The 5 Best Places To Buy Cheap Glasses Online
Roughly 166.5 million Americans, 75% of adults, use some form of vision correction. That number is why eyecare is part of most corporate benefits packages — Without insurance, most prescription glasses cost between $250 and $500. One might shovel a little more money out to their monthly contact lens subscription service, but nobody wants to pay that much for a pair of cheap glasses. And nobody has to.
In an era of Shopify-fueled entrepreneurship, smaller eyewear brands are poking through the cement, forcing eyeglasses brands to set prices way too high. Unfortunately, these brands face two problems. The first is discoverability. It takes a moment to find them. The second is the try-on problem. They lack physical locations and many people understandably loathe buying something they intend to wear on their face without trying it on first. Some of this is changing thanks to virtual try-on, but this technology doesn’t allow buyers to handle the goods.
Also, not all glasses are created equal. Many cheap frames are too good to be true.
Here’s rule number one: Take note when plastic frames are involved. Cheap plastic will break more easily than metal-framed glasses, so if purchasing cheap eyewear, go for acetate and metal nine times out of ten. Plastic eyewear is cheap for a reason. Don’t fall victim.
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Not to mention, but a 2011 optometry study found that after receiving and evaluating 154 pairs of spectacles with 308 lenses total, 28.6% of pairs had at least one lens failed tolerance standards for optometry. In 22.7% of these glasses, at least one lens failed drop testing.
This is why it is so important for buyers to pick the right eyewear when purchasing cheap options. Some eyewear brands simply suck.
What Experts Say
Dr. Bao Pham, an optometrist in Chicago, says “Glasses are custom-made and should be tailored to each individual with specific measuring.” This is somewhat different online because buyers will not have the opportunity to try on in person. To aid buyer best interest, most online glasses retailers have superb modification options.
There are three important factors that Dr. Pham mentions buyers should keep in mind when ordering, in order to deem a site reputable. Find sellers that verify prescriptions, offer customer service, and offer custom changes for the frames and sale prices.
If the buyer is a parent shopping online for a child, Dr. Pham recommends polycarbonate or trivex materials for their impact-resistant qualities. Because kids are, well, kids.
His last word of advice? “Never order progressive (multifocal) or bifocal lenses online as there is too much room for error. Go to your local, trusted eyecare provider.”
Zenni
Zenni Optical is the eyewear brand when shopping for cheap glasses online. Here, eyeglasses start at just $6.95. Yes, $6.95. And, they’re absolutely stylish. Zenni was founded by two scientists back in 2003 who wondered why eyeglasses were so expensive when manufacturing costs show otherwise. The brand’s mission was to provide stylish pairs to folks who didn’t want to sell an organ to purchase a good-looking pair of eyeglasses.
Everything is custom-ordered per specific prescription, and will be created with total control of buyers. Frames are made with lightweight acetate that is molded into flexible frames that all have a starting price of just $7. Try getting that from any other cheap eyewear brand.
EyeBuyDirect
Why It Stands Out: With a 14-day return policy, frame styles of all sizes and colors, and a buy-one-give-one policy that provides a pair of eyeglasses for someone in need, EyeBuyDirect is an obvious choice to buy glasses from. The brand offers additional coatings to repel water and lessen smudges and dust, thinner lenses for higher prescriptions, multifocal lenses, blue light filters, and polarized and tinted lenses for sunglasses.
Made For: These are made for smart savers interested in a stylish pair of glasses from a brand that maximizes its deals.
Price Range: $7 to $303
Hot Take: It’s safe to say that even the $7 pairs are kind of sexy, too.
GlassesUSA
Why It Stands Out: GlassesUSA is a supplier that has glasses of every shape, size, and price point. This brand is constantly having sales with a number of buy-one, get-one options
Made For: If GlassesUSA is made for cheap shoppers, it’s also made for unafraid buyers interested in spending extra money on designer brands if a deal is involved. Which, a lot of the time, there will be.
Price Range: $29 to $891
Hot Take: Compared to some of the other brands that sell cheap glasses online, these cheap glasses are pricey. Like, $39? Better take out a loan.
Liingo
Why It Stands Out: Liingo offers a “try before you buy” option that allows shoppers to try styles from home
Made For: People who want to ‘try on’ 100 pairs without having to leave home. It’s a convenient way to try on what it is one might be looking for without fully committing.
Price Range: $79 to $129
Hot Take: Don’t worry, the extra lazy can try on with a selfie.
Warby Parker
Why It Stands Out: While they’re not the best glasses out there, if looking for a cheap pair to leave on the nightstand with a book or to keep in the car, Warby Parker glasses look good without the burden of cost that their designer counterparts Moscot and Oliver Peoples require.
Made For: People wanting to look like they wear designer eyeglasses while saving a few bucks in the process. Like Liingo, buyers can also try these on at home before purchasing to make life easier.
Price Range: Prescription glasses start at $95.
Hot Take: Okay, they’re not the cheapest, but for quality glasses, they’re cheap.
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