The standard upper + lower set is nearly tied with ClearRetain on current price—$140 versus $139. SportingSmiles stands out for a published 90-day warranty, free additional impression putty when an attempt is rejected after photo review, optional lifetime digital scan storage, and a six-month retainer subscription.
Current retainer pricing
| Upper + lower custom clear retainers | $140 |
|---|---|
| Single upper or lower | $100 |
| Retainer bundle | $265 |
| Subscription | $135 initial, then $90 every six months |
What the $140 set includes
SportingSmiles lists the impression kit, free U.S. shipping, a storage case and a 90-day warranty. Its product flow also offers a $20 3D scan add-on to keep impressions digitally on file.
Impression failure risk
The DIY impression is the main execution risk. SportingSmiles' warranty page says customers who have trouble can send photos and receive additional putty/trays free for another attempt. That is a concrete policy advantage worth comparing, not just a marketing adjective.
Subscription economics
The current subscription says the initial $135 covers the first set and setup, followed by a fresh set every six months for $90. It also advertises a lifetime warranty while the subscription remains active. That can make sense for people who genuinely replace retainers that often; otherwise an automatic six-month cadence can increase spending unnecessarily.
SportingSmiles replacement-cost model
The standard preset uses the $140 one-time set. Adjust the interval—or compare it with the six-month subscription terms separately.
| Retainer set | 1 year | 2 years | 3 years | Assumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SportingSmiles upper + lower set Verified 2026-09-06 | $140.00 | $280.00 | $420.00 | Replace every 12 months. Source |
Change the assumptions
Use a preset, then change any number. This is a cost model—not a recommendation about how often a dental appliance or brush head should be replaced.