Thanks to the internet, getting new prescription eyeglasses has never been easier. Forget trips to the optometrist’s office just to browse frames. Now, you can explore, customize, and even virtually try on eyeglasses from the comfort of your home through Online Eyeglass Ordering. After extensive research and testing of numerous online options, we’ve identified the top places for online eyeglass ordering, led by GlassesUSA for its comprehensive selection and user-friendly prescription renewal process. For budget-conscious shoppers, Zenni Optical stands out with incredibly affordable frames starting at just $7. And for those seeking style, Warby Parker offers chic, in-house designed eyeglasses that are hard to beat.
Our evaluation process involved rigorous research of nearly a dozen highly-rated online eyewear retailers. We enlisted a panel of testers who engaged in the entire online eyeglass ordering process from website navigation to prescription verification and daily wear assessment. Their detailed feedback, combined with insights from fashion expert and deputy editor Kari Molvar, who oversees our eyewear content and is an eyeglass wearer herself, informed our selections. We compared each retailer on variety, return policies, website features like virtual try-on and online prescription renewal, and tester experiences. The result? A curated list of the five best prescription glasses retailers—including a standout mentioned twice for different strengths—all accessible through online eyeglass ordering.
Top Pick for Online Eyeglass Ordering Overall
Unmatched Selection and Seamless Ordering Experience
GlassesUSA
GlassesUSA Muse Zenith Eyeglasses
Tester wearing GlassesUSA eyeglasses, showcasing style and fit
Turnaround time: 10 to 16 business days (expedited shipping options available) | Return policy: 14 days, no questions asked | Insurance accepted: Yes, including HSA/FSA | Virtual try-on: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: Yes | Ships to: U.S., Canada, and U.K.
- What’s notable: GlassesUSA boasts an extensive collection of brands, both name brands and house brands, encompassing designer frames, blue light glasses, sunglasses, safety glasses, and sports glasses, making it a prime destination for online eyeglass ordering.
- What could be better: The 14-day, no-questions-asked return policy applies only to your first pair of glasses.
GlassesUSA stands out as a leading and comprehensive online retailer for prescription eyeglasses. Their vast inventory includes hundreds of designer frames from renowned brands like Ray-Ban, Gucci, and Oakley, alongside more affordable house brands in virtually every style and color imaginable. It emerged as the top choice for three of our panel testers, who lauded the simplicity and efficiency of the online eyeglass ordering process. Prices range from an accessible $39 to upwards of $700, depending on brand selection. Their virtual try-on feature allows users to upload a photo to the website and visualize how different frames look before committing to a purchase, enhancing the online eyeglass ordering experience. GlassesUSA also offers a convenient app that can scan your prescription from your current lenses, and for those with expired prescriptions, a virtual vision test provides a renewal option.
All lenses are custom-made in-house and undergo rigorous inspections for quality, clarity, and proper alignment. Customers can also opt for lens upgrades such as progressive lenses, anti-reflective coatings, and transition lenses for an additional cost of up to $169. One tester described the selection and checkout process as “sleek and intuitive” and was impressed by the prompt delivery. Another tester received her glasses just nine days after ordering, even with Thanksgiving weekend included in that timeframe. GlassesUSA provides a 14-day, no-questions-asked return policy for first-time purchases, ensuring customer satisfaction with their online eyeglass ordering.
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Best Value for Online Eyeglass Ordering
Extensive Range of Budget-Friendly Eyeglasses
Zenni Optical
Zenni Bravo Browline Glasses
Zenni Optical Browline glasses on a tester, highlighting affordability and style
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
- What’s notable: Zenni offers a vast selection of prescription eyeglasses at remarkably low prices, making online eyeglass ordering accessible for everyone. Their virtual try-on feature is also highly effective.
- What could be better: Standard U.S. shipping is a flat $6.95 fee, regardless of order size, and this fee is non-refundable on returns.
Zenni Optical is dedicated to making prescription eyeglasses affordable, with their house-designed frames starting as low as $7 and topping out at $50—including standard prescription lenses in the price. “With my complex prescription, costs can escalate quickly, so a lower-priced frame is a significant advantage,” one tester noted, emphasizing the value of online eyeglass ordering through Zenni. While Zenni now also carries designer brands, sticking with their in-house line provides the best value.
Another panel tester praised the site’s try-on feature, stating, “It’s very advanced in giving a comprehensive view of how the glasses will look. The entire experience, from start to finish, was seamless,” highlighting the user-friendliness of their online eyeglass ordering platform. Additionally, the ability to filter frames by pupillary distance simplifies finding the right fit. Zenni also offers low-bridge options and ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses with prescription single vision and progressive lenses, broadening their appeal for online eyeglass ordering. Upgrades like polarization are available starting at $33.
Most Stylish Options for Online Eyeglass Ordering
Fashion-Forward Designs with Free Try-At-Home Service
Warby Parker
Warby Parker Durand Eyeglasses
Warby Parker Durand eyeglasses on a tester, demonstrating stylish design and fit
Turnaround time: 7 to 10 business days | Return policy: 30 days for return or exchange | Insurance accepted: Yes, including HSA/FSA | Virtual try-on: Yes, and in-home try-on | Virtual Rx renewal: Yes | Ships to: U.S. and Canada
- What’s notable: Warby Parker offers a wide array of stylish prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses, blue light glasses, and sunglasses, along with contact lenses, positioning them as a style-conscious choice for online eyeglass ordering.
- What could be better: Kids’ glasses are only available for purchase in-store or via phone order, limiting the online selection for families.
Warby Parker is synonymous with designer-style eyeglasses at accessible prices. One of our testers has been a loyal customer for over a decade, ordering prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses through their online eyeglass ordering service. All frames start at $95, a competitive price that includes basic prescription lenses. Beyond virtual try-on, Warby Parker is renowned for its home try-on program. Customers can select up to five frames to be sent to their home for free, allowing them to physically try them on before making a purchase decision, enhancing the online eyeglass ordering experience with a tactile element. “The size accuracy, feel, and fit have always been excellent in my experience,” shared our panel tester. “The frames I regularly wear are blue light-blocking, which I believe effectively reduces eye fatigue.”
Once frames are chosen, basic prescription lenses can be added, which another tester described as “perfectly accurate” and “not too thick,” even with a strong prescription. Upgrade options like progressive lenses, blue light filtering, or light-responsive lenses are also available, adding up to $200 to the total cost. Warby Parker offers a 30-day return or exchange policy for unworn glasses. Additionally, they offer a unique benefit: free replacement lenses if yours get scratched within the first 365 days, adding extra value to their online eyeglass ordering service.
Best Selection of Designer Brands for Online Eyeglass Ordering
Discounted Designer Eyewear
Frames Direct
Frames Direct Ray-Ban RB7047 Eyeglasses
Frames Direct Ray-Ban eyeglasses on a display, showcasing designer brand selection
Turnaround time: 11 to 14 business days | Return policy: 30 days for return or exchange | Insurance accepted: No, but HSA/FSA accepted | Virtual try-on: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: No | Ships to: Over 140 countries worldwide
- What’s notable: Frames Direct boasts an impressive inventory of high-end designer styles, including brands like Gucci and Versace, making it a go-to destination for online eyeglass ordering of luxury eyewear.
- What could be better: Customers are responsible for shipping costs on refunded returns. Also, the website features limited product photos.
Frames Direct claims to offer the largest online selection of designer eyewear, featuring nearly 5,000 frames from luxury brands like Gucci and Versace, as well as popular brands like Oakley and Ray-Ban, in a wide spectrum of colors. One tester noted that her Armani Exchange glasses arrived with a “certificate of authenticity,” assuring the genuineness of the product, which is crucial for online eyeglass ordering of designer items. Most brands are offered at discounts ranging from 20% to 80% off retail prices, and prescription lenses are often available at reduced prices as well. “The value for these name-brand eyeglasses, especially with all the lens add-ons I chose, is very impressive,” said one tester. Another tester, who wears progressive lenses, added, “The lenses match my prescription perfectly and provide one of the best fields of vision compared to other glasses I’ve tried.” Frames Direct also provides a virtual try-on feature, allowing customers to visualize frames before proceeding with their online eyeglass ordering.
Lens options include single vision, no-line progressives, and non-prescription readers. Customers can also select from various lens materials, from thin polycarbonate to more economical plastic, and optional upgrades like digital light protection or scratch-resistant coating. Before finalizing the order, an optician reviews the selections to ensure they are optimal for the provided prescription, adding a layer of expert oversight to the online eyeglass ordering process.
Best for Prescription Sunglasses via Online Eyeglass Ordering
Mix of Affordable Brands and In-House Designs
Eyebuydirect
Eyebuydirect Good Vibrations Sunglasses
Eyebuydirect Good Vibrations sunglasses on a tester, showcasing stylish prescription sunglasses
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
- What’s notable: Eyebuydirect offers a wide selection of prescription sunglasses, eyeglasses, and blue light glasses at prices to fit every budget, making online eyeglass ordering for sunglasses highly accessible.
- What could be better: The return policy allows only for a one-time replacement or refund, and currently, there is no option to renew prescriptions through the site.
Eyebuydirect’s extensive frame selection can be fitted with tinted prescription lenses, offering thousands of options for prescription sunglasses through online eyeglass ordering. For those unsure where to begin, the company features its own line of prescription sunglasses, managing everything from concept to manufacturing in-house to maintain affordability. One tester, who prefers large, rectangular frames, appreciated the filter options that streamlined the selection process. Prescription sunglasses start at $39 and cap at under $100, providing excellent quality at a reasonable price point for online eyeglass ordering.
The virtual try-on feature allows users to upload a photo and see how frames look on their face while browsing the site, making it easy to compare different options. Testers reported that their eyeglasses arrived promptly and securely packaged in a compact cardboard box. Eyebuydirect offers a 14-day “no questions asked” return policy for a one-time replacement or refund, and a 365-Day Product Guarantee covers defects for a full year, adding assurance to online eyeglass ordering with them.
Best for Kids’ Eyeglasses via Online Eyeglass Ordering
Child-Friendly Styles Kids Will Love to Wear
Zenni Optical
Zenni Kids’ Rectangle Glasses
Zenni Kids' Rectangle glasses on a child, showcasing child-friendly design and fit
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
- What’s notable: Zenni simplifies shopping for kids’ glasses by organizing them into age-based categories, making online eyeglass ordering for children straightforward.
- What could be better: The color selection, particularly for more basic frame styles, could be expanded.
Kids and tweens have distinct preferences, and Zenni caters to this with a wide array of children’s frames at budget-friendly prices. This is why Zenni is our top recommendation for the best kids’ glasses available through online eyeglass ordering. Frames start as low as $6.95 for basic prescription lenses, with most frames priced between $16 and $30. This affordability is a major benefit for parents, as replacements are not overly expensive if glasses are misplaced or damaged.
Zenni offers flexible frames for toddlers, options with kid-friendly straps, and stylish designs to appeal to tweens. The website’s virtual try-on feature allows children to see how glasses will look on them, ensuring they are happy with their choice before purchase, enhancing the online eyeglass ordering process for families. Similar to their adult offerings, Zenni’s kids’ glasses can be customized with specialty coatings, accessories, or engraving.
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Why Trust Forbes Vetted for Online Eyeglass Ordering Recommendations
Our content library includes numerous eyewear stories, ranging from the best polarized sunglasses to the best glasses for men. We leverage our expertise to guide you to the best retailers for online eyeglass ordering.
How We Selected the Best Options for Online Eyeglass Ordering
I dedicated extensive hours to researching popular eyewear companies, focusing on their selection, value, insurance acceptance, return policies, and turnaround times to identify the best for online eyeglass ordering. Additionally:
- Our panel testers experienced the online eyeglass ordering process firsthand, evaluating website usability and special features like virtual and home try-ons, and prescription renewals. They wore each pair of glasses to assess comfort and performance.
- I analyzed feedback from our four testers and selected the top online retailers, organizing them based on their strengths, such as affordability or designer offerings, to provide targeted recommendations for online eyeglass ordering.
- I have provided estimated turnaround times, return policies, virtual try-on and vision renewal test availability, and insurance and HSA/FSA acceptance details to help you choose the best retailer for your specific online eyeglass ordering needs.
Forbes Vetted testing glasses for quality and comfort
At Forbes Vetted, we’ve tested numerous eyeglasses, conducting thorough quality, style, and comfort evaluations to provide reliable recommendations for online eyeglass ordering.
Guide to Buying Prescription Eyeglasses Online
Purchasing prescription eyeglasses through online eyeglass ordering is generally straightforward, but first-time buyers benefit from understanding the process. Here’s what you need to know before your purchase:
1. Ensure You Have a Current Prescription
If you do not have a recent prescription, an in-person appointment with an eye doctor is necessary. Expired prescriptions must be renewed. For convenience, some sites like GlassesUSA and Warby Parker offer online prescription renewals via virtual vision tests for an additional fee, streamlining the online eyeglass ordering process.
2. Measure Your Pupillary Distance (PD)
Knowing your pupillary distance (PD), the measurement between your pupils, is crucial for proper lens alignment. According to Cleveland Clinic, correct PD alignment ensures that “light-bending properties of prescription lenses align with your pupils.” While an eye doctor’s measurement is most accurate, online tools like Zenni’s digital PD ruler or Warby Parker’s PD measuring tool offer at-home measurement options for online eyeglass ordering.
Tester wearing stylish eyeglasses from Eyebuydirect, emphasizing fashionable online options
3. Select Your Lens Type
Prescription lenses primarily come in two types: single vision and multifocal. According to the Eye Institute of South Jersey, single vision lenses correct a single vision issue like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Multifocal lenses, including bifocals and progressive lenses, address multiple vision corrections. Bifocals have distinct sections for distance and near vision, while progressive lenses offer a seamless transition between near, intermediate, and distance vision, providing more versatile vision correction through online eyeglass ordering.
4. Choose Lens Coatings
Most retailers offer lens coatings to enhance glasses performance. Upgrades include anti-scratch, anti-fog, and blue light-blocking coatings, available for an extra charge. Anti-scratch coatings are ideal for active individuals, anti-fog coatings benefit mask wearers, and blue light filters can reduce eye strain from screen use. These options allow for customization when online eyeglass ordering.
Tester wearing Zenni aviator sunglasses, highlighting customization in online ordering
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online Eyeglass Ordering
Can I Order Eyeglasses Online Using My Prescription?
Yes, you can use your current prescription for online eyeglass ordering. Advanced technology even allows for online prescription renewals through certain retailers like GlassesUSA, Warby Parker, and Roka. These sites offer virtual vision exams via phone or computer, with optometrist review, simplifying the online eyeglass ordering process.
What’s the Most Affordable Place for Online Eyeglass Ordering?
Generally, online eyeglass ordering is more cost-effective than purchasing from an optometrist’s office. Zenni Optical is among the most affordable, with frames starting at $7. Large retailers like GlassesUSA and Eyebuydirect also offer competitive pricing. Look out for seasonal promotions from eyewear companies to maximize savings on online eyeglass ordering.
Is Online Eyeglass Ordering Worth It?
Yes, online eyeglass ordering offers numerous benefits, but consider both pros and cons. Advantages include convenience, wider selections, and often lower prices. It’s ideal for those who know their prescription and measurements. However, assessing frame fit and quality without a home try-on option can be challenging, and online customer service may be limited. Adjustments to fit might be needed after online eyeglass ordering.
