Virtually Grab Your New Glasses at These Websites
Getting an eye exam is relatively easy, with or without insurance, thanks to companies like LensCrafters, Walmart, and Target. Getting your glasses, however, can become an inconvenient affair that usually involves you leaving the store/office and picking up a pair of glasses another day.
Online eyeglasses websites boomed to combat this inconvenience once eye doctors finally started openly giving patients their prescriptions. These sites allow you to just type in your prescription (good for one or two years, depending on your state's regulations) when you choose your frames and lens coatings.
Instead of dealing with sneaky upsells for add-ons, you get to be in the driver's seat and choose lens coatings that fit your life and budget. Plus, it's never been easier to get an affordable pair of backup glasses.
We know it's easy to get overwhelmed by this vast world of eyewear options and it's risky to buy anything health-related online. We did the legwork for you and found the best online eyeglass stores with great customer service teams behind them.
EyeBuyDirect offers a variety of frames with most styles hovering around an affordable $30–40. We love how easy it is to filter through prescription glasses and sunglasses, especially with their comprehensive size options. They also have several helpful guides as well as a virtual try-on in the top left corner of individual glasses pages to help you find the right frames for you.
Though they have their base lenses only include anti-scratch coatings, we like the freedom of customization this gives you when it comes to add-ons.
Base Lens Coatings: anti-scratch
Lens Add-ons: thinner lenses, anti-reflective, UV protection, photochromic (Transitions) options, water repellant, digital screen protection, multiple tint options, and mirror effect lenses
Returns and Warranties: returns and exchanges within 14 days; one year limited replacement warranty (doesn't cover accidents)
SmartBuyGlasses offers nearly 400 kids eyeglass frames made to fit everyone from fussy babies to even fussier teenagers. We love how many different, age-appropriate styles they offer because their competition doesn't offer as much variety.
If that weren't enough, their wide selection of trendy, prescription sunglasses with special tint options are always ready for your close-up. You can even add a mirror effect for a little extra flash.
Base Lens Coatings: anti-scratch, anti-reflective, and UV protection
Lens Add-ons: thinner lenses, Transitions, digital screen protection, multiple tint options, and mirror effect lenses
Returns and Warranties: returns and exchanges for glasses in "unused condition" within 100 days; two year limited warranty for manufacturer defects
We love Coastal's funky Main + Central frames, but they also offer a great selection of designer frames to choose from. With brands from Fendi to Ray-Ban to Kam Dhillon, Coastal offers the best range of designer glasses that also has an excellent customer service team to support these premium purchases.
Base Lens Coatings: anti-scratch and UV protection
Lens Add-ons: lens thinning, anti-reflective, digital screen protection, and Transitions
Returns and Warranties: returns and exchanges in "unused and unworn" condition within 30 days; one year limited warranty (manufacturer/coating defects)
Note: Though Frames Direct and Eyeglasses.com offer even more name brand options and led the pack for years, their customer service took a sharp downturn in recent years. Premium glasses need premium support, so we can't recommend them.
Whether you're on a budget or just want glasses to match every outfit, Zenni Optical is a great website. They have a mix of traditional and unique, trendy frames for as little as $7 (averaging around $20) with virtual try-on software so you can take them for an e-spin.
Base Lens Coatings: anti-scratch and UV protection
Lens Add-ons: anti-reflective coating, digital screen protection, multiple tint options, impact-resistant, and photochromic (Transitions) options
Returns and Warranties: broken frames or frames with manufacturing defects can be replaced for free within 30 days and returns for any other reason will ge a 50 percent refund or a full refund in site credit (excluding shipping); anti-reflective and photochromic coatings covered under a one year warranty; lifetime of free replacement nose pads for all glasses and nose pad screws for rimless glasses
Yes, finally, the one you actually know. Warby Parker is known for its Instagram-friendly Home Try-Ons and brick and mortar stores throughout the country. There are only a few other companies that provide home try-ons, but their prescription glasses are more expensive and have homogenous designs. We love Warby Parker's frames and we enjoy their comprehensive customer service even more, whether it's online or in-store.
Base Lens Coatings: anti-scratch, anti-reflective, UV protection, impact-resistant, and water-resistant
Lens Add-ons: photochromic (Transitions) lenses
Returns and Warranties: returns within 30 days in any condition; one year scratch coating warranty
Note: You can toggle the Home Try-On filter on and off in the upper left-hand corner to see their full inventory (which is roughly double).
