Navigating the world of contact lenses can be intimidating for first-time users.
In this post, we’ll discuss a range of options to help you make an informed decision, considering factors like comfort, ease of use, and affordability.
Read on as we break down the best contact lenses for beginners.
| Best Overall | Johnson & Johnson ACUVUE® OASYS 1-DAY with HydraLuxe® TECHNOLOGY |
| Best Budget | CooperVision Proclear® 1 day |
| Best Daily | Alcon DAILIES TOTAL1® |
| Best Bi-weekly | Bausch + Lomb 2 Week (SofLens® 59) |
| Best for Astigmatism | Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® for Astigmatism |
| Best Multifocal | Biotrue® ONEday for Presbyopia |
| Best for Sensitive Eyes | Johnson & Johnson ACUVUE® OASYS with HYDRACLEAR® PLUS Technology |
| Best Colored Contacts | Alcon AIR OPTIX® COLORS |
| Best for Screen Users | CooperVision Biofinity Energys® |
| Best Transitional | ACUVUE® OASYS with Transitions™ |
Best Overall: Johnson & Johnson ACUVUE® OASYS 1-DAY with HydraLuxe® TECHNOLOGY
ACUVUE® OASYS 1-DAY with HydraLuxe® TECHNOLOGY is a daily disposable spherical contact lens specially designed to keep up with wearers’ busy lifestyles. An innovative lens, it works in harmony with natural eye movements, providing a feeling of freshness from morning till night.
- Replacement Schedule: Daily
- Special Features: HydraLuxe TECHNOLOGY, Class 1 UV protection, visibility tint, inside-out mark
- Material: 62% senofilcon A (silicone hydrogel)
- Water Content: 38%
Best Budget: CooperVision Proclear® 1 day
Proclear® 1 day is a daily disposable contact lens designed to stay moist all day. It features exclusive PC Technology™, which creates a unique lens material that attracts and binds water to the lens surface. The result is a moisture “shield” that keeps the lens clean all day. Proclear 1 day also features an aspheric design for reliably clear vision.
- Replacement Schedule: Daily
- Special Features: PC Technology, Aspheric Optics, visibility tint
- Material: 40% omafilcon A (hydrogel)
- Water Content: 60%
Best Daily: Alcon DAILIES TOTAL1®
DAILIES TOTAL1® is the only daily disposable contact lens to feature both Water Gradient and SmarTears® Technology for comfort that lasts. Water Gradient Technology creates a cushion of moisture on the eye, while SmarTears Technology releases an ingredient found naturally in tears to ensure all-day comfort.
- Replacement Schedule: Daily
- Special Features: SmarTears Technology, Water Gradient Technology, visibility tint
- Material: 67% delefilcon A (silicone hydrogel)
- Water Content: 33%
Best Bi-Weekly: Bausch + Lomb 2 Week (SofLens® 59)
Bausch + Lomb 2 Week (SofLens® 59) is a bi-weekly disposable contact lens. It is designed to be worn daily for up to 14 days before needing replacement. Made with 59% water, this lens keeps the eye feeling moist and comfortable throughout the day. It also features UniFit™ Technology, which ensures a precise and comfortable fit from day 1 to 14.
- Replacement Schedule: Bi-weekly
- Special Features: UniFit Technology, visibility tint
- Material: 41% hilafilcon B (hydrogel)
- Water Content: 59%
Best for Astigmatism: Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® for Astigmatism
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® for Astigmatism is the only contact lens for astigmatism to feature both MoistureSeal® Technology and OpticAlign™ Design. MoistureSeal Technology creates a breathable, water-loving lens that maintains 95% of its moisture for a full 16 hours, while OpticAlign Design ensures stable vision as well as reduces halos and glare.
- Replacement Schedule: Monthly
- Special Features: MoistureSeal Technology, OpticAlign Design, Aspheric Optics, visibility tint
- Material: 54% samfilcon A (silicone hydrogel)
- Water Content: 46%
Best Multifocal: Biotrue® ONEday for Presbyopia
Biotrue® ONEday for Presbyopia is the first multifocal lens made with HyperGel™, a unique, bio-inspired material designed to retain its moisture and shape. Featuring 3-Zone Progressive™ design, Biotrue ONEday for Presbyopia helps presbyopic patients see clearly and comfortably at any distance, near through far.
- Replacement Schedule: Daily
- Special Features: HyperGel, 3-Zone Progressive design, Class 2 UV protection, visibility tint
- Material: 22% nesofilcon A (hydrogel)
- Water Content: 78%
Best for Sensitive Eyes: Johnson & Johnson ACUVUE® OASYS with HYDRACLEAR® PLUS Technology
ACUVUE® OASYS with HYDRACLEAR® PLUS Technology is a bi-weekly disposable contact lens approved for daily and extended wear. Inspired by the way the eye’s natural tear film works, this lens’s HYDRACLEAR PLUS Technology keeps it wet and smooth for all-day comfort. It also features Class 1 UV protection, making it an ideal choice for wearers with active lifestyles.
- Replacement Schedule: Bi-weekly
- Special Features: HYDRACLEAR® PLUS, Class 1 UV protection, visibility tint, inside-out mark
- Material: 62% senofilcon A (silicone hydrogel)
- Water Content: 38%
Best Colored Contacts: Alcon AIR OPTIX® COLORS
AIR OPTIX® COLORS is a monthly disposable contact lens intended for daily wear only. With 12 eye-enhancing colors to choose from, this lens is a great choice for people who require vision correction and want a cosmetic change. AIR OPTIX COLORS is also available with zero power for those who don’t need vision correction.
- Replacement Schedule: Monthly
- Special Features: 3-in-1 Color Technology
- Material: 67% lotrafilcon B (silicone hydrogel)
- Water Content: 33%
Best For Screen Users: CooperVision Biofinity Energys®
Biofinity Energys® is a monthly disposable contact lens designed specifically for heavy users of digital devices. It features Digital Zone Optics™, which reduces stress on the eye muscles when viewing digital screens, and Aquaform® Technology, which locks in water to keep eyes feeling moist and comfortable all day.
- Replacement Schedule: Monthly
- Special Features: Digital Zone Optics, Aquaform Technology, visibility tint
- Material: 52% comfilcon A (silicone hydrogel)
- Water Content: 48%
Best Transitional: ACUVUE® OASYS with Transitions™
ACUVUE® OASYS with Transitions™ Light Intelligent Technology™ is a first-of-its-kind lens that balances the amount of light entering the eye, including filtering of blue light. Featuring HYDRACLEAR PLUS, this lens also provides enhanced visual comfort when viewing digital screens.
- Replacement Schedule: Bi-weekly
- Special Features: Transitions™ Light Intelligent Technology, Class 1 UV protection, visibility tint, inside-out mark
- Material: 62% senofilcon A (silicone hydrogel)
- Water Content: 38%
How We Selected the Best Contacts for Beginners
To choose the best contacts for beginners, we consulted with our in-house experts and conducted extensive online research. Our selection process focused on these key factors:
- Replacement and wearing schedule
- Material
- Water content
- Fit
- Price
Thanks to our comprehensive selection process, our list of the best contact lenses for beginners offers a variety of choices to suit different needs and budgets.
Bottom Line
Finding the perfect contact lenses as a beginner doesn’t need to be daunting. With this guide, you can confidently choose lenses that align with your comfort, affordability, and ease-of-use needs.
If any options highlighted here caught your attention, we encourage you to explore more at Lens.com and start your journey toward clear and comfortable vision.
