MyDay vs Dailies Total 1: Which Premium Daily Lens Is Right for You?

When it comes to premium daily disposable contact lenses, two names consistently rise to the top: CooperVision's MyDay and Alcon's Dailies Total 1. Both represent the pinnacle of daily lens technology, but they take distinctly different approaches to achieving exceptional comfort and performance. If you're trying to decide between these two premium options, this comprehensive comparison will help you make an informed choice based on your eyes, lifestyle, and vision needs.

The Quick Answer: Key Differences at a Glance

Before we dive deep into the technologies and features, here's what sets these two premium daily lenses apart:

MyDay contact lenses use Smart Silicone technology to deliver exceptional breathability with high water content, making them ideal for people who prioritise oxygen permeability and eye health. They feature Class 1 UV protection (the highest level available) and maintain consistent comfort throughout the day.

Dailies Total 1 contact lenses use revolutionary Water Gradient technology that creates a lens with nearly 100% water content at the surface, providing an ultra-soft, barely-there feel. These lenses are often described as the most comfortable daily disposable available, particularly for people with sensitive eyes or mild dry eye symptoms.

Both are excellent premium lenses, but your ideal choice depends on what matters most to you: maximum breathability and UV protection (MyDay) or ultra-soft surface comfort and water gradient technology (Dailies Total 1).

Technology Comparison: Smart Silicone vs Water Gradient

MyDay's Smart Silicone Technology

CooperVision developed Smart Silicone specifically for MyDay lenses, creating a material that achieves something previously thought difficult: combining high oxygen permeability with high water content and a soft, comfortable feel.

Traditional silicone hydrogel lenses often sacrifice comfort for breathability, resulting in stiffer lenses that some wearers find less comfortable. MyDay's Smart Silicone solves this challenge by creating a lens that's highly breathable yet remains soft and flexible. The technology incorporates Aquaform Technology, which locks water into the lens material throughout, ensuring consistent moisture from morning to night.

Key MyDay Technology Benefits:

• High oxygen transmission keeps eyes healthy and white
• 54% water content maintains natural comfort
• Soft, flexible material that's comfortable yet easy to handle
• No surface treatments required – naturally wettable throughout
• Consistent performance from insertion to disposal

Dailies Total 1's Water Gradient Technology

Alcon's Water Gradient technology in Dailies Total 1 represents a breakthrough in lens design. The lens features three distinct zones: a silicone hydrogel core for structural integrity and oxygen transmission, a middle gradient zone, and an ultra-soft surface that reaches nearly 100% water content at the outermost layer.

This unique design means the part of the lens touching your eye feels incredibly soft and natural, while the core maintains the optical clarity and breathability you need for healthy vision. Many wearers describe Dailies Total 1 as feeling like nothing at all – the ultimate "barely there" lens experience.

Key Dailies Total 1 Technology Benefits:

• Nearly 100% water content at lens surface for exceptional softness
• Silicone hydrogel core provides excellent oxygen transmission
• Ultra-smooth surface reduces friction with eyelids
• Gradient design balances comfort and structural integrity
• Premium comfort particularly noticeable for sensitive eyes

Comfort Comparison: All-Day Performance

How MyDay Lenses Feel

MyDay lenses deliver reliable, consistent comfort throughout the day. The Smart Silicone material feels soft from the moment you insert them, and because the moisture is locked throughout the lens material rather than relying on surface treatments, comfort doesn't diminish as the day progresses.

Wearers consistently report that MyDay lenses feel natural and barely noticeable during wear. The high oxygen permeability means your eyes stay healthy and white, even during long wearing days. The lenses maintain their shape well during handling, making them easy to insert and remove despite being thin and soft.

Best for: People who want reliable all-day comfort, those who prioritise eye health and breathability, contact lens wearers who need consistent performance from morning to night, and anyone seeking a premium daily lens at excellent value.

How Dailies Total 1 Lenses Feel

Dailies Total 1 lenses have earned a reputation as potentially the most comfortable daily disposable on the market. The Water Gradient technology creates an incredibly soft surface that interacts with your eye and eyelids with minimal friction. Many wearers report forgetting they're wearing lenses at all.

The ultra-soft surface is particularly beneficial for people with sensitive eyes or those who experience irritation with other lenses. The gradient design means you get premium surface comfort without sacrificing the optical quality or structural integrity that a firmer core provides.

Best for: People with sensitive eyes, those who've experienced discomfort with other daily lenses, contact lens wearers who prioritise the "barely there" feel, anyone with mild dry eye symptoms, and those willing to invest in the ultimate comfort experience.

Oxygen Permeability: Keeping Your Eyes Healthy

Both MyDay and Dailies Total 1 offer excellent oxygen transmission, which is crucial for maintaining healthy, white eyes and reducing the risk of complications from lens wear.

MyDay: Delivers high oxygen permeability with a Dk/t of 100, which is excellent for a daily disposable lens. The Smart Silicone technology ensures abundant oxygen reaches your cornea throughout the wearing period.

Dailies Total 1: Also provides excellent oxygen transmission with a Dk/t of 156 at the centre of the lens. The silicone hydrogel core enables this high breathability while the water gradient surface delivers comfort.

Winner: Dailies Total 1 edges slightly ahead on oxygen permeability numbers, though both lenses provide more than enough oxygen for healthy daily wear. In practical terms, most wearers won't notice a difference in eye health between these two options, as both significantly exceed the minimum oxygen requirements for daily lens wear.

UV Protection: Shielding Your Eyes

MyDay: Features Class 1 UV blocking, the highest level of UV protection available in contact lenses. This helps protect your eyes from harmful UVA and UVB rays during outdoor activities.

Dailies Total 1: Includes Class 2 UV blocking, which still provides valuable protection but at a slightly lower level than MyDay's Class 1 protection.

Winner: MyDay offers superior UV protection. If you spend significant time outdoors or are concerned about long-term UV exposure to your eyes, MyDay's Class 1 UV blocking provides an extra layer of defence.

Important Note: UV-blocking contact lenses are not a substitute for UV-absorbing sunglasses, as lenses don't cover your entire eye and surrounding area. Always wear quality sunglasses outdoors for comprehensive eye protection.

Handling and Ease of Use

MyDay: The Smart Silicone material balances softness with structural integrity, making MyDay lenses relatively easy to handle. They're soft enough to be comfortable but firm enough to maintain their shape during insertion. First-time daily lens wearers typically adapt quickly to handling MyDay lenses.

Dailies Total 1: The ultra-soft surface of Dailies Total 1 lenses means they can feel more delicate during handling. Some wearers find them slightly more challenging to insert initially, particularly if they're used to firmer monthly lenses. However, most people adapt quickly, and the exceptional comfort once the lenses are on your eyes makes the extra care during insertion worthwhile.

Winner: MyDay has a slight edge in handling ease, particularly for new contact lens wearers or those transitioning from monthly to daily lenses.

Who Should Choose MyDay Contact Lenses?

MyDay lenses are an excellent choice if you:

• Prioritise maximum UV protection (Class 1 UV blocking)
• Want consistently reliable comfort throughout the day
• Appreciate high oxygen permeability for eye health
• Prefer lenses that are easy to handle and insert
• Seek excellent value in a premium daily lens
• Lead an active lifestyle with significant outdoor time
• Want naturally wettable lenses without surface treatments
• Are looking for a dependable premium daily lens at competitive pricing

MyDay lenses represent exceptional value in the premium daily lens category. They deliver advanced technology and reliable performance without the premium price point of some competitors. If you want a lens that excels across all important metrics – comfort, breathability, UV protection, and handling – MyDay is an outstanding choice.

Shop the complete range of MyDay contact lenses, available in standard, toric (for astigmatism), and multifocal (for presbyopia) options.

Who Should Choose Dailies Total 1 Contact Lenses?

Dailies Total 1 lenses are ideal if you:

• Have sensitive eyes that are easily irritated
• Experience mild dry eye symptoms
• Want the ultimate "barely there" lens experience
• Prioritise surface comfort above all else
• Are willing to invest in premium comfort
• Have struggled to find comfortable daily lenses in the past
• Want the latest breakthrough technology
• Seek the softest, most comfortable daily disposable available

Dailies Total 1 represents the premium end of the daily lens market. If comfort is your primary concern and you're willing to invest in the best surface feel available, these lenses deliver an exceptional wearing experience that many describe as transformative.

Shop Dailies Total 1 contact lenses for the ultimate in daily disposable comfort.

Prescription Range and Availability

Both MyDay and Dailies Total 1 are available in comprehensive prescription ranges, including options for astigmatism and presbyopia:

MyDay Range:

• MyDay (standard spherical)
• MyDay Toric (for astigmatism)
• MyDay Multifocal (for presbyopia over 40)

Dailies Total 1 Range:

• Dailies Total 1 (standard spherical)
• Dailies Total 1 for Astigmatism (toric)
• Dailies Total 1 Multifocal (for presbyopia)

Both brands cover most common prescriptions. If you have an unusual or complex prescription, your optometrist can advise which lens is available in your specific parameters.

Making Your Decision: MyDay or Dailies Total 1?

Choosing between these two excellent premium daily lenses ultimately comes down to your priorities:

Choose MyDay if you want:

• The best UV protection available (Class 1)
• Excellent all-around performance at competitive pricing
• Easy handling and insertion
• Reliable, consistent comfort
• Great value in a premium lens

Choose Dailies Total 1 if you want:

• The softest, most comfortable lens surface available
• Water Gradient technology's ultra-premium feel
• A solution for sensitive eyes or mild dryness
• The "barely there" wearing experience
• The latest breakthrough in lens comfort technology

There's no wrong choice between these two premium lenses. Both deliver exceptional performance, maintain eye health with excellent oxygen permeability, and provide the hygiene and convenience of daily disposables. Your decision should be based on what matters most to your personal comfort and lifestyle.

Try Both and Decide

Can't decide based on descriptions alone? The best way to determine which premium daily lens works better for your eyes is to try them both. Many optometrists can provide trial lenses so you can experience the difference firsthand.

When trying premium lenses, wear each option for at least several days to get a true sense of all-day comfort, handling ease, and how your eyes feel by evening. What feels comfortable for one person might feel different for another, so personal experience is invaluable.

Our partner optometrist with over 25 years of experience is available during business hours to discuss which lens might work best for your specific eyes and lifestyle. Call us on 03 9510 2045 for expert advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more comfortable: MyDay or Dailies Total 1?

Both are exceptionally comfortable premium daily lenses, but they achieve comfort differently. Dailies Total 1's Water Gradient technology creates an ultra-soft surface that many wearers find slightly more comfortable, particularly if you have sensitive eyes. MyDay delivers reliable, consistent comfort with Smart Silicone technology. The "more comfortable" lens varies by individual – some people prefer MyDay's consistent feel, while others love Dailies Total 1's ultra-soft surface.

Is MyDay or Dailies Total 1 better for dry eyes?

Both lenses work well for people with mild dry eye symptoms. Dailies Total 1's nearly 100% water content at the surface can provide exceptional relief for dry, sensitive eyes. MyDay's Aquaform Technology locks moisture throughout the lens material for consistent hydration. If you have chronic dry eye, consult with an optometrist to determine which technology suits your specific condition better.

Do MyDay lenses have better UV protection than Dailies Total 1?

Yes, MyDay features Class 1 UV blocking (the highest level), while Dailies Total 1 has Class 2 UV blocking. Both provide valuable UV protection, but MyDay blocks more UVA and UVB rays. However, remember that contact lenses don't replace sunglasses for complete eye protection.

Which lens is easier to insert: MyDay or Dailies Total 1?

MyDay lenses are generally considered slightly easier to handle and insert because they balance softness with structural integrity. Dailies Total 1's ultra-soft surface can feel more delicate during handling, though most wearers adapt quickly. If you're new to daily lenses or concerned about handling, MyDay might be the easier starting point.

Can I get MyDay or Dailies Total 1 for astigmatism?

Yes, both brands offer toric versions for astigmatism correction. MyDay Toric and Dailies Total 1 for Astigmatism both provide excellent stability and clear vision alongside their respective comfort technologies.

Which premium daily lens offers better value?

MyDay typically offers excellent value in the premium daily lens category, delivering advanced technology and performance at competitive pricing. Dailies Total 1 is positioned at the premium end of the market with its breakthrough Water Gradient technology. Both represent good value for their respective technology levels, but MyDay generally provides more affordable premium performance.

Order Your Premium Daily Contact Lenses Today

Whether you choose MyDay's Smart Silicone technology or Dailies Total 1's Water Gradient breakthrough, you're selecting from the best daily disposable lenses available. Both offer the ultimate convenience of daily disposables: fresh, clean lenses every day with no cleaning or storage required.

Shop our complete range of daily contact lenses with fast delivery across Australia. Order before 10am Monday to Friday for same-day dispatch and next business day delivery to major metro areas.

Need help deciding? Contact us on 03 9510 2045 to speak with our experienced optometrist, or email contacts@buycontactsonline.com.au for personalised advice.