Eye Health The 7 Best Places to Buy Glasses Online in 2021 Snag these stylish and affordable frames from the comfort of your home By Danielle Zoellner Danielle Zoellner LinkedIn Twitter Danielle Zoellner is a freelance writer with an emphasis in health and wellness. She graduated from the University of Missouri at Columbia. Learn about our editorial process and Sarah Bradley Sarah Bradley Twitter Sarah is a freelance writer with a focus on health and wellness. She has written for publications like Women's Health, Healthline, and Parents. She taught creative writing for five years, and has a bachelor's degree in English from Southern Connecticut State University. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 14, 2021 Fact checked by Ashley Hall Fact checked by Ashley Hall on December 03, 2020 LinkedIn Ashley Hall is a writer and fact checker who has been published in multiple medical journals in the field of surgery. Learn about our editorial process Medically reviewed by Johnstone M. Kim, MD Medically reviewed by Johnstone M. Kim, MD on August 09, 2021 Johnstone M. Kim, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist and a practicing physician at Midwest Retina in Dublin, Ohio. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products, and articles are reviewed by healthcare professionals for medical accuracy. You can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. First Look Best Overall: Warby Parker at warbyparker.com "You browse the site based on color, fit, shape, and material to select five frames to try on at home, and keep what you like." Most Options: GlassesUSA at glassesusa.com "Offers a wide range of styles, including discounted picks from high-end designers like Ray-Ban, Gucci, Michael Kors, and Prada." Best Style: LensCrafters at lenscrafters.com "You'll find a pair of stylish glasses for the whole family on LensCrafters' website and can snag your contact lenses there as well." Best Budget: EyeBuyDirect at eyebuydirect.com "These frames are particularly cheap, with options under $10, and come in a wide range of styles and colors for various uses." Best for Sunglasses: DIFF Eyewear at diffeyewear.com "As a fashion-forward brand, DIFF Eyewear offers frames in all sorts of shapes." Best Return Policy: Liingo Eyewear at liingoeyewear.com "With their 60-Day Delight Guarantee Policy, Liingo gives you 60 days after purchase to return or exchange your glasses." Best for the Conscious Consumer: Coastal at coastal.com "For each pair purchased, Coastal donates one pair to someone in need through their partnership with the Essilor Vision Foundation." Approximately half of the U.S. population wear eyeglasses, according to the Vision Council of America–so you’re not alone. But it's not always possible to purchase eyeglasses in person, especially if you’re looking for a specific style or have no suitable retailers near you. That’s where online retailers come in. Whether you’re looking for reading glasses, sunglasses, everyday frames, or trendy blue light glasses, these retailers have hundreds of styles to best suit your personal needs. Chris Albanis, M.D., an ophthalmologist and member of the American Board of Ophthalmology, told Verywell Health that vision remains more important than ever, “as many spend more time on computers, online meetings, virtual learning, and reading.” He says people should most importantly consider comfort and the size of the lenses when selecting glasses. If you’re having trouble finding glasses that work best for you, Dr. Albanis recommends seeking help from a local eye care professional who has experience fitting and selling glasses every day. We researched dozens of online glasses retailers and evaluated them for reviews, shipping speed, site experience, pricing, product selection, virtual try-on options, and return policies. Each of the retailers chosen in this article were determined to be the best of these factors. Here are the best online glasses retailers on the market today. Best Overall: Warby Parker View On Warbyparker.com Pros Try five pairs on for free at home before choosing On-trend styles, shapes, and colors Eye exams available at in-person locations Cons Website isn’t as user-friendly as other brands No bifocal lenses sold Warby Parker, which was founded in 2010, has become one of the most well-known online retail stores for glasses, and for a reason. Before even asking you to commit to purchasing a pair, the retailer will send up to five pairs to your front door free of cost. You then have five days to try out the selected glasses before either sending them back or keeping them for yourself. The business model, which started at the company’s inception in 2010, works and customers rave about how seamless it is for them to try on glasses from the comfort of their own home. Still not convinced? Warby Parker provides hundreds of affordable styles that are updated frequently as trends evolve. The site even offers a quiz you can take to assist in picking a style. Price: Starts at $95 | Virtual Try-On Options: Yes, but only with the Warby Parker app | Shipping Time: 5 to 10 business days The 8 Best Places to Buy Contacts in 2021 More Options: GlassesUSA View On Glassesusa.com Pros Multiple ways to search and filter options by shape, size, color, and more Popular brands like Ray-Ban, Versace, and Prada Specialty lenses, including progressive and blue light blocking Cons Doesn’t offer eye exams No insurance accepted (reimbursement only) With hundreds of name brand and designer options to choose from, GlassesUSA makes it hard for you not to walk away with frames in your shopping cart. Top designers from on the site include Ray-Ban, Prada, Gucci, Michael Kors, and Versace–all of which are often sold at a discounted price. If designer frames aren’t for you or your budget, don’t worry. GlassesUSA also offers hundreds of affordable styles to choose from that will fit your personal needs. Glasses with lenses included start as low as $38, making it one of the more affordable places to shop. Price: Frames start at $25 | Virtual Try-On options: Yes | Shipping Time: 7 to 10 business days Best Styles: LensCrafters View On Lenscrafters.com Pros Discounts and sales available frequently Popular brands like Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Burberry Eye exams available at in-person locations Cons Much more expensive than other online retailers No virtual try on software or try at-home program Shopping online for eyeglasses can be a nerve-wracking experience because you’re unable to try styles on right then and there to best know what works for you. LensCrafters is a safe bet as an online shop because many of its styles are similar to what you would find in stores. The retailer also carries a range of designer brands–such as Oakley, Giorgio Armani, Bulgari, and Ray-Ban–at discounted prices that follow current trends, so you know you’ll get the top styles. Best part is that LensCrafters offers a free, 30-day return policy, making it easy for you to send a pair back if they don’t suit your specific needs. Price: Starts at $69, not including lenses | Virtual Try-On Options: No | Shipping Time: 5 to 7 business days The 10 Best Contact Lens Solutions of 2021 Best Budget: EyeBuyDirect View On Eyebuydirect.com Pros Wide selection of inexpensive frames Offers a Buy 1, Give 1 donation option Includes premium brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley Cons Hard to find prices of lenses to estimate total cost Longer shipping times than some other brands Selecting affordable glasses is not always easy, as the frames alone can have a hefty price tag even before your add in your prescription lens. EyeBuyDirect makes shopping online for glasses easy and most importantly, inexpensive. Frames start as low as $6 for the retailer depending on what style you select. But be aware, this does not include the prescription lens you will need to go with your frames. EyeBuyDirect says their glasses end up costing a customer an average $70 for both the frames and prescription lens. So whether you’re on a budget or looking for an inexpensive back-up pair, EyeBuyDirect offers a variety of options. Price: Starts as low as $6 for frames, not including lenses | Virtual Try-On Options: Yes | Shipping Time: 7 to 14 business days What the Experts Say Budget-friendly doesn’t mean low quality, says Dr. Sumayya Ahmad, ophthalmologist at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai: “It depends on what glasses you are purchasing and the specs you are getting, [like specialty lenses].” Best for Sunglasses: DIFF Eyewear View On Diffeyewear.com Pros More affordable sunglasses than many competitors Wide variety of shapes, colors, and designs Also sells regular eyeglasses Cons No way to try on glasses virtually or easily return glasses you don’t like No insurance or HSA/FSA funds allowed for payment DIFF Eyewear has become known for its statement sunglasses that are guaranteed to earn you compliments when out and about. Also, the designer brand is more affordable than others, with sunglasses starting as low as $89. As a fashion-forward brand, DIFF Eyewear offers frames in all sorts of shapes–from cat eye to aviator to oversized–that will best suit your face. If you’re looking for other ways to protect your eyes, the brand also offers a wide range of blue light glasses for those who stare at a computer or phone screen for a majority of their work or school day. Price: Sunglasses start at $89 | Virtual Try-On Options: No | Shipping Time: 4 to 9 days The 12 Best Blue-Light-Blocking Glasses of 2021 Best Return Policy: Liingo Eyewear View On Liingoeyewear.com Pros At-home try on program and “Find My Fit” feature Two month-trial period for glasses you purchase HSA/FSA funds accepted for payment Cons Smaller selection than other brands No contacts or progressive lenses Buying glasses online can be a risk with an inability to determine exactly how they will fit on your face prior to purchasing. Luckly, Liingo Eyewear makes it easy for you to try on and return glasses at your leisure. Similar to Warby Parker, the company also offers a try-on program where it will send multiple styles directly to your door. A helpful quiz can also assist in style selection if you’re unsure which pair to choose. Once the glasses arrive, the company offers a 60-Day Delight Guarantee Policy, meaning you have two months to test and return the product with no extra cost. Although Liingo lacks the larger selection offered by other retailers, its flexible return policy makes it easy to try glasses without any worries about returning them. Price: Starts at $79 | Virtual Try-On Options: Yes | Shipping Time: Up to 14 days What the Experts Say Don’t underestimate the importance of customer service, says Dr. Ahmad: “A return policy is good [and so is] good customer service, good reviews, and experience working with people with more complicated prescriptions, if that’s what you have.” Best for the Conscious Consumer: Coastal Glasses View On Coastal.com Pros Brand name designers for budget-friendly prices Buy 1, Give 1 charitable donations Sells contacts and glasses Cons Cost of lenses can quickly increase with add-ons Some consumers report they are unhappy with customer service and support Coastal’s global mission is to provide glasses to not only those who can afford them, but those who cannot or are without access to vision care. The company runs a Buy One, Give One program in collaboration with Essilor Vision Foundation. For every pair of glasses someone purchases, the company donates a pair globally to someone in need. That’s only one plus to shopping through Coastal. The retailer also offers hundreds of styles for men and women–including name-brand designers like Ray-Ban, Tory Burch, and the Brooks Brothers. Besides all these benefits, pricing is also incredibly affordable. The company’s more basic frames, without the prescription lens, can cost you as low as $9. Price: Starts as low as $9, not including lenses | Virtual Try-On Options: Yes | Shipping Time: 3 to 5 business days Final Verdict If you’re looking for a retailer with hundreds of options and a seamless system to try out the frames, we recommend Warby Parker (view at Warby Parker). If you want more trendsetting frames that are still affordable, we recommend GlassesUSA (view at GlassesUSA). What to Look for When Buying Glasses Online Comfort If you’ll be wearing your glasses around the clock, they definitely need to be comfortable; but even if you’re only planning to wear them for reading or long distances, you don’t want to be stuck with glasses that pinch, slide around or fall off, sit crookedly on your face, feel too heavy on your nose, or give you a headache. “Comfort is critical, especially if you will wear the glasses for several hours per day,” Dr. Albanis says. Check how well your glasses fit you by assessing the way they rest on the bridge of your nose, feel behind your ears, and “sit” on your face to best determine if they will wear well for long periods of time. If you’re especially concerned about ordering glasses online and getting the right fit, look for retailers that offer deals on any future adjustments, says New York City-based optometrist Jonah Berman, O.D.: “Some online [retailers] know how important adjustments can be, and offer a reimbursement of up to $20 for the actual adjustment.” Cost Dr. Alabnis says that a higher price tag does not always mean higher quality. The type of material and protective coating on the glasses actually better determines the quality. “Depending on your visual needs, the eye care professional you work with should be able to explain the pros and cons to meet your needs,” Dr. Albanis says. Also be careful about spending money for added features that you may or may not need, or ones that haven’t been proven to provide much benefit. Blue light blocking lenses, for example, have become extremely popular among eyewear retailers, but Dr. Ahmad says the added feature is probably not a good use of your glasses budget. Pupillary Distance Dr. Ahmad says it’s important to make sure you have your pupillary distance on hand before buying glasses online. This is the measurement of the distance between both your pupils, and it plays an important role in making sure your lenses are centered properly in front of your eyes. If you get an in-person eye exam, this number should be included on your glasses prescription; if you didn’t have it calculated for you, you can measure it yourself with a millimeter ruler and a mirror, or download an app that measures it for you. Warranty or Return Policy Pay close attention to any retailer’s policy about returning glasses if they don’t work out for you—while some will fully refund you, others will only give you a credit to be used towards another pair of glasses from that same company rather than giving you your money back. You should also make note of any warranty information sent along with your order, in the event that your glasses don’t last as long as you expect them to; there are a lot of factors that go into the lifespan of a pair of glasses, but Dr. Berman says a well-made, durable pair of glasses should come with a customer-favorable warranty. “The material your frame is made from, the strength and flexibility of the material, the simplicity of the frame and the number of parts that are used, the method of securing the lenses to the frame, how well the frame fits your face, the ease of adjustment, and use of the eyeglass case all play a role in [determining] how long your glasses will last,” he explains, adding that you might want to purchase a second pair of glasses as a backup in case your first pair becomes damaged. Frequently Asked Questions Should you get an eye exam from an online retailer? You can, but whether or not this is the best approach depends on how simple—or not!—your glasses prescription is.“If you have a high amount of astigmatism or a strong prescription in general, it is better to go in [to an office],” says Dr. Ahmad. “Otherwise, for simple prescriptions, [online] is fine; they are much more affordable online and usually do a nice job.”You should also keep the frequency and reason for your visit in mind, says Dr. Ahmad: “I strongly recommend doing an in-person eye exam once a year to check the health of your eye.” Does Medicare cover eye exams and glasses? Unfortunately, no, Medicare won’t cover run-of-the-mill eye exams or glasses for seniors and other eligible people; you have to have a serious eye condition.“Medicare covers medically-oriented office visits [for things like cataracts, suspicion of glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, ocular infections, etc.] but not routine vision exams for eyeglasses,” says Dr. Berman. He does add, though, that eyeglasses are covered only for people who have had cataract surgery. Why Trust Verywell Health? As a seasoned health writer, Danielle Zoellner knows the importance of finding just the right product to fit your medical needs. Throughout her career, Danielle has interviewed a variety of experts in the medical and health fields while reviewing dozens of products. Her experience and knowledge in the field work together to help readers like yourself find the best products for your daily life. Additional reporting by Sarah Bradley Sarah Bradley has been writing health content since 2017—everything from product roundups and illness FAQs to nutrition explainers and the dish on diet trends. She knows how important it is to receive trustworthy and expert-approved advice about over-the-counter products that manage everyday health conditions, from GI issues and allergies to chronic headaches and joint pain. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Vision Council of America. Organizational overview. 2020. Medicare.gov. Eyeglasses & contact lenses.