Fertility monitors are game-changers for many women trying to conceive. While a simple calendar method might work for some, a monitor gives you a look inside your body’s specific patterns. It takes the guesswork out of the equation.
However, options range from basic thermometers to high-tech wearables that sync with your phone. It is tough to know which one justifies the price tag.
We are moms, too. We know that every cycle counts when you are trying to grow your family. That is why we spent hours analyzing the latest fertility monitors. We compared new tech against tried-and-true models to find the devices that deliver accurate readings and actually help you conceive.
We evaluated these monitors based on cost, ease of use, accuracy, and reliability. We also dug into reviews from parents who used these devices successfully. Read on to find the best fertility monitor for your body so you can focus on the fun part of making a baby.
- Works efficiently
- Natural method of birth control
- No additional accessories needed
- Switch between Fahrenheit and Celcius
- 6-month battery time
- Well-explained instructions
- Monitors two hormones in a single run
- 99% accuracy
- Great for irregular periods
- Also tests for pregnancy
- Fast and reliable results
- Tracks 2 key fertility hormones
- Waterproof and flexible thermometer tip
- Celsius and Fahrenheit reading
- High accuracy to 0.01 degrees
- Easy to use
- Accessible app
- Gives holistic view of overall health
- Discreet and safe to use overnight
- 99% accuracy rate
- Predicts ovulation 24 hours in advance
What Is a Fertility Monitor?
Fertility monitors are electronic devices that track your physiological signals to identify your fertile window.
Depending on the model, they track hormone levels in your urine, basal body temperature (BBT), electrolyte resistance in vaginal fluids, or a combination of these factors.
A good monitor removes the stress of manual tracking. It detects subtle biological clues you might miss on your own to help you optimize your chances of getting pregnant.
How Fertility Monitors Work
Most monitors track two specific hormones: estrogen and luteinizing hormone (LH).
LH is the “trigger” hormone for fertility. It signals your ovaries to release an egg (1). Just before ovulation, your LH levels surge. Estrogen levels typically rise before the LH surge, giving you an earlier heads-up that your fertile window is opening.
When your cycle begins, the monitor will prompt you to test. This usually involves:
- Urine tests: Dipping a stick in a sample.
- Temperature checks: Using a specialized thermometer.
- Wearables: Wearing a bracelet or sensor overnight.
You typically repeat this for 10 to 20 days. The monitor analyzes the data to identify “Peak,” “High,” or “Low” fertility days. Some use simple red or green light systems to indicate when intercourse is most likely to result in pregnancy (2).
How Accurate Are Fertility Monitors?
Most fertility monitors boast an accuracy rate of 97% to 99% when used correctly.
However, human error is the biggest variable. You must follow the instructions exactly. If your device requires a urine sample or a temperature reading, do it immediately upon waking up. Even a quick trip to the bathroom before testing can alter your basal body temperature.
Beyond using the device, understanding your own body is vital.
What May Affect the Results?
Internal and external factors can interfere with your monitor’s readings. Watch out for these common disruptors:
- Medical conditions: Issues like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome can cause false peaks.
- Medications: Fertility drugs containing hCG, menotropins, or danazol can skew results.
- Recent pregnancy: If you were recently pregnant or breastfeeding, your hormone baseline might be different.
If you are undergoing fertility treatments with drugs like Clomid, talk to your doctor (3). You generally need to wait a few days after your last dose before starting to monitor, as the medication can trigger false positive results.
Different Types of Fertility Monitors
There are a few ways to track your window. Some devices focus on urine analysis, while others look at temperature or saliva.
Here are the main categories:
- Digital fertility monitors: These handheld devices read test strips (usually urine) or take direct readings (thermometers). They are generally the most accurate for tracking hormone surges in real-time.
- Wearable fertility monitors: These sensors are worn on the wrist, arm, or inside the vagina overnight. They track basal body temperature and sometimes heart rate. They are convenient because they passively collect data while you sleep.
Product Reviews
We tested and analyzed the top devices to help you pinpoint ovulation and boost your chances of conception.
Lady-Comp Fertility Monitor
Best Digital Fertility Monitor
We selected the Lady-Comp as our top digital pick because it balances longevity with accuracy. It learns your cycle over time and does not require you to buy endless boxes of test strips.
It takes about 30 seconds of your morning. You simply use the attached thermometer to take your temperature immediately after waking up. The device analyzes the data against its massive database to determine your fertility status for the day.
We love that this is a one-time purchase. While the upfront cost is high, you save money in the long run by avoiding disposable accessories. The interface is simple: a green light means you are infertile, while a red light means you are fertile.
Lady-Comp is often used as natural birth control, but its precise tracking makes it an excellent tool for conception as well. It creates a detailed picture of your cycle without the mess of urine tests.
Pros
- Fast 30-second daily routine.
- Zero ongoing costs for strips or wands.
- High-quality German engineering.
- Suitable for both conception and preventing pregnancy.
Cons
- Significant upfront financial investment.
- Navigation buttons can feel a bit dated.
- Only tracks temperature, not hormone levels.
Our Ratings
iFertracker Smart Fertility Tracker
Best Wearable Fertility Monitor
If you want to track Basal Body Temperature (BBT) but hate waking up to shove a thermometer in your mouth, the iFertracker is a great solution. It is a small, wearable sensor that fits under your armpit.
BBT is most accurate when measured after a long period of rest. Because this device records your temperature continuously while you sleep, it often provides a cleaner data set than a standard oral thermometer.
You attach the sensor using a small adhesive patch before bed. In the morning, you sync the device with your phone to see your chart. This eliminates the “human error” of forgetting to temp or moving too much before measuring.
The sensor also tracks sleep quality, which is a nice bonus since stress and fatigue can impact fertility (4). However, relying on adhesive patches means you will need to buy refills eventually.
Pros
- Passive tracking requires no effort in the morning.
- More accurate than oral temping for many users.
- Compact and comfortable to wear.
- Tracks sleep quality alongside fertility.
Cons
- Adhesive refills are an ongoing cost.
- Syncing with the app can sometimes be glitchy.
- Some users find the sticky residue annoying.
Our Ratings
Tempdrop Fertility Tracker
Easiest to Use Fertility Tracker
Tempdrop has a cult following in the fertility community for a reason. It uses a smart algorithm to “learn” your personal temperature patterns and filter out disturbances like waking up to use the bathroom or having a restless night.
You wear the sensor on your upper arm with a soft armband. Alternatively, you can tuck it into a tight sports bra. This flexibility makes it much more comfortable than adhesive sensors or vaginal sensors.
Setup is straightforward. You download the app, create an account, and wear the device to sleep. In the morning, you sync the data. Note that it takes about 14 to 60 days for the algorithm to fully kick in and smooth out your chart, so start using it as soon as possible.
The app is decent, but many users prefer to sync their Tempdrop data into other charting apps like “Read Your Body” for more detailed analysis.
Pros
- Smart algorithm filters out bad data from poor sleep.
- Extremely comfortable armband design.
- Battery lasts for months and is easy to replace.
- Great for women with irregular sleep schedules or nursing moms.
Cons
- The armband frame can be fragile (handle with care).
- Algorithm takes a few weeks to reach maximum accuracy.
- Putting the armband on one-handed takes practice.
Our Ratings
Mira Fertility Plus Tracking Monitor
Best for Irregular Cycles
If you love data, Mira is the gold standard. Unlike basic sticks that give you a smiley face or a line, Mira gives you actual numerical values for your hormone levels. This is “lab-grade” testing at home.
The Mira analyzer connects to your phone via Bluetooth. You dip a test wand into your urine and insert it into the device. It measures Estrogen and LH (and Progesterone with upgraded wands) to give you a complete picture of your cycle curve.
This is particularly helpful for women with irregular cycles or PCOS. Standard tests often give false positives if your LH is naturally high, but Mira shows you the exact numbers so you can see the real surge relative to your baseline.
The app uses AI to learn your pattern. It helps you pinpoint the full fertile window, not just the day of ovulation. The downside is the cost; the wands are expensive compared to cheap dip strips.
Pros
- Provides numerical hormone concentrations.
- Tracks Estrogen, LH, and PdG (progesterone metabolite).
- Excellent for PCOS and irregular cycles.
- 99% accuracy in detecting hormone surges.
Cons
- The device and wands are expensive.
- Testing takes longer than a standard strip (about 15 minutes).
- Occasional “wand errors” can be frustrating and wasteful.
Our Ratings
Clearblue Touch Screen Fertility Monitor
Best Fertility Monitor for PCOS
Clearblue is a household name for a reason. This touchscreen monitor is a robust, all-in-one system that keeps your data stored locally rather than on a phone app. If you want to keep your phone out of the bathroom, this is a solid choice.
It tracks both estrogen and LH to identify “High” and “Peak” fertility days. By catching the rise in estrogen first, it can usually identify more fertile days than a standard ovulation test, giving you a wider window to try.
The device is intuitive. It tells you exactly which days to test, so you don’t waste strips. It adapts to your cycle length, though it works best if your cycles are between 21 and 42 days.
For women with PCOS, this monitor is often reliable because it tracks the trends over time. However, you do need to buy the specific Clearblue monitor test sticks, which are different from their standard ovulation tests.
Pros
- Identifies up to 6 fertile days per cycle.
- Touchscreen is easy to read and navigate.
- Removes the guesswork of interpreting faint lines.
- Stores six cycles of history on the device.
Cons
- Requires specific, branded test sticks.
- No backlight, which can be tricky for early morning testing.
- Requires a “learning month” to establish your baseline.
Our Ratings
Easy@Home Digital Basal Thermometer
Best App and Monitor Combo
You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars to track your fertility accurately. The Easy@Home thermometer pairs with the Premom app to give you a smart tracking system for the price of a few lattes.
This is a Bluetooth-enabled thermometer. You take your temperature orally in the morning, and it automatically syncs the number to the app on your phone. This saves you from squinting at a tiny screen and manually typing in numbers while you are half-asleep.
The thermometer reads to the 1/100th of a degree, which is essential for spotting the subtle thermal shift that occurs after ovulation. The Premom app is also excellent at scanning and storing images of cheap ovulation strips, allowing you to keep all your data in one place.
It is a basic tool, but highly effective. It is perfect if you are just starting out and want to keep costs low.
Pros
- Very affordable entry point.
- Bluetooth syncing prevents data entry errors.
- Backlit screen for dark mornings.
- Flexible tip makes oral use more comfortable.
Cons
- Beep volume can be low (hard to hear if you drift back to sleep).
- Syncing sometimes requires the app to be open.
- Battery life is shorter than non-Bluetooth models.
Our Ratings
Ava Fertility Tracker 2.0
Best Wearable Fertility Monitor
The Ava bracelet is designed for women who want a holistic view of their cycle without the hassle. It is worn on the wrist overnight and tracks five physiological signals: skin temperature, resting pulse rate, breathing rate, heart rate variability ratio, and perfusion.
By combining these metrics, Ava claims to detect the fertile window in real-time. It is FDA-cleared for use as a fertility aid. The major advantage is convenience; you just strap it on and go to sleep.
The app visualizes your data beautifully, showing you exactly where you are in your cycle. It is best suited for women with cycles between 24 and 35 days. If your cycles are highly irregular, the algorithm might struggle to predict your window accurately.
Ava also offers pregnancy tracking features once you conceive, adding value to the purchase.
Pros
- Tracks multiple health metrics, not just temperature.
- FDA-cleared for fertility tracking.
- Very simple user experience.
- Vibrating alarm feature is a gentle way to wake up.
Cons
- Not recommended for very irregular cycles or PCOS.
- Strap durability has been a common complaint.
- Price point is high for a wearable.
Our Ratings
OvuSense Fertility Monitor
Best Vaginal Fertility Monitor
OvuSense offers something different: a vaginal sensor. While it might sound intimidating, core body temperature is much more stable and accurate than skin or oral temperature.
You insert the sensor like a tampon before sleep. It takes readings every five minutes throughout the night. Because it sits internally, it is not affected by the room temperature or if you sleep with your arm outside the covers.
This high-resolution data allows OvuSense to predict ovulation 24 hours in advance using current cycle data. This is a huge advantage over standard BBT charting, which only confirms ovulation after it happens.
It is particularly popular among women with PCOS or those with irregular shifts who need the highest possible accuracy. Just remember, you need to clean it thoroughly every morning.
Pros
- Extremely accurate core temperature readings.
- Predicts ovulation in real-time (24-hour notice).
- Unaffected by room temperature or sleeping position.
- Highly recommended for PCOS users.
Cons
- Requires a monthly or annual subscription to view data.
- Some users find the internal sensor uncomfortable initially.
- Cannot be used during menstruation.
Our Ratings
Fertility Monitor FAQs
What is the Difference Between a Fertility Monitor and an Ovulation Test?
A fertility monitor is a long-term tracking device. It stores history, tracks trends, and often monitors multiple signs (like temperature and hormones) to give you a wider fertile window.
An ovulation test (OPK) is a single-use stick that gives you a “yes” or “no” snapshot of your LH levels at that specific moment. Monitors give you the bigger picture; tests give you a specific data point.
What is the Easiest Fertility Tracker to Use?
Wearables are generally the easiest. Devices like the Ava bracelet or Tempdrop require zero effort in the morning; you just wear them to sleep and sync them later.
For digital monitors, Clearblue is very user-friendly because it explicitly tells you when to test and interprets the results for you on the screen.
Can an Apple Watch Track Fertility?
Yes, newer Apple Watch models (Series 8 and Ultra and later) have temperature-sensing capabilities designed for retrospective ovulation estimates.
When worn to sleep, the watch tracks temperature deviations. The Health app combines this with your cycle data to improve period predictions and estimate when you likely ovulated.
What is an FDA Approved Fertility Tracking App?
“FDA-cleared” is the specific term used for apps allowed to market themselves as contraceptive devices. Natural Cycles is the most famous example.
It uses an algorithm based on basal body temperature to identify fertile days. It is cleared for use as birth control, which speaks to its rigorous testing and accuracy standards.
How Many Days a Month Are You Fertile?
You are typically fertile for a window of about six days: the five days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation itself.
This is because sperm can survive inside the female body for up to five days waiting for the egg. The egg, however, only survives for 12 to 24 hours after release.
When Should I Start Using a Fertility Monitor?
You can start using a monitor as soon as you decide to start trying to conceive. However, if you have recently come off hormonal birth control, it is smart to wait until you have had at least two natural cycles.
This gives your hormones time to regulate. If you start testing immediately after stopping the pill, the withdrawal bleed and hormonal fluctuations might give you confusing data.
