Traditionally, if you were looking for new prescription eyeglasses to correct a problem with your vision, you'd visit your local optometrist, where you'd get an an eye test and try on frames in a store. While that's still a good idea and we recommend following a regular schedule of eye exams to stay on top of your eye health. shopping online for new frames and lenses is easier than ever. You can take a virtual eye exam, see how different frame designs will look on your face using the camera on your laptop or phone and save a lot of money in the process.
With that in mind, CNET's expert team has tested all the major online eyewear retailers to find out which ones are truly worth your time and money, evaluating everything from pricing and return policies to insurance compatibility and virtual try-on tools.
What is the best place to buy prescription glasses online?
Zenni is currently at the top of our list because it has a good selection of frames and lens options at the lowest prices. Warby Parker was previously my top pick, and GlassesUSA is also one of the most affordable sites. Our editors have had great shopping experiences at Warby Parker, and it features the option to buy from its many brick-and-mortar stores. New additions to list include Breezm, which makes custom 3D-printed glasses and Tifosi Optics, which is know for sports-oriented eyewear.
Note that if you're looking for replacement prescription lenses to put into your favorite frames, check out our list of the best places to buy replacement lenses online. I also point contact lens users to our best places to buy contact lenses online list, and those looking for reading glasses to our best reading glasses to buy online list.
Recent updates: In May 2025, we updated information for each retailer to reflect accuracy. We also added commentary from additional testers. A comparison table with important service information was also included.
Best online prescription glasses of 2026
Best places to buy glasses online, compared
| Retailer | Price Range | Virtual Try-On | Returns | Insurance Accepted | Price Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zenni Optical | $7-$258 | Yes | 30 days (store credit only) | FSA/HSA | No |
| GlassesUSA | $33-$830 | Yes | 14 days full refund | Insurance claims supported, FSA/HSA | Yes, within 14 days |
| Warby Parker | $95-$195 | Yes | 30 days full refund | Accepts insurance, FSA/HSA | No |
| EyeBuyDirect | $9-$470 | Yes | 14 days | FSA/HSA | No |
| Overnight Glasses | $45-$900 | No | 14 days | FSA/HSA | Yes, must meet specific cirteria |
| Lensabl | $97-$486 | No | 30 days | FSA/HSA | No |
| Glasses.com | $45-$280 | Yes | 60 days | Accepts insurance, FSA/HSA | Yes, within 30 days |
| Eyeglasses.com | $75-$1,000 | Yes | 30 days | Accepts insurance, FSA/HSA | Yes, with proof from authorized retailers |
| Roka Eyewear | $150-$215 | Yes | 30 days | FSA/HSA | No |
| Frames Direct | $141-$329 | Yes | 30 days | Accepts insurance, FSA/HSA | Yes, with proof from authorized retailers |
| Tifosi | $99-$250 | Yes | 45 days | FSA/HSA | No |
Why should you trust us about finding the best places to buy glasses online?
At CNET, not only have we reviewed a wide range of online glasses retailers, including the most popular sites for buying glasses online, but we periodically go back and retest retailers we've already tried out. We also monitor any new notable features that only glasses sites might add, as well as any special discounts and new product options. Additionally, we endeavor to try out a site's budget options along with higher-priced offerings since there are so many lens and frame options to choose from. In many but not all cases, we also jury test retailers, with multiple CNET editors providing feedback from their experiences using a site. This is particularly true for popular sites like Zenni, Warby Parker, GlassesUSA and EyeBuyDirect. Finally, we've consulted ophthalmologists and other eyewear experts to make sure we're providing useful and accurate information.
How we chose the best places to buy glasses online
For this roundup of the best online retailers for prescription glasses, we considered factors like affordability, variety of selections, notable site features, shipping time and quality. These online retailers were independently chosen by our editors.
Read more: Give Yourself an Eye Exam Right From Your Smartphone
Buying advice for glasses
Online retailers offer plenty of deals, which makes shopping for glasses online a lot more reasonable than you may think. And while you might see great deals from time to time, we recommend timing your purchase around major festive sales. During the 2025 holiday season, we saw massive price drops (up to 60%) on frames and lenses. However, if you need to buy a new set right now, visit EyeBuyDirect, which offers up to 30% with the code NEW4YOU on orders over $120.
How to buy prescription glasses online
1. The first thing you need to buy prescription glasses online is a prescription. The best way to get an accurate prescription is to visit an optometrist and have an eye exam, which tends to cost around $100. After the test is complete, you need to make sure you get a hard copy of your prescription so you can retain it for your records. Alternatively, you can pick up a device like the $99 EyeQue Vision Check (out of stock) to use your smartphone to check your vision and create a prescription that many online glasses stores will accept, although some do require a prescription from an optometrist.
2. Get your pupillary distance number from your optometrist or measure it yourself. Be aware that sometimes optometrists won't give your pupillary distance because they'll say they want to measure you for a specific set of glasses. Insist on getting one because it's required to order glasses online. Note that you can also measure PD yourself using an app on your smartphone or download a PD ruler that most online stores have available for download with instructions on how to use it. Pupillary distance is key because when lenses are made it's important to know where your eye is in relation to the center of the lens.
3. Make sure your prescription isn't out of date. If you haven't had a vision test in a while, it might be a good idea to get another one. Some sites like Warby Parker offer an inexpensive virtual vision test if your prescription is out of date but you feel you're seeing well out of your current glasses (but still want to replace them). You take a five-minute vision test, looking at an eye chart from home. An eye doctor then reviews the results and responds within 48 hours to let you know if you've qualified for a prescription renewal.
4. Some but not all stores accept dollars from Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts. If you have money you want to use from an FSA or HSA, or have vision insurance, you need to check on the store's insurance, FSA and HSA policies before making a purchase. Many do accept them.
5. Go to an online retailer and select a pair of frames that you like. This can be the hardest part of the process because it's tricky to know exactly what you'll look like in the glasses unless you try the frames on in person and look at yourself in a mirror. Some online retailers have virtual try-on applications or, even better, they'll ship you a few frames to try on at home before you select one or more to buy.
6. Provide your prescription. With some online retailers, you can simply take a picture of your prescription with your smartphone and upload the image to the site. Most prescription glasses sites also allow you to manually input your prescription numbers, which is typically what I do. When a site asks for your prescription, it will also ask for your PD number.
7. Select the type of lenses you want. You can buy complete basic single-vision prescription glasses for less than $20 online. And in most cases, they'll work fine. You will certainly notice a difference when upgrading to higher-quality lenses in terms of clarity and weight (thinner, lighter lenses tend to cost more). I personally have a few cheap sets of prescription glasses that I keep in my car or in a backpack as backup glasses in case something should happen to my main pair. What I've found is that often the best thing to do is spend a little more for a higher-grade lens and not go for the cheapest option.
8. Before making your final purchase, read the fine print on the site's return policy. Many sites are good about letting you return glasses if the lenses you ordered (based on your correct prescription numbers) aren't good for some reason or the frames just don't fit right. Read the fine print on the return policy. In some cases, you can get a full refund and in others a store credit. Sometimes stores will only offer a partial store credit. You don't want to be surprised if something goes wrong. I've only had one company screw up my order with the wrong prescription in one lens.
9. Input any discount codes at checkout. Glasses sites constantly have promos running with discount codes that you input at checkout, although they sometimes exclude premium frames from name-brand companies. Sometimes you'll see slightly sweeter deals around a holiday, with online glasses stores using almost any holiday as an excuse to offer a new discount code.
Best places to buy glasses online FAQs
What is the best place to buy glasses online?
It really depends on what you're looking for in terms of frame style and pricing. Every store on this list is a good place to shop for glasses online, but the types of frames vary by store, with some stores offering more premium frames, which tend to cost more. Lens quality also can vary, and some stores offer faster delivery.
Who has the best prices for prescription glasses?
Stores like Zenni Optical and EyeBuyDirect advertise offers for cheap prescription glasses (including frames and lenses) for $7 or even slightly less. While that's slightly deceptive -- only because the price doesn't include tax and shipping, and you really should add an anti-glare coating to the lens for about $4 extra -- I have put together a usable pair of glasses for around $17 shipped.
What can I expect to pay for a pair of prescription glasses online?
You can often get glasses with basic frames and lenses for less than $100 and sometimes even less than $50 during certain promotions. (I once bought a pair of prescription glasses for $9 that I can't say were all that good, but I've kept them in my car as an emergency pair.)
More premium lenses made of lighter and stronger materials, with additional scratch resistance and anti-glare coating or photochromic lenses that change from clear to tinted, cost significantly more. A pair of premium prescription glasses that might cost you $300 to $400 online would probably cost double that or more in a brick-and-mortar shop.
Note that some online glasses shops do accept vision insurance, though even if they do, you'll have to check whether they accept your specific vision insurance. Many online eyewear retailers, including Warby Parker, accept money from flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts along with vision insurance. Shopping online also allows you to get higher-end eyewear at more budget-conscious prices, as you can often find glasses deals.
Can I return prescription glasses I buy online?
Yes, sometimes prescription glasses don't end up being perfect and may end up bothering your eyes. I once had a certain online store screw up the prescription in the left lens while the right one was correct. In many cases, you can return the glasses if you're not satisfied, but make sure to read the fine print on the store's return policy. Often, the store will remake the glasses for you or give you a full refund. Certain sites only offer partial refunds.
What kind of deals can I find for prescription glasses online?
Most sites offer 15% to 20% off your first purchase if you provide an email address. Many sites also offer additional deals with certain codes at checkout, whether it's discounts on frames, lenses, lens upgrades and sometimes you'll see a buy-one-get-one-free deal. Typically restrictions apply, which can mean you can only use the code for certain frames and less complicated prescriptions (single lens as opposed to progressive lenses). Look for sales and new codes to crop up around various holidays.
What type of eyeglass lens is best?
For pure clarity, a glass or mineral glass lens is the best. Most people prefer polycarbonate lenses, which are lighter and more durable. High-index lenses are good for those who have strong prescriptions that would normally require thicker lenses. These high-tech plastic lenses end up being the same thinness as standard plastic or polycarbonate lenses that have a lighter prescription. You do have to pay more for high-index lenses. Arguably the best lenses are Trivex lenses, which are lightweight and durable and offer slightly better clarity than polycarbonate lenses. They are more expensive than plastic (CR-39) and polycarbonate lenses.
How often do you need to buy new glasses?
Optometrists generally recommend that you purchase new glasses every one to two years. Though some people may need to order new glasses more frequently due to vision health conditions like cataracts or damage to the lenses or frames.
What measurements do I need to order glasses online?
In addition to providing your prescription, you'll also need to have some key measurements on hand to make sure that you're getting the right frames to fit your face. You'll generally want to know your pupillary distance (PD), frame width, lens width, lens height, bridge width and temple length measurements. You can use Zenni's DIY guide to measure yourself if you have an pair old glasses that fit well.
Is GlassesUSA or Zenni better?
Based on our testing and research, we found Zenni to be better than GlassesUSA, but the latter is still a great option for affordable prices.
Is it safe to buy glasses online?
Buying glasses online is convenient, but runs the risk of an incorrect prescription, poor fit or subpar material. Additionally, augmented reality doesn't always reflect the fit effectively and you might not like the final product.
