The 12 Best Contact Lenses, According To An Ophthalmologist

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Forbes Vetted Nov 17, 2023, 07:42pm EST Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin The fit and feel of contact lenses are very nuanced, and it can take some trial and error to make sure they’re just right. You want lenses that offer precise vision correction without causing eye strain, dryness or irritation. The best contact lenses fit well, are breathable, offer all-day comfort and give you crystal clear vision.

In truth, you should completely forget you’re wearing them at all. (Our top pick the Acuvue Oasys lenses cater to specific eye needs and offers crisp vision and comfortable wear. ) The best contact lenses fit well, are breathable, offer all-day comfort and give you crystal clear .

. . [+] vision.

Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers Whether you’re nearsighted or farsighted, or you want to change your eye color, contact lenses offer consistent vision correction and freedom of movement during sports and other activities. Plus, they don’t fog up like glasses can, and they’re less expensive to replace. Still, contacts require getting used to; they demand discipline to keep them clean, and they can cause eye strain when using screens.

With the help of an ophthalmologist, here are the best contact lenses you can buy online. Best Contact Lenses Overall: Acuvue Oasys Best Value Contact Lenses: Hubble SkyHy Best Subscription Contact Lenses: Waldo Hydra Boost Plus Best Daily Contact Lenses: Alcon Dailies Total 1 Best Monthly Contact Lenses: CooperVision Biofinity Most Comfortable Contact Lenses: Alcon Precision 1 Best Contacts For Dry Eyes: Alcon Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde Best Contacts For Sensitive Eyes: Alcon Dailies Aqua Comfort Plus Best Colored Contacts: Alcon Dailies Colors Best Contacts For Astigmatism: CooperVision Biofinity Toric Best Multifocal Contact Lenses: Acuvue Oasys Max One-Day Multifocal Best Budget Contact Lenses: Scout By Warby Parker Best Contact Lenses Overall Innovative Design, Complete Clarity And Comfort Acuvue Acuvue Oasys One-Day With HydraLuxe Buy From Contacts Direct Type: Daily | Material: 62% senofilcon A | Water content: 38% Think of this as an all-around comfortable, hydrating and easy-to-wear lens that takes you from early morning workouts to late nights out. It features proprietary tear-infused technology that lubricates and moisturizes your lenses, reducing dryness, even if you work long days using digital devices for more than 8 hours at a time.

Translation: No headaches, squinting or rubbing at dry, itchy eyes. What you’ll love: Comfortable to wear while using screens Class 1 UV blocking Ideal for nearsighted and farsighted vision Keep in mind: On the pricier side Best Value Contact Lenses Superior Breathability And A Snug Fit Hubble Hubble SkyHy Buy From Hubble Type: Daily | Material: Olifilcon B | Water content: 55% Subscription-based Hubble Contacts was founded in 2016 with the goal of providing high-quality lenses at economical prices. This silicone hydrogel style is one of three types offered by Hubble, and it features increased oxygen permeability, which translates to breathability and extended comfort.

It also has a multi-curvature design to minimize shifting on the eye, so it stays put even when you blink. New customers get 40% off their first order. What you’ll love: Highly breathable for lasting comfort Surface technology promotes moistness You can choose from 3-, 6- or 12-month subscription bundle Keep in mind: They don’t offer bi-weekly or monthly lenses Best Subscription Contact Lenses High Quality, Cost-Effective Contacts Walmart Contacts Waldo Hydra Boost Plus Buy From Walmart Contacts Type: Daily | Material: 42% etalficon A | Water content: 58% Direct-to-consumer subscription contact lens brand Waldo has been in business since 2017, and since then they’ve partnered with Walmart to make affordable contacts more widely available.

This hydrogel lens style features hyaluronic agents and vitamin B12 to keep eyes lubricated and help with water retention. They also have UV protection that blocks 83% of UVA and 97% UVB rays. Many reviewers report they can’t tell the difference between Waldo lenses and more expensive brands.

What you’ll love: Affordable Hygienic daily use Keep in mind: Not as breathable as some other lenses Don’t come as toric or multifocal lenses Best Daily Contact Lenses Comfortable And Breathable Vision Correction Contacts Direct Alcon Dailies Total 1 Buy From Contacts Direct Type: Daily | Material: 67% delefilcon A | Water content: 33% “These contacts are thin and highly breathable, which makes them great for everyday wear,” says optometrist Dr. Inna Lazar, of Greenwich Eye Care. In fact, Alcon Dailies claim to have the highest breathability of any daily disposable, meaning oxygen can permeate the contact and keep eyes comfortable.

They also feature two technologies that improve your eye environment: water gradient technology, which increases moisture at the surface of the lens, and SmarTears technology, which releases phosphatidylcholine (PC)—an ingredient found naturally in tears—to stabilize the lipid layer of the lens. The result? Flawless vision, and the sensation that you’re not wearing contacts at all. What you’ll love: Good for those who experience contact lens dryness Comes in a multifocal and astigmatism version Rebates available to keep costs down Keep in mind: Doesn’t block UV Best Monthly Contact Lenses Superior Breathability For Extended Wear EZContacts.

com CooperVision Biofinity Buy From EZContacts. com Type: Monthly | Material: 52% comfilcon A | Water content: 48% People often choose monthly contacts over dailies because they find them to be more convenient and less wasteful. CooperVision Biofinity contacts feature the company’s proprietary Aquaform Technology, which allows oxygen to permeate the lens and lock in moisture, even when you’re blinking less.

“These lenses are great for extended wear, and they offer lasting comfort,” says Dr. Lazar. In addition to being good for 30 days, they can be safely worn overnight or continuously for up to 6 nights.

Biofinity lenses also feature their Aberration Neutralizing System, which works to minimize a common optical imperfection and create better focus and sharper vision. What you’ll love: Enhanced vision quality Cost effective Less plastic waste Keep in mind: Greater risk of bacteria buildup with monthly lenses Most Comfortable Contact Lenses An Easy-To-Wear, Barely There Style 1-800-Contacts Alcon Precision 1 Buy From 1-800 Contacts Type: Daily | Material: 49% verofilcon A | Water content: 51% These top-rated, daily wear contacts are equally popular with newbies as they are with longtime contacts wearers. Made from breathable silicone hydrogel, their proprietary Smart Surface technology keeps moisture on the outermost lens surface, which means they won’t dry out or stick and give you that irritated red-eye look.

Since Precision 1 contacts are dailies, they’re less likely to accumulate deposits. These are also class 1 UV protections lenses, blocking 96% of UVA rays and 100% of UVB rays. What you’ll love: Blue visibility tint for easier handling Highly rated by users Also available for those with astigmatism Keep in mind: Some say they can be harder to remove Best Contacts For Dry Eyes More Moisture, More Comfort, Less Hassle 1-800-Contacts Alcon Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde Buy From 1-800 Contacts Type: Monthly | Material: 67% lotrafilcon B | Water content: 33% Made from silicone hydrogel—a porous soft contact material—these lenses have an oxygen transmissibility of 138 Dk/t, which means they’re one of the most breathable options on the market.

Two other standout features: SmartShield Technology, a thin layer that’s intended to protect your lenses from irritating deposits and HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix, which promises to maintain surface moisture for up to 16 hours. What you’ll love: Good for daily wear or extended wear Extremely breathable Ideal for those who are nearsighted or farsighted Keep in mind: Only available as monthly replacement lenses Best Contacts For Sensitive Eyes Crisp, Clear Vision Without Eye Redness 1-900-Contacts Alcon Dailies Aqua Comfort Plus Buy From 1-800 Contacts Type: Daily | Material: 31% nelfilcon A | Water content: 69% Sensitive eyes are easily irritated by pretty much, well, everything—the surrounding environment, eye makeup, spending lots of time at a computer, you name it. So ensuring your contacts are as comfortable as possible is key to keeping eyes happy—and redness free.

These lenses feature Blink-Activated Moisture Technology, which basically means they release a wetting agent every time you blink to keep eyes moist and comfortable. What you’ll love: Available for farsightedness, nearsightedness, astigmatism or presbyopia Recyclable plastic component in each pack Visibly tinted for easy handling Keep in mind: No UV blocking Best Colored Contacts Chic And Discreet Color Enhancement 1-800-Contacts Alcon Dailies Colors Buy From 1-800 Contacts Type: Daily | Material: 31% nelfilcon A | Water content: 69% Changing your eye color with contact lenses can be a transformative way to refresh your look, much like putting on a new outfit or unexpected accessory. Still, you don’t want colored contacts to be too obvious or they’ll look costume-y.

“These daily contacts offer the most natural look when altering your eye color,” says Dr. Lazar. The brand’s technology uses three layers of color to brighten and add depth and make eyes appear larger.

They come in four options—blue, green, grey and hazel. What you’ll love: Discreet color amplification Gives definition to the outer ring of the iris Virtual try-on tool on the Alcon website Keep in mind: Not available for astigmatism correction Color can be subtle Best Contacts For Astigmatism Specially Shaped Lenses For Comfortable Vision Correction EZContacts. com CooperVision Biofinity Toric Buy From EZContacts Type: Monthly | Material: Comfilcon A | Water content: 48% Astigmatism is an imperfection in the curvature of the eye that causes blurry vision, and toric lenses are crafted to accommodate the shape.

“This lens settles well on the eye and is comfortable to wear,” says Dr. Lazar. It has an innovative multifaceted design that keeps the lens from shifting, technology that locks in water and rounded edges for enhanced, barely-there comfort.

What you’ll love: Stable fit Breathable, all-day comfort Can be used for daily wear or extended wear Keep in mind: Some say they could be more durable Best Multifocal Contact Lenses Contacts That Help You Focus On The Fine Print Acuvue Acuvue Oasys Max One-Day Multifocal Buy From 1-800 Contacts Type: Daily | Material: 62% senofilcon A | Water content: 38% Multifocal lenses have multiple prescriptions in a single lens, allowing wearers to focus on objects at a variety of distances—meaning, they can help you have clear vision whether driving or reading a book. These multifocal contacts are great for people who spend lots of time in front of a screen and for those over 40 who have problems focusing up close. Tear Stable Technology maintains moisture and reduces tear evaporation to keep eyes comfortable and lubricated.

What you’ll love: Gives better vision in dim light Filters 60% of blue-violet light Combats eye dryness Keep in mind: Expensive Best Budget Contact Lenses An Affordable Pick From A Popular Eyewear Brand Warby Parker Warby Parker Scout Buy From Warby Parker Type: Daily | Material: 43% hioxifilcon A | Water Content: 57% Prescription glasses retailer Warby Parker is known for offering on-trend styles for low prices. That model translates to contacts with its in-house lens brand, Scout. The contacts are vinexpensive, thin and comfortable, especially if you have straightforward eye conditions.

While they’re made from an older technology, if you haven’t typically had dryness with other contacts, these could be a great, low-cost option. What you’ll love: You get 50% off eyewear when you buy a year’s supply Free shipping Uses 80% less packaging than other traditional blister packs Keep in mind: Not great for those with dry eyes MORE FROM FORBES VETTED The 8 Best Down Comforters, Reviewed By Our Bedding Experts By Camryn Rabideau Contributor The Best Split King Adjustable Beds That Lift And Tilt Both Sides By Bre Richey Contributor Coupons Hydro Flask Link to Coupon Molly Calhoun Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions.