Comparison: Beauty Blender vs. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

L: Real Techniques sponge - $7 at Ulta R: Beauty Blender - $20 at Sephora

A makeup sponge is a useful tool to have in anyone's arsenal of cosmetics tools, and for good reason as well. These are widely used to apply foundation and concealer, "bake" with powder, and soften contours. Makeup sponges are also known to produce a more airbrushed and flawless effect when applying foundation or concealer.
Nowadays, there are so many makeup sponges on the market that it's really difficult to choose which one to buy. There's the Beauty Blender, which is the pricier option and then there are several cheaper variations. The Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge is one of these variations, but how similar or different is it from the Beauty Blender?

Differences: (aside from color and price)

•  Size -- The Real Techniques sponge is larger than the Beauty Blender both in its dry and damp forms, which might be more helpful in applying your base quicker than using the Beauty Blender. There isn't really a difference in how long you would need to pounce the sponge onto your face, but more of a difference with how much area that it can cover. That being said, since the Beauty Blender is smaller, it's easier to get into smaller areas of the face (like the under eyes for precise application of concealer) with it.

• Shape -- The Real Techniques sponge has a flat surface that helps product settle onto the skin easily. It's also really helpful when applying powder to the under eyes or below a contour to "bake" the skin. With either one of these makeup sponges, my favorite area of the sponge to use when applying foundation is the side because I feel like there is enough "resistance" and firmness in that area so that it can allow the foundation to apply more flawlessly. 

• Density -- This difference is one of the biggest ones for me personally. The Beauty Blender is more firm while the Real Techniques sponge is much softer. Even though both sponges soak up some amount of product, the Real Techniques sponge soaks up more because its pores are slightly larger and it's less dense the Beauty Blender. Also, since the Real Techniques sponge is less dense, you may need to pounce the sponge a little more in order to get your desired finish.  The softness of the Real Techniques sponge makes a little bit less durable than the Beauty Blender. While cleaning the sponge, I accidentally pierced my nail through the sponge and now I have a little hole in there. In terms of coverage, depending on your preferred level, you might need to add more product to get the desired effect when using the Real Techniques sponge.

One other difference I noticed was that the Real Techniques sponge didn't have a specific cleaner that the Beauty Blender does. This to me just shows that if you own a Beauty Blender, you don't necessarily need to purchase the designated sponge cleaner. For me personally, lathering the sponge with some facial cleanser and rinsing it repeatedly with warm water works perfectly.

The main similarity between the two is the finish- both sponges give a very airbrushed, smooth finish to the skin after applying foundation. The product doesn't look as cakey when applying with a brush and looks more "skin-like" and seamless.

The question remains, which sponge should you get? If you're on a budget, the Real Techniques sponge. If not, then get the Beauty Blender. This is because the function and finish of the Real Techniques sponge is almost identical to that of the Beauty Blender's, which is the most important feature I'm interested in when considering which one to choose. The only component that the Beauty Blender overshadows the Real Techniques sponge in is its ability to soak up less product. I personally have switched from using the Beauty Blender to the Real Techniques sponge.