As a contact lens wearer for more than twenty years, I’ve tried a variety of different brands and versions as my prescription has slowly changed for the worse. After all this time, buying contact lenses still gives me sticker shock. I have also historically waited until I was dangerously low on my supply before reordering and needing to replenish my supply quickly, so fast shipping options have been critical.
Over time I’ve turned to online ordering options because they’re typically cheaper, and it’s often more convenient and faster than ordering through the optometrist. There are plenty of lens suppliers out there, but the best places to buy contacts online offer good prices and excellent variety, are easy to order from and have helpful customer service.
Our list features top retailers with solid reputations who offer wide selections of contact lens brands from trusted manufacturers. In many cases, they take insurance, help you deal with an expired prescription and accommodate returns within a reasonable time cushion. Below you’ll find the best places to order contact lenses that will help you breathe easy—and see clearly—with just a few clicks on your keyboard.
- Best Place To Buy Contacts Online: 1-800 Contacts
- Best For Using Insurance: Contacts Direct
- Best For Bifocal/Multifocal Contacts: GlassesUSA.com
- (Paid Placement) Best For Personalized Service: FramesDirect
- Best For Returns: Discount Contacts
- Best For Colored Contact Lenses: Warby Parker
- Best For Expired Prescriptions: Lens.com
- Best For Cheap Contact Lenses: Walgreens
Best Place To Buy Contacts Online
1-800 Contacts: Convenience, Online Support And A Best Price Guarantee
Shipping: Free standard shipping, plus expedited and one-day options | Return policy: Free exchanges and returns—with no time limit | Insurance accepted: Yes, accepts FSA and HSA
One of the most well-known of the bunch, 1-800 Contacts makes ordering lenses online convenient and painless. First, you search for your brand on the easy-to-navigate site. Next, you digitally email or text your prescription, or they will contact your doctor directly to sort out the details. If you have an expired prescription, for a $20 fee—and in just ten minutes—you can take an eye exam through the app to update your prescription without having to take a trip to the optometrist. The company price matches, offers free shipping, has free exchanges and returns, and they take vision insurance. You can even return opened boxes of contacts or return ones that are a decade old or older, which is basically unheard of. If you subscribe, you save 5% on orders, and you don’t have to worry about running out.
I’m a longtime 1-800 Contacts user because it’s easy to submit a prescription, and they save my info so I can easily reorder when I need new lenses. I also like that the site sends me a polite nudge when I’m due to order, offers discounts when ordering multiple boxes and ships really quickly.
forbes.com1800 Contacts Coupons | 20% Off In February 2023 | Forbes
Best For Using Insurance
Contacts Direct: Helpful Insurance Benefits And Excellent Customer Service
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Shipping: Free standard shipping and store pickup, plus priority and express options | Return policy: Unopened boxes accepted for up to six months with shipping fee | Insurance accepted: Yes, accepts HSA and FSA
If you’re someone with less-than-perfect vision, you’ll appreciate that Contacts Direct is about as consumer-friendly as a retailer can be. They offer discounts and conveniently highlight rebates. Reviewers love that they often send out coupon codes, price match and give 20% off to military members, first responders, nurses and teachers. They also accept most insurance, and their site makes it easy to understand your options for in- and out-of-network benefits. There’s the option to take an online vision assessment from home to renew your expired prescription for $30. Right now, you can get 20% off and free shipping with code MYCONTACTS.
If your order isn’t a simple nearsighted or farsighted prescription, Contacts Direct offers a wide variety of specialized lenses, including colored contacts, multifocal and bifocal contacts, monovision and toric lenses.
Best For Bifocal And Multifocal Lenses
GlassesUSA.com: Specialized Lenses At Competitive Prices
Shipping: Free standard shipping, plus expedited and express options, no overnight shipping | Return policy: Within 30 days if in original packaging | Insurance accepted: Yes, from several major providers, accepts FSA and HSA
There’s nothing quite like that panicked feeling realizing you’re down to just a couple contact lenses and haven’t remembered to order new boxes. It always seems to happen just before a big trip or work presentation. But you’ll be back in business quickly with GlassesUSA.com’s wide variety of name brands and price match guarantee. (And of course, if you need frames too, they’re a great option.) New customers receive 25% off their first order, and you can choose the frequency that works best for you.
Another factor to give you peace of mind with this site is its “excellent” rating on review site Trustpilot, where reviewers are notoriously difficult to please. One reviewer calls it “always great and trustworthy. When issues have come up they are there to make it right. Highly recommend.”
Best For Personalized Service
FramesDirect: Expert Assistance When You're Feeling Unsure
PAID PLACEMENT
Shipping:Free standard shipping to contiguous 48 U.S. states |Return policy: Free 30-day return and exchange policy on sealed contact lenses |Insurance accepted:Out of network provider, and accepts FSA and HSA
For a company that specializes in premium glasses, FramesDirect offers an impressive spread of contact lenses. The site offers more than 100 options and a range of dailies and weeklies for all sorts of prescriptions, as well as lenses aimed to comfort dry eyes or change eye color. One of the brand's many strengths is its service team staffed with optical experts, some of whom have been practicing for decades.
FramesDirect’s team provides personalized service that's often hard to come by online. If you're unsure about which type of contacts to get for your eyes or prescription type, tap the experts for a consultation. And if you want to grab some glasses while you're at it, they'll help determine the best size and shape, or suggest styles that suit your personality. Rather than offering virtual eye exams, the shop recommends approved optometrists near you. The "excellent" service at FramesDirect (according to TrustPilot) is a balm when sifting through the options to make a final choice you're happy with.
Best For Returns
Discount Contacts: A Forgiving Timeline For Sending Back Lenses You No Longer Need
Shipping: Free shipping on orders over $99 ($7 shipping if order is below $99), plus expedited and overnight options | Return policy: Free returns for up to 365 days from ship date | Insurance accepted: Out of network for some providers, accepts HSA and FSA
A major plus for this company is its willingness to accept returns for a whole year, which is convenient if you’re one of those people who takes ages to get your act together and return things. It’s also helpful if your prescription changes mid-year and you’ve got boxes of expensive, unopened contacts you can’t use filling your bathroom shelves.
Discounts, promos and coupon codes are another hallmark of this site. New customers receive 20% off with a promo code, and they will price match up to seven days after the purchase date. They also offer a totally free online vision test to renew your prescription from home (with some exceptions), which is a big plus.
Best For Bifocal And Multifocal Lenses
GlassesUSA.com: Specialized Lenses At Competitive Prices
Shipping: Free standard shipping, plus expedited and express options, no overnight shipping | Return policy: Within 30 days if in original packaging | Insurance accepted: Yes, from several major providers, accepts FSA and HSA
There’s nothing quite like that panicked feeling realizing you’re down to just a couple contact lenses and haven’t remembered to order new boxes. It always seems to happen just before a big trip or work presentation. But you’ll be back in business quickly with GlassesUSA.com’s wide variety of name brands and price match guarantee. (And of course, if you need frames too, they’re a great option.) New customers receive 25% off their first order, and you can choose the frequency that works best for you.
Another factor to give you peace of mind with this site is its “excellent” rating on review site Trustpilot, where reviewers are notoriously difficult to please. One reviewer calls it “always great and trustworthy. When issues have come up they are there to make it right. Highly recommend.”
Best For Colored Contacts
Warby Parker: Affordable Contacts To Enhance Your Eye Color
Shipping: Free standard shipping | Return policy: Free 30-day returns if in original, unopened box | Insurance accepted: Yes, but insurance orders are not available for discounts or promotions, accepts HSA and FSA
Warby Parker has specialized contact lenses that intensify your eye color with or without vision correction. The retailer offers a wider variety of colored contact lens options than many other sites, from brands like FreshLook, Air Optix, Dailies, Acuvue, and ToriColors for people with astigmatism.
Warby Parker has competitive pricing with no hidden fees, and as a new customer you can save 15% off your first order. To note: Even if you just want to alter the color of your eyes and don’t need vision correction, you still need a prescription for colored contact lenses.
Best For Expired Prescriptions
Lens.com: Reduced Prices And Easy At-Home Vision Exams
Shipping: $10 for standard shipping | Return policy: Yes, up to 30 days | Insurance accepted: Out-of-network provider for most major insurance companies
Lens.com is one of the largest online contact lens retailers. It carries a wide variety of brands—Acuvue, Biofinity, Dailies and many more—and stocks more specialized contacts for those who use toric, bifocal or multifocal lenses. Lens.com tends to have comparatively low prices and offers rebates, which are a great way to lower the price tag on your overall purchase, although some reviewers say it takes time to receive rebate money. It’s simple to send in your prescription via fax or email, or the company will contact your provider directly. And if it’s expired, you can use your computer or smartphone to take a vision exam from home in just ten minutes. The fee is $10, which is less than many other retailers’.
While shipping isn’t free and it’s an out-of-network provider, you can purchase contacts and submit your invoice and claim form to your insurance company for reimbursement. Lens.com has 24-hour customer service, which is a nice perk. The site is a little busier visually than others, but it does include helpful tips on understanding the information on your prescription or lens packaging, which can prevent errors in ordering the wrong contacts.
Best For Cheap Contacts
Walgreens: Economical Pricing And Discounts On Corrective Lenses
Shipping: Free standard shipping, $20 overnight shipping | Return policy: Returns accepted within 30 days if order was incorrect or damaged, with some exceptions | Insurance accepted: Accepts HSA and FSA
Walgreens offers easy ordering, fast home delivery and plenty of options for savings. As a new customer, you can save 30% off your first order, and you’ll often find promotional codes and coupons for 20% off or more. Another tip: Check out the rebate center for additional discounts. As with other online retailers, once you select your lens type and preferred shipping method, the customer service team will contact your eye doctor to verify your prescription.
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A Step-By-Step Guide: How To Shop For Contacts Online
Whether you’re a new contact lens wearer or a veteran, it can sometimes feel like your prescription is written in a different language. Below, find our step-by-step guide to safely ordering contacts online—and being sure you’re getting the best ones for you.
1. Get A Valid Contact Lens Prescription
Before ordering contacts online you need an up-to-date prescription from your eye doctor. In general, a prescription is valid if it’s less than one year old. A contact lens prescription is different from an eyeglasses prescription because contacts sit directly on the eye and glasses sit approximately 12 millimeters away from the eye.
2. Search For Your Contact Lens Brand On The Retailer’s Website
As part of your prescription, your eye doctor will specify a lens brand based on factors such as breathability, the best fit for you and your lifestyle. You’ll want to shop for contacts on a site that carries your brand.
3. Choose How Many Boxes You Want
Usually sites will allow you to order a one-month, three-month or six-month supply, and sometimes more. You’ll receive a greater discount when you order more lenses, but you run the risk of your prescription changing before you can use them all. The best time to order in bulk is when you have a brand new prescription, although some sites also offer returns on unused, unopened boxes.
4. Input Your Prescription Information And Any Vision Details
Each contact lens prescription includes the lens brand, lens diameter and base curve for each eye. There are also abbreviations that indicate things such as nearsightedness and farsightedness, astigmatism and pupillary distance. Most sites offer tutorials on how to correctly read your prescription, and you can always call customer service if you have questions. Depending on the site you’re using, you have the option to email, text or fax your prescription, and the site will reach out to your doctor directly to confirm it. If your prescription is expired, many sites offer the ability to take an online vision exam from home through your computer or smartphone.
5. Determine Your Shipping Preference
Although several sites offer free standard shipping, take note that your order can’t be shipped until your prescription has been approved by your eye doctor, and this can take anywhere from a few hours to several days. Expedited shipping fees are steep, which should incentivize you to place your contact lens order well before you need it.
6. Look For Any Available Coupons, Promo Codes Or Rebates
Deals are often highlighted at the top of the retailer’s main page, and some sites have specific rebate pages. Also, beware of things like hidden fees or additional pricing for shipping. Often, you’ll click through your order thinking you’re getting an amazingly low price, only to get to check out and see that the cost has doubled. If this is the case, call customer service and have them explain the situation to be sure there’s not another way to find a cheaper price. Sometimes you won’t see savings until you receive a rebate a few weeks after placing your order.
Is It Cheaper To Buy Contact Lenses Online?
In most cases, yes, and this is the reason many people prefer buying contacts online—in addition to the convenience factor. While your doctor’s office can offer rebate options, online contacts suppliers get lenses directly from manufacturers, skipping steps that add extra costs for you. And they have access to massive warehouses, which allows them to give steep discounts.
The price of your lenses depends, in large part, on the type you’re buying. In general, daily disposable contacts are more expensive, as are lenses that do more than just address general nearsightedness or farsightedness, such as toric lenses for astigmatism, multifocal lenses or colored contacts. Contact lenses typically run between $200-$1,500 per year, so it makes sense to try to find a reliable, safe, budget-friendly buying option online.
Can I Order Contacts With An Old Prescription?
No. You always need an updated, valid prescription to order contacts online because they are classified as medical devices by the FDA. In general, the recommendation is to have your prescription updated every year or two.
Is There A Way To Get A Contacts Prescription Online?
Yes, but only if you have a previous, expired prescription from an eye doctor. If yours has expired, several sites offer the option for an at-home vision exam by using a computer or smartphone.
FAQs
Is it OK to order contact lenses online? ›
Buying contacts online is a convenient option for most people. To purchase contact lenses online, individuals just need their prescription information. Several online retailers offer contacts. A person's prescription will specify the brand and type of lens suitable for their needs.
Can you order contacts online without a doctor? ›Anyone selling you contact lenses must get your prescription and verify it with your doctor. They should request not only the prescription, but the name of your doctor and their phone number. If they don't ask for this information they are breaking federal law and could be selling you illegal contact lenses.
Why are contacts so much cheaper online? ›Contact lenses bought online will be cheaper because the process is much simpler and there are less business expenses. There's no real estate, no staff to accommodate you, and no paying a medical professional for a considerable chunk of their valuable time.
Is Lens com a legit website? ›Lens.com is not an accredited company with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), but it's legit and has been in business for 24 years. Lens.com is a secure, encrypted website with measures for customer privacy and protection.
Is it cheaper to order lenses online? ›Fact: Ordering contacts through your eye doctor is actually cheaper in many cases. As mentioned, your local eye doctor will actually tend to offer better rates than online providers.
Why doesn t Amazon sell eye contacts? ›No matter whether you're looking for contact lenses that are purely cosmetic or those that are corrective, you can't buy them on Amazon. They're on the prohibited list because “they do not meet the checklist requirements”—though which requirements those are isn't clear.
Is 1800 contacts legit? ›1-800 Contacts is a legitimate, direct-to-consumer online retailer that was founded in 1995. It's accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has hundreds of reviews on consumer experience websites. If you order from 1-800 Contacts and you run into a problem, there will be customer service reps to assist you.
Can I order contacts with an expired prescription? ›Don't try to buy contact lenses online with an expired prescription, it's illegal to sell anyone contact lenses without a valid prescription. So, check your contact lens prescription right now. If they're close to or past the expiration date, contact your eye doctor and schedule an eye exam.
Does 1800 contacts verify prescription? ›After you submit your order, we'll verify your prescription with your eye care provider to make super-sure you get the correct contacts. This may take up to one business day.
Why do I need a prescription to order contacts online? ›We're bound by law to only sell contacts to customers with valid prescriptions. It's part The Contact Lens Consumer Act passed in 2003 to protect consumers and their rights. This way we can guarantee your eye doctor will release a prescription to you, giving you the legal right to buy your contacts anywhere.
Is there a difference between cheap and expensive contact lenses? ›
The Contrast and Clarity of an image is what most people will notice right away when comparing a cheap lens to a higher-end lens. Typically the expensive lenses have better coatings both internally and externally. Coatings do a few things, they help reduce light scatter and this can actually help light transmittance.
Is Costco the best place for contact lenses? ›Costco is the one-stop shop for the entire contact lens purchasing experience. You can get your eye exam at the store and order contacts online. It's the best place to order contacts in bulk as it offers the highest discounts. Costco's return policy is unparalleled; you can return your lenses anytime.
Are daily or 2 week contacts cheaper? ›Daily disposable contacts are more expensive than biweekly and monthly disposable contacts.
Are two weekly contacts cheaper than daily? ›Since weekly lenses don't need to be replaced every day, they are typically more convenient for those who are not “morning people.” Weekly contacts also generate less waste and are less expensive than daily contact lenses.
HOW IS lens com so cheap? ›Lens.com began trading in 1995, providing contact lenses at a lower price than some retailers. The company buys stock in bulk and independently sets its prices to offer people a range of lens choices.
Is lens direct a good place to buy contacts? ›Company reputation
LensDirect has a 4.4 rating on review aggregator Trustpilot. Considering there are over 4,000 reviews, that's considered excellent.
Hubble contact lenses are made by St. Shine Optical, a manufacturer of contact lenses approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Are cheap contact lenses safe? ›While cheap contacts are available, they aren't always the best choice for your eyes. A low-quality pair may be more likely to tear, and this could lead to a scratch on your cornea or other damage to the eye.
Does the brand of contact lenses matter? ›Both measurements are important and can really affect how comfortable a contact feels. Different brands are made with different base curves and diameters, which is why your eye care provider selects one for you during an exam.
Do students get free contact lenses? ›NHS optical vouchers
You're entitled to an optical voucher for help towards the cost of your glasses or contact lenses if you: are under 16. are 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education.
What are illegal contact lenses? ›
All contact lenses must be prescribed by a doctor, including decorative lenses. Any contact lenses that are not prescribed by a doctor are illegal and could cause you harm.
Will Walmart sell me contacts? ›About Walmart Vision Center
You can get your eyes checked, prescription updated, and shop for glasses and contacts. The website allows you to order nonprescription readers and sunglasses that you may not find in the store. Walmart also sells contacts online through a separate website called Walmart Contacts.
Don't Wear Contacts to Routine Eye Exams
For a routine eye exam to be effective, your eye doctor needs to be able to see how your eyes function by themselves. Having your lenses in during the exam can make it harder for them to determine the prescription you need.
Contact lenses: 1-800 Contacts vs.
Almost any contact you could need is not only in-stock and it's almost guaranteed to be cheaper than your eye doctor's office. Plus, we accept most major vision insurances and offer our own in-house rebates.
What shipping options do you offer? All of them: Standard (5-7 business days) · Ridiculously fast (2-3 business days) · Teleported (basically) (1 business day). These shipping times are how long it takes to ship after we verify your prescription, which can take up to one full business day.
How many boxes of contacts do I need for a year? ›If you replace your contacts approximately every two weeks, this means you need about five boxes (30 lenses) per eye, or a total of 10 boxes per year. This comes to an annual contact lens cost of roughly $250 to $400 (lenses only). A number of factors can increase how much contacts cost, including: Astigmatism.
What is the new contact lens rule? ›In 2020, the FTC amended the Rule, which you can find here. The Contact Lens Rule requires prescribers to give patients a copy of their contact lens prescriptions at the end of a contact lens fitting, even if the patient doesn't ask for it.
What's better daily or monthly contacts? ›Monthly lenses are more cost-effective than dailies if you wear contacts every day. It's also ideal for people who switch between glasses and contacts multiple times a day. You can clean and place them back again when needed, unlike with disposable lenses that must be discarded after use.
Can I use an expired eye prescription? ›No, you cannot use an expired eyeglass prescription to buy new glasses. The reason for this is simple: our eyes change as we age, and a prescription from several years ago may no longer guarantee clear vision. You may not realize how much your vision has deteriorated since your last eye exam.
Can I order more than a year supply of contacts? ›Even if a prescriber's state law does not set an expiration date of more than the one-year minimum required by the Rule, prescribers are free to set a date of more than one year if they feel it is appropriate.
Can I order more contacts without an eye exam? ›
You cannot order contacts without a prescription, at least in the United States. You will need to have a prescription written by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist to buy contact lenses.
How long is a contact lens prescription valid for? ›Generally, contact lens prescriptions are valid from 1 to 2 years following the date of your last eye exam and contact lens fitting. Once your prescription expires, it's time for your contacts prescription renewal.
Are monthly contact lenses 30 days or 30 wears? ›37. Does monthly contact lens mean 30 wears? Monthly disposable contact lenses should be thrown away precisely 30 days after opening the blister pack, regardless of the number of times you have worn them.
Is Costco cheaper for contacts? ›Costco. “One way that Costco's a game-changer is if you wear contact lenses,” Clark says, pointing out that Costco has some of the lowest prices across the board. In addition to filling prescriptions for most trusted brands at some of the best prices, Costco often offers deals and rebates.
Is 1800 contacts the cheapest? ›Although 1-800 Contacts has the highest overall advertised highest prices, they're also the only one of this trio that offers a real price guarantee. It says, “We'll beat any price on every product we carry by 2%. Any competitor's authorized price. Any brand—even yours.
Does it matter which brand of contact lenses? ›Different brands of contact lenses are made from different materials, and just because another brand has a similar base curve and diameter does not mean it will fit the same. Wearing the exact brand that you have been prescribed will help prevent medical problems and allergic reactions to the different materials used.
Can you order contacts with expired prescription? ›Don't try to buy contact lenses online with an expired prescription, it's illegal to sell anyone contact lenses without a valid prescription. So, check your contact lens prescription right now. If they're close to or past the expiration date, contact your eye doctor and schedule an eye exam.
Can I buy contacts with an outdated prescription? ›You can't legally order contacts with an expired prescription either. Contact lenses are classified as medical devices in the U.S., so your prescription needs to be current to have it filled. These guidelines apply to both physical locations and online retailers.
Is it safe to order from 1-800 Contacts? ›1-800 Contacts is a legitimate, direct-to-consumer online retailer that was founded in 1995. It's accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has hundreds of reviews on consumer experience websites. If you order from 1-800 Contacts and you run into a problem, there will be customer service reps to assist you.
Can I walk into Costco and buy contacts? ›Yes, you need to be a member to purchase glasses or contacts at Costco Optical centers. However, you do not need to be a member to make an appointment with our in-house optometrist.
Who makes Costco Kirkland contact lenses? ›
Costco's Kirkland "Premium Dailies Disposable" or just "Daily Disposable" contact lenses are manufactured by CooperVision. "Kirkland Signature 1-day disposable" lenses are actually CooperVision MyDay one-day disposable contact lenses which are re-branded (or privately labeled) by Kirkland Signature.
Can I order contacts from Costco online? ›Yes, Costco Optical now offers a variety of contact lenses online exclusively for Costco members! To order contact lenses online, simply visit contacts.costco.com. Need to return your Costco.com contact lens order?
What is a reasonable price for contacts? ›The cost of contact lenses can vary, but the average cost for an annual supply of contacts, if you're nearsighted, should be between around $200 and $300. If you need to replace your contacts throughout the year, plan to purchase around sic to 10 boxes total, with a cost of around $20 to $30 for each box.