Summary
Hubble Contacts claims to save you time and money on your contacts with a simple subscription program. However, many experts don’t recommend this style of lenses due to the potentially inferior material they are made from.
Pros
Cons
By Lydia Noyes
Updated on: Jul 1, 2020
Hubble is a direct-to-consumer contact company that claims to make it easier than ever to ensure you always have high-quality contact lenses on hand at an affordable price.
Established in 2016, the company claims that it's working to break the monopoly on US contact manufacturers by offering customers cost-effective alternatives that are delivered straight to your home. Since its start, Hubble claims to have sold more than $20 million in contact lens subscriptions and continues to expand each year.
Should you also consider switching over your eye care needs to this online brand? In the following analysis, we’ll look closer at Hubble’s business model, contact lens quality, and company reputation to help you decide.
When you first navigate to the Hubble website, you’ll first choose whether you want Hubble-brand contacts or a different type.
You can start the signup process for receiving Hubble Contacts by taking the company’s online quiz. It asks for information about whether you usually need a mirror for putting on contacts, whether you sleep in your contacts, how long you have been wearing them, and whether you deal with dry eye issues.
All quiz answers seem to lead to the same outcome—a recommendation you purchase Hubble-brand contacts.
After sharing this information, you’ll receive an offer for an initial box containing two weeks of contacts for $1. If you accept this offer, you are committing to pay for 30 pairs of daily contact lenses on a subscription basis for $36 plus $3 shipping every four weeks.
You’ll need to share your prescription information for each eye and share your doctor’s contact. The fine print states that submitting your order means that you commit to having Hubble Contacts verify your prescription with your doctor both at payment and again if it expires.
According to the Federal Trade Commission’s rules for contact lenses, sellers like Hubble must give doctors at least eight business hours to respond to a prescription authorization request before they can act on it. If Hubble doesn’t receive a response, the company is then free to fulfill the prescription anyways.
It’s also possible to purchase other contact brands like Acuvue, Biotrue, or Biofinity through Hubble Contact’s partner site, ContactsCart. Your initial order will be 20% off, and it’s possible to sign up for auto-ship programs of varying frequencies.
You can cancel these subscriptions at any time through your online account. All orders also qualify for a 30-day refund policy, so long as you return the contacts unopened.
Contact help@contactscart.com for any further help with ordering or your account setup.
The lenses are made by Hubble’s manufacturing partner, a Taiwanese-based contact lens supplier called St. Shine.
These lenses are purportedly made from high-grade methafilcon A with a 55% water content that offers UV protection, clear vision, easy insertion, and a thin edge that stays comfortable all day long.
This was once a common material for daily contact lenses, but it’s fallen out of favor as better material options have reached the market. The main problem with methafilcon A seems to be that it’s not as permeable as other materials, which means that it affects how much oxygen can get into your cornea.
Dr. Yuna Rapoport, an ophthalmologist and founder and director of Manhattan Eye, shared her concerns about contacts made with this material.
“It was noted early on that methafilcon A caused corneal hypoxia, or lack of oxygen to the cornea,” she told us. “There is a marker, Dk, that represents the amount of oxygen a certain contact lens lets through to the cornea. You want the Dk to be as high as possible, and most contact lenses these days are at least 50. Hubble contacts have a Dk of 18, and this is related to the methafilcon.”
Over time, this can lead to oxygen deprivation for your eye, which can trigger serious problems like swelling, irritation, and even permanent damage. Today, few contacts are still made from this material, and it’s unlikely your optometrist will recommend a product that contains it.
Another negative factor is that all Hubble contacts are one-size-fits-all. The brand doesn’t offer options based on different eye shapes or styles, which means they aren’t likely to work for everyone, despite what your quiz results may indicate.
All trial offers of Hubble Contacts will automatically enroll you in a monthly subscription program. Sixteen days after you place your first order, the company will charge you and send you a new supply of contacts, and then again every 28 days.
You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time by calling the company at (844) 334-1640 on weekdays between 9 am-5 pm EST.
Hubble Contacts terms and conditions state that the company doesn’t accept returns. If, however, you are not satisfied with your order due to quality issues, you can reach out to the company at help@hubblecontacts.com or through the previously mentioned phone number to request a replacement pack.
Here at HighYa, we have over 1,300 verified customer reviews from people who have tried Hubble Contacts. These reviews average 4.1 stars, and an impressive 81% of users say they would recommend the product to a friend. Here’s a deeper dive into what these reviewers are actually saying.
Common Compliments:
Common Complaints:
There are numerous blog reviews of Hubble Contacts that dive into some of the problems that customers have with the brand. For example, Hollis Johnson reported in Business Insider that many eye doctors shared that they never received the prescription requests from Hubble the brand claims it sent out.
Likewise, Alison Griswold wrote in a review for Quartz that she succeeded in getting Hubble to ship her prescription-strength contacts even after creating a made-up eye doctor.
If the idea of getting your contacts online is appealing to you, there are other options in addition to Hubble Contacts. The following chart highlights some of the differences between some key players in the industry:
| Hubble Contacts | Lens.com | 1-800-Contacts | Lens Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lens Type | 1-day lens | Two dozen+ brands of contact lens, variety of styles and usage instructions | Two dozen+ brands of contact lens, variety of styles and usage instructions | 19 contact lens brands, each offering a variety of styles |
| Pricing for Daily Lenses | $36 plus $3 shipping for 30 pairs | Pricing varies based on brand and how many boxes you order at once (no subscription option). 1-Day Acuvue Moist 30pk: $30.99/mo. | Pricing varies based on the brand. Save 5% on every order with a subscription. 1-Day Acuvue Moist 30pk: $35.09/box. | Pricing varies by brand. Save 20% on some orders by signing up for a subscription. 1 Day Acuvue Moist 30pk: $32.39/box ($25.91 with subscription). |
| Details | Methafilcon-A, 55% water content | 42% Polymer (etafilcon A), 58% water content | 42% polymer (etafilcon A), 58% water content | 42% polymer (etafilcon A), 58% water content |
| Refund Process | No refunds, the company will replace inferior products | Contacts can be returned for a full refund if in original, unopened packaging | Free exchange process for different lenses, unused lenses can be returned for full refund | Orders can be returned within 120 days of shipment so long as they are in original packaging |
Hubble Contacts stands out from these other three companies because it primarily sells its own brand of contacts. With the others, the chances are good that you can find your preferred brand without a problem.
Each company also offers slightly different pricing structures as well. With Hubble Lens, you’ll pay a flat rate per month and receive the same lenses like everyone else. Lens.com allows you to receive a bulk discount for larger orders, and Lens Direct and 1-800-Contacts let you save with an auto-ship plan.
1-800-Contacts and Lens direct do offer refunds on your contacts, while Hubble doesn't.
Another factor is that each Hubble Contacts alternative seems to have a clear advantage in regards to material.
For example, the daily Acuvue Moist lenses are made with 42% etafilcon A, a substance that has a Dk rating around 25–28, which is higher than Hubble’s estimated 18 (though still lower than the 50 Dr. Rapoport recommended for optimal oxygen permeability).
Hubble Contacts have a sleek advertising campaign and an appealing price tag, but the evidence is mixed on whether this is a contact lens brand worth subscribing to.
Lack of product options, no return policy, and inferior materials in the lenses all make us shy away from suggesting this company.
“I do not recommend Hubble contacts because of lower quality material,” concludes Dr. Rapoport. “I would recommend Acuvue, Johnson & Johnson, or performing LASIK and not wearing contacts altogether.”
If you like the convenience that Hubble Contacts claims to offer, we think that there are other ways to have contacts shipped directly to you that might lead to a better long-term outcome. Talk with your eye doctor and explore the options available on the other sites mentioned before deciding which brand and style of contact makes the most sense for you.
But if these lenses do work for you, then you’ll benefit from cost savings compared to most other brands.
Posted on Jun 27, 2017
Terrible customer service. I asked to cancel my subscription. They never did, and never refunded me when they made a mistake. Slow customer service.
When I emailed their support line, they told me it was the wrong department and gave me a number to call in to cancel. What kind of company actually does that?
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Company Response from Hubble Contacts
Jun 28, 2017
Tom - we're so sorry to read about this experience. Were your issues ultimately resolved? If not, please let me know, so I can take care of this personally.
Posted on Jul 3, 2017
I can't see clearly with these lenses. When I'm trying to read I have to blink several times and squint to try and focus to get things clear. Then, if I blink again, things are out of focus again. I've worn dailies for years and love them, but I can't see well with these.
It is disappointing because I love the ease of having to order and then it being delivered!
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Posted on Jul 8, 2017
Buyer beware.
These contacts are made of an old subpar material. They have a low Transmissibility rating, which means your eyes get less oxygen than what quality lenses give. These are complete junk.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Posted on Jul 10, 2017
Before I went through Hubble, I read all the reviews, read the facts, and read every article on it I could. I set up an appt with my eye doctor as my prescription had expired and I was almost out of contacts. I had mentioned Hubble to them, and they all said they hadn't heard of it (not surprising as it is a new company).
Right after my appt, I ordered Hubble contacts. Two days later, I got an email from Hubble stating my doctor canceled my order. I called my doctor, and they sounded confused as they had sent in my prescription to Hubble when requested. I looked for a phone number to contact Hubble directly, and there is only an email. We emailed back and forth over a span of three days. They emailed me back stating I should have been fitted with Hubble brand contacts while at my appt. They also said that it is mentioned in the FAQs:
Yes, we can give you the name of a doctor in your area with whom you can make an appointment for a fitting and to obtain your prescription should you not currently have a valid Hubble contact lens prescription.
This is mentioned if click on "Need an Exam?" which picks out doctors for you. If you do NOT need a doctor, as I didn't, then you would never find this, as it is not mentioned in "Prescriptions" or "Contact Lenses." Case in point:
Do I need a contact lens prescription to place an order?
Yes, all orders require a valid prescription from a doctor, including your name; the date of prescription expiration; the prescriber's name; and, for the lenses themselves, power, base curve, manufacturer, diameter, and material.
Also:
Can teenagers wear Hubble lenses?
Yes, all patients with a valid prescription can wear Hubble daily lenses.
It wouldn't have been a big deal, but I am out of contact lenses as I thought I was going through this company and I am heading out on vacation. I wasted a week, and they expect me to make another appt, pay money for a fitting with Hubble lenses, AND have my doctor order lenses for fitting from Hubble? Or I can pay to go through a doctor they recommend to pay for another exam?! All of this is ridiculous and going back and forth through email is crazy.
No thanks.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Posted on Jul 10, 2017
I was so excited for these; great marketing and packaging. Super convenient. But man, is the quality awful! I tried multiple times, multiple pairs. They all hurt so bad. They are thick, and you can FEEL them in your eyes. They made mine itchy and watery and SO dry. I usually wear a monthly brand so I thought that these dailies would be a step up, but wow, so much worse.
Let's hope canceling isn't as bad of an experience. I have to wait until 9 am on a workday to make the attempt since I can only cancel by phone. Ugh. Of course, this was too good to be true!
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Posted on Jul 23, 2017
I am so tired of not getting the same rep when I send emails. Each rep gives me a different excuse as to where my package is and when I will receive my refund. I had one rep even tell me my package was received back and that my refund was being processed. Then 3 days later, my package disappeared again. What is going on?
Are they just that unwilling to give me back my 33 dollars? This is a horrible first impression of a company. This is a horrible encounter that I have been having for three weeks now.
It took 3 days to receive the damn contacts. Why is it taking longer than three weeks to receive it back? I'm honestly about to report this company to my bank as fraudulent. It's very suspicious what they're doing and I am not okay with getting ripped off.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Posted on Jul 26, 2017
Hubble is the only place I know of that doesn't provide an invoice with their shipment. You have to contact them EACH month to get your receipt. In this day and age when many are using their flexible health spending account, this takes away the convenience of automatic shipments. I canceled last month and received another shipment. I had to call again to unsubscribe. Customer service hours are limited and obviously being transferred to local homes as I could barely hear the representative with the screaming toddler in the background.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Posted on Jul 28, 2017
I tried Hubble after a free trial became available and was happy with the prompt delivery service. However, once I started wearing the lenses, I found that they became dry after 8-10 hours of wear. If I waited even longer, it was like chiseling the contact away from my cornea. Nevertheless, I wasn't all that upset since it was a free trial after all.
A few weeks later, I automatically received a second shipment and charged $33. Unsatisfied with the initial trial, I opened the shipping box to find a return label, to which there was none, which then prompted me to contact customer service.
Being a self-sufficient adult, I've done a lot of online shopping before, even for glasses. I expected an online company to have a return policy that's reasonably flexible. This is where I was wrong.
A customer service agent notified me that I could not return the contacts because the box had been opened. When I argued that anytime I've ever received an online order the return slip was located inside the shipping box, she refused me. She said company policy is that they do not return opened boxes. I said that the contact boxes weren't open, just the shipping box. She still said no and refused my refund/return request.
I asked to speak with a supervisor if for no other reason to tell them their return policy is terrible and worse, unclear. The customer service agent said I would receive a call within the next business day. I never received a call.
I received an email asking the usual "how did we do?" to which I replied my dissatisfaction in having never received a callback. Still no callback. And I still have my contacts in their unopened box.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Posted on Jul 28, 2017
I received my free two-week trial of contacts. Too bad I can't wear them because they are the incorrect Rx! I provided them with my eye doctor's phone number as they require so that they can verify my Rx. Well, this is not the Rx I typed in, nor is it a Rx that I've EVER had. So there's no way my doctor's office would've verified this Rx. Both boxes were the same exact Rx (for both left and right!) and incorrect.
I called customer service number, and it was a recording telling me to not leave a message and to email them because they do not take customer calls anymore! Seriously? So much for the customer service they brag about on their website. I'm canceling. Should've known I'd have trouble with this company because I see on the box they are made in Taiwan.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Posted on Jul 28, 2017
I loved the idea of Hubble Contacts and looked forward to using their service and product. Unfortunately, their contacts weren't as comfortable based on a slight size discrepancy, so I called and canceled my subscription. This process was made slightly difficult because you can only call to cancel during normal business hours, which can be complicated if you are typically busy during these hours like I am. I did ask that if they ended up carrying my preferred size lens, I would be interested in reactivating.
The real issues started a couple of weeks later when I was charged $33 for a fresh shipment but then quickly received an email stating this was done by mistake and that I would be refunded the full amount and if any contacts arrived I was free to keep them (none did). I'd hoped that was the end of this bad experience but one month after they've now charged me again and are claiming that I never canceled. So far they are refusing to honor my earlier cancellation and keep inviting me to call during their limited hours to cancel again.
This has been so disappointing as I was super hopeful and wanted things to work with this company but now I can no longer even trust them for the future.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Posted on Aug 8, 2017
I ordered the first set, and they were horrible on my eyes. I had to change the lenses three times a day, so I cancelled but they auto billed me again, and I had to fight for a week to figure out how to get my money back after. I already had a confirmation email saying I was cancelled well before they charged my card. I sent the box back unopened as "return to sender" as instructed two weeks ago, and they are still saying they haven't received it. What a joke! This place is a scam.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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