Yahoo LifestyleThis Online Glasses Store Sends You Five Frames to Try at Home
- 1/11
This Online Glasses Store Sends You Five Frames to Try at Home
Gone are the days of relying on your eye doctor for a pair of prescription glasses: Instead, you can speed date your way through stylish glasses frames thanks to online optical e-tailers offering free at-home eyeglasses try-on and virtual fittings. Plus, depending on your eye care needs and frame preferences, you can save more money by buying prescription eyeglasses online compared to similar picks from the eye doctor's office.
Buying glasses online can mean a broader selection of frames to choose from. "Since every face is different, it is important to choose a frame that not only complements a person’s features but also fits comfortably," says Andrea P. Thau, O.D., an associate clinical professor emerita at SUNY College of Optometry. Some online retailers like Warby Parker send you free pairs to try before you buy, which allows you to both see how the frame fits your face but also allows you to get a sense of its overall quality before committing.
The pros at the Good Housekeeping Institute researched the best places you can purchase glasses online based on offerings, prices, quality, shipping and more. Just in case you aren't loving your new frames when you get them in the mail, we also outlined each return policy, below.
Hearst Owned - 2/11
Warby Parker
Warby Parker, a hallmark seller of online glasses, offer sharp-looking glasses running the gamut from $95 to up to $200. Find the style that suits you by selecting five frames to try on at home — for free!
The online glasses brand also has various storefronts across the country, so you can get them fitted in person if you live near one. It's a painless process that only requires an appointment ahead of time. Although your receipt can grow in expense with the more add-ons you choose (like blue light filtering), Warby Parker still offers prices competitive with traditional eyeglasses stores.
•Price: Starting at $95 (lenses included)
•Shipping Info: Free, takes 7–10 business days
•Return Policy: 30 days
•Lens Types & Add-Ons: Single vision, progressive, readers, polycarbonate, high-index, blue light filtering, light-responsiveWarby Parker - 3/11
EyeBuyDirect
eyebuydirect.com
EyeBuyDirect's selection of online glasses is much more affordable than other options out there starting at just $6, great for a backup pair or to grab multiple pairs for different occasions. All you need is your most recent lens prescription from an optometrist. Once a frame catches your eye, simply click “try me on” under the photo of the frames to snap a photo and see what it looks like on your face.
You can opt for lens upgrades like anti-reflective coating and water repellent coating, which are about $10 each. While the frames are low priced, just keep in mind that you may need to pay additional fees for thinner lenses if you have a higher prescription.
•Price: Starting at $6 (some lenses included)
•Shipping Info: $6 and up or free for orders over $99, takes 7–14 business days
•Return Policy: 14 days
•Lens Types & Add-Ons: Single vision, progressive, high-index, bifocal, readers, blue light filtering, light-responsive
•Discount: BOGO 50% off frames with code 2LOOKS.EyeBuyDirect - 4/11
GlassesUSA.com
If you're looking for stylish glasses from familiar brands, then GlassesUSA.com is your best bet. You can find hundreds of discounted glasses from designers like Ray-Ban, Coach, Oakley and more, in addition to basic, no-frills frames. (Hilary Duff even has an exclusive collection of online glasses on the site).
Its virtual try-on feature lets you upload a photo directly to the website and see each frame on your face. Once finding a pair you like, fill in or upload your prescription using the Prescription Scanner App. You’ll need to know your pupillary distance in addition to that – which you can measure yourself or with the help of a friend, but an optometrist is the most precise route.
•Price: Starting at $39 (lenses included)
•Shipping Info: Free, takes 7–10 business days plus 3–6 days to process
•Return Policy: 14 days
•Lens Types & Add-Ons: Single vision, progressive, bifocal, polycarbonate, blue light filtering, light-responsive
•Discount: 60% off frames with code GHK60.GlassesUSA - 5/11
Zenni Optical
zennioptical.com
First and foremost, Zenni Optical has a TON of options for online glasses in its collection. (We're talking thousands of frames!) Prices range from under $10 to about $46 for the basics, but if you need to upgrade the lenses or choose add-ons, plan to spend a bit more. Plus, add a personal touch by engraving your name inside the arm for an additional $2.
It's important to note the return policy: the only way to get a full refund is by opting for store credit, and that's without getting the shipping fees back. So, nail down your frames by filtering size, shape, prescription and more. You can also try Zenni's virtual try-on (a 180º face measurement) for a more accurate fit.
•Price: Starting at $7 (lenses included)
•Shipping Info: $5 and up, takes up to 14–21 days
•Return Policy: 30 days for 100% store credit or a 50% refund – both excludes shipping cost
•Lens Types & Add-Ons: Single vision, progressive, bifocal, readers, high-index, blue light filtering, light-responsiveZenni Optical - 6/11
Liingo
Liingo narrows down its impressive stock of original prescription glasses online by sorting frames by face shape, frame shape, size, color and material. Every style includes free premium RX polycarbonate lenses, meaning glasses are thinner, lighter and claimed to be up to 12 times more impact resistant than traditional lenses. Similar to Warby Parker, this online glasses store will also send five styles for a free at-home try-on, giving you five days to mull it over.
If you’re unsure what lens type works best for your prescription, Liingo has trained opticians at the ready who will make specific recommendations just for you. Conflicted on what size to order? Try the Find My Fit tool, enter the size of your current glasses and find Liingo styles that match up. Its face-scanning tool also accesses your device’s camera to measure your face and recommend styles that fit. In the likelihood of a frame adjustment, Liingo reimburses you up to $25 at any optical shop you choose.
•Price: Starting at $79 (lenses included)
•Shipping Info: Free shipping, takes about 2 weeks depending on your prescription
•Return Policy: 60 days
•Lens Types & Add-Ons: Single vision, progressive, polycarbonate, high-index, blue light filtering, light-responsive - 7/11
DIFF Eyewear
diffeyewear.com
Best known for its statement sunglasses, DIFF Eyewear has tons of bold, designer-inspired frames to choose from at wallet-friendly prices. You'll definitely find tons of fashion-forward options here like clear and tortoise-shell frames.
Every pair is handcrafted with quality materials and delivered directly to you. Even better, DIFF claims to have donated over 1,500,000 pairs of reading glasses to individuals in need around the world since 2015. Blue-light blocking glasses and regular prescription glasses are on the site, though — just keep in mind that prescription glasses only have a 14-day return policy (regular sunglasses have 30 days).
•Price: Starting at $30 (lenses included)
•Shipping Info: Free for orders over $70, takes 4–9 days plus 1–2 days to process
•Return Policy: 14 days with a $6 return fee
•Lens Types & Add-Ons: Single vision, readers, blue light filtering, high-index, light-responsiveDIFF Eyewear - 8/11
Lenscrafters
If you're still wary about ordering glasses online, you can always play it safe with a classic retailer like Lenscrafters. You'll find the same types and brands of glasses that you would normally see at the brick-and-mortar, only from the comfort of your home instead! Its brands span the likes of Ray-Ban and Oakley to Giorgio Armani and Burberry.
As far as lenses go, the process is pretty similar to the other options on this list. You can choose from a variety of lenses and add-ons – blue light filtering and thickness – that'll add up depending on your needs. Buying from Lencrafters online is a bit expensive, but if your frames ever need to be adjusted, you can easily pop into the nearest store anytime for adjustments.
•Price: Starting at $69 (lenses not included)
•Shipping Info: Free, takes 5–7 business days plus 7 days to process
•Return Policy: 30 days
•Lens Types & Add-Ons: Single vision, progressive, blue light filtering, light-responsiveRay-Ban - 9/11
Pair Eyewear
Ditch the plain, black Clark Kent frames for ones with a bit of personality – tagged with cute, clever names like The Wanda and The Twain. From astrology prints to Halloween-themed frames, Pair Eyewear has a vast collection of fun, youthful "tops," or interchangeable design pieces for the top of your eyeglasses, that compensates for the smaller frame selection. "These glasses are truly amazing! The frames fit my face perfectly, and I've already amassed a decent collection of tops," said one reviewer. "I get so many compliments on my glasses and people are amazed when I tell them I can exchange the tops any time I want to change up my look."
•Price: Starting at $60 (lenses included), tops start at $25
•Shipping Info: Free shipping, about 10-14 business days for single vision lenses, extra time with add-ons
•Return Policy: 30 days
•Lens Types & Add-Ons: Single vision, progressive, readers, blue light filtering, high-index, light-responsivePair Eyewear - 10/11
Overnight Glasses
Shop over 30 pages of designer eyewear frames that can arrive at your doorstep overnight. Get your single vision glasses delivered as fast as 24 hours by selecting rush service before 12 p.m. PST. If your vision fluctuates frequently, send over your new prescription using free two-day shipping at the additional cost of new lenses. One reviewer on the site said, "I got a really nice frame with a perfectly crafted lens for a fraction of the price."
•Price: Starting at $40 (lenses not included)
•Shipping Info: Free shipping without rush shipping, single vision glasses take 24 hours, progressive or bifocal glasses take 3 days
•Return Policy: 14 days, report any issues within seven days
•Lens Types & Add-Ons: Single vision, progressive, high-index, Trivex, bifocal, light-responsive, blue light filteringCapri Optics - 11/11
Roka
Touted as designed by athletes, for athletes, these lightweight performancewear eyeglasses rest comfortably without slipping or bouncing. The prescription glasses are bendable at the ends, and the frames come with grippy nose pads to ensure a better, more secure fit. In fact, Roka invites you to try four pairs free and jog, bike and sweat in your trial pair for seven days or try a virtual fitting consult with an on-site eyewear expert. Prices for these frames start relatively high, but are a worthy investment if you're an active person or spend much of your time outdoors.
•Price: Starting at $175 (lenses included)
•Shipping Info: Free shipping, about 2-7 business days
•Return Policy: No returns on prescription opticals
•Lens Types & Add-Ons: Single vision, progressive, polycarbonate, Trivex, high-index, readers, blue light filtering, light-responsiveRoka
