Best places to buy cheap prescription glasses online

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Searching for new eyewear? The combination of designer frames and high-end lenses, especially those with advanced coatings and features, can easily lead to expenses between $500 to $1,000. However, there are budget-friendly alternatives.

For a quality pair of single-vision prescription eyeglasses, you can spend under $100. Online retailers like GlassesUSA, Zenni Optical, Warby Parker, LensCrafters, and EyeBuyDirect provide affordable eyewear that meets your needs. Additionally, they offer prescription sunglasses and the option to enhance your glasses with trendy frames and premium lenses.

Our team of in-house shopping specialists has pinpointed the top online destinations for budget-friendly prescription glasses. Also, if there’s any issue with the eyewear you purchased online, rest assured that this list features companies that provide a money-back guarantee and hassle-free exchanges. Many of these retailers feature a virtual try-on tool, enabling you to visualize how your new glasses will complement your face before committing to a purchase.

Where to find cost-effective glasses

Whether you are searching for single vision, bi-focals, progressive lenses, prescription sunglasses, or lenses that darken in sunlight, shopping online presents significant advantages. It’s convenient, saves money, and offers a significantly wider selection than most optometry offices.

• Best overall place to discover cheap prescription glasses: GlassesUSA
• Best place for discounts on prescription glasses: Zenni Optical
• Leading style selection on a budget: Warby Parker
• Ultimate destination for lenses, contacts, and beyond: LensCrafters
• Top site for prescription glasses starting under $25: EyeBuyDirect

Pro tip: When purchasing prescription glasses online, check if the company offers discounts for students, teachers, active military personnel, seniors, or first responders. Moreover, many retailers provide an additional discount for purchasing multiple pairs simultaneously.

Best overall place to discover cheap prescription glasses: GlassesUSA

Single-vision glasses: Yes | Bi-focals: Yes | Progressives: Yes | Readers: Yes | Prescription sunglasses: Yes | Photochromatic lens option: Yes | Blue light filtering option: Yes | Virtual try-on: Yes | Home trial: No | HSA/FSA accepted: Yes | Insurance accepted: Yes

GlassesUSA frequently offers various promotions like BOGO deals or discounts on prescriptions and frames. Moreover, they provide notable discounts for first responders, military members, educators, senior citizens, and healthcare workers.

On the GlassesUSA homepage, we suggest navigating to the Sale section. Even when there's no ongoing sale, you can find single-vision prescription glasses for as low as $38. The price increases for bi-focals, progressive lenses, or premium materials. Additional options like blue light protection or photochromic features will incur extra costs.

GlassesUSA.com also showcases designer frames from Ray-Ban, Oakley, Prada, and more, often at discounts up to 40%. New customers enjoy a coupon offering up to 50% off their first order. All glasses come with a 14-day satisfaction guarantee and a one-year warranty.

Best site for sales on prescription glasses: Zenni Optical

Single-vision glasses: Yes | Bi-focals: Yes | Progressives: Yes | Readers: Yes | Prescription sunglasses: Yes | Photochromatic option: Yes | Blue light filtering option: Yes | Virtual try-on: Yes | Home trial: No | HSA/FSA accepted: Yes | Insurance accepted: Reimbursement

Zenni Optical is celebrated for its extremely low-cost frames, priced anywhere from $6.95 to $59.95, inclusive of basic prescription lenses. Prices rise for bi-focals and progressive lenses, with additional costs for color-changing lenses and blue-light filters.

If you are on the lookout for basic, cost-effective glasses, Zenni is your go-to store. That said, some very inexpensive frames might compromise in quality and durability. As you include optional upgrades, the total will align with other retailers.

Zenni Optical makes your shopping experience seamless by facilitating searches with filters based on price, style, or material. Most frames come with a virtual try-on feature. An added 10% discount is available for students, medical workers, and active military members. Discover a plethora of frames and sales at any time.

Best choice for stylish frames without breaking the bank: Warby Parker

Single-vision glasses: Yes | Bi-focals: Yes | Progressives: Yes | Readers: Yes | Prescription sunglasses: Yes | Photochromatic option: Yes | Blue light filtering: Yes | Virtual try-on: Yes | Home trial: Yes | HSA/FSA accepted: Yes | Insurance accepted: Yes

Warby Parker is your all-in-one location for prescription eyewear. Most frames start at $95, while progressive lenses begin at $295.

This company provides a unique collection of frames, with an easy virtual try-on tool. They also offer a home try-on option where users can select up to five frames for free shipping to test at home.

Warby Parker features a wide array of lens options, allowing you to select add-ons as needed, including blue-light or anti-fatigue filters. Scratch-resistant and anti-reflective coatings are standard. Their polycarbonate lenses can be upgraded to 1.67 high-index options for an extra fee.

You can customize colors and sizes before proceeding with lens customization. You will either upload your prescription or provide your optometrist's contact information. Warby Parker accepts nearly all insurance plans and HSA/FSA payments. Ordering two pairs at once grants an automatic 15% discount, and for each pair purchased, they donate one to someone in need.

Leading choice for lenses, contacts, and more: LensCrafters

Single-vision glasses: Yes | Bi-focals: Yes | Progressives: Yes | Readers: Yes | Prescription sunglasses: Yes | Photochromatic option: Yes | Blue light filtering: Yes | Virtual try-on: Yes | Home trial: No | HSA/FSA accepted: Yes | Insurance accepted: Yes

LensCrafters offers a wide selection of affordable eyewear, including designer frames. They frequently provide discounts to students and AAA/AARP members, along with ongoing promotions.

EyeBuyDirect offers budget-friendly prescription glasses, with some frames priced as low as $19, including single vision lenses. Explore premium brands like Ray-Ban and more at substantial discounts.

If you buy two or more pairs at once, you'll benefit from significant discounts such as 75% off the second pair with the code VISION75. Frequent sales and digital coupons are also available. Students receive a 20% discount.

With EyeBuyDirect, the most affordable options will include their own frames with prescription lenses, but if you prioritize designer frames, expect to pay more for better quality. Bi-focal and progressive lens upgrades usually add an approximate fee of $49.

Is purchasing prescription glasses online cheaper?

Indeed, many individuals save a considerable amount when shopping for prescription eyewear online. The companies elaborated in this guide consistently provide a selection of single-vision eyeglasses for $100 or less per pair and maintain ongoing promotions. Most also accommodate HSA/FSA payments and vision insurance.

If you require bi-focals or progressive lenses, online prices generally remain lower compared to local optometrists or eyewear shops, while offering a broader selection and additional upgrade choices.

Steps to order prescription glasses online

The process is quite straightforward. First, select your desired eyeglass frames. Next, customize your prescription lens features. When ready, upload a current optical prescription that is less than one year old from your eye doctor.

To save some bucks, explore the “On Sale” or “Deals” options that many eyewear sites provide.

Before initiating payment, check for any eligibility for extra discounts. Benefits are commonly extended to military personnel, students, and members of AAA or AARP. If you order multiple pairs, several companies will provide further discounts.

Leverage your web browser to find active promo codes for additional savings. Simply search "[company name] promo code" or "[company name] coupon code." Upon checkout, apply any valid codes.

Once payment is processed, your custom prescription glasses will typically be produced and shipped to your home within three to fourteen business days.

What do you need to place an order for prescription glasses online?

Regardless of your shopping destination, you will require:

• A recent eyeglass prescription (less than one year old) from your optometrist. If not available, be ready to provide their contact information.
• Your pupillary distance (PD) measurement can be provided by your optometrist or measured yourself. Zenni even offers a free printable Custom Dual PD ruler.
• Your vision insurance details.

Lens types encompass single-vision, bi-focal (or multi-focal), and progressive options, which can be obtained in various materials such as optical glass, CR-39 plastic, or polycarbonate. Each material presents unique characteristics related to thickness, weight, and clarity.

Once a lens type is selected, you will typically have the option to choose added lens coatings. These may include scratch resistance, anti-reflective coatings, UV protection, blue-light filters, tints, polarization, or light-responsive options, all of which can affect pricing.

What to do if glasses don't fit or the prescription is incorrect?

Almost all the retailers listed provide a guarantee for exchange or refunds within 14 to 30 days. If frames do not fit properly or your vision is unclear, you can return them for a full refund or request a remake. After this initial return period, many sustain a six-month to one-year “no scratch” warranty for lens repairs or replacements due to accidental damage.

Some sellers afford extended warranties which cover frame and lens damage for a specified duration; however, these do not include coverage for lost or stolen glasses.

How to select prescription glasses that fit

Eyeglass frames come in various popular shapes—rectangular, square, round, aviator, oval, cat-eye, browline, oversized, and geometric. At sites like Warby Parker or Vint & York, you can find guides to help match frame designs to your face shape.

• For round faces: Recommended frame styles include rectangle, square, geometric, cat-eye, browline, or full-rim glasses.
• For oval faces: Most frame designs will suit this face shape.
• For heart-shaped faces: Consider oval, round, aviator, or semi-rimless glasses.
• For square faces: Round, oval, wire, or semi-rimless styles are advisable.
• For triangle faces: Opt for rectangle, browline, or cat-eye glasses.
• For diamond faces: Browline, cat-eye, round, oval, or semi-rimless glasses work well.

Each frame typically comes in several sizes. Look for engravings on the inside of the arm indicating measurements.

Typically, three numbers separated by dashes or spaces illustrate the lens width, bridge width, and temple length. If you have existing glasses that fit well, use those measurements for your new frames. The average lens width spans between 40mm to 60mm, bridge width from 14mm to 24mm, and temple length from 120mm to 150mm. Ultimately, comfort and fit should be your primary concern when selecting frames.

For additional guidance on locating and purchasing prescription eyewear, make sure to check out our selection of the six best places to buy prescription glasses online.

Jason R. Rich (www.JasonRich.com) is a renowned consumer technology expert with over three decades of writing expertise. He has authored multiple acclaimed books, including "iPhone 16 Pro Max Digital Photography" and "The Remote Worker's Handbook: How to Effectively Work From Anywhere."

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