7 of the best places to buy glasses and frames online

The OG of fashionable-but-affordable eyeglass online retailers, Warby Parker is also built on an admirable, do-good objective with its Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program, through which they work with partners worldwide to ensure that for every pair of glasses sold, a pair is distributed to someone in need. 

But let’s talk about the glasses. They’re fun, stylish, great quality, and they won’t cost an arm and a leg (or an eye). From glasses that feature luxurious details such as 24-karat gold-plated temple arms to frames with midcentury panache, Warby Parker offers a wide variety of styles that’s sure to please even the pickiest fashionista. 

One of the best thing about their glasses is the wide range of  frame fits available. Frames are available in narrow, medium, and wide, and they have frame styles for those with low nose bridges. Hello, long-lasting comfort!

And it’s so easy to get the fit you need with Warby Parker’s Home Try-On option. Just pick five frames you like, Warby Parker sends them to you for free so you can try them on for five days, and see which one you like. 

Customer Cathy M. writes on Warby Parker’s website:

“I have worn glasses for many years and have been disappointed by the selection in my area. Also, the cost of frames (which I am usually unhappy with) and progressive lenses are insane! When I found Warby Parker, I was like this can't be real. Then I got the five frames to try at home and still did not believe this was real. Made my first purchase, absolutely loved the frames. When they came if I could have I would have jumped through the roof. They were everything I could have wanted and more. Absolutely LOVE THEM. So I turned around and bought sunglasses. Please don't leave!”

Another reviewer Tatiana S. writes: 

“I've had glasses my whole life, and they're now a very important accessory to me, so being able to buy good quality and affordable glasses so I can switch up my look is SO important to me. I can't believe I waited this long to try them. So so happy!”

EyeBuyDirect follows in Warby Parker’s footsteps with a Buy 1 Give 1 program that donates a pair of prescription glasses to a country of your choosing for every order placed. The company works with Vision for Life, a social impact organization giving access to vision care to the most underserved communities worldwide. 

And if you think Warby Parker’s selection has you shook, just start browsing EyeBuyDirect’s hundreds of frames and glasses. This is where the filtering option comes in handy: choose from a variety of sizes (custom sizes available), shapes (from aviator to rectangle), rims (from full-rim to rimless), material (from plastic to wood), and colors (from floral to tortoise). 

The best part? They’re super affordable. You can get a pair for as little as $6, although we’re partial to the classic Botanist style ($30) and the avant-garde Pixels ($39). There is no Home Try-On but the virtual try-on feature lets you upload a photo to see how frame fits. It’s the next best thing.

EyeBuyDirect reviewer Mary Kriva writes on Facebook:

“What is there not to love about this EyeBuyDirect! I love the fun and fashionable frames, customer service, the pricing, and most of all the ease of it all. You can download your picture to see how each frame looks on you ( and by the way, it is very accurate), add your prescription, then decide what type of lense you need and then place your order- it’s that easy! I have bought 7 pairs glasses/sunglasses in the last year and am happy with each and every one. I have shared this website with many of my friends and they now are buying their glasses at EyeBuyDirect. The quality is superb, shipping is fast and with the great prices they offer you can indulge in more than one pair!”

Proof Eyewear doesn’t sell prescription glasses, but we think it deserves a mention for its innovative and eco-friendly eyewear, made from sustainable materials including FSC-certified wood, cotton-based acetate, and even repurposed skateboard decks. 

They also operate on a socially conscious business model — $10 of each frame purchase is donated to a worthy cause. In 2013, Proof donated funds to build two eye clinics in India where over one-fourth of the world’s blind population reside.

And if you want to go beyond optical eyewear for some stylish sunglasses, you’re in luck. Proof also offers a wide range of sunwear. We love the Ontario Skate, which is handcrafted from Canadian maple skateboards, and features polarized lens and 100 percent UVA-UVB protection; and the Ada Eco, which is made from cotton-based acetate and sustainably sourced wood.

Customer Bailey Agler writes on Facebook:

“I bought my first pair of Proof sunglasses in 2013 and loved them so much! These are by far my favorite brand of glasses I have ever had. Since then, I have bought three more pairs because I love the different styles. They're comfortable, each pair is so unique, and they have a good story behind their company. I would recommend this brand to anyone and will continue to purchase Proof glasses.”

If your style tend to be more classic and elegant than hipster-chic, check out the frames and glasses at Felix + Iris. Don’t get us wrong, they still have playful options, such as the fun, two-tone fade of the Finley or the raspberry pop of color of the Lilly. But Felix + Iris just makes it easier to find a pair of glasses you know will fit your daily life (and variety of outfits).

Pricing is also simpler and more straightforward than other retailers. Whatever frame you choose, non-prescription frames are $89, single vision glasses are $119, bifocals are $249, and progressives are $299. It’s that easy.

And if you love the convenience of at-home try-on, you’ll be happy to know Felix + Iris offers the option. Just add four frames to your “Fit Kit” and they’ll be delivered straight to your door for you to try and find your favorite pair. Still not sure? You can chat one-on-one with stylists and optical experts to receive advice and fit tips.

Felix + Iris customer Kelli Rowley writes on Facebook 

“I am so happy with my glasses from felix + iris. I tried some home try-on frames from another well-known company, but they were a bit big and too "clunky" for me. I found felix + iris and noticed that some of their frames were a bit more feminine. I ordered the home try-on frames and liked all of them! I love the ones I ended up choosing! Also, their customer service is excellent. They went above and beyond to help me with any questions or concerns I had. I look forward to ordering from them again!”

Another reviewer Kayla Curran also writes on Facebook 

“The whole online process was great and very quick. The Fit Profile helped me figure out what glasses i should try for my face shape and style. The only thing i really needed was my prescription and PD (which your eye doctor should give you). I got the Home try on Kit within 2 days of ordering it. I liked 2 of the glasses, bought them online and sent the kit back next day. I received my new glasses a week later and love them! The whole shipping process is done through usps which made things easy for me since i work 9-5. I didn’t have to sign for the package like i do sometimes with fedex. The glasses include anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, and UV lens protection when some other places make you pay extra for these. This was my first time buying glasses online. I would recommend to anyone who wants to save money and have good quality glasses with a great customer service experience.”

If you own more fashion accessories than gadgets and like changing up your look constantly, Bon Look might just be your eyewear soul mate. They offer a wide range of bold, colorful, fashion-forward frames that let you express your creativity. Want girl-power attitude with geek-chic vibes? They’ve got them. Edgy but classy? Yup.

Just check out their multiple collaborations with influencers and creatives, including women’s rights activist Liz Plank, popular lifestyle company A Beautiful Mess, and Olympic ice dancing medalist Tessa Virtue. We think you’ll agree, it’ll be hard to choose just one pair. There’s no at-home try-on but their virtual try-on feature is easy-to-use. Just upload your photo to see how a frame fits your face, or you can use your webcam as a virtual mirror.

But of course, it’s not just about the frames or the style. Bon Look offers a variety of lens options — from single vision and progressive to degressives and anti-fatigue lenses. And for those who can’t get enough of their gadgets, they also have lenses with blue light protection.

Sometimes you just want to go with brands you know and trust. We won’t judge. GlassesUSA carries designer eyewear brands such as Ray-Ban, Prada, Gucci, and Oakley, making it a one-stop mall for frames and glasses. And with thousands of styles available, you’ll be sure to find your perfect pair.

But the convenience doesn’t stop there. GlassesUSA makes it easy to shop for prescription glasses even if you don’t have your prescription. The GlassesUSA app features a prescription scanner tool. Just sync the mobile app with your computer and use your phone’s camera to scan your current glasses. You’ll get your prescription parameters in minutes. It’s free and FDA-listed. 

There’s no home try-on, but their site does offer a virtual try-on tool that lets you upload a photo to see the fit on your face. But if you still don’t like the fit, style, or just changed your mind — no worries. GlassesUSA has a 14-day, no-questions-asked return policy that will give you peace of mind.

If you spend a lot of time binge-watching Netflix on your device (and who doesn’t?), you probably suffer from digital eye strain, caused by blue light, also known as high-energy visible (HEV) light.  A good way to combat the effects of blue light? Computer glasses or blue light-blocking glasses.

Ambr glasses are a great option for anyone who spends a lot of time on screens, even if you don’t wear prescription glasses. If you already wear contact lenses, the glasses provide extra protection from the blue light on your screen, and help against your contact lenses becoming dry and uncomfortable.

What makes Ambr different from other computer glasses, however, is its subtle tint. Most computer glasses have deep yellow or orange tints, but the tint in Ambr glasses is so minimal that it is almost unnoticeable. Because who wants to look like they came out of a Star Trek set?

The glasses block over 55 percent of blue light, enough to relieve the symptoms of digital eye strain. This ratio of blue light blocking allows for the lenses to still be clear and stylish, while still offering strong protection.

Customer Hannah S. writes on Ambr’s website:

“These glasses are incredible, there's a noticeable improvement on how my eyes feel after a long day looking at screens compared to my usual glasses. I'm already recommending them to friends, family and work colleagues. In the future it would be great if pairs were done with nose pads so the fit can be better adjusted.”

Another customer Zoe R. writes: 

“I spend a lot of time staring at a computer screen (like 9+ hours a day) and I was finding every day around 3pm I'd find myself getting headaches and generally losing focus with tired eyes. I came across Ambr and admittedly was skeptical they would help - I did a bunch of reading on the effects of blue light and decided to make a purchase, which, I was relatively hesitant about given the price tag. I've been wearing the Zenith glasses 2-3 weeks solidly every day in the office..... and my daily headaches have disappeared. Well worth the price tag - they're beautifully made, really stylish - but most importantly they work. I've been recommending these glasses to all my colleagues or anyone who sits in front of a computer screen!”