For those of us who rely on contact lenses, the cost can really add up. As someone who’s worn contacts for years, I’ve discovered that buying online isn’t just more convenient, it’s often significantly cheaper than purchasing from your eye doctor. While 1-800 Contacts stands out with its amazing return policy and price guarantees, there are many online retailers vying to be the Cheapest Contact Lenses Online provider. This guide breaks down the best places to secure affordable lenses, helping you save money without sacrificing quality or convenience.
When you’re ready to buy contacts online, remember you’ll need a valid prescription. Most sites allow you to upload or provide your eye doctor’s information for verification. It’s crucial to note that expired prescriptions are not accepted, as mandated by the Federal Trade Commission. Prescriptions are typically valid for one to two years, depending on your state. Fortunately, many online retailers offer virtual prescription renewals for added convenience. Beyond prescription renewals, I’ve evaluated online contact retailers based on price, variety, shipping costs, return policies, and whether they accept vision insurance or HSA/FSA funds to bring you this list of top picks for finding the cheapest contact lenses online.
Top Picks for the Cheapest Contact Lenses Online
1-800 Contacts: Best Overall for Price Guarantee and Customer Service
Smiling woman wearing contacts, representing 1-800 Contacts' customer satisfaction.
1-Day Acuvue Oasys (12-Pack)
Key Features:
- Shipping: Free standard shipping, expedited options available.
- Return Policy: Free returns and exchanges at any time, even for opened boxes.
- Insurance: Accepts vision insurance, HSA, and FSA.
- Virtual Rx Renewal: Yes.
Why it’s great for finding cheap contacts:
- Best Price Guarantee: 1-800 Contacts actively ensures you get the lowest price. If you find a lower price online, they’ll beat it. This commitment to price makes them a strong contender for cheapest contact lenses online.
- Excellent Customer Service: Accessible 24/7 via phone or chat, providing support for price matching and any order issues.
- Generous Return Policy: The ability to return opened boxes provides peace of mind and reduces the risk of wasted expenses, contributing to overall cost savings.
Things to consider:
- Price match requires verification: You need to actively engage with customer service and provide proof of a lower price, which can be time-consuming.
As a long-time customer, I consistently return to 1-800 Contacts because price is a major factor for me. Their Best Price Guarantee truly ensures you’re getting competitive pricing. While it requires a little effort to verify a lower price, the savings are often worth it. Their ExpressExam for prescription renewal and free, fast shipping further enhance the value, making it easier to get cheap contact lenses. Plus, their incredibly generous return policy is unmatched.
GlassesUSA: Cheapest for One-Stop Eyewear Shopping and Deals
Collage image of glasses and contact lens boxes, representing GlassesUSA's eyewear variety.
Biofinity Toric (6-Pack)
Key Features:
- Shipping: Free standard shipping, expedited and express options.
- Return Policy: Free returns and exchanges on unopened boxes within 60 days.
- Insurance: Accepts vision insurance, HSA, and FSA.
- Virtual Rx Renewal: No.
Why it’s great for finding cheap contacts:
- Competitive Pricing and Sales: GlassesUSA rivals contact lens-specific retailers in price and frequently offers on-site deals and coupon codes, making it possible to find cheap contact lenses.
- One-Stop Shop Convenience: Ideal if you also need glasses or sunglasses, allowing you to consolidate eyewear purchases and potentially leverage bundled discounts.
- Price Match Guarantee: While not as prominently advertised as some, they do honor price matching, ensuring you can get your contacts at a lower price if you find one elsewhere.
Things to consider:
- No virtual prescription renewal: You’ll need to obtain your prescription elsewhere.
GlassesUSA is a well-known eyewear retailer offering a wide range of glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses. Their user-friendly website allows you to easily filter contacts by brand, lens type, prescription needs, and budget. The availability of an Auto-Refill option adds to the convenience. Their sale section and coupon page are easily accessible, making it simple to find discounts. Keep an eye out for promotions like free glasses with your first contact lens order to maximize your savings. If you are looking for cheap contact lenses and also need glasses, GlassesUSA is a very strong option.
ContactsDirect: Cheapest with Insurance and Military Discounts
Person happily holding contact lens box, representing ContactsDirect's customer satisfaction.
Dailies AquaComfort Plus (90-Pack)
Key Features:
- Shipping: Free standard shipping, store pickup at LensCrafters, priority and express options.
- Return Policy: Return unopened boxes within 6 months (shipping charges not refunded).
- Insurance: Accepts vision insurance, HSA, and FSA.
- Virtual Rx Renewal: Yes.
Why it’s great for finding cheap contacts:
- Insurance Made Easy: ContactsDirect simplifies using vision insurance benefits, potentially leading to significant cost reductions and making them a great choice for cheapest contact lenses online with insurance.
- Discounts and Promos: Offers 15% off for military, teachers, first responders, and medical workers, alongside frequent promotions for additional savings.
- Price Matching: Price matches with select competitors, further ensuring competitive pricing.
Things to consider:
- Shipping not refunded on returns.
- Limited price matching: Only matches with a specific list of competitors.
While many retailers accept insurance, ContactsDirect stands out for making the process exceptionally straightforward. Their insurance policy page clearly outlines accepted providers and out-of-network options, and their customer service is readily available to assist with any questions. Beyond insurance, their savings page lists numerous discounts, including a general 15% off with code MYCONTACTS and specialized discounts for certain professions. Their virtual prescription renewal, often discounted, adds another layer of savings. If you have vision insurance or qualify for their discounts, ContactsDirect is a prime option for cheapest contact lenses.
Hubble: Cheapest Subscription for Budget-Conscious Buyers
Close-up of Hubble contact lens box, emphasizing affordability.
Hubble Classic Daily (10-Day Starter Pack)
Key Features:
- Shipping: $4 standard shipping.
- Return Policy: Return unopened boxes within 14 days (shipping and handling not refunded).
- Insurance: Accepts HSA and FSA, but not vision insurance.
- Virtual Rx Renewal: Free for subscribers.
Why it’s great for finding cheap contacts:
- Affordable Subscription Model: Hubble’s monthly subscription significantly reduces upfront costs, making it easier to manage contact lens expenses on a budget and find truly cheap contact lenses online.
- Value-Priced House Brands: Their in-house lens brands, like Hubble, Hydro, and SkyHy, offer excellent value and are very competitively priced.
- Free Prescription Renewal for Subscribers: Subscribers benefit from free virtual prescription renewals, further reducing the overall cost.
Things to consider:
- Subscription commitment: Requires a subscription, though you can adjust or cancel.
- Limited brand variety: Primarily focuses on Hubble’s own brands with limited third-party options.
- Shipping fee: $4 shipping fee per order.
Hubble revolutionized the contact lens market with its subscription model, making contacts more accessible and affordable. If brand flexibility isn’t a concern, Hubble’s line of lenses offers some of the most budget-friendly options available, ranging from $23 to $30 per month per eye. Their initial promos, like the Hubble Classic Daily 10-day starter pack for as low as $1 for both eyes (including shipping), are incredibly attractive. The inclusion of free virtual vision tests for subscribers solidifies Hubble as a top choice for those seeking the cheapest contact lenses through a convenient subscription service.
Contact Lens King: Cheapest for Bulk Orders
Stack of contact lens boxes, representing Contact Lens King's bulk order savings.
Biotrue Oneday Lenses (90-Count)
Key Features:
- Shipping: $10 to $13 standard US shipping, priority and expedited options.
- Return Policy: Return unopened boxes within 30 days (shipping charges not refunded).
- Insurance: Accepts HSA and FSA, but not vision insurance.
- Virtual Rx Renewal: No.
Why it’s great for finding cheap contacts:
- Low Per-Box Pricing on Bulk Orders: Contact Lens King offers significant per-box savings when you purchase larger quantities, making it ideal for those who want to stock up and secure the cheapest contact lenses online in bulk.
- Transparent Pricing: Pricing is clear and upfront, avoiding hidden fees that can inflate the final cost.
- Wide Variety: Offers a broad selection of brands and lens types, including specialty lenses.
Things to consider:
- High shipping costs: Shipping fees can negate savings on smaller orders.
- Shipping not refunded on returns.
- No virtual prescription renewal.
Contact Lens King is geared towards bulk buyers looking for the most economical per-box price. While their standard shipping costs are higher than average, the savings on larger orders can be substantial. If you typically purchase six or more boxes at a time, the reduced per-box cost can make Contact Lens King one of the cheapest contact lenses online options. They provide transparent pricing, so you won’t encounter unexpected fees at checkout. While lacking features like virtual prescription renewal, their focus on bulk discounts and clear pricing makes them a strong contender for cost-conscious, high-volume buyers.
Warby Parker: Cheapest for Eyewear Sets and House Brand Value
Person wearing Warby Parker glasses and holding contact lens box, representing integrated eyewear solutions.
Scout By Warby Parker (90-Pack)
Key Features:
- Shipping: Free standard shipping, expedited option available.
- Return Policy: Free returns and exchanges of unopened boxes within 60 days.
- Insurance: Accepts vision insurance, HSA, and FSA.
- Virtual Rx Renewal: Yes.
Why it’s great for finding cheap contacts:
- Competitive Pricing & Bundled Savings: Warby Parker offers competitive pricing on contacts and often provides savings when purchasing both glasses and contacts, making it a cost-effective option for complete eyewear needs and potentially cheapest contact lenses online when bundled.
- House Brand Value: Their Scout brand contacts offer excellent quality at a value price point.
- One-Stop Eyewear Destination: Convenient for those who also wear glasses, allowing you to manage all eyewear needs in one place.
Things to consider:
- Limited frame brands: Primarily offers Warby Parker’s house-brand frames.
Warby Parker is renowned for its stylish and affordable eyeglasses, but they also offer a solid selection of contact lenses, including their value-driven house brand, Scout. While their incentives like free shipping and virtual prescription renewals aren’t unique, the convenience of managing both glasses and contacts in one place, combined with potential cross-product savings (like a $50 eyewear credit with an annual contact lens supply purchase), makes Warby Parker a compelling option. For those who appreciate Warby Parker’s aesthetic and regularly switch between glasses and contacts, it’s a cost-effective and convenient choice to get cheap contact lenses online.
Walgreens: Cheapest Drugstore Option with Added Convenience
Walgreens storefront, representing drugstore convenience for contact lens purchases.
Proclear 1-Day (90-Count)
Key Features:
- Shipping: Free standard shipping on contact lens-only orders, overnight option available.
- Return Policy: Returns accepted on unopened boxes with limitations.
- Insurance: Accepts HSA and FSA, but not vision insurance.
- Virtual Rx Renewal: No.
Why it’s great for finding cheap contacts:
- Competitive Pricing and Promos: Walgreens offers competitive pricing on contact lenses and frequently runs retailer-wide promotions, potentially leading to extra savings on cheap contact lenses online.
- Drugstore Convenience: Ability to add other drugstore essentials to your order and utilize “ship to store” options for easy pickup.
- Reputable Retailer: Purchasing from a trusted national drugstore chain provides assurance and reliability.
Things to consider:
- Less eyewear-specific features: Lacks virtual try-on or lenient return policies found on specialized eyewear sites.
- Limited return policy: Returns are restricted to unopened boxes and specific circumstances.
Walgreens provides a different approach to buying contacts online – leveraging the convenience of a major drugstore chain. While not offering specialized eyewear features, Walgreens compensates with competitive pricing, frequent promotions (like extra percentage discounts on contact lens orders), and the ability to combine your contact lens purchase with other household essentials. Free shipping on contact lens-only orders and the option to ship to a local store add to the convenience. If you’re already a Walgreens shopper or value the ease of a drugstore purchase, they can be a surprisingly affordable place to find cheap contact lenses.
Key Factors to Consider When Buying Cheapest Contact Lenses Online
Finding the cheapest contact lenses online involves more than just looking at the sticker price. Here are crucial factors to consider to maximize your savings:
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Variety & Brand Preference: If you are brand-loyal, ensure the retailer carries your specific lenses. If you’re open to alternatives, consider value brands like Aquasoft Dailies (1-800 Contacts), Scout by Warby Parker, or Hubble’s lenses, which can significantly reduce costs. Remember to consult your eye doctor before switching brands, although the FTC notes you can switch to a generic version of your prescribed lens without a new prescription.
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Convenience Features vs. Price: Decide what features are most important to you. Virtual prescription renewals, combined eyewear purchases, or subscription services offer convenience but might not always be the absolute cheapest option. Sometimes sacrificing a feature for a lower price point is the way to get the cheapest contact lenses.
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Shipping Costs: Always factor in shipping fees. Retailers like Contact Lens King have lower per-box prices but higher shipping, which can impact overall cost, especially for smaller orders. Look for free shipping options or retailers that offer it as a standard.
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Return Policies: While aiming for the cheapest contact lenses, consider return policies. A generous return policy, like 1-800 Contacts’, can save money in the long run by preventing waste if your prescription changes or you have unopened boxes left over.
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Price Comparison & Price Matching: Utilize price comparison tools and take advantage of price match guarantees offered by retailers like 1-800 Contacts, GlassesUSA, and ContactsDirect. Actively comparing prices ensures you’re truly getting the best deal.
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Insurance, HSA/FSA: Maximize savings by using vision insurance, HSA, or FSA funds if applicable. Retailers like ContactsDirect simplify insurance claims, while most listed retailers accept HSA/FSA payments, effectively reducing your out-of-pocket expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Buying Cheap Contacts Online
Is it safe to buy contacts online to get the cheapest prices?
Yes, buying contacts online from reputable retailers is safe. The websites listed here sell the same trusted brands you’d find at an eye doctor’s office. Online retailers often offer lower prices due to direct sourcing and lower overhead, making cheap contact lenses accessible safely.
Are online contacts cheaper than buying from an eye doctor?
Generally, yes. Online retailers often bypass markups associated with traditional brick-and-mortar optical shops. Price matching and frequent promotions further contribute to online savings, allowing you to find significantly cheaper contact lenses online.
Can I buy cheap contacts with an expired prescription?
No. A valid prescription is legally required. However, many online retailers offer convenient and often discounted virtual prescription renewals if yours has expired. Renewing your prescription online can be cheaper and faster than a traditional eye doctor visit, indirectly contributing to finding the cheapest contact lenses by minimizing associated costs.
Conclusion: Smart Shopping for the Cheapest Contact Lenses
Finding the cheapest contact lenses online is absolutely achievable by considering your priorities, comparing retailers, and leveraging available savings opportunities. Whether you prioritize price guarantees, insurance benefits, bulk discounts, subscription models, or drugstore convenience, there’s an online retailer to meet your needs and budget. By understanding the factors outlined in this guide, you can confidently navigate the online market and secure affordable vision correction without compromising quality or service. Start comparing and saving today!
