Many customers complain about poor customer service
Shipping Info Free, takes 5-7 business days (most brands)
Return Policy 30-day hassle-free returns or exchanges on unopened products
Insurance Accepted Yes
Number of Contacts Brands Around 8
Why we like it
Warby Parker doesn't just sell affordable and stylish eyeglasses, the company sells contact lenses too. You can pick from Scout, Warby Parker's own contact lens brand, or get contacts from Acuvue, Biotrue, Air Optix, Dailies and other major brands. A three-month supply of Scout daily contacts (a total of 90 lenses) starts at $65, which is a good deal for daily contact lenses. Depending on where you shop and the brand you use, prices online can vary from $60 to $200. You can get a six-day trial pack of Scout contact lenses to see if you like them before committing to a full supply.
Depending on your vision insurance, you may be able to use your benefits to pay for your Warby Parker contacts purchase. If your insurance company doesn't directly work with Warby Parker, you can instead file a claim with your insurance to be reimbursed for any qualified orders.
Bifocal, progressive and multifocal lens selections are available
24/7 customer service
Offers sales and discounts
Cons
Accepts only select insurance providers
Shipping Info Free, takes 7-10 business days
Return Policy 30-day free returns or exchanges on unopened products
Insurance Accepted Yes
Number of Contacts Brands 19
Why we like it
GlassesUSA.com sells both contact lenses and glasses and will price-match other sellers. Like every other retailer on this list, GlassesUSA.com has all of the popular lens brands, including Acuvue, Biofinity and more, and offers free returns and free shipping on prescription lenses.
Accepts vision insurance with a valid prescription
Cons
Accepts only select insurance providers
Shipping Info Free, takes 5-7 business days
Return Policy Free returns and exchanges on unopened products (or if prescription changes)
Insurance Accepted Yes
Number of Contacts Brands 11
Why we like it
As one of the best-known contacts stores, 1-800 Contacts stocks all of the most popular brands, and you can even get hard contacts through its call center. One CNET editor praised the company for providing customer service that went above and beyond.
1-800 Contacts will price-match any competitor, so if you find a better price, you can let the company know and it will do its best to match it (with some restrictions).
Like Lens.com, you can text or email your contact lens prescription, which speeds up the ordering process. 1-800 Contacts also offers discount contact lenses for students and free shipping on all orders and allows you to update your prescription through an online test (only available for adults between 18 and 55 years old). You can also buy colored contact lenses from 1-800 Contacts. If you need to exchange your unopened lenses for any reason, 1-800 Contacts will cover the shipping cost.
How we choose the best places
To narrow down our list of best places to buy contact lenses, we considered factors like:
Customersatisfaction: We researched customer reviews from reputable third-party platforms like the Better Business Bureau to gauge overall client satisfaction.
Variety: We assessed product range, choosing retailers that offer a wide array of products that cater to different prescriptions and needs.
Accessibility: We prioritized online retailers that offered a smooth ordering process and had user-friendly sites and customer support.
Pricetransparency: We favored retailers that provide competitive pricing and a clear breakdown of costs. Additionally, we chose those that accept some type of vision insurance or discounts.
Shipping policies: We also considered shipping and delivery times to ensure our readers are offered a prompt and reliable service.
Buying contact lenses online is just as safe as buying them from your eye doctor, as you get the same lenses you'd find at the optical shop. The process requires a little extra effort than getting them from your eye doctor, but you'll be rewarded with savings.
To get started, you just need to follow a few easy steps.
Have your contact lens prescription.
Search for the brand and model of contacts from your prescription at any of the stores above to find your specific lenses. Disposable contacts are sold in boxes, and most online shops give you a deal if you buy a six- or 12-month supply, rather than one box at a time.
During the checkout process, you'll enter your prescription information to select the correct lenses and then submit verification of your prescription. Most stores allow you to upload an image or PDF of your prescription, or you can opt for the company to contact your doctor to verify it. This process can take as little as a few minutes or up to a few days if the store contacts your doctor.
Once that process is complete, your order will be finalized and cleared to ship directly to you.
Pro tip: Right after your contact lens exam, it's almost always worth it to get a year's supply of your current prescription. Regardless of whether you're buying daily disposable contacts, monthly lenses or even multifocal contacts, buying in bulk will help you save money.
If your prescription changes sometime during that year, many of the retailers above will allow you to exchange unopened boxes with a new prescription. You don't have much to lose by buying a full-year supply. Although it can be a higher up-front cost, you'll save money compared to buying one box at a time.
If you are considering buying contacts online, keep these things in mind to ensure you make a safe purchase.
Be sure to have a valid prescription from your eye doctor. Whether you buy in a store or online, a prescription is required to ensure you get the correct prescription strength.
Shop around at different online contact retailers to find the best deals and look at customer reviews.
Double- and triple-check the details on your order before placing.
Make sure you have (or also purchase) all of the care supplies you need to ensure the safety and longevity of your contacts.
Do you need a prescription to buy contacts online?
Yes. Contact lenses are medical devices that require a prescription for you to purchase them, either online or in person. Before you start shopping, you'll first need to get an eye exam and contact lens prescription from your optician or optometrist. An eye doctor can help you determine the best prescription lenses for your specific needs, whether that's daily contacts, soft lenses, hard lenses, lenses for astigmatism or multifocal lenses.
With so many stores to choose from, how do you pick where to buy your contacts online? Here are some things to consider:
Price: Do some comparison shopping to figure out which store has the best price for your specific lenses. Prices can change often due to sales, promotions and manufacturer rebates, so the store that had the best deal last year might not have the lowest price now.
Return policy: Many of the stores above allow you to return unopened boxes of contacts if your prescription changes. Check the terms of the store you're thinking of buying from to understand your options.
Insurance coverage: Some online contact lens stores allow you to pay through your vision insurance, but some do not. If that's important to you, look for shops that accept your benefits.
Disposable contacts will cost you more money in the long run than a pair of glasses. For example, Acuvue Oasys, one of the most popular brands of soft lenses, averages around $25 to $40 for a box of 12 lenses at the stores above. That box of 12 is enough for three months (one lens per eye, thrown away every two weeks). That adds up to around $160 per year for contacts.
The full retail price for a 12-pack of Acuvue Oasys is listed as $103 on Lenscrafters.com, so you stand to save quite a lot of money by shopping around online.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
