Warby Parker also has an outstanding virtual-try-on app iOS only. For this guide, we considered only glasses for adults. To find the best online glasses stores, we shopped for, ordered, and returned prescription lens-and-frame pairings from each of the retailers we chose to test.
Two test panelists—one male panelist who has a relatively weak single-vision prescription The higher the lens number, the higher the lens index, and the thinner and lighter the plastic of the lenses. With the exception of Zenni, whose basic lenses have an index of 1. All of the retailers that we tested offered lens upgrades, with some offering lenses all the way up to an ultra-thin index of 1.
To make the strongest possible direct comparisons across brands, we had each tester choose near-identical frames and lenses from each retailer. Of course, there were some slight differences in styles based on the options each retailer offered at the time of our testing. For example, some of the wire-framed glasses that Tester 1 ordered were a slightly different shape than others. The anti-glare and hydrophobic coatings we ordered differed slightly from pair to pair, depending upon retailer offerings and costs.
Firmoo and Zenni allowed us to order basic lenses, with the option to upgrade. Finally, to test how the four most-promising retailers handled progressive prescriptions, we ordered near-identical plastic frame-and-lens combinations from each. In all of the acetate frames, the difference between the cheapest and best-available lenses was almost imperceptible. We also found that the weight difference between these thicker basic lenses and thinner, more expensive ones was negligible, ranging from 0 to 2 grams.
In wire frames, however, the difference between thick and thinner lenses is generally much more visible. In fact, sometimes pricier, lighter lenses can distort vision more than thicker, basic ones. Finally, we had an independent eye-care professional evaluate each pair of glasses, to be sure all of the prescriptions were accurate.
All were within an acceptable margin of error. In our testing, we used coupons and codes whenever possible. We did end up saving quite a bit of money this way, versus paying the full, published price—though whether we got any true deals is up for debate.
Some tips:. If you have vision insurance, you may be able to submit an out-of-network claim for prescription eyeglasses you buy online. Check with your insurance provider to see how this applies to your benefits. Even though none of our picks directly take insurance, customers with vision insurance can submit their receipts for out-of-network provider reimbursement. For people who want to easily use vision insurance, even if it means paying a bit more overall, we recommend considering Eyeconic , a retailer that is in network for Cigna Vision, Metlife, and VSP.
Eight of the nine retailers we ordered glasses from offered no-questions-asked return policies. We had no problems with our partial refund transactions at Zenni, nor did we have problems using the store credit. Wondering what happens to returned spectacles?
We asked each of the retailers we tested what they did with unwanted prescription glasses. Liingo said it reuses returned frames for its in-home try-on services, as well as donates glasses to various organizations. Zenni donates them to Lions Clubs International. Of the seven brands we tested, EyeBuyDirect offers the most impressive balance of aesthetics and affordability.
For lower single-vision prescriptions, the company offers a plethora of lens-thickness and coating options. These tied for the lowest upcharges for bifocal and progressive lenses of all the companies we tested in EyeBuyDirect says glasses can take one to two weeks to produce and mail, but all of our test pairs arrived within seven days of ordering, save for the more-complicated progressives, which arrived within the promised two weeks.
We tried this service and were pleasantly surprised to receive our order within 33 hours of placing it. Had we not opted to pay for two-day shipping, we would have been forced to upgrade to 1. But in most situations, two weeks should be plenty of time to figure out whether you like your new glasses. If you order more than one pair, the company will provide a prepaid label for you to ship the glasses back, no questions asked.
Make sure to read the return instructions and all communication from customer service about the return process. We found that unless EyeBuyDirect provided a prepaid shipping label, we were expected to put in a little more work to receive a refund than with other retailers, since the process is not automated. After paying to return the unwanted eyeglasses that did not come with a prepaid label, we had to reach back out to the company to ask it to provide a receipt and tracking number and again request a refund.
After that, the glasses went back to performing well. EyeBuyDirect reported data breaches in , , and This, of course, is not ideal.
But considering how common such occurrences are in e-commerce, we view these events as unfortunate but not necessarily disqualifying. The company this year offered customers who reported fraudulent activity on credit cards associated with purchases at EyeBuyDirect a year of free identity detection and identity-theft resolution services, a spokesperson wrote in an email.
Although EyeBuyDirect generally has strong Better Business Bureau customer reviews , some customer reviewers have cited poor customer service. If you want to try frames on for fit and style before buying them, consider Liingo Eyewear. As with our other picks, all of the prescriptions we ordered from Liingo were deemed correct by an independent optician. Liingo offers a selection of more than frames, about the same as other in-home trial retailers we tested.
But its glasses typically cost more than those from our other picks. Even though we spent more on comparable frame-and-lens pairings from Liingo versus EyeBuyDirect, our panelists liked their EyeBuyDirect glasses the same. Tester 1, who ordered wire frames with single-vision prescription lenses, named the glasses they received from Liingo their second-favorite pair, trailing those they received from EyeBuyDirect, which cost a third as much.
We found its shipping and return processing times comparable to those of EyeBuyDirect. Liingo glasses come with a one-year warranty against defects and breaking from standard wear and tear.
Its spectacles ship with a hardshell case and a lens-cleaning cloth. Our testers did and, yes, all of the prescriptions on pairs we ordered were accurate. Like EyeBuyDirect, Zenni does not offer in-home frame trials. But Zenni has an incredible selection of more than 2, frames more than twice as many as EyeBuyDirect and myriad lens options, including the choice of basic lenses even for people with stronger prescriptions. For example, with Zenni I was able to choose the 1.
Our testers gave high marks to the quality of most of the Zenni frames we ordered on a par with their scores for frames from EyeBuyDirect and Liingo , though some of the cheapest ones did indeed look and feel cheap.
One reported receiving glasses with an air bubble in a lens. In , we ordered the exact same glasses that we ordered in to evaluate consistency. We were pleasantly surprised to note that not only was the prescription perfect, but the glasses were also slightly less expensive this year, thanks to the recent uptick in Zenni coupon codes. Zenni offers a year of protection against lens-coating defects only. If not, and you remember where you bought your last pair of specs, give the shop a call.
Note that even when a frame has nearly the exact same official measurements as another, style and fit can vary dramatically.
Though the virtual try-on services are better than nothing, especially for a seasoned glasses wearer who knows their face, to find flattering frames, a novice in need of specs should probably take a bit more care the first go-round.
Pair was created with kids in mind. The founders—Nathan and Sophia—teamed up with the former head of product from Warby Parker to come up with an affordable and fun line of eyewear that kids will actually want to wear. From there, things took off and an equally eye-catching adult line of frames was born.
Pair also creates limited edition tops and collabs with big names like Marvel and Harry Potter to design themed styles that allow you—and your kids—to showcase your personality. For peace of mind, Pair offers a day, no questions asked return policy on frames and tops. LensCrafters has been handling prescription glasses since the s. While it started as a brick-and-mortar, it has now expanded to offering its nearly 1, frame styles online. As far as lenses go, the process is pretty similar to the other options on this list.
While the final cost of your prescription eyeglasses may be a little higher than online-only optical shops, the perk is that you can visit any LensCrafters store—there are across the country—for free adjustments or troubleshooting. LensCrafters also takes most vision insurance so that can drop the price considerably.
You can measure your own pupillary distance—Zenni Optical provides a step-by-step guide on how to do it—but for the most accurate results, your best bet is to have your eye doctor measure it during your eye exam and give you that number with your prescription.
Once you have your prescription and pupillary distance ready to go, the next step is virtually trying on frames. For example, round frames look best on square and round faces, while rectangular frames complement oval faces. If you need help determining your face shape or choosing a style, EyeBuyDirect has a visual guide that can help. Another option is to visit optical stores in-person and try on similar frames there. Often, you can find the same models online that you tried on in store.
The last step in shopping for prescription glasses online is placing your order. Triple check your information before hitting submit, as one wrong number can make a huge difference in your new specs. Make sure you try on your new glasses as soon as they arrive.
Keep in mind that it can take some time for your eyes to adjust to new glasses, especially if the prescription has changed significantly. This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here. More From Vetted. Jul 20, , pm EDT. Nov 11, , pm EST. They protect your eyes from irritants such as dust, wind, and air pollutants. Most importantly, prescription sunglasses offer protection from harmful ultraviolet UV radiation , which can cause cataracts , macular degeneration, and various eye cancers.
When selecting prescription sunglasses, select lenses that offer UV protection, which block percent of UV rays.
Choose frames that provide plenty of coverage, such as oversized or wraparound glasses. Read on to learn more about what to look for when buying prescription sunglasses and take a look at our selection of the best online retailers.
We considered the following criteria:. We selected retailers to suit a variety of budgets. The price of prescription sunglasses on this list are indicated as follows:. Prescription sunglasses with percent UV protection are available at a range of prices. Some vision insurance plans cover prescription sunglasses.
To find out more, contact your insurance company or the optical retailer. Best features: EyeBuyDirect offers an assortment of high-quality, affordable prescription sunglasses from budget and premium brands. EyeBuyDirect can fill strong prescriptions and, according to customer reviews, provides excellent customer service. Best features: Zenni Optical offers a vast selection of inexpensive frames that you can turn into prescription sunglasses. The company also offers polarized clip-ons for most frames.
Best features: Coastal is an online eyewear retailer offering an assortment of prescription sunglasses at varying price points. Sunglasses are available with solid, gradient, and mirror tinted lenses. The company also offers clip-on sunglasses with polarized, prescription, and anti-glare lenses. Coastal carries designer brands and an in-house line from Derek Cardigan. The website features a virtual try-on tool so you can get a feel for how the frames will look before you buy.
Best features: Liingo Eyewear designs a selection of stylish, polarized prescription sunglasses and eyeglass frames that are available as sunglasses. The website features a virtual try-on feature and a fit feature that allows you to find frames similar to your current glasses. The company provides a day return policy. You can use the Liingo Rx Reader app to scan your current glasses and get your prescription details.
Best features: GlassesUSA. The GlassesUSA. The website also has a virtual try-on feature and blog posts covering topics such as designer collections, how to choose the best frames, and tips for buying glasses online.
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