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According to the Vision Council’s most recent figures (2021), some 166.5 million US adults (63.7%) wear prescription eyeglasses. Up until recently, those millions of people would have to go to an in-person retailer to select lenses and frames. Pricing was not always transparent, and styles were often limited.
Today, shopping for glasses has never been easier (or more affordable), thanks to the booming selection of online retailers specializing in vision care. The best places to buy prescription glasses are right at your fingertips: With a few clicks, you can search for fashionable frames, customize your lenses, renew outdated prescriptions, and purchase contact lenses and sunglasses simultaneously.
Looking for prescription eyeglasses that suit you? We’ve compiled a list of reputable retailers to check out. Some offer deep discounts; others specialize in trendy frames and name brands. You’re bound to find your perfect pair.
Visit GlassesUSA's clearance section to find an affordable frame selection. With 4.3 stars and over 67,000 reviews on TrustPilot, this online retailer claims to be the “largest online eyewear retailer” for adults and children alike.
You can virtually try on the pairs you like, and there are over 7,000 in-house and designer brands. For one-stop shopping, you can also snag sunglasses and order your contact lenses. Plus, as of summer 2024, you can shop actress Marsai Martin’s curated collection, which is a collaboration with the retailer.
GlassesUSA makes it easy to use vision insurance by providing a drop-down list of insurance providers that allow you to apply for reimbursement right on the website.
Are you unsure what frames are best? GlassesUSA offers a quick 60-second quiz to help you determine the right style and fit for your face.
Easy to use and with a huge clearance section, this is a great option, as long as you don’t mind a 14-day return window.
This is a one-stop shop for consumers on a budget, with an entire section dedicated to glasses under $19. You can even find $6 frames in the virtual sales bin. Budget shopping is simple on this site, but if you need specialized lenses, like bifocals, be prepared for a price jump. However, lower-priced frames with the same customizations as a brand-name pair will still be cheaper overall. Sunglasses without prescriptions ship free and include two-day delivery.
The website, like many others, offers a virtual “try-on” feature and a 14-day return policy if you have buyer’s remorse. It doesn’t take vision insurance, but you can use the site's FSA or HSA debit cards.
Inexpensive lenses and affordable in-house frames, plus you can use FSA or HSA debit cards.
Warby Parker’s stylish, custom-crafted glasses have been a popular choice for trendy eyewear since 2010 when its four founders hit it out of the park and acquired a cult following. Thirteen years later, WP is a one-stop shop for eyewear and makes a dent in the contact lens market. If you live near one, you can visit a brick-and-mortar store, but its virtual shopping experience is robust and includes offerings like a virtual eye exam to renew your prescription for $15.
Offering most lenses, from polarized sunglasses to single vision, you can take an online quiz to find suggestions on fit and style, order up to five frames to try on at home—a WP signature move—and enjoy a 30-day return policy before you commit.
The frames start at $95, but that price includes prescription lenses. (Note that specialty lenses may require additional costs.) Warby Parker also runs sales. So, if you like what you see online, keep tabs on the site to spot discounts. For example, as of July 2024, the site offers 15% off two or more (prescription pairs)!
If you like trendy, stylish glasses, these arrive with free shipping, and you can take a virtual exam to reorder your lenses.
Zenni Optical offers frames for as low as $10 and allows buyers customization options, including etchings. Like most sites, you can upgrade and add onto your prescription with features like anti-fog and impact-resistance lenses.
Zenni also partners with designers like Iris Apfel and Cynthia Rowley to offer luxe looks for modest prices. It does not accept insurance, but does take FSA/HSA for payments. You can’t renew your prescription on the website; it only offers you credit versus all cash back on returns.
Zenni Optical partners with style mavens like Cynthia Rowley to provide affordable customized eyeglasses, but they only carry in-house brands.
Jonas Paul produces high-quality (but affordable) specs and sunnies for kids and teens. If you like a dose of do-good when you shop, this retailer ticks the boxes for that too. Founded by parents whose son was born with a rare sight disorder, the company makes a donation for every pair of glasses (and sunglasses) sold to global organizations that help prevent blindness for at-risk individuals around the world. The site offers a frame finder quiz that’s fun for kids (and parents), allows you to try before you buy (7 pairs for 7 days for $1 and free shipping), and you can find frames starting at $69 and up for boys and girls.
Durable, stylish, and (relatively) affordable glasses for teens and kids, plus a 7-day (7-pair) home try-on kit for frames allows you to try before you buy.
Target Optical offers various name brands like Coach, Ray-Ban, Armani Exchange, and Ralph Lauren. In addition, it sells less expensive but still stylish in-house brands. Plus, you can get your specs in seven days. If you need them faster but don’t want to pay expedited shipping costs, it may be possible to pick your pair up at the stores, within a couple of days, depending on where you live. Most prescription glasses start at $59, and you can use in- and out-of-network insurance plans to pay for them.
Target Optical accepts all major credit cards and offers an installment plan, plus Target RedCard holders receive 5% off their purchases. It does not offer virtual eye exams, but you can sign up on the site for an in-person visit at a Target Optical location if your local Target offers one.
Pick up new glasses along with your groceries and dry goods at Target, offering a wide variety of name-brand lenses.
You can’t play sports, kayak in rivers, or climb mountains with fragile eyewear. That’s where Roka comes into play, with its high-performance lenses. Created with Roka’s patented retention technology (called GEKO) these glasses won’t fall off your face, even when falling down.
Handcrafted in Austin, Roka’s glasses appeal to outdoor enthusiasts seeking comfortable anti-fog, scratch-resistant, and anti-reflective eyewear. Roka also sells athletic gear, like goggles and wetsuits.
Reviewers have stated they have successfully worn Roka performance frames during the sweatiest of activities without their glasses sliding down their noses. One downside: Its prices are not cheap. Roka’s stylish and lightweight frames start at $215 and go up, and it doesn’t take vision insurance.
Serious glasses that are stylish and lightweight, designed for performance sports and outdoor activities, but basic frames start at over $200.
It can be devastating to break or scratch your glasses without a spare pair. But California-based Overnight Glasses has built its company on a mission: to bring you new glasses within 24 to 48 hours.
Its site is easy to navigate and offers over 20 name brands at different prices. Glasses for adults and kids start at around $40 and go up from there. Apple Pay, PayPal, Amazon Pay, and FSA/HSA debit cards are all welcome at check-out, but you can’t use your insurance.
You need a valid prescription to purchase glasses using this site because it doesn’t offer virtual eye tests. If you wear bifocals, you may have to wait a little longer than overnight, and maybe even if you don’t: The Better Business Bureau (BBB) gives the company an A- ranking due to customer complaints about longer-than-promised wait times.
The company promises to deliver your glasses fast — up to 24 hours.
A relative newcomer to the scene, Liingo Eyewear launched in 2016 and was then purchased by the behemoth 1-800-Contacts in 2018. Liingo offers high-quality eyewear and classic in-house designs. Its 60-day return policy is longer than many competitors, which is part of its appeal. Borrowing a page out of the Warby Parker playbook, Liingo customers can order five pairs to try on at home at no extra cost.
Its website provides tools, like a face shape guide, plus you can search in multiple categories (similar to other sites) to narrow down your search. Liingo doesn’t take insurance, but you can use your FSA/HSA cards when you check out, along with most major credit cards.
Try five frames before you buy so you can find the best fit for your face.
FramesDirect has been around for over 25 years, offering highly-rated customer service, including access to its certified opticians available online to answer questions. 81% of reviewers on TrustPilot give FramesDirect five stars, mainly for its outstanding customer service and smooth shipping and delivery experience.
I love that they sell BlueReflect™ Lenses designed to reduce glare and filter blue-violet light. With so many family members online (all the time), these are included with the premium lens package offered by FramesDirect. Prices start at $23.99 and go up from there, so you can find affordable prescription glasses without being limited in your choices.
Affordable prescription glasses from a company highly ranked for its exceptional customer service.
Costco may be known for its cavernous footprint selling everything you might need from groceries to garden tools, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it also carries eyeglasses and sunglasses. If you are a member, this is a great opportunity to take advantage of Costco’s low prices—and you may be able to use insurance as Costco Optical accepts many forms of insurance, too, along with their competitive low prices. You also may even be able to see a doctor of optometry in or near the store, depending on your location. If you don’t need your eyes checked, all you need is your prescription, pupillary distance information (automatically added when you use Costco’s virtual try-on application), and membership.
The downside: While you can order online, you will have to go to a brick and mortar Costco with an optical center (not all stores have them) for a check up or if you need to adjust your prescription. The website has a vertical try-on application, adjustments are free (in-store), and you can purchase optical frames right online, if you have your prescription.
You’ll find affordable frames for men, women, and children at Costco; you can buy online or in the shop, but you must have a Costco membership.
If you love your frames but need new lenses, Lensabl can help. Have your prescription ready, then log on and select your lenses. Lensabl will take your prescription, plus your order, and send you a prepaid return shipping label. Mail your current frames and in return, you’ll get a new pair of lenses in the frames you love the most.
Hot tip: They’ll also replace your lenses with sunglass lenses if you want to give your glasses a whole new look. If you prefer, you can order a glasses package from them — just choose your frames online. If you qualify, you can also renew your eyeglasses prescription online using its virtual set-up for $25. If you’re trading in your lenses, prices start at $77, according to the website.
If you love your frames but need new lenses, this easy-to-use service is for you.
When you buy prescription glasses from an online source, you must have an up-to-date prescription (Rx) and a record of your pupillary distance.
If you need to renew yours, many retailers offer free or low-priced virtual eye exams, which are handy in a pinch when you need to purchase a pair of glasses asap. But, if you have concerns about changes in your eyes or vision, make an appointment with your doctor. One thing to note: Online vision tests are generally not recommended for children. Have your child’s prescription determined by a doctor before you purchase eyeglasses for them online.
If you’re ordering a new pair of prescription eyeglasses online, plan to wait anywhere from two days to three weeks, depending on the vendor. If you have broken or lost your glasses and need a pair immediately, look for overnight shipping options (remember to read the fine print on order cut-off times). Sometimes, even expedited shipping can take a couple of days.
If you have an insurance plan with vision benefits, you may be able to use a retailer that can serve as an in-network or out-of-network provider. In addition, most online stores will allow you to use your health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA) debit card.
I reviewed multiple national online retailers — some with brick-and-mortar fronts and others that were solely online entities — to choose the best places to buy prescription glasses online as if I was purchasing these glasses for myself.
I read hundreds of reviews online, and interviewed friends and colleagues about their top choices and experiences. I’ve also personally ordered from some of these retailers as well.
Frame width, pupillary distance, and your face shape all need to be considered when fitting glasses to your face. Most online retailers, for example, Warby Parker and GlassesUSA, offer guides that can help you decide on the best shape for your face.
You can order almost anywhere online that sells glasses if you have a current prescription.
Whether you buy glass or plastic lenses depends on your preference and lifestyle. There are pros and cons to each material. Real glass lenses can be made scratch-resistant, which is a benefit over plastic, but they are usually heavier. Plastic tends to be more durable, which is a bonus if you wear glasses during sports.
Buying glasses online is an easy way to shop for hundreds of frames without going to a brick-and-mortar store. Because of technological advances, you can virtually try on eyeglasses, which can be useful. However, it may be easier to determine the comfort level of a particular frame by trying them on in person. Luckily, stores like Warby Parker will send you pairs to try on before you commit to buying them.
Yes. Thanks to virtual try-on technology, and relatively quick turnaround times, shopping for glasses online allows you to take your time and consider many more options than you would be able to if browsing in-store.
Sunglasses that cover your eyebrows can help offer additional sun protection to this area. Otherwise, glasses that cover your eyebrows are a personal choice—some stylists will tell you that glasses should follow the curve of your brows rather than covering them.
At the end of the day, you should select a pair of glasses that you feel look good on you, but there are some general guidelines on color%20and%20purple%2Feggplant%20frames) if you are overwhelmed by the number of options out there. Typically, individuals with pale and warm skin tones may look best in frames with warm colors, like medium browns and some shades of green and pink. If you have cool undertones to your skin, blues and ivory frames may be a good complement.
Medium and warm complexions may look good in tortoiseshell frames or brighter colors that skew towards orange. Medium and cool skin tones can look good in red colors with blue undertones; think a cranberry shade. Darker and warmer skin tones will often look good in bright colors. If you have darker skin with cooler undertones, navy and purple could be great colors to check out.
When you purchase glasses online, you can usually “try on” different frames using your phone or other devices to view virtually what they look like on your face. Like skin tone, the shape of your face may inform how different frames may flatter you.
There are some guidelines for shape faces and frames. In general, angular or square faces may look best in rounded or oval frames with a thinner frame overall. Rectangular and angular, plus cat-eye frames look best on people with round faces, and someone with a heart-shaped face should try on winged frames (think aviators) and rectangular or oval frames. If your features are heart-shaped but angular, you can also try round lenses, too. Triangular faces are narrow up on top and widest on the bottom (chin) with browlines, aviator and cat-eye glasses. These types of frames often have wider tops and narrow bottoms to flatter triangle shape faces.
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