The Best DNA Testing Kits in Canada

Known for their colourful layout and comprehensive information, 23andMe has made its mark for being one of the top-rated DNA testing kits available on the market and for good reason. 

The all-encompassing kit includes health features, ancestry, and trait exploration. The health features include learning how your genetics can increase your chances of certain detrimental health issues and can tell you if you’re a carrier for certain inherited conditions as well. You can find out about your well-being and how your DNA can influence your current behaviour and habits as well. 

Ancestry features with 23andMe include where your DNA is from across 2000+ regions in the world. You can opt into their DNA Relatives tool that will find, connect, and message those who share your DNA, and automatically start your family tree. As more relatives are added, especially close ones such as your parents, grandparents, siblings, and cousins, more information is available that you can compare. 

With the Traits Exploration features you can find out what makes you, yourself, unique and where it comes from. Reports such as freckles, hair photobleaching and more. DNA can predict your ability to match a musical pitch, roll your tongue, hate the sound of chewing, and even things such as whether you prefer sweet over salty as far as tastebuds go. 

All data from 23andMe is protected, encrypted, and entirely under your control. You choose what you want to learn about and what you want to share. When you opt into their research, you help your results and millions of others become more accurate as time goes on. 

23andMe is the pricier of the bunch when it comes to DNA testing kits, however for the amount you get that always gets updated and added to, it’s a steal of a deal when most other kits only include a portion of what this whole gamut runs. 

One of the first top-selling DNA testing kits that everyone has heard of, AncestryDNA is the most well-known and has great ratings for a reason. 

With easy-to-follow instructions and a decent price tag, the AncestryDNA kit is great for a starting point if you want to look into your family tree and ethnicity. Activate your DNA testing kit online and then return your saliva sample to their labs. Six to eight weeks is their usual estimated delivery time for results, which is a bit longer than other testing kits, but the results are well worth it according to top-rated reviews. 

From 1000+ regions, AncestryDNA connects you to the most connections with distant relatives than any other DNA testing kit. A more precise ethnicity estimate with greater geographic details and in-depth historical insights that connect you to relatives and places in the world where your distant relatives all eventually came together to start your story – all the way from unique regions and distant past relatives to current, present-day relations. 

Combining what you learn from your DNA with their kit and the Ancestry subscription, you have access to millions of family trees and genealogy origins. Privacy is protected and encrypted, and you can choose how much control you have over your information, whether you want to share anything or not. 

Controls are easy and the website is simple to use when searching and finding relatives. You can even add in your own information that you know, and relatives that you know as well. It’s an average cost for a DNA testing kit, at a little over $100, but if you want to find out your ancestry and ethnicity this is the one to go for. 

If health is your main wonder about your DNA, then TellmeGen has you set. 

TellmeGen is the health and ancestry DNA testing kit that can provide the most information on the market, whether you have a predisposition for obesity, baldness, diabetes, gaining muscle, or even your tolerance to alcohol. They’re a multicultural team composed of talent that are leading in the industry. 

They update your files and information as advances and new discoveries are made within the system at no extra charge and keep it accessible to everyone. Their support team is always available at any time if you ever have questions about your results or if you’re just generally curious about their kit before purchasing. 

It also covers health factors such as if you have a genetic variant that can be passed down to children, your own traits such as if you’re more susceptible to allergies, whether you have freckles, whether you prefer bitter or sour flavours, etc. Wellness such as possible deficiencies that might be more common with your DNA makeup, and more in that area. 

It is a bit pricier than other DNA testing kits at $200, but If you’re curious about your health it can be well worth the price tag, especially for the free updates and always increasing information as times goes on. 

If you’re looking for an overall health, wellness, and ancestry DNA kit, PNK DNA is a tough one to beat. They’re also a Canadian-made and developed brand, so if you’re wanting to support a more local business this is right up your alley. 

Their DNA testing kit includes ethnicity and ancestry testing, fitness and nutrition, sleep, and even stress. The fitness and nutrition sections can show you what vitamins, minerals, and nutrients you may be lacking or prone to lacking and what workouts work best for your body makeup. Plans and regimens you should be following for your DNA makeup are suggested. 

Sleep and stress are as important as ever, and since the majority of people are getting far less sleep and much more stressed, it’s important to see how your body responds to it and work on balancing your daily routines. Reach REM sleep easier, get more rest, and deal with less stress by understanding your DNA and what you might respond to best. 

The ancestry portion of course covers your ethnicity mix and from what areas of the world your DNA is from. From there, learn what health and wellness traits you may have that you didn’t even think of previously. With every DNA testing kit purchase, you receive a 1-on-1 session with their health professionals to go over the reports with you and answer any questions you may have. 

The PNK DNA team is comprised of a multicultural profession setting, with nutritionists, doctors, kinesiologists, and health professionals. 

If you’ve ever been curious about your furry friends DNA, Embark has you covered. 

With 350+ breeds and 190+ health results showing in their DNA testing kits, you can be sure that your best friend will show their breed mix and health dispositions. They screen for over 350 breeds, types, and varieties using a research-grade genotyping platform that was developed in partnership with Cornell Universities College of Veterinary Medicine, Embark offers the most accurate breed breakdown on the market that’s available today. 

Health screening tests for 200 or more genetic diseases including MDR1 drug sensitivity, glaucoma, degenerative myelopathy, adult-onset diseases in adult dogs, and more. You can keep your dog happier and healthier for longer. 

Most testing kits arrive within 2-4 weeks after being sent out, however, the shipping to Canada may take up to 5 or more weeks depending on the state of the post and customs. Embark is the highest rated and well-liked dog DNA testing kit available, and according to top-rated Amazon reviews it lives up to that merit.