Sunday, February 5th
2023 DNA Testing Kit Reviews
Living DNA
- Two DNA testing kits: Ancestry and Ancestry & Wellbeing
- Upload your DNA from 23andMe, Ancestry, or MyHeritage for free
- More details than most tests for people with heritage in the British Isles and Africa
Originally launched in 2004 as DNA Worldwide, Living DNA now provides some of the most detailed ancestry breakdowns on the market: up to five times the detail on African ancestry and eight times more detail within the British Isles.
Save with a promotional sale
At the time of our most recent visit to the Living DNA site, there was a seasonal sale offering up to 20% off on all test kits. That brought the DNA Ancestry Kit down from $99 to $79 and the DNA Ancestry & Wellbeing Kit down from $179 to $149.
Not many people test their DNA here
What will you get with each kit? The ancestry part of the service may give you sub-regional insights that aren't available with other popular DNA testing kits, especially if you have ancestors from Africa or the British Isles. We wish that Living DNA showed more examples of their interface, sample reports, or some other way to get a clearer idea of the results that come from their tests. In theory, you can also connect with genetic matches from around the world; this company doesn't come out and say how many people are in their database, but we saw numbers that indicate it may be as low as 50,000. That's a really small number compared with the millions of DNA-tested database members of rival DNA testing providers.
Health-focused DNA testing and recommendations also available
What will you get with each kit? The ancestry part of the service may give you sub-regional insights that aren't available with other popular DNA testing kits, especially if you have ancestors from Africa or the British Isles. We wish that Living DNA showed more examples of their interface, sample reports, or some other way to get a clearer idea of the results that come from their tests. In theory, you can also connect with genetic matches from around the world; this company doesn't come out and say how many people are in their database, but we saw numbers that indicate it may be as low as 50,000. That's a really small number compared with the millions of DNA-tested database members of rival DNA testing providers.
Costs
- $99 for DNA Ancestry kit
- $179 for DNA Ancestry + Wellbeing kit
- $9.95 shipping fee
Generally positive reputation
We weren't surprised that Living DNA was listed as "Not Rated" by the Better Business Bureau - after all, the company is based in the UK. Fortunately, customer feedback elsewhere is easy to find and is generally positive and enthusiastic, especially in more recent months. (In the past, some users were disappointed with the service, mostly in comparison with other big-name DNA testing companies, but many clients now say that Living DNA stacks up quite nicely against even the most well-known services.)
Not the worst, but not the best
Unfortunately, that's still not enough to boost this DNA testing kit higher in our rankings. Prices here are higher than average: you can very likely get the same level of detail (or greater) from a competitor for less. There's nothing so over-the-top amazing about what Living DNA offers to justify a higher price tag, and if you're hoping to make big connections with distant cousins, their database isn't broad enough for you to find many meaningful connections. This isn't necessarily a DNA test to avoid, but we recommend using it only if you don't find what you need with one of our higher-rated services.
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The 10 Best DNA Testing Kits
Where Can You Get the Best DNA Testing Kits?
Direct-to-consumer DNA testing has exploded over the last decade. From popular TV shows that document the ancestry of celebrities to clickbait articles describing the latest "she almost married her long-lost brother!" scandal prevented by a DNA test, it seems like everyone is pretty familiar with the appeal and power of these kits.
There are three main reasons why people buy a DNA test these days. The most common is to explore their heritage. Am I really related to royalty? Did my great-great-grandparents actually come from a small town in Italy? DNA tests can often reveal the answers to such questions. These tests also help people connect with living relatives, from distant cousins overseas to half-siblings and even previously-unknown parents.
DNA Testing Kit FAQ
Continued from above...
Most DNA testing services allow you to keep that information private, though, if you just want to see your ethnicity breakdown without disclosing yourself to any relatives who might be in their database.
The second reason many individuals choose to buy a DNA testing kit is to get information on health and wellness. Depending on the provider you choose, your results may include basic traits like cleft chin or sensitivity to caffeine, or they may go so far as to tell you if you're a carrier for certain hereditary diseases. These tests can help you be proactive with your health, give your physician more details to guide your treatment, and maybe even prolong your life.
If you've ever watched The Jerry Springer Show, you already know the third reason people buy DNA tests: to prove paternity. That's easier to do when the alleged father is a willing participant in the test, but some companies also offer sibling, half-sibling, grandparent and avuncular (such as aunt/uncle) options that can give you a percentage of likelihood that the individual is related.
You've got lots of options for DNA testing kids. Which one should you buy? These are the factors you should keep in mind as you decide:
- Purpose. Why do you want to test your DNA: ancestry, health, or paternity? The answer to that question will automatically narrow down your choices.
- Value. What will you get for what you spend? Will your results come in a detailed report or just a vague summary? Are there any other services included with your purchase, like a family tree builder, dietary recommendations, or other guidance?
- Additional Costs. Some DNA testing kits have ongoing membership or subscription fees. Be sure you understand what you're getting when you click the "order now" button: many people are angry when they find "unexpected" charges on their credit cards because they didn't read the part that explained the monthly or annual service fees.
- Reputation. What do other customers say about their experience with using the DNA test provider? Did they have any issues with getting results in a timely fashion? Does the test deliver what the company promises?
To help you choose the right service to learn more about your health and heritage, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the most popular providers of DNA testing kits on the market today. We're confident that through these tests, you can discover everything you've wanted to know about your genetics!
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