As someone who has worn glasses since I was three years old, I know the struggle of getting a new pair of specs all too well. From the lengthy process to the jaw-dropping (and not in a good way) price tag, it’s all too much. But thanks to modern technology and some ingenious entrepreneurs, you can easily shop for prescription eyeglasses from the comfort of your home. I compared nearly a dozen eyewear retailers and enlisted a panel of four testers to determine the best place to buy prescription glasses online. Our top pick is GlassesUSA because of its staggering array of options at prices to suit every budget. If affordability is a top priority, we recommend Zenni Optical, which has frames at prices as low as $7.
We named five standout retailers across six categories to find the best prescription glasses online:
Our four panel testers evaluated each retailer, shopping for and ordering numerous frames. Then, they shared their in-depth feedback on the entire buying process. After comparing each retailer’s variety, return policy and site features, I compiled our final list of winning retailers that offer everything from designer frames to kids’ eyeglasses. Below, find detailed information about each winning e-tailer, along with an expert-informed buying guide to help you find the perfect pair.
Best Prescription Glasses Online Overall
Unbeatable Selection And Easy Ordering Process
Save up to 40% on GlassesUSA Eyeglasses.
Price range: $33 to $675 | Turnaround time: 10 to 16 business days (expedited shipping options available) | Return policy: 14 days, no questions asked; free for first pair | Insurance accepted: Yes, as well as HSA/FSA | Virtual try-on: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: For contact lenses only
Best for:
- Its wide variety of name and house brands, plus blue light glasses and sunglasses
- Scanning prescriptions via mobile app
- Those who need speedy delivery time
Skip if:
- You want to renew your eyeglasses prescription through the site
- You want the ability to make multiple successive returns; you can return your first pair, but if you don’t like the second, it’s only eligible for an exchange
GlassesUSA is one of the largest and best online prescription glasses retailers, offering hundreds of designer frames from Ray-Ban, Gucci and Oakley, along with less expensive house brands in every frame style and color you can imagine. It was the winner among three of our panel testers, who were impressed by the ease of the ordering process. Prices run the gamut from $39 up to $700, depending on which brand you choose.
With its virtual try-on feature, you can upload a photo directly to the website and see what each frame looks like on your face before you commit. If you don’t have your prescription handy, the GlassesUSA app can scan your prescription through your current lenses. (The company has an online prescription renewal option, but this is only for contact lenses.)
All lenses are made to order in-house and then put through a series of inspections to check for quality, clarity and proper alignment. You also have the option for upgrades like progressive lenses, anti-reflective coatings and transition lenses for up to $169 more. One of our testers describes the selection and checkout flow as “sleek and intuitive,” and was pleased with the speedy delivery time. Another notes that her glasses arrived nine days after her order, which was pretty impressive given that the window included Thanksgiving weekend. If you’re unhappy with your new glasses for any reason, GlassesUSA has a 14-day, no questions asked return policy—but you can only take advantage of this for your first pair.
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Best Affordable Prescription Glasses
Wide Variety Of Cost-Effective Pairs
Price range: $7 to $60 | Turnaround time: 8 to 18 business days (expedited shipping options available) | Return policy: 14 days for refund (excluding shipping costs) or 30 days for store credit | Insurance accepted: No, but HSA/FSA accepted | Virtual try-on: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: No
Best for:
- Budget-conscious shoppers
- Finding specific frames, thanks to its advanced site filters
- Its advanced virtual try-on feature
Skip if:
- Free shipping and returns are important to you
- You want a large selection of designer frames
Zenni is all about making prescription glasses affordable, with house-designed frames starting at just $7 and capping at $60—and that price includes standard prescription lenses. “With my complex prescription, the cost adds up fast so a lower-priced frame is a nice bonus,” says one tester. While the retailer now sells designer brands as well, you’ll get the most bang for your buck by sticking with Zenni’s line; plus, the name-brand selection is limited.
Another panel tester is a fan of the site’s try-on feature, saying, “It’s very advanced to give you a well-rounded view of what your glasses will look like. It was a seamless experience from beginning to end.” Additionally, she also appreciates a feature that allows you to upload or take a photo with frames you love to find similar ones. “For creatures of habit like myself, I love the idea of being able to search for frames similar to styles that I typically wear,” she says.
In addition, you can filter frames by pupillary distance, making it easier to find what you’re looking for. Another one of our testers loves this feature, saying, “My eyes are set close and it can be hard to find glasses that won't be too wide at the bridge for me.” Zenni also offers low-bridge options and ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses with prescription single vision and progressive lenses. You can add upgrades, like polarization, that start at $33.
Most Stylish Prescription Glasses
Fashion-Forward Designs You Can Try On For Free
Price range: $95 to $195 | Turnaround time: 7 to 12 business days | Return policy: 30 days for a return or exchange | Insurance accepted: Yes, as well as HSA/FSA | Virtual try-on: Yes, as well as in-home try-on | Virtual Rx renewal: Yes, for single-vision distance prescriptions in eligible states
Best for:
- Its wide range of prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses, blue light glasses and sunglasses
- Those who are also looking to stock up on contact lenses
- Its at-home try-on program
Skip if:
- You need to buy kids’ glasses online; they’re only available in-store or over the phone
Warby Parker offers designer-style glasses at affordable prices. One of our testers has been ordering her prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses from the site for over a decade. All frames start at just $95, an impressive price that includes basic prescription lenses.
You can try on virtually, but one of the brand’s biggest claims to fame is its at-home try-on program. Pick up to five frames to receive, for free, to physically try on before you buy. “The size accuracy, feel and fit are always excellent in my experience,” says our panel tester. “The frames I wear regularly are blue light-blocking, which seem to do their job (as far as I can tell) to help prevent eye fatigue.”
Once you have your frames picked out, you can add basic prescription lenses, which another tester describes as “perfectly accurate” and “not too thick,” despite his strong prescription. You can also choose from various upgrade options, like progressive lenses, blue light filtering or light-responsive lenses, which add up to $200 to the total price. If you don’t like your new glasses, you can return them for a full refund or exchange within 30 days of receipt. And if your lenses get scratched in the first 365 days, you can get new lenses made for free.
Best Designer Prescription Glasses
Designer Brands At A Discount
Price range: $40 to $1,080 | Turnaround time: 11 to 14 business days | Return policy: 30 days for a return or exchange | Insurance accepted: Yes, as well as FSA/HSA | Virtual try-on: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: No
Best for:
- Its impressive collection of designer styles, including pairs from Gucci and Versace
- Those who want to save on high-end brands
- Buyer confidence—each order is reviewed by an optician based on your prescription
Skip if:
- Free returns are important to you
Frames Direct claims to have the largest selection of designer eyewear online: There are almost 5,000 frames from high-end brands like Gucci and Versace, as well as Oakley and Ray-Ban (in a wide variety of colors, too). Our tester mentions that her Armani Exchange glasses arrived with a “certificate of authenticity” that guarantees the glasses are genuine.
Most brands sell for 20% to 80% off the retail price, and you can often score prescription lenses at a discount. “The value of these name-brand eyeglasses, with all the additional add-ons to my lenses, is very impressive,” our tester says. Another tester, who wears progressives, adds, “The lenses themselves match my prescription and have one of the best fields of vision of any of the glasses that I tried.” The Frames Direct site also has a virtual-try on feature, to let you see what each pair would look like on your face before committing to a purchase.
As far as lenses go, choose single vision, no-line progressives or non-prescription readers. You can also select different lens materials, from thin polycarbonate to lower-cost plastic, as well as optional upgrades like digital light protection or scratch-resistant coating. And before your order goes through, an optician will review everything to make sure you picked the best selections for your prescription.
Best Prescription Sunglasses
Mix Of Wallet-Friendly Brands And House Designs
Price range: $6 to $479 | Turnaround time: 7 to 14 business days | Return policy: 14 days for a one-time replacement or refund | Insurance accepted: No, but HSA/FSA accepted | Virtual try-on: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: No
Best for:
- Budget-conscious shoppers
- Its 365-Day Product Guarantee that covers defects for one year
Skip if:
- You want the ability to make multiple successive returns; only your first pair is eligible for exchange or refund
You can customize Eyebuydirect’s wide selection of frames with tinted prescription lenses, so you have thousands of sunglasses styles to choose from. If you’re not sure where to start, the company also has its own line of prescription sunglasses, and everything from concept to design to manufacturing is done in house to keep prices down.
Since one of our testers only wears large, rectangular frames, he mentions that the ability to filter on these preferences was super helpful during testing. Shades with prescription lenses start at $39 and cap at under $100, which is reasonable for the high quality you’re getting. When you find a frame you like, you can click “try on” to upload a photo and see what it looks like on your face. The photo stays uploaded as you navigate the site, so you can quickly see what other options look like.
Our testers note that their eyeglasses arrived promptly and safely in a compact cardboard box. If your glasses don’t work out, Eyebuydirect offers a 14-day “no questions asked” return policy for a one-time replacement or refund, but its 365-Day Product Guarantee covers defects for a full year.
Best Prescription Glasses For Kids
Child-Friendly Styles They'll Want To Wear
Price range: $7 to $60 | Turnaround time: 8 to 18 business days (expedited shipping options available) | Return policy: 14 days for refund (excluding shipping costs) or 30 days for store credit | Insurance accepted: No, but HSA/FSA accepted | Virtual try-on: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: No
Best for:
- Wallet-conscious parents
- Its kid-friendly features including flexible frames and straps
- Easily finding the right frames for your child based on their age group
Skip if:
- Free shipping and returns are important to you
Kids and tweens are picky—really picky. Zenni offers a wide selection of children’s frames at wallet-friendly prices, which is why it topped our list of the best kids’ glasses.
Frames start as low as $6.95 for basic prescription lenses, with a majority of frames costing between $16 to $30. This is great news for parents: If your child happens to misplace or damage their frames, a replacement isn’t super costly. Like its adult offerings, you can customize Zenni’s glasses for kids with add-ons like specialty coatings, extra accessories or engraving.
There are flexible frames for toddlers, options with kid-friendly straps and cool-looking styles to win tweens over. Using the website’s virtual try-on feature, your kiddo can see what the glasses will look like on their face, so you can make sure they’re happy before purchasing.
Many retailers run promotions throughout the year, allowing you to save even more on your next pair of eyeglasses. Here are the best current deals on prescription glasses online:
We spent hours researching over a dozen popular eyewear companies and what they offer in terms of selection, value, insurance eligibility, return policy and turnaround time.
According to Ferri, most optometrists generally don’t recommend buying prescription glasses online. “This is primarily due to potential input errors, quality assurance issues and difficulty verifying that materials used are what they claim to be,” she says. “There is no substitute for the precision, accuracy and service that comes with getting glasses from a licensed eye care professional.”
That being said, “buying prescription glasses online is generally not dangerous—you’re not going to go blind from ordering them—but it is what we would call an ‘at-your-own-risk’ purchase,” adds Ferri. So if you choose to go the online route, she advises shopping from “reputable retailers with solid return policies and customer service.” This is advice that Forbes Vetted editors, including those who’ve purchased prescription specs online, wholeheartedly agree with.
Shopping for prescription glasses online is a pretty straightforward process, but there are a few things you should keep in mind. While Ferri recommends buying prescription eyeglasses through an optometrist rather than purchasing them online, she has a few tips for those who are set on shopping from home.
The Forbes Vetted fashion library includes several eyewear stories. We tapped into our subject knowledge and personal experience to highlight retailers that offer the best prescription glasses online.