WELCOME TO EVERYDAY STYLE MADE SIMPLE
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
By Retail Verdict Editorial · Last Updated August 2026 · 8 min read
1-800 Contacts Review: The Easiest Way to Order Contacts Online
There is a specific frustration that hits when you reach for the last blister pack in your contacts box and realize it is gone, your prescription has quietly lapsed, and the next available eye appointment is three weeks away. Getting a fresh supply of the same lenses you have worn for years should not feel like a whole project, and yet here we are. That is the problem 1-800 Contacts was built to solve. Since 1995, it has grown into one of the largest online contact lens retailers available, expanding well beyond simple reordering to include a built-in online eye exam, a best price guarantee, and even a glasses section. After spending time exploring what the platform actually offers, here is an honest look at how it holds up across the categories that matter most.
Source: 1-800 Contacts
Quick Picks: Our Top 1-800 Contacts Picks by Category
- Best Daily Lens: Acuvue Oasys Max 1-Day, the comfort-focused daily for screen-heavy days
- Best Monthly Lens: Air Optix HydraGlyde, reliable all-day moisture for monthly wearers
- Best In-House Pick: AquaClear, 1-800 Contacts’ own lens brand for standard daily prescriptions
- Best for Outdoor Wearers: Acuvue Oasys with Transitions, lenses that adjust to light levels automatically
- Best for Prescription Renewal: 1-800 Contacts Online Eye Exam, a 10-minute remote exam, no office visit needed
Daily Contact Lenses
Source: 1-800 Contacts
Daily lenses are the most popular category on the site, and 1-800 Contacts has one of the widest daily selections available online. The case for dailies is simple: a fresh pair every morning, no solutions, no contact case, no end-of-day decision about whether your lenses are still clean enough to wear. The catalog includes every major brand in this space. The HydraLuxe Technology built into those lenses is designed to reduce lens awareness throughout the day, which sounds like a small detail until you reach 5 PM and your eyes still feel like you just put them in. If you are new to dailies or switching from a monthly lens, the ordering process is the same regardless of brand, and switching lens types does not require a new prescription if your correction has not changed.
Monthly Contact Lenses
Source: 1-800 Contacts
Monthly lenses work well for wearers with stable prescriptions who are comfortable with a cleaning routine and prefer to think about their contacts once a month rather than every morning. The selection at 1-800 Contacts covers all the major brands in this category, and the ordering process is designed to support scheduled reorders so you are never caught without lenses mid-month. Setting up a subscription for your preferred monthly lens takes less than a minute and keeps your supply consistent without manual reordering.
Online Eye Exam
Source: 1-800 Contacts
The feature that separates 1-800 Contacts from every other online lens retailer is the built-in online eye exam. Through the 1-800 Contacts app, you can complete an Express Exam in about 10 minutes using your phone or computer, without a waiting room, without rearranging your schedule, and without paying for an office visit just to get a prescription renewal. A licensed doctor reviews your test results remotely and issues an updated prescription if your vision qualifies. The exam is designed for existing contact lens wearers who need a renewal, not for first-time wearers or anyone whose prescription has recently changed significantly. For the large portion of lens wearers whose vision has been stable for years, it removes one of the biggest friction points in the entire reorder process. You complete the exam, get your prescription, and go straight to checkout. It is the kind of feature that sounds simple until you realize how much time it used to cost you.
Specialty and Transition Lenses
Source: 1-800 Contacts
Not every prescription fits neatly into a standard daily or monthly lens, and 1-800 Contacts handles the more specific requests well. These lenses respond to UV and bright light by darkening automatically, similar in concept to transition eyeglass lenses but built specifically for contact wear. The site also carries toric lenses for astigmatism across multiple brands, multifocal options for wearers who need different correction zones, and colored contact lenses for anyone who wants to experiment with a new look alongside their prescription. Ordering specialty lenses follows the same prescription upload flow as standard lenses, and the search filters make it easy to surface which toric or multifocal options match your specific parameters without needing to browse through the full catalog manually.
AquaClear: 1-800 Contacts' Own Lens Brand
Source: 1-800 Contacts
1-800 Contacts has its own in-house contact lens brand called AquaClear, and it is worth knowing about if you reorder lenses on a regular basis. These are daily contact lenses manufactured to meet standard FDA requirements, and they are designed as a clean, direct option for wearers whose prescriptions fall within a standard parameter range. Ordering AquaClear follows the same prescription upload process as any other lens on the site: enter your prescription details, confirm the parameters match what is available, and your order is ready. For wearers who have worn the same lens type for years and want a simple daily without navigating a long product catalog, it is a practical option to have on your radar. It is also worth checking if your prescription qualifies before assuming you need a brand-name lens; many standard prescriptions fit AquaClear’s range.
Glasses
Source: 1-800 Contacts
Contacts are the core of what 1-800 Contacts does, but the glasses section is there when you need it. The frames catalog covers prescription glasses, prescription sunglasses, and blue light glasses across a range of styles, and the prescription upload flow that carries over from the contacts side means you can add a pair of glasses to your order without starting the process over. The selection is more curated than what you’d find at a dedicated glasses retailer, but it’s a great option for a backup pair, seasonal prescription sunglasses, or a simple everyday frame for days when you skip contacts. Having contacts and glasses managed through the same platform also simplifies prescription tracking, especially if you use the online eye exam to keep your renewal current.
Tips for Ordering Contacts Online at 1-800 Contacts
- Have your prescription ready before you start. Uploading a photo of your prescription card or current lens box upfront speeds the checkout process. Prescriptions can also be requested directly from your eye doctor through the site.
- Complete the online eye exam first if your prescription is expired. You cannot finalize a lens order without a current prescription, and the Express Exam resolves that in one step without waiting on a doctor’s office.
- Set up a subscription for your regular lens. For lenses you reorder every 30, 60, or 90 days, subscriptions keep your supply consistent without manual reordering each time.
- Use the best price guarantee if you spot a lower rate elsewhere. The 1-800 Contacts best price guarantee applies to identical lenses found at a lower rate at a competing retailer, with match requests submitted directly through the site.
Source: 1-800 Contacts
1-800 Contacts at a Glance
Category | Top Pick | Best For |
Daily Lenses | Acuvue Oasys Max 1-Day | Comfort-focused wearers, screen-heavy days |
Monthly Lenses | Air Optix HydraGlyde | Stable prescriptions, scheduled reorders |
Monthly (Breathability) | Air Optix Aqua | Wearers sensitive to end-of-day dryness |
In-House Brand | AquaClear | Standard daily prescriptions |
Transition Lenses | Acuvue Oasys with Transitions | Outdoor and light-sensitive wearers |
Prescription Renewal | Online Eye Exam (Express Exam) | Existing wearers with stable prescriptions |
Glasses | 1-800 Contacts Frames | Backup pairs and prescription sunglasses |
How We Chose
Our assessment of 1-800 Contacts focuses on the full contact lens purchase cycle: the breadth of the lens catalog, how prescription upload and renewal actually work, the online eye exam process, the specialty lens options available, and how the glasses section integrates with the rest of the experience. We evaluate the platform based on how well it supports a repeat buyer, not just a first-time order, since contact lens shopping is by nature a recurring purchase that rewards a frictionless process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you order contacts from 1-800 Contacts without a prescription?
No. A valid prescription is required for all orders. If yours has expired, the 1-800 Contacts app offers an online eye exam that may result in a renewal, though first-time contact lens wearers need an in-person exam before ordering online.
How does the 1-800 Contacts online eye exam work?
The Express Exam takes about 10 minutes through the app, with a licensed doctor reviewing your results remotely and issuing a prescription if your vision qualifies. It is designed for existing wearers with stable prescriptions, not first-time wearers.
What lens brands does 1-800 Contacts carry?
The catalog includes Acuvue, Air Optix, Biofinity, Dailies, Bausch + Lomb, and more, plus the in-house AquaClear brand for qualifying standard prescriptions.
Does 1-800 Contacts carry lenses for astigmatism?
Yes. Toric lenses for astigmatism are available across multiple brands, and the prescription filter during checkout surfaces the right options for your specific parameters.
Can you order glasses from 1-800 Contacts too?
Yes. The glasses section includes prescription frames, prescription sunglasses, and blue light glasses, all using the same prescription upload process as contact lens orders.
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Retail Verdict may earn a commission on purchases made through links in this article. This does not affect our editorial recommendations; we only write about brands and products we genuinely stand behind.
You Might Also Like
If you found this review useful, these Retail Verdict guides cover related eyewear and everyday beauty territory that is worth reading before your next order.
- Feel Good Contacts Review: Is It Really the Best Place to Buy Lenses Online? If you are comparing contact lens retailers before committing, this review walks through the ordering experience, prescription handling, and the full purchasing process at another leading online lens platform, so you can decide which option fits your habits best.
- The Best Glasses Frames for Women at The Framery: How to Find a Pair You’ll Actually Love Contact wearers who also keep prescription glasses on hand will get a lot out of this guide. It covers frame shapes, materials, and how to shop for glasses online with confidence, including what to look for when you cannot try them on in person.
- My Simple Beauty Routine: 2026 Reset Getting your vision care sorted is one part of a low-maintenance morning. This guide covers the rest, taking a practical, product-specific approach to a daily skincare and beauty routine that works for busy schedules without feeling like another thing to manage.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Stay tuned for more updates!
