The best online prescription glasses retailers make it easy to browse, customize and try on frames without taking a trip to the optometrist’s office. You’ll need a current prescription, of course, but sites like GlassesUSA (one of the best places to buy glasses online, in our experience) let you renew expired prescriptions with a virtual vision test. From there, you can customize your new eyeglasses to create a set of prescription blue light blockers, sunglasses or transitional specs that tint in the sunlight.
One of the best online prescription glasses retailers is GlassesUSA, where you'll find variety and ... [+] convenience. Acetate Eyewear
Shopping for glasses from home can save you cash, too, and many online glasses companies also accept HSA and FSA funds, meaning no out-of-pocket costs for you. To help our fellow bespectacled buyers, we’ve gathered the best places to buy prescription glasses online from trusted, reputable retailers, some of which Forbes Vetted staffers swear by themselves. You’ll also find a step-by-step guide at the end of this story with advice from Dr. Sandra Young, OD, an eye health expert at GlassesUSA, and style tips on the best frames for your face shape from our senior fashion editor, Kari Molvar.
Turnaround time: 7 to 10 business days | Return policy: 14 days, no questions asked | Insurance accepted: Yes, as well as HSA/FSA | Virtual try-on: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: Yes
GlassesUSA is one of the largest online prescription glasses retailers, offering hundreds of designer frames, like Ray-Ban, Gucci and Oakley, along with less expensive house brands in every frame style and color you could imagine. Prices run the gamut from $39 all the way 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 would look like on your face before you commit. GlassesUSA also has an app that scans your prescription through your current lenses, and those with expired prescriptions can get a renewal via the company’s virtual vision test.
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. 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.
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
Eyebuydirect was founded with one priority in mind: to make clear vision affordable and accessible to everyone. To keep prices down on Eyebuydirect’s own styles, everything from concept to design to manufacturing is done in-house. You can also choose from name brand frames from Oakley and Ray-Ban. Frames start at $6 and standard lenses at $7 or you can opt for upgrades like advanced lenses and premium lenses, which go for $49 and $80, respectively.
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. 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. Special savings: Take 30% off orders of $65 or more with code FORBES30
Turnaround time: 11 to 14 business days | Return policy: 30 days for a return or exchange | Insurance accepted: No, but HSA/FSA accepted | Virtual try-on: No | Virtual Rx renewal: No
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 Prada, as well as Oakley and Ray-Ban—in a wide variety of colors, too. Most brands sell for 20% to 80% off the retail price, and you can often score prescription lenses at a discount, too (check for promo codes before you submit your order).
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.
Turnaround time: 7 to 10 business days | 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: Only for eyeglasses | Virtual Rx renewal: No
Zenni Optical is all about making prescription glasses affordable, with frames starting at just $7 and capping at $50—and that price includes standard prescription lenses. While you won’t find any designer names among the selections, there are hundreds of designer-inspired frames in different shapes, sizes and colors. 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.
Turnaround time: 6 to 10 business days | Return policy: 30 days for returns; one-year warranty against manufacturing defects | Insurance accepted: No, but HSA/FSA accepted | Virtual try-on: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: No
Felix Gray is an eye-care leader known for their blue light glasses, which protect your eyes better than the average options. Each pair utilizes a proprietary technology that filters out 15 times more blue light than other lenses, which helps reduce blurry vision and tired eyes when staring at a screen for hours. You can purchase with or without a prescription, and request magnification as well—a good option for anyone fixated on spreadsheets all day.
Turnaround time: 7 to 10 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
Warby Parker was born from a mission to offer designer-style frames at affordable prices. All frames start at just $95, an impressive price that includes basic prescription lenses. You can try on virtually, but one of its 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.
Once you have your frames picked out, you can add basic prescription lenses or choose from various upgrade options, like progressive lenses, blue-light filtering or light-responsive lenses that 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.
Turnaround time: 10 to 14 business days | Return policy: 30 days for a return or exchange | Insurance accepted: No, but HSA/FSA accepted | Virtual try-on: No | Virtual Rx renewal: No, but expired prescriptions accepted
Pair was created with the whole family 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 adults and kids will actually want to wear. Every frame has the option to be turned in readers.
There are only a handful of frame styles, but there are hundreds of colors and patterns of “tops,” pieces that go on top of the frame base to change the color, from solid pink to rainbow tie-dye.
Each frame starts at $60, including the standard reader lenses, and the tops go for $25 to $30 each—creating an affordable and easy way to regularly change your look. During checkout, you can choose optional add-ons, like light-responsive lenses or blue light filtering, that add $49 to $199 to the final cost. For peace of mind, Pair offers a 30-day, no questions asked return policy on frames and tops.
Turnaround time: About 14 days | Return policy: 60 days for a return or exchange | Insurance accepted: No, but HSA/FSA accepted | Virtual try-on: Yes, as well as in-home try on for some styles | Virtual Rx renewal: No
Liingo Eyewear, a 1-800 Contacts company, carries hundreds of original frames, all falling between $79 and $129. You’ll find everything from classic low-profile styles to bold, standout picks that make a fashion statement. In addition to a virtual try-on feature, you can also choose up to five different frames to try at home, absolutely free.
All frames, including the best-selling Adele frame pictured here, come with free standard prescription lenses; alternatively, you can add optional upgrades like progressives, high-index and DuraSeal HD (to prevent scratching and smudging and help reduce glare) that tack on anywhere from $39 to $149. If you don’t love your new specs, you can return them for free within 60 days—no questions asked. The retailer also backs up any adjustments you need: If you need the ear pieces tweaked, you can take them into any optical shop and Liingo will reimburse you up to $25 for the service. Special savings: Save an extra 15% plus free shipping with code FORBES15.
Turnaround time: 7 to 10 business days | Return policy: 14 days, no questions asked | Insurance accepted: Yes, as well as HSA/FSA | Virtual try-on: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: Yes
Kids and tweens and picky. Real picky. GlassesUSA offers plenty of choice to satisfy different styles, at prices that won’t make you cringe if they drop or lose their glasses. Still, if sifting through hundreds of kids’ frames sounds overwhelming, there are easy-to-use filters—to sort by age, frame shape, brand, color, price and more. Most frames come with free single-vision prescription, with optional add-ons like blue light blocking and light transitioning. In our experience, you can regularly find discounts and clearance sales, which means you could spring for two pairs if you wanted. For added reassurance, GlassesUSA offers a 14-day, full money-back guarantee return policy, plus free shipping and returns.
If you need to pick up other eye-care essentials, we know where to find them. From our favorite places to order contacts to the best polarized sunglasses for style and protection, we’ve got you (and your eyes) covered.
Turnaround time: 7 to 10 business days | Return policy: Free exchanges and returns—with no time limit | Insurance accepted: Yes, as well as FSA and HSA
One of the most well-known retailers, 1-800 Contacts makes ordering lenses online convenient and easy. Simply search for the brand you normally wear, digital email or text your prescription, and the retailer will contact your doctor to sort out the rest. If you have an expired prescription, you can take an eye exam through the app for a $20 fee—and in just ten minutes update your prescription without having to take a trip to the optometrist. Also great: The company price matches and offers free shipping, exchanges and returns, plus they take vision insurance. In our review of the site, we even found that you can return opened boxes of contacts or return ones that are a decade old or older, which is stellar customer service. For convenience, you can also subscribe and save 5% on orders, which ensures you won’t run out.
Turnaround time: 4 to 15 business days | Return policy: Returns within 30 days with a $20 restocking fee| Insurance accepted: No, but HSA/FSA accepted | Virtual try-on: No | Virtual Rx renewal: Yes
Austin, Texas-based Roka specializes in high-performance eyewear, and on that front, the sunglasses are durable, lightweight and made to last. You can can opt for polarized lenses to help filter out harsh light so you can see better in bright conditions and reduce eye-strain. The frames, meanwhile, are constructed with patented grips to ensure they stay in place as you move.
Turnaround time: 7 to 9 business days | Return policy: 30 days for full refund, minus $6 return fee | Insurance accepted: No, but HSA/FSA accepted | Virtual try-on: No | Virtual Rx renewal: No
If you spend time outside near highly-reflective surfaces like water, sand and snow, Smith offers sports prescription sunglasses for active folks. Lenses comes in six different color options: gray-green, black, brown, blue mirror, green mirror and bronze mirror. Their trademarked polarization technology (ChromaPop) is designed to enhance the contrast and natural color you see so that the details in your surrounding environment stand out. Frames are outfitted with nose pads that provide nonslip grip so your sunglasses stay put and there’s a generous 30-day return policy if you’re not completely satisfied.
Turnaround time: 4 to 9 business days | Return policy: 14 days | Insurance accepted: No, but HSA/FSA accepted | Virtual try-on: No | Virtual Rx renewal: No
Transition, or photochromic, lenses darken when exposed to sunlight, and then return to clear in normal settings. DIFF offers an excellent selection of frames, all of which can be outfitted with transition lense—you won’t find name brand specs, but the frames are designer-inspired and you can shop fun collabs. You can also add upgrades like thinner lenses or blue light blocking technology for an additional fee.
To make you feel even better about your purchase, DIFF Eyewear prioritizes giving back and is partnered with Sightsavers, an international organization that helps provide vision to billions of people throughout the world. For every pair of glasses sold, DIFF offers eye exams, surgeries, glasses, medicine and more to someone who wouldn’t be able to get the proper eye care otherwise.
You can make a prescription eyewear return within 14 days for prescription eyewear, 30 days for non-prescription eyewear, and you will be charged a $9 restocking fee. Exchanges are free, and you can make up to two swaps of equal or lesser value; after that, you’ll be refunded.
As glasses-wearers ourselves, the Forbes Vetted team members who assembled, edited and continue to update this list know what it takes to find the right pair of glasses. Having written several stories on eyewear (including contact lenses, blue light blocking glasses and kids’ glasses), we also tapped into our subject knowledge to highlight retailers that offer the best products and the best online shopping experience.
We also enlisted the help of two experts whose tips you’ll find below. Dr. Sandra Young, OD, advises on the technical aspects of ordering the right prescription by detailing with how to measure pupillary distance, explaining lens and coating options and more. Kari Molvar, senior fashion editor at Forbes Vetted, shares her tips on finding the best frames for each face shape (below).
We routinely update this story for accuracy and to re-evaluate product availability and popularity; we also add trendy new styles we feel are worth highlighting. This story was last refreshed in June 2023.
We spent hours researching popular eyewear companies and what they offer in terms of selection, value, insurance eligibility, return policy and turnaround time. We also thoroughly browsed each site to test out the user-friendliness of the glasses-buying process and discover special features like virtual or at-home try-ons and prescription renewals. Finally, we included firsthand recommendations from Forbes Vetted staffers like GlassesUSA, Zenni Optical and Warby Parker.
To help you pinpoint the best eyewear retailer for your needs, we indicated the estimated turnaround times, return policies, availability of a virtual try-on features and vision renewal tests, and whether insurance and HSA/FSA funds are accepted. We also noted key points about the eyewear options offered as well as reasons one might prefer shopping somewhere else.
If you’re new to buying prescription glasses online, it may seem a bit complicated, but that doesn’t have to be the case. As long as you have the correct information handy—and you purchase from a trustworthy retailer that offers a fair return policy—you can shop with confidence at your convenience, and save money, too.
For new prescriptions: No matter which online prescription glasses store you choose, you’ll need a current prescription. In most cases, this means you’ll have to make an appointment with your regular eye doctor first. Some stores, like Warby Parker, allow you to schedule an eye exam right through the website, but the actual exams are still done in person. It’s important for your eye doctor to get a close look at your eyes to make sure everything is healthy and functioning as it should.
For renewing prescriptions: That said, there is an exception when it comes to renewing prescriptions. Some sites, including Warby Parker, let you renew your prescription via a virtual vision test, but only if your health qualifies and your current prescription is still working for you. It’ll likely cost you, but not much (Warby Parker’s exam is $15, and only if your prescription is renewed).
In addition to a current prescription, you’ll also need your pupillary distance (or PD), which is the distance, measured in millimeters, between the centers of your pupils. This number is essential because it represents the spot on the lens that you’ll actually be looking through. If it’s off, you may be left with blurry or distorted lenses.
For the most accurate results, your best bet is to have your eye doctor measure pupillary distance during your eye exam and give you that number with your prescription. There’s also the option of using apps, like EyeMeasure, or online tools, like Warby Parker’s PD measuring tool.
Dr. Young explains the three major type of lenses:
Most retailers also give you the option to add different coatings. Dr. Young details some popular types:
“The rule of thumb is essentially to create contrast between your face shape and frames,” explains Kari Molvar, Forbes Vetted’s senior fashion editor. “Note that you can also be a blend of two types of face shapes.” Below, you’ll find our handy visual guide.
Look for frames that contrast with your face shape, as a simple rule of thumb.
Transparent Eyeglasses I report on all things crypto and oversee the Forbes Crypto Confidential newsletter and the annual Forbes Blockchain 50 list that features billion-dollar leaders in distributed ledger technology. I also edit the magazine's Buy, Hold, Sell column and co-edit the Forbes 30 Under 30 Finance list. Have a tip, question or comment? Contact me at @ninabambysheva on Twitter. You can also send tips to the Forbes SecureDrop.