How we researched this guide
We compared 4 leading contact lens solutions and checked comparison guides, maker pages, and owner reviews before writing. This is a review guide for contact lens care products. No solution is prescribed for any individual reader: lens type and eye health decide which type fits, and your eye doctor’s advice comes first.
We did not test any product hands-on. Maker claims are written as rated or stated by the maker, and owner experience is paraphrased from the linked sources.
The 30-second answer
The two best-known multi-purpose solutions are Biotrue and OPTI-FREE PureMoist: Biotrue suits dry or sensitive eyes with moisture that lasts up to 20 hours, while PureMoist suits wearers who want strong cleaning with its HydraGlyde moisture matrix. Clear Care Plus is the preservative-free hydrogen peroxide option for sensitive eyes, and Renu is the long-running budget multi-purpose choice. All four clean and disinfect soft lenses; the differences are moisture, preservatives, and how long you must soak.
Quick picks
Best for dry eyes
Biotrue Multi-Purpose Solution
Best if your eyes feel dry. Hyaluronan holds moisture for up to 20 hours, and the formula matches the pH of healthy tears.
No affiliate link is included for this product. Buy it at a pharmacy or from your eye-care provider.
Best all-purpose
OPTI-FREE PureMoist
Best if you want strong cleaning with lasting comfort. Dual disinfection with Polyquad and Aldox, plus HydraGlyde moisture for up to 16 hours.
No affiliate link is included for this product. Buy it at a pharmacy or from your eye-care provider.
Best preservative-free
Clear Care Plus with HydraGlyde
Best if multipurpose solutions irritate your eyes. Hydrogen peroxide disinfects without preservatives, then neutralizes to saline in its special case.
No affiliate link is included for this product. Buy it at a pharmacy or from your eye-care provider.
Best budget
Renu MultiPlus
Best if you want a proven low-cost multi-purpose solution. Cleans, rinses, disinfects, and stores in one step, and is widely available.
No affiliate link is included for this product. Buy it at a pharmacy or from your eye-care provider.
Quick compare
| Solution | Type | Moisture claim | Preservatives | Soak time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biotrue | Multi-purpose | Up to 20 hours | Yes, low level | Overnight |
| OPTI-FREE PureMoist | Multi-purpose | Up to 16 hours | Yes | At least 6 hours |
| Clear Care Plus | Hydrogen peroxide | HydraGlyde | No | At least 6 hours |
| Renu MultiPlus | Multi-purpose | Not published | Yes | Overnight |
How to choose a contact solution
Start with your lens type
All four solutions here suit soft contact lenses, including silicone hydrogel. Rigid gas permeable lenses need their own care system, and these multi-purpose solutions are not made for them. Check your lens box and your eye doctor’s instructions before switching.
Multi-purpose vs hydrogen peroxide
Multi-purpose solutions clean, rinse, disinfect, and store in one bottle and one step. Hydrogen peroxide solutions disinfect more strongly and contain no preservatives, but they must neutralize fully in their special case before the lens goes in your eye. Putting an un-neutralized peroxide lens in your eye stings badly.
Moisture and comfort
Biotrue uses hyaluronan, a wetting agent that wraps the lens and holds moisture for up to 20 hours according to its maker. OPTI-FREE PureMoist uses HydraGlyde, a moisture matrix rated for up to 16 hours. If your eyes dry out during the day, moisture is the feature to compare, not the bottle size.
Sensitive eyes
If multi-purpose solutions leave your eyes red or irritated, the preservatives may be the cause. Clear Care Plus is preservative-free, which is why eye-care guides recommend it for sensitive eyes and preservative allergies. Do not switch to it casually, though: it needs its neutralizing case and a full soak.
Cost per ounce
Biotrue and OPTI-FREE PureMoist both sell for as little as 80 cents per ounce in twin packs, according to comparison guides. Do not buy solution by the bottle price alone; compare the cost per ounce and the size you will actually use before it expires.
Biotrue: the moisture pick
Biotrue is Bausch + Lomb’s multi-purpose solution, and its selling point is a formula inspired by the biology of the eye. It matches the pH of healthy tears and uses hyaluronan to hold moisture on the lens for up to 20 hours. It removes dirt, debris, and protein deposits, and it suits silicone hydrogel and non-silicone soft lenses. Comparison guides rate it as the better choice for dry or sensitive eyes. Its disinfectant levels are lower than OPTI-FREE’s: it uses Polyquaternium-1 at 0.0001 percent against OPTI-FREE’s 0.001 percent, with polyaminopropyl biguanide as its second disinfectant.
OPTI-FREE PureMoist: the all-purpose pick
OPTI-FREE PureMoist is Alcon’s multi-purpose solution and one of the most widely recommended by eye-care professionals. It uses dual disinfection with Polyquad and Aldox, and its HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix keeps lenses moist for up to 16 hours. It removes protein and lipid deposits effectively, and it suits weekly and monthly silicone lenses. It needs at least 6 hours of soaking to disinfect fully. Some wearers report irritation with some formulas, so if your eyes turn red, try a different solution and tell your eye doctor.
Clear Care Plus: the preservative-free pick
Clear Care Plus is a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution with HydraGlyde. It contains no preservatives, which makes it the usual recommendation for wearers with allergies to multipurpose-solution ingredients. A clinical review found hydrogen peroxide solutions were the only ones of 11 tested that protected against cyst-causing pathogens. The trade-off is the process: the lens must soak at least 6 hours in the special neutralizing case, and the solution must fully convert to saline before the lens goes in. Never rinse a lens with Clear Care and put it straight in your eye.
Renu MultiPlus: the budget pick
Renu is one of the longest-running multi-purpose solutions, and it remains a common budget choice. It cleans, rinses, disinfects, and stores soft lenses in one step, and it is sold almost everywhere contact solution is sold. It does not make the moisture claims of Biotrue or PureMoist, and it is not preservative-free, so it suits wearers who are happy with a basic, proven solution and have no sensitivity to its preservatives.
Spec comparison
| Solution | Maker | Disinfectants | Wetting agent | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biotrue | Bausch + Lomb | Polyquad, PHMB | Hyaluronan | Dry, sensitive eyes |
| PureMoist | Alcon | Polyquad, Aldox | HydraGlyde | All-purpose cleaning |
| Clear Care Plus | Alcon | Hydrogen peroxide | HydraGlyde | Preservative allergy |
| Renu MultiPlus | Bausch + Lomb | Not published here | Not published here | Budget everyday use |
What owners report
Owners and reviewers consistently praise OPTI-FREE PureMoist as affordable, widely available, and recommended by eye-care professionals, with a free lens case often included. Biotrue owners report comfortable, moist lenses through long days, and comparison guides note both solutions cost about the same per ounce. Clear Care owners with sensitive eyes report less irritation once they learn the neutralizing routine, while new users warn that the 6-hour wait and special case take getting used to. Renu owners report it simply works at a low cost, with no standout comfort claims either way.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red, irritated eyes | Preservative sensitivity | Try preservative-free, ask eye doctor |
| Dry lenses by afternoon | Moisture wearing off | Try Biotrue or PureMoist |
| Stinging on insertion | Un-neutralized peroxide | Soak full 6 hours in case |
| Cloudy lenses | Protein or lipid deposits | Rub and rinse, soak full time |
| Solution past expiry | Expired disinfectant | Throw it away, buy fresh |
Who should NOT switch solutions casually
Wearers with eye conditions or allergies: switching solutions changes the preservatives and wetting agents your eyes meet every day. If you have dry eye, allergies, or a history of infection, ask your eye doctor before switching.
Wearers of rigid lenses: none of these four solutions is made for rigid gas permeable lenses. Use the care system made for your lens type.
Final verdict
For dry or sensitive eyes, start with Biotrue. For strong all-purpose cleaning, start with OPTI-FREE PureMoist. For preservative allergies, Clear Care Plus is the specialist choice. For a low-cost proven solution, Renu does the job. Whatever you choose, follow the soak time and never top off old solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which contact solution is best overall?
There is no single best solution for everyone. OPTI-FREE PureMoist is the most widely recommended all-purpose choice, Biotrue is the better pick for dry eyes, and Clear Care Plus is the pick for preservative sensitivity.
What is the difference between Biotrue and OPTI-FREE PureMoist?
Both are multi-purpose solutions with Polyquad disinfection. Biotrue uses hyaluronan for moisture up to 20 hours, while PureMoist uses HydraGlyde for up to 16 hours and has a higher Polyquad concentration with Aldox as a second disinfectant.
Is Clear Care better than multi-purpose solution?
Clear Care disinfects more strongly and has no preservatives, which suits sensitive eyes. It is less convenient: it needs its special case and at least 6 hours to neutralize before the lens can be worn.
Can I use saline instead of contact solution?
No. Saline only rinses lenses; it does not clean or disinfect them. Never store lenses in saline alone.
How long should lenses soak?
OPTI-FREE PureMoist needs at least 6 hours, and Clear Care needs at least 6 hours in its case. Follow the time on your solution’s label, and never shorten the soak.
Can I top off old solution in the case?
No. Always discard the old solution, rinse the case, and fill it with fresh solution. Topping off dilutes the disinfectant and lets germs grow.
Why do my eyes get red with contact solution?
Redness can come from preservative sensitivity, deposits on the lens, or an infection. Try a preservative-free option and see an eye doctor if redness persists.
How long does an opened bottle last?
Follow the expiry and discard date on the bottle, usually a few months after opening. Never use expired solution, and replace your lens case regularly.
Sources & changelog
Manufacturer and maker sources:
- Biotrue vs OPTI-FREE PureMoist, Optix-now
- Biotrue vs Opti-Free PureMoist, Statcare
- Clear Care alternatives, Shunauto
- Contact lens solutions to clean and maintain lenses, Healthline via Drink-Drink
Changelog — November 5, 2026: guide first published. No affiliate links are included for these products. Lens care is a health product: readers should follow their eye doctor’s advice for their lens type.
By Leo, Founder, WinchInsider
Leo writes WinchInsider guides from maker specifications, manuals, and owner reports, so readers can choose workshop tools with facts instead of guesses.