Best Radon Test Kits for Home: 2025 Comparison Guide

Radon kills 21,000 Americans every year—more than drunk driving. Testing is the only way to know if your home is safe. Here's how the top-rated radon test kits compare for accuracy, speed, and value.

Quick Answer

Best Overall: First Alert RD1 offers the best combination of accuracy, speed, and value at under $20. For real estate transactions or confirmation testing, the Leaping Lynx kit provides NRPP-certified results with included lab fees.

Don't waste money on digital detectors yet. Short-term charcoal kits are EPA-approved, accurate, and cost 1/10th the price of continuous monitors. Use them first—upgrade to digital only if levels are borderline.

Short-Term vs Long-Term: Which Do You Need?

Short-Term Tests (2-7 Days)

Activated charcoal absorbs radon gas over 48-96 hours. Mail to lab, get results in 3-5 days. Fast and affordable.

Best for:

• Initial home screening
• Real estate transactions
• Post-mitigation verification
• Quick peace of mind

Accuracy: EPA-approved, but captures a snapshot. Radon fluctuates with weather, so EPA recommends follow-up testing.

Long-Term Tests (90+ Days)

Alpha track technology measures radon over 3-12 months. Most accurate picture of your home's annual average.

Best for:

• Definitive annual average
• Borderline results (2-4 pCi/L)
• Variable radon areas
• Health decision-making

Accuracy: Gold standard. Accounts for seasonal fluctuations. EPA says this is the most reliable method.

EPA Protocol: Start with a short-term test. If results are 2-4 pCi/L, do a long-term test. If 4+ pCi/L, start mitigation. If under 2 pCi/L, retest every 2 years.

5 Best Short-Term Radon Test Kits Compared

1. First Alert RD1 Radon Test Kit

Best Overall Value

~$19

Lab fees included

The First Alert RD1 is the gold standard for initial radon screening. It's been on the market for decades and is listed under the EPA Radon Gas Measurement Proficiency Program. Simple charcoal-based design, foolproof instructions, and reliable results.

Check Price on Amazon →

Pros:

✓ Lab fees included (just pay postage)
✓ Results in 3-5 days after lab receipt
✓ Trusted brand, millions sold
✓ Clear instructions, hard to mess up
✓ EPA-listed, meets all state requirements

Cons:

✗ Must mail within 10 days of testing
✗ Single test (buy 2 for confirmation)
✗ Some reviews mention slow lab turnaround

Testing Window: 2-4 days · Results: 3-5 business days after lab receipt · Method: Charcoal canister · Certification: EPA-listed

2. LABPRO Short-Term Radon Test Kit

Best for Fast Results

~$28

Lab fees included

LABPRO offers a streamlined testing experience with email and text notifications tracking your kit from receipt to results. EPA-certified labs, transparent pricing, and a slightly faster turnaround than competitors make this a solid premium option.

Check Price on Amazon →

Pros:

✓ Email/text tracking notifications
✓ Lab fees included, no surprises
✓ EPA-certified detection
✓ Return mailer included
✓ Good customer service reputation

Cons:

✗ More expensive than First Alert
✗ Single detector only
✗ Less brand recognition

Testing Window: 48 hours · Results: Within days of lab receipt · Method: Short-term radon detector · Certification: EPA-certified

3. RadonScreen EPA-Approved Test Kit

Best for Accuracy Verification

~$25

Lab fees included

Made by Silver Lake Research, RadonScreen uses activated charcoal and is analyzed by an NRPP-certified lab. This small business focuses exclusively on radon detection, so their quality control and customer service reflect specialized expertise.

Check Price on Amazon →

Pros:

✓ NRPP-certified lab analysis
✓ Lab fees included
✓ Return mailer provided
✓ Streamlined instruction sheet
✓ Small business support

Cons:

✗ Less established than First Alert
✗ Single detector
✗ Limited reviews compared to competitors

Testing Window: 48-96 hours · Results: Quick turnaround · Method: Activated charcoal · Certification: EPA-approved, NRPP-certified lab

4. Leaping Lynx Radon Test Kit (Alpha Energy Labs)

Best for Real Estate Transactions

~$29

Lab fees included

Partnered with Alpha Energy Labs—the most respected radon testing authority in the country—this kit is manufactured in an ISO-certified facility. NRPP-certified results in 3-5 days make it ideal when you need documentation for buying or selling a home.

Check Price on Amazon →

Pros:

✓ Alpha Energy Labs partnership (industry leader)
✓ NRPP-certified results accepted for real estate
✓ ISO-certified manufacturing
✓ Lab fees included, just pay postage
✓ Made in USA

Cons:

✗ Slightly higher price point
✗ Newer brand (less Amazon reviews)
✗ $20 extra fee in New Jersey

Testing Window: 48 hours · Results: 3-5 business days · Method: Activated charcoal · Certification: EPA-approved, NRPP-certified

5. PRO-LAB Radon Test Kit

Best for Multiple Locations

~$32

Single detector

PRO-LAB has been in environmental testing for over 20 years. Their test kits use patented design and meet all EPA and state requirements. Available in single or dual-detector packages—the dual kit satisfies real estate transaction requirements for simultaneous testing.

Check Price on Amazon →

Pros:

✓ 20+ years in business
✓ Dual-detector option for real estate
✓ Pre-paid postage envelope
✓ Email/text notifications
✓ PRO-LAB app for results tracking

Cons:

✗ Some kits require separate $20 lab fee per detector
✗ Confusing product variations on Amazon
✗ Standard results take up to 7 business days

Testing Window: 48 hours minimum · Results: 7 business days (3 days express) · Method: Patented short-term detector · Certification: EPA-approved

Side-by-Side Comparison

Test Kit	Price	Test Duration	Results Time	Lab Fees	Best For
First Alert RD1	~$19	2-4 days	3-5 days	✓ Included	Overall value
LABPRO	~$28	48 hours	Within days	✓ Included	Fast results
RadonScreen	~$25	48-96 hours	Quick	✓ Included	NRPP certification
Leaping Lynx	~$29	48 hours	3-5 days	✓ Included*	Real estate
PRO-LAB	~$32	48+ hours	7 days	Varies**	Multiple tests

* $20 fee in New Jersey · ** Some versions include lab fees, others require $20/detector

How to Choose the Right Radon Test Kit

For Initial Home Screening

Go with First Alert RD1. It's cheap ($19), accurate, and you can't mess it up. Leave it out for 2-4 days, mail it in, get results. If levels are above 2 pCi/L, buy a second kit and retest to confirm.

For Buying or Selling a Home

Use Leaping Lynx or PRO-LAB dual kit. Real estate transactions often require NRPP-certified results and simultaneous testing at multiple locations. These meet industry standards and are accepted by inspectors nationwide.

If Your First Test is Borderline (2-4 pCi/L)

Do a long-term test next. Short-term tests capture a snapshot. Radon fluctuates with seasons, weather, and HVAC use. A 90+ day alpha track test gives you the annual average, which is what EPA uses for health risk calculations.

After Radon Mitigation

Retest with any EPA-approved kit. Post-mitigation testing confirms your system is working. Most contractors include a free retest, but if not, grab another First Alert kit. You should see levels drop to under 2 pCi/L.

If You Want Continuous Monitoring

Start with a charcoal kit first. Digital monitors like Airthings Corentium cost $120-300. Only buy one if your short-term test shows levels above 2 pCi/L and you want real-time tracking. Don't skip the cheap test and go straight to digital--that's $300 you might not need to spend.

5 Mistakes People Make When Testing for Radon

1. Testing with windows open or fans running

Closed-house conditions required: Keep all windows and exterior doors closed 12 hours before and during the test (except normal entry/exit). HVAC can run normally. Testing with windows open will dilute radon levels and give you a false negative.

2. Placing the test in the wrong location

Test the lowest lived-in level—usually the basement. Place the kit 20+ inches off the floor, at least 3 feet from exterior walls, 20 feet from heat sources. Don't test in the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room where humidity interferes.

3. Waiting too long to mail the test

First Alert requires you mail the kit within 10 days of completing the test. The charcoal continues to absorb background radiation, which skews results. Mail it the day after your test window closes.

4. Testing during severe weather

High winds (30+ mph) and thunderstorms can spike radon levels temporarily. If severe weather hits during your test, EPA recommends completing it but retesting during calm conditions. If results differ significantly, use the calm-weather result.

5. Only testing once

EPA recommends retesting every 2 years, and always retest after major renovations, HVAC changes, or if you finish your basement. Radon levels can change over time. One test doesn't cover you forever.

What to Do If Your Test Shows High Radon (4+ pCi/L)

Don't panic. High radon is fixable. Mitigation systems reduce levels by 90%+ and cost $800-2,500 installed. Here's the EPA-recommended action plan:

Step 1: Confirm with a Second Test

Run another short-term test or do a long-term test (90+ days). Radon fluctuates, so one high reading doesn't always mean chronic exposure. If both tests come back high, proceed to mitigation.

Step 2: Get Free Mitigation Quotes

Contact 2-3 certified radon mitigation contractors in your area. Most offer free quotes. Typical systems use sub-slab depressurization (a pipe and fan that vents radon from under your foundation to above your roofline).

Learn more about mitigation systems →
Request Free Mitigation Quotes →

Step 3: Retest After Mitigation

After installation, wait 24-48 hours, then run another test to verify the system is working. Levels should drop to under 2 pCi/L. If not, the contractor needs to troubleshoot (most offer warranties covering this).

Step 4: Monitor Long-Term

Test annually to ensure your mitigation system stays effective. Fans can fail, pipes can crack. An annual $17 test is cheap insurance for a $2,000 system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are cheap radon test kits accurate?

Yes, if they're EPA-approved. The $15-25 charcoal kits use the same lab analysis methods as professional testers. The difference is professionals use long-term detectors and follow stricter protocols. For initial screening, cheap kits are fine—just make sure they're listed under the EPA Radon Measurement Proficiency Program.

How long does it take to get radon test results?

Most short-term kits return results 3-7 business days after the lab receives your sample. Total time from start to results: 7-14 days (2-4 days testing + 2-3 days shipping + 3-5 days lab processing). Express options can cut this to 3-5 days total but cost extra.

Can I reuse a radon test kit?

No. Charcoal-based test kits are single-use. Once the charcoal absorbs radon, it's saturated and can't be reset. Digital monitors (like Airthings) are reusable, but they cost $120-300 upfront.

Do I need to test every room?

No. EPA recommends testing the lowest lived-in level first. If that's clear, upper floors are typically fine (radon is heavier than air and accumulates in basements). For multi-level homes with finished basements, test the basement. For single-story homes on slab, test the main living area.

What if my neighbor's radon levels are low?

Test anyway. Radon levels vary dramatically between adjacent homes due to differences in foundation cracks, soil permeability, ventilation, and construction. Your neighbor's 1.5 pCi/L doesn't mean yours is safe—homes 50 feet apart can have wildly different levels.

Are digital radon monitors worth it?

Only if you've already tested high with a charcoal kit. Digital monitors provide continuous readings and track fluctuations over time, which is helpful for monitoring mitigation systems or understanding seasonal patterns. But at $120-300, they're not necessary for initial screening. Start cheap, upgrade only if needed.

Ready to Test Your Home?

Start with the First Alert RD1 for reliable, affordable testing. If levels are high, our free quote service connects you with certified mitigation contractors in your area.

Buy First Alert RD1 on Amazon →Get Free Mitigation Quotes →

Want to learn more about radon? Read our complete guide to radon testing and mitigation