What's the difference between Acuvue Moist and HydraLuxe?

Ever felt like your contact lenses were phoning in sick? We’re talking about the kind of lens that shows up, technically does the job, but leaves your eyes feeling a tad dry by dinner. That’s where upgrading to a premium daily lens comes in — and if you’ve landed on Acuvue Moist vs. HydraLuxe, congrats. You’re officially in the good-stuff aisle.

Both are daily disposable contact lenses from Johnson & Johnson (so yes, you’re in very competent hands). Both come with UV protection, zero cleaning hassle, and the freedom to blink without negotiating with your eyeballs first. But behind the scenes, they’re built differently.

Acuvue Moist is the soft-spoken overachiever — affordable and ideal for a chill day with minimal eye drama. Acuvue OASYS 1-Day with HydraLuxe is its ambitious cousin — the one with a standing desk and three hydration reminders before noon. It’s made for long screen days, dry office air, and eyes that need serious staying power.

We’ll break down everything: comfort, material, price, and who each lens is best for. By the end, you'll know the right match for your eyes — no dating apps required.

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Acuvue Moist

Think of Acuvue Moist as the easygoing, people-pleasing daily lens that never asks too much of you. It’s made from etafilcon A — a traditional hydrogel that’s soft, gentle, and basically the contact lens equivalent of a weighted blanket for your corneas.

Its secret sauce? LACREON® technology, a moisture-boosting ingredient that's permanently embedded in the lens, not just layered on top like a polite suggestion. That means your eyes stay consistently hydrated throughout the day — no dry-out drama halfway through your to-do list.

And with a water content of 58%, these lenses feel plush and pillowy from the get-go. You’ll barely notice you’re wearing them — until you remember you haven’t rubbed your eyes all day (a small miracle, frankly).

There’s also UV protection built in — blocking 97% of UVB rays and 82% of UVA rays — so your eyes get a little extra love, even if you’re terrible at remembering sunglasses.

Best for: First-time wearers, folks with mild-to-moderate dry eyes, budget-conscious blinkers, and anyone who wants the benefits of a daily lens without the space-age sorcery. Just good old-fashioned comfort and toss-it-at-night convenience.

Acuvue OASYS with HydraLuxe

Now meet HydraLuxe — the tech-savvy, can-do-everything daily lens.

Acuvue OASYS 1-Day with HydraLuxe is made from senofilcon A, a silicone hydrogel that allows way more oxygen to pass through the lens (your eyeballs like to breathe too, believe it or not). But the real flex is HydraLuxe Technology, with a design that mimics your natural tear film. Every blink spreads moisture evenly across the lens so it stays comfy and not at all crunchy — even if your screen time is bordering on "please touch grass."

And yep, it also handles UV protection and filters out blue light. That means you’re covered whether you’re working, gaming, doomscrolling, writing a Reddit post, or everything at the same time (we see you, multitaskers).

Best for: People with dry eyes, screen lovers, long-day warriors, and anyone who wants to blink freely without entering Eye Moisturization Crisis Mode by 3 p.m.

Material

Let’s get a little nerdy for a second (we promise, no pop quiz at the end).

• Acuvue Moist: Made with etafilcon A, a soft hydrogel that holds water like a sponge. Its high water content gives it a cushiony feel when you put it in. But hydrogel materials don’t allow much oxygen to pass through, so they’re best for shorter, easier wear days.

• HydraLuxe: Made with senofilcon A, a silicone hydrogel that’s all about oxygen flow. With a lower water content (38%) but significantly higher oxygen permeability, these lenses are ideal for long hours or dry environments.

If your eyes get red and tired by 5 p.m., oxygen flow could be the culprit. HydraLuxe offers more breathability, while Moist focuses on that instant “aaahh” feeling of relief when you pop them in.

Comfort

Let’s be honest, comfort isn’t optional. It’s the whole point. If a contact lens feels like a crusty tortilla chip after 3 hours, it doesn’t matter how good the tech is (RIP to your plans, and maybe your corneas).

With Acuvue Moist, you’re getting a squishy-soft lens that feels like it just woke up from a nap in cucumber water. It’s especially forgiving for new wearers who haven’t developed that blink-and-go muscle memory yet. 

The high water content gives it that instant aahh feeling, but keep in mind: If your day turns chaotic (think back-to-back-to-back meetings, surprise wind tunnel, or allergy season), you might notice it start to dry out before you're done pretending to be productive.

HydraLuxe’s tear-mimicking network is like having your own personal hydration concierge. Every blink triggers a refresh cycle, like a secret spa treatment hidden inside your eyeball. People who use it often say it feels like nothing’s there — which is exactly what you want in something sitting on your eye all day.

Bonus points: If you live somewhere dry (looking at you, air-conditioned offices and desert climates) or you tend to forget to blink during screen time (same), HydraLuxe basically says, “Don’t worry, I got this.”

Pro tip: If your workday includes back-to-back screen time, or you blink about twice an hour when gaming, HydraLuxe is probably your comfort king.

Price

For the budgeting brainiacs:

• Acuvue Moist (90-pack): Around $79.99

• HydraLuxe (90-pack): Around $93.59

That’s about a $14 difference for the same number of lenses. But consider this: Moist is like ordering a cappuccino. It’s reliable, smooth, and gets the job done. HydraLuxe is the matcha latte with extra foam — luxurious, sure, but arguably worth it if your eyeballs are begging for TLC.

No matter which one you choose, we throw in 20% off your first order and free shipping. That means you can focus on picking the right lens — not playing coupon detective.

Oh, and don’t forget insurance! You can apply your vision benefits online, so if you're the type to avoid admin tasks until the apocalypse, this one’s easy.

Hot tip: Choose a brand with a Best Price Guarantee to make sure you’re getting the best deal either way.

1-DAY Acuvue Moist vs. 1-DAY Acuvue OASYS with HydraLuxe

Let’s recap:

Still undecided? Let’s give your eyeballs a final pep talk:

• You’ve got a quiet evening ahead, a short grocery run, and you’ve already logged off by 5 on the dot. Acuvue Moist is your bestie. It’s low-maintenance, and it’ll keep your eyes comfy while you go about your business. 

• You’re working long weeks, flying through 47 Slack messages an hour, attending three video calls at once, and your cat just knocked over your coffee again. Your eyes feel like toast (which you forgot to eat) by noon. Sound unsettlingly familiar? HydraLuxe is made for you. 

The truth is, you can’t go wrong. Both are backed by Acuvue’s quality, both come with built-in UV protection, and both are available at 1-800 Contacts.

Just click your fave and we’ll handle the rest:

• Acuvue Moist 90-Pack
• Acuvue OASYS 1-Day with HydraLuxe 90-Pack

Order Contact Lenses Online

Learn how to order contact lenses online at 1-800 Contacts
Order contacts

Did you know you can order contacts online? 

Say goodbye to trips to the eye doctor and hello to convenience! With 1-800 Contacts, you can easily order your contact lenses online and have them delivered straight to your door. Plus, our online vision exam makes it simple to get the prescription you need without leaving home. And the best part? You’ll save money on your first order with 1-800 Contacts. It’s never been easier to get your contacts!