If you’re in the market for contact lenses, you’ve probably come across two major online retailers: OptiContacts and 1-800 Contacts.
But which one should you choose to handle your vision needs? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare OptiContacts and 1-800 Contacts across several factors to help you decide which company is the better fit.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Factor | OptiContacts | 1-800 Contacts |
| Pricing | Lower prices, frequent sales & promos | Higher base prices, premier membership discounts |
| Brand Selection | Identical major brands carried | Identical major brands carried |
| Customer Service | Excellent US-based support | Hit or miss support, some outsourced |
| Shipping | Free 2-day shipping | Free 2-5 day shipping, 1-day for extra fee |
| Convenience | Smooth website, no subscriptions | Stores available, subscriptions, rewards program |
| Insurance | Accepts most vision insurance plans | More vision insurance carriers but membership required |
Overview of OptiContacts
OptiContacts is one of the newer players in the online contact lens retail space, having launched their website and services in 2020.
Despite their newcomer status, OptiContacts has quickly become a favorite for many contact lens wearers due to their affordable prices and outstanding customer service.
Some key things to know about OptiContacts:
- Owned and operated by eyewear retailer Lens.com. Lens.com has over 15 years of experience in online eyewear retail.
- Offers contact lenses from major brands like Acuvue, Air Optix, Dailies Total 1, and Biotrue.
- Prices are consistently lower than 1-800 Contacts, especially with frequent coupon codes and sales.
- No membership fees. Everyone pays the same low prices.
- Free standard shipping on all orders with 2-day shipping available.
- Excellent customer service with knowledgeable agents available by phone, email, and chat. Quick issue resolution if any problems arise.
- Accepts most vision insurance and HSA/FSA plans. Easy online claims process.
- Strong satisfaction guarantee – full refunds within 90 days if not satisfied.
Overview of 1-800 Contacts
1-800 Contacts has been one of the biggest names in contact lens retail since they first launched their service in 1995. They helped pioneer online contact lens sales and have grown to serve millions of customers.
Here’s an overview of what 1-800 Contacts offers:
- Owned by Vision Direct, which operates several major online eyewear retailers. Large corporation with over 25 years in business.
- Sells all major contact lens brands including Acuvue, Air Optix, Biofinity, Dailies Total 1, and more.
- Operates both an online store as well as physical retail locations across the US. Customers can shop online or in-person.
- Subscription plans available starting at $39/year for discounts and benefits. Non-members pay higher prices.
- Standard 2-5 day shipping times. 2-day expedited shipping available for extra charge.
- Customer service available 24/7 by phone and online chat. Support agents can be hit or miss according to reviews.
- Accepts most vision insurance plans. Vision insurance holders must sign up for premier membership ($99/year) to use benefits online.
- Limited satisfaction guarantee – $40 refund with 14 day trial period on first order only.
Comparison Between OptiContacts and 1-800 Contacts
Cost and Value Comparison
Perhaps the biggest difference between OptiContacts and 1-800 Contacts boils down to cost and overall value.
OptiContacts consistently offers lower prices on contact lenses, especially for customers without vision insurance benefits.
Some key cost factors:
- OptiContacts provides discounts up to 15% off 1-800 Contacts’ pricing.
- Prices don’t vary between members and non-members…everyone pays the low prices.
- Frequent coupon codes and sales that aren’t available from 1-800 Contacts. Makes prices even more affordable.
- OptiContacts guarantees they’ll match any verified competitor’s price.
1-800 Contacts does have some advantages when it comes to insurance:
- 1-800 Contacts participates with more vision insurance carriers. Important for some policyholders.
- Premier membership ($99/year) enables using insurance benefits online. OptiContacts has no membership fees.
- Insurance claims may process faster with 1-800 Contacts.
Overall though, OptiContacts comes out ahead for value and cost-effectiveness – especially for uninsured lens wearers. The difference in base pricing is significant, and OptiContacts’ regular discount promos provide excellent savings that typically aren’t matched by 1-800 Contacts.
Contact Lens Selection Comparison
When it comes to the actual contact lens products available, OptiContacts and 1-800 Contacts have near identical catalogs. Both retailers offer:
- All major soft lens brands: Acuvue, Air Optix, Dailies Total 1, Biotrue, Biofinity, and many more.
- Major color lens brands like ColorVue, FreshLook, Air Optix Colors, and Acuvue Define.
- Many multifocal, toric, and specialty lens designs available.
- Full selection of popular lenses for astigmatism.
- Most major manufacturers covered – Johnson & Johnson, Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, Coopervision, and others.
The product selection should meet the needs of nearly any contact lens wearer. OptiContacts and 1-800 Contacts both enable searching by lens brand, power, base curve, manufacturer, and other parameters.
There are a few minor differences in certain niche lenses carried, but the core selection of best-selling contacts is virtually the same between the retailers.
Contact lens wearers should have no problem finding their specific lenses through either company.
Also Read: Comparison Between 1800 Contacts And Hubble Contact Lens.
Customer Service Comparison
When problems inevitably arise with contact lens orders, customer service becomes extremely important. Here’s how OptiContacts and 1-800 Contacts compare when it comes to supporting customers:
- OptiContacts: 24/7 live chat and email support available. Phone support from M-F 7am-7pm PST. Knowledgeable agents with quick, customized issue resolution. Many positive reviews of experiences.
- 1-800 Contacts: Phone support 24/7. Live online chat available M-F 7am-7pm PST. Hit or miss experiences according to customer reviews. Some frustration with outsourced agents.
- Return/exchange policies: Both allow returns within 90 days. OptiContacts offers one free replacement box per year for prescription changes. 1-800 Contacts charges a $14.95 handling fee.
- Cancellations: OptiContacts charges no fee to cancel orders before they ship. 1-800 Contacts charges $9.99 cancellation fee once order placed.
While experiences can vary in individual cases, OptiContacts generally provides superior customer service. Their US-based support team is very familiar with contact lens issues and achieves better outcomes for customers overall.
Convenience and Shipping Comparison
OptiContacts and 1-800 Contacts also stack up a bit differently when it comes to convenience factors like ordering, shipping, and accessibility:
- Ordering: Both feature easy online ordering with saved Rx and payment info. OptiContacts often has faster website performance for a smoother experience.
- Subscriptions: 1-800 Contacts focuses heavily on subscriptions while OptiContacts caters more to one-time orders. Useful to weigh preferences.
- Shipping: Standard free 2-day shipping from both. 1-800 Contacts offers 1-day for an extra fee. OptiContacts often ships faster than advertised.
- Stores: 1-800 Contacts operates physical retail stores for in-person shopping and support. OptiContacts has online support only.
- Mobile apps: 1-800 Contacts has a mobile app to manage account and orders. OptiContacts currently does not offer an app.
- Rewards: 1-800 Contacts offers a points program where customers earn rewards on purchases. No rewards program currently from OptiContacts.
The retailers are pretty evenly matched on convenience factors overall. 1-800 Contacts has some advantages for subscribers and those who utilize retail stores or rewards programs.
But OptiContacts delivers plenty of convenience as well through quick shipping and smooth online ordering.
Watch the video to know more about 1-800 Contacts!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
OptiContacts is owned and operated by Lens.com, an online retailer that has specialized in eyewear and contacts for over 15 years.
The standard shipping time is 2 business days after an order is placed. Many customers report receiving their lenses even faster than the estimated ship times.
Yes, OptiContacts requires a valid prescription to purchase contacts. This is required for any retailer selling prescription lenses. You can easily upload your prescription during the online checkout process.
1-800 Contacts is 100% credible and sells authentic products sourced directly from manufacturers. They are one of the largest contact lens retailers in the world and have over 25 years in business.
Also Read: A Comparison Of Essilor, Zeiss And Hoya Eyeglass Lens.
The Verdict
When all factors are considered together, OptiContacts emerges as the better option for most contact lens buyers.
The lower prices and frequent discount promos make them very hard to beat on value – especially for uninsured customers. OptiContacts still accepts most insurance plans, so vision benefits can be applied if available.
Customer service is excellent with quick resolution times should any fulfillment problems occur. The selection meets the needs of nearly any lens wearer. And convenience is on par with the speedy shipping and user-friendly website.
1-800 Contacts holds an advantage for premier subscribers who maximize benefits and rewards. Retail stores also provide a nice option for in-person support.
But for the vast majority of contact lens shoppers focused on affordable prices and great service, OptiContacts is the superior choice.
Their outstanding combination of value, support, and convenience makes them a refreshing consumer-focused option in the contact lens retail space.
