'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
The best places to buy contacts online
We live in a time when you can buy virtually anything online. This includes products we once only considered buying in-store, such as groceries, cars, mattresses -- and even contact lenses.
Buying contact lenses online is actually much easier than buying glasses online because you don't have to try them on to see if they fit and flatter your face well. Online stores that offer contact lenses also offer return/exchange policies (if you don't like the brand you chose), free or low shipping costs, and even discounts to help you save on your lenses.
Also: The best places to buy glasses online
Our top pick for the best place to buy contacts online is Warby Parker, but we've also included other options -- all of which allow you to get contacts delivered straight to your door instead of having to visit your doctor.
The best places to buy contacts online in 2024
- Virtual vision test
- Free shipping and long return window
- Popular contact brands and exclusive Warby Parker Scout contacts
- Some complaints about customer service
Warby Parker features: Insurance accepted: Yes (FSA and HSA accepted) | Shipping cost: Free | Return policy: Free returns and exchanges for 30 days
You may know Warby Parker because of its stylish glasses, but it also sells contacts. Warby Parker carries popular contact brands like ACUVUE, Precision1, BioTrue, and more. Warby Parker also sells its own brand of contacts, called Scout, which are made from hioxifilcon, a lens material that has 57% water content, 25 Dk/t oxygen permeability, and a space-saving flat pack design.
Warby Parker accepts insurance as well as FSA and HSA, plus you can expect free shipping and free returns and exchanges. Aside from getting 20% off your first contact lens order, you'll receive a $50 credit that you can use to purchase a pair of Warby Parker glasses or sunglasses (only if you purchase an annual supply of contacts).
- Generous return and exchange policy
- Price-matching
- 24/7 customer service
- Customers can't take advantage of best price guarantee if purchasing through insurance
1-800-Contacts features: Insurance: Yes (FSA and HSA accepted) | Shipping cost: Free | Return policy: Free returns and exchanges, even if you bought contacts from somewhere else
1-800-Contacts may be one of the more well-known places to buy contacts online, and for good reason. Its return and exchange policy is unlike other retailers: You get free exchanges and returns, even if you bought contacts from somewhere else. Plus, it offers free torn lens replacements.
The retailer also has a best price match guarantee, as well as first-time buyer perks like 20% off your first order and an additional $5 off if you subscribe to receive your contacts of choice every 6-12 months.
- Different types of contacts including colored and multifocal
- 30% off first order
- Free shipping
- Limited amount of vision insurance companies is accepted
Glasses USA features; Insurance: Accepts FSA/HSA | Shipping cost: Free | Return policy: Returns and exchanges on unopened products for 30 days
If you're looking for different and specific types of contact lenses, GlassesUSA has you covered. It carries single vision, toric, astigmatism, multifocal, and even colored contact lenses so that you can enhance or change the color of your eyes.
You'll receive 30% off your first contacts order (10% more than the above retailers) and you can also use FSA/HSA funds. Alternatively, you can opt to do interest-free payments so that you pay for your contacts over time.
- Budget contact lenses from well-known brands
- 30-day return policy
- Online vision test
- Shipping isn't free—standard shipping will cost you $9.95
- Considered "out of network" by many vision insurance companies
Lens.com features: Insurance: Limited | Shipping cost: $10 for standard shipping | Return policy: 30 days for returns
Contact lenses are expensive, but you can get them for much less at Lens.com. For example, a six-month supply of ACUVUE OASYS costs $24 per box, whereas competitors like Warby Parker and 1-800-Contacts will cost you $72 and $67.49, respectively.
You can also expect a 100% money-back guarantee with a 30-day return policy. Lens.com offers a five-minute online vision test for $16 if you need to update your prescription.
- Plenty of brand names to choose from
- Customized vision insurance plans
- Free shipping
- Shorter return window than other options
Lensabl features: Insurance: Yes, also offers own vision plans | Shipping cost: Free | Return policy: 14 days
Lensabl carries more than 16 popular brands like Air Optix, Clariti, Dailies, ACUVUE, Avaira, and more, so no matter what brand you prefer, Lensabl probably has it in stock. Contact lens purchases include free standard shipping and a 14-day window to return.
What also makes Lensabl stand out is its annual vision plans that are personalized to the customer. Combined glasses and vision plans start at $22/month and include a one-year supply of contacts, one frame with prescription lenses and one lens replacement, and credit for an eye exam, which is a great option if you don't have good vision insurance coverage.
What is the best place to buy contacts online?
The best place to buy contacts online is Warby Parker since it has a generous return window, free shipping, and carries popular brands. It even has its own brand of contact lenses.
Place to buy contacts online | Insurance | Shipping cost | Return/exchange policy |
Warby Parker | Yes (FSA and HSA accepted) | Free | Free returns and exchanges for 30 days |
1-800-Contacts | Yes (FSA and HSA accepted) | Free | Free returns and exchanges, even if you bought contacts from somewhere else |
Glasses USA | Accepts FSA/HSA | Free | Returns and exchanges on unopened products for 30 days |
Lens.com | Limited | $10 | 30 days for returns |
Lensabl | Yes--also offers own vision plans | Free | 14-day window for returns or exchanges |
Which place to buy contacts online is right for you?
While we recommend any of these online stores to buy contacts from, the right store for you will depend on what brand(s) you're looking for, what you're willing to spend, and what kind of return policies/shipping policies are important to you.
Choose this place to buy contacts online... | If you want... |
Warby Parker | The best overall option. You can choose from popular contact lens brands, or buy Warby Parker's contact lens brand, Scout. |
1-800-Contacts | A generous return/exchange policy. Shipping is free, and you'll also receive 20% off your first order. |
Glasses USA | A variety of contact lenses like multifocal, colored, astigmatism, and more. You can opt to do interest-free payments so that you can pay for your contacts over time. |
Lens.com | A budget-friendly retailer. You'll pay less overall for name-brand contacts, but shipping will cost you $10. |
Lensabl | The largest number of contact brands. It also offers customizable vision insurance plans to help you save even more. |
How did we choose these places to buy contacts online?
We chose these stores based on customer reviews, price range, brands offered, and ease of use when ordering.
Ultimately, these were the factors most important to us:
- Shipping and returns: We paid attention to retailers that offer free shipping, or expedited shipping (in case you need your contacts ASAP). We also considered retailers with generous return/exchange windows if you end up not liking your chosen contacts.
- Insurance: If you have vision insurance (or FSA/HSA), you can save more money when buying contact lenses. We considered retailers that accept different kinds of insurance companies.
- Price points: Contacts can be expensive, so we tried to include stores that had competitive price points, price-matches, and discounts so that you aren't spending an arm and a leg on your contacts.
How much do contacts cost?
In general, contacts will cost you anywhere between $250-$550 for a year's supply. This will of course depend on which brand you choose, your prescription, and the contact lens type.
How long can you wear contacts for?
You should wear your contacts for no more than 16 hours per day. Experts recommend switching your contact lenses every 1-2 weeks for disposable contacts, and every every 30 days for monthly contacts. Be sure to read the instructions on your contacts box since each brand and type is different and meant for different types of wear.
Are there alternative places to buy contacts online?
Aside from our top picks, there are a few other options we would recommend checking out if you're looking to purchase your next set of contacts online.