9 best places to buy eyeglasses in 2023 (online or in-store) (2023)

FAQs

Is it a good idea to order eyeglasses online? ›

Reasons Not to Buy Glasses Online

Some experts say it's like trying to cut your own hair. It may be difficult to return the glasses. A large study found about half the online glasses had the wrong prescription or other problems. An incorrect prescription may give you blurred vision or make your eyes feel uncomfortable.

Costco charges $130 for high-definition progressive lenses, which, as with all Costco lenses, include an anti-reflective coating. That's about half what you'd pay at many walk-in stores. But if you need basic, plastic single-vision lenses, you can pay as little as $29 at Walmart, about half as much as at Costco.

Zenni glasses are made at a dedicated factory and shipped directly to the consumer. Also, because Zenni sells its glasses online, they don't pay for brick-and-mortar retail space. This means they can avoid costly markups, and they pass that savings onto their customer.

Online retailers that sell cheap eyeglasses and sunglasses often say they can offer low prices because they don't have the same expenses associated with a “brick-and-mortar” store, such as the high rent paid in retail shopping areas.

Contrary to what some think, you don't absolutely have to buy progressive glasses locally. They can be purchased online and you can even save a substantial amount compared to what you might pay at a local store.

For most people, hugely expensive eyeglasses are not worth the money; eyeglasses do not have to be $1000 for them to be durable enough to last a few years. The most cost-effective way to buy your eyewear is to buy moderately priced frames and replace the lenses every year using Rx-able's lens replacement services.

Retro, 1970s-inspired tinted lenses will be popular in 2023, especially lenses in red, orange, and yellow, which have been spotted by trendsetters at Coachella. It's being called the “new retro.” Metallic frames paired with tinted lenses will also trend next year, as well as aviator-style frames.

Is Costco or LensCrafters better? ›

Consumer Reports surveyed more than 91,000 members, and Costco Optical topped the list of eyeglass retailers for customer satisfaction. The key factor? Price. The median cost for glasses at Costco was $186, while the median price at LensCrafters was $369.

Glasses cost an average of $185 at Costco Optical — 54% less than other chains and retailers. Just like in most places, glasses at Costco Optical can have a wide range of pricing. To start, it depends on the frames you choose. If you go with the Kirkland brand, you will pay less than if you choose designer lenses.

They have a good selection of eyewear at fair prices, including many varieties of eyeglasses and contact lenses. On top of that, the centers are tastefully decorated, which might make you more comfortable. Many people like being able to walk in without an appointment and find a popular name-brand frame.

Bottom line. If affordability is the most important element of your next eyeglass purchase, Zenni might be the way to go. Though it tends to have lower prices than your local eye doctor's office, Warby Parker still tends to be more expensive than Zenni.

Eyewear sales make up 62% of an optometrist's salary.

It's no wonder you're getting the hard sell after every eye exam.

Zenni Optical is a U.S. company, but Zenni glasses are made in China. The Zenni Optical headquarters is located in San Francisco, and the one-million-square-foot Zenni Optical factory and eyewear laboratories are located in Danyang, China.

Varilux, as you probably know, has a dominant position in the progressive lens market, borne of decades of excellent lens design and thoughtful patient education.

Titanium frames offer an ultra lightweight stylish highly flexible option for those looking for the most comfortable pair of glasses. It is durable, strong and corrosion-resistant. Titanium eyewear comes in a variety of colors for a clean, modern look with a hint of color. And, it's hypoallergenic!

What is a good price for eyeglass frames? ›

Average frame cost

The price range for glasses frames spans from about $50 to more than $1,000, depending on the brand, though the average price is usually slightly less than $200, with insurance.

The average cost of glasses without insurance is $242, according to statistics from VSP. That's for frames only. For basic, single lenses, it's $113. That means the total will run you on average about $351 for a complete pair of glasses if you don't have vision insurance.

What is the difference between the premium progressives and standard progressives? Our high-definition premium progressives feature wider intermediate and reading areas of the lens than standard progressives. Peripheral (side) distortion is reduced by up to 40% compared to the standard design.

Can I use my insurance to order prescription glasses & sunglasses online? Yes, many insurance plans allow you to use your benefits to shop online. Search for your insurance provider above to see if you're eligible.

Benefits of Anti-Glare & Anti-Reflective Coatings

AG and AR coatings offer many benefits and are definitely worth the extra cost, especially if you find yourself bothered by glare. They can help you see better, look better, and feel better compared to wearing glasses with uncoated lenses.

More Expensive Glasses Allow for Customization

If you're willing to spend a bit more money you can benefit from: Higher quality lens materials. Additional lens features including bifocal, trifocal, and progressive lenses. Lens customization with coatings & tints to suit your lenses to your lifestyle.

Cheaper lenses generally use more common lens materials. They may not be as tailored to your needs as other lens materials, but they still provide clear vision for a fraction of the cost. Generally speaking, the lower the cost of your lenses, the fewer features you have available.

For people who want their frames to make them look and feel younger, cat-eye frames or upswept rectangular frames with rounded corners can achieve a younger feel. Remember: A well-fitting pair of glasses should not touch your cheeks.

Warm-colored glasses make you look younger. Cool and flashy tones are best left to the younger generations. Warmer tones look great on both older men and women. Look for frames in browns, berry tones, and jewel tones.

Progressive wearers should avoid aviators and cat-eyes because both can cut off the bottom portion of the prescription, resulting in a loss of reading vision. Instead, they should look for shorter frames with rounded edges such as horn-rimmed, retro wingtip, circular, and oval ones.

What glass frames are in style? ›

Adults should change their glasses with the same frequency as eye exams—recommended every 2–3 years. School-age children should have annual eye exams. Depending on vision changes and how well they care for their glasses, children can keep their eyeglasses for 2–3 years.

In general, frames made from metal, titanium or alloys (a mixture of metals) stand up well to wear and tear. Titanium frames are very strong, lightweight and corrosion-resistant.

Glasses that are too heavy will most faithfully leave marks behind. You could consider investing in a pair of thin-framed or rimless glasses—their sleek design means there is less weight on your nose bridge, thus saving it from being squished by the nose pads.

How long does it take to get glasses from Costco? If you order glasses for in-person pickup, Costco states they will take about 7 days to process. If you order glasses delivered to your home, it'll also take 7 days to process plus an additional 7 to 14 days to ship.

It's about value; no low-quality, no-name brands. Costco and Walmart optical departments are half the price of LensCrafters, but they are also half the quality. Your best deals will always be to stay away from the big chains where you are just a dollar sign when you come in the door.

Yes, you need to be a member to purchase glasses or contacts at Costco Optical centers. However, you do not need to be a member to make an appointment with our in-house optometrist.

Kirkland Signature™ HD Progressive Lenses:

Includes Anti-Reflective Treatment. Custom made lens for your prescription and selection. Offers a larger reading area and less distortion than standard lenses. Quality and value.

Walmart offers some of the cheapest frames available and the lowest lens prices comparable to other retailers. A look at their available frames shows several options under $10. A reasonable variety of options under $30 are available as well for those unhappy with the limited extreme budget options.

According to Walmart, 98 percent of orders arrive within 7 to 10 days. If an item is in stock, it's not uncommon to get it even sooner. On the website, you can also sort reading and computer glasses by various degrees of expedited delivery if you need things sooner.

What websites are similar to zenni? ›

zennioptical.com's top 5 competitors in December 2022 are: eyebuydirect.com, glassesusa.com, framesdirect.com, glasses.com, and more.

Many people purchase prescription glasses through online retailers like us. Just like eyeglasses you might buy from an optical shop, eyeglasses that you order online can accommodate almost any prescription and help you see clearly.

Bottom line. If affordability is the most important element of your next eyeglass purchase, Zenni might be the way to go. Though it tends to have lower prices than your local eye doctor's office, Warby Parker still tends to be more expensive than Zenni.

Zenni Optical is a U.S. company, but Zenni glasses are made in China. The Zenni Optical headquarters is located in San Francisco, and the one-million-square-foot Zenni Optical factory and eyewear laboratories are located in Danyang, China.

Hi there, our glasses have always been manufactured at our Zenni lab in Danyang, China. They will still ship from our distribution center in Canada.

Titanium frames offer an ultra lightweight stylish highly flexible option for those looking for the most comfortable pair of glasses. It is durable, strong and corrosion-resistant. Titanium eyewear comes in a variety of colors for a clean, modern look with a hint of color. And, it's hypoallergenic!

Consumer Reports surveyed more than 91,000 members, and Costco Optical topped the list of eyeglass retailers for customer satisfaction. The key factor? Price. The median cost for glasses at Costco was $186, while the median price at LensCrafters was $369.

Which is better Zenni or Payne glasses? ›

Zenni's virtual try-on technology is more advanced and easier to use than Payne's. Based on our firsthand testing, Zenni's try-on feature is more reliable than Payne's and allows you to see how the glasses look on you from multiple angles.

Do you accept insurance? We do not accept insurance. However, some insurance companies will accept an invoice copy for reimbursement. Check with your insurance company, and if they do, you can request an emailed invoice copy from our Customer Service department.

Our lenses are all made with advanced plastics and are available in seven indexes, which will determine how thick or thin your glasses lenses will be. Those with a stronger prescription often prefer high-index for thinner lenses, while those who are active may need impact-resistant options.

Some online retailers — like Warby Parker — have brick-and-mortar locations you can visit for adjustments. If that isn't an option, though, you can usually go see an optician for an adjustment. Many opticians will do this for free regardless of where you purchased your glasses, but there could be a small fee.

Unfortunately, you won't be able to get a prescription filled without a new exam if your prescription has expired. It is actually illegal for someone to fill an expired glasses prescription. Even if you think your vision hasn't changed, you still need to get a new exam before you get new glasses.