It can be hard to decide on the right contact lenses for your needs when there are so many options.
Dailies AquaComfort Plus and Acuvue Moist are two popular brands, and shoppers sometimes struggle to choose between them. But which one is right for you?
Keep reading as I compare the two lenses.
At a Glance
- AquaComfort Plus and ACUVUE Moist are both daily disposable contact lenses. Both have spherical, toric, and multifocal options available.
- Both lenses use technologies designed to support moisture and comfort during wear.
- ACUVUE Moist offers Class 2 UV blocking. DAILIES AquaComfort Plus doesn’t have UV-blocking capabilities.
- DAILIES AquaComfort Plus has a higher water content at 69%, compared with 58% for ACUVUE MOIST.
- Both contact brands are generally highly rated on EZContacts.
Dailies AquaComfort Plus
First, let’s take a look at what Dailies AquaComfort Plus contacts have to offer.
Dailies AquaComfort Plus are daily disposable contact lenses. They’re made from nelfilcon A, which is a traditional hydrogel material with a 69% water content.
The lenses feature Blink-Activated Moisture Technology. They release a moisturizing agent every time you blink, which helps keep your eyes comfortable all day.
They’re intended for daily wear and should be replaced with a fresh pair each day. The lenses also feature a light blue visibility tint that makes them easier to see and handle. The tint doesn’t change the color of your eyes, though.
ACUVUE Moist
ACUVUE Moist contacts are daily disposable hydrogel lenses made from etafilcon A. They have a 58% water content and are designed to be worn for one day before being discarded.
ACUVUE MOIST uses LACREON Technology. This technology incorporates a moisture-rich wetting agent into the lens material, rather than relying solely on moisture at the lens surface. This helps the lens retain moisture and stay comfortable throughout wear.
The lenses also have a visibility tint. In addition, they provide UV protection with a Class 2 UV blocker. They block about 82% of UVA rays and 97% of UVB rays.
It’s important to note that UV-blocking contact lenses aren’t a substitute for sunglasses, since they only cover the cornea. You’ll still want to wear sunglasses that provide UV protection when you’re outdoors.
Dailies AquaComfort Plus vs ACUVUE Moist Comparison Table
Now, let’s look at Dailies AquaComfort Plus and ACUVUE Moist’s features head-to-head:
| Feature | DAILIES AquaComfort Plus | 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Alcon | Johnson & Johnson Vision |
| Replacement | Daily | Daily |
| Material | Nelfilcon A | Etafilcon A |
| Lens type | Hydrogel | Hydrogel |
| Technology | Blink-activated moisture technology | LACREON® Technology |
| Water content | 69% | 58% |
| Oxygen transmissibility | 26 Dk/t | 25.5 Dk/t |
| Base curve | 8.7 mm | 8.5 mm or 9.0 mm |
| Diameter | 14.0 mm | 14.2 mm |
| UV blocking | No | Yes, Class 2 |
| Visibility tint | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Sphere, toric, multifocal | Sphere, toric, multifocal |
| Available powers | Up to +8.00D and -15.00D for spherical lenses | Up to +6.00D and -12.00D for spherical lenses |
The Key Differences
DAILIES AquaComfort Plus and 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST are both daily disposable hydrogel contact lenses. But they differ in their materials, water content, and moisture technologies.
One of the clearest differences between the lenses is water content. DAILIES AquaComfort Plus contains 69% water, compared with 58% for ACUVUE MOIST.
However, a higher water content doesn’t always mean a lens will be more comfortable or better for dry eyes. Contact lens comfort depends on a wide variety of factors.
The lenses’ moisturizing technologies also work differently. Dailies AquaComfort Plus’ blink-activated moisture technology is designed to release a burst of moisture with each blink. This helps refresh the lens every time you blink.
On the other hand, ACUVUE Moist’s LACREON Technology incorporates a wetting agent into the lens material itself, rather than just on the surface of the lens. This helps provide continuous, all-day moisture.
Another big difference is that ACUVUE Moist offers UV protection, which Dailies AquaComfort Plus doesn’t have. However, Dailies AquaComfort Plus is available in a wider range of prescription powers. This can make them a good choice for those with high prescriptions.
What Do Real Buyers Think?
I also wanted to know what real buyers think about Dailies AquaComfort Plus and ACUVUE Moist contacts. So, I took a look at some reviews on EZContacts.
Let’s see what buyers have to say!
Dailies AquaComfort Plus
Many shoppers really liked Dailies AquaComfort Plus lenses. They have an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 431 reviews.
Reviewer Debra F. said they were recommended by her doctor for dry eyes.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Got these because I have dry eyes and they were recommended by my eye doctor. Big improvement!”
Reviewer Gb108 praised the price and convenience.
Convenient. Price is reasonable.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I order 8 boxes of the dailies annually. I love the convenience of new contacts each day and having a years stock of them at home makes just one less thing I have to worrry about. After my insurance reimbursement they cost me a little over $1 per day. Well worth it for clear vision!”
Deanna B. pointed out that these lenses are very thin, which makes them more comfortable in the eyes.
Comfortable for dry eyes.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I read the reviews before I ordered. I noticed some said thin and flimsy so that’s why I ordered. Most people don’t understand the thinner they are the more comfortable they are. I have very sensitive eyes and have tried lots that I can’t wear. These are comfortable and have helped my dry eyes. Yes they are harder to put in but once in they are the best, a thicker contact may be easier to put in but for me they are the most uncomfortable. Hope this helps someone like me trying to choose a contact.”
However, some reviewers didn’t like the contacts because they were so thin; they found them easy to tear or damage.
ACUVUE Moist
On EZContacts, ACUVUE Moist is also generally highly rated. They currently have a 4.7 out of 5-star rating from 707 reviews.
Reviewer Caitlin C. called them “great quality” and noted that they were good for all-day wear.
Great quality – Buy Them!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“These contacts are SO hydrating and fit my eyes perfectly. I can wear them all day without clawing my eyes out. Highly recommend these daily contacts, very fresh and easy hygiene.”
Margaret C. found these lenses so comfortable that she struggled with remembering to remove them.
Exceptional comfort
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I wear them usually about 14 hours a day without a problem and have for years. Biggest concern is to remember I have them on and remove/discard them when I go to bed.”
Note: ACUVUE Moist contact lenses are dailies, so you should only wear them for one day and dispose of them. If they’re so comfortable you forget you’re wearing them, you may want to set an alarm on your phone as a reminder!
Stephanie T. liked that the ACUVUE Moist contacts were lightweight and thin.
Excellent and thin!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Very lightweight (thin). Easy to take out. Quick response time best price!”
However, similar to Dailies AquaComfort Plus, some reviews mentioned the lenses could feel flimsy. This made them harder to put in.
So, Which One Should You Choose?
To sum everything up:
Choose DAILIES AquaComfort Plus if:
- You prefer a higher-water-content lens. DAILIES AquaComfort Plus has a 69% water content compared with 58% for ACUVUE Moist.
- You like the idea of blink-activated moisture technology, which releases PVA with each blink to help support tear-film stability and comfort.
- You need a wider range of spherical prescriptions. Dailies AquaComfort Plus is available in higher positive and negative spherical powers than ACUVUE Moist.
Choose ACUVUE MOIST if:
- UV protection is important to you. ACUVUE Moist provides Class 2 UV blocking.
- You want LACREON Technology, which embeds a wetting agent directly into the lens to provide a long-lasting moisture cushion.
- Your prescription falls within its available power range. ACUVUE Moist offers spherical powers up to +6.00D and -12.00D.
Overall, the best choice in contacts comes down to your individual needs. If you’re still having trouble choosing, ask your eye doctor about trialing a box of Dailies AquaComfort Plus and ACUVUE Moist.
FAQs
If I buy the Acuvue Moist with UV blocking, does that mean I don’t need sunglasses anymore?
Unfortunately, no. The UV blocking only works on the portion of your eye covered by the lens. For full protection, it’s best to wear UV400 sunglasses when you’re outside during daylight.
Is DAILIES AquaComfort Plus or ACUVUE MOIST better?
Neither lens is automatically better for everyone. Your eye doctor can help determine which lens is better suited to your prescription, eye health, fit, and comfort preferences.
Does higher water content mean DAILIES AquaComfort Plus is more comfortable?
Not always. Water content is only one characteristic of a contact lens. Comfort can also be influenced by the lens material, design, fit, moisture technology, wearing time, and individual differences between wearers.
