A quick look at the best places to buy prescription glasses online
- Most ways to try eyewear: Warby Parker
- Biggest eyeglasses selection: GlassesUSA
- Great for the family: EyeBuyDirect
- Best return policy: Liingo
- Best variety of glasses: LensDirect
- Coolest out of Canada: Bonlook
- Best on a budget: Zenni Optical
- Best for athletes: Roka Eyewear
- Best charitable brand: DIFF Eyewear
New eyewear can modernize your look and give your confidence a boost. But glasses can be expensive, and it can be time-consuming to find the right ones to buy.
Using an online eyewear retailer can often solve both issues. But it’s important to choose a reputable website that stands behind their merchandise.
How we chose
To choose the sites on this list, we considered the following factors:
- customer reviews and ratings on multiple sites, including Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau
- customer service
- features like money-back guarantees, price match guarantees, and free or low shipping costs
- selection of eyeglasses, including those that feature glasses for children
- ease of use
Additionally, we avoided including sellers that get low marks for poor communication, hidden fees, and high service charges.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $75
- $$ = $75–$145
- $$$ = over $145
Healthline’s picks for the best online eyeglasses companies
Most ways to try eyewear
Warby Parker
- Average price: $$
- Accepts insurance: yes
- Why we chose it: versatile selection and affordable pricing
Warby Parker has an online store and brick-and-mortar retail shops nationwide that sell their in-house designs.
A free home try-on service combines the best of both shopping experiences. Pick up to 5 frames with demo lenses for home delivery, and keep them for 5 days. As with all purchases and returns, shipping the demos back is free.
The Warby Parker quiz is a good place to begin choosing frames. It helps you zero in on the best eyewear for your face shape and personal style preferences.
Frames with a shorter lens height that work well for progressives are also called out online, so you can find the best options for bifocals and trifocals.
The Warby Parker app for iPhone X and newer models has an easy-to-use virtual try-on feature.
If you’re staring at screens too much these days (and who isn’t?), you can add blue light filtering to your lenses for $50. This service is available for prescription and nonprescription lenses.
Once you order your glasses from Warby Parker, you can expect them to be delivered in 7 to 10 days, and the company offers a 30-day return policy if you aren’t happy with your purchase.
Pros
- free shipping
- home try-on feature adds convenience
- personalized services help you narrow down selection to fit your personal style preferences
Biggest eyeglasses selection
GlassesUSA
- Average price: $$
- Accepts insurance: yes
- Why we chose it: wide range of affordable frames
GlassesUSA carries over 7,000 eyeglass frames, many of which are discounted. All the top names are here, including:
- Prada
- Oakley
- Muse
- Muse x Hilary Duff
- Ray-Ban
- Persol
- Gucci
You can use their virtual try-on feature to see how you’ll look in any pair. Over 2,000 frames are earmarked as good options for multifocal, bifocal, and progressive lenses.
GlassesUSA carries frames that work with high index lenses. There’s also a nice selection of frames for children and for sports.
GlassesUSA has an app that lets you use your current eyewear to identify your prescription. It only works for single prescriptions and can’t be used for strong or progressive prescriptions. While convenient, it shouldn’t be used in place of an annual eye exam.
Once you order a pair of glasses from GlassesUSA, you can expect them to be delivered in 3 to 10 days depending on your chosen delivery method. The company allows returns for glasses for up 14 days, for either store credit, an exchange, or a refund.
Pros
- thousands of frame options
- brand names available at a discount
- all glasses come with a money-back guarantee, free shipping and returns, and a 365-day warranty
Cons
- shipping can take up to 20 days
- return period is only 14 days
- can be more expensive than anticipated once you add your prescription to your order
Great for the family
EyeBuyDirect
- Average price: $$
- Accepts insurance: no
- Why we chose it: wide variety of options for everyone
EyeBuyDirect has an almost unending variety of eyeglass frames to choose from for men, women, and children. They’re not specifically known for budget pricing or discounts, but they do have a large selection of affordable frames to choose from.
You can shop by specific features, such as:
- brand
- color
- frame shape
- material
- facial shape
- lightweight
- progressive lenses
- bifocals
- spring hinge
- 2-day delivery
EyeBuyDirect spotlights novelty frames for a specific holiday or season, as well as features eyewear made from recycled materials.
The company can fill strong prescriptions, and they carry frames that accommodate high index lenses.
If you’re looking to buy children’s eyeglasses, EyeBuyDirect is a particularly easy site to use. Frames are broken down by age group:
- juniors (6–8 years)
- tweens (9–12 years)
- teens (13–19 years)
You can also find single vision or progressive reader sunglasses, as well as polarized sunglasses.
EyeBuyDirect also has an easy checkout and returns process. You can expect a 7- to 14-day turnaround time for your purchase, and the company has a 14-day return policy where they offer a one-time replacement or a refund.
Pros
- plenty of frame options, including name brands
- can submit for reimbursement from your insurance company or use flexible spending or health savings account funds
- manufacturing defects covered by warranty
Cons
- doesn’t accept insurance
- return period is only 14 days
- lenses can drive up the cost of otherwise more affordable glasses
Best return policy
Liingo
- Average price: $$
- Accepts insurance: yes
- Why we chose it: longer return window
Liingo’s selection of moderately priced frames isn’t the largest around, but this online retailer has lots of features that make eyeglass shopping easy.
Their virtual try-on service provides realistic results. Liingo also has an in-home try-on service that lets you choose between five frame styles at a time. The find-my-fit feature is easy to use and provides accurate information.
Liingo’s prescription reader app works well for single vision lenses, but you’ll need a computer screen and phone camera to use it.
Note that while Liingo’s prescription reader app can’t read stronger prescriptions, the retailer can fill those that require thin and light, high index lenses.
Every lens includes ultraviolet (UV) protection and is scratch resistant.
Shipping times vary depending on your chosen delivery time, but there’s a 4-day processing period. Liingo has a customer-friendly return policy that offers a full refund on any purchase you’re not enjoying, for up to 60 days. They will even replace frames that become completely destroyed during that time.
Pros
- longer return window allows you more time to find your perfect pair
- all lenses have UV protection and are scratch-resistant
- find-my-fit feature is easy to use
Cons
- need a computer screen and phone camera to use the app
- prescription reader app can’t read stronger prescriptions
- shipping times may vary
Best variety of glasses
LensDirect
- Average price: $
- Accepts insurance: no
- Why we chose it: inexpensive and a wide range of services
LensDirect’s claim to fame is contact lenses, but they also have a small, inexpensively priced line of eyewear for adults.
Gamers will also find a collection of blue-light-blocking glasses.
If you love your current frames, you can shop for replacement lenses, including progressives, on any brand you own. Scratch resistance, 100% UV protection, and antireflection are included with replacement lenses at no additional cost.
When you order glasses, the company will verify your prescription, and once verified, glasses ship within 1 business day. The company offers a generous 90-day return policy if you aren’t happy with your frames.
Pros
- ship within 1 business day
- you can just buy lenses to fit current frames
- generous 90-day return policy
Cons
- doesn’t accept insurance
- primarily focused on contacts; glasses offerings are smaller than other companies
Coolest out of Canada
Bonlook
- Average price: $$
- Accepts insurance: no
- Why we chose it: good option for Canadians to shop online or in-store
A Canadian company, Bonlook features in-house frames that include exclusive designs created with Canadian celebrities. You can purchase frames online or in Bonlook retail shops throughout Canada.
You’ll need an up-to-date prescription before choosing your frames. Bonlook can accommodate strong prescriptions, single vision lenses, and multifocal lenses.
If you don’t know your pupillary distance (PD), Bonlook can take a measurement based on an uploaded photo of your face.
Delivery to the United States takes around 10 to 12 business days and there’s a 60-day return policy.
Pros
- moderately priced selection
- fast turnaround on shipment and longer return policy
- physical stores available if Canadians want to try on in person
Cons
- doesn’t accept insurance
- delivery to the United States in 10–12 business days
Best on a budget
Zenni Optical
- Average price: $
- Accepts insurance: no
- Why we chose it: fun styles at true bargain prices
Zenni is a good place to bargain shop for men’s, women’s, and children’s eyewear.
Their 3D try-on service lets you shop at home with ease. If you’re less than pleased with your choice, Zenni will only offer store credit or a 50 percent refund, excluding shipping costs.
You can shop here by features, such as:
- frame material
- frame color
- high Rx
- single vision, bifocal, or progressives
Zenni also has a range of fun styles and designer shops that can help you zero in on individualized looks, such as:
- retro
- artsy
- classic
- minimalist
- boho
- Cynthia Rowley
- Timo x Zenni by Timo Weiland
Zenni carries fun eyewear accessories that help round out your looks, such as eyeglass chains and cases.
There’s a 7- to 10-day turnaround time for most purchases, and the company offers a 30-day return policy.
Pros
- some of the most inexpensive prices you’ll find
- fast turnaround for shipments
- 3D try-on service makes home try-on more efficient
Cons
- doesn’t accept insurance
- less generous return policy only allows for 50% refunds or store credit
Best for athletes
Roka Eyewear
- Average price: $$$
- Accepts insurance: yes
- Why we chose it: sporty options for athletes
Roka was founded by athletes, for athletes. The company’s two founders were both All-American swimmers who were looking to make eyewear that’s efficient to wear while playing sports.
The company makes glasses for men and women and allows customers to shop for progressive lenses, readers, single vision lenses, and blue light lenses.
You’ll need to know your prescription information before ordering, and it’s important to note that Roka does have limited prescription ranges.
Roka ships to all 50 states within the US, and offers free shipping to the 48 continental states, and orders usually have a 1- to 7-day turnaround time.
Roka does offer returns and exchanges on some of their products, but unfortunately, not their prescription eyewear.
Pros
- sporty options for people who exercise with glasses
- accepts insurance
- offers free shipping
Cons
- no returns on prescription eyewear
- much more expensive than other companies
Best charitable brand
DIFF Eyewear
- Average price: $$
- Accepts insurance: no
- Why we chose it: variety of stylish frames at moderate prices
DIFF Eyewear offers designer brand-inspired eyewear for lower prices. The company offers blue-light-blocking glasses, readers, and other prescription eyewear for both men and women.
The company offers hundreds of styles of glasses, including cat-eye frames, round frames, aviator frames, oversized frames, and more.
DIFF also partners with the brand Sightsavers, which is an international organization that focuses on helping people with vision issues all over the world.
For every pair of glasses purchased from DIFF, the company offers exams, glasses, surgeries, and more to someone who needs the care.
After you order from DIFF, your glasses will arrive in a 1- to 9-day timeframe, depending on the shipping method you chose, and the company offers a 14-day return policy for store credit.
Pros
- fast turnaround
- variety of frames at moderate price points
- strong international charitable focus
Cons
- doesn’t accept insurance
- short 14-day return window
- returns are only eligible for store credit
Comparison chart
–
Price
What it’s best for
Highlights
$$
can try on a variety of frames before making a decision
home try-on service allows you to try five frames
$$
a large selection to choose from
variety of frames from top brands
$$
a lot of options for families and people of all ages
affordable frames for a wide range of needs
$$
a flexible return policy
all lenses offer UV protection and are scratch resistant
$
features and services
blue light collection is great for gamers
$$
Canadians wanting to shop local
can purchase online or in-store in Canada
$
people on a budget
offers true bargain prices
$$$
athletes
efficient and sporty styles you can wear while working out
$$
giving back
company focused on providing needed eye care services around the globe
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How to choose an online eyeglasses retailer
Not every online eyewear retailer can fill strong or complicated prescriptions. Before you scroll through their styles, you should ask the following:
- Is your prescription available?
- Can you afford the styles available? What are the costs associated with your lens type, filters, shipping, and service fees?
- What are the customer reviews like?
- Can you do a virtual try-on?
- What’s the return policy?
Notes for buying online
Online prescription checks are great for convenience and saving time, but don’t make them a permanent go-to. Having your eyes checked once a year by an optometrist or ophthalmologist is the only way to stay ahead with your eye health and common vision disorders.
Not everyone loves an unending selection. If you feel overwhelmed by the thought of trying on dozens or even hundreds of frame styles, stick with a retailer that sells a smaller, distinctive selection of styles you can see yourself in.
If you’re manually entering your prescription, double-check that you’ve entered it correctly.
A note about online eyewear
Opticians and those with strong prescriptions often cite a lack of good frame fit and wanting better quality lenses from eyewear available through online-only retailers.
The same features that make online glasses more affordable tend to leave out more personalized touches, like adjusting for other face measurements and where your natural gaze lands through a given set of frames.
Note that you can still have an optician help you with the fit of your glasses and reshape your frames if they get loose down the line.
Frequently asked questions
Which website is best for eyeglasses?
What’s best for you will depend on your individual needs, such as pricing, whether or not the company accepts insurance, and if they offer a wide range of styles.
Is it OK to get prescription glasses online?
As long as you have an up-to-date prescription and have gathered the necessary details and measurements your chosen site is requesting, buying glasses online is perfectly fine. Just be aware of the website’s return policy and the fact that you may not be able to try them on before purchasing.
Can you get glasses cheaper online?
Many online retailers are in fact cheaper than more well-known companies, even when it comes to buying designer frames with or without insurance. Once again, though, it’s important to review the return policy, especially if you’re not able to try them on first.
The takeaway
Purchasing eyeglasses online can be a convenient, cost-effective solution to getting new frames.
There are many online retailers to choose from. Some also have brick-and-mortar stores you can visit, while others rely solely on virtual try-ons and at-home trials.
When buying eyewear online, only purchase glasses from sellers that have customer-friendly return policies.
It’s also important to check out the company’s reputation through online reviews and business rating sites.
