Editor’s Note: All product prices mentioned in this article were from our research conducted in November 2023.
When picking daily disposable contact lenses, the goal is to find ones that feel good and work well for your eyes. Three popular choices are DAILIES® AquaComfort Plus® by Alcon, 1-DAY ACUVUE® MOIST by Johnson & Johnson, and Biotrue® ONEday by Bausch + Lomb. Each of these brands has its special features and benefits that could be just what you’re looking for.
In this guide, we’ll compare these three brands to help you figure out which one might be the best for you. We’ll examine what each brand offers and how they might make your daily life a little easier. If you’re new to contact lenses or considering trying a different kind, this comparison will give you the clear details to make a good choice.
Let’s get started!
Summary: DAILIES AquaComfort Plus vs 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST vs Biotrue ONEday
| Brand | DAILIES AquaComfort Plus | 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST | Biotrue ONEday |
| Manufacturer | Alcon | Johnson & Johnson | Bausch + Lomb |
| Wearing Schedule | Daily | Daily | Daily |
| Material | 31% nelfilcon A | 42% etalfilcon A | 22% nesofilcon A |
| Water Content | 69% | 58% | 78% |
| Vision Problems Corrected | – Nearsightedness – Farsightedness | – Nearsightedness – Farsightedness | – Nearsightedness – Farsightedness |
| Special Features | – Blink-Activated Moisture technology – LightStream Technology – Visibility tint – Inside-out mark | – LACREON Technology – Class 2 UV blocker – Visibility tint – Inside-out mark | – Surface Active Technology – HyperGel – Class 2 UV blocker – Visibility tint |
| Lens Design | Spherical | Spherical | Aspherical |
| Lenses Per Box | 90 (3-month supply) | – 30 (1-month supply) – 90 (3-month supply) | 90 (3-month supply) |
DAILIES AquaComfort Plus vs 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST vs Biotrue ONEday in Detail
DAILIES AquaComfort Plus contact lenses stand out with their Blink-Activated Moisture technology that releases moisture with every blink, keeping eyes comfortable all day. Made from nelfilcon A, these lenses have a high water content for greater oxygen transmission and feature LightStream Technology for a consistent water gradient.
In contrast, 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST contact lenses rely on LACREON Technology, which embeds a moisture-rich ingredient into the lens material, to deliver long-lasting comfort. Biotrue ONEday contact lenses provide a similar level of comfort using HyperGel, a revolutionary material that matches the cornea’s water content (78%). Both lenses come with handling tints and inside-out marks, but Biotrue ONEday contact lenses boast high-definition aspheric optics to reduce glare, setting them apart in visual clarity.
Each brand delivers distinct benefits, from DAILIES’ blink-activated moisture to ACUVUE’s embedded wetting agent and Biotrue’s long-lasting hydration and advanced optics.
Wearing Schedule
All three brands — DAILIES AquaComfort Plus, 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST, and Biotrue ONEday — are daily disposable contact lenses.
This wearing schedule offers several advantages for wearers. For starters, daily disposable contact lenses are ideal for those seeking convenience and hygiene, as daily disposable contact lenses minimize the need for cleaning and storing lenses. Daily disposable contact lenses also reduce the risk of eye infections associated with longer-wear lenses and deposit buildup.
All three brands are suited to the active and busy lifestyle of modern users, those who are concerned with eye health, or anyone who simply wants a fuss-free contact lens experience.
Comfort
Wearing comfort is a central feature for all three brands, but each achieves this through unique technologies and materials. DAILIES AquaComfort Plus utilizes Blink-Activated Moisture technology, which releases a moisturizing agent with each blink, providing consistent comfort throughout the day. The use of LightStream Technology also establishes a water gradient within the lens, keeping the surface highly hydrated with an 80% water content, which is beneficial for initial comfort and maintaining moisture over hours of wear.
1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST also focuses on sustained hydration by using LACREON Technology, which embeds a water-holding ingredient similar to natural tears into the lens. This creates a moisture cushion around the lens, leading to lasting comfort and reducing dryness and irritation for the wearer. With a 58% water content, these lenses ensure a high level of initial comfort, akin to the natural feel of the eye’s tear film.
Meanwhile, Biotrue ONEday contact lenses offer a unique approach with their HyperGel material, designed to match the cornea’s water content at 78%. This provides immediate comfort upon application and maintains moisture and lens shape throughout the day, closely imitating the eye’s natural condition. The material’s structure is especially effective at retaining moisture, even in challenging environments that typically dry out lenses.
While all three brands employ high water content to boost initial comfort, each uses distinct technologies to maintain this comfort over time. From blink-activated hydration to embedded moisture cushions, they cater to users seeking reliable comfort in their lens-wearing experience.
Special Features
Special features are a significant consideration in choosing contact lenses, with each brand offering unique benefits.
DAILIES AquaComfort Plus lenses, while lacking UV protection, simplify the user experience with handling tints and inside-out marks, ensuring easy and correct placement on the eye. These practical features are essential for those who value a hassle-free and straightforward lens application process.
Meanwhile, 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST offers Class 2 UV protection, which is an important benefit for outdoor enthusiasts, protecting the eyes from approximately 82% of UVA and 97% of UVB rays. This added layer of protection, along with the handling tint and inside-out marks, makes these lenses a great choice for contact lens wearers concerned with long-term eye health.
Biotrue ONEday stands out with Class 2 UV protection and an aspherical lens design. Aspherical lenses offer sharper vision with reduced halos and glare, especially in low-light conditions. While these lenses don’t have inside-out marks, their handling tint aids in application and the advanced lens shape improves overall visual experience.
Overall, the combination of UV protection and high-quality optics found in 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST and Biotrue ONEday, along with the user-friendly features of DAILIES AquaComfort Plus, showcases a range of options tailored to different preferences, whether it’s for outdoor protection, visual clarity, or ease of use.
Price
On Lens.com, DAILIES AquaComfort Plus is positioned as a mid-range option, balancing its unique Blink-Activated Moisture technology and ease-of-use features. This brand is often chosen by consumers looking for a blend of comfort and value.
In comparison, 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST offers more flexibility, available in both 30 and 90 packs, catering to those looking to try out the lenses for a shorter period or preferring the convenience of less frequent purchases.
Biotrue ONEday, on the other hand, is an economical choice for those seeking value without compromising on features like UV protection and aspherical lens design for superior vision clarity.
It’s important to note that the price differences may reflect the unique technologies and benefits each brand offers. When deciding which daily disposable contact lens brand to choose, individuals should weigh each brand’s features against their own eye health needs, the advice of their eye care professional (ECP), and their budget to determine which brand offers the best value for them.
Reviews
User reviews are a vital source of insight into the real-world performance of contact lenses.
On Lens.com, DAILIES AquaComfort Plus enjoys a high rating of 9.4/10 from 580 reviews, with users frequently praising their comfort, thinness, and reliability. These attributes suggest that the lenses are well-regarded for their ease of wear and dependable quality throughout the day, aligning with their design for consistent moisture and breathability.
1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST has a slightly lower rating of 9.1/10 but from a larger pool of 923 reviews, indicating a broad user base. Reviewers commonly describe these lenses as comfortable and refreshing, which likely reflects the moisture-retaining LACREON Technology and UV protection that are hallmarks of this brand. This consistent comfort is essential for users who may face eye fatigue or dryness.
Biotrue ONEday matches the high rating of DAILIES at 9.4/10, although based on 266 reviews. Reviewers frequently highlight how these lenses prevent dryness, a testament to the HyperGel material’s performance. The fewer reviews do not detract from the quality perceived by users, especially those prioritizing hydration and comfort.
All three brands are among the most popular daily disposables on Lens.com and other retailers, a status that speaks to their quality and user satisfaction. Despite the high ratings across the board, potential buyers should consider the specific praises and concerns noted by existing users, alongside the unique features of each lens, their eye health needs, and the recommendations of their ECP to make an informed decision.
Final Thoughts: Which Daily Disposable Contact Lens Is Better?
Each of these daily disposable contact lens brands — DAILIES AquaComfort Plus, 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST, and Biotrue ONEday — has cultivated a dedicated user base that appreciates the specific benefits and features they offer.
DAILIES AquaComfort Plus is lauded for its Blink-Activated Moisture technology and LightStream Technology, ensuring a refreshing experience and high water content for comfort. 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST is valued for its LACREON Technology which provides a cushion of moisture for the eyes, coupled with the added benefit of Class 2 UV protection. Biotrue ONEday stands out with its HyperGel material that maintains 98% of its moisture for up to 16 hours and offers high-definition optics to reduce glare, alongside UV protection.
While each brand brings its unique advantages to the table, the ultimate choice of which to wear is a personal one. It should be made in consultation with an ECP who can offer tailored advice based on your individual preferences, lifestyle, and specific eye health needs.
This information is intended as a resource, not medical advice. Be sure to consult with your ECP to determine your specific needs.
