Best Prescription Glasses Online 2024 - Forbes Vetted

Oct 17, 2024

Thanks to the internet, the best prescription glasses are right at your fingertips. It’s easy to browse, customize and try on frames without taking a trip to the eyeglass store or optometrist’s office. After evaluating several options firsthand, we found GlassesUSA to be the best place to buy prescription glasses online: They offer a wide variety of styles and let you renew expired prescriptions with a virtual vision test. For affordability, we recommend Eyebuydirect, while Warby Parker is our top choice for the most stylish frames.

Our team tested (and re-tested) many pairs to find the best prescription glasses online—and where to ... [+] buy them.

To determine the best places to buy prescription glasses online, we compiled a list of dozens of highly rated retailers that you can shop from your computer. We enlisted three Forbes Vetted staffers to test out numerous frames from these retailers and share their in-depth feedback through the entire process—from ordering and website navigation to day-to-day wear: These include former branded content editor Dana Holmes, who wears progressive lenses; managing editor Emmy Favilla, a nearsighted, daily glasses-wearer; and associate insights architect Shan Newton, who requires a strong prescription. We also got advice from Dr. Sandra Young, O.D., an optometrist and eye health expert, and Dr. Inna Lazar, an optometrist and dry eye specialist, as well as style tips on the best frames for your face shape from deputy fashion editor Kari Molvar. After testing, we landed on the eight best prescription glasses retailers that you can shop online.

GlassesUSA

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 and best online prescription glasses retailers, offering hundreds of designer frames from Ray-Ban, Gucci and Oakley, along with less expensive house brands in every frame style and color you can imagine. Prices run the gamut from $39 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 looks 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. Associate insights architect Shan Newton describes the selection and checkout flow as “sleek and intuitive,” and was pleased with the speedy delivery time. Managing editor Emmy Favilla notes that her glasses arrived 9 days after her order, which was pretty impressive given that the window included Thanksgiving weekend. 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.

What our editors say: “I felt a bit overwhelmed by the number of options, but it was easy to evaluate the frames,” says former branded content editor Dana Holmes of shopping on the GlassesUSA website. “The ordering process was simple and I felt confident making my complicated prescription order.”

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Eyebuydirect

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’s wallet-friendly prices make clear vision affordable and accessible. 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, and the site makes it easy to locate options with specific features like frame shape (which is useful if you want to. Since Newton only wears rectangular frames and can't wear small-sized frames, he says that being able to filter on these preferences is super helpful. 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. Favilla appreciates that there are a variety of options for blue light filtering as well as two choices for high-index frames.

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.

What our editors say: Our testers note that their eyeglasses arrived promptly and safely in a compact cardboard box. “I like that the packaging was small enough to fit into my apartment's little mailbox in the lobby, rather than needing to be left out in a common area with bigger packages,” says Holmes.

Zenni Optical

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 is all about making prescription glasses affordable, with frames starting at just $7 and capping at $50—and that price includes standard prescription lenses. Its selection of prescription sunglasses is particularly impressive, and at such reasonable prices, it won’t sting if you happen to lose a pair on vacation.

While you won’t find any designer names among the selections, there are hundreds of designer-inspired frames in different shapes, sizes and colors. Once you select a pair you like, Favilla recommends taking advantage of the site’s virtual try-on feature. In addition, Holmes appreciates how the site allows you to filter frames by pupillary distance. 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.

What our editors say: “With my complex prescription, the cost adds up fast so a lower-priced frame is a nice bonus,” says Holmes. Favilla is particularly a fan of the site’s try-on feature, saying, “It’s very advanced to give you a well-rounded view of what your glasses will look like. It was a seamless experience from beginning to end.”

Warby Parker

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 offers designer-style glasses at affordable prices. Favilla has been ordering her prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses from the site for over a decade. All frames start at just $95, an impressive price that includes basic prescription lenses. You can try on virtually, but one of the brand’s 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. Holmes highly recommends taking advantage of this perk, as the frames she ordered based on her existing glasses’ measurements ended up being too small.

Once you have your frames picked out, you can add basic prescription lenses, which Newton describes as “perfectly accurate” and “not too thick,” despite his strong prescription. You can also choose from various upgrade options, like progressive lenses, blue light filtering or light-responsive lenses, which 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.

What our editors say: “The size accuracy, feel and fit are always excellent in my experience,” says Favilla. “The frames I wear regularly are blue light-blocking, which seem to do their job (as far as I can tell) to help prevent eye fatigue.”

Frames Direct

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). Favilla mentions that her Armani Exchange glasses arrived with a “certificate of authenticity” that guarantees the glasses are genuine. Most brands sell for 20% to 80% off the retail price, and you can often score prescription lenses at a discount.

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.

What our editors say: “The value of these name-brand eyeglasses, with all the additional add-ons to my lenses, is very impressive,” says Favilla. Holmes, who wears progressives, says, “The lenses themselves match my prescription and have one of the best fields of vision of any of the glasses that I tried.”

ROKA

Turnaround time: 5 business days | Return policy: 30 days for a return or exchange | Insurance accepted: Yes, and HSA/FSA accepted | Virtual try-on: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: Yes

If you plan on wearing your prescription glasses while working outdoors or playing a sport, you’ll want a hard-wearing pair—and durability is Roka’s specialty. For example, its popular Hunter style is designed with spring hinges and grip technology to ensure the frames stay securely on your head.

In addition, Roka offers a virtual try-on feature and an at-home vision test for renewing your prescription online. It accepts insurance plans from several major providers as well as HSA/FSA. However, both Holmes and Favilla note that Roka’s delivery speeds are slower than other brands, so keep this in mind if you need your glasses to arrive by a certain date.

What our editors say: “Although Roka has a small selection, I was able to find a pair that looked great and fit my needs pretty quickly,” says Holmes. Favilla adds, “I like that you can shop for frames based on activity, which I could see being super helpful for various types of athletes.”

Felix Gray

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 its 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.

What our writers say: Forbes Vetted contributor Becky Eaton swears by this brand for work. “I upgraded to Felix Grey readers from a cheapie bookstore pair and the difference is significant,” she says. “The Felix Grey frames feel super sturdy and high-quality, just like a pair of glasses from the optician, and the blue light-blocking lenses are totally clear. I wear them when I work at my computer all day, and I have less eye strain and headaches compared to my old readers.”

Look Optic

Turnaround time: 1 business day | Return policy: 90 days for a return or exchange | Insurance accepted: No | Virtual try-on: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: No

For those who need a pair of non-prescription readers, Look Optic—named “most stylish” retailer in our list of the best reading glasses—offers an array of chic styles you’ll actually look forward to wearing. Keep in mind that the site doesn’t offer any prescription lenses, but you will find tinted options for wearing in the sun as well as blue light blocking styles for working on your laptop. While Look Optic doesn’t accept insurance, the website frequently runs promotions that keep costs low.

What the reviews say: “Readers were such a resignation for me until Look Optic,” says one customer. “I now own multiple pairs. Being lightweight, they are super comfortable [and] I forget they are on my face. More importantly, they are stylish, even playful. When I put my readers on, it’s a statement.”

GlassesUSA

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 are picky—really 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.

What the reviews say: “I had to order new glasses for my son,” one GlassesUSA customer says. “We picked out a couple of pairs of frames and input his prescription. The glasses are just perfect. He loves them, they fit great, and the prescription is accurate. In the future, I will be buying my own frames here because of the ease and quality product.”

Our content library includes several eyewear stories, from the best polarized sunglasses to the best glasses for men. We tapped into our subject knowledge to highlight retailers that offer the best prescription glasses online and the best shopping experience.

We spent hours researching popular eyewear companies and what they offer in terms of selection, value, insurance eligibility, return policy and turnaround time. In addition:

At Forbes Vetted, we've reviewed dozens of glasses, putting them through a series of quality, style ... [+] and comfort tests.

If you’re new to buying prescription glasses online, it may seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. If 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: All online prescription glasses stores require a current prescription. In most cases, this means you’ll have to make an in-person appointment with your regular eye doctor first. It’s important for your eye doctor to get a close look at your eyes to make sure everything is healthy and functioning properly—for instance, an in-person eye exam can detect things like early signs of glaucoma and diabetes.

For 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). GlassesUSA allows you to renew your prescription through an app called Visibly. Alternatively, if you already have another pair of glasses outfitted with your current prescription, GlassesUSA offers a free prescription scanner so that you can easily order a new pair of frames without having to reach out to your eye doctor.

In addition to a current prescription, you’ll also need your pupillary distance (or PD). Pupillary distance is the measurement between the centers of the pupils in your eyes, usually expressed in millimeters. “It is crucial for crafting prescription eyeglasses because it ensures that the lenses are positioned correctly in relation to the wearer's pupils, maximizing visual clarity and comfort,” says Dr. Inna Lazar. “An inaccurate PD measurement can result in eyestrain, blurred vision, or dizziness.”

For the most accurate results, have your eye doctor measure pupillary distance during your eye exam and make sure to make a note of it in addition to your prescription. Alternatively, you can use an app, like EyeMeasure, or online tools, like Zenni’s digital PD ruler or Warby Parker’s PD measuring tool.

Eyebuydirect has hundreds of chic and stylish frames, like this pair on our tester, at affordable ... [+] prices.

There are three major types of lenses:

Most retailers give you the option to add different coatings to your lenses. They typically enhance the user experience and aesthetics of your glasses, but they will also add to their overall price.

Our tester loved these fashionable prescription aviator style sunglasses from Zenni.

Finding the right frames depends on your face shape, which are usually classified as round, oval, diamond, heart, or square. Overall, “the rule of thumb is essentially to create contrast between your face shape and frames,” explains deputy fashion editor Kari Molvar. “Note that you can also be a blend of two types of face shapes.”

That said, there are no hard and fast “rules” about which frames look best —you, after all, are the final judge on the matter and you should wear glasses that make you feel good. When giving advice on the topic, most style experts rely on the principles of natural symmetry and proportion. Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind for each face shape:

These Roka prescription glasses are a classic wayfarer style that works well on most face shapes, ... [+] and the transparent-yet-durable frame style is on trend.

“I find the best way to shop for glasses is to not get too overwhelmed,” says Molvar. “There are many pairs that will look good on you, and you can get lost in all the details of shapes and frame types after a certain point,” she says. A good tip if you’re stuck or feeing indecisive: Narrow your selection to five pairs and then ask a friend or someone whose advice you trust for their opinion, says Molvar. If you’re feeling decision fatigue, you’ll find a simple, handy visual guide, below.

Look for frames that contrast with your face shape, as a simple rule of thumb.

Buying prescription glasses online is entirely safe; just make sure you have an up-to-date prescription that is no more than a year old. Thanks to advances in technology, you can renew an expired prescription online via certain retailers. Sites like GlassesUSA, Warby Parker and Roka offer vision exams from your phone or computer screen for a small fee, and the results are reviewed by optometrists.

However, there are pros and cons to buying prescription glasses online. On the plus side, online shopping offers convenience and a wider selection of styles and brands, often at lower prices. It’s ideal for those who know their prescription and measurements, as you can easily find the best online glasses for you in just a few minutes. However, it’s harder to get a feel for the fit and quality of the frames if there isn’t a home-try option, and personal assistance via online retailers can be limited. You may have to get the fit of your glasses adjusted if you order online.

The comfort of your eyeglasses is dependent on a few different things: First, the most comfortable prescription glasses are those with lenses in an updated prescription that won’t cause eye strain and headaches. Frame choice can significantly impact comfort as well. If you wear your frames for long periods of time, look for lighter weight styles that won’t sit heavily on your face and cause discomfort (retailers including Eyebuydirect and Zenni Optical list every frame’s weight). When ordering glasses, pay attention to the width of the nose bridge to be sure the glasses will accommodate the shape of your nose and sit properly without causing discomfort. Also look for frames with spring hinges at the temple that flex to prevent squeezing and excessive pressure at the temple or around your ears, and nose pads that can be adjusted at the bridge of your nose.

The simplest way to save money on prescription glasses is to buy them online. More often than not, prescription glasses are less expensive online than in the optometrist’s office, and the wide selection of options from both designer and in-house brands means you can compare frames at different price points. Keep an eye out for on-site promotions, as well: Some online retailers run discounts at certain times of the year, which can help boost your savings even further.

Based on our firsthand testing, we determined GlassesUSA to be the best place to buy glasses online. It offers both name brand and house brand frames, ensuring there’s options for every taste and budget. The site also makes it easy to renew your prescription without leaving the house, and the virtual try-on feature allows you to get a sense of how each pair will look on your face before purchasing. However, one of our other recommended retailers may be a better fit for you—it really comes down to your personal needs and preferences.