bySarah Darby
Medically Reviewed by Tarun Jain, M.D.
| October 15, 2024
What to Expect selects products based on real-life testing conducted by staff, contributors and members our user community, as well as independent research and expert feedback; learn more about our review process. Prices and details are accurate as of the published date. We may earn commissions from shopping links.
Quick Summary
The best fertility trackers provide data that empowers you to better understand your fertile window. Of all the fertility monitors I’ve tried over the last five years, the Mira Fertility Max Starter Kit comes out on top for convenience, accuracy and in-depth insights.
Our Top Picks
Best Wearable Fertility Tracker Tempdrop 2.0 Advanced Fertility Monitor and Ovulation Tracker
Jump to Review$219.00 See at Amazon
Best Ovulation Predictor Kit Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test
Jump to Review$65 See at Amazon
Best Fertility Tracker for Irregular Cycles Kegg Fertility Tracker and Free Fertility App
Jump to Review$269.00 See at Amazon
show all show less
Even before I started trying to conceive my first baby, I was fascinated with understanding my menstrual cycle. But trying to pinpoint ovulation was much trickier than simply predicting when my period would arrive. At the time, I was shocked by how many methods and technologies were available to help me better understand my fertile window. Fast forward to today, and there are even more options on the market to choose from.
Over the last five years of my fertility tracking journey, I’ve tested 10 different products (when I wasn’t pregnant with my two children), including sophisticated wearables, hormone monitors and smart thermometers. All provided me with useful data and insights to help keep tabs on my cycle, plan pregnancies and even troubleshoot fertility issues.
How I Chose the Best Fertility Trackers
To figure out the right fertility tracker for your specific needs, here are the considerations that I found to be the most important:
- Ease of Use: Most fertility trackers will require either daily use or consistent use during the middle of your cycle to give you an accurate picture of your fertility. Ease of use will differ depending on your lifestyle and preferences, but I will cover what’s required from each fertility tracker for effective results.
- Cost: Fertility trackers typically have both an upfront cost and an ongoing cost in the form of app subscriptions or replacement test strips. The ongoing cost tends to be the more expensive item long term.
- Accuracy: Women are only fertile for about six days a month. The sensitivity of thermometers and wearable devices and the accuracy of hormone monitors in predicting ovulation is a significant factor in choosing a fertility tracker.
The What to Expect team also spoke with two doctors to gain better insight into how fertility monitors work and specific features to prioritize depending on your cycle; Dr. Brian A Levine, M.D., an attending physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, and Dr. Tarun Jain, M.D., MSc, the medical director of Northwestern Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University.
Without further ado, here are eight fertility trackers that I’ve tried (and loved!).
Why Trust Us?
What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.
Learn more Opens a new window
Best Overall Fertility Tracker
Mira Fertility Max Starter Kit
Photo credit: Mira
Buying Options
Pros
- Detects multiple hormones
- Predicts and confirms ovulation
- Links with app for easy tracking
Cons
- High upfront cost (replacement wands are also expensive)
- Takes 20 minutes to read results
Why We
Love it
Why We Love It
TheMira fertility tracker is a high-tech device that’s able to predict and confirm ovulation in 20 minutes or less.All you have to do is collect a urine sample each day, dip a provided test wand into the sample and insert the wand into the digital monitor. The monitor then produces a detailed report in the app, charting estrogen, LH and progesterone levels to guesstimate how fertile you are. For an even clearer picture of your overall fertility, you can invest in wands that test for FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone).
I’ve been blown away by the accuracy and in-depth insights (according to the brand, its Smart AI features track over 8.5 million data points), which makes it that much easier to assess any changes.
Because Mira collects data on multiple hormones, it’s also earned a reputation among the What to Expect community as a good option for people with irregular cycle lengths, including those with PCOS. It also senses the beginning of your fertile window, which others say has given them more time to conceive. It can be a bit confusing to understand at first, but I found my community members were more than willing to help compare and analyze charts. There are pages of community forums where people can share and compare charts.
The only drawbacks are the cost of the test wands (close to $100 for a one to two-month supply) and the length of time you have to wait for results each time you test (roughly 20 minutes). Still, for me, these are small prices to pay for the sheer volume and quality of insights Mira provides.
Community Reviews
KToffales
“The Mira is my BEST FRIEND! I’m PCOS so I ovulate randomly and have super long cycles.”
amtm23
“TLDR: Is it worth it yes but just bc your results look within normal ranges doesn’t mean there’s not an issue. Don’t let those result stop additional testing. On a positive note I know someone who was struggling with baby #2 pregnant by month 3 using Mira.”
jesspineapplebaby
“I use the Mira. Back in June I got pregnant with it. Got high LH on June 8th & we BD. Got a positive test on June 18th but it ended in miscarriage. but it works!!!!!! I recommend it.”
Best Wearable Fertility Tracker
Tempdrop 2.0 Advanced Fertility Monitor and Ovulation Tracker
Photo credit: Tempdrop
Buying Options
Pros
- Comfortable
- User-friendly
- One time cost
- Long-lasting battery life
Cons
- Pricey
- No returns for used device without upgrade
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
Tempdropis another highly popular wearable fertility tracker, and for good reason. Unlike another popular overnight wearable, the Ava bracelet, this sleek device isn’t worn on the wrist, making it ideal for light sleepers like me. Simply put it on your upper arm before bed and the device collects your basal body temperature (BBT) while you sleep. Syncing your data with the compatible smartphone app couldn’t be easier: after rising, remove the device, place it near your smartphone, and it’ll automatically download the information.
This is especially helpful If you like temperature-based fertility tracking methods, but have trouble remembering to take your temperature first thing in the morning or wake frequently during the night (looking at you, new moms).
Community Reviews
gato22
“I love the Tempdrop! Super stable temps overnight. I have whatever version they were selling in 2021, lol, and it still works great, just had to replace the battery once (it doesn’t have a charger, just a button battery). I haven’t slept through the night since my Dec 2020 baby was born, but track bbt all the time (for avoiding and getting pregnant) well with it!”
erinV0417
“I used Tempdrop and I loved it.”
Best Affordable Fertility Tracker
Clearblue Fertility Monitor
Photo credit: Amazon
Buying Options
Pros
- Easy to use
- Tracks two fertility hormones
- Identifies fertile window
- Readily available at drug stores
Cons
- Does not sync with app
- Short test window
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
When I first started tracking my fertility, I used the Clearblue Fertility Monitor, and I still stand by it as a budget-friendly, straightforward buy for beginners. It tracks both estrogen and LH, giving you a good picture of your fertile window and ovulation timing to increase the chances you will conceive.
I simply collected a urine sample, dipped a test stick and then the fertility tracker told me whether my fertility was low, high or peak. The digital device provides a lookback on up to six cycles, which is key because there is no app connection. Despite looking like the grandmother of all fertility trackers, it has remained popular for being affordable, accurate and easy to use.
The only caveat: You have to test within the same six-hour window each day. Depending on how often you need to test, you also have to consider the ongoing cost of fertility sticks; about $60 every two or three cycles.
Community Reviews
jesspineapplebaby
I use the Mira. Back in June I got pregnant with it. Got high LH on June 8th & we BD. Got a positive test on June 18th but it ended in miscarriage. but it works!!!!!! I recommend it.
Best Fertility Tracker App
Natural Cycles
Photo credit: Natural Cycles
Buying Options
Pros
- App that integrates with wearable tech
- lower upfront and ongoing costs
- easy to use
Cons
- Accuracy depends on regular sleep and temperature recordings
- not ideal for irregular cycles
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
I was using Natural Cycles when I got pregnant with my first baby, so naturally, I’m a fan! The app that tracks your BBT data and uses it to predict your fertile days each month. Natural Cycles has settings to both plan and prevent pregnancies and actually has FDA approval as a form of birth control. However, like all fertility awareness methods of birth control, there is significant room for error, so proceed with caution.
When I used it, you just measured your temperature each morning with the Natural Cycles’ provided basal body thermometer and manually input it to the app. Now, Natural Cycles is compatible with a number of Bluetooth thermometers, smartwatches and even the Oura Ring, eliminating the need to manually record your temperature. (If you do use a thermometer instead of a wearable, then you need to remember to take your temperature before getting out of bed in the morning.)
I love that the Natural Cycles algorithm takes a lot of the confusing guesswork out of calculating your fertile window. You can add additional data points, too, like LH tests and symptoms.
In my opinion, the Natural Cycles annual subscription cost is relatively low compared to other hormone monitors and testing strips, and it’s easy to use (especially if you have a smartwatch or Oura Ring). Since the app relies on data from previous cycles to calculate your fertile window, it likely isn’t the best option if you have irregular cycles.
Community Reviews
I absolutely love Daysy. She has been very easy to use and has taken away the fear and human error risk when it comes the fertility awareness method. $300 is a hefty price tag, but 100% work it.
Best Basal Body Thermometer
Easy@Home Basal Body Thermometer
Photo credit: Amazon
Buying Options
Pros
- Very affordable
- Temperature recall
- Accurate
Cons
- Basic
- Manual tracking required
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
There are some pretty fancy basal body thermometers out there — What to Expect moms are also fans of the Daysy Fertility Monitor — but I’ve had perfectly good luck with the basic Easy@Home option. If you just want to track your basal body temperature, this thermometer is easy to use, accurate and will recall your last reading if you want to take your temperature in the morning and go right back to sleep.
If you’re going to track your temperature changes manually or are curious about temperature tracking in general, a basal body thermometer does the job without breaking the bank.
Community Reviews
cgh1988
“the easy@home thermometer off Amazon, was inexpensive yet works great! I originally bought one from Target and it would give me the same temperatures often...fishy. And it was not backlit, and it wouldn't save the temps well. Definitely recommend the easy@home! It even comes with a hard case to carry it in if you travel!”
Best Ovulation Predictor Kit
Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test
Photo credit: Amazon
Pros
- Quickly identifies your fertile window
- Easy to read
- Tracks two key fertility hormones
- Widely available
- Less expensive option
Cons
- Manual cycle tracking is required
- Can only test with first morning urine
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
If you want to track your fertility hormones, but the cost of a full-blown fertility tracker and the accompanying test sticks is outside your budget, Clearblue makes adigital ovulation predictor kit (OPK) that will help you identify both high fertility days, as well as your peak fertility. It is easy to use and less expensive than other hormone monitors on this list. Plus, it’s widely available so you should be able to grab it at your local pharmacy without any issues. It also tracks two key fertility hormones, estrogen and LH. A flashing smile indicates high fertility and a static smile equates to peak fertility. A plain circle, on the other hand, symbolizes a low fertility reading.
My only hang-up with the Clearblue OPK is the fact that you’ll have to manually keep track of results and stay on top of your cycle to know when you should start testing. But, as with the regular basal body thermometer, if you’re willing to do the manual work, it will save you a ton of money.
Community Reviews
hayeongj
“i got pregnant with my second child after i started using Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test Kit for about 3 months, and we have been trying unsuccessfully for 6 months prior to that. so I would say the kit is pretty useful.”
Best Fertility Tracker for Irregular Cycles
Kegg Fertility Tracker and Free Fertility App
Photo credit: Amazon
Pros
- Only two minutes to track each day
- Able to assess fertility in irregular cycles
- One year money back guarantee
- Connects to app for tracking
Cons
- Expensive upfront
- Small testing window
- Affected by changes in vaginal environment
Why We Love It
Unlike most fertility trackers, which track changes in hormones, theKegg monitor tests for changes in cervical mucus. You simply place the tracker in your vagina for two minutes each day. The device then connects to an app to help you chart your cervical mucus, which changes as ovulation approaches.
Kegg is a hefty one-time expense, but if you aren’t pregnant within one year of using the device, you can get your money back.
Other than the high price point, you may want to consider that Kegg does require you to test within the same two-hour window every day and the accuracy can be influenced by other factors in the vaginal biome, like semen, lubricants and infections.
Best Fertility Tracker to Confirm Ovulation
Proov PdG Test
Photo credit: Amazon
Buying Options
Pros
- Convenient
- easy to use
- may be less expensive than lab
Cons
- Must track ovulation to use
- ongoing cost each cycle
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
I went through a period where I wasn’t ovulating regularly, and Proov helped me monitor ovulation by testing for the metabolite of progesterone over a 24-hour period. I found that theProov tests were accurate, easy to use and more convenient than shuttling to and from the lab.
At $40 for 10 strips, Proov is pricey for only testing one hormone, but it’s only one of a few options for testing progesterone at home. And, compared to getting a blood test or investing in a fertility tracker like Mira, it’s the less expensive route to take for this particular fertility pain point.
One consideration is you do need to know when you ovulated in order to properly use the Proov tests. I tested for my LH rise (indicating ovulation was about to occur) with ovulation test strips, then used Proov to track a progesterone rise exactly seven days later and for four additional days.
Community Reviews
fizz-ttc
“Proov has been a game changer for me. I got pregnant with all negative PDG tests but lost the pregnancy. My doctor told me it was due to low progesterone so next cycle she started me on progesterone supplements and I got pregnant. That was my rainbow baby. I'm now TTC #2 and have been using their new Complete test. If you are confused about your results, you should join their FB group. Lots of great advice and help in there.”
Types of Fertility Monitors
Some women can track their fertile window by simply analyzing changes in their cervical mucus or charting their basal body temperature. But many benefit from analyzing other forms of biometric data via a fertility tracker. The emerging market of sophisticated fertility monitors, however, makes it difficult to decide whether you want a wearable, app or hormone monitors. Below, I outline the main types of fertility trackers:
- Hormone Monitors: These fertility monitors calculate hormone levels on a digital device and aim to identify your fertile window and ovulation date. These devices typically collect a urine sample, which calculates hormone levels like estrogen, luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone. Some hormone monitors link with an app to chart your data.
- Thermometers: During the menstrual cycle, your body’s temperature at rest —or basal body temperature (BBT) — rises after ovulation. By tracking your temperature, you can confirm that ovulation has occurred and get a sense of when your ovulation typically occurs each month if your cycles are fairly regular. Some thermometers link with an app to help you track your cycle. However, Dr. Jainwarns that accuracy can easily be thwarted by illness, sleep disturbances, alcohol or inconsistent measurement times.
- Wearables: Wearable fertility monitors are designed to catch your body’s lowest temperature, typically overnight, and are worn on your wrist, arm or fingers. Some fertility monitors collect additional data, like heart rate and sleep patterns. For instance, our senior health editor, Oliva DeLong, is a big fan of the Oura ring. “I've had it for less than a year now and prior to that, I had the Apple watch for 4 years,” she says, adding it’s spot on when it comes to counting steps, monitoring restful sleep and tracking her cycle. “I find it fascinating that the temperature measurements are so accurate! I usually know a day or two before my period will begin thanks to Oura alerts based on temperature tracking."Another type of wearable fertility monitor goes in the vagina and assesses changes in cervical mucus texture and consistency that indicate fertility.
- Test Strips: A low-tech but trusted way to track your own fertility is with ovulation test strips or progesterone test strips. These test for LH, which peaks 24 to 48 hours before ovulation occurs, or progesterone, which rises after ovulation to indicate ovulation has occurred. You have to read and track changes in the strips yourself, but there are apps to help! There’s no smart functionality here (you simply urinate on them), but it’s a relatively affordable and basic, yet effective option.
- Saliva Monitors: Saliva can change in consistency during fertile windows due to estrogen. These are typically reusable and non-invasive but can be tricky to interpret correctly.
“Fertility awareness is important, and apps and tools are a positive thing,” says Dr. Levine. “But remember: They’re just guides. The best assessment is seeing a fertility doctor and having an ultrasound and blood work.”
Brigitt Earleyoriginally contributed to this article, which was previously medically reviewed byJennifer Wu, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
FAQ Fertility Trackers
What are fertility trackers?
Fertility trackers are devices that help you to identify your fertile window and ovulation date. If you are trying to conceive, fertility trackers can help you identify the best days to try to get pregnant. Fertility trackers can also help you understand your cycle and fertility. “The most fertile period is the five days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation itself,” Dr. Jain says.
How accurate are fertility trackers?
It is hard to assess the accuracy of fertility trackers as a whole, as they all function differently, but most devices have been proven to increase your chances of getting pregnant. Depending on your specific body, certain fertility trackers may be better than others for accurately predicting ovulation. According to Dr. Jain, beginners should start with BBT thermometers or ovulation predictor kits to first understand their cycles. For those in need of more detailed data, he shares, “Wearables can be a good investment, especially if you prefer not to manually track symptoms.” Both, he adds, can benefit those with irregular cycle patterns.
However, there are a number of factors that can influence accuracy. “Consistency is key for accurate readings, especially with BBT and wearable devices. Track at the same time each day and in similar conditions,” Dr. Jain explains. “Health factors like stress, illness, medication, sleep patterns, and lifestyle habits can impact readings.”
How do fertility trackers work?
Fertility trackers work in three main ways: tracking hormone level changes, tracking body temperature changes and tracking cervical mucus changes. Fertility trackers that detect hormone levels typically track the rise of estrogen and/or LH, which indicates ovulation is coming. Temperature trackers look for a rise of BBT above baseline, which occurs after ovulation as progesterone rises. Cervical trackers look for changes in cervical fluid that occur during the fertile window.
When should I consider seeing a fertility specialist?
For those under the age of 35, Dr. Jain recommends seeing a specialist after 12 months of trying. Those who are older should consider seeing a specialist after 6 months, but adds, “Immediate evaluation is recommended if there are known fertility issues (e.g., irregular periods, endometriosis, history of pelvic infections).”
These are the best fertility trackers — apps, wearables and other devices — a mom of two has successfully used while TTC, to problem-solve fertility issues and as a form of birth control.
View Sources