We’ve also looked out for customer service credentials with these online retailers, so that you know you’re in safe hands with this important purchase. If you have more specific needs, like wanting custom frames or glasses to suit your face shape, we’ve also factored that in so that can shop for all of your requirements can be met by reading this guide. If you’re simply looking to order your prescription pair, the best eyeglasses online are there to cut out the complication, and the time and travel one needed. Instead, you can skip getting your glasses fitted at the store if you already know what you need, and streamline the process with virtual try-ons from many retailers too. If you prefer to use the best contact lenses (opens in new tab) services, you’ll find the same sort of options available to you. It’s worth noting that if you’ve signed up for one of the best vision insurance (opens in new tab) plans, then this process may be already covered under your policy. The specifics may mean that you may be limited to certain brands or types of glasses, and it’s worth taking a look at what you can get as part of your plan. For now though, start browsing the best online glasses retailers out there, with all of the choice you could need for picking out your next essential pair for your eye health.
The best eyeglasses online brands and retailers
GlassesUSA stocks more than 7,000 frames from nearly 100 eyeglasses designers, and it’s super-easy to browse by brand, frame or lens to help narrow down your search for the best eyeglasses online. To make it easier to find your perfect glasses, you can even search by brand, sales and even trends like lightweight glasses, tortoise shell frames or clip-on sunglasses. The range includes prescription glasses, as well as sunglasses available in a huge range of colors and styles. GlassesUSA frequently offers discount codes and deals, so there’s plenty of opportunity to grab a juicy saving on a stylish pair of eyeglasses. Every pair you buy is backed with a 365-day warranty, and you get free shipping and returns in the United States. With so much on offer, you’ll want to try your potential new eyeglasses on for size, right? Luckily, GlassesUSA has a virtual try-on feature that can help you choose the right eyeglasses for you, using a photo of a model or you can upload an image of yourself. If you go ahead with your purchase but later decide the frames aren’t right for you when you receive them, you can take advantage of the brand’s risk-free 14-day refund or exchange. With excellent customer service and an easy-to-use website, great shipping and return options, GlassesUSA is hands-down one of the best online glasses retailers in America right now, so your prescription order will be in good hands.
GlassesUSA user reviews and ratings
There’s plenty of love for GlassesUSA on Trust Pilot, with 78% of the 25,000-plus reviews rated (opens in new tab) as 5 out of 5 stars. Comments include, “I came, I saw, I bought. I purchased glasses here before and I am very pleased. It was very easy browsing for what I needed, the variety is great.” The customers on Bizrate Surveys are also happy, with comments such as, “I needed to purchase a replacement pair when my dog literally ate my glasses. So I looked to see what was on sale and purchased another pair. I love being able to try them online and find glasses that are a similar size and fit to my favorite pair. Thanks for the easy shopping experience.” Less favorable reviews mentioned some confusion with the order status and delay in delivery, as well as complaints that the prices of some frames were too expensive, but the GlassesUSA customer service team were quick to respond and help.
Read our GlassesUSA.com review
EyeBuyDirect is the place to go if you want a great pair of cheap eyeglasses online and not much else. While there’s not a lot of designer choice on offer, everything you need for a good pair of affordable glasses is right here. There’s a virtual try-on to help you select the best eyeglasses for your face, plus there are a decent amount of sunglasses on offer too. Simply use the filters to narrow down the search by glasses type, brand, rim and color for example, to find the style you want. Ordering is easy and there are always further discounts on offer of up to 50%, making EyeBuyDirect one of the best eyeglasses online retailers if you need to buy a few pairs of eyeglasses to always ensure you have backups, yet you don’t have a big budget to cover them all.
EyeBuyDirect user reviews and ratings
EyeBuyDirect has overwhelmingly positive reviews on Trust Pilot, with 72% of the 17,000-plus reviews coming in at 5 out of 5 stars. Top comments include: “EyeBuyDirect.com has been my go-to method of getting new glasses since 2018. They have the latest styles of frames… and a wonderful selection of prices that really can’t be beat.” SiteJabber contains nearly 180,000 reviews for EyeBuyDirect with more than 131,000 ratings at 5 out 5 stars. And there are plenty of comments to back up that impressive number, including: “Very happy with the convenience of this. It took me a while to know which types of frames were the best fit without trying them on first, but they do a great job with advertising the right sizes in the right categories.” Negative reviews mention some glitches with the ordering, while there were also several complaints about the delivery and returns process.
Read our EyeBuyDirect review (opens in new tab)
With 20 years’ experience selling the best eyeglasses online, Eyeglasses.com is a safe pair of hands for designer frames, reading glasses and bespoke prescription glasses. The company has attracted high user reviews, with plenty of existing customers praising the expanded range of affordable and designer eyeglasses, and free US and international shipping. We also love its Give Back Vision charity scheme. There’s a large selection of online glasses to choose from here, and you won’t be disappointed by the stock on offer, and the prices are generally very reasonable too. The site also has lots of discounts with plenty of bargains to be snapped up. The virtual try-on feature is fun and can give you an idea of how a particular frame shape or color would suit your face. This online glasses retailer takes around one to two days (on average) to process non-prescription lenses, while prescription eyeglasses can take three to five days on average. We’d recommend reading the Eyeglasses.com returns policy before purchasing anything, as the brand states that frames must be returned in perfect condition within 30 days for a full refund. However, you have to cover the cost of return postage on the majority of frames (there are some partial exceptions). Other companies in our roundup of the best eyeglasses online offer free returns.
Eyeglasses.com user reviews and ratings
The company has attracted high user reviews, with plenty of existing customers praising the expanded range of affordable and designer eyeglasses, and free US and international shipping. SiteJabber has more than 12,000 reviews scored 5 out of 5 stars or Eyeglasses.com, while the Trust Pilot score (at the time of writing) sits at 4 out of 5 stars, with comments such as “Great-quality frames priced very reasonably. The site provides all the frame measurements, and includes the total width measurement of the frames – very important for better sizing!” Although the lack of free returns definitely irked some people, some have nothing but good things to say about the swift and thoughtful customer service, and only a minority experienced the opposite.
Read our full Eyeglasses.com review
Warby Parker is a trusted brand when it comes to the best eyeglasses online, with a stylish selection of frames that are easy to try on at home. When buying glasses online at Warby Parker, you can select up to five frames to try at home for five days. If none of them are right for you, simply send them back free of charge and try another batch until you find the frames you love. There is also the option to use the virtual try-on service too. That alone is a huge confidence booster, as you can rest assured that you’re choosing frames that actually suit your face shape and skin tone. With free shipping, free returns, and frames (with prescription lenses) starting from only $95, Warby Parker is a good choice if you want a no-fuss, straightforward way to buy eyeglasses online. Even better, for every pair of eyeglasses you buy, Warby Parker donates a pair to someone in need. To date, the company has donated more than five million pairs of glasses. While the range is quite small compared to the bigger online glasses retailers, we found more than enough choice on offer. You filter your search results according to frame width, shape, color, material, and nose bridge fit. Prices start from $95, and for $50 extra you can add blue-light filtering lenses to any pair of eyeglasses without needing a prescription.
Warby Parker user reviews and ratings
There are plenty of happy customers leaving positive feedback on Warby Parker’s online glasses site. Comments include: “Great price, great quality, great styles, great customer service. Keep up the great work!” and “[I’m a ] first-time shopper and couldn’t be more pleased with the selection, quality, speed of delivery and level of customer care!” Consumer Affairs (opens in new tab) also features plenty of good feedback, including: “Highly recommended. All communications back and forth with WP were friendly, timely, and helpful. Love the cost too! Very affordable! I like to have several pairs of glasses to change my look and I’m able to buy several pairs given their low cost.” Meanwhile, some negative comments mentioned the quality of the lenses, as well as a delay in delivery times.
Read our Warby Parker review
Zenni’s fun, bright website is a clear indication of how this company rolls, offering an enormous range of stylish customizable frames and lenses in plenty of colors and materials. While the designer options are limited, Zenni does collaborate with noted creative brands and celebrities, producing some of the best eyeglasses online with a unique feel and style. The costs of Zenni frames are kept low by manufacturing and shipping from China, missing out the middleman. The downsides therefore include a longer shipping time and zero free shipping options. Also, if you make a mistake during your order, you’ll get online store credit instead of a full refund. Plus, there’s no “try before you buy” with which you can receive frames at home, although you can use the digital try-on feature. Zenni is also one of the best online glasses retailers for buying advice, with a wealth of written guides and videos walking you through how to order glasses online. There’s also plenty of information to help you get the right fit, plus eyewear tips for video calls and how to match frames to your zodiac sign (quirky but fun).
Zenni user reviews and ratings
Consumer Affairs has plenty of praise for Zenni with a rating that averages over 4 out of 5 stars based on nearly 900 reviews. Comments include, “For the quality and the price of Zenni, they can’t be beaten. The website is great too. It’s very easy to use,” and, “Very accommodating. I ordered two glasses I felt were incorrect for me and I was given various options about replacing them. I was also given great suggestions and information on how to better purchase glasses in the future. Wonderful experience.” It’s the same story on Trust Pilot, with an average score of 4.6 out of 5 stars across the 127,000 reviews, 83% of which are 5 out of 5 stars. Feedback includes: “I was hesitant to try Zenni but decided I couldn’t lose because of their pricing. I will NEVER get glasses from anyone but Zenni Optical. Two pair of glasses cost 50% less than one pair with insurance. More importantly, I can see perfectly!” However, there were a handful of less favorable reviews, some of which were complaining about the prescription not being right, while others were not happy about the returns and refund policy. The complaints were professionally dealt with by Zenni who offered lengthy replies to the dissatisfied customers.
Read our Zenni Optical review
When it comes to choice, Frames Direct claims to have the largest online selection of the best eyeglasses online no matter what style you’re looking for. As well as prescription glasses, you’ll find sunglasses (including with prescription lenses), as well as contacts here. You can search by categories such as ‘hipster’ or ‘unique’, or by frame shape, bridge size, color and frame materials. Top eyeglasses brands stocked by FramesDirect include Ray-Ban, Prada and Michael Kors, and the choice on offer can be filtered down by size, shape, frame material and color. At the moment, FramesDirect is still working on its virtual try-on service, but if your frames aren’t suitable, there is a one-time free exchange per frame, although only 50% of the lens price will be credited if the prescription needs to be altered. Where FramesDirect makes up for the lack of flexibility returning or trying on glasses, is with the huge discounts it offers. There’s up to 60% off to be snapped up regularly, with frequent offers and sales on designer brands, making it worth the gamble. You can even use funds from your insurance’s flexible spending or health savings account.
FramesDirect user reviews and ratings
There are mixed reviews for FramesDirect online, with most of the glowing reports found at Trust Pilot. User review comments include, “My Oakley Airdrop prescription glasses came in sooner than expected and at a great price. So much cheaper than my local eyecare place. I bought my last two sets of glasses through FramesDirect and will continue buying them from here going forward.” The support team at FramesDirect is quick to respond to positive feedback. Over at SiteJabber there are complaints about slow delivery times and the refund policy. However, SiteJabber only features 40 reviews, while TrustPilot holds nearly 25,000 FramesDirect user reviews, with 80% of those being 5 out of 5 stars.
Read our FramesDirect review
If you don’t have the budget for designer eyeglasses or are just looking for a cheap pair of glasses to use as a back-up, then DiscountGlasses could be your go-to site. The online glasses brand focuses mainly on cheap frames, so you won’t have any surprises at checkout, knowing from the start that you’re shopping within your budget. Even though we’re mainly looking at cheap frames here, during our review process we were still able to find some very stylish eyeglasses for less, which goes to show that expensive doesn’t always equal the best. That said, if you do want designer glasses without the luxury price tag, there isn’t a big selection at DiscountGlasses, so check out some of the others on our list such as GlassesUSA and FramesDirect. Like many others in our guide to the best eyeglasses online, DiscountGlasses has a virtual try-on service, as well as a fantastic 365-day trial period, which is plenty of time to try out your new glasses. Yep, you have an entire year within which you can return your eyeglasses if you aren’t happy with them - again, read the terms and conditions to understand exactly what will and won’t fly here. There is also the option to see the frames on a model’s face so you get a good idea of what they look like when worn – you can even choose a model who has the closest match to your face shape or skin tone. We’d prefer it if DiscountGlasses had an instant online chat function, as email and phone can put a roadblock in the way of placing an order when you have an urgent need for some new eyeglasses. However, compared to the cheap prices, wide selection of frames and the virtual try-on feature on offer here, this is a minor complaint.
DiscountGlasses Online: User reviews and ratings
Finding reviews – good or bad – is tricky for this online glasses retailer, but on the DiscountGlasses.com blog you will find some positive reports from satisfied customers. Review website OGR gives DiscountGlasses.com an overall rating of 8.9 out of 10 stars, finding little to complain about when it comes to price, choice and quality. The brand also scores 8 stars out of 10 on US Reviews for its service and pricing.
Read our full DiscountGlasses review (opens in new tab)
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with information when buying eyeglasses online, which can put many people off if they think they might buy the wrong type. But Coastal has plenty of information laid out in a very clear and concise way – ideal if this is your first time buying online glasses. And on the Coastal blog there’s even more great info including how frame shape affects prescription, and how to protect your eyes while working at a screen. There are also dozens of posts on the latest eyeglasses trends and styles. As well as all this essential information, there are plenty of bargains to be snapped up on everyday styles as well as on designer brands. Plus, Coastal Eyewear also sells contacts, making this a one-stop shop if you like to mix and match your vision wear. Frame prices start from as little as $9 (Zenni is cheaper), and there are always big discounts, as well as an evergreen clearance sale. Plus there’s free shipping over $50, free returns, and a 60-day return policy.
Coastal user reviews and ratings
Compared to some of the others on our list, there aren’t as many reviews for Coastal on TrustPilot, but what it has is excellent with 81% of the 2,773 reviews coming in at 5 out of 5 stars. Comments highlighted the website’s ease of use, as well as the great customer service, with feedback such as, “Best customer service! I accidentally submitted the incorrect numbers and Coastal fixed the issue for me super promptly and the service person helped me even use more discounts! Super helpful!”
Read our Coastal review
Lensabl takes your trusty old frames and fits new lenses into them, even sending you a box to ship your old frames to them. The whole process takes as little as two weeks. If you really want to buy some eyeglasses you can, but the range is quite limited so it’s just as easy to buy some budget frames of your choice and get some lenses popped in. In nutshell, you send your existing eyeglasses to Lensabl and let them know your prescription, the lens type you need, and any extras you’re looking for (special coatings and so on). Lensabl will either send you a box with a prepaid shipping label, or it will email you to label so that you can use your own packaging to get your glasses to the Lensabl lab. While getting some new lenses might not be as exciting as a whole new pair of frames, your new purchases will arrive in a nice, smart package so it still feels like a bit of a treat. This is a great to buy eyeglasses online, and an easy way to hang on to beloved frames that truly suit your face without going to the hassle of finding a worthy replacement. New prescription lenses at Lensabl start from $77.
Lensabl user reviews and ratings
A bit like Lenscrafter below, Lensabl seems to be a tale of two cities. On SiteJabber, the brand has over 2,500 reviews, with an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars. 72.3% of those are positive, with customers praising Lensabl’s value for money, shipping and quality control. One reviewer explained how, “They ran into a snag while making my lenses and chose to start over to make me an entirely new set and let me know promptly what happened and why my order was delayed for a short time. Highly recommend and I’m going to order another pair!” Critical, one star reviews focus on the quality of the lenses and the quality of premium coatings. On TrustPilot, the company scores 2.3 out of 5 stars and people are commenting about the customer service, and how you can’t speak to them via telephone (there is no phone number listed on the Lensabl site - we checked). There is one 5 out of 5 star review on TrustPilot for Lensabl, which focuses on quality and reasonable price.
Read our Lensabl review
At night our phones and tablets are stimulating our brains and keeping us awake and Ambr sells blue light filtering glasses, albeit in a restricted range. The lenses are glare and UV resistant as standard, and their blue light filter comes in a variety of strengths and flavours, including sunglasses and transitions. The company can fulfill your prescription needs, as long as they’re on the modest side and its webcam ‘try on’ is a lots of fun. It’s an option worth considering if you’re someone who spends a lot of time with their nose pressed against a screen (guilty as charged). Ambr’s range of frames is about the smallest we’ve tested and the range of lens options is very similar. While this has its disadvantages if you’ve set your heart on some window shopping, it does make the checkout process much easier and reduces your screen time (winner on all fronts).
Read our Ambr Eyewear review
How we picked the best eyeglasses online for this guide
As mentioned earlier in our online glasses guide, we have focused on companies that have a good reputation among existing customers, first and foremost. We have gleaned this information from verified user reviews, as well as from ratings on websites such as the Better Business Bureau and Trust Pilot. Interpreting user reviews can be tricky, as some disgruntled customers can dish out harsh ratings for minor issues, so we have included them in our guide as a flavor of what you might expect as a customer. They are not to be read as gospel. Other criteria includes pricing – are the glasses, lenses and accessories well-priced, and are there regular discounts on offer? – as well as the range. For us, the best eyeglasses online brands offer both budget and premium frames, making them accessible to people on lower incomes as well as those who have the budget for designer eyeglasses. We also highlight the companies that accept vision coverage and that are capable of liaising directly with your insurer, saving you the hassle. Beyond that, we considered factors such as shipping costs – most online glasses brands now offer free shipping, but some charge for returns, which isn’t ideal – and the quality and accessibility of customer service. After all, there’s no point in buying cheap prescription glasses online if the only way you can reach the team to resolve order issues is by email.
What you need to buy eyeglasses online
According to advice (opens in new tab) published by the American Optometric Association, all adults aged 65 and under should have an in-person eye exam at least every two years. It also points out that eye examinations aren’t just about figuring out whether you need vision correction, such as prescription glasses, but to look at all aspects of your eye health. The Association also argues that online vision tests can be misleading or inaccurate, and that a proper eye exam with a qualified optometrist is the only way to be sure of your current eye health. Many people have an in-store eye test, then seek out the best eyeglasses online that can accommodate their new prescription, simply because prices are cheaper. In order to buy glasses online, you will need to know your pupillary distance, also known as your PD number, and this isn’t also stated on your prescription. Pupillary distance is the length in millimeters between your pupils (a single PD number) or from your pupils to the center of the bridge of your nose (dual PD). The stronger your eyeglasses prescription, the more vital it is that the lenses are lined up accurately in front of your eye. Online glasses retailers should always ask for your PD when you place an order.
Best eyeglasses online: What to look for in a retailer
To get the most in terms of service and quality, the retailer you choose when it comes to your new eyeglasses is important. How can you spot the signs of a trustworthy distributor? Here’s a breakdown of the things to look out for: Verified customer reviews. A great way to find a reputable eyeglasses retailer is to read up on user reviews. Though customer’s needs will vary, reviews are a great way to find out the service that they received, and whether they would recommend shopping at a particular online store. Clear and concise pricing. Keeping the costs of your eyeglass journey manageable is essential. If you can’t see pricing, or user reviews warn of hidden fees, then it might be better to switch your choice of retailer instead. Plenty of the best eyeglasses online can also be bought as part of a policy with an insurer too, which is worth looking into incase of any accidents. Order tracking function. If you need to replace your pair of glasses immediately, then it’ll be essential to be able to know exactly how long it’ll be until they arrive. This service also means you can provide documentation in case your glasses get lost. A range of cheap and designer eyeglasses. That way, you can browse both in terms of affordability and for your own tastes, as well as stock up on everyday casual glasses and pairs for other occasions, including sunglasses. Various easy ways to contact customer service. There’s nothing worse than having no one to talk to. When things go wrong, you want to be able to talk to an advisor without a struggle, so look for a retailer with plenty of service options, whether that’s a dedicated phone line for issues or a virtual chat assistant to get you what you need.
Do you need a valid prescription to buy glasses online?
You can buy fashion eyeglasses and regular sunglasses without a prescription. But yes, you’ll need a current prescription to buy eyeglasses that correct your vision. If you don’t have a copy or are confused about which numbers mean what, many of the best eyeglasses online companies can contact your eye doctor’s office (with your permission) to get that information. Reputable online glasses stores strongly encourage customers to get regular eye exams. Some will even help you find a local eye doctor. If you have excellent vision or wear contacts but like glasses for their stylish flair, you can buy non-prescription glasses online too. You’ll typically still have to pay for the lenses, but non-prescription lenses cost much less than the corrective kind. Some online glasses stores include basic non-prescription lenses for free when you purchase frames. Almost all eyeglasses retailers will let you upgrade non-prescription lenses with anti-reflective coating, anti-scratch coating or even UV protection. Obviously these cost more.
Can you return prescription glasses bought online?
If your online prescription eyeglasses don’t work for you, reputable retailers should exchange them, provide a full or partial refund, or give you store credit. Not every company offers the same length of time for you to decide, so check before you buy. For example, Zenni Optical (opens in new tab) gives you 30 days to call for a “return authorization” and offers a 30-day warranty. Some firms give you a full year, but they often require that the prescription glasses must be returned in unused condition. If you’re having trouble seeing with the eyeglasses you ordered online, take them to the optometrist who initially examined your eyes. Ask them to inspect the glasses for accuracy. In rare cases, you’ll discover that your prescription needs adjusting or your lenses were made incorrectly.
