Picking out a new pair of glasses can be equally exciting and stressful. Between in-store and online options, the possibilities are endless and, potentially, overwhelming.
To help you narrow down the top contenders, below are some of the best places to buy glasses online and in a store in 2024. We’ve also included some pros, cons and price ranges to make your shopping easy.
So, go ahead and click around the different options. You’re bound to fall in love with a pair (or two — we don’t judge 😉).
Best place to buy glasses online
If you’re looking for the best places to buy prescription glasses online, here are some options that will fit any budget:
Frames Direct
Frames Direct has frames for top brands, like Ray-Ban, Michael Kors and Oakley, for 20%-50% off the original price. They use high-quality lenses, which can cost as little as $23.99.
The website has a wide selection of prescription sunglasses and contact lenses, as well as children’s glasses. Due to the luxury brands being sold, Frames Direct may be more expensive than other online retailers. However, the discounted frame and lens price makes it an awesome value. Insurance isn’t accepted, but you can use FSA or HSA dollars toward your purchase.
In addition to getting a fancy pair of specs, you have the opportunity to give back with Frames Direct’s Buy One, Give One initiative. Through Buy One, Give One, a pair of glasses is donated for every pair that’s ordered. After you place your Frames Direct order, you’ll have the option to donate a pair of glasses to someone in need. You can choose one of eight specific regions of the world to send your donation.
Price range
Frames: $40 to $900+
Lenses: $23.99 to $127.99
Pros
- Luxury brands at a discounted price
- FSA/HSA eligible
- Virtual try-on feature
Cons
- More expensive than other online retailers
- Doesn’t accept insurance
EyeBuyDirect
EyeBuyDirect is a great online option for finding quality, inexpensive glasses. They have hundreds of frame styles and color options for men, women and kids. In addition to their personal frame brand, EyeBuyDirect also sells Ray-Ban, Oakley and RFLKT.
The website offers 2-day delivery on select frames, and often has promotions like “buy one, get one free” on eyeglasses. While EyeBuyDirect does not accept insurance, their products are FSA and HSA eligible.
Like Frames Direct, EyeBuyDirect will donate a pair of eyeglasses for every order you place. So, you can feel good about giving back while looking good in your new glasses.
Price range
Frames: $6 to $300+
Lenses: $6.95 to $119
Pros
- Budget friendly
- FSA/HSA eligible
- 2-day shipping available
- Virtual try-on feature
Cons
- Doesn’t accept insurance
Best place to buy glasses in person
Perhaps you prefer the in-person customer service of a brick-and-mortar store. Look no further; these retailers are some of the best places to buy prescription glasses in-store:
LensCrafters
While LensCrafters also has an impressive website, its in-person experience is worth mentioning. The retailer offers brands like Gucci, Prada and Ralph Lauren and will give you 50% off the cost of lenses with every frame purchase.
LensCrafters gives customers the option to bundle select frames and lenses for a price point of $99 or $179, and they offer 50% off additional pairs of glasses.
Most LensCrafters locations have a clinic attached to them, where eye exams can be done and ensure your glasses have an updated prescription. LensCrafters accepts insurance for purchases online and in their store.
Price range
Frames: $16 to $699
Lenses: $75 to $180+
Pros
- They accept insurance
- FSA/HSA eligible
- Convenient eye exam clinic
- In-person frame try-on
Cons
- May be more expensive than other retailers
Pearle Vision
If you’re a dedicated brick-and-mortar shopper, Pearle Vision can offer you a great in-store experience. The retailer has a large selection of designer frames, quality eyeglass lenses and contact lens brands. The website provides general information about the brands and types of products Pearle Vision typically carries, but it’s not possible to shop for specific styles online.
The website has a locator tool to help you find your local Pearle Vision EyeCare Center. And if you need an eye exam, it’s easy to schedule an appointment online. Then when you arrive, you can browse frame styles and prices, and get in-person assistance.
Pros
- The website makes it easy to find the nearest Pearle Vision EyeCare Center and book an eye exam
- FSA/HSA eligible
- Offers and promotions are listed online
- In-person frame try-on
Cons
- Inability to shop from the website
SEE RELATED: The best glasses for your face shape and skin tone
Best place to buy kids glasses
Finding glasses that your child will want to wear can feel like an impossible task. The retailers below have options that even the pickiest kids will love.
Glasses USA
The Glasses USA website has tons of options for children — from eyeglasses with clip-on sunglass lenses to sports goggles for kids on the go. They also conveniently include the cost of basic lenses into the price shown on the website. If you want to upgrade the basic lenses to polycarbonate or Transitions lenses, you can do so for 50% off.
Another perk of Glasses USA is that you’re able to use your vision insurance and apply your FSA/HSA funds toward the remaining cost. They also offer extra discounts for college students, teachers, nurses, first responders and military members.
Price range
$24 to $140, including the cost of lenses
Pros
- They accept insurance
- FSA/HSA eligible
- Pricing on website includes cost of lenses
- Extra discounts for those who qualify
Cons
- Kids don’t get to try on the frames before ordering
Target Optical
As if Target didn’t already have everything you could ever want, Target Optical is a convenient place to buy glasses. And you can shop in-store or online. You can also order glasses online and pick them up in the store, for added convenience.
First-time customers get 20% off their first purchase. They also offer a $59 price point on select kids frames with single vision ComfortLight Kids lenses, which makes finding glasses for your child easy and affordable.
Insurance is accepted, as well as FSA/HSA funds to cover the cost of glasses.
Price range
Frames: $59 to $120
Lenses: $25
Pros
- They accept insurance
- FSA/HSA eligible
- Many store locations
- Order online, pick up in store
Cons
- $59 deal only applies to select children’s frames
- More kids frame options are available in the store than online
SEE RELATED: How do I choose glasses for my child?
Best place to buy reading glasses
You can find a pair of reading glasses just about anywhere. Drug stores, grocery stores and bookstores alike usually have a small variety of readers for when you’re in a pinch.
However, there are some online retailers that specialize in reading glasses and give you more options than what you may find at your local drug store.
Readers.com
This website has just about every style of readers you can think of, in a wide variety of colors. You can filter your search based on your lens strength and preferences, to make sure you find what you’re looking for.
In addition to reading glasses, Readers.com also sells reading sunglasses, so you can comfortably and safely enjoy your reading materials in bright conditions.
Enjoy free shipping on orders of $35 or more, and no-hassle returns if you’re not happy with your order.
Price range
$3 to $40
Pros
- Affordable
- Wide variety of colors and styles
- Happiness guaranteed policy
Cons
- They do not accept insurance or HSA/FSA as payment. However, reading glasses transactions are eligible for reimbursement.
Best place to buy glasses without insurance
Not everyone has vision insurance to cover the cost of eye exams and glasses. However, there are still plenty of options that can provide vision and eye care services for uninsured folks.
Costco Optical
Costco is known for providing quality products and services at competitive prices. Eye care and eyewear are no different.
Costco Optical has a large selection of frames and lenses, ranging from designer brands to Costco’s Kirkland Signature products. Each Costco location has its own inventory, which means frame style options are not included on the Costco Optical website.
Eye exams can be done by a third party eye doctor in an optometry clinic attached to the Costco. You do not need a Costco membership to schedule and receive an eye exam. However, a membership is needed to purchase any eyeglass frames or lenses from the Costco warehouse.
Insurance is accepted for Costco eye exams and eyeglasses, but not required.
Price range
Eye exam: $50 to $100
Frames: $45 to $200
Lenses: $59.99 to $200+
Pros
- Affordable
- Does not require insurance
- Eye exam can be done at the same location
Cons
- Does not have their inventory shown on the Costco website
- You must have a Costco membership to use the optical services
39DollarGlasses.com
For those wanting an inexpensive, no-fuss online option to buy glasses, 39DollarGlasses.com is right up your alley. The website offers frame and lens bundles starting at $39 for single vision and reading glasses. They have a selection of kids glasses, as well as prescription sunglasses and contact lenses.
Another cool perk the website offers is the ability to re-lens your frames. So, if your prescription changes, but you don’t want to say goodbye to your tried-and-true frames, you can have them updated with your new prescription.
Select insurance providers are accepted, and FSA/HSA funds can be used to purchase glasses.
Price range
$39 to $69
Pros
- Affordable
- Wide variety of colors and styles
- Customer-friendly return/exchange policy
- FSA/HSA eligible
Cons
- Bifocal and multifocal lenses are an additional cost.
SEE RELATED: Vision insurance: How it can save you money
Keep your glasses prescription updated
Once an eye doctor determines that you need vision correction, it’s important that you continue to have regular eye exams to monitor any changes. Vision prescriptions are usually good for two years from the date of your eye exam.
If your prescription changes, be sure to update your glasses and contact lenses to get the clearest vision possible.
READ MORE: 5 signs your glasses don’t fit
