Crystal Health Group has been around since 2005, so it’s no surprise that it partners only with labs accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and fully complies with the GDPR for data privacy.

Its most popular product is a paternity home test kit under the ‘DNA Clinics’ brand, which you can conveniently buy from its official partner, Boots (the pharmacy), for under £20, with a laboratory fee of around £100. 

A lesser-known service of theirs is in-clinic DNA testing for legal purposes.

As for the process, clients we spoke with praised the smooth and efficient collection of DNA samples. And when taken in the clinic, the assisting staff are professional, approachable, and helpful.

While Crystal Health doesn’t carry out the DNA analysis itself (it’s outsourced to a partner laboratory), it still guarantees a quick turnaround. Results from home testing kits are available within three to five days—and most clients say this timeframe is accurate.

Professional and credible testing

“Crystal Health Group provided me with everything I needed to make progress in a Civil Court matter. From my first phone call to receiving my results (on multiple occasions). There staff and sample collectors are and have always remained very professional, non judgemental, friendly and kind.

While there will be other providers offering a similar service. I would note that “Crystal Health Group” is a highly recommended and legitimate recognized company. That the Courts are very familiar with.

Overall I found there service to be fair and informative.

As a father who is openly trying to learn and fix and improve Positive Changed behavior patterns. I would highly recommend this company for those going through a similar situation.

Thank you”

Charlie Sharrod, Google Review

Fast turnaround for results

“Very good communication. Used to prove paternity. Quick results within 48hrs.”

Zoe Gray, Google Review

Laboklin is a bit of a wild card on our list, and we mean that literally. 

For one, it’s one of the oldest DNA testing providers we’ve come across for this review. More interestingly, its services aren’t for humans at all—Laboklin specialises in animal DNA testing for dogs, cats, horses, cattle, and more (but it isn’t a vet clinic)!

If you want to verify breed or screen for genetic diseases in your pets, reach out to Laboklin. The process is convenient: it’ll send out a DNA sampling kit to your door, you collect said needed samples, and just send them back—no outside visits at all!

We appreciate the reasonable pricing, too. Tests usually fall between £40 to £150, with results coming back within two to three weeks.

Although the technical turnaround is quite decent, we think Laboklin could still improve its customer service, as some clients have noted delays in communication and follow-ups.

Brilliant service quality

“Fantastic service, from the initial phone call to dealing with the samples. would highly recommend this company”

William J McGuire, Google Review

Fast service but website needs updating

“Got our dog DNA tested with these guys. Service was efficient and delivered as promised.

Need to work on their website. It’s dreadful and confusing. Also had to fill in a physical form which just felt old fashioned and unnecessary.”

Andy, Google Review

If you’re looking for NHA-covered DNA testing, then the Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine (MCGM) is a solid resource. Actual eligibility to this NHS service varies, but it’s still one of the best options out there.

Established in 2013 through a partnership between the University of Manchester and the Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust, it’s now one of the largest centres of its kind in the UK, with over 250 staff.

The MCGM offers a wide range of DNA tests, including diagnostics, carrier studies, prenatal screenings, and tumour analyses. This versatility is a plus for those who need more specialised and affordable service.

However, as is common with any publicly funded service, the efficiency of the service may vary. Some clients have had concerns about receiving inconsistent levels of care (which we highly suspect are because of the high volume of cases the MCGM manages).

Nonetheless, we fully recognise the expertise and dedication of the MCGM team.

Empathic and skilled genetic medical professionals

“Since 2019 my family is under care of Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine. Words cannot express my gratitude to the people who have come our way in the last few years! The clinical geneticist and genetic counselor who take care of my family are people with a high level of empathy, kind and very helpful.”

CaChA Ha, Google Review

Straightforward explanations

“Excellent. Explained everything in plain easy to understand english not medical terms.”

Michael Murray, Google Review

Pall Mall Medical’s Manchester Centre branch is a convenient and highly accessible option for DNA testing. It offers both ‘peace of mind’ and legally admissible tests. While the analysis of samples isn’t done in-house, its partner laboratory is UKAS-accredited.

Paternity home kits are priced around £175, but do note that a doctor’s consultation of about £70 isn’t the cheapest.

A highlight here is its turnaround time for results, which averages around 11 days or over two weeks. Moreover, most client reviews laud the smooth testing experience. 

On the downside, some commented on slow customer service responsiveness and that some staff members were a little less amiable to clients.

That said, these issues thankfully don’t appear to be the norm. As any service involving people is affected by the ebb and flow of emotions, we understand experiences can vary.

Fast test results

“Extremely professional from the first call to receiving the results.

Quick and concise testing on the day itself. I opted for the platinum package on a half price offer. I can’t recommend highly enough.

Superb service.”

Chris, Trustpilot Review

Pricey yet worth it

“While the lab testing was a bit expensive, the short visit to a clean office and very fast turn around time with my results was very impressive. For people needing results quickly and can afford the services, I would recommend using this option.”

Michael, Trustpilot Review

For court-recognised DNA testing, AlphaBiolabs is one of the most reliable laboratories in the UK. It’s one of the few places accredited both by the UKAS and the UK Ministry of Justice (MoJ), giving it an edge besides its solid track record since 2004.

AlphaBiolabs offers a range of services: legal, immigration, and peace-of-mind (personal) DNA tests. Prices start at around £200 and can rise to about £1,000, depending on the complexity. 

While this cost is on the higher end, we think it’s justified by the company’s reputation. 

In addition, AlphaBiolabs’ reliability speaks volumes too—its promise of same-day paternity test results might sound like a tall order, but it surprisingly delivers! 

The company is also fully GDPR compliant, ensuring data is only accessible to authorised parties.

Prompt, professional, and satisfying service

“The nurse arrived promptly and was professional and friendly and very helpful with my questions. Everything was taken care of in a few minutes and I was fully satisfied with the experience.”

Alastair Brown, Trustpilot Review

Organised and polite

“It was well organised and they did it on time. The environment was very clean and everything was done confidentially. The lady who received me was very nice and polite when speaking to me.”

Lydia Egboh, Trustpilot Review