Intro: Warby Parker vs EyeBuyDirect vs Zenni Optical vs FramesDirect
There’s no doubt about it—Americans are needing more prescription eyeglasses than ever before.
Roughly 42 percent need corrective lenses, and some estimates say that nearly one-third of the global population will be nearsighted by 2020.
Unfortunately, purchasing eyeglasses can quickly become a financial hardship for those that need them, especially when purchasing multiple pairs. The national average price for eyeglasses is $196, though designer frames can easily be four or five times more.
With so many people needing prescription glasses—and at potentially steep costs—it’s no wonder that buying cheap glasses online or discounted prescription eyeglasses online is increasing in popularity.
With so many options to buy eyeglasses online, how do you know where to buy prescription glasses online?
Which website has the best prescription glasses online that maintain quality? Where is the best place to buy glasses online that won’t break your budget?
In this review, we’ll compare four of the top sites to order prescription glasses online to help you answer these questions and confidently decide which company is best for you to buy glasses online.
Comparison Review List
The list below is sorted alphabetically (click any of the names below to go directly to the detailed review section):
High Level Comparison Table
Companies with Cheap Prescription Glasses Online | Offers Prescription Sunglasses? | Designer Options Available? | Cheapest Price Found for Eyeglass Frames Online | Best For: |
| EyeBuyDirect | Yes | RFLKT (Exclusive designer brand) | $9 | A wide range of stylish frames at low prices |
| FramesDirect | Yes | Over 250 designer brands | $51 | Shoppers who prefer name-brand designers |
| Warby Parker | Yes | OFF-WHITE c/o VIRGIL ABLOH™ (Limited edition collaboration) | $95 (including lenses) | Those who want to try on glasses before purchasing |
| Zenni Optical | Yes | No | $6.95 | Cheap children’s frames and simple prescriptions |
Table: The above list is sorted alphabetically
EyeBuyDirect Review
Founded in 2005, EyeBuyDirect stakes their company “on the belief that quality eyewear should be accessible, and more importantly affordable, to everyone.”
With headquarters in Austin, Texas, EyeBuyDirect is the sister company of FramesDirect, both operating under the leadership of CEO Roy Hessel.
Socially conscious shoppers can feel good about buying cheap glasses online from EyeBuyDirect. Since 2015 they have donated over 250,000 pairs of eyeglasses to Feed the Children and The Lions Club.
Buy Eyeglasses Online – EyeBuyDirect Review
The Basics
Shopping for cheap eyeglass frames online through EyeBuyDirect is both simple and entertaining.
With a clean and colorful website, EyeBuyDirect makes it easy to search for women’s, men’s, and kid’s cheap glasses online.
All listed prices apply to the frames, with lenses priced separately. Clear lenses tend to run between $6.95-$30, with variations depending on specific prescription needs.
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Highlighted Features
Unique to EyeBuyDirect are their digital screen protection lenses. These lenses reduce eye strain from harmful blue light emissions, making it easier to interact with device screens without headaches or sore eyes.
RFLKT, their designer line of cheap prescription sunglasses and cheap prescription glasses provides on-trend styles for fashion conscious online shoppers.
They also have a 14-day fit and style guarantee for their cheap glasses, allowing shoppers to make an equal exchange or return within the first few weeks.
Customer Reviews
EyeBuyDirect may have cheap glasses, but are they the best place to buy glasses online? What do customer reviews have to say?
Below is a brief overview of how shoppers have rated their experiences buying cheap glasses online through EyeBuyDirect.
- TrustPilot— 5.8 out of 10
- SiteJabber— 3 stars out of 5
- Better Business Bureau— 4.41 stars out of 5
Additional Considerations
EyeBuyDirect has competitively low prices and a wide variety of trendy styles of cheap glasses online. Shoppers love being able to get multiple prescription eyeglasses online for a fraction of the cost, but reviews show that not all experiences are equal.
There are plenty of critical EyeBuyDirect that raise serious questions about the quality, craftsmanship, and even business ethics behind these cheap eyeglasses and cheap prescription sunglasses online.
If you’re looking for affordable, stylish eyeglass frames online—and are willing to accept that cheap glasses online may not be as durable—then EyeBuyDirect is a good place to buy eyeglasses online.
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FramesDirect Review
Launched in 1996, FramesDirect was the first company to allow shoppers to order prescription glasses online. Based in Austin, Texas, each employee is a licensed optician, with a combined experience spanning over 300 years.
Cheap Glasses Online – FramesDirect Review
The Basics
As a best place to buy glasses online, FramesDirect.com offers over 250 brands of designer eyeglass frames.
For those looking for designer eyeglass frames online, FramesDirect.com is a popular choice. They offer top-name brands like Ray-Ban, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Michael Kors, Oakley, and more at 30 percent off MSRP.
Shoppers can easily search by brand, and their shipping rates range from $0-$17.95.
Highlighted Features
Of all reviewed sites to order prescription glasses online, FramesDirect is the only site that specializes in designer eyeglass frames online.
As such, prices are naturally much higher on FramesDirect.com than on competing sites—but for shoppers who prefer brand names, FramesDirect provides the best prescription glasses online.
Customer Reviews
FramesDirect may have cheap glasses online, but are they the best place to buy glasses online? What do customer reviews have to say?
Below is a brief overview of how shoppers have rated their experiences buying cheap glasses online through FramesDirect.
- TrustPilot— 9.0 out of 10
- Better Business Bureau— 3.6 stars out of 5
Additional Considerations
As an authorized dealer, all designer eyeglass frames online from FramesDirect come directly from the manufacturer, including the original brand packaging.
This means that shoppers can trust that all of their designer prescription eyeglasses online are brand-new and covered under manufacturer warranty.
For some shoppers, paying higher prices for brand names—along with the warranties and proof of legitimacy—may be worth it when looking to buy prescription sunglasses and eyeglass frames online.
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Warby Parker Review
Founded in 2010, the principles behind Warby Parker are both shopper-centric and socially conscious, starting with a belief that buying cheap glasses online should be easy and fun.
For every pair of cheap prescription sunglasses online or glasses purchased through Warby Parker, the company donates to VisionSpring, a non-profit that provides eyewear to the developing world.
The Basics
Shoppers can buy eyeglasses and subscription sunglasses for men and women online through Warby Parker. There are also retail locations across the United States and Canada.
Part of what makes Warby Parker a best place to buy glasses online is their affordable pricing—most glasses are priced at $95, which includes the cost of prescription lenses.
Best Place to Buy Glasses Online – Warby Parker Review
Shipping is free, and Warby Parker accepts FSA and HSA dollars for purchasing cheap glasses online. You can also order prescription glasses online through Warby Parker and get reimbursed by your insurance if you have out-of-network benefits.
Highlighted Features
Unique to Warby Parker is their free Home Try-On program which allows shoppers to try on five pairs of glasses at home before they make a purchase.
Shipping is completely paid for, which gives shoppers a no-hassle and no-pressure way to find the best prescription glasses online for them.
Warby Parker also embodies a unique sense of style. Nearly all their men’s and women’s glasses fall into a midcentury, retro fashion, creating a defined look that has come to represent the brand.
Customer Reviews
Warby Parker may have cheap glasses online, but are they the best place to buy glasses online? Do customer reviews recommend that you buy prescription sunglasses online through Warby Parker?
Below is a brief overview of how shoppers have rated their experiences buying cheap glasses online through Warby Parker.
- SiteJabber— 3.5 stars out of 4
- ConsumerAffairs— 4.0 stars out of 5
- Better Business Bureau— 4.11 stars out of 5
Additional Considerations
Cheap glasses online from Warby Parker are equal parts affordable and trendy, making them an incredibly popular choice for shoppers that value the contents of their wallet and a sense of style.
Unfortunately, some reviewers have raised questions as to whether the quality of their glasses and cheap prescription sunglasses online is worth the cost. Many shoppers describe significant issues with Warby Parker glasses, like cracking, peeling, and stretching out.
Still, Warby Parker stands out as the best place to buy glasses online for shoppers who value customer service. They are the only site to offer free shipping on all orders, and their Home Try-On service is second to none.
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Zenni Optical Review
Founded in 2003 in the San Francisco Bay Area, Zenni Optical was created to make stylish glasses both affordable and accessible for shoppers across the globe.
The Basics
With frames as low as $6.95 and over 6,000 frames to choose from, it isn’t hard to see why buying cheap prescription eyeglasses online through is growing in popularity.
Shoppers can choose to browse eyeglass frames online by style, gender, or category. Using the Zenni Frame Fit tool lets you upload a photo to digitally “try on” different eyeglass frames online before purchasing.
Shipping is available from $4.95-$18.95, and all cheap glasses online at Zenni come with a 30-day warranty for returns and exchanges.
Prescription Eyeglasses Online – Zenni Optical Review
Highlighted Features
Part of what makes Zenni a popular option for the best eyeglasses online is because the company owns their own manufacturing facility. This gives Zenni Optical greater control over costs and product quality.
Zenni also has rock-bottom prices for cheap prescription glasses online. Bargain shoppers can browse through their selection of Glasses Under $20, $6.95 Glasses, and an extensive Clearance section.
Zenni Optical also runs regular discounts and promotions, generating even better deals for shoppers who want to buy eyeglasses online at a steep discount.
Customer Reviews
Zenni Optical may have cheap glasses, but are they the best place to buy glasses online? What do customer reviews have to say?
Below is a brief overview of how shoppers have rated their experiences buying cheap glasses online through Zenni Optical.
- TrustPilot— 3.1 out of 10
- SiteJabber— 3.0 stars out of 5
Additional Considerations
There’s no denying that Zenni Optical provides some of the cheapest prescription glasses online, and for many shoppers, that’s an incredible benefit.
However, it’s worth noting that those incredibly low prices can come with certain sacrifices. According to reviews from the sites listed above, many shoppers have expressed frustration over their glasses breaking or falling apart prematurely.
It’s also worth noting that, of all the sites to order prescription glasses online, Zenni Optical seems to have the most difficulty delivering orders in a timely fashion.
However, if you want to buy prescription sunglasses online or cheap eyeglass frames online—and don’t mind sacrificing durability or waiting a little longer for your order to arrive—then Zenni Optical will have the best prescription glasses for you.
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Conclusion: Which Site has the Best Online Prescription Glasses?
Thankfully, when it comes to buying prescription glasses online, shoppers have plenty of options. But how do you know which website has the best online prescription glasses?
The answer will be unique to your own needs, requirements, budget, and wearing habits. Consider the following questions when choosing the best place to buy glasses online:
- How many pairs of cheap glasses online can fit into my budget?
- Is a cheaper price more important than long-lasting quality?
- Which site has the styles and fashion that best match yours?
- Is it important to support a company that makes charitable contributions?
- Are you willing to pay extra for returns if necessary?
Whether you want designer eyeglass frames, or the cheapest place to order prescription glasses online, there’s a good chance that one of these four websites will become your new best place to buy glasses online.
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