Itdoesn’t take a genius to understand why glasses wearers might want to find some stylish and affordable Warby Parker alternatives.
Now headquartered in New York City, the online retailer founded by Neil Blumenthal disrupted the eyewear industry when it launched their first line of prescription glasses back in 2010, which combined stylish frames with a reasonably low price tag.
But while Warby Parker’s website certainly changed the industry with their home try on option, virtual vision tests, and lower prices, their aesthetic can be a little limiting, and the quality of their frames isn’t exactly the highest.
Fortunately, Warby Parker is hardly the only online store to find a stylish pair of prescription glasses or sunglasses.
So to help you find the perfect pair of new glasses, we’ve rounded up the best Warby Parker alternatives that offer high style and high quality frames at a range of affordable prices.
Top Picks ↓
I’ll explain more about each pick below, but here’s a few of our favorite Warby Parker alternatives:
- Overall Best Warby Parker Alternative: Eyebuydirect
- Best Budget Alternative: Zenni Optical
- Best At-Home Try-On Program: Liingo Eyewear
- Best for Affordable Luxury Brands: GlassesUSA
- Best for Inclusive Sizing: JINS
- Best for Readers: Look Optic
- Best for Unique Frames: eyebobs
The Best Online Glasses Retailers Like Warby Parker
Breaking Down the Best Places Like Warby Parker to Buy Affordable, Stylish Frames
Overall Best Warby Parker Alternative ↓
Eyebuydirect
Details:
- Starting price range: $6-$430
- Try-on services: Virtual
- Progressives? Yes
- Return Policy: Free returns within 14 days
Why We Like ‘Em:
From selection and quality to affordability and easy return policies, Eyebuydirect.com is our top pick because it pretty much has it all.
They carry a wide selection of eyeglasses (over 2,000!) for men, women, and kids, most of which belong to their affordable-yet-stylish in-house brand (all starting at less than $100), but also includes some higher-end brands like Oakley and Ray Ban.
You’ll also find a plethora of lens options, like bifocals, progressives, readers, and polarized sunglasses, most of which come with anti-reflective coating.
We especially like that the website is really easy to navigate, allowing shoppers to filter their searches by shape, fit, color, material, prescription to make it less overwhelming, and that their virtual try-on feature lets you record.
Plus, shipping is free on orders over $119 (they even offer two-day shipping on some styles), and their hassle-free return policy is a little short, but extremely fair.
Best Budget Alternative ↓
Zenni Optical
Details:
- Starting price range: $10-$50
- Try-on services: Virtual
- Progressives? Yes
- Return Policy: Free returns before 14 days (minus what you paid for shipping)
Why We Like ‘Em:
Zenni is one of the best alternatives to Warby Parker mainly because of their unbelievably low prices.
They manufacture all the frames themselves then ship them directly to the consumer — no middleman required.
While a few consumers complained of poor quality, Zenni reviewers are generally happy with the quality, accuracy, and consistency of their orders, making it a great option if you’re buying multiple pairs.
Low prices aside, Zenni offers a ton of cool frames and a wide range of lens types, including progressive lenses, prescription sunglasses and non-prescription computer glasses.
They’ve also got a great website with how-to guides that make ordering glasses online easy, including how to choose the right frames for your face and how to measure your pupillary distance, which in my experience the optometrist often doesn’t tell you at your eye exam.
Best At-Home Try-On Program ↓
Liingo Eyewear
Details:
- Starting price range: $79-$129
- Try-on services: At-home and virtual
- Progressives: Yes
- Return policy: Free returns within 60 days
Why We Like ‘Em:
Liingo is another excellent Warby Parker alternative for a number of reasons:
Like WP, they offer a totally free at-home try-on service that lets you test drive five pairs IRL — which, let’s face it, is far superior to trying them on virtually.
All of their frames are designed and manufactured in-house, which helps keep the prices down, yet the quality is almost surprisingly high.
While their selection is small compared to companies like Eyebuydirect, there’s plenty of cool styles of prescription, sun, and blue-light blocking glasses for every taste and face shape.
(You can also use the Find My Fit tool to help you find the best fit and frame style.)
And if for some reason your frames don’t work for you, don’t worry: their 60-day return policy has you covered.
What We Mean by “Starting Price Range”:
Eyewear Costs Explained
(Well, sort of… we’re still kind of confused by it, TBH)
Unless this is your first time shopping for a new pair of eyeglasses, we don’t need to tell you that eyewear can get pretty expensive.
But why is it that frames can have a $50 price tag, but often end up costing 10 times that when all is said and done?
For starters, frames themselves are made of relatively inexpensive materials, which is why base costs can be as low as $6 at some retailers.
But prescription lenses call for specific materials and manufacturing, and in most cases, the higher your prescription and more demanding your optical needs (for instance, if you have astigmatism), the more the company charges to make them.
And while some companies include non-prescription and single-vision lenses in their frame pricing, almost all of them charge huge fees if you require progressives (lucky you!).
And then there’s all the other add-ons — anti-glare coatings, UV protection, blue-light blockers, scratch-resistant finishes, and extended warranties — that can take the cost of a pair of frames from affordable to astronomical.
Best for Affordable Designer Brands ↓
Glasses USA
Details:
- Starting price range: $39-$600
- Try-on services: Virtual
- Progressives? Yes
- Return Policy: Free returns within 14 days
Why We Like ‘Em:
With frames made by well-known eyewear brands like Persol, Ray-Ban, Gucci, Versace, Michael Kors and more, GlassesUSA is a good option to turn if you’re looking for frames and sunglasses from the world’s top designers.
They have a wide range of fashionable glasses to choose from, most of which you can try on virtually, as well as a handy (albeit, terribly named) “Pairfect Match” service to help you find the perfect frames based on your face shape, skin tone, and personal preferences.
And with tons of sales, coupons, and BOGO offers, you can score huge savings on luxury brands or stock up on multiple pairs without breaking the bank.
Best for Inclusive Sizing ↓
JINS
Details:
- Starting price range: $90-$290
- Try-on services: Virtual
- Progressives? Yes
- Return policy: Free returns within 30 days (excludes final sale items)
Why We Like ‘Em:
Established in Japan, JINS makes modern, stylish and high-quality prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses at very affordable prices.
But what makes this online eyewear retailer standout from the pack is their inclusive and diverse range of frame styles, designed to fit a wider range of face shapes and nose bridges.
(Most companies stick to an “industry standard fit” that tends to cater to people with high nose bridges.)
Our Editor-in-Cheif Dave has a pair of their Classic Slim frames, and he swears he gets a ton of compliments on their slim-but-striking design. (Though no one’s ever actually heard someone compliment him in person…)
Best for Readers ↓
Look Optic
Details:
- Starting price range: $68-$108
- Try-on services: Virtual
- Progressives? Yes
- Return Policy: Returns within 90 days ($6 fee)
Why We Like ‘Em:
If you don’t need a prescription but just want a really stylish pair of readers, look no further than Look Optic.
This online boutique specializes in readers, but also offers progressives and blue light blocking glasses, all in a variety of cool and colorful styles.
Their frames are made from ultra-lightweight, high-quality materials, with premium lenses to help you see clearly.
And with their 90-day trial period and one-year guarantee, you really have nothing to lose.
Best for Unique Frames ↓
eyebobs
Details:
- Starting price range: $95-$195
- Try-on services: Virtual
- Progressives? Yes
- Return Policy: Free returns within 90 days
Why We Like ‘Em:
Eyebobs is a great place to turn for cool frames and unique designs that you won’t find at Warby Parker.
(Or any other online glasses retailers, for that matter!)
They offer a wide range of frames available with prescription lenses, blue light filters or just plain reading lenses, and their website has a handy style quiz that can help you find the right pair for your face shape and personal style.
Covry
Details:
- Starting price range: $105-$145
- Try-on services: At-home and virtual
- Progressives? Yes
- Return Policy: Returns within 14 days, prescription lenses not included (, your original shipping charge is non-refundable and there is an additional $6 fee for returns)
Why We Like ‘Em:
Covry is a female-founded company whose mission is to help break the optical industry out of its traditional one-size-fits all mold by designing a more inclusive line of eyewear.
Their Elevated Fit® frames are uniquely designed with longer nose pads and a reduced frame curvature to comfortably fit faces with low nose bridges and high cheekbones.
Plus, they help make online shopping easier with an at-home try-on option.
But don’t be fooled by their seemingly limited selection:
Not only are their frames incredibly stylish, but they’re handcrafted by artisans in small batches to ensure high quality and limit waste.
Pair Eyewear
Details:
- Starting price range: All base frames are $60 (including Rx) + additional charges for progressives and upgrades
- Try-on services: Virtual
- Progressives? Yes
- Return Policy: Free returns within 30 days
Why We Like ‘Em:
Pair is easily the most innovative and unique eyewear company on our list, and here’s why:
You start by selecting a base pair of frames for $60 (prescription included), then you can choose from hundreds of different “tops,” aka thin, magnetic frames that snap on to the base frame to instantly change up the look.
Each top frame costs $25-$30, so you can get a bunch of different styles at a pretty affordable price, and basically have a different pair of glasses for each day of the week.
Felix Gray
Details:
- Starting price range: $98-$160
- Try-on Services: Virtual
- Progressives? Yes
- Return Policy: Free returns within 30 days
Why We Like ‘Em:
Specializing in blue light glasses, Felix Gray offers a variety of stylish frames for people who spend a lot of time staring at screens.
Their blue light blockers are unique in that the lenses are virtually clear (other brands tend to have a slight tint), yet filter up to 15 times more harmful blue light than other clear lenses.
Additionally, they also offer a number of prescription glasses, readers, sunglasses, and even contact lenses, along with a hassle-free return policy and free shipping.
Target Optical
Details:
- Starting price range: $59-$400
- Try-on services: Virtual
- Progressives? Yes
- Return Policy: Free returns within 90-days
Why We Like ‘Em:
The two main draws for shopping at Target Optical is probably the selection of brands and their prices.
Target offers great deals on a wide variety of designer brands — including Armani, Ralph Lauren, Coach, and Ray Ban — as well as every kind of prescription eyeglasses and lens under the sun.
They’re also a super convenient option in that they accept over 70 vision insurance plans, plus, if you don’t currently have an eye doctor, Target provides eye exams in many of their brick and mortar stores.
Kirstyn describes herself as a “coffee lover and cat lady,” but don’t let her humility fool you:
As the co-creator and former Editor-in-Chief of Strong Fitness Magazine, she’s a highly respected writer and editor with more than a decade of experience, whose work has appeared in top publications like Strong, Oxygen, Clean Eating, Girls Gone Strong and more.
Banner Illustration: Irreverent Gent