'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 online stores to buy glasses: Get your specs at home
Traditional retail is making a solid comeback post-pandemic, but online shopping is here to stay – even for products and services you might not expect.
You might be used to buying a pair of glasses in a brick-and-mortar shop after obtaining a new prescription, but many online companies offer the option to make these purchases online. Simply pick out your new pair of glasses and wait for the retailer to confirm the prescription you upload while checking out.
Are you worried that your new glasses will not fit or suit your style? Returns and exchanges are also easier than you can imagine.
We love the new normal for buying, trying, and enjoying glasses through online retail, and there are many options at your fingertips. Read our research below regarding the best online glasses stores and find your new favorite.
Warby Parker has become a household name in online glasses shopping. Offering styles for men and women, you'll find sleek modern frames and quality lenses breaking the bank. Warby Parker also offers prescription glasses, sunglasses, and even contact lenses.
Upon signing up, Warby Parker will send you five different pairs to try on at home for five days. The five-day trial period comes with non-prescription lenses so the buyer can focus on the fit, feel, and style. You can also download a free Virtual Try-on app that uses augmented reality to see how the glasses would look on you.
Warby Parker's prices on prescription glasses are highly competitive, with prices starting at $95. With add-ons like blue light blocking and tinted lenses, Warby Parker's prescription prices can jump to $400+, so make sure those extras are worth it and keep an eye on the total cost before checking out.
Pros
- Virtual and home try-on options
- For every pair purchased, a pair is donated to someone in need
- Countless styles, colors, and sizes to choose from
Cons
- Add-on lens options can be expensive
- App is only available for iOS
Glasses USA is a great online storefront for all things eyewear. From glasses, sunglasses, bifocals to contact lenses, Glasses USA is a one-stop shop.
Prescription eyeglasses will range from about $53 to $200+ depending on what features you select. Glasses USA has over 7,000 total combinations from you to choose from, so there's no shortage of variety. Just be aware that Glasses USA will not ship sizing samples (no try-on period). However, your new eyeglasses come with a 100% money-back guarantee and a 365-day warranty.
Unlike other online glasses storefronts, Glasses USA boasts popular brands on their home page such as Ray-Ban, Prada, Persol, Versace, Gucci, Michael Kors, Muse, Oakley, and Mui Mui.
Compared to an online glasses storefront such as Eye Buy Direct, Glasses USA is focused on providing the consumer high fashion options in place of a universal in-house brand.
Pros
- Carries popular name brands
- Competitive pricing
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cons
- Cannot try on glasses before purchasing
Eyeglasses from EyeBuyDirect start at an amazingly affordable price point of $13 and peak around the $200-$300 range. They have a 14-day, no-questions-asked full refund policy if anything does not suit your needs.
EyeBuyDirect emphasizes that it uses high-quality material for frames and lenses and includes stylish brands in its collections. Their virtual try-on tool provides an accurate representation of how the glasses form to the face and what they will look like on you.
The website is fast, simple, making it easy to get in touch with customer service. You can also find sun protectant and blue-light blocker lenses for nearly all frames.
If you're brand new to online glasses shopping, EyeBuyDirect is a great entry point.
Pros
- Budget-friendly price range
- Virtual try-on tool
Cons
- Cannot buy contact lenses
- Limited amount of designer names
Lensabl is another great online pick for prescription glasses, contacts, and blue-light options.
Unlike other online retailers, Lensabl offers an annual vision plan, which boasts savings of up to 70%. Plans can include glasses and contacts or glasses alone. If you opt not to enroll in the annual vision plan offered by Lensabl, they have a broad selection for one-time purchases.
With your purchase comes free standard shipping, 30-day risk-free returns, and a 12-month warranty. If you opt to include lenses with your frames, expect premium blue-light protection, anti-reflective coating, anti-scratch coating, and 100% UV protection.
Prices will range from $97-$300, depending on what options are selected. Lensabl ranks quite high in customer service according to various consumer feedback. While Lensabl does not offer a try-on period for frames, you can count on receiving great support from the team at Lensabl.
Pros
- Offers a vision plan to switch up your lenses more frequently
- Can choose what type of lens and lens material
- Lens replacements
Cons
- No try-on period for frames
Liingo Eyewear is a relatively new online company that offers a tremendous one-time signup bonus for new customers. Like others on this list, Liingo has a virtual try-on tool, along with a 60-day guarantee on whatever glasses you choose. There is also a frame fit tool that will give you accurate frame recommendations based on your face measurements.
Liingo's frames are on the more expensive side, with prices ranging from $79 to $139. Once you lock in your favorite pair of glasses during the trial period and after your current prescription is confirmed, Liingo will ship your new glasses quickly and professionally.
Unlike most companies with this business model, Liingo gives you two months to send the glasses back with a full refund. This is not common compared to the other online glasses retailers and is undoubtedly a notable advantage.
Pros
- Offers try-on options
- Keep try-on pairs for two months
Cons
- No contacts
- Limited lens options to choose from
Why should I buy glasses online?
Buying glasses should be a seamless and user-friendly experience, and online stores make it easy.
It may sound a bit risky to purchase a pair of prescription glasses online without trying them on first. This risk is offset by the different types of try-on periods that many businesses offer and flexible no-questions-asked return policies.
Buying a pair of glasses online can be even easier than purchasing in person. Most online glasses businesses will send you multiple pairs to try on for style and fit.
What is the best online store to buy glasses at?
We think Warby Parker is the best place to buy glasses online because of its various try-on methods, price range, and lenses offered. You can even get an eye exam with Warby Parker.
However, if you're looking for kids' glasses, it would be better to choose Glasses USA. Alternatively, if you want to spend less on your frames, EyeBuyDirect is an excellent option.
We've broken down the important factors to consider for each online glasses store so you can make the right decision.
Store | Price Range | Try-On Options | Styles Offered |
Warby Parker | Starting at $95 | Virtual app and home try-on | Glasses, sunglasses, blue light blockers, and contact lenses |
Glasses USA | $53-$200 | None | Glasses, sunglasses, bifocals, blue light blockers, kids' glasses, and contact lenses |
EyeBuyDirect | $13-$300 | Virtual try-on tool | Glasses, sunglasses, blue light blockers, and bifocals |
Lensabl | $97-$300 | None | Glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, blue light blockers, and bifocals |
Liingo Eyewear | $79-$139 | Virtual try-on and frame fit tools | Glasses, sunglasses, and blue light blockers |
How did we choose these stores?
We chose these stores based on customer reviews, price range, styles offered, and ease of use. We also considered these choices based on our own experience with some of these online glasses stores.
Are there alternative online stores to buy glasses?
Here are a few other options to look into: