Best Places To Buy Prescription Glasses Online 2025 - Forbes Vetted

Thanks to the internet, it’s easy to browse, customize and (virtually) try on prescription glasses online without taking a trip to the optometrist’s office. After evaluating several options, we found GlassesUSA to be the best place to buy prescription glasses online: It offers a wide variety of options and lets you renew expired prescriptions with a virtual vision test. For affordability, we recommend Zenni Optical, which has frames at prices as low as $7. Warby Parker is our top choice for the most stylish prescription glasses, with chic styles that are designed in house.

We found the best places to buy prescription glasses online, with options for every budget and style ... [+] preference.

To determine the best places to buy prescription glasses online, we researched nearly a dozen highly rated eyewear retailers, then enlisted four panel testers. They shopped for and ordered numerous frames from each site, then shared their in-depth feedback through the entire process, from website navigation to prescription verification to day-to-day wear.

Our final selections were reviewed by deputy editor Kari Molvar, a fashion expert who oversees several of our eyewear stories (and who also wears glasses, herself). After comparing each retailer’s variety, return policy, site features (like virtual try-on and online prescription renewal) and our testers’ feedback, here are the five best prescription glasses retailers—including one company worthy of being mentioned twice—that you can shop online.

GlassesUSA

Turnaround time: 10 to 16 business days (expedited shipping options available) | Return policy: 14 days, no questions asked | Insurance accepted: Yes, as well as HSA/FSA | Virtual try-on: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: Yes | Ships to: U.S., Canada and U.K.

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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. It was the winner among three of our panel testers, who were impressed by the ease of the ordering process. 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. One of our testers describes the selection and checkout flow as “sleek and intuitive,” and was pleased with the speedy delivery time. Another notes that her glasses arrived nine 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.

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Zenni Optical

Turnaround time: 8 to 18 business days (expedited shipping options available) | 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: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: No | Ships to: Over 200 countries worldwide

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Zenni is all about making prescription glasses affordable, with house designed frames starting at just $7 and capping at $50—and that price includes standard prescription lenses. “With my complex prescription, the cost adds up fast so a lower-priced frame is a nice bonus,” says one tester. While the retailer now sells designer brands as well, you’ll get the most bang for your buck by sticking with Zenni’s line; plus, the namebrand selection is limited.

Another panel tester is 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.” In addition, you can filter frames by pupillary distance, making it easier to find what you’re looking for. 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.

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 | Ships to: U.S. and Canada

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Warby Parker offers designer-style glasses at affordable prices. One of our testers 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. “The size accuracy, feel and fit are always excellent in my experience,” says our panel tester. “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.”

Once you have your frames picked out, you can add basic prescription lenses, which another tester 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.

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: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: No | Ships to: Over 140 countries worldwide

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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 Versace, as well as Oakley and Ray-Ban (in a wide variety of colors, too). Our tester 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. “The value of these name-brand eyeglasses, with all the additional add-ons to my lenses, is very impressive,” our tester says. Another tester, who wears progressives, adds, “The lenses themselves match my prescription and have one of the best fields of vision of any of the glasses that I tried.” The Frames Direct site also has a virtual-try on feature, so you can see what each pair would look like on your face before committing to a purchase.

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.

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 | Ships to: U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia and more

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Eyebuydirect’s wide selection of frames can be outfitted with tinted prescription lenses, so you have thousands of options to choose from. If you’re not sure where to start, the company also has its own line of prescription sunglasses, and everything from concept to design to manufacturing is done in house to keep prices down. Since one of our testers only wears large, rectangular frames, he mentions that the ability to filter on these preferences was super helpful during testing. Shades with prescription lenses start at $39 and cap at under $100, which is reasonable for the high quality you’re getting.

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. Our testers note that their eyeglasses arrived promptly and safely in a compact cardboard box. If your glasses don’t work out, 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.

Zenni Optical

Turnaround time: 8 to 18 business days (expedited shipping options available) | 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: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: No | Ships to: Over 200 countries worldwide

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Kids and tweens are picky—really picky. Zenni offers a wide selection of children’s frames at wallet-friendly prices, which is why it topped our list of the best kids’ glasses. Frames start as low as $6.95 for basic prescription lenses, with a majority of frames costing between $16 to $30. This is great news for parents: If your child happens to misplace or damage their frames, a replacement isn’t super costly.

There are flexible frames for toddlers, options with kid-friendly straps and cool-looking styles to win tweens over. Using the website’s virtual try-on feature, your kiddo can see what the glasses will look like on their face, so you can make sure they’re happy before purchasing. Like its adult offerings, Zenni’s glasses for kids can be customized with add-ons like specialty coatings, extra accessories or engraving.

Many retailers run promotions throughout the year, allowing you to save even more on your next pair of eyeglasses. Here are the best current deals on prescription glasses online:

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.

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.

Buying prescription glasses online is a relatively straightforward process, but for first timers, it helps to know exactly what to expect. Here’s everything you need to know before you make your purchase:

If you don’t yet have a current prescription, you’ll need to make an in-person appointment with an eye doctor first. If your prescription has expired, you’ll need to renew it before moving forward. For added convenience, some sites including GlassesUSA and Warby Parker allow you to renew your prescription online using a virtual vision test for an added fee.

You will also need to know your pupillary distance, the measurement of distance between your pupils, to ensure your glasses align correctly with the center of your eyes. According to Cleveland Clinic, this alignment “helps providers correctly align the light-bending properties of prescription lenses with the pupils of your eyes.” Your pupillary distance can most accurately be measured by your eye doctor, but you can also use online tools at home, 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.

The two major types of lenses for prescription glasses are single vision and multifocal. According to the Eye Institute of South Jersey, single vision lenses “are used to correct a single vision problem such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism.” Multifocal lenses, on the other hand, contain two or more vision-correcting prescriptions. These include bifocal lenses, which are split into two sections: The upper part is for distance vision and the lower part for near vision. Also in this category are progressive lenses, which “contain three main fields of vision including near, intermediate and distance,” per the Eye Institute of South Jersey. The distinguishing feature here, however, is that there’s no visible line between prescriptions.

A majority of retailers offer multiple options for lens coatings, which improve the performance of your glasses. For an additional fee, you can upgrade your glasses with anti-scratch, anti-fog and blue light-blocking coatings. An anti-scratch coating is ideal for those whose glasses endure rough handling, while anti-fog coating can be beneficial to those who frequently wear face masks. Meanwhile, blue light-filtering glasses can help reduce eye strain for people who look at a screen for long periods of time.

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

Three of our four panel testers picked GlassesUSA as their top recommendation. GlassesUSA offers a wide selection of eyeglasses to suit every taste and budget, and its seamless ordering experience makes it easy to get the exact frames you need in a timely manner.

More often than not, buying prescription glasses online is less expensive than at the optometrist’s office. One of the most affordable places to buy prescription glasses online is Zenni Optical, which offers a wide selection of frames starting at $7; you can find great prices at large retailers like GlassesUSA and Eyebuydirect, too. For even more savings, keep an eye out for on-site promotions; some eyewear companies run discounts at certain times of the year, which can boost your savings further.

Yes, it can be worth it to buy prescription glasses online, but there are pros and cons. 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.

We highlighted benefits and drawbacks of shopping at each online retailer and refreshed our section of FAQs.

We re-evaluated our recommendations, adding new winners and removing retailers that no longer fit our criteria.