Tuesday, January 21st
2025 DNA Testing Kit Reviews
CRI Genetics
- Tests over 520,000 specific markers across the entire genome
- $189 list price for Dual Ancestry, Timeline, and 15 trait reports (on sale for $89 at the time of this review)
- $349 for Ancestry + Health (on sale for $109 at the time of this review); includes all of the Ancestry + Traits package plus 80+ health reports
- $10.87+ for shipping
- Extra reports available (mtDNA, "Famous Relatives”)
- Results guaranteed to be delivered within 8 weeks (but most results should come within 4 weeks)
- No information shared without explicit consent
CRI (short for Cellular Research Institute) Genetics is directed by Dr. Alexei Fedorov, who is a former apprentice to the Nobel Prize-winning scientist Walter Gilbert and who brings over 35 years of experience as a molecular geneticist to the table. It's his proprietary DNA analysis algorithm that CRI Genetics uses to "advance mankind's understanding of the human genome into new frontiers.”
Can test for both ancestry and health
There are two main packages you can consider with CRI Genetics' DNA testing kits:
- Ancestry + Traits: list priced at $189 (but seemingly at a "forever on sale” price of $89), this kit comes with ancestry tracking for both your maternal and paternal sides and 15 trait reports. CRI Genetics asserts that their "advanced ancestry timeline” goes back up to 50 generations, and their "Trait Tracer” can show you which unique traits were inherited from the specific ancestries in your heritage.
- Health + Ancestry: list priced at $349 (but, again, apparently always "on sale” for $109), this tier comes with all of the benefits of the first package but also 80+ health reports.
At the time of our evaluation, CRI Genetics was also offering a "fall sale” of 5 extra reports for Social Adaptability, Self-Esteem, Skin Elasticity, Flexibility, and Fear Memory.
Extra testing and reports offered at checkout
As you proceed to the checkout with the kit you've selected, you'll be offered some extras. (And, be aware that they're automatically selected unless you click on the "no thanks” box.) The first is the Maternal Haplogroup Report for $82.45 (list price of $100). CRI Genetics says that your mtDNA can help you trace your ancestry "up to 150,000 years”. The next is a Famous People Report ($9.99 "on sale”, list $60), showing which celebs, royalty, and other big names share your same mtDNA or Y-DNA (if you're male and you've opted into that test.) CRI Genetics will then offer you a discounted second kit (the Health+Ancestry DNA testing kit was $99.99 for the second one in the shipment, for a savings of roughly $10). Finally, expect shipping and handling costs of about $11.
Bait-and-switch?
We found several complaints mentioning CRI Genetics' hiding some reports behind a paywall and unwanted subscriptions. There was no mention of having to pay anything in the future during checkout, or anywhere obvious on their website. One item in the FAQ talks about getting refunds on the "annual renewal” of an "all-access membership”, and we found reviews that said they were asked to pay more for reports they thought were included with the DNA testing kit and service they had purchased initially. Keep an eye out for that if you decide to do your DNA test here.
Results within 4-8 weeks
CRI Genetics offers an 8-week "efficiency guarantee”: if your DNA testing kit hasn't been processed and the results delivered within that timeframe, you'll get a full refund. But, don't think that means it will likely take that long to get your report: the company assures prospective clients that most results are delivered within 4 weeks.
Security protocols are solid
How about security? At CRI Genetics, your personal information is separated from your DNA sample from the moment they receive it, and from that point forward they only identify your DNA through the random serial number on the kit. All data is encrypted, and they don't share any of your information without your explicit consent. But, we're not really impressed by CRI Genetics' offer to "take a free tour of [their] genetics reports” by providing our first name and email. Why should you have to opt into marketing emails just to see how the service works?
Complaints are concerning
And reputation? That's where things get really iffy for CRI Genetics. Although the company has a decent-enough "B+” rating from the Better Business Bureau, there were still 30 complaints closed in the 12 months leading up to this review, and 144 in the three years prior to it. Those complaints frequently mention tests that never get delivered and difficulties getting an answer (or a refund), or reports that don't come even close to within the 8-week guaranteed timeframe (and refunds are equally hard to come by). Other clients say that their results were extremely off (like finding traces of Punjabi Indian for people who were 100% Scandinavian, suggesting that the equipment might not have been properly cleaned).
Huge civil penalty for fraudulent marketing
We're also not sure how the BBB still comes up with a "B+” rating when the BBB site itself references a $700,000 civil penalty that CRI Genetics had to pay to the state of California in November 2023. That verdict came down when this DNA testing kit company was found to have used fraudulent marketing claims about the accuracy of its testing compared with others on the market, about its "patented algorithm” for genetic matching, and for using "dark patterns” in online billing to get customers paying for products they never agreed to buy. Not a good look for CRI Genetics. That's what makes those newer complaints even more frustrating: clearly, the civil penalty hasn't gone far enough if reviews from after 2023 are still citing the same issues (and new ones).
Worst DNA testing kits on our list
So, let's consider what you don't get when you choose a DNA testing kit from CRI Genetics: connections with living relatives, ancestry results that are accurate (and don't err on the side of being sensationalistic), and an actual guarantee that your results will be delivered in the promised timeframe. Fortunately, there are a number of DNA test providers on our list that do provide all of those benefits and more, so don't think twice about skipping CRI Genetics completely.
More DNA Testing Kit Reviews
The 10 Best 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.
DNA Testing Kit FAQ
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.
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