As a contact lens wearer for nearly two decades, I’ve learned that ordering contacts online is both cheaper and more convenient than buying them at the optometrist’s office. Having purchased from 1-800 Contacts for a number of years, I named this site the best place to buy contacts online because you really can’t go wrong here: It has an incredible return policy (return any unused contacts, any time), a Best Price Guarantee and friendly, accessible customer service. That said, there are other noteworthy retailers like GlassesUSA, where you can outfit the whole family with eyewear from hundreds of brands, and Warby Parker, which now sells lenses in addition to its stylish frames.
After conducting extensive research, including verifying the legitimacy of each e-tailer and interviewing an optometrist for expert insights, I rounded up the best places to buy contacts for a variety of different shoppers. I noted which sites are Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited (four of the six are—more on that below) and took into account online reviews, recommendations from fellow Forbes Vetted editors and my own experience exploring each site. I also evaluated retailers for variety, pricing, shipping and return policies, virtual prescription renewal options, and whether they accept insurance and HSA or FSA funds. Below, find my top picks, along with expert advice on choosing a trustworthy supplier.
Best Place To Buy Contacts Online
1-800 Contacts: Best Price Guarantee And Generous Return Policy
BBB accredited: Yes | Shipping: Free standard shipping, plus expedited and one-day options | Return policy: Free returns and exchanges any time, including opened boxes | Insurance accepted: Yes, and accepts FSA and HSA | Virtual Rx renewal: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Best Price Guarantee beats competitor pricing
- Dedicated 24/7 customer service via phone or live chat
- Generous return policy means you won’t get stuck with lenses you won’t use
Keep in mind:
- Best Price Guarantee has eligibility requirements and the verification process can get time-consuming
I’ve purchased from 1-800 Contacts for years because, second to purchasing from a reputable site, my priority is price. The company’s Best Price Guarantee offers assurance that you’ll score your lenses for the lowest market price; just contact customer service via the 24/7 live chat and send them a link to the same lower-priced product for verification. The process is relatively easy, save for a few qualifying factors—for instance, the competitor must be U.S.-based, and searching for an eligible price match can get time-consuming. (I explain more thoroughly in my full 1-800 Contacts review). So, if you want the lowest cost for your lenses up front without doing any legwork, this may not be the best retailer for you.
Other features that earn the company top marks include its ExpressExam, a virtual prescription renewal that costs $20, its fast free shipping and its extremely generous return policy. In fact, you can return any unused contacts at any time (somehow, I always have more dailies left for my right eye)—even if you purchased them from another retailer. And, if you need specs, you can shop styles from its sister site, The Framery. Ultimately, 1-800 Contacts has earned its reputation for stellar and accessible customer service, and in my experience I’ve always found its reps to be accommodating, helpful and incredibly friendly.
Best One-Stop Eyewear Shop
GlassesUSA: Get Contacts And Eyewear In One Place
BBB accredited: Yes | Shipping: Free standard shipping, plus expedited and express options | Return policy: Free returns and exchanges of unopened boxes within 60 days | Insurance accepted: Yes, and accepts FSA and HSA | Virtual Rx renewal: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Convenience and savings that rival contact lens-only competitors
- Various on-site deals including a sale section and coupon page
- Ability to purchase all your eyewear in one place
Keep in mind:
- Contact lenses cannot be shipped internationally at this time
As far as variety and a straightforward user experience, GlassesUSA is a well-known eyewear retailer. It can serve as a one-stop shop for everyone in the family, offering glasses, sunglasses and contact lenses—with a multitude of options in each category. When shopping for contacts, you can easily search by brand, lens type, prescription type (single-vision, multifocal, astigmatism, etc.), budget and more, and there’s an Auto-Refill option at checkout. The company also accepts insurance, and while its Price Match Guarantee isn’t as outwardly advertised as others, it will honor lower competitor pricing (and reimburse you the difference if it’s within three days of your purchase). You can renew your prescription virtually through the site using Visibly.
This is a great place to shop if you’re big into browsing sales and coupons; the site is transparent with discounts and has an easy-to-find sale section and coupon page. And because the company specializes in glasses, you can take advantage of promotions across different types of eyewear, like free glasses with lens orders of $120 (use code FREE-GLASSES). GlassesUSA is also a favorite eyewear retailer of Forbes Vetted staffers and is especially popular among readers in our guide to the best places to buy prescription glasses online.
Best For Switching Between Glasses And Contacts
Warby Parker: Ideal If You Alternate Your Eyewear
BBB accredited: No | Shipping: Free standard shipping, plus expedited option | Return policy: Free returns and exchanges of unopened boxes within 30 days of receipt| Insurance accepted: Yes, and accepts HSA and FSA | Virtual Rx renewal: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Convenience and savings that rival contact lens-only competitors
- Ability to purchase all your eyewear in one place
- Selection of top lens brands and varieties
Keep in mind:
- Warby Parker only offers house-brand frames
Warby Parker’s claim to fame is its affordable line of stylish frames that start at $95, in addition to its Home Try-On program that lets you test five pairs for free before making your purchase. The brand is also tried and true by Forbes Vetted standards, having earned a spot in our tested roundup of online prescription glasses retailers. Now, the company has a large selection of contact lenses, which is especially convenient for those who already purchase specs from the site.
While Warby Parker offers convenient and cost-saving perks like competitive pricing, free shipping and virtual prescription renewals, and it accepts insurance, HSA and FSA funds, these incentives aren’t necessarily unique. But for fans of Warby Parker’s frames—especially those who alternate regularly between glasses and lenses—you can get all your eyewear and have your prescription info saved at a single destination. (The brand has a line of sunglasses, too.) Plus, you can periodically take advantage of cross-product savings, like discounts on frames with a contact lens purchase. Keep in mind that Warby Parker is not accredited by the BBB—however, the company’s BBB profile currently has an A- rating.
Best For Using Insurance
ContactsDirect: Makes Cashing In On Your Insurance Benefits Easy
BBB accredited: No | Shipping: Free standard shipping and store pickup at LensCrafters, plus priority and express options | Return policy: Return unopened boxes within 6 months for a refund, less shipping charges | Insurance accepted: Yes, and accepts HSA and FSA | Virtual Rx renewal: Yes
What you’ll love:
- On-site walk-throughs plus customer support for making it easy to use insurance
- 15% off for military members, teachers, government workers, first responders and hospital and medical workers
- Frequent discounts and promotions
Keep in mind:
- Returns don’t include refunds for shipping charges
- The company will only price match with select competitors, and you have to call for verification
ContactsDirect landed on this list because it makes cashing in on your vision insurance benefits especially easy. The company’s insurance policy page outlines accepted carriers as well as info on out-of-network vision plans, and you can speak with customer service reps via live chat or phone if you need help or have questions. Plus, enjoy stacked savings by visiting its savings page for info on promos, including 20% off all orders with code CONTACTS20. Military members, teachers, government workers, first responders, and hospital and medical workers also receive a 15% discount. The site offers price matching, but only with a select list of competitors (including Walgreens and Costco). Selection-wise, you’ll find all the major brands and varieties, including specialty lenses like multifocals or those for astigmatism. You can also get your prescription renewed online for $29, but personally I’d do this elsewhere for less (it’s $20 at 1-800 Contacts).
ContactsDirect is one of two retailers on this list that’s not BBB accredited, but after some digging I deemed it a legitimate contact lens source for a few reasons. It’s owned by parent company Luxottica alongside other well-known brands like Ray-Ban, Pearle Vision and Sunglass Hut; I found several forum and publisher-based reviews that confirm it’s generally a safe place to buy contacts; and finally, a fellow Forbes Vetted editor told me she’s had a positive shopping experience there.
Best For Buying In Bulk
Contacts Lens King: Low Cost-Per-Box Pricing On Bulk Orders
BBB accredited: Yes | Shipping: $10 to $13 for standard US shipping, plus priority and expedited options | Return policy: Return unopened boxes within 30 days for a refund, less shipping charges | Insurance accepted: No, but accepts HSA and FSA | Virtual Rx renewal: No
What you’ll love:
- Cost-per-box savings on larger orders
- Transparent pricing
- Ample variety
Keep in mind:
- High shipping rates increase total costs
- Returns don’t include refunds on shipping charges
Before you get too excited about Contact Lens King’s low pricing, it’s important to note that shipping is quite steep, at $10 to $13 for standard domestic shipping. So if you’re only ordering, say, two to four boxes of lenses and break down the cost, you’re probably not saving much. (Yes, I’ve done that math.) However, if you typically order a larger supply of six-plus boxes, the savings adds up. And while you may see lower cost-per-box options on other sites, beware of excessive hidden fees that are tacked on in cart.
Otherwise, Contact Lens King offers a pretty standard experience when it comes to shopping for contacts online, including ample brand and lens variety (with options for astigmatism and colored contacts), the acceptance of HSA and FSA funds (but not insurance) and accessible help via phone or live chat. You won’t find extra features like virtual prescription renewals here, but you will find transparent pricing that will save you cash if you buy in bulk.
Best Drugstore
Walgreens: Competitive Pricing Plus Drugstore Conveniences
BBB accredited: Yes | Shipping: Free standard shipping on contact lens-only orders, plus overnight option | Return policy: Returns accepted in unopened boxes, with some exceptions | Insurance accepted: No, but accepts HSA and FSA | Virtual Rx renewal: No
What you’ll love:
- Wide selection of contact lenses from a reputable retailer
- Ability to add other essentials to your purchase
- Retailer promos that can save you more money
Keep in mind:
- The shopping experience isn’t as helpful as some eyewear-specific competitors’
Unlike shopping through an eyewear site, Walgreens doesn’t offer vision-specific features like a virtual try-on option or extra-lenient return policy. However, making a purchase through the drugstore giant means competitive pricing and promos, a “ship-to-store option” and the ability to throw additional essentials into your cart. (And it’s especially convenient if you regularly shop on the Walgreens site, anyway.) Shipping is free on contact lens-only orders, and if you’re getting a mix of items, it’s free on purchases over $35.
In the virtual contact lens “aisle,” you’ll find a wide selection at competitive prices, plus you can take advantage of stacked-on savings. The limited return policy allows you to return unopened boxes by mail if the order was incorrect, the product is defective or damaged, or you ordered the wrong prescription. For a return to be accepted, the lenses must also still be in stock and unexpired. You can also use HSA and FSA funds to pay for your order.
Many eyewear retailers offer special discounts on contact lenses throughout the year. Here are the best deals on our recommended retailers that you can shop now:
As I compared popular retailers, I investigated site legitimacy, inventory variety, shipping and return policies, insurance and HSA/FSA eligibility. I also factored in virtual prescription renewals and customer service helpfulness, which contribute to the overall shopping experience.
Shopping for contacts online is often more convenient and cost-effective than buying them at the optometrist’s office. That said, additional steps like uploading your prescription and shopping around for the best price can take some time. Here are the top things to consider when narrowing down contact lens e-tailers.
First and foremost, it’s crucial to purchase contact lenses from a safe and legitimate site. “Less reputable sellers may not follow the same storage, handling or sourcing standards as eye care professionals or trusted distributors,” says optometrist Jennifer Ferri, owner of Homer Rich Eye Care. “Contact lenses are FDA-regulated medical devices and must be properly stored and dispensed. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.” She recommends being wary of companies that might encourage patients to delay exam follow-ups or stretch prescriptions beyond their recommended expiration, as routine eye exams and evaluations are a critical part of eye health and safety.
When making a contacts purchase online, you’ll need a current prescription at the ready. Most sites have you upload a scan of your prescription then plug in your eye doctor information to be verified. While you cannot use an expired prescription to make a purchase as per the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)—and prescriptions are only good for one or two years, but it varies by state—many sites offer virtual exams for prescription renewals.
As mentioned above, if a site doesn’t require a current prescription, consider it a red flag. “Some online retailers may use automated systems or lenient policies that inadvertently encourage patients to bypass the intended annual renewal process,” says Ferri. “A current, accurate prescription is crucial to reducing the risk of eye infections or vision issues.”
If you’re already committed to a specific product, first make sure the retailer you’re considering has it in stock. This is especially true for specialty lenses, like those designed for astigmatism. If you’re a new lens wearer or want to try another brand, our story on the best contact lenses, all recommended by an optometrist, is a great place to start. Just note, you may need a new prescription to switch brands, according to the FTC website.
A big differentiating factor between many of our top contenders is the shopping experience, and each retailer caters to different needs. Consider whether you want the option to renew your prescription online, buy glasses and contacts in the same place, order (and save) in bulk, or receive a monthly delivery by subscription; we’ve included e-tailers that offer these conveniences and more.
While many retailers offer free shipping, some still charge, so you’ll want to factor that into the overall price of your order. For example, Contact Lens King’s ship fees are on the higher side starting at $10 to $13, but its low cost-per-box prices offer savings on larger orders.
A surprising but insightful tip from Ferri: “In some cases, discounted lenses may come from inventory that is near its expiration date,” she says. “While this isn’t inherently unsafe, it can reduce the usable lifespan of the lenses. Reputable retailers usually disclose expiration dates, but it’s important for patients to check.”
You want to be mindful of return policies as well, noting eligibility for return timeframes as well as product condition (for example, most e-tailers only accept returns of unopened boxes in original packaging). Further, some companies won’t reimburse you for shipping costs. If you prioritize a generous return policy, 1-800 Contacts has no time limit for returns, and you can send back any unused contacts, even if you’ve opened the box.
You’ll find that pricing differs from one retailer to the next, but buyer beware: If you see a product with exceptionally low pricing, there’s a good chance that hidden fees, like excessive “processing” fees, will be added in cart, or the after-rebate price is being advertised (meaning you have to pay the full amount up front).
Retailers with price match guarantees like 1-800 Contacts, ContactsDirect and GlassesUSA give you added peace of mind if you find a lower price elsewhere. Plus, you can often take advantage of promotions for more savings at checkout.
At Forbes Vetted, we’ve researched, tested and written a wide catalog of eyewear stories and roundups of the best personal care products available. The editors involved in writing, researching and editing this piece are contact lens wearers and know what to look for when choosing an e-tailer for eyewear needs.
When shopping for contacts online, it’s important to choose a reputable site, as well as name-brand lenses; while off-brand products are cheaper, they often come with fit, quality—and worse—safety issues. “I generally advise patients to purchase contact lenses through their eye care provider or an authorized seller listed by the manufacturer,” says Ferri. If you’re set on ordering online, opt for a well-known contact lens retailer, check for BBB accreditation and/or ratings and ensure the company offers a return policy that you’re comfortable with.
In our experience, buying contacts online is a relatively safe process, as long as you purchase from a reputable seller. All of our recommended websites have been vetted for legitimacy. They feature the same trusted contact lens brands you’d find at an optical shop and have return policies in case something goes wrong with your order—just be sure to read the fine print before making your purchase.