The Best Places for Stylish Eyewear, From Affordable to Designer

For the past decade or so, most of us have become accustomed to buying nearly everything online. And why not? Online shopping is convenient, stress-free, and often comes with discounts you wouldn’t be able to score in store. There remain some tasks we save for in-person shopping, though, and buying glasses is often one of them. But it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of sites where you can snag frames and lenses without having to leave the comfort of your couch. Here, we’re sharing five of our favorites. While you’ll still need to visit your eye doctor to nab a prescription — for now, anyway — these virtual retailers make buying stylish new specs a breeze. 

1. GlassesUSA.com

• Price: $-$$$$
• Lenses: No added cost for standard prescription lenses
• Shipping: Free standard shipping on all U.S. orders
• Returns: Free returns and exchanges for 14 days

The biggest draw of Glasses USA is the variety: The online-only retailer carries thousands of glasses and sunglasses, from under-$50 options for those on a budget, to splurge-worthy specs from luxury brands including Gucci, Prada, and Tom Ford. All glasses go for up to 70% off retail prices, and the site’s all-inclusive pricing model means that what you see is what you get. If you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for, use the “Pairfect Match” quiz to find frames that complement your skin tone, face shape, and personal style. There’s also a helpful AI-powered virtual try-on tool that you can use to test-drive your top options. 

2. Warby Parker

• Price: $$
• Lenses: No added cost for standard prescription lenses
• Shipping: Free standard shipping on all U.S. orders
• Returns: Free returns and exchanges for 30 days

There’s a lot to love about direct-to-consumer eyewear brand Warby Parker. The prices are reasonable, the selection is well curated, and the frames are among the chicest you’ll find anywhere. (The brand counts Rihanna and Chloë Sevigny amongst its many famous fans.) But what we love most is the brand’s Home Try-On program. Here’s how it works: Pick five eligible frames to try on at home, and Warby Parker will ship them to you for free to test drive for five days. Once the five days are up, you can send them back using the included prepaid return label and place an order if you’ve found a pair you love. 

Plus, for every pair of glasses sold, Warby Parker donates a pair to a person in need. So far, they’ve supplied more than 15 million pairs of glasses to visually impaired people around the world. That’s what we call a win-win. 

3. EyeBuyDirect 

• Prices: $-$$
• Lenses: No added cost for standard prescription lenses
• Shipping: Free standard shipping on all U.S. orders
• Returns: Free returns and exchanges for 14 days

Great glasses don’t have to cost a ton — and the selection at direct-to-consumer retailer EyeBuyDirect is proof. This online-only retailer has an entire section devoted to under-$20 frames, and all of the in-house brand’s stylish offerings fall well under the $100 mark. If you’re willing to splurge, the site also offers a range of frames from premium brands such as Oakley and Ray-Ban. Take the Fit & Style Quiz to narrow down your search, then use the site’s virtual try-on tool to see how you’d look in your chosen pair (or pairs). 

4. Zenni Optical 

• Prices: $-$$
• Lenses: No added cost for standard prescription lenses
• Shipping: $4.95 standard shipping for U.S. and U.S. territories
• Returns: Free returns within 14 days; store credit issued for returns made within 30 days 

Zenni Optical was founded in 2003 with a mission: to expand access to high-quality, affordable eyewear. More than two decades later, the founding mission remains strong. The online-only retailer offers a wide selection of budget-friendly glasses with prices starting at just $6.95 (lenses included!). Premium frames, meanwhile — including those made in collaboration with Cynthia Rowley and the late Iris Apfel — cap out at $60. You can shop by glasses shape, face shape, or aesthetic, or use the site’s Visual Search feature to upload a picture of a pair of frames you love and find frames that match your aesthetic. Don’t forget to explore the site’s accessories shop before heading to checkout: It’s packed full of eyewear accessories, including eyeglass chains, repair kits, and protective cases. 

5. Pair

• Prices: $-$$
• Lenses: No added cost for standard prescription lenses
• Shipping: Free standard shipping on all U.S. orders
• Returns: Free returns and exchanges for 30 days

Deciding on which glasses to buy can feel like a big commitment, especially if you’re somebody who likes to change up your look often. The folks behind Pair get that, which is why they created interchangeable frames. Here’s how it works: You start by picking your “base frame,” which costs just $60 (lenses included). When you want to change up your look, you can purchase a “top frame” — an ultra-thin magnetic topper that snaps onto your base frame to changing your look. There are hundreds of toppers to choose from for each frame shape, and each goes for roughly $30. Whether you prefer classic glasses or want to experiment with a bold color or design, Pair has what you need to allow you to embrace a new look without draining your bank account.