Best TTC Starter Kit: Everything You Need
Everything you need to start trying to conceive—at every budget level.
TTC Essentials at a Glance
- Must-Have: Prenatal vitamins (start now!)
- Highly Recommended: Ovulation tests (OPKs)
- Helpful: BBT thermometer, fertility-friendly lube, tracking app
- Nice to Have: Pregnancy tests, fertility books, supplements
💵 Budget TTC Kit: $30-50
Everything you need without breaking the bank.
1. Prenatal Vitamins
Start at least 1 month before TTC. Look for folate (not just folic acid).
Budget pick: Nature Made Prenatal + DHA
~$20-25 (90-day supply)
Check Price →2. Ovulation Test Strips
Identify your fertile window. Test strips are just as accurate as digital.
Budget pick: Easy@Home 50 OPK + 20 HCG Combo
~$16-20
Check Price →3. Tracking App (Free)
Track your cycle, OPKs, and symptoms. Free apps work great.
Recommended: Premom (pairs with Easy@Home strips) or Fertility Friend
Free
⭐ Standard TTC Kit: $75-125
The most popular setup for TTC success.
1. Quality Prenatal Vitamins
Methylated folate, DHA included, easy on the stomach.
Recommended: Ritual Essential Prenatal
~$35/month
Get 30% Off First Month →2. Ovulation Tests
Digital for easy reading, or strips with app integration.
Option A: Clearblue Advanced Digital (20 tests) — $35-45
Option B: Easy@Home 50 OPK combo — $16-20
Clearblue → | Easy@Home →3. BBT Thermometer
Confirm ovulation with temperature charting.
Recommended: Easy@Home Smart BBT (Bluetooth sync)
~$25-30
Check Price →4. Pregnancy Test Strips
Stock up so you can test without guilt when the time comes.
Recommended: Pregmate 25-pack + First Response for confirmation
~$8-10 + $12-15
Pregmate → | FRER →5. Fertility-Friendly Lubricant
If you need lube, make sure it's sperm-safe.
Recommended: Pre-Seed
~$22-26
Check Price →The Essentials Explained
1. Prenatal Vitamins — START NOW
This is the one non-negotiable. Folate is critical for neural tube development, which happens in the first 28 days after conception—often before you know you're pregnant. Start your prenatal at least 1 month before TTC, ideally 3 months.
What to look for:
- 400-800mcg folate (methylfolate preferred over folic acid)
- DHA omega-3 (at least 200mg)
- Iron (unless you're not anemic)
- Vitamin D (1000-4000 IU)
- Bonus: choline (most prenatals are low—aim for 150mg+)
➡️ Related: Best Prenatal Vitamins for TTC
2. Ovulation Tests — KNOW YOUR WINDOW
You can only get pregnant during your fertile window (about 6 days per cycle). Without tracking ovulation, you're guessing. OPKs detect your LH surge, telling you ovulation is coming in the next 24-48 hours.
Options:
- Test strips: Cheapest, accurate, require line reading
- Digital (Clearblue): Easy smiley face, costs more
- Monitors (Mira, Inito): Most data, premium price
➡️ Related: Best Ovulation Tests
3. Tracking App — FREE & ESSENTIAL
A good app helps you log your period, OPK results, symptoms, and (optionally) BBT. It predicts your fertile window and stores your data over time.
Top free options:
- Premom: Best for OPK photo tracking
- Fertility Friend: Best for BBT charting
- Flo: Best for ease of use
➡️ Related: Best Fertility Tracking Apps
Optional But Helpful Add-Ons
BBT Thermometer
Tracks your basal body temperature to confirm ovulation occurred (temp rises after O). Helpful for understanding your cycle but not strictly necessary if using OPKs.
Cost: $10-30 (basic) or $150-220 (wearable like Tempdrop)
Fertility-Friendly Lubricant
Regular lubricants can harm sperm. If you need lubrication, use a fertility-friendly option like Pre-Seed or Conceive Plus. If you don't need lube, skip this.
Cost: $20-25
Pregnancy Test Strips
Stock up early so you're not running to the store in the TWW. Cheap strips work just as well as expensive ones after your missed period. Save First Response Early Result for early testing.
Cost: $8-15
CoQ10/Ubiquinol
May support egg quality, especially for women 35+. Start 3 months before TTC for best effect.
Cost: $25-50/month
Fertility Books
Knowledge reduces stress and helps you advocate for yourself. Top picks: "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" (understanding your cycle) and "It Starts with the Egg" (egg quality).
Cost: $15-20 each
What You DON'T Need
Skip these—they're unnecessary or unproven:
- Expensive "fertility kits" from random brands — Often overpriced bundles of basic items
- Unproven supplements — Stick to prenatals, CoQ10, and vitamin D unless directed by a doctor
- Multiple tracking devices — Pick one method and use it consistently
- Premium app subscriptions — Free versions are usually sufficient
Our Recommendation
For most people just starting TTC, the Standard Kit (~$95-125) offers the best balance. You get quality tracking tools, a good prenatal, and supplies to test when the time comes.
If you're just beginning and want to start simple, the Budget Kit (~$35-45) covers the essentials—especially important is starting that prenatal NOW.
If you've been trying for a few months, have irregular cycles, or want maximum data, the Premium Kit investments may be worthwhile—especially the fertility monitor and wearable tracker.
Remember: the most important items are the prenatal vitamin (start today!) and something to identify your fertile window. Everything else is helpful but secondary. 💚