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Stylish, affordable frames are only a click away.
Gone are the days of relying on your eye doctor for a pair of prescription glasses: Instead, you can speed date your way through stylish glasses frames thanks to online optical e-tailers offering free at-home eyeglasses try-on and virtual fittings. Plus, depending on your eye care needs and frame preferences, you can save more money by buying prescription eyeglasses online compared to similar picks from the eye doctor's office.
Buying glasses online can mean a broader selection of frames to choose from. "Since every face is different, it is important to choose a frame that not only complements a person’s features but also fits comfortably," says Andrea P. Thau, O.D., an associate clinical professor emerita at SUNY College of Optometry. Some online retailers like Warby Parker send you free pairs to try before you buy, which allows you to both see how the frame fits your face but also allows you to get a sense of its overall quality before committing.
The pros at the Good Housekeeping Institute researched the best places you can purchase glasses online based on offerings, prices, quality, shipping and more. Just in case you aren't loving your new frames when you get them in the mail, we also outlined each return policy, below.
Warby Parker, a hallmark seller of online glasses, offer sharp-looking glasses running the gamut from $95 to up to $200. Find the style that suits you by selecting five frames to try on at home — for free!
The online glasses brand also has various storefronts across the country, so you can get them fitted in person if you live near one. It's a painless process that only requires an appointment ahead of time. Although your receipt can grow in expense with the more add-ons you choose (like blue light filtering), Warby Parker still offers prices competitive with traditional eyeglasses stores.
EyeBuyDirect's selection of online glasses is much more affordable than other options out there starting at just $6, great for a backup pair or to grab multiple pairs for different occasions. All you need is your most recent lens prescription from an optometrist. Once a frame catches your eye, simply click “try me on” under the photo of the frames to snap a photo and see what it looks like on your face.
You can opt for lens upgrades like anti-reflective coating and water repellent coating, which are about $10 each. While the frames are low priced, just keep in mind that you may need to pay additional fees for thinner lenses if you have a higher prescription.
If you're looking for stylish glasses from familiar brands, then GlassesUSA.com is your best bet. You can find hundreds of discounted glasses from designers like Ray-Ban, Coach, Oakley and more, in addition to basic, no-frills frames. (Hilary Duff even has an exclusive collection of online glasses on the site).
Its virtual try-on feature lets you upload a photo directly to the website and see each frame on your face. Once finding a pair you like, fill in or upload your prescription using the Prescription Scanner App. You’ll need to know your pupillary distance in addition to that – which you can measure yourself or with the help of a friend, but an optometrist is the most precise route.
First and foremost, Zenni Optical has a TON of options for online glasses in its collection. (We're talking thousands of frames!) Prices range from under $10 to about $46 for the basics, but if you need to upgrade the lenses or choose add-ons, plan to spend a bit more. Plus, add a personal touch by engraving your name inside the arm for an additional $2.
It's important to note the return policy: the only way to get a full refund is by opting for store credit, and that's without getting the shipping fees back. So, nail down your frames by filtering size, shape, prescription and more. You can also try Zenni's virtual try-on (a 180º face measurement) for a more accurate fit.
Liingo narrows down its impressive stock of original prescription glasses online by sorting frames by face shape, frame shape, size, color and material. Every style includes free premium RX polycarbonate lenses, meaning glasses are thinner, lighter and claimed to be up to 12 times more impact resistant than traditional lenses. Similar to Warby Parker, this online glasses store will also send five styles for a free at-home try-on, giving you five days to mull it over.
If you’re unsure what lens type works best for your prescription, Liingo has trained opticians at the ready who will make specific recommendations just for you. Conflicted on what size to order? Try the Find My Fit tool, enter the size of your current glasses and find Liingo styles that match up. Its face-scanning tool also accesses your device’s camera to measure your face and recommend styles that fit. In the likelihood of a frame adjustment, Liingo reimburses you up to $25 at any optical shop you choose.
Best known for its statement sunglasses, DIFF Eyewear has tons of bold, designer-inspired frames to choose from at wallet-friendly prices. You'll definitely find tons of fashion-forward options here like clear and tortoise-shell frames.
Every pair is handcrafted with quality materials and delivered directly to you. Even better, DIFF claims to have donated over 1,500,000 pairs of reading glasses to individuals in need around the world since 2015. Blue-light blocking glasses and regular prescription glasses are on the site, though — just keep in mind that prescription glasses only have a 14-day return policy (regular sunglasses have 30 days).
If you're still wary about ordering glasses online, you can always play it safe with a classic retailer like Lenscrafters. You'll find the same types and brands of glasses that you would normally see at the brick-and-mortar, only from the comfort of your home instead! Its brands span the likes of Ray-Ban and Oakley to Giorgio Armani and Burberry.
As far as lenses go, the process is pretty similar to the other options on this list. You can choose from a variety of lenses and add-ons – blue light filtering and thickness – that'll add up depending on your needs. Buying from Lencrafters online is a bit expensive, but if your frames ever need to be adjusted, you can easily pop into the nearest store anytime for adjustments.
Ditch the plain, black Clark Kent frames for ones with a bit of personality – tagged with cute, clever names like The Wanda and The Twain. From astrology prints to Halloween-themed frames, Pair Eyewear has a vast collection of fun, youthful "tops," or interchangeable design pieces for the top of your eyeglasses, that compensates for the smaller frame selection. "These glasses are truly amazing! The frames fit my face perfectly, and I've already amassed a decent collection of tops," said one reviewer. "I get so many compliments on my glasses and people are amazed when I tell them I can exchange the tops any time I want to change up my look."
Shop over 30 pages of designer eyewear frames that can arrive at your doorstep overnight. Get your single vision glasses delivered as fast as 24 hours by selecting rush service before 12 p.m. PST. If your vision fluctuates frequently, send over your new prescription using free two-day shipping at the additional cost of new lenses. One reviewer on the site said, "I got a really nice frame with a perfectly crafted lens for a fraction of the price."
Touted as designed by athletes, for athletes, these lightweight performancewear eyeglasses rest comfortably without slipping or bouncing. The prescription glasses are bendable at the ends, and the frames come with grippy nose pads to ensure a better, more secure fit. In fact, Roka invites you to try four pairs free and jog, bike and sweat in your trial pair for seven days or try a virtual fitting consult with an on-site eyewear expert. Prices for these frames start relatively high, but are a worthy investment if you're an active person or spend much of your time outdoors.
✔️Cost and frequency of wear. About a $70 to $150 budget should generally buy you a solid pair of eyeglasses from direct-to-consumer brands. "If you are someone who rarely wears glasses but needs something for occasional driving, you may not want to spend as much money on this as someone who wears progressives full time," explains Melissa Sherman, O.D., the Vice President of Clinical Affairs at Eye Center of New York. "Patients should also consider the remake policy for online purchases; sometimes errors occur, and in this case, the patient should know if redoing the lens will be covered by the online retailer." Don't forget to check if your vision insurance will cover anything — you can even pay with an HSA or FSA card on some of these websites.
✔️Your current prescription. Get your eyes checked once a year by an eye care professional who will look for changes in your eyesight as well as check for cataracts and diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. "Eye health is the most important part of achieving sharp vision for your entire lifetime," says Dr. Sherman. And keep in mind that not all prescription glasses are able to be filled online. "Patients with high astigmatism or patients needing progressives should buy their glasses in-person to ensure that the lenses are centered in front of their eyes; this is important for achieving optimal vision," says Dr. Sherman.
✔️Fit. "The frame must sit appropriately on the face, the lenses must be fabricated perfectly and the lenses centered appropriately, all factors that are very challenging to do online," says Dr. Thau. You'll need to know your pupillary distance, a.k.a. the space between your eyes. There are some systems for measuring this online, but your eye doctor will be able to get a more accurate number. People who already have an idea of what kind of glasses they like can look at the measurements of their current frames (often printed on the inside of an arm) to find a similar-fitting pair.
✔️Lens types, coatings and add-ons. From blue-light-filtering add-ons to high-index lenses, you can customize your glasses to suit your specific needs. Dr. Sherman recommends anti-scratch and anti-reflective coatings to "ensure the longevity" through many wears and cleaning your glasses, and also to "optimize the quality of the vision" in the lenses. If your prescription skews high, you can benefit from high-index lenses, which makes the lens lighter and more comfortable, according to Dr. Sherman. Progressive lenses simplify the lives of people who need both distance and near correction, cutting down on the pairs you carry.