The best contact lenses online are just like the ones you can find at your favorite store or eye doctor’s office, but you get access to much better prices. In fact, you can often find great deals on your favorite contact lenses, since online stores don’t have to pay the outlay of a traditional brick-and-mortar store. The best contact lenses online can include anything from colored contacts to disposable lenses, astigmatism corrective contact lenses and prescription contact lenses.
A selection of brands including acuvue, clariti, bioinfinity, proclear and air optix are available online. To purchase one of these brands, you will need a recent eye prescription. however, most retailers have a prescription checker to help you find the right product for you. If you’re looking for a great selection of name brands at affordable prices, 1800 Contacts is our pick for the leading online contact lens retailer. free shipping comes as standard, while their customer service is known to be reliable and friendly.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for deals or savings, glassesusa is offering 25% off some of its best vision brands. It’s also worth checking out our guide to the best eyeglasses online (opens in a new tab) if you wear a combination of contact lenses and eyeglasses. In the meantime, if you hate the stress of going back and forth between contact lens retailers and your vision insurance provider (opens in a new tab), many retailers are now set up to work directly with them.
It’s important to choose a reputable eyewear retailer when buying prescription contact lenses online. When it comes to eye health, take comfort in choosing an online contact lens retailer with an excellent track record. Meanwhile, if it’s been a while since your last eye exam, some online contact lens retailers offer online exams. however, it’s worth keeping in mind that the American Academy of Optometry recommends (opens in a new tab) getting an in-person eye exam every two years.
Ready to find the best contact lenses online? We’ve rounded up our top picks to help you decide which retailer is best for you…
what to look for in a good online contact lens retailer:
- five-star, visible customer reviews
- structured pricing
- free delivery
- tracking service
- a good selection of contact lenses
- a simple return policy
- multiple ways to contact customer service
top 10 contact lens brands online
1. glassesusa: the best for contact lenses and frames online
Don’t let the name fool you. glassesusa may have many frames to choose from, but they also have some of the best contact lenses online. the site has a wide range of prescription contact lenses and frames available, so if you’re moving between the two, here’s your chance to stock up.
Many of the online contact lenses at glassesusa are significantly cheaper than other online services and come with free shipping. You’ll also find an express shipping option, which is ideal if you’ve left your lens order until the last minute.
The only drawback is that there aren’t as many lens options as other retailers that focus solely on lenses. however, you will find most of the best contact lens brands in a variety of sizes, as well as colored contact lenses. no subscription needed, so you don’t have to commit to regular orders if you don’t want to.
reviews and ratings from glassesusa users
There are over 20,000 glassesusa reviews on Trusted Pilot at the time of this writing. the vast majority of them are excellent, with a high number of reviews giving the company 5 out of 5 stars. Users commented on the easy, fast and efficient online contact lens service on offer, as well as the fantastic customer support team.
one customer wrote: “this is my third time purchasing my glasses usa. I am quite pleased with the ease of the ordering process and the online chat support is fantastic.”
There aren’t many negative reviews, but the few we found during our review process mentioned that the website can sometimes be difficult to navigate, depending on the eye health products you’re looking for.
Some customers also complained about discounts and coupons that seemed to be active, but they couldn’t use them on their order. so be sure to check the fine print if you’re hoping to land a deal.
- read our glassusa review
2. 1800 contacts – best for contact lenses and frames online
Your search for the best contact lenses online can be short if you start with 1-800 contacts, as this is one of the most trusted destinations for prescription contact lenses. 1-800 Contacts has been in business for over 20 years, providing great customer service, free shipping, free returns if your lenses are unopened, and exchanges on broken lenses.
The site is known for its deep discounts, and you can buy boxes of single lenses or set up a subscription, which automatically sends you new prescription contact lenses when you need them.
1800 Contacts also offers an online eye exam service, which determines if your current prescription is right for you. this test shouldn’t completely replace visits to your ophthalmologist, but it could save you a trip if you’re not having any problems.
It’s worth knowing that 1800 contact lenses also sell frames, for those of you who confuse your vision glasses. So if you like the experience and service of buying contact lenses online, you can get a new pair of specs at the same time and save yourself the hassle of splitting your order.
1800 contacts user reviews and ratings
There are many happy reviews for 1800 contacts, and customers frequently rate the brand 5 out of 5 stars for their online prescription contact lens service. “used 1-800 contacts for the first time recently and had a great experience! I had an eye exam on Friday and thought I’d try an online contact delivery service at cheaper and more convenient prices,” wrote a customer on trustpilot.
customers tend to mention the excellent service of the eye doctors of 1800 contacts, the choice, the fair price and the fast delivery.
However, not everyone is satisfied. some customers have reported problems with discounts and refunds, claiming that they are not resolved quickly, if at all. others also mentioned long wait times for the order, but based on our research, that seems to be rare.
- read our 1800 contacts review (opens in a new tab)
3. ac lens: best contact lenses online on a budget
ac lens is a simple online contact lens site with fast service and lots of discounts – first time customers tend to get even more significant price reductions. You can either make a one-time purchase or sign up for the company’s eyewear subscription, which currently offers benefits like free shipping and a 20% discount on all future orders.
Like 1800 contact lenses, an online vision test option is available to verify your current prescription, which will be reviewed for you by an ophthalmologist. There are many prescription contact lenses to choose from, over 40 brands, when you shop for AC lenses. but it’s also a one-stop shop for a host of eye-related extras, including eyeglasses, dry eye treatments, and swim goggles.
ac lens has a toll-free number to call if you have questions about a product or your order, and there’s an online chat feature. the brand also has a good range of contact lens accessories, including storage cases and cleaning fluids.
ac lens wearer reviews and ratings
There are a variety of different reviews for ac lens prescription contact lens service. many are good and praise ac lens for the fast and efficient services offered, as well as the affordable prices of contact lenses, some of which are significantly cheaper than what you would find at an ophthalmologist’s office.
In an online review, one customer wrote: “All in all, from ordering online to receiving it was about a week. Great! I saved tons of money because my eye doctor was going to charge me triple for the same glasses. contact”.
However, some other customers were disappointed with the company, especially those who shared stories of long wait times for their online contact lens order. so if you’re in a hurry and need contacts urgently, you may want to try another retailer that has an express service option.
- read our ac lens review (opens in a new tab)
4. discount contact lenses: the best contact lenses online for a wide selection
The discount contact lens site features a wide range of prescription contact lenses from different manufacturers and colored contact lenses. there are many low prices and further reductions on offer regularly. the site is easy to use and straightforward. choose your brand, select how many lenses you need, and then enter your prescription.
You can return prescription contact lenses within a full year of ordering them, which is a fantastic policy that puts customers first. there is also a friendly customer service team. if you need help, call the 1800 number.
There are other good options on this list, but discount contact lenses online are one of our favorite options for people who want fast, efficient service and low prices for their contact lenses online with nothing to worry about. get in the way.
discount contact lens wearer reviews and ratings
There aren’t as many online reviews for discount contact lenses as some of the other online contact lens services on this list, but the few we were able to find suggested customers had a mixed bag of experiences.
On trust pilot, a customer wrote: “I have been ordering from you for years. amazing customer service!” another says “love the process and will buy from you again!”
however, some customers were less impressed. one claimed they received faulty lenses and another said some of the discounts could be misleading at times. If you’re shopping through discount contact lenses, be sure to read up on any promotions you’re hoping to get before you hit the checkout button to make sure they’re still active and apply to the contact lenses you’re buying.
- read our discount contact lens review (opens in a new tab)
5. web eye care: the best online contact lenses from big brands
web eye care stocks a wide selection of prescription contact lenses, colored contact lenses and frames online. there’s a wide range of choices from big-name contact lens brands, the customer experience is simple, and there are several payment options available.
web eye care says it provides 24/7 customer service. you can schedule a call with a customer service representative, or there’s also an online chat feature, which is handy if you can’t get away from your desk at work to take a call.
A subscription allows you to choose how many boxes of contact lenses you’d like to order and how often you want them. you can pause at any time and get a 10% discount with your subscription, which is great news if you’ve found a brand you love and have no intention of looking for another.
There is an option to renew your subscription with an online vision test, which is useful if you are satisfied with your contact lens prescription or if you do not have significant problems that require a visit to an ophthalmologist.
reviews and ratings of web eye care users
There are many great eye care reviews online on trustpilot. 70% of reviews rate the prescription contact lens service as “excellent,” making it one of the highest rated on our list.
Many customers cite the quick and easy online contact lens ordering process and the affordable prices. one reviewer wrote: “webeyecare had the best price, easy shopping experience, quick support response, fast shipping, and thorough follow-up to make sure my order was correct. I am very satisfied with my experience and will definitely order my contact lenses from you in the future. highly recommended!”
There were only a few negative reviews where people were disappointed with the shipping times and discounts. however, the brand has been responding to people who are unhappy and offering alternative solutions and explanations, which is good to see.
- read our eye care web review
6. coastal: best contact lenses online for customer service
When shopping for contact lenses online at Coastal Site, if you’re anything like us, you’ll find the simple, elegant design easy to navigate and refreshing, especially when compared to other brands on this list.
coastal also has contact lenses, frames and prescription sunglasses. there’s a decent range of contact lenses on sale, and you can choose from daily contacts, weekly contacts, colored contacts and more to get you started, or you can shop by brand.
However, you won’t find every brand or type of contact lens here. there is a stripped down offering, but you will find that most of the notable names are available. coastal stock online contact lenses from acuvue, soflens, purevision, focus, air optix, proclear and biomedics, catering to a variety of prescription types, from single vision to bifocal and astigmatism
a customer service team is available 24/7 to offer help and advice. There are sitewide discounts if you spend over $99 and a coupon page on the site that gives customers $15 savings on orders over $99. There is also a contact lens price match policy, but We recommend reading the fine print as there are some conditions.
opinions and ratings of coastal contact lens wearers
There are thousands of coastal reviews on trustpilot, and over 80% of them rate the online contact lens service as “excellent”. many customers cite coastal’s excellent customer service and efficient return process, which makes this prescription contact lens service stand out from the rest.
“coastal has always done a great job, appreciate the ease of ordering, help with insurance processing, on time delivery, plus the price is great,” writes a customer.
We took a look at some of the negative reviews and it seems that many of the less than satisfied customers had particular problems. For example, a customer writes that the frames weren’t the color they expected or that the Coast team had a prescription wrong. these aren’t ideal, but felt more like one-off issues than issues with the service as a whole.
- read our coastal contact lens review (opens in a new tab)
7. contacts direct: best online contact lenses to buy with insurance
There is a wide variety of online contact lenses offered at Contacts Direct, including the most popular brands as well as others that are just a few clicks away. The site can be confusing, but that’s mainly because there are so many options and so many different banners detailing discounts.
direct contacts offer free shipping and there are a variety of discounts, offers and coupons on the site. There’s also a price-matching service, as well as discounts if you buy a year’s worth of contacts in one go.
Direct contacts are one of the best options on this list for contact lens insurance. you deal directly with your insurer and get paid by them, leaving you to cover any excess. this is an easy way to buy contact lenses online.
contact user reviews and ratings directly
There are many excellent reviews of the service offered by direct contacts on trustpilot. customers mention the excellent prices, as well as the speed of service and delivery times. one user wrote: “easy and cheap! I got my glasses quickly. I will definitely use it again.”
Many of the negative reviews on trustpilot have been addressed by direct contacts, which is good to see. some customers even edited their thoughts after receiving good customer service later. this isn’t ideal, but it’s a good thing to keep in mind that if you have a problem, there’s a good chance direct contacts will rectify it for you.
a customer wrote that they received an order, but there was a box missing, so direct contacts sent it as a super fast delivery and it arrived the next day.
- read our direct contact review (opens in a new tab)
8. lenscrafters: the best contact lenses online also for in-person care
lenscrafters is a little different than the other brands in our best online contact lens guide because it’s a large eyewear retailer with physical stores as well as an online contact lens service.
This means that the service is generally excellent, as the brand has long experience and a strong reputation. Choosing contact lenses online at lenscrafters is a good one, but you may notice an increase in terms of price because there is so much more to consider for the deal.
however, there are many different discounts and offers. there are no subscriptions available here, but there are discounts on annual supplies of contact lenses, so it’s worth buying in bulk.
Because lenscrafters has been around for so long, they also rely on eye health advice and expertise. so if you’re looking for a truly reliable service, lenscrafters should be your first port of call.
1800 contacts user reviews and ratings
There are many different reviews online for lens artisans, with many people commenting on their experience both in-store and online. most are positive, with people saying they trust the brand, there are plenty of options, and the eye doctors who work there know what they’re doing.
one reviewer wrote: “great selection. although very expensive. good if you need some brand name glasses. They are very useful and great in contact lenses.”
This is the main negative point made by customers. lenscrafters is quite expensive compared to other services, especially when you consider the online contact lens discounts and subscription reductions you can find elsewhere.
- read our lenscrafters review
9. walgreens – best for colored contact lenses online
walgreens contact lens services are part of the larger walgreens brand. is a simple site with information for those who may be new to contact lens wear and need more advice on what to look for, what to expect, and how to choose the best contact lenses online for them.
There are a wide variety of lenses to choose from and tips on how to find the best ones for you. We like the site’s simple yet extensive FAQ section, which includes how to wear contact lenses, how to remove them, how long they last, and much more.
As of this writing, there are some nice discounts available on select prescription contact lenses, including 20% off all contact lenses, as well as 30% off eyeglasses and sunglasses. there are also regular discounts on specific online contact lenses.
You’ll also find other accessories available for purchase, including contact lens cleaning solution and contact lens cases.
walgreens contact lens wearer reviews and ratings
It’s hard to find reviews online specifically for Walgreens’ contact lens service. some reviews we found were quite negative, citing problems with the lenses themselves and noting that it can be difficult to get refunds, as well as shipping issues.
However, there are plenty of good reviews for Walgreens Multi-Purpose Contact Lens Solution if you’re also looking for some cleaning products, and customers say it’s better than brand-name options.
- read our walgreens contacts review
10. walmart contacts – best for disposable contact lenses
walmart is a huge brand with a lot to offer, but they also have a good range of contact lenses online and a service to help you find the right ones for you. You’ll find everything you need for optimal eye health on the Walmart Contacts website, including a wide range of lenses, including colored contacts, frames, contact lens solution and eye drops for all kinds of problems. .
prices are reasonable, but not the lowest on this list. You’ll find better discounts from online retailers who specialize in online contact lenses and don’t have real-life stores either. While there is a 365-day return policy for broken or defective contact lenses, lenses manufactured by Johnson & Johnson Visioncare, Inc., Alcon, and Bausch + Lomb have a separate defective lens return policy (opens in a new tab).
shipping is always free, and if your order is over $35, it will be upgraded to overnight delivery status, which is good to know if you’re in a hurry. Walmart also offers other deals on multiple purchases of prescription contact lenses, but does not offer subscriptions.
walmart contacts user reviews and ratings
consumers defender.org has a current rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars for walmart contacts, which it describes as “very good.” the wal-mart vision center is rated 3.8 out of 5 stars on consumeraffairs.
Online reviews of walmart contact lenses are mostly good. many people comment on the range of brands available, fast delivery and customer service if a contact lens arrives with the wrong prescription or broken. one reviewer explained how, “delivery is timely. when an incorrect prescription was delivered, i received an immediate refund. your prices and discounts are very good. i would order from them again.”
other people were unhappy with some slower delivery times and prescription errors, so it depends on your personal experience. one customer complained that “I’ve been waiting for a response for over a week. This is terrible customer service. I recommend shopping elsewhere.”
- read our walmart contacts review
frequently asked questions about the best contact lenses online
choosing the best contact lenses online for you
This speaks very directly to what kind of contact lenses you need, how often you want to wear them and if they need to have any extra features. Some contact lenses are designed to be disposable, so you would wear them once and then throw them away.
Other contact lenses are designed for extended wear and come to offer colored lenses for various reasons, both medical and fashion. For these types, it is important to learn how to clean contact lenses (opens in new tab) correctly.
Generally speaking, contact lenses come in the following varieties:
- soft contact lenses
- rigid gas permeable (rgp) contact lenses
- extended wear contact lenses
- contact lenses disposable
what are the best contact lens brands online?
This is subjective, as the best contact lenses online for your eye health needs will be different for the next person. That said, there are a few brands that stand out thanks to the superior fit, moisture content, and comfort of the lenses they make.
In our experience, the best contact lens brand is Acuvue by Johnson & johnson. Acuvue manufactures contact lenses for astigmatism, as well as multifocals, transition lenses (blocking ultraviolet rays), dry eye contact lenses, and overnight lenses.
You can buy acuvue contact lenses online in packs of 12 to 90, depending on the type of lens you need. however, they are more expensive than cheaper contact lens brands, but we trust them for their quality, comfort and accuracy.
where to find the best contact lenses online
The best contact lens prices online are usually found at cheaper retailers like ac lens. This site offers deep discounts, so you can usually find very low prices on top-rated contact lenses here.
Another place to look is discount contact lenses online, but they only offer free shipping on orders over $99. Clearly, this is a place to buy wholesale contact lenses online, rather than a box a month.
There are more contact lens brands online than ever, so it’s important to do your research. price pays a key part in any decision. How much are you willing to spend on contact lenses each month? Some sites are happy to replace broken contact lenses or exchange unopened boxes if your subscription changes, while others won’t.
Ultimately, which online contact lens provider you choose comes down to whether you want the lowest prices and best brands, or value high levels of customer service and member exclusives.
how much are the best contact lenses online?
The amount you pay for contact lenses online varies depending on your prescription. custom rgp lenses, for example, can cost upwards of $40 per lens. while a pack of 30 most commonly prescribed contact lenses costs around $1 per lens.
What you pay out of pocket depends on your eye insurance plan, so you’ll need to have that information handy when you place an order. The best online contact lens retailers will usually state whether you can use HSA or FSA dollars to purchase contact lenses.
Can vision insurance be used to buy contact lenses online?
Regarding vision and contact lens insurance, if a plan is national, you should verify that it works in your area or with the provider of your choice. most sites should allow you to enter your zip code to check coverage areas. Some plans may only offer certain benefits in certain locations, so check the details carefully before committing.
Once you find what you think are the best contact lenses for you, determine what insurance (if any) the site accepts. Finally, you have to consider the monthly premium. a lower monthly premium generally means you’ll spend more on whatever services you end up needing, and the reverse is often true as well.
the best online contact lenses for astigmatism
Toric contact lenses are designed for people who have astigmatism. Astigmatism is an imperfection in the curvature of the eye, which causes distorted vision. this usually means that the cornea is oblong like an egg instead of being spherical. Astigmatism is common, affecting more than three million people in the United States each year.
Toric lenses must remain in a specific position on the eye to correct astigmatism. They are usually made from soft materials such as hydrogel, although some are made from rigid gas permeable (rgp) materials, also called gas permeable (gp) materials.
Some toric lenses are weighted on the bottom to ensure they stay in the correct place on the eye. this prevents them from rotating and only allows them to move vertically when you blink.
according to the foothill optometry group (opens in new tab), gp lenses, while not as popular as soft lenses, do not contain water and are therefore less likely to attract bacteria. a single pair can even last a full year if you take care of them properly.
Most online contact lens companies sell corrective toric lenses in soft and gp format. talk to your doctor to determine which option is right for you.
how to buy contact lenses online with insurance
To get financial assistance for your eye care products, including contact lenses, you need insurance. Regular health insurance usually covers a visit to the optometrist but does not cover additional purchases like glasses or lenses.
There are a multitude of plans available and each one is different. Insurance generally covers all or part of the cost of contact lenses, as well as some or all of the cost of a doctor’s visit, as long as it’s in your plan’s network. check ahead to make sure the eye doctor you’re seeing is covered by your plan.
Most plans cover an annual eye exam, so if you go more often, you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket. coverage also typically covers part of some eye surgeries, including lasik. if you need unique contact lenses, like photochromic lenses, your insurance will cover some of that cost.
however, if you rarely see your eye doctor, you can use a health savings account (hsa) to pay for the visit. this isn’t viable long-term or for those who often need new contacts, but it can work for people who are between jobs or at school.