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Don't Get Ripped Off for Eyeglasses Ever Again — Get Them Way Cheaper Online
Like with most things, shopping online for prescription eyeglasses has become the new norm thanks to the convenience of being able to try on frames virtually or at home. Now that there are so many options, finding the right pair of cheap prescription glasses online may feel overwhelming.
Because you should expect to replace your glasses every one to three years, it’s worthwhile to find affordable online eyeglasses. The good news is that “affordable” doesn’t have to mean “cheaply made” – sites like GlassesUSA offer a wide variety of brand-name frames at affordable prices. And you especially want to avoid overspending if you like to change up your style every so often.
But with the price of everything going up, can you still find a deal on prescription eyeglasses? Lucky for you, we’ve got a list of the best affordable prescription eyeglasses online.
If it’s time for new glasses, but your budget isn’t exactly where it needs to be, it may be time to consider making a little extra money. From sharing your honest opinion to doing surveys online, these are some of our favorite ways to make quick money.
Buying prescription eyeglasses online is convenient and often cheaper than buying in-store because there’s less overhead costs, although some online retailers also have in-person stores.
In a 2022 survey conducted by Consumer Reports, people buying glasses online paid a median of $111, while those shopping in-store spent $215.
And if you’re afraid buying cheap glasses online might imply that you’ll be wearing tacky, cheap frames, you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised. The beauty of affordable glasses is you can buy multiple pairs when you shop online.
Once you decide to find that stylish set of frames, get ready for a lot of options from a lot of different websites. Most offer a virtual try-on so you can see what the lens will look like on your face before you buy. You can submit a copy of your prescription from your eye doctor, but some sites even offer tele-optometry appointments so you can get your prescription where you order your frames.
If you’re new to online shopping for eyeglasses, keep in mind most prices you’ll see are for both frames and lenses (assuming you have a relatively low prescription that doesn’t require thicker lenses). But you might be charged extra for special coatings, progressive lenses (those that function as both reading and distance glasses) or other add-ons, so keep that in mind.
We evaluated lenses based on the prices, style options and return policy. All of the options that made our list accepted some health insurance plans or Health Saving Accounts/Flexible Spending Accounts — or both. Some also let you use Buy Now Pay Later plans like Klarna, but be sure to check which types of payments the site accepts before you start shopping.
We’ve updated this list for 2026 with information from the companies’ websites as well as online reviews. In our analysis of reviews, we focused on the value and reliability of the glasses and providers, not just the lowest sticker price.
We tested and researched dozens of popular sites. These eight offer the best mix of affordability, quality, and customer satisfaction. *Prices subject to change.
GlassesUSA offers a huge selection (as in thousands of frames) of cheap glasses. Unlike some of the competition, GlassesUSA also offers free shipping and returns, as well as a 365-day warranty.
While many of the glasses here start at around $40 (including lenses), clearance pairs are available for as low as $19.
GlassesUSA often runs promotions, including buy one get one free for eyeglasses and sunglasses.
Probably one of the cheapest online eyewear stores out there, Zenni sells single-prescription glasses starting at $6.95.
Looking for more options? It also sells affordable prescription sunglasses (starting at $15) and blue light blocking glasses (starting at $16.95).
You can even buy your frames using your HSA or FSA account, and some of its lenses (under “Rush Delivery”) qualify for three- to five-day shipping.
Despite the crazy-low affordable prices, Zenni lenses are actually still good quality according to customer reviews, and all come with UV protection and an initial 30-day protection plan that replaces broken frames for free.
When you need more than one new pair of glasses, EyeBuyDirect is a great option. This online vendor offers a little bit of everything when it comes to buying glasses online, including its own ultra-affordable, in-house-designed prescription lenses and some of your favorite brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley.
With virtual try-ons, a huge selection, and frames starting at $6, EyeBuyDirect makes it easy to find stylish cheap eyeglasses online.
The company also offers a one-year warranty, which will replace your lenses for free if they break due to defects, and you can return your glasses within the first two weeks for a replacement pair or a full refund.
If you’re looking for a lot of choices (and the modern convenience of trying on frames at home), you’ll want to check out Warby Parker, a pioneer in buying cheap eyeglasses online. With prescription eyeglasses starting at $95, and a variety of insurance providers accepted (including UnitedHealthcare, BCBS and Spectera among others), Warby makes it easy to find great frames at any budget.
Basic Warby lenses include a scratch-resistant treatment, a moisture-repelling coating and UV protection. Progressive lenses (those that function as both reading and distance glasses) start at $325, while transition lenses (light responsive lenses) cost an additional $125 from the base model.
Warby usually takes five to 10 business days to ship your order, with home try-ons arriving in about five days.
As the name suggests, 39DollarGlasses offers cheap eyeglasses online starting at just $39. But that price isn’t just for frames—it also includes custom prescription lenses with UV protection. Like most online eyewear stores on this list, the company offers a wide variety of specialized lenses from progressive lenses to blue light lenses and transitional lenses.
Besides these basic options, the company also sells sunglasses and provides a re-lens program that allows you to put new lenses in old frames. 39DollarGlasses also offers a variety of ongoing discounts for teachers, first responders and members of the military.
SmartBuyGlasses sells a bit of everything, including prescription lenses, sunglasses and even contact lenses. It also offers a steady stream of savings promotions.
With super affordable frames starting at just $7 and a collection of luxury frames starting in the $200 range, there’s something for every budget at SmartBuyGlasses. Besides all the great deals you can score on eyewear, the company also offers a 100-day return policy.
Goggles4u calls itself an “eyewear superstore,” and for good reason. The company offers thousands of cheap eyeglasses online, from reading and progressive lenses to sunglasses and our personal favorite, a huge collection of frames for kids and toddlers (but it doesn’t sell goggles, which seems like a missed opportunity).
The kids’ frames range from toddler pairs for as low as $6.95 to more sophisticated designer frames in the $50 range. The company also has an entire category of glasses called two-day rush, which contains over 700 frames to choose from.
For those who can’t seem to decide which frames they like best, Pair Eyewear might be the answer to your fashion prayers. The company specializes in ultra-affordable frames (starting at $60, prescription included) that can be used as a base for a variety of “tops,” swappable plastic frames that magnetically attach to the base frame so you can change the overall color and aesthetic of your glasses.
Tops start at $25 and come in over 400 different colors and designs. You can shop tops by color, holiday or even for a special event (like a wedding).
Affordable Online Eyeglasses at a Glance
While ordering prescription eyeglasses online is relatively easy, it’s important to understand how to do it correctly to ensure you get glasses that fit your face and lenses that match your prescription.
Some online retailers also have brick-and-mortar locations where you can get an eye exam and order your frames. If you’re purchasing online, you’ll need a prescription from your eye doctor to order your lenses. All the numbers can get a little overwhelming, but all of the sites on our list include an explanation of how to read your prescription. Here are a few abbreviations to help you start deciphering:
If you browse any of the sites on our list, in addition to all the frames, you’ll notice there’s a wide variety of lenses available — sometimes a dozen or more. Many of these are features that cost extra, so be sure to check how much they could add to the price of your specs. Here’s some of the more popular types you’ll want to consider.:
Progressive lenses: These lenses are designed to correct for both distance and reading. Expect to pay significantly more if you need progressive lenses than if you order single-vision lenses. Progressive lenses themselves come in different versions. Bifocals are often included in this grouping.
KODAK Lenses: In addition to progressive lenses, some sites offer KODAK lenses, which are progressive lenses that incorporate advanced technology for sharper vision, a wider viewing aread and reduced distortion. Expect to pay $100 or more for KODAK Lenses compared to standard progressives lenses.
Blue Light: These may also go by blue blockers, blue light filter lenses or a variety of similarly “blue” names. The lenses filter blue light, which may help reduce eye strain from looking at screens and digital devices.
Transitions: Transition lenses turn from clear to shaded in the sunlight, which is convenient if you don’t want to swap out your glasses when you go outside. If you prefer a separate pair of sunglasses, all of the sites on our list also sell prescription sunglasses.
While they’re convenient, affordable online eyeglasses aren’t for everyone. If your prescription is unusual — you have a complex prism or you have a very high prescription — you’ll likely be better off getting your prescription at your eye doctor so you can get an in-person fitting.
More from The Penny Hoarder: How to Save on Health Care Costs
You can save even more on cheap prescription glasses online by following these tips:
We’ve found the answers to the mostly commonly asked questions about buying eyeglasses online to help you make your decision.
It’s often cheaper to buy prescription eyeglasses online rather than in person. Buying eyeglasses at online-only stores is typically cheaper because the companies don’t pay many of the costs associated with a brick-and-mortar business (notably rent, overhead and retail employees). This allows them to cut costs on their online products.
Most online prescription lens retailers allow you to use your FSA/HSA to buy your prescription glasses, but check the payment options before you start shopping. Nonprescription glasses and sunglasses typically aren’t FSA/HSA eligible expenses.
The best online prescription eyeglass sites have a return policy for exchanging lenses, be sure you know the site’s return policies before you buy. Some sites will let you return your glasses for a full refund, while others may offer store credit, and the time frame for returning glasses can vary widely.
Many online retailers offer glasses that are the same brand or similar in quality to those sold in-store, but you can check reviews if you’re trying a site you’re unfamiliar with (or just stick to our vetted list).
If you wear your glasses daily, most experts recommend replacing them every one to three years. Kids and teens may need to get new glasses more frequently since their prescription may change as they grow.
Contributor Larissa Runkle specializes in finance, real estate and lifestyle topics. She is a regular contributor to The Penny Hoarder. Senior managing editor Tiffany Wendeln Connors contributed to this report.
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