With the increased cost of healthcare, many Americans are desperate to get the best prescriptions without breaking the bank. If your vision is hazy, blurry, or unclear, it’s best that you visit an eye doctor, ophthalmologist or optometrist. It’s essential to see your eye specialists because they are the ones who can inform and advise you about your eye grade.
So, after your eye examination, where should you buy your prescription glasses? If you wear glasses, I believe you already know the struggle you went through to get your preferred glasses, especially if you bought them from a brick-and-mortar store.
Often brick-and-mortar stores have very few options to choose from. You may be forced to buy prescription glasses that you don’t like because several of you at the store or the store clerk may force you to make rash decisions. Moreover, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if you discover traditional eyeglass stores are more expensive than shopping online.
Why Are Online Prescription Glasses Cheaper?
When you buy prescription glasses online, there are no extra charges. Buying glasses at your brick-and-mortar store means that you pay not only for the glasses but also other costs associated with running the eye wear business.
An online store will sell you these glasses at a lower price because they are, often times, the manufacturer themselves.
Places to Buy Glasses Prescription glasses online
If you’re looking to buy cheap prescription glasses online, here are 10 legit places you should check out.
Warby Parker
Warby Parker is one of the best places to order glasses online since it allows its customers to test multiple frames before buying them. Other than prescription glasses, the company also sells contact lenses and sunglasses. You’ll find a large selection of frames that come in a wide variety of colors and styles.
Online Ordering process
Here are the steps to follow when buying glasses from Warby Parker
1.) Select your frame online
To pick out the best eyeglass frames, browse Warby’s men’s or women’s selection. Check out their frame styles to get an idea of what you’ll get because it’s quite easy to be overwhelmed by trendy as well as classic simple glasses. However, the company has a simple quiz that you can take and get recommendations based on your taste and preference.
2.) Home Try-on
Warby Parker lets you select up to five frames that you like before delivering them to your home for free. After shipping has been done, you’ll have the opportunity to test your deliveries to pick out prescription glasses that look good on you. You’ll test the frames for five days, which is way too long for most customers.
3.) Order you frames
Once you’ve selected the glasses that suit you, send the other frames back to the company and make an order for the ones you chose. During check out, you’ll need to upload a photo of your prescription. For those who don’t have prescriptions, the company will have to call your eye specialist.
Pricing
For a single-vision prescription, glasses start from as low as $95. However, there are high chances you’ll pay more based on your lens, prescription, and type of frame. Generally, the price will range from $95 to $295.
Delivery time: Single-vision prescription glasses take between 7 and 10 business days to be delivered.
Pros
- Great customer service
- Simple ordering system
- Free shipping
- Insurance option
Cons
- Few frame options compared to other online retailers.
Zenni Optical
Zenni Optical manufactures, designs, and sells prescription lenses and frames. Whether you want to buy new prescription glasses or replace the ones you’re using, Zenni has got you covered. The company’s interactive website allows you to use your prescription information to buy glasses online seamlessly.
The site has been around since 2003 and offers a wide range of frames for the whole family. If you’re looking to purchase budget-friendly eyewear, Zenni optical should be your go-to online shop. The company has over 2,500 frames with its factory shipping out over 7,000 pairs of eyewear per day.
Online Ordering Process
Go to the Zenni Optical website and search for your type of prescription. In addition to your prescription, you’ll need to use the site’s filtering option to narrow your search based on your preferences, which can include size, shape, material, or colour. Zenni also has a virtual try-on tool that lets you see how the selected frames will look like when you buy them.
After choosing the frames, hit the “Select Lenses” button. You’ll be taken to a page where you’ll enter your prescription information in addition to your pupillary distance. You’ll then choose your lens index, lens tint, add-ons before ordering your prescription glasses.
Pricing
Incredibly, you can get prescription glasses from as little as $6.95 with the most expensive being about $50. Since the average cost of glasses is $300 in case you get them from your optometrist, you’ll be saving a lot whenever you shop with Zenni. Most of their eyeglasses are priced between $15 and $25.
Delivery time: From the time you place your order, shipping can take about two weeks.
Pros
- Supper affordable glasses
- Virtual try-it on
- Good customer service
- The website has customer review information
Cons
- No free shipping
- Doesn’t accept vision insurance
GlassesUSA
GlassesUSA is an online retailer for both prescription and non-prescription eyewear. The company was founded in 2008 and has been providing its customers with a wide range of frames and contact lenses. GlassesUSA has an easy-to-use and all-inclusive site, a money-back guarantee policy, and one of the best virtual “try on” tools.
The company operates in over 90 countries, although it has its headquarters in New York, USA. It usually runs sales and promotions that help customers save on some of their high-end glasses. The site allows you to either upload your prescription information, fill it by yourself, or request your doctor to send the prescription directly to them.
Online Ordering Process
Purchasing eyeglasses from GlassesUSA is simple and straightforward. Customers are also allowed to customise their frames with add-ons before they try them on using a virtual mirror tool. The virtual mirror tool lets you upload your photo or use a webcam to test frames and lenses before purchasing them.
The site also has a Prescription Scanner App that lets you find your prescription in a few minutes. The app is free to use and saves customers a lot of time — no going to the eye doctor. However, it’s important to note that the app doesn’t eliminate the need to visit an eye doctor.
After choosing your frames, the website will request you to enter your prescription details. Your pair of glasses will come with a plastic case, a card with detailed information about your prescription, and a few coupons. The company keeps you updated on the progress of your glasses from the time of ordering to delivery.
Pricing
GlassesUSA has glasses starting from $38 and mostly offer discounts to make their pricing cheaper. You get a 65% discount off whenever you buy your first frames from the site. Designer frames prices start from $89.
Delivery time: You should receive your glasses from 7 to 10 days after placing your order. The delivery time also depends on the type of glasses you’ll purchase.
Pros
- Huge frame selection
- Fast shipping
- Great customer service
- Many pricing options
Cons
- Might be confused with their wide variety of glasses
EyeBuyDirect
As the name suggests, EyeBuyDirect is an online shop that directly sells prescription glasses to its customers. EyeBuyDirect’s website is easy to navigate and find precisely what you’re looking for. The company has been in business for over a decade and built a reputation for itself, which is why we consider them as one of the major online eyewear retailers.
Besides their in-house frame brand, Rflkt Eyewear, they also sell Oakley and Ray-Ban frames. The company doesn’t have a brick-and-mortar store location although you can virtually test their frame before you place your order. If you select the cheapest frames as well as lenses, without adding lens upgrades, the cost is just hard to beat.
Online Ordering Process
Even though the company doesn’t have a physical location, they have a simple ordering process. However, you’ll need valid prescription information from your optometrist.
Browsing the website lets you select your most preferred glasses from a wide variety of eyewear. To make your search simpler, the site has an online buying guide and a style quiz. The quiz asks you 12 questions, and if you respond to all of them correctly, you’ll get the most accurate frame suggestion. However, you can buy the suggested frames or continue browsing the website for more options if you don’t like their suggestions.
You can narrow your search based on brands, shape, material, features colour, new arrivals, popularity, and price. You can also try on your glasses virtually by clicking the “try on,” and uploading an image of yourself. You’ll then need to enter your pupillary distance along with your prescription information before the delivery is made. You’ll need to register (with your email address) before you can view your shipping prices.
Pricing
The company sells frames at incredibly low prices, which makes it very competitive. You’ll find frames starting at $6 with some, like Ray-Ban and Oakley, selling for up to $200. The average selections for most customers range from $32 to $55.
Delivery time: You should expect to receive your order within 14 working days for default standard shipping.
Pros
- Fair prices
- Huge collection of sunglasses
- Fair return policy
Cons
- Prices don’t include lenses
Ambr Eyewear
Do you spend most of your time in front of the screen? Ambr Eyewear glasses are designed to protect people who are usually exposed to blue light. The award-winning company offers custom frames fitted with blue-light filtering lenses.
If you understand blue light’s potential danger, especially when using electronic devices at night, you need to visit the website for trendy and modern-day blue-light blocking glasses. The glasses also come with an anti-scratch layer and anti-reflective coating for extra eye protection.
The lenses are made from shatterproof and lightweight polycarbonate and appear clear, although they have a slight yellow tint. You’ll get a range of frame styles that include Nova, Asteri, Mathilde, Callisto, zenith, Vega, and Equinox.
Online Ordering Process
Just like their competitors, the ordering process of Ambr is very simple. Once you’ve selected your pair of glasses, you can try them on virtually to ensure you’re getting what you like. If you’re satisfied with the pair of glasses you selected, you’ll need to upload your prescription details or order as usual. And that’s it.
Pricing:
Ambr frames start at $95 while you’ll get a prescription glass pair for about $150. Prices will vary according to your frame’s lenses, style, and material. The company also sells eyewear accessories such as pouches, lens-cleaning kits, and self-help books.
Delivery time: The shipping of prescription glasses takes about 10 days to arrive after placing your order. Sunglasses and non-prescription glasses delivery takes less than five days.
Pros
- Blue light filtering
- Interactive website
- Free worldwide
- Fun ‘try on” tool
Cons
- Limited range of options
- There’s no try at home
GlassesShop
GlassesShop offers some of the cheapest, high-quality and trendy glasses. The company was founded by a team of ophthalmologists in 2004 and has delivered millions of glasses in over 45 countries. The website has hundreds of frame styles that you can choose from, which make your ordering process simple and straightforward.
GlassesShop is an excellent option for people on a tight budget but still want to buy some of the best prescription glasses online. The website has a virtual try-on tool for those who are unsure about their selection.
Online Ordering Process
If you’re looking to order your glasses from a reputable online company, GlassesShop has got you covered. The ordering process is similar to their competitors: Get to the site, choose your frame, upload your picture and see how your prescription glasses will look on you after purchase, fill your prescription information, and place your order.
Before making your order, ensure you have your most recent prescription. Take your time to navigate through the website and sort their eyeglasses by frame material, type and shape as well lenses type.
Pricing
You can get prescription glasses from as low as $5.95. The company offers free shipping for orders above $49, and you’ll need to pay $4.95 for standard shipping. There is also expedited shipping that costs $19.95, although this can be free if your order costs more than $199.
Delivery time: From the time you fill your shipping information to the time of delivery, it will take between 7 and 10 days. Your package will include your prescription glasses, discount code, plastic case, cleaning cloth, and the box.
Pros
- Comes with a cleaning cloth
- Try on tool
- Free shipping for orders of $49 and above
- Responsive and friendly customer service
Cons
- No home try-on
Felix + Iris
Felix + Iris was founded in 2014 by Randy and Angie Stocklin in a bid to change customer experience when it comes to online prescription glasses. The company started as a one-room business but later grew to become one of the best online places to buy best cheap glasses online. However, their site seems to be somewhat dated; it is relatively easy-to-use.
For those who are not into technology or cutting edge pairs of prescription glasses, Felix + Iris is the right place to shop online. The company has a try-on program that allows customers to select four frames for testing at home. The site doesn’t offer a vast range of prescription glasses compared to other online retailers, but you’ll most likely love their styles.
The prescription glasses you’ll get from this online store will include single-vision polycarbonate lenses. The lenses have an anti-reflective coating, UV protection, and anti-scratch properties. The company also offers a one-year warranty for any manufacturing defects.
Online Ordering Process
To guide you during your ordering process, Felix + Iris offers a short and straightforward quiz. After responding to the quiz based on your preference, you’ll get suggestions for your glasses. The quiz includes questions about your face size, shape, and much more. You’ll then enter your prescription, and that’s it.
You can return your order if you’d like it exchanged or wish to get a full refund, which encourages most families to buy prescription glasses from this online store. However, the return policy only lasts for 30 days.
Pricing
Starts from $119
Delivery time: You’ll receive your prescription glasses in less than 14 days after your purchase.
Pros
- Free shipping
- Try at home service
- Straight forward buying process
- Warrant
Cons
- High price
- No designer frames
- Little selection options compared to their competitors
Liingo Eyewear
Liingo Eyewear is an online shop that believes glasses are an outward expression of your personality. Like Zanni, Liingo has a great selection of frames that you and your family members can choose from. The company has a try-before-you-buy policy that lets you pick five frames and try them at home for five days.
Lingo also has state-of-the-art features that make your process of selecting glasses pretty simple. For instance, the company has a virtual try-on feature that combines a video and photo to help you see how you’ll look like in the glasses you’ve picked. The site also holds customers’ virtual info whenever they browse, which helps them automatically load up virtual try-on prescription glasses on almost every page you visit.
Ordering process
Navigate over to the men’s or women’s selection at the top of the website. Click on either of the two selections (men’s or women’s) to look at all the available frames you can choose from. You’ll also get to see the frames that you can try at home.
Use their filter options to narrow down your sections. If you’re looking for narrow fit frames, use the filter options to avoid any big frames. Liingo allows you to narrow down your search by frame, colour, size, and shape. After you’ve found the frame you were looking for, click the “Try at Home For Free.” Your prescription glasses will be added to the list of frames you’ll try at home.
On arrival, try the frames for a maximum of 5 days. You can ask your friends and family members how the glasses look on you. Once you’re sure about your frame choice, put the frames back in their boxes and send them to the company using the provided prepaid shipping labels. You can then order the glasses you like the most.
Pricing
Prescription glasses start at $149. The company offers free standard shipping.
Delivery time: Expect to receive your glasses within two weeks.
Pros
- Simple buying process
- Accepts PayPal
- Try at home frame option
- Discounts and promotions
Cons
- Expensive
FramesDirect
FramesDirect was among the first companies to sell online prescription glasses. The company was founded in 1996, and it’s based in Texas, USA. People prefer the site because it offers huge discounts on some of the best designer frames.
The website is basic but functional and has one of the largest selections of prescription glasses you can find online. The site doesn’t have web tools and “try at home” options to ensure your experience is seamless. Because of its simple nature, you’ll need to enter your prescription information and face measurements by hand.
Online Ordering process
The website has tried as much as possible to minimise any customer frustrations during the ordering process. The ordering process involves picking the frames and lenses you like, providing your prescription information, and your prescription glasses will be delivered to you directly from the manufacturer. This usually happens after an optometrist has reviewed your prescription.
Pricing
You can expect their prescription glasses to retail at about half the price of your local brick-and-mortar store.
Delivery time: FramesDirect has a lot of shipping options. For any kind of shipping, the company requires at least three working days to process your order. On average, shipping takes 4 to 5 working days.
Pros
- High-quality designer frames
- Allows most frames
- An extensive collection of glasses
- Excellent discounts
Cons
- No web gadgets
- No virtual try-on
- No at-home try-on
Lensabl
Lensabl is a one-stop online shop that started as a provider of replacement glasses. The company has since expanded and now offers cheap brand frames, online eye examination, and contact lenses. The lenses you get from the company are usually coated for anti-reflection, UV-protection, and scratch resistance.
The website has an interactive interface that makes your filtering and frames selection process simple and straightforward. Lensabl also has a virtual try-on feature that helps you get exactly what you’re looking for.
Online Ordering process
The site has a simple ordering process that involves searching for your most preferred frame, picking the type of lens that you want, enter, and upload your prescription information. The company will then send you your package.
Every first-time customer has a 15% off on any of the glasses they purchase. Lensabl also provides replacement lenses for all types of frames.
Pricing
Prescription glasses start from as low as $77. Lensabl provides online eye examination at $49.99 for qualified candidates. The renewal of online prescription costs $40.
Delivery time: You’ll receive your order within two weeks.
Pros
- Highly customizable lenses
- Flexible payment options
- Remarkably cheap replacement lenses
Cons
- Little variety of eye wear
- Long delivery time
- Doesn’t accept insurance
