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The best DNA test kits in the UK: AncestryDNA, 23andMe, and more

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5 years ago

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BEST BUDGET PICK

MyHeritage

If you’re just interested in the pie chart and don’t care about contacting relatives, MyHeritage is a great option that won’t break the bank.

By Team Commerce

DNA test kits like MyHeritage, AncestryDNA and 23andMe have become increasingly popular over the past few years and were a sought-after gift item during the Black Friday sales. 

Though DNA tests are being added to more and more people’s bucket lists, the sheer number of kits you can choose from is overwhelming. The result? A lot of interested customers opt out simply because they’re not sure which kit to buy.

And that sucks, because finding out the whos, whats, and wheres that made you into the person you are is way too awesome to pass up.

We did some digging to bring you the ultimate DNA test comparison guide. We’ve looked at five of the most popular DNA test kits out there — MyHeritage, AncestryDNA, 23andMe, Living DNA, and  Ancestral Origins — to give you the rundown on the differences between each kit so you can decide which one is the best for you. 

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of each kit, it’s important to understand the fancy terms that will be mentioned frequently so you can get a handle on how DNA testing kits work.

Autosomal testing is the most basic and most popular means of genetic testing, commonly known as the family finder. Autosomal DNA tests look at 22 pairs of chromosomes not involved in determining a person’s sex. It is used for cousin and distant relative matching as well as mixture percentages, or your ethnic mix, plus common genetic traits, like heritable diseases and eye colour.

mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) testing traces your maternal lineage. These are the DNA strands passed down from the birth mother. There’s very little chance that these could be altered, so your direct maternal line can be traced back quite far. 

Y-DNA testing focuses on the Y chromosome, which you probably recognise as the “male” chromosome, and can guess that this test traces your paternal lineage. These are the DNA strands that enable your paternal line can be traced. However, it is important to note that only people assigned “male” at birth can use a Y-DNA test directly.

Note: While autosomal testing shows who your relatives are, remember that this is a mix of both sides — and does not necessarily show you which side of the family they came from. Another thing to note is that mtDNA and Y-DNA tests can trace back anywhere from 20-100 generations, while autosomal tests can only trace back to 5-8 generations. 


Fastest results • Cheapest DNA kit • Most graphic regions behind AncestryDNA and Living DNA

Results only kept for 25 years • No separate maternal/paternal tracing • Extremely small database for contacting relatives

If you’re just interested in the pie chart and don’t care about contacting relatives, MyHeritage is a great option that won’t break the bank

1. MyHeritage

If you’re just interested in the pie chart and don’t care about contacting relatives, MyHeritage is a great option that won’t break the bank.

  • Tests:
    Autosomal
  • Price:
    £59
  • Wait time:
    3-4 weeks
If your budget is a little tighter and you’re only looking for the autosomal testing, MyHeritage could be the DNA test for you. First-timers may also find this kit the most appealing as it is the most user-friendly. Swab the inside of your cheek with the provided tool, send it back for testing, and have your results in 3-4 weeks. Results are kept for 25 years.
The good: MyHeritage is said to be the fastest and cheapest test, usually sending results back to participants in 3-4 weeks and not requiring a monthly paid subscription to access results. MyHeritage also pulls from 42 graphic regions, the third highest number behind AncestryDNA and Living DNA. DNA can be linked online to create a family tree, and there is an option to upload raw data — so if you’ve gotten some sort of genealogy tests done before or have outside genetics information that you’d like to use, it can easily be included in results.
The downside: Though MyHeritage uses a good number of geographical regions, it has the smallest matching database size out of the kits compared here (aside from Living DNA, which doesn’t have a database). It also does not offer separate mtDNA or Y-DNA tests, so if you’re looking to trace your direct maternal or paternal line or results more specific to your maternal or paternal side, MyHeritage may not be able to give those details. If you’re hoping for an in-depth look at how your ancestors lived, MyHeritage may not be the right kit.
The price: MyHeritage can be purchased on Amazon or MyHeritage.com for £59, which is £20 less than the next cheapest kit in the list. Creating an account and logging back in to see results is free. 

Only DNA kit to offer health screenings • Next largest DNA pool behind AncestryDNA

Pricey • No maternal/paternal line tracing

The only DNA test kit to offer health screenings, 23andMe is ideal for those who have a history of illness in their family (or those who just want peace of mind)

2. 23andMe

Offers health screenings as well as ancestry services, making it ideal for those with a family history of illness.

  • Tests:
    Autosomal, health
  • Price:
    £79-£149
  • Wait time:
    6-8 weeks
Called 23andMe as a nod to each person’s unique set of 23 chromosomes, 23andMe is the only kit in this lineup to offer health screenings aside from autosomal testing. Fill the tube with your spit, send it back for testing, and get your results in 6-8 weeks. Results are kept indefinitely, so you can log on at any time to see or update your family tree.
The good: One super unique thing about 23andMe is that it does health and wellness screenings. Though the basic version just traces ancestry, a more deluxe option includes the health screening. 23andMe’s health tests can give valuable information about genetic illnesses, health risks, carrier status on health conditions, or traits that may run in your family — providing you with an important heads up about any checkups you may want to schedule.
The downside: 23andMe’s genealogical community is significantly smaller than that of AncestryDNA, so results are not being pulled from nearly as many places across the world. However, this is the second largest when compared to the other three kits.
The price: 23andMe’s official website and Amazon offer sales frequently and the price varies depending on if you choose just the ancestry test or add the health screening. At £79-£149, it’s certainly not the cheapest, but it does offer something that the others do not.

Largest database of all DNA kits • Makes contacting found relatives easy • Results never disappear • Great for adopted individuals finding biological family

No separate maternal/paternal test • Small East Asian genealogical pool

With what is said to be the largest database of all DNA test kits, AncestryDNA offers user-friendly family tree breakdowns and easy ways to connect with relatives

3. AncestryDNA

A massive genealogical pool and the ability to connect with relatives makes it one of the best in the game.

  • Tests:
    Autosomal
  • Price:
    £79
  • Wait time:
    6-8 weeks
Possibly the most well-known DNA service (and for good reason), most people use AncestryDNA to get that coveted pie chart and to uncover distant relatives hiding in their family tree. Simply pop your spit into the tube provided, send it back for testing, and you’ll receive results in 6-8 weeks. Results are kept indefinitely, so you can log on at any time to see or update your family tree.
The good: AncestryDNA pulls results from a very large genealogical pool (around 5 million DNA sets) and from some 700,000 locations in 150 ethnic regions (thanks to migration data) around the world — which is said to be the largest database of all DNA test kits. DNA matches can be linked online to create your family tree, and if a family match is also signed up on Ancestry.com, you have the option to reach out and connect. Results also never go away and can be viewed indefinitely, as long as you keep up your subscription. Options to contact database matches are great, making this one of the best tests for adopted individuals to connect with biological relatives.
The downside: It does not offer separate mtDNA or Y-DNA tests, so if your priority is results more specific to your maternal or paternal side, AncestryDNA may not be able to give those details. Also, people of East Asian descent may find AncestryDNA frustrating because they haven’t yet sampled enough people to provide specific data for that part of the world.
The price: A best seller on Amazon, the AncestryDNA kits normally go for £79, but are frequently on sale both on Amazon and Ancestry.com. 

Maternal and paternal tracing for no extra charge • Great value for the price • Goes in-depth into the British Isles

Long wait time • No database to connect with relatives

Living DNA will trace your maternal and paternal line for the best price we’ve seen

4. Living DNA

Trace both your mother and father’s line for the best price we’ve seen.

  • Tests:
    Autosomal, mtDNA, Y-DNA
  • Price:
    £79
  • Wait time:
    10-12 weeks
If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck and definitely want all three tests done, Living DNA is your best bet. Another thing: If you know that most of your results will be in the UK or are most interested in the UK regions, Living DNA will be the kit for you as it goes very in-depth into the British Isles. Swab the inside of your cheek with the provided tool, send it back for testing, and have your results in 10-12 weeks. Results are kept indefinitely, so you can log on at any time to see or update your family tree.
The good: Living DNA is the best deal if you definitely want all three tests. It offers mtDNA and Y-DNA tests in the basic kit with no extra charge, which is something none of the other kits do. It also pulls info from 80 geographical locations, meaning that Living DNA provides pretty detailed information when it comes to region.
The downside: Unlike some of the other tests discussed here, Living DNA does not have a matching database or the feature to connect with relatives who also have a Living DNA account. Living DNA results also take the longest to come back.
The price: Living DNA is £79. It’s the best deal if you want more than autosomal testing considering that the other kits offering all three tests come in much higher.

Results in two weeks • Expanded 10-page report

Does not distinguish between paternal and maternal sides • Pricey

Discover your family history and get a generalised picture of your ancestry in just two weeks

5. Ancestral Origins

Gain access to a newly updated and expanded 10-page report in just two weeks.

  • Tests:
    Autosomal
  • Price:
    £149.95
  • Wait time:
    2 weeks
The Ancestral Origins test will link your DNA to geographical regions and studied anthropological groups, providing results in just two weeks from receipt of samples. So if you you want fast results, this is the test for you.
The good: There’s a lot to like about the Ancestral Origins DNA test, aside from the fast results. It’s easy to understand, it looks at a full 24 markers, and it uses a fairly large database made up of hundreds of global populations and fourteen anthropological regions. It also produces a newly updated and expanded 10-page report, as well as a customised Ancestral Origins map, giving you a great insight into your ancestry.
The downside: So it’s not the cheapest, but we’ll get to that. Other than the cost, it comes down once again to the fact that they don’t distinguish between paternal and maternal sides. They do have other test kits that give an insight into your paternal or maternal lineage but there’s no single solution.
The price: At £149.95, it’s certainly not the cheapest option out there, but it does produce the fastest results. So there’s that. For an extra £30 you can find out even more about your ancestry with a pie graph certificate and a report which elaborates on your ancestral roots even further. 

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