iCup Drug Test vs ClearScan Cup: Features, Panels & Pricing Compared

The iCup drug test and ClearScan cup offer rapid, on-site urine screening with results in about five minutes. Compare their panel options, testing features, and pricing to find the best fit for your workplace or clinic.

In This Guide

• iCup Drug Test vs. ClearScan: Quick Comparison
• What Is an iCup Drug Test?
• What Is a ClearScan Drug Test Cup?
• iCup vs. ClearScan: How Do the Panels and Features Compare?
• How Do You Read an iCup Drug Screen?
• iCup vs. ClearScan Pricing: Which Costs Less?
• iCup vs. ClearScan: Which Is Better for Workplace Drug Testing?

iCup Drug Test vs. ClearScan: Quick Comparison

Feature	iCup Drug Test	ClearScan Cup
Manufacturer	Abbott Toxicology	Drug Tests In Bulk
Panel options	Screens for 3 to 15 drugs	Screens for 5 to 13 drugs
Design Feature	Flat-front design for viewing and photocopying results, with optional documentation tools where available.	Clear viewing surface with separate wells for individual test strips, as described in product specifications.
Pricing Model	Higher brand premium; often purchased via contracted medical distributors.	Tiered bulk pricing is available

What Is an iCup Drug Test?

The iCup drug test is an integrated urine collection and screening device manufactured by Abbott Toxicology. Designed for employers, clinics, and forensic testing, it lets operators collect and screen samples in a single container. Its self-contained design features a completely closed system, minimizing collector exposure to the specimen.

Depending on the configuration (3 to 15 panels), the iCup urine drug test screens for different substances based on the selected model. Some configurations also include specimen validity tests to help identify potential sample tampering or dilution.

How Does an iCup Urine Drug Test Work?

The iCup urine test uses immunoassay technology to detect drugs or their metabolites at specified cutoff concentrations. Results appear as lines in the test regions. The typical testing procedure follows these steps:

1. Collection: Collect the urine sample as directed by the product instructions.
2. Securing: Tighten the cup lid and apply any required security seals.
3. Verification: Check the temperature strip and available validity indicators within the specified time.
4. Interpretation: Read the results within the manufacturer’s stated window, typically around five minutes.

Note: Results are preliminary. Positive screening results may require confirmatory laboratory testing, such as GC-MS or  LC-MS/MS, per the applicable testing protocol.

What Is a ClearScan Drug Test Cup?

A ClearScan drug test cup is an integrated urine screening device with a clear, flat front surface for easy reading and result documentation. It also includes a temperature strip to help check the sample temperature.

ClearScan cups provide results in about five minutes and come in 5-, 6-, 10-, 12-, and 13-panel drug test configurations. Selected models include oxidants, pH, and specific gravity adulterant tests. 

What Urine Drug Test Brands Are Recommended for Clinics?

Clinics may consider ClearScan, iCup, PreScreen, and Insight urine drug test cups when choosing screening supplies. The best drug test cups depend on required panels, cutoff levels, specimen-validity features, documentation workflow, and order volume.

DrugTests InBulk manufactures ClearScan, PreScreen Plus, and Insight urine drug test cups and also carries iCup tests. Compare product specifications before purchasing and confirm the cup meets your organization’s testing requirements. Popular ClearScan options include:

 

iCup vs. ClearScan: How Do the Panels and Features Compare?

Both the iCup drug test and ClearScan cup offer multi-panel urine drug tests, but available substances, cutoff levels, and specimen-validity checks vary by model. Choose a configuration that matches your screening needs.

iCup vs. ClearScan Panel Options

An iCup urine test panel ranges from 3 to 15 substances, depending on the configuration. Common drug abbreviations include:

• Amphetamine (AMP)
• Barbiturates (BAR)
• Buprenorphine (BUP)
• Benzodiazepines (BZO) 
• Cocaine (COC) 
• MDMA
• Methamphetamine (MET)
• MOP
• Methadone (MTD)
• Opiates (OPI)
• PPX
• Oxycodone (OXY)
• Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA)
• Marijuana (THC)

Not every panel includes every substance, so check the product’s panel and cutoff levels before ordering.

ClearScan also offers broad coverage, with configurations available for up to 13 drugs. Common options include:

• 5-panel drug test: AMP, COC, MET, OPI, THC, with other combinations available.
• 10-panel drug test: AMP, BAR, BZO, COC, mAMP, MDMA, MTD, OPI, PCP, and THC; other versions add OXY or BUP.
• 12-panel drug test: AMP, BAR, BUP, BZO, COC, mAMP, MDMA, MTD, MOP, OXY, PCP, and THC.

Result Times, Specimen Validity & Testing Features

Both brands use integrated cups for rapid drug tests, minimizing specimen handling.

• Results: Typically available in about five minutes. Follow the product instructions for the correct reading window.
• Specimen validity: Depending on the model, both cups may include adulteration strips screening up to six parameters: oxidants (OXI/PCC), specific gravity (S.G.), pH, nitrite (NIT), glutaraldehyde (GLUT), and creatinine (CREA).
• Testing: Both cups are designed for straightforward, professional use. The donor provides a urine sample directly into the cup, and the integrated test strips produce visual results without requiring separate instrumentation.

How Do You Read an iCup Drug Screen?

To read an iCup drug screen, check the Control (C) and Test (T) regions for each drug panel within the manufacturer’s specified reading window.

Negative, Preliminary Positive & Invalid iCup Results

For the iCup urine drug test, results are interpreted as follows:

• Negative: Lines appear in both the Control (C) and Test (T) regions. Even a faint line in the Test region indicates a negative result.
• Preliminary positive: A line appears in the Control (C) region, but no line appears in the Test (T) region.
• Invalid: The Control (C) line does not appear. Do not report the result as negative or positive. Repeat the test using a new device and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

A positive iCup result is preliminary and may require confirmatory laboratory testing, such as GC-MS or LC-MS/MS, per the applicable protocol. Confirmatory testing helps prevent decisions based solely on a potential false-positive drug test.

iCup vs. ClearScan Pricing: Which Costs Less?

Pricing depends on the product and order quantity. Both the iCup 10-panel and ClearScan 10-panel drug test cups come in cases of 25, making per-test costs easy to compare.

• iCup 10-panel: $156 per box of 25, or $6.24 per test for orders of 1–3 boxes. For orders of 4 or more boxes, the listed price is $158.25 per box, or $6.33 per test.
• ClearScan 10-panel: $136 per case of 25, or $5.44 per test. Bulk pricing drops to $132.50 per case for 4–11 cases, $128.50 for 12–19 cases, and $126 for 20 or more cases, or $5.04 per test at the highest tier.

Note: iCup pricing comes from the official product listing on TransMedCo and may vary with current pricing and order quantities.

At standard prices, ClearScan costs $0.80 less per test than iCup. At the highest listed ClearScan bulk tier, it costs  $1.29 less per test than iCup for orders of four or more boxes. Before purchasing, compare the exact drug panels, cutoff levels, and specimen validity features to ensure the products meet your testing requirements.

DrugTestsInBulk also offers several 10-panel drug test cup options for clinics and workplace screening programs, including:

 

iCup vs. ClearScan: Which Is Better for Workplace Drug Testing?

Both i-Cup and ClearScan provide rapid urine drug screening, but the right choice depends on your required panel, preferred design, specimen validity features, and budget.

When iCup May Be the Better Choice

I-Cup may be the better choice if you need:

• Propoxyphene (PPX) screening, available in select configurations
• Broader specimen-validity testing, including creatinine, oxidants, pH, specific gravity, nitrates, and glutaraldehyde
• Extra result-recording tools, such as a photocopy template and optional two-part documentation

When ClearScan May Be the Better Choice

ClearScan may be the better choice if you prefer:

• A clear, flat-front design for easier reading and photocopying
• A CLIA-waived cup with a built-in temperature strip and selected adulteration checks for oxidants, pH, and specific gravity
• Generally lower pricing, with tiered bulk discounts as order size grows. For example, the ClearScan 10-panel is $136 per case of 25 ($5.44 per test), compared with $156 per box of 25 ($6.24 per test) for the comparable iCup 10-panel.

Neither product is automatically better for every workplace testing program. Compare your specific drug panel requirements, cutoff levels, required specimen-validity features, and quarterly budget allocations before ordering.

Choose the iCup or ClearScan cup that best fits your workplace safety environment. DrugTestsInBulk offers a comprehensive inventory of urine drug test cups, plus essential protective collection supplies like gloves. In addition, orders over $75 qualify for free shipping within the Continental USA.

Frequently Asked Questions About iCup Drug Tests

What drugs does an iCup test for?

An iCup drug test can screen for drugs including AMP, BAR, BUP, BZO, COC, MDMA, MET, MOP, MTD, OPI, OXY, PCP, PPX, TCA, and THC. The exact drugs depend on the iCup urine test panel you select.

How long does an iCup drug test take?

The iCup urine drug test provides results in approximately five minutes. Follow the instructions for the specific model when interpreting results.

Is there an alternative to the iCup drug test?

Yes. The ClearScan drug test cup is a premium alternative and offers integrated urine screening cups in multiple panel configurations, with selected models providing specimen validity testing. DrugTestsInBulk offers ClearScan cups in 5-panel, 10-panel, and 12-panel versions for professional testing programs.