Why Buy Eyeglasses Online?
The top performers in our review are Eyeglasses.com, the Gold Award winner; SmartBuyGlasses, the Silver Award winner; and FramesDirect, the Bronze Award winner. Here’s more on choosing an online eyewear provider to meet your needs.
Your glasses are more than a device to improve your vision. They can be a fashion statement or an expression of your individuality. Unfortunately, most eyeglasses are not cheap, costing hundreds of dollars, especially if you want designer frames or have a prescription that requires specialty lenses. Fortunately, though, you can find prescription eyeglasses online at reasonable prices, and all you need is your prescription, some measurements and time to choose the right pair.
Our reviews of the best online eyeglasses services online identify the stores that provide all of the frame and lens options you are seeking.
Eyeglasses Online: What We Evaluated, What We Found
When you need new eyewear, exploring glasses online is a great way to save money. However, the options can seem overwhelming, and you might not know where to start. Below are some important features to consider when selecting your next pair of glasses from an online eyeglasses store.
A good place to start with online eyewear is with the frames. There are many frame options available, and most online eyeglasses stores offer designer frames for men, women and kids. We looked for those that offer a vast selection of glasses for everyone. We gave scoring advantages to those that have stylish brands in a variety of rim styles, materials, dimensions, sizes and colors.
A wide variety of options helps you find the best frames possible. Reading glasses, sunglasses and goggles also are widely available, and many online eyewear stores provide a virtual try-on widget that lets you upload a photo of your face to see what you would look like with the frames.
In addition, you want to find frames that match your style since these serve as a kind of picture frame for your eyes. Look for online stores with a wide selection of style options. Also, check for stores that allow you to search for specific frame styles such as retro, classic, sporty and vintage. This will help you find a pair of stylish frames that matches your personality.
While frames give you added style and flair, purchasing quality, durable lenses is essential since, after all, that is the purpose of eyeglasses. Look for an eyeglasses provider that offers the best variety of lens materials, such as high-index plastic, polycarbonate or photochromic, lenses that automatically adjust their tint depending on the amount of sunlight present.
Check to see if the online glasses store offers common lens types such as single-vision, progressives, bifocals and trifocals. Many lens add-ons, including anti-glare and UV coatings, are available to help you see even better for an additional fee.
What Else Should You Look for in Online Eyeglasses?
Shipping
How quickly do you need your new pair of glasses? Even if you order eyeglasses from your local optometrist, you have to wait at least a week for them to be custom made and shipped. If you need your glasses immediately or within the week, look for a vendor that offers overnight or expedited shipping. If you are not in a big rush, look for vendors that offer free standard shipping or other discounts. Other shipping options to consider are order tracking, international shipping and flexible return policies. You might also want to see whether a particular company pays for return shipping.
Help & Support
The best online eyeglasses providers offer efficient customer service representatives ready to guide you through the questions or concerns you have. Being able to contact an online eyeglasses store by phone or email is essential, and many companies offer live chat during business hours as well. Access to relevant and helpful information, such as FAQs and ordering guides, is an additional great way to help you determine the best eyeglasses for you.
Top Ten Reviews seeks, whenever possible, to evaluate all products and services in hands-on tests that simulate as closely as possible the experiences of the typical consumer. In our evaluation of online eyewear providers, the companies had no influence over our test methodology, nor was the methodology provided to them in any more detail than is available through reading our reviews. The results of our evaluation were not provided to the companies in advance of publication.
Our Recommendations
Our number one online eyeglasses choice, Eyeglasses.com, has an impressive selection of many different types of frames, including a variety of styles for adults and children. It also offers easy returns, speedy shipping times, and virtual try-on, which allows you to see how specific frames will look on you.
SmartBuyGlasses, our second-ranked company, has a truly massive selection of frames, including lots of designer frames. This company also offers a nice selection of coatings, including scratch-resistance, anti-smudge and more, at no extra charge.
FramesDirect, which ranks third in our lineup, presents more than 100,000 frame choices, which will undoubtedly satisfy the most discerning customer. FramesDirect also offers excellent quality lenses and variety of choices in lenses, many shipping options and courteous customer service.
If you want cheap glasses online but still want high quality, you might want to check Zenni Optical. Although this company does not offer designer brands, you can choose from a healthy selection of frames and lens options, and Zenni Optical provides free anti-scratch and UV coatings with each pair of eyeglasses it sells.
Buying eyeglasses online can be intimidating at first. However, as you explore the many available options and consider the above criteria, finding the perfect pair of eyeglasses can be an enjoyable experience. Best of all, you will save money, look stylish and have clear and correct vision.