Shopping for glasses has never been easier or cheaper than it is now, thanks to the huge number of online eye care stores. You already know where to find the best places to buy prescription glasses: You can look for stylish frames, customise your lenses, refill prescriptions that are no longer valid, and buy both contact lenses and sunglasses at the same time with just a few clicks.
Looking for prescription glasses that fit you well? We’ve made a list of trustworthy stores for you to check out. Some have huge savings, while others only sell trendy frames and well-known brands. You’ll find the right pair for you.
How to select the best site to buy eyeglasses online
When you buy prescription glasses online, you need to have a current prescription (Rx) and a record of how far apart your pupils are.
There are a lot of stores that offer free or cheap virtual eye tests if you need to renew yours. These are helpful if you need to buy glasses right away. Don’t worry about changes in your eyes or vision, though. Instead, make an appointment with your doctor. One thing to keep in mind is that kids shouldn’t really take online eye tests. Before you buy glasses online for your child, have a doctor write out their prescription.
How quickly can you get new glasses online?
A Wait of two days to three weeks for a new pair of prescription glasses that you order online. Look for overnight shipping choices if you need a new pair of glasses right away because your old ones got broken or lost. Just make sure to read the fine print about when the order deadlines are. It can take a couple of days for even fast shipping to arrive.
Following Is The List of Best Places to Buy Glasses Online
#1) GlassesUSA
In GlassesUSA’s clearance area, you can find a huge selection of frames at low prices. This online store says it is the “largest online eyewear retailer” for both adults and children, with over 54,000 reviews and 4.4 stars on TrustPilot.
You can almost try on the pairs you like, and there are more than 7,000 designer and in-house names to choose from. Get some sunglasses and buy your contacts at the same time to save time.
It’s easy to use vision insurance with GlassesUSA because it has a drop-down list of insurance companies that let you apply for repayment right on the site.
Not sure which frames will work best? You can take a quick 60-second quiz on GlassesUSA to find the right style and fit for your face.
What you need to know:
- Time to ship: 7–10 work days (standard shipping).
- Insurance:There is a 14-day return policy with no questions asked.
- Takes insurance: Yes
- Virtual Try On: Yes to virtual try-on.
- Renewal of Virtual Rx: Yes.
Pros:
- Offers a variety of deals to people in the military.
- It lets you send claims for reimbursement to your insurance company straight from its website.
- A huge area of frames on sale and clearance, with prices starting at less than $40.
Cons:
- Only lets you return items for 14 days.
- Some people on TrustPilot have said that shipping times have been pushed back.
Website: GlassesUSA.com
#2) Eyebuydirect
This store has everything a cheap shopper could want, including a whole area of glasses for less than $19. There are even $6 frames in the on-line deals bin. It’s easy to find cheap things on this site, but if you need special glasses like bifocals, the prices will go up. But frames that aren’t as expensive but can be customised in the same way as brand-name frames will still be cheaper in the long run.
There is a virtual “try-on” tool on this website and a 14-day return policy if you change your mind. You can’t use eye insurance, but you can use an FSA or HSA debit card.
What you need to know:
- Time to finish: 7–14 days (regular shipping).
- Return policy: 14 days to return something.
- Insurance: No insurance is taken.
- Virtual Try On: Yes to virtual try-on.
- Renewal of Virtual Rx: No.
Pros:
- Low-cost frames made in-house.
- You can get well-known brand names.
- It takes both FSA and HSA bank cards.
Cons:
- You can return it for 14 days only.
- Does not work with vision plans.
Website: Eyebuydirect
#3) Warby Parker
Since 2010, when its four founders hit it out of the park and gained a cult following, Warby Parker’s stylish, custom-made glasses have been a popular choice for trendy eyewear. After thirteen years, WP is a one-stop shop for glasses and hits the contact lens market hard. At its brick-and-mortar store, you can go if you live nearby, but its online shopping is very good, and you can do things like renew your prescription for $15 with a virtual eye test.
With most lenses available, such as polarised sunglasses and single vision, you can take an online quiz to get style and fit advice. You can also order up to five frames to try on at home, which is a trademark WP move, and you have 30 days to return them before you decide.
For the first $95, the frames come with prescription lenses. (Please keep in mind that specialty glasses may cost more.) There are sales at Warby Parker too. If you like what you see online, check back often to see if there are any deals. As of May 2023, for instance, the site gave you a $50 refund for glasses or contacts when you bought them.
What you need to know:
- Time to finish: Seven to ten working days for turn around.
- Return policy: 30 days to return something.
- Insurance: Yes, insurance is allowed (plus FSA/HSA payments).
- Virtual Try On: Yes to virtual try-on.
- Renewal of Virtual Rx: Yes.
Pros:
- You can order up to five pairs to try on at home.
- Longer return time than some of their rivals.
- You can choose between free shipping and faster shipping.
- There are virtual tests that can be used to quickly renew prescriptions.
Cons:
- You may have to pay extra for your prescription glasses.
- It only sells Warby Parker names, so there aren’t many options.
- The most stylish options
Website: Warby Parker
#4) Zenni Optical
Zenni Optical sells frames for as little as $10 and lets customers customise them with things like etchings. Like most sites, you can add features like anti-fog and impact-resistant glasses to your prescription and make it better.
Zenni also works with designers like Iris Apfel and Cynthia Rowley to bring you high-end looks at low prices. It doesn’t take insurance, but you can pay with an FSA or HSA. The website doesn’t let you renew your medication and only gives credit for returns, not cash back.
What you need to know:
- Time to finish: 14 to 21 days for turn around.
- Return policy: You can get store credit or a partial refund of 50%.
- Insurance: No insurance is taken.
- Virtual Try On: Yes to virtual try-on.
- Renewal of Virtual Rx: No.
Pros:
- A cheap selection of sunglasses that can be customised.
- It has one-of-a-kind designer selections.
Cons:
- Doesn’t accept vision plans.
- Returns can get store credit or part of their money back.
- Mostly sells its own names.
Website: Zenni Optical
#5) Target Optical
Coach, Ray-Ban, Armani Exchange, and Ralph Lauren can be found at Target Optical. It also sells in-house names that are less expensive but still stylish. You can also get your specs in seven days. Based on where you live, you might be able to pick up your pair in the store within a couple of days if you need them faster but don’t want to pay extra for faster shipping. Most prescription glasses cost at least $59, and you can pay for them with both in-network and out-of-network insurance.
Target Optical takes all major credit cards and offers payment plans. People with a Target Red Card also get 5% off their orders. There are no virtual eye tests on the site, but you can make an appointment for a visit to a Target Optical store in person if your local Target has one.
What you need to know:
- Time to finish: about seven days (may be less time if you pick up in-store).
- Return policy: 90 days to return something.
- Insurance: Yes, insurance is allowed.
- Virtual Try On: Yes to virtual try-on.
- Renewal of Virtual Rx: No.
Pros:
- A lot of different big brands.
- 90-day return policy is very helpful.
- Most major insurance plans are accepted, as well as HSA and FSA plans.
Cons
- There is no virtual exam offered; you may have to travel to visit in person.
Website: Target Optical
#6) Roka
If your glasses are broken, you can’t play sports, kayak in rivers, or climb mountains. This is where Roka’s high-performance glasses come in handy. Because they were made with Roka’s unique retention technology (called GEKO), these glasses will stay on your face even if you trip and fall.
Roka’s glasses are made by hand in Austin and are popular with outdoor fans who want comfortable glasses that won’t fog up or scratch. Roka also sells sports gear like wetsuits and helmets.
Reviewers have said that they were able to wear Roka performance frames while working out in the hottest conditions and not have their glasses slide down their faces. One bad thing is that the prices aren’t very low. Roka’s stylish, light frames start at $215 and go up from there. They don’t take eye insurance.
What you need to know:
- Time to finish: Two to four working days for turn-around.
- Return policy: 30 days to return something.
- Insurance: No insurance is taken.
- Virtual Try On: Yes to virtual try-on.
- Renewal of Virtual Rx: Yes.
Pros:
- Great for outdoor hobbies and sports that require a lot of skill.
- This shoe is known for being comfortable and not slipping.
Cons:
- Not many shapes to choose from.
- Simple frames start at $215.
Website: Roka
#7) Overnight Glasses
Having no extra glasses on hand can be terrible if you break or scratch your glasses. That being said, Overnight Glasses in California has a goal: to get you new glasses within 24 to 48 hours.
It has over 20 well-known brands at a range of prices on its site, which is easy to use. Glasses for kids and adults start at about $40 and go up from there. You can pay with Apple Pay, PayPal, Amazon Pay, and FSA/HSA bank cards, but not your insurance.
This site does not offer virtual eye exams, so you will need a legal prescription to buy glasses from it. If you wear bifocals, you might have to wait a little longer than overnight. You might even have to wait longer if you don’t wear bifocals. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) gives the company an A- rating because customers have complained about wait times being longer than stated.
What you need to know:
- Time to finish: 24 hours or more.
- Return policy: 14 days to return something.
- Insurance: No insurance is taken.
- Virtual Try On: Yes to virtual try-on.
- Renewal of Virtual Rx: No.
Pros:
- Takes many types of payment.
- Easy to get glasses.
Cons:
- Some people are unhappy with the time it takes for services.
- Doesn’t offer a virtual Rx refill.
Website: Overnight Glasses
#8) Liingo
Liingo Eyewear is a relatively new company. It started in 2016 and was bought by the huge 1-800-Contacts in 2018. Liingo sells high-quality glasses and classic styles made in-house. Part of its appeal is that you can return items for up to 60 days, which is longer than many of its rivals. Liingo customers can order five pairs to try on at home for free, just like Warby Parker customers get to do.
Its website has tools, like a face shape guide, and you can look in different categories, just like on other sites, to narrow down your results. However, Liingo does not accept insurance. When you check out, you can use most major credit cards or your FSA or HSA card.
What you need to know:
- Time to finish: up to two weeks
- Return policy: You have 60 days to return something.
- Insurance: No insurance is allowed; only HSAs and FSAs are.
- Virtual Try On: Yes to virtual try-on.
- Renewal of Virtual Rx: No.
Pros:
- You can try out five frames for free before you buy them.
- Products can be returned for 60 days.
- You can check your medicines for free with an app.
Cons:
- Doesn’t sell glasses for kids.
- Doesn’t accept vision plans.
Website: Liingo
#9) FramesDirect
FramesDirect has been around for more than 25 years and has great customer service. For example, you can talk to one of their qualified opticians online and get answers to your questions. 81% of TrustPilot users give FramesDirect five stars, mostly because of its great customer service and easy shipping and delivery.
There are a lot of different styles of prescription glasses that you can find at prices that start at $23.99 and go up from there.
What you need to know:
- Time to finish: four to seven working days.
- Return policy: You have 30 days to return an item.
- Insurance: Yes. A service that is not in network with most vision plans and HSA/FSA plans.
- Virtual Try On: Yes to virtual try-on.
- Renewal of Virtual Rx: No.
Pros:
- Great service for customers.
- Different names and prices.
- It sells contact lenses too.
Cons:
- Its website doesn’t have a Rx refill option.
Website: FramesDirect
#10) DiscountGlasses
DiscountGlasses has great deals on kids’ prescription glasses for toddlers to teens, with prices starting at less than $20 (or even less if you look in the clearance area). There are a lot of choices, and you have 365 days to return anything if your child doesn’t like it.
You can get single vision, reading, prescription, or progressive lenses, as well as a variety of add-ons like sun tinting and blue light screens. Save moneyGlasses also sells glasses for adults, so the whole family can go there and get what they need. You can’t pay with eye insurance, but most credit cards and HSA/FSA accounts will work.
What you need to know:
- Time to finish: Standard shipping takes nine to fourteen days.
- Return policy: You have 365 days to return items that are kid-proof.
- Insurance: You can’t use insurance, but you can use an HSA or FSA.
- Virtual Try On: Yes to virtual try-on.
- Renewal of Virtual Rx: Yes
Pros:
- A lot of glasses for kids.
- 365 days to return.
Cons:
- Not willing to take insurance
Website: DiscountGlasses
Conclusion
In summary, the proliferation of online eye care stores has revolutionized the prescription glasses shopping experience, offering convenience and affordability. The article provides insights into the best online options, each catering to different needs and preferences.
Considerations such as shipping times, return policies, insurance acceptance, and virtual try-on options vary among recommended stores. Whether opting for budget-friendly choices like GlassesUSA and Eyebuydirect or stylish options like Warby Parker and Zenni Optical, consumers can tailor their selection based on individual requirements.
Noteworthy mentions include Roka’s high-performance glasses, Overnight Glasses’ swift delivery, Liingo’s extended return period, and DiscountGlasses’ family-friendly offerings. The diverse range of online eyewear retailers reflects the industry’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.
