I am still on my first and only varifocal pair, so can't compare it to other pairs, but when I had mine done the advise I was given at the time by the optician proved correct on all counts:
1. The optician said that good quality lenses will provide better field of vision, and less distortion. She recommended Nikon lenses, which were expensive, and indeed I had not have these issues. But as said I only have one pair so not sure how cheaper lenses would have performed. And since then I have learnt that the absolute best lenses are probably made by Zeis (as cammerafodder first pointed-out).
2. She also said that varifocals are a good compromise, but specifically for reading or comouter work a simple pair of reading glasses would do the job much better than varifocals. In fact she clearly said that I will not find it comfortable working on the computer with them.
3. She told me that it may feel odd and I might get headaches at first, but after a couple of weeks they will be fine. Apparently this is because it takes time until you instinctively adjust your head position correctly based on the distance of your focal point.
On another note re the OP, when getting two pairs the deal is often such that the first pair has better lenses than the 'half price' second pair, hence why they might not perform the same.
I had mine done at David Clulow outlet.
