Clearblue digital: how it works and how to read the result
There are several digital pregnancy tests on the market, like this Bluetooth pregnancy test, but today we will talk about the one that is, perhaps not the first, but certainly the most well-known and best-selling, at least in Spain: the Clearblue digital pregnancy test.
As I mentioned, there are other digital tests like First Response or Evatest, and their operation is very similar. However, as of today they are hard to find and even expensive. That’s why we are going to focus on the Clearblue brand.
How does the Clearblue digital work?
The Clearblue digital pregnancy test really works just like a conventional pregnancy test, both in how it is used and in detecting the pregnancy itself. What’s really interesting about it is how it gives the result. And how does it show it? It displays it on a small screen very similar to old digital watches (like the Casio that became trendy again), and clearly shows “Pregnant” or “Not Pregnant”, leaving no room for doubt. It’s clear that no system is infallible and it can also be wrong, but the answer it gives is clear — no more squinting at whether the lines show or not, or whether they’re faint pink or not.
As I said, it works the same way as conventional tests. The Clearblue digital has strips inside that react to the HCG hormone; the digital part “reads” and “interprets” the reactions on those strips and shows the result on the screen.
Another novel thing is that, if you are pregnant, it also shows how many weeks pregnant you are, telling you: “1-2 weeks”, “2-3 weeks” or “+3 weeks”. Remember that for your gynecologist it will be 2 weeks more, because they count from the first day of your last period. The accuracy of the week indicator is said to be 97%.
How to use the Clearblue digital
You only need to follow the instructions, which are very well specified, but to give you an idea and show you it works just like conventional tests, these are the steps:
- Collect the urine in a very clean container, preferably the first urine of the morning.
- Place the test tip in the container for 20 seconds, in contact with the urine. Never leave the test with the tip pointing up — always tip down or in a horizontal position.
- Wait for the result on the small screen. Meanwhile a clock symbol will appear; you’ll have to wait about 3 minutes.
- And, like magic, the result appears on the screen. Sometimes the pregnancy weeks take a little longer; wait a few seconds and you’ll see. The result stays on screen for 24 hours, so you can look at it as many times as you want.
When to take the test
The manufacturer assures a reliability of 99% if you take it on the day your period is due, and says you can take it 5 days earlier, although, of course, the chance of accuracy is lower and works out as follows:
- 98% one day before your period.
- 97% two days before.
- 90% three days before.
- 65% four days before.
So even if you’re feeling the first symptoms of pregnancy, it’s better to wait a few days before taking the test. Otherwise it may give a false negative, which is disappointing and wastes a test.
As always, my recommendation is to take the test once you’ve confirmed your period is late and a few days have passed. If you’re pregnant, whichever test you use, the chance of error will be infinitely small.
How much does the Clearblue digital cost?
When it comes to prices, we know it depends a bit on where you buy it, and since this website is read in many countries, an exact figure is hard to give. To give you an idea: here in Spain you can get it for around €10. On Amazon Spain there are currently prices of €9 or €18 for a pack of two.
Here in Spain you can buy it at any pharmacy, even in large supermarkets, but you know you can also get it on Amazon — check the prices!
Pros and cons
Advantages:
- The result is unambiguous, leaving no room for doubt.
- You know how many weeks it’s been since you became pregnant.
- It’s very reliable in both results (pregnancy and week).
Disadvantages:
- The price is higher, though not prohibitive.
Things that could improve:
- Since you pay for more than a pregnancy test, they could make it reusable by only changing the reactive strips.
Digital test vs. test strips: is it worth it?
If you’re one of those who spend ages staring at the line against the light and wondering whether it’s there or not, the on-screen answer of the Clearblue digital will save you a lot of nerves. The price difference compared with strip tests is justified precisely by that peace of mind: you pay to literally read the result and to know the weeks. If you’d rather go for something cheaper, I tell you all about the One Step pregnancy test in this other article — a classic, low-cost alternative.
Is the Clearblue digital still on sale in 2026?
Yes. Before updating this post I checked, because you have to be careful with these things: the Clearblue digital with the weeks indicator is still the brand’s reference model and it’s sold normally both in pharmacies and in large retailers and online shops. There’s no new model that replaces it, so everything I’ve told you above is still fully up to date. If when you go to buy it you don’t see the box you expected, don’t worry: the packaging design changes over the years, but how it works (reactant strips + screen with the weeks) is the same.
FAQ
Can the Clearblue digital give a false negative? Yes, like any test, if it’s done too early or with very diluted urine. That’s why it’s better to wait until your period is due or a few days after, and use the first urine of the morning.
What do “1-2”, “2-3” or “+3” weeks mean on the Clearblue digital? It’s the estimated time since conception (how long ago fertilisation took place). These weeks don’t match what your gynecologist says, which is usually 2 more because they’re counted from the first day of your last period.
How long is the result visible on screen? The result appears in about 3 minutes and stays visible for 24 hours, so you can look at it several times.
Can the Clearblue digital be reused? No, it’s single-use. It’s designed for one result, and in fact one of the improvements many users ask for is making it reusable by just changing the strips.
Now we only need to be able to choose the sex of our baby… But I won’t ramble on. Here you have everything you need to decide on the Clearblue digital pregnancy test.
Want clarity right now? Take our free online pregnancy test and get your result in 2 minutes 💗. And if you fancy having a bit of fun, try your luck with our finger pregnancy test game: it’s just a game, not a real test.
Remember this article is for information only and doesn’t replace a professional’s opinion. If you think you might be pregnant, take a medical test and talk to your doctor to confirm it and get the right care ❤️.
