isn't actually their biological father, or that they have 25 half-siblings through sperm donor conception. Most people won't have that kind of "DNA surprise”, but you should understand that it's a possibility.

When deciding on a DNA testing kit, here are a few key factors to consider:

  • Purpose. Are you more interested in ancestry, health insights, or connecting with relatives? Different tests specialize in different areas, so choose one that fits with what you want to learn.
  • Privacy. DNA is personal. Look into how the company handles your data. Do they share it with third parties (like law enforcement trying to solve crimes)? Can you delete your information? Make sure you're comfortable with their privacy policies.
  • Accuracy and detail. Some kits provide more detailed ancestry reports, while others focus more on health. Read reviews and check out what kind of results people have received from specific tests to see if it matches your expectations.
  • Cost. DNA tests vary in price. Some offer simple ancestry results using autosomal DNA, while others dig into your paternal and maternal lines. Still others provide comprehensive reports on both ancestry and health. Consider what you're getting for the price and whether it's worth the investment for the information you want.
  • Additional services. Do you want to connect with relatives or have access to ongoing updates about your health? Do you also want access to historical records and documents (like birth certificates and census images)?

To help you choose a DNA testing kit, the experts at Top Consumer Reviews have evaluated, tested, and ranked some of today's most popular services. The one that's right for you depends on what you hope to learn, so take your time exploring your options. We're confident that you'll be able to uncover fascinating insights about yourself and your family history while having a little fun with science along the way.

See the Best DNA Testing Kit
The Best Reviews of DNA Testing Kits