You are preparing to choose through our tests, a DNA test to discover your origins and your living relatives and thus entrust your DNA to a laboratory. It is therefore legitimate to wonder how we select the DNA kits and on which criteria our reviews are based.
Which DNA test to choose?
Tops | Laboratories | Services | Review | Official website |
1 |  |
| Best DNA test to discover your ethnic origins with a whole genome sequencing offering comprehensive software to create a family tree. | |
2 |  |
| ISO 17025 certified and with reliable autosomal results, Quick DNA can trace your origins back up to 10 generations. | |
3 |  |
| With over 20 years of experience, Family Tree DNA has an extensive database for discovering your ancestry as well as your maternal and paternal lineages | |
4 |  |
| Best DNA test to discover your origins, haplogroup, and Neanderthal and Denisovan ancestry to enrich your family tree | |
5 |  |
| With the option to make your own DNA kit and send it in, EasyDNA’s ISO 17025 certification makes it the best lab for paternity testing and dog DNA testing. | |
6 |  |
| With genome analysis and over 700,000 genetic markers, as well as delivery to a U.S. mailing address, 24Genetics is the best DNA test for testing your ethnic origins. | |
7 |  |
| Best DNA test offering x30 genome sequencing, detailed analysis of personal traits and health, with the option of receiving reports in thirteen languages | |
8 |  | Whole genome sequencing | Sequencing.com is the best service for comprehensive DNA analysis and access to detailed reports and over 200 genealogy applications | |
9 |  |
| Ancestry DNA has the world’s largest genealogical archive database, accessible online! Ideal for creating a detailed family tree | |
10 |  |
| 23andMe specializes in health DNA testing with detailed reports | |
11 |  | Whole genome sequencing | Whole genome sequencing with 30x and 100x analysis coverage | |
12 |  |
| Offers an ancestry report covering 35 regions and tracing your maternal lineage back 230,000 years but also an acces to over 1,250 personalized reports covering nutrition, sleep, stress | |
13 |  | Autosomal DNA test | With the most comprehensive results in the world, Igenea allows you to trace your ancestry back to your prehistoric ancestors. | Igenea has not offered DNA testing since September 2025 and has permanently closed. |
What are the reasons for taking a DNA test?
How to choose your DNA test? This is an important question to ask yourself if you want to enjoy discovering your genetic heritage. Yes, the result will impact the results you obtain.
The characteristics you need to consider when choosing your DNA test are related to the study of the X chromosome (mitochondrial DNA), Y chromosome (Y-DNA), or both.
Also, as mentioned above, with reliable results.
Create a family tree
When you are ready to make your choice, you will pay attention to the types of genetic data obtained. It would be a shame if you couldn’t start your genealogy by building a family tree with your results in order to reestablish links with your cousins and ancestors.
Read our various reviews on DNA tests. This will enable you to choose a laboratory that offers to build a family tree for you when you receive your genetic results, with the aim of correlating the data from your analysis. You should also find out whether the laboratory you choose allows you to import and export your GEDCOM genealogical data file, so that you can use it on external software to build your family tree.
In addition, creating a family tree allows you to present it at a family gathering. You are sure to spark curiosity and stimulate lively discussion by presenting a family tree! At a wedding, for example, it allows you to introduce the bride and groom’s family members to the whole family! You can also take a DNA test to discover your siblings.
Discovering your maternal lineage
Choosing a mtDNA test allows you to discover your maternal lineage. As an adult, you may want to discover your mother’s side of the family because you were adopted or simply out of genealogical curiosity. In our reviews, we explain whether it is possible to have this type of test done at the laboratory.
Discovering your paternal lineage
To discover your paternal lineage, you need to take a Y-DNA test. Please note that only men can take this type of test. Therefore, if you are a woman and wish to undertake this type of genealogical research, you will need to have a DNA analysis performed on a male member of your family. In our tests, we tell you whether it is possible to perform a Y-DNA test or a paternity test.
Discover hereditary diseases
Taking a health DNA test allows you to find out which hereditary diseases you are likely to develop in your lifetime. Laboratories offer health DNA tests that provide detailed reports on the compatibility of your genes with a disease. If you would like to obtain this type of result, you can refer to our comparison table above.
Discover the breed of an animal
To find out the breed of an animal such as a dog or even a cat, you can take a DNA test for dogs or a DNA test for cats. There are not many laboratories offering this type of analysis, but there are still some laboratories offering this type of kit, such as EasyDNA. Feel free to consult our DNA test rankings.
Enjoy discovering your origins
Before discovering your origins, your maternal lineage, your paternal lineage, or your haplogroup, or even before discovering how your genes affect your health, you need to consider something basic: your personal enjoyment.
Ask yourself the right questions to find out how you will enjoy this genealogical experience and, based on your answers, you can determine the type of DNA kit and the results you want to discover.
Once you have completed this personal process, you will be able to compare DNA tests and discover your ancestors.
Laboratories with reliable results
According to our selection criteria, it is perfectly normal to screen laboratories that offer reliable results through result certificates. The more detailed the results, the more reliable the scientific analyses.
All the DNA tests in our ranking offer, at a minimum, the result certificate with complete details about your ethnic origins.
This involves analyzing the geographical areas (Europe, Asia, America, Africa, etc.) and ethnic regions (Balkan, Inuit, Native American, Ashkenazi Jewish) studied in your genes. In addition, those who read our reviews of one of the DNA tests presented above are sure to learn more about their origins.
This criterion may seem conventional. However, it ensures quality on the part of the laboratories, because the more accurate and varied the analysis of the different ethnic regions during the analysis of your DNA, the more internal data there will be to cross-reference your DNA with that of other individuals.
This criterion demonstrates the laboratory’s professionalism in developing its analytical skills and scientific equipment in-house.
DNA testing from home
When you order a DNA test online, it is to be taken at home. There are no constraints to taking a DNA test at home; you do not need to travel to a laboratory near you, make an appointment, or pay attention to its opening hours.
All you need is an internet connection! That’s it! Taking a DNA test from home is easy in the 21st century. However, genealogical DNA tests are not authorized for sale in France. You must use alternative methods to order them and have them delivered to your home.
Save time
In addition to the advantage of taking a DNA test from home, there is another benefit to taking a DNA test online: you save time! No travel, no appointments at the lab, no need to wait to receive the results before taking another DNA test—you can take several DNA tests at the same time through multiple labs! So you save time building your family tree!