Sunday, February 5th
2023 DNA Testing Kit Reviews
My Heritage
- Over 5 million people in its DNA network
- 18.2 billion historical records
- 102 million users worldwide
- Ancestry results only, compared with 2,114 geographic regions worldwide
- Can upload data from other services
- Create family trees that can help you connect with your DNA matches
- "A" rated and accredited by the BBB
- In operation for 20+ years
Over the last 20+ years, MyHeritage has helped over 102 million users worldwide to discover their ethnic origins and connect with family members. Strictly focused on genealogical research, the company offers DNA testing in conjunction with a family tree-building platform and billions of historical records (like census lists and newspaper articles).
Solid choice for ancestry-focused DNA testing
MyHeritage lands among the top three DNA testing kits in our review. Although it's got a smaller DNA database (5.9 million individuals and counting) than our first two picks, it's still a fantastic resource for learning more about your heritage and possibly connecting with relatives around the world. You'll pay just $89 for the test, which will compare your sample to 42 ethnicities and 2114 geographic regions around the globe.
Memberships are extra - and not always necessary
Watch which button you click, though: one is just for the DNA kit, and the other is both the kit and a 30-day free trial of their Complete membership. The site doesn't come out and tell you in quite so many words that you'll need a subscription to get full access to all of their tools and features. These subscriptions include the following:
- The PremiumPlus plan for your family tree
- The Data plan for access to all historical records
- The Complete plan, which combines the features of both plans
We're not going to lie, those get spendy: $149 in the first year and $299/yearly thereafter for the Complete, $129/$189 for Data, and $149/$209 for the Premium Plus. If you don't cancel before your 30 days are up, you'll automatically be charged $149 for a year of Complete. We recommend getting started just with the free basic MyHeritage account first, and then decide if it's worth it to add a subscription - especially since you have to pay on an annual basis.
Innovative photo tools
We do want to highlight the fact that MyHeritage has some incredible photo tools that are available when you have a paid membership. Take an old black-and-white photo and use the Enhance, Colorize, and/or Animate tools to get an idea of what your ancestors might have looked like in living color. You can go a step further and use the DeepStory tool: named after the concept of "deepfakes" , you enter a story for the person in your photo to narrate about their life, their history, and anything else you choose (in our opinion, it's a little uncanny valley but you might love it.)
Costs
- $89 per kit
- $5 shipping
- Extra fees for annual subscriptions, ranging from $129 to $299 per year
Good reputation, smaller-than-average database of DNA-tested individuals
Do most people think their MyHeritage DNA testing kit is worth the money? The Better Business Bureau gives the company an "A" rating and accreditation, so no big worries about their overall reputation. Most of the complaints we spotted were directly related to those "surprise" membership charges, even though they're pretty clearly spelled out on the site. As far as the actual ancestry results and DNA matches go, MyHeritage is good but not the absolute best (especially when you compare a database of 5 million individuals with Ancestry's 18 million-plus).
Solid option for ancestry DNA testing and family tree tools
At the end of the day, MyHeritage is affordable and well-respected in the genealogy industry, and you should have no problem setting up a family tree and connecting with your DNA matches. You'll need a different DNA testing kit if you want health and wellness insights, but overall MyHeritage is a good place to start if you prefer not to use one of our top two companies for some reason.
More DNA Testing Kit Reviews
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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