About This Article
Zoom Baby has more than 20 years’ experience with pregnancy, ovulation and fertility tests. This archived head-to-head review compares the Sainsbury’s and Wilko pregnancy tests that were available when we carried out the comparison in 2021.
Originally published: 25 March 2021 | Reviewed: 5 October 2026 | By: Anthony Cunningham
From the Zoom Baby Archive: This head-to-head review compares Sainsbury’s and Wilko pregnancy tests as they were sold in 2021. Sainsbury’s continues to sell an own-brand pregnancy test, but the current product and its claims have changed since this comparison was carried out. The original Wilko retail business entered administration in 2023 and the Wilko Pregnancy Test reviewed here is no longer part of the retailer’s current pregnancy-test range. The Wilko brand was subsequently acquired by CDS Superstores and has returned online and through a smaller network of new stores. The prices, specifications, reviews and final score below should therefore be read as a historical snapshot rather than current buying advice. For current fertility and pregnancy guidance, please see our latest articles.
In this head-to-head product review, originally published in 2021, we compared two pregnancy tests that were available on the British high street at the time: the Sainsbury’s Pregnancy Test and Wilko Pregnancy Test.
If you want to know more about the products as we reviewed them at the time, you can also read our individual reviews:
Sainsbury’s Pregnancy Test or Wilko Pregnancy Test?
Which did we like best? We compared the two tests across four areas: cost, instructions, sensitivity and the customer reviews available at the time.
Cost
Sainsbury’s Pregnancy Test
At the time of our 2021 comparison, a twin pack of Sainsbury’s pregnancy tests cost £3.60. That worked out at £1.80 per test.
Wilko Pregnancy Test
Wilko tests cost just £1 for two tests, making them some of the cheapest pregnancy tests we had found in a high street shop at the time.
2021 winner: Wilko
If your buying criteria were based on cost alone, Wilko was the clear winner. At just 50p each, these tests were considerably cheaper than the Sainsbury’s tests.
Historical price note: these are the prices recorded when this comparison was carried out in 2021 and are not current prices.
Instructions
Sainsbury’s Pregnancy Test
The instructions packaged with the Sainsbury’s Pregnancy Test were simple to understand and well presented. We found them straightforward to follow.
Wilko Pregnancy Test
The Wilko Pregnancy Test instructions were also well written and laid out in an easy-to-understand format. They included a Frequently Asked Questions section on the back, which we found useful.
2021 winner: Sainsbury’s
Both sets of instructions were good, but we preferred the Sainsbury’s instructions by a small margin.
Sensitivity
Sainsbury’s Pregnancy Test
The Sainsbury’s Pregnancy Test we reviewed in 2021 stated a sensitivity of 25 mIU/ml.
Wilko Pregnancy Test
The Wilko test we reviewed stated a sensitivity of 20 mIU/ml, making it slightly more sensitive in terms of its stated hCG detection threshold.
2021 winner: Wilko
On the specifications available to us at the time, the Wilko test had the lower stated hCG threshold and therefore won this part of our original comparison.
It is important not to interpret the sensitivity figure on its own as a guarantee that a pregnancy test will give a positive result a particular number of days before a missed period. hCG levels vary between pregnancies and testing too early can produce a negative result even when someone is pregnant. The NHS advises that most pregnancy tests are most reliable from the first day of a missed period, although some sensitive tests can be used earlier. Always follow the instructions supplied with the particular test you are using.
Reliability
Sainsbury’s Pregnancy Test
The Sainsbury’s test reviewed in 2021 claimed to be more than 99% accurate when used from the day the period was due.
Wilko Pregnancy Test
The Wilko pregnancy test also claimed more than 99% accuracy when used from the day the period was due.
2021 result: A draw
Based on the manufacturers’ accuracy claims available at the time, there was nothing to separate the two tests in this category.
Home pregnancy tests can be accurate when their instructions are followed correctly, but a negative result can be less reliable if the test is taken too early. If you receive a negative result but still think you may be pregnant, the NHS advises waiting a few days and testing again.
Reviews
Sainsbury’s Pregnancy Test
When we checked the Sainsbury’s website for the original comparison, there were 44 reviews with an average rating of 2 out of 5.
Wilko Pregnancy Test
When we checked the Wilko website, there were 29 reviews with an average score of 3.4 out of 5.
2021 winner: Wilko
The Wilko Pregnancy Test had the better average customer rating at the time. It is worth noting, however, that 10 of its 29 reviews were only one star, so customer experiences were far from universally positive.
Historical review note: these ratings were recorded in 2021 and should not be interpreted as current customer-review scores.
Final Score: Wilko 3, Sainsbury’s 1
The winner of our 2021 comparison was the Wilko Pregnancy Test.
In our original head-to-head, the Wilko Pregnancy Test came out ahead of the Sainsbury’s Pregnancy Test. Wilko won on cost, sensitivity and the customer-review scores available at the time, while Sainsbury’s won on instructions. We scored reliability as a draw.
That result belongs firmly to 2021. It does not mean that a Wilko pregnancy test is the better choice today, because the Wilko-branded test assessed here is no longer part of the retailer’s current pregnancy-test range and the Sainsbury’s own-brand product has changed since our original comparison.
What Has Changed Since 2021?
Sainsbury’s still sells its own-brand pregnancy test, but the current version is not something we can simply assume is identical to the product assessed in this 2021 comparison. As of October 2026, Sainsbury’s lists a two-pack of its Health Pregnancy Test and describes the current product as more than 99% accurate from the day a period is due. Sainsbury’s also states that the current test can be used up to five days before a missed period.
You can see the current Sainsbury’s Pregnancy Test for its latest instructions, claims and availability.
The situation with Wilko is more substantial. The original Wilko business entered administration in August 2023 and its former store network closed. The Wilko brand was subsequently acquired by CDS Superstores, which also owns The Range, and was relaunched online and through a new network of Wilko stores.
The Wilko Pregnancy Test used in this comparison is no longer listed in Wilko’s current pregnancy-test range. You can see the current Wilko pregnancy-test range on the retailer’s website.
For these reasons, we have retained this article as an archive of our original comparison rather than attempting to update the old score using products that are no longer directly comparable.
About the Author
Anthony Cunningham, BA (Hons), MA, is a UK-based fertility testing expert and editor with over 20 years’ experience running Zoom Baby, a trusted source for accurate pregnancy, ovulation and fertility tests and testing guidance. He creates clear, evidence-based articles using NHS guidance, professional fertility resources, and conception planning best practices. Where possible, content is reviewed by fertility specialists and healthcare professionals to enhance accuracy and reliability, helping readers make informed testing decisions.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have concerns about your health or symptoms, speak to your GP or another qualified healthcare professional. In an emergency, seek urgent medical help.
