1-800 Contacts launched in 1995 as a new way to order prescription contact lenses by phone. They've since moved online — though you can still call the eponymous toll-free number — becoming the largest online retailer of contact lenses and serving nearly 20 million customers over its 25-year history.
But most people probably know 1-800 Contacts best for its once-ubiquitous jingle or its long-running soap opera ad in which a guy with "special eyes" was shocked to learn 1-800 Contacts did, in fact, carry his brand of lenses. At least, that's the lasting impression the service had made on me as a kid.
Though the jingle was deeply embedded in my psyche, I didn't give 1-800 Contacts much thought until running low on contacts coincided with the call for a statewide quarantine. As the largest and most comprehensive contact lens delivery service on the market, 1-800 Contacts seemed like the right place to turn.
1-800 Contacts carries over 250 varieties of contacts from all the major brands like Acuvue, Biofinity, Air Optix, and many more, so you're sure to find the brand prescribed by your doctor. If by chance, they don't carry your brand online, you can always call. They have even more options over the phone including a larger selection of gas permeable contacts.
While brands like Warby Parker and Hubble have broken into the contact lens market with their own in-house lenses, 1-800 Contacts largely remains a marketplace for brand names, though it does have a house brand of daily lenses called AquaSoft — a cheap generic that could be great if you're on a budget. But, you should consult your eye doctor before making the switch.
You can use your HSA, FSA, or vision insurance through 1-800 Contacts, as long as your plan covers the cost of contacts. If you're using an FSA of HSA debit card, this won't apply to you — you should be able to check out with your card without filling out any additional information. If you have trouble setting up anything online, you can call 1-800 Contacts (1-800-266-8228) or utilize its 24-hour online chat.
One of the biggest upsides of 1-800 Contacts is its best-price guarantee. If you find your contacts cost less on a different website, you can call 1-800 Contacts or use the chat feature to get the price matched. It occasionally runs a promotion where first-time customers get an automatic 10% off, and students can reap that discount permanently as long as they prove their student status.
Jada Wong, Insider Reviews senior home and kitchen editor:
I've been ordering my contact lenses from 1-800 Contacts since 2012 and have always been satisfied with the easy ordering process and fast delivery.
It's a no-frills shopping experience, which I appreciate for something so mundane as buying contacts. The one thing that's kept me coming back for almost a decade is the price-match guarantee.
Shopping for contacts should take all of five minutes since you should only be buying what your eye doctor prescribes, but I recommend taking a few minutes to take advantage of the price-match guarantee. Just do a Google search of your contacts, send a link or screenshot to the same product priced lower elsewhere to the chatbot, and get your contacts price-matched within a few minutes.
My contacts would normally cost $270 but with the price-matching, they're more like $155. Not bad for a few minutes of work.
Jen Gushue, Insider Reviews associate guides editor:
I've been wearing contacts since I was a kid, but until now, I've always just ordered them from my eye doctor after a check-up. When running low on contacts intersected with the coronavirus pandemic, I turned to delivery options. But I hadn't been to the eye doctor in quite some time, so I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to get my lenses without a written prescription.
The ability to manually enter your prescription and have it verified by the 1-800 Contacts team was such a relief. My prescription was confirmed by my doctor's office within a few hours, with absolutely zero effort on my part. My contacts arrived within a few days of me placing the order, even in the midst of a pandemic.
The site is very user friendly, and I had no trouble walking through the purchase path. And it's nice to know that there's a 24-hour chat just in case I run into any issues. With the best-price guarantee as peace of mind, I'll certainly be a return customer.
Victoria Gracie, Insider Reviews social media associate:
I'd never ordered from 1-800 Contacts before but had always wanted to. I usually order my contacts from my eye doctor, but I live 30 to 40 minutes away, so picking them up after I order them is a pain. I also wondered if I could get a better deal on my contacts elsewhere. Two boxes of contacts (which is a year supply for me) were only $137.98 from 1-800 Contacts — definitely cheaper than what I've paid in the past.
I was blown away by how easy the ordering process was. I was a little worried it would be difficult as a new customer, but all I had to do was quickly input my prescription from my eye doctor and pay (the company gave us a code to test out the service for our first time ordering).
I was impressed that they verify your prescription with your eye doctor before sending them out to ensure you get the right contacts. The delivery was also extremely fast. It only took a week to get my contacts, even with all of the shipping delays right now. I will definitely be ordering from 1-800 Contacts in the future due to the ease and convenience.
