If you are trying to conceive or just curious about your body’s natural cycles you have probably done a little research into ovulation trackers. There are so many options out there so it can be confusing to know which one is right for you. In a new series of comparisons we will lay out the facts about some of your options so you can make an informed decision about this important aspect of your feminine health.
Let’s start with most popular methods and test strips.
How they work
Both Mira and OPKs measure your luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine to track ovulation. LH is an indicator of when you are most fertile because it peaks right before your ovaries release an egg.
Ovulation Prediction Kits
Ovulation prediction kits come in two forms: threshold-based and semi-quantitative tests. Threshold based tests give you a positive or negative result to say whether you are above or below a set level of LH.
Semi-quantitative tests measure LH levels and give you a number to signify a level of hormone. These levels are broken into ranges low, high, and peak. You can use this to track your LH pattern and how it changes over time. Knowing when your peak is will help you pinpoint your fertile window.
An OPK can give you between 12 and 48 hours advance notice of ovulation.
Mira
Similar to other OPKs, Mira fertility tracker measures your LH levels over time. However, Mira uses fluorescent detection, which is a more advanced technology.
You receive the numeric hormone concentration in your urine, just like a doctor would.
Mira is 7× more accurate, 3× more reliable, and up to 6× more sensitive compared to other quantitative at-home hormone trackers.¹
This is especially helpful if your levels deviate from the population averages and tend to run high or low throughout your cycle. The Monitor sends these results to the companion app and uses smart learning to track your cycle over time and help you pinpoint your most fertile days.
Can you use it with PCOS?
Most test strips are designed with a normal textbook cycle in mind. For those that have cycles, LH concentrations, and conditions that deviate from what is considered a normal cycle, Mira uses fluorescent detection—a more advanced laboratory-grade technology, providing real numeric data.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormone condition common in women of reproductive age that can make it difficult to accurately track ovulation. Many women who suffer from PCOS have higher levels of LH throughout their cycle so there is not a surge within what is considered “normal levels” for the ovulation tracker to measure.
Using an advanced technology that is the same used in labs such as Mira, means LH readings are not based on ranges or thresholds. By tracking your numeric hormone concentration and learning your cycle over time, it can pinpoint your fertile window.
However, women who have PCOS often have a hard time conceiving and should discuss their individual condition and possible lifestyle changes with their healthcare team.
What about Advanced OPKs?
Mira detects hormones across a wider dynamic range than traditional color-based tests.
Mira Ultra4 measures not only estrogen and LH, but also PdG and FSH—and provides numeric values. This allows for a complete view of your cycle and means even if your hormone levels don’t fit what is considered “normal” levels you can track changes and peaks.
Finding the correct ovulation tracker for your needs is important. Trying to conceive can turn out to be stressful and you don’t want to be worrying about whether your OPK is the most advanced solution available. It is also important to remember that these are simply data points in predicting ovulation and there are many other physical and lifestyle factors that play a role in conceiving.
¹Based on a 2025 lab study by MiraLabs comparing Mira to other quantitative at-home hormone trackers for LH, FSH, E3G, and PdG. “7× more accurate” refers to average alignment with lab results (range 2×–18× for different hormones); “3× more reliable” refers to the average improvement in linearity (range from 1–4× for E3G to 4–6× for LH); and “up to 6× more sensitive” is based on lower detection limits (range from 1–2× for PdG to 6× for E3G). These metrics refer to technical accuracy and how Mira’s hormone concentration readings align with laboratory reference values—they are not intended to represent ovulation-prediction accuracy in this specific study. Individual results may vary. Mira is not a diagnostic or contraceptive device.
