In this article:
- Best places to buy contacts online
- Buying guide
Even with vision benefits, contact lenses can cost you a pretty penny. If you're looking for affordable contact lenses, you likely know that your eye doctor or local optical shop is probably the most expensive way to buy them. More often than not, you'll be paying full retail price for your lenses. Instead, you'll want to buy contact lenses online to get the best deals.
There are many online stores that offer every contact lens brand you can think of, often at discounted prices or with rebates. We've rounded up some of the best places to buy contacts online below. I wouldn't say that any one of them is better than the other, but by shopping around, you can get the most savings and find a store that lets you use your insurance to help offset the cost.
So, ready to ditch the frames and dive in? Here is where you can find contacts at an affordable price.
Best places to buy contact lenses online
Scout by Warby Parker
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
Warby Parker doesn't just sell affordable and stylish eyeglasses -- the company sells contact lenses too. You can pick fromScout, 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 $47, 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.
Screenshot by Sarah Mitroff/CNET
Shipping Info
$10, takes 5-7 business days
Return Policy
30-day free return
Insurance Accepted
Considered out-of-network by most providers
Number of Contacts Brands
25
Lens.com's prices are often lower than other shops for prescription contact lenses. It has an impressive selection of brands -- including Acuvue, Air Optix, Dailies and Biofinity Toric for astigmatism -- plus it takes returns and covers the cost of shipping unopened boxes back.
Lens.com is an out-of-network provider for vision insurance, so you can't use your benefits to directly pay for your order. However, you can submit the receipt to your insurance company for reimbursement/ (Always check with your insurance company to see what it covers.)
Screenshot by Sarah Mitroff/CNET
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
As one of the best-known contacts stores,1800Contactsstocks 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.
1800Contacts price-matches 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. 1800Contacts 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 1800Contacts. If you need to exchange your unopened lenses for any reason, 1800Contacts will cover the shipping cost.
Accepts vision insurance with a valid prescription.
Screenshot by Sarah Mitroff/CNET
Shipping Info
Free, takes 7-10 business days
Return Policy
Free 6-month return on unopened products
Insurance Accepted
Yes
Number of Contacts Brands
14
A popular source for cheap contact lenses among my fellow CNET editors isContactsDirect, because it often sends out coupon codes to customers. It has a wide selection of lens type options, including multifocal lenses, colored contacts, soft contact lenses for dry eyes and toric lenses for astigmatism.
ContactsDirect offers returns on products that were purchased within one year if your eye vision changes and you need a vision correction from your doctor. ContactsDirect (and 1800Contacts) also sells contact lens solution.
Accepts vision insurance.
Screenshot by Sarah Mitroff/CNET
Shipping Info
Free, takes 8 business days
Return Policy
30-day free returns or exchanges
Insurance Accepted
Yes
Number of Contacts Brands
20
Eyeconichas a wide array of contact lens brands to choose from, including Acuvue, Air Optix, Biotrue by Bausch and Lomb and Extreme H2O. Like others on this list, it offers free shipping and free returns.
Accepts VSP, MetLife and Cigna Vision vision insurance.
Screenshot by Sarah Mitroff/CNET
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
Last but not least isGlassesUSA.com, which 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 select insurance providers.
Buying online contact lenses: Your guide
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'll need your contact lens prescription (more on that below). Simply 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.
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.
Your eye doctor will also help you decide which brand of contact lenses will work best for you, and your prescription will include the brand name. That means you cannot buy a different brand if you find a better deal, but you can request a new prescription for a specific brand, at your doctor's discretion.
All of the stores on this list require a valid prescription to dispense your contact lenses, and they won't ship your order without one. Keep in mind that most contact lens prescriptions are only valid for one to two years (depending on your eyes and age), so if your prescription is expired, you'll need a new one to shop.
What's the best place to buy contacts online?
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, some do not. If that's important to you, look for shops that accept your benefits.
Is it expensive to buy contacts online?
Contact lenses are expensive, full stop. But you can save money by shopping online.
Disposable contacts will cost you more money in the long run over a pair of glasses. For example, Acuvue Oasys, one of the most popular brand of soft lenses, average 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 $88.99 onLenscrafters.com, so you stand to save quite a lot of money by shopping around online.
How to save money on contact lenses
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 exchangeunopened boxeswith a new prescription. You don't have much to lose by buying a full year supply. Though it can be a higher up-front cost, you'll save money over buying one box at a time.
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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.
FAQs
Can you get contact lenses cheaper online? ›
It is always cheaper to order your contact lenses online. No questions about that. Just like most things you could buy at a retail shop, you can pretty much guarantee you can get a lower price for the same item found online. The reason behind this is obvious as the overheads of having a shop front are reduced.
Can I trust online contact lenses? ›Many online vendors are safe and secure, but it's important to make sure the company from which you order your contact lenses is reputable. Search the web for customer reviews and experiences, and browse the company website for signs of credibility.
Is it better to buy contacts online or in person? ›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.
Which is the No 1 contact lenses in the world? ›Best Daily Contact Lenses: Acuvue Oasys 1-Day
Once again, Acuvue Oasys 1-Day with HydraLuxe technology tops this category.
Bausch and Lomb
Being the top choice for contact lenses of every type, such as toric lenses, colour disposable lenses, bifocal lenses, or daily/monthly/yearly disposable lenses, Bausch and Lomb's journey of innovating hydrogel-based contact lenses is exemplary.
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 it safe to buy cheap contact lens? ›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.
Is there a way to get free contacts? ›Optometrists will often have free trial lenses that they can give you following your eye exam. There are different brands and types of contact lenses (ex. Daily's, two-week lenses, etc) and your optometrist should be able to provide you with a trial pair for the different types/brands.
What is the average cost of contact lenses without insurance? ›What You Can Expect to Pay. Disposable contact lenses cost approximately $200 to $1,000 per year or $15 to $85 per month for regular wearers, if you're buying for both eyes. This range is so broad because it encompasses different types of contact lenses for different kinds of vision correction.
What is the cheapest form of contacts? ›Cheapest Monthly Contact Lens
Monthly contacts tend to be the cheapest overall, since you only need to buy a few lenses total. If you don't have any special condition like astigmatism or presbyopia, then the cheapest monthly contact lens will probably be either Biofintiy, Air Optix HydraGlyde, or Ultra.
How to get cheaper lenses? ›
...
Where to Buy Affordable Contact Lenses
- GlassesUSA.com. ...
- Warby Parker. ...
- DiscountContacts.com. ...
- AC Lens. ...
- ContactsDirect. ...
- Lens.com. ...
- Costco Optical. ...
- Walmart Contacts.
1. Solotica Contact Lenses – known as the world's most natural colored contacts, Solotica is US FDA Approved brand and is registered internationally confirming Solotica lenses are fully safe to wear. You can choose from yearly, quarterly, monthly, or daily colored contacts at your convenience.
Should I buy lenses online? ›Myth: Contact lenses bought online cause infections
Response: Buying contact lenses online is perfectly safe as reputable retailers do not stock any products that would harm your eyes. Eye infections and complications are more likely to be occur if you don't care for your lenses properly.
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.
Can I buy contacts online if I know my prescription? ›Yes, by law-and for your safety-you can only purchase the brand of lens your eye doctor prescribed using a valid prescription.
How often should I buy contact lenses? ›Disposable lenses are to be replaced every two weeks. Frequent replacement lenses prescribed lifespan is either until every month or every quarter. Traditional (reusable) lenses should be changed every six months or longer. Before you reach the expiration date of your contact lenses, get a new one already.
Which contact lens is better for eyes? ›Silicone hydrogel lenses are made of an advanced type of soft contact lens material that allows more oxygen to pass through the lens and reach the front surface of the eye. Silicone hydrogel contact lenses are now the most popular type of contact lenses.
What are the most cost effective contacts? ›In general, daily use soft contact lenses are most cost-efficient when buying boxes of lenses that are replaced on a monthly or so basis. Daily disposable contact lenses are convenient.
Who makes best eye lenses? ›- KODAK® Eyeglass Lenses. Kodak lenses can provide you with the richest, most vibrant colors imaginable. ...
- DRIVEWEAR® Transitions® Lenses. ...
- Varilux® X-Series® Progressive Lenses. ...
- CRIZAL Prevencia® Lenses.
Does it matter which brand of contact lenses I buy? ›
Not all brands are equal
Why can't I just get any brand of contacts I want?” Unfortunately, no. Aside from getting a contact that fits your eye perfectly (not all brands make lenses in every size), different lens materials may be more comfortable/effective for your specific vision needs.
- Acuvue.
- Air Optix.
- Avaira.
- Biofinity.
- Biomedics.
- Biotrue.
- Clariti.
- Crystal.
The prices are high compared to other retailers, but 1-800 Contacts does not have any hidden fees, and it will match any price you find.
What is the difference between cheap and expensive contact lens? ›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.
Why is Acuvue so expensive? ›Acuvue Max is made with new technology and a top of the line material, so it is more expensive than the average contact lens.
How can I get new contacts without insurance? ›Is it OK to visit a discount retailer eye clinic? If you have no insurance, going to one of the large retailers that offer eye care and eyewear may be a good option. Walmart, Costco, and Sam's Club all run their own eye care clinics staffed by a qualified doctor of optometry.
Can I just walk in and buy contact lenses? ›Buying contacts isn't the same as buying glasses for reading. You can't simply walk into a department store and try on a few pair and decide what works best for you. Contact lenses are medical devices, which require wearers to follow a prescribed process to get them.
Can I buy contact lens without consulting the doctor? ›Prescription Requirements
A person must have a contact lens prescription from an eye doctor (an optometrist or an ophthalmologist) to buy contact lenses. This is true for all kinds of 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.
How much do monthly contacts cost? ›The cost to replace monthly contacts can range between $60 to $180 for a six-pack box of lenses. Depending on the frequency of replacement, you will likely need between 6-10 boxes of contacts for the year.
Are Walmart lenses cheaper? ›
Benefits of Walmart Vision Center
Walmart offers some of the cheapest frames available and the lowest lens prices comparable to other retailers.
A routine eye exam is $90. A contact lens exam is $120 or $140 depending on the complexity of your fit, and we charge $40 to train new contact lens wearers.
Is Costco the best place to buy 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.
Can you order contacts online without a doctor prescription? ›You can buy contact lenses, including decorative contact lenses, from an eye care doctor, on the Internet or from a mail-order company. It's very important that you only buy contact lenses from a company that sells FDA-cleared or approved contact lenses and requires you to provide a prescription.
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.
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.
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.
Which brand contact lens is best for eyes? ›- Bausch & Lomb Soflens 59 Contact Lenses.
- Freshlook One-Day Color Pure Hazel Powerless.
- Soft Eye Diamond Eye 3 Pair.
- Bausch & Lomb Optima38 Contact Lens.
- Clear Contact Lens Monthly Power.
- Acuvue 1 Day Moist Daily Contact Lens.
Daily disposable contacts are more expensive than biweekly and monthly disposable contacts.
Is it OK to wear cheap contact lenses? ›Never buy coloured contact lenses without a prescription
We strongly advise against buying and wearing cheap coloured contact lenses without a prescription.