Lens Brand Tier List - Who Makes the BEST Spectacle Lenses??? 

*Did You Know* ➡When it comes to Zeiss lenses, the best quality comes from the official factory in Aalen, Germany. In other markets, the Zeiss lens designs are licensed out, so aren't actually manufactered by Zeiss themselves. That's why a lot of clients order their Zeiss lenses from us.

You have no idea how much I enjoy this type of content, thank you so much

In the US you mostly see Essilor due to Luxottica's monopolizing behavior. They definitely make great lenses, but they're evil. They even own vision insurance companies so that patients are forced to use Essilor to use their benefits. If you have the choice, ask for Zeiss just because they're not creating a greedy monopoly.

Super helpful review. I really enjoy your videos, as they are informative, and your communication style is very engaging. Thank you!

I would love to have a more endepth video on the 4K categorised lens manufactors! I sure you know this but Zeiss do a Blue Guard where instead of a coating applied to lenses usually, it is actually worked into the lens material! I have only seen a couple of Leica lenses without prescription as they did a collaboration with MyKita... they are beautiful! Cannot wait to get your opinion/review on them! Anyway, such great content as always!! Xx 😻

Great video once again, very helpful indeed. Happy birthday Robert. 🥳

Super informative! Hope to see more videos on the subject

Thanks I've been looking for this info for years!

Oh snap!!!! Keep up the amazing content!

Please provide more content on the various Lens Manufacturers and their Lens Designs...this was enlightening.

I was already zeissed just from yr channel. I always look for optics with zeiss. Thanks, great video!

Great video. Previously I used Hoya progressives (their best version) but their prices went up over the years. So I jumped on Essilor 2 years back. I wasn't too happy. There were 2 issues. Hoya seemed to have less distortions at the periphery. I can't explain it but even the optician noticed it in my previous glasses. Another issue was the more reflections (maybe the coatings?!) in the Essilor lenses. I noticed it when people took photos of me (Essilor photos had more reflections).

Another great video. RE Alba with Zeiss lenses when I need new glasses next or when my prescription changes. I now know where to go.

This video changed my life for the better. I get starburst flares when driving at night; I want the best sunglasses too, since I go to t beach and pool at least three to four times a week. I had no idea that I had options... SUBSCRIBED!!!.

Excellent video. Great non bias video.

Thank you for sharing insights on lenses. No wonder it takes me longer to adjust to a few glasses and some give me headaches. I had no clue that lenses could impact the way you see. This is very helpful

Thanks for all the info you share!

I just purchased a pair of Maui Jim non-perscription sunglasses with their glass HCL bronze tint for playing golf in Arizona. I pleased that your review validated my choice.

That Grand Seiko watch looks amazing . Like your style and choice 👍

Great video! I work with Essilor products, and they are awesome, but I wasnt aware of the info you gave of them, kinda sucks, but as you say, we can deny the quality of their products and why people chose them. Ill try to explore Zeiss products soon. Thanks for all the info :)

Best eyewear content on the internet! Thanks for your really interesting explanation and Tier List! I love my Zeiss (and Hoya) lenses. Perfect, comfortable vision for me with amazing tint combinations and technology. I’m fascinated though by the latest Metaform technology. May have to try them one day if you recommend it?

Highly informative. Thank you!

This is great - i am personally much more interested in lens materials and coatings than frames :D

Love this video tx for all the info

Great video! I can now confidently tell the optician which lens brand I prefer 😊

I ordered FOR YEARS the absolutely most expensive (purple looking, lotus effect yada yada ) lenses from Zeiss in Germany. I now purchased premium lenses from Nikon in Japan. Never will I go back, hands down.

Great video, thanks! Here in Portugal, Shamir used to be half of the price before Essilor took them over, and I was told they have been produced right in Lisbon so you you could have anything you wanted the next day. Not anymore... Now you pay much, much more, thanks to Essilor... I am not so sure about Leica: they have recently started making watches too. I guess, like the watches, the lenses will be very competent but not incredible products, but you will pay a LOT because of the name...

Having worn both high end Zeiss and high end Hoya lenses over the years (both progressives), I think they are both just as good. However: for entry-level lenses (hilux/nulux), Hoya has consistently had less peripheral distortion than Zeiss in my experience

As alot of people before seeing your vids on here which are great.i went to vision express for my glasses every two years. Next time I'll pay a visit to your store. Do places like vision express make there own prescription lenses and would they be rubbish?. I didn't know any better about lenses and frames till your Channel.most people I know only go vision express or spec savers lol. Least I know better now. Keep up the great work. Love the vids .

As someone who only started wearing glasses this year, I find this all fascinating. I really have no clue about these things and their complexity!!! I live in Shetland so my options here are very limited. The independent optometrist here is Essilor, I know that because they explained various options with me. But they are Essilor all the way. My experience thus far has been a mixed bag. My first pair of single vision with blue light filtering were great. At my retest my prescription had changed and it has been drama ever since. So I have no clue whether it's prescription issues or lense issues (they gave me Transition lenses with full UV protection and meant for driving). I shall check out your other videos.

I buy my glasses at Costco. My latest are Essilor Transitions/Drivewear / Essilor clear in Ray-Ban frames (Luxotica) and the price is unbeatable for high quality glasses.

Great video. Do you think zeiss is better for stock single vision lenses and transitions. Are you saying that Essilor do better varifocal lenses? I am trying to make the choice easy for patients in store, would you go for essilor varifocals and if so what type would you recommend.

Great Video Rob! Would have been better to see where Optiswiss would work in your rankings ;) 100% Independent, fully made in Switzerland since 1937.

really detailed video simply loved it. My preference is crizal but after watching this I feel I shud try Shamir or Zeiss

Your video is great in focusing some leading optics 👀🤓😎👀 Its not easy to present all respectable but others we could describe here like: Indo ( Spain ), Rupp + Hubrach ( Germany ), Tokai ( Japan ), Zylux ( India ) who nobody yet include / they have 4K zero reflections for example / ....

This is my first time watching your video.. I've learnt so much. I'm hoping choosing a high quality lens will support my night time driving . My anti-glare prescription glasses does not help me at all. I really do not like driving at night anymore .

i had one of the worst experiences with nikon lenses. hoya is very good from what i remember. i am now using extractive by essilor. so far so good for what i am using the lens for. my lenses is a polarized transition lens.

Zeiss by a ocuntry mile. Having said that had 2 pairs Maui Jim Sunnies decades ago they were outstanding optically. Great Video!

Just have my first Zeiss lenses. My last progressives were hoya (their top choice one) and I was never really happy with them. I bought two pair of Zeiss…the office lenses and the drivesafe lenses. As I’ve gotten older I have found my night vision was really bad especially when the roads were wet and having oncoming traffic. The drivesafe lenses have made the headlights no longer a bother, things seem brighter and clearer and overall my night vision feels 15 years younger. With hoya I also had a hard time using my devices as I had to hold them farther away…the office lenses by Zeiss allow me to see things closer up. Looking forward to my next set of lenses and ordering from the spectacle factory

As a photographer, I'm very interested in the lenses you mentioned by Leica. Also interested in glass. Imagine my chagrin when I was having lenses made for some c. 1910 frames and wanted glass. I was told that as of November last year, they were no longer available. Polycarbonate lenses in antique frames is just wrong.

I actually wear the Crizal Sapphire HR lenses from EssilorLuxottica and honestly they are pretty good, i enjoy the optical clearity, and good coating, but i havent seen such a difference with the Perfalit Solitaire Protect Plus 2 lenses from Rodenstock. So Rodenstock for me next time I get new specs :D

If you work with zeiss, rodenstock is tremendously similar in terms of product scale and philosophies The most important thing will always do, a good refraction and taking measurements

The glasses I just ordered, have Shamir AI and Glacier technology. This video made me feel much better about that choice. Thanks.

After reading the comments I have the feeling being the only one having Rodenstock varifocal lenses. I can say that they are fabulous! I ordered those because at my opticien they were the most expensive and recommended just before the highest quality of Hoya. My next pair of glasses I will probably try out the Hoya.

Hi Robert.. What frames are you wearing, in this video..? Love them..!

Great video ❤ thank you

What is your opinion on Younger Optics? Great video!!!

Thank you for the info, I had no idea there were so many Perscription lenses available. Every time I have purchased a pair of glasses in the US at any optical shop, I was never offered separate brands of lenses. It has always been so you want scratch proof and only recently I was asked if I wanted blue blockers or transitions. It wasn’t until I started purchasing frames and lenses online that I was asked which brands I wanted. I have my first pair of glasses being delivered tomorrow with Zeiss photofusion lenses and I am excited to see how different they are from the lenses I’ve had in the past.

I wear Varilux series X/Crizal. I’ve worn Varilux lenses for over 30 years and love them. I tried a Zeiss lens about 2 years ago and hated them. When I complained the optician reordered them with Varilux Physio lenses…they were perfect.

Thanks for the info. I would recommend an SM7B microphone to solve the echo issue. Mine cost me approx £400 with all the parts.

I’ve had Rodenstock and Essilor lenses and both are excellent. Recently I changed from some Transitions with Crizal Prevencia from 2021 to a pro410 from Rodenstock, with a polarized clip on. Good change, but I miss having photocromic lenses.

Phew I was upsold to get Zeiss lenses for my sunglasses and eyeglasses to help with my astigmatism. I’m glad to hear they’re top tier.

Awesome great presentation.... 👍

Could you tell more about tribrid? Is it a better choice for rimless glasses than trivex or high index (at least for someone who wants to go super lightweight)? Great content, as always :)

Hello I am a new subscriber and I love your channel already, based on your experience and knowledge, please tell me which brand you would put on the top? Im asking for my personal use, thanks

I just got my Zeiss digital lenses. My eye doctor suggested them because I am in between two prescriptions. Digital lenses give me clarity without going with the stronger prescription.

Hi, i really need ur help, which one I used to choose between these 2 : Rodenstock Cosmolit or Hoya Nulux Full Controll I want to buy a new glasses today.. really appreciate for ur help :)

I have owned Varilux (Essilor), Zeiss, and Hoya progressive lenses in that order. The Hoya's were by far the best, although I only bought new lenses about once every 7 years, so some of the ones I owned are a bit dated. The other thing is that each manufacturer has several different models of progressives, and getting the correct fitting is also key. But I would stay with Hoya if I bought new lenses today.

I have always used specsavers until a while ago, when using a local optician who sell Hoya and Zeiss lenses the difference was immediate. like most things you get what you pay for, but until you try its then when you realise!!

Hi Robert, you ask for comment : I am particularly aware of colour fringing on Camera lenses, I have a few Zeiss T* lenses. One of the things I learned was ; blacking around the edge/rim helps prevent fringing. I was able to tell on a test I did 25yrs ago, ( On Leica lenses) which lenses were made in Canada, & those made in Germany !! I mention this as I wish to order some Glass prescription lenses to obtain my order of preference. Glass not Cr39.

Great video, but the Nikon Seemax Ultimate are fantastic lenses and should between the HD and 4k tier.

I currently have Transitions Xtractive lenses, but I’m due for a new prescription. Living on a tiny Canadian island doesn’t give me much for brand choices, but I’m intrigued by Zeiss because I do enjoy Carl Zeiss camera lenses.

Speaking of lenses, do you have any insight as to why there aren't ceramic coatings used like on car paint or cellphone screens? Or is thay what the scratch resistance coatinga are?

You’ll have to also talk about IOT customized lenses like you did for me.

THANKS A LOT VERY HELPFULL INFORMATION

Hey Robert, i love your content, keep it up! I am a hired optician in Spain and we work with INDO optical and Nexo optics, what do you think about them? Thamk You.

Do you have a video on Neurolens? What do you think of them? Thank you, very useful videos.

great video! what about tokai lutina lenses? Are they owned by Hoya?

I buy glasses at Costco do you know what brand o f lenses they use? Great video very informative

Have been wearing the Hoya Lifestyle 4 progressive with the EX4 anti-reflective coating for the last month. They just came out in the US. They are the first lenses I've had that give the full coverage vision similar to wearing a contact lens. Just effortless vision in all directions. The clarity of the new coating is amazing. With the advancements in binocular vision and manufacturing quality, I'm not sure what else any of the manufacturers can do to bring any improvements at this point.

Hi Robert, great content! Could you please help me answering these: 1. Is Zeiss Smartlife or Clearview better? 2. Is PhotofusionX or Transitions Gen 8 better? 3. Is Zeiss Duravision Platinum or Crizal Sapphire coating better? Thank you

Zeiss hands down. With all the coatings and options they offer, you can really customize your eyewear.

Hi Robert, Does being a photochromic lens decrease the antireflective performance of a coating compared to clear lens? For example, a photochromic lens and a clear lens, both with the same Duravision plantinum coating, would the antireflective performance on both lens still be the same?

I had a distinct improvement in contrast when going to top of the line Zeiss from top of the line Essilor (that were worn out in all fairness). Other main issue with lesser lenses I tried was chromatic aberration (color fringes) and weird geometry when panning the head for progressive lenses. I ask for top of the line because I can afford it and there's no item in my life that I use and need more than the glasses.

I couldn’t agree more with my prescription being negative 8.5 and trying all these brands, I can say Zeiss has be the best for me.

Absolutely informative video! Have you heard of ABB Labs lenses ?

I have Zeiss lenses (progressive) in my current specs - struggling to see the difference between them and prior Essilor lenses (other than 2x the cost!). very useful vid, thank you.

Nice video. In which cateogory would you put Nikon SeeMax Infinite Lens with Nikon SeeCoat NEXT coating (fyi, I believe thats their current flagship single vision lenses) - also Nikon's ophthalmic lens division is owned by Essilor, correct ?

Another great video. I wanted to ask you a question. Can I use Zeiss digital lens (boost at bottom) if I have mild astigmatism (0.5) in one eye? Thank you.

Which lenses do optical express use in glasses that they sell?

In Asia region, there is a company which is seldom heard of from Japan: Asahi-lite. They are the inventors of the 1.67 and 1.74 high index PC lenses. One key thing is that all the lenses that are custom degrees are custom made in Japan. So I had to wait 3 weeks ... but it was worth it. I have very high astigmatism, myopia and with middle age I went for the progressive lenses. I compared it to the HOYA which was locally made and HOYA was no where near when it comes to clarity. I have to wait another 2-3 years to see how Asahi-Lite UV3G black sapphire coating lasts. Based on my experience of using HOYA for more than 20 years, their coatings are the best I have know which can last 5 years (clean only with water and special microfiber cloth). So where will you rate Asahi-lite?

Can a Zeiss digital prescription be applied put in contact lenses or is it only for eyeglasses ? I wear cl for 50 yrs by BauschLomb Boston ES cl for myopia w -2.25 correction..simple

You just answered what I needed clarification on. I like your easy to understand quality chart. I’ll put you explanation in 4K.

My prescription is -24 and -30. All my life i used rodenstock, because it is only brand that my optition is working with. Because prescription is very high lenses are very thick. Would be interesting to try out zeiss to see if it could provide better vision quality or maybe even be thinner.

Hi, very informative! As a professional photographer (62 years young) I need to get my first progressive multifocal glasses. Our Pearle reseller has only the Rodenstock, but of course I'm interested in those Leica's, as I want the best there is. Money is not the question, but best quality is. What can you tell about the difference with Rodenstock, and where is your Leica test? Urgent as I need to go for these new glasses... Thanks

Who is best for varifocal lenses to enable wide vision?

Good video though im not sure its entirely based on the optical quality of the lenses, something that can be tested with a laser. Would have been nice to see a spectrometer reading or two.

Rupp + Hubrach was not included. Never try them but are very interesting 👀quality.. What is your opinion about them ( and please try to make a video about phenomen R+H )?

From what i know the Hoya Brand the factory now in Thailand. Some optic store says they are not quality enough compare to Essilor.

Thank you for creating your videos. They are very helpful. I was just wondering I contacted my local Specsavers to see what type of they use and they said we use Specsavers lenses but I said you must have a lens manufacture you use but I just kept telling me Specsavers lenses, does that sound right to you??

Great video!! I agree wholeheartedly with your summation - I have found that Esslior has the least durable coating tech of the "big 4, however." My order of preference goes: HOYA ZEISS Shamir ----- Essilor Rodenstock Maui Jim ----- Nikon Pentax (Specs Savers product line?) ---- I used brands such as Sola (bought by Carl Zeiss), an Australian brand and Kodak back in the day (20 years ago or so) for spectacle manufacturing. Still, I love my top 3 labs - as you've mentioned, between these 3 brands, you get everything you need for optical solutions.

I had my oakley frame broken. I was unable to find same frame for the lens so i decided to buy new pair of lens and frames. I was offered hoya and was thinking if it was worth it. Thanks to this I feel like I did great purchase.

Hello! I have a question about the lens quality. I ordered a pair from LensCrafters and I can see 'uneven' coating around the lenses. They have A-r, anti-smudge, and blue light filtering. Is it normal to see these subtle inconsistencies on the lenses? I thought big name equals good quality but I see from online reviews that isn't so with LC. The frame is Emporio Armani 3206 that I'm in love with btw

Hi Robert. I have recently started watching your videos and love them. You are quite open about your opinion about Zeiss and I trust you to share an unbiased and professional opinion. Regarding Rodenstock. I don’t think you have adequately or convincingly explained why Rodenstock is only HD and not 4k. You mentioned B.I.G. Technology but dismiss it as something not as “exciting”. The technology as per what their website indicates sounds pretty high-tech and more advanced than Zeiss DNeye. What are your thoughts??

My favorite Lens brand are Tokai. They do not have a huge presence in the UK but 1.76 is the highest index available. They also have some neuroscience varifocal lenses. I like their Lutina lenses too. They are pricey. That said I also have quite a lot of experience of Seiko, Rodenstock and Zeiss. As I write this I am wearing my seiko brilliance 1.67 varifocal lenses. I urge you Robert to investigate this brand. I hope you had a great birthday.

I’m definitely a Zeiss fanboy too. But as much as I want to hate on Essilor, there’s no denying that they produce excellent optics that are at least as good as the Zeiss offering. One area where I think that Essilor does slightly better, is the consistency of their coatings. You can have two pairs of glasses made with Zeiss freeform lenses, one will have DP that has a magenta cast, the second will be violet, another might be more blue. Sometimes the coating looks like it’s almost missing, other times it’s very strong. I find Crizal Sapphire and Crizal Easy much more predictable.

Do you know anyway to get retrosuperfutures fixed? I stepped on them and the hinge got warped. A repair person added some type of glue or seal to make it so the arms are even. I would like to repair then tho

You didn't mention Unity, any opinion? thnx

Please make a comparison video with blue photochromic lenses. Hoya is launching Sensity Oceanic Blue. I would love to see her against Photofusion Blue and Transitions Sapphire!

So, how do I buy those lenses? Do I go to a participating retailer like pearl vision/LensCrafters and request those specific lenses be used with my prescription?