Getting contact lenses used to mean going to the optometrist for an eye exam and prescription, then visiting the optician to place your order. But with the rise of online retailers like 1800 Contacts and Hubble, ordering contacts has become as easy as a few clicks.
These online retailers offer unbeatable convenience – but which one offers the best deals, selection, and service? Here’s an in-depth look at the pros and cons of 1800 Contacts and Hubble.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Aspects | 1800 Contacts | Hubble |
| Brand Selection | Wide range of major brands | Own brand only |
| Pricing | Higher prices but frequent discounts | Very low prices on daily disposables |
| Shipping | Free 2-5 day shipping | Free 1-3 day shipping |
| Prescriptions | Must provide existing prescription | Offer online vision tests and renewals |
| Returns | 90 day return window | 90 day return window |
| Customer Service | 24/7 phone support available | Email and in-app support only |
| Mobile Experience | Ordering app and alerts | Full vision care management app |
Overview Of 1800 Contacts And Hubble
1800 Contacts and Hubble are two of the most popular online contact lens retailers. They offer similar services – selling brand name contact lenses, shipping them directly to your door, and providing support via phone, email and live chat. But they have some key differences:
- 1800 Contacts has been around since 1995. They offer contacts from most major brands like Acuvue, Air Optix, Biofinity and Dailies. Their prices are competitive but not always the lowest.
- Hubble launched in 2016. They focus on selling their own brand of daily disposable contacts for very low prices. However, they have a more limited selection than 1800 Contacts.
In-Depth Feature-By-Feature Comparison Between 1800 Contacts And Hubble
Brand Selection and Inventory
One of the biggest factors in choosing an online contact retailer is the brand selection.
1800 Contacts has a huge inventory – they sell lenses from leading brands like Acuvue, Air Optix, Biofinity, Dailies Total 1, and many more. Whether you prefer two-week lenses or monthlies, toric or multifocal, colored or plain, 1800 Contacts likely has your brand in stock.
However, Hubble offers only their own daily disposable contact lenses. They come in spherical and toric prescriptions, but there are no options for monthly lenses, multifocals, or colors.
So if having access to a wide range of name brand lenses is important to you, 1800 Contacts is the better choice. But if you’re satisfied with Hubble’s basic daily disposables, their limited selection helps keep costs down.
Pricing and Affordability
When it comes to pricing, Hubble contacts are drastically cheaper than the big name brands sold by 1800 Contacts.
A 6-month supply of Hubble daily disposable lenses costs around $90. In contrast, 6 months worth of Acuvue Oasys or Biofinity lenses from 1800 Contacts will set you back $200-300 or more.
Hubble manages to offer such low prices because they sell direct-to-consumer under their own brand. By cutting out the middleman, they avoid the markups you’ll find with other retailers.
1800 Contacts does offer promotions to make contacts more affordable. Signing up for their subscription program provides nice perks like discounts and free shipping. Still, their prices can’t match Hubble’s rock-bottom costs.
If getting name brand lenses at the lowest possible price is your top concern, Hubble is the economical choice. But 1800 Contacts offers frequent discounts and reward programs to offset their higher brand name costs.
Shipping and Delivery
Fast, free shipping is standard for most online contact retailers today. But there are some differences in how 1800 Contacts and Hubble get lenses to your door:
- 1800 Contacts offers free 2-5 day shipping. Expedited 1-2 day shipping is available for an extra fee.
- Hubble offers free 1-3 day shipping on all contact lens orders.
Both retailers ship domestically and internationally. Hubble only ships from within the United States, while 1800 Contacts also has locations in the UK, Australia and South Africa.
When it comes to reliability, these companies both do an excellent job getting shipments delivered on time. As two of the biggest players in online contact sales, they’ve optimized their fulfillment processes.
The bottom line: Hubble gets lenses to you slightly faster, while 1800 Contacts offers more flexibility with standard and expedited shipping options.
Prescriptions and Renewals
When ordering contacts online, you need a valid prescription. Here’s how 1800 Contacts and Hubble handle prescriptions:
- 1800 Contacts allows you to use an existing prescription. They’ll reach out to your eye doctor to verify it. If your prescription is expired, you’ll need to get a renewal before purchasing lenses.
- Hubble offers online vision tests and contact lens prescriptions. You don’t need to visit an optometrist – just take their vision exam online and have your prescription renewed through their app.
Hubble’s integrated prescription services provide more convenience. 1800 Contacts requires an outside eye exam for prescription verification or renewal.
For regular eye health checks, getting an in-person exam is still recommended. But Hubble’s online options offer flexibility if you just need an updated contact lens prescription.
Returns, Exchanges and Warranties
Being able to easily exchange and return contact lenses provides peace of mind:
- 1800 Contacts offers hassle-free returns and exchanges within 90 days. Unopened boxes can be returned for a full refund.
- Hubble also provides free returns and exchanges within 90 days. Like 1800 Contacts, unopened boxes can be returned for refund.
Both retailers offer simple reordering processes for exchanges – just specify the lenses you need replaced. Damaged or defective products are covered as well through their standard warranties.
When it comes to exchanges and returns, 1800 Contacts and Hubble once again offer similar policies. They aim to make the process hassle-free if you receive the wrong prescription or need to swap out damaged lenses.
Here is a review of 1800 Contacts!
Customer Service and Support
Strong customer service helps ensure your contact lens experience is smooth:
- 1800 Contacts offers customer support via phone, email, and online chat. They have an excellent reputation for helpful, knowledgeable service reps. Support is available 24/7 via their toll-free number.
- Hubble provides customer service by email and through their mobile app. Their support team typically responds quickly – within a business day or sooner in most cases. However, phone support is not available.
While both companies receive good marks for customer service, 1800 Contacts pulls ahead slightly. Their 24/7 phone support and widespread reputation for extremely helpful service gives them an edge. Hubble provides solid email support during business hours, but chatting with an agent can be easier than waiting for email replies when issues come up.
Mobile Apps and Online Experience
The online ordering experience and mobile apps also impact convenience:
- 1800 Contacts has user-friendly desktop and mobile sites. Their app helps manage deliveries, prescriptions, and reorders. Site navigation is intuitive overall.
- Hubble has a streamlined website optimized for ordering contacts. Their mobile app allows you to manage deliveries, update prescriptions, and track vision health. The interface is clean and simple to use.
Both retailers provide straightforward sites and apps for placing orders. Hubble goes beyond just selling lenses – their app also provides vision tracking and prescription renewal services. For managing vision care in one place, Hubble delivers an edge.
But for browsing contacts and placing orders, the online experience is similarly smooth and convenient across both brands.
Also Read: Comparison Between OptiContacts And 1800 Contacts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, 1800 Contacts sells all the top major brands like Acuvue, Air Optix, and Biofinity, so you can expect the same high-quality lenses by purchasing through them. They are an authorized retailer for all the brands they carry.
Hubble contact lenses are reasonably priced for a daily disposable brand and customers report they are comfortable. They aren’t made from the latest high-tech materials like some other brands, but Hubble lenses are a good cheaper alternative.
Yes, 1800 Contacts is a legitimate retailer and it is very safe to order from them. They verify your prescription with your eye doctor and securely process payment information. 1800 Contacts is an established company that’s been selling contacts online since 1995.
When Hubble first launched, their low prices led some optometrists to accuse them of selling counterfeit lenses.
However, Hubble has proven they sell authentic FDA-approved contact lenses – just direct-to-consumer at prices much lower than major brands. Their innovative business model has made them controversial, but they operate legitimately.
Also Read: Comparison Between Hapa Kristin And Olens.
The Verdict
When choosing between Hubble and 1800 Contacts, here are some key factors to consider:
- Brand selection: 1800 Contacts wins for their huge range of name brand contact lens options.
- Cost: Hubble offers the most affordable pricing, especially for daily disposables.
- Convenience: Hubble makes renewing prescriptions and managing orders easy through their app. But 1800 Contacts provides 24/7 support for any issues.
- Ordering Experience: Both retailers provide user-friendly sites and apps for purchasing contacts.
The winner for you depends on your priorities. If access to leading contact lens brands matters most, 1800 Contacts is the best fit. But if you want rock-bottom prices on daily disposables along with seamless digital vision care, Hubble takes the prize. Whichever you choose, both deliver an exceptional buying experience.
