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Where to Buy Contact Lenses Online in 2024
Mar 28, 2023
Fact Checked
We researched the top online contacts retailers to compare them by pricing, selection, delivery, and returns.
Contact lenses can be a great option for older adults with impaired vision.
Shopping for contacts online can save time and money.
Some online contacts retailers offer subscription services to deliver your contacts on a regular schedule.
In addition to shopping for eyeglasses online, you can order prescription contact lenses online and have them delivered to your home. Online contact lens retailers often sell contacts at lower prices than if you order through your eye doctor. Many online retailers also accept vision insurance to pay for your contacts. It’s important to know that original Medicare does not cover costs for contact lenses, but certain Medicare Advantage plans might cover these costs.
Finding convenient and affordable options to help maintain your vision is important. According to the Health Policy Institute at Georgetown University, visual impairments are one of the leading reasons people 65 and older lose their independence.1 Impaired vision can also impact your social life, employment, mental health, and physical health.
In this article, our Reviews Team offers a guide on how to order contacts online and reviews of the best online contacts brands.
A quick look at the best contact lenses online in 2023
Why you can trust our Reviews Team’s expert review
Our Reviews Team recommends products and services we believe provide value in the lives of our readers. We have performed in-depth, independent research to help inform your online search for contacts. To make our selections, we:
Engaged in independent research
Mystery shopped multiple online retailers to evaluate customer features like online ordering, online vision exams, consultations with professionals, and overall customer service
1-800 Contacts is our Reviews Team’s choice for “Editor’s Pick” because of their large selection of contact lenses, easy-to-use website, and affordable prices with price matching, as well as free delivery, and free returns and exchanges. The company offers 11 brands and more than eight lens types, like soft, vial, daily disposable, 1–2 week disposable, monthly disposable, multifocal/bifocal, and toric lenses for astigmatism. Gas permeable lenses may be ordered by phone.
Features
Cost: Starting at $20
Contacts available: Soft, vial, daily disposable, 1–2 week disposable, monthly disposable, multifocal/bifocal, toric, gas permeable, color
Shipping: 5–7 business days for free; 2–3 business days for $14.99; or one business day for $19.99
Return policy: Unopened boxes for full refund anytime, torn lenses replaced for free
Ordering contact lenses with 1-800 Contacts is easy. You choose the brand and type of lenses, select the number of boxes, enter your prescription information, and select your shipping preference. You can upload a photo of your prescription on the website, text the picture of your prescription to a customer service representative, enter the information manually, or provide the contact information for your eye doctor.
Contact lens prescriptions typically expire after one year. If you already wear contacts, are happy with your prescription, and simply need a prescription renewal, 1-800 Contacts offers a 10-minute online vision ExpressExam for $20. Your exam will be reviewed by a board-certified ophthalmologist, and you’ll receive your prescription in a few hours.
If you have not had an in-person eye exam in over a year, think that your prescription has changed, or are considering contacts for the first time, it’s best to schedule an in-office visit for a full eye exam. 1-800 Contacts can help you find an eye doctor near you.
If your prescription changes or you want to return your contacts for any reason, after any length of time, you may return unopened boxes for a refund or exchange. If you tear a lens, 1-800 Contacts will replace it for free. The company will even accept exchanges for unopened boxes of contacts purchased from another website or store.
1-800 Contacts offers a subscription program so you never have to worry about running out of lenses. You can select the delivery frequency, and the subscription comes with a 5% discount on your orders. You can also choose to delay, skip, or cancel orders at any time. 1-800 Contacts also has a mobile phone app if you prefer that over using a website.
Customer service and reviews
You can reach 1-800 Contacts customer service by phone (800-266-8228) or through an online chat feature on the website 24/7 and connect with a real person. When we used the website chat feature, our question was answered immediately. You can also email customer service through the online contact form on the website.
1-800 Contacts has 1.91 out of 5 stars and an A+ rating on the BBB with almost 100 customer reviews. Common complaints mention delays in receiving rebates and refunds on orders. Happy customers describe exceptional shipping and customer service.
1-800 Contacts has 3.2 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot with almost 350 customer reviews. There are some reports of pushy advertising and unrequested order refills. Positive reviews mention reliable service on orders and the company’s return policy.
Payment options
1-800 Contacts accepts vision insurance. The company is an in-network provider for Davis Vision, Superior Vision (Versant Health), Spectera (United Healthcare), Blue View Vision, and Anthem BCBS (administered by EyeMed). For other plans, 1-800 Contacts provides an out-of-network claim form that you can fill out and submit to your insurance for reimbursement. You may use a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) debit card to purchase contacts or provide a receipt for reimbursement. 1-800 Contacts also accepts Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, PayPal, AfterPay, and major credit cards for payment.
GlassesUSA carries 19 brands of contact lenses, including popular brands like Dailies, Acuvue, Biotrue, Soft Lens, and Air Optix. This makes it our Reviews Team’s choice for “Best Selection.” If your prescription is difficult to find, or you need a certain brand of lenses, this may be the best option for you. The company offers its own brand of contacts called Vista Plus. These lenses are hydrating, UV-protected, daily disposables that come in one-, three-, or six-month supply subscriptions. Vista Plus comes with a 10-day trial for $1. Vista Plus lenses currently only come in single vision prescriptions and are not yet available for multifocal prescriptions.
Shipping: Standard (7–10 business days) free; Expedited (5–7 business days) $9.95; Express (3–5 business days) $12.95
Return policy: 60 days
Subscription orders: Vista Plus only
Pros and cons
ProsHuge selection of brands and lensesAccepts vision insuranceAffordable, in-house brand (Vista Plus)ConsNo mobile appNo online vision test
Additional information
You can return all unopened boxes for an exchange, store credit, or full refund within the first 60 days after you receive them, as long as the contacts are still sealed in their original packaging.
If you are a first responder, nurse, teacher, medical provider, active duty military, hospital worker, “senior citizen,” government employee, or student, you’ll receive a $10 off coupon that you can apply on top of any other promotions. You will need to verify your identity using ID.me, an online company that allows you to provide proof of your identity.
Customer service and reviews
You can reach GlassesUSA customer service by phone, email, and live chat.
GlassesUSA has 1.32 out of 5 stars and an A+ rating with the BBB with more than 300 customer reviews. Most complaints mention customer service and issues with returns and shipping delays. GlassesUSA has 4.5 out of 5 stars with more than 50,000 reviews on Trustpilot. Most complaints are about returns and shipping times, but the majority of customers appreciated the large selection, easy ordering process, and discounted prices.
Payment options
GlassesUSA accepts vision insurance from 13 providers, including United Healthcare, Anthem, Humana, and Aetna. Its contacts are also eligible for purchase through HSA and FSA accounts and interest-free financing through Klarna. GlassesUSA walks you through insurance, HSA, or FSA account purchases right on the website.
Discount Contacts is our Reviews Team’s recommendation for the “Most Affordable” online contacts retailer. The company offers a 105% price match guarantee. This means Discount Contacts will match any lower price you find on identical items, and will give you an extra 5% discount so you are assured the lowest price. Plus, you have 12 brands of contact lenses to choose from.
Features
Cost: Starting at $24
Contacts available: Daily disposables, weekly disposables, monthly disposables, toric, multifocal, rigid gas permeable (RGP), color
Shipping: Free 5–7-day for orders $99 or more; $6.99 for orders less than $99; $9.99 for 3–4 days; $19.99 for one-day
Return policy: Full refund up to one year from ship date
Subscription orders: Yes
Pros and cons
ProsLow prices and lots of discountsLarge selectionLengthy return windowPrice match guaranteeConsPoor customer service reviews
Additional information
When ordering, you must provide a copy of your prescription via email or fax. Discount Contacts can also contact your eye doctor to get it. A free 15-minute online vision test is available if you are happy with your prescription and need it renewed. Your online vision test will be reviewed by a licensed eye doctor in 24 hours.
The Discount Contacts subscription service comes with 20% off your orders and free shipping for recurring orders of every two weeks up to every two years.
New customers, students, teachers, active duty military, first responders, nurses, and government employees all receive 20% off. Older adults can also receive a “Senior Discount” of 15% off, though the website does not specify any details or age range. Discount Contacts also offers periodic coupons, discounts, and promo codes. Use the mobile app for convenience and cost savings. All mobile app orders also receive 20% off and free shipping.
Customer service and reviews
You can reach Discount Contacts by phone, fax, or email.
Discount Contact Lenses has 2.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot with less than 50 reviews. Complaints mention delivery delays and communication issues with customer service. Positive reviews mention cheaper prices than ordering contacts through an eye doctor and good experiences with customer service.
Payment options
Discount Contacts does not apply insurance benefits to your order, but may be an out-of-network provider for your vision insurance. You may be able to apply for reimbursement of purchases. The company provides instructions and reimbursement forms for Davis Vision, EyeMed, Spectra/United Healthcare, and VSP. You can purchase contacts with HSA or FSA debit cards, or you may be reimbursed with an itemized receipt.
Warby Parker is our Reviews Team’s choice for “Best for Vision Insurance” because the company makes it easy to use vision insurance and will automatically apply your benefits to your order. If you are out-of-network, Warby Parker provides reimbursement forms that make it easier to request reimbursement from your insurance company. The company carries 11 brands of contacts, including Warby Parker’s own in-house contact lens brand called Scout.
Features
Cost: Starting at $27
Contacts available: Daily, bi-weekly, monthly, toric, multifocal/bifocal, color
Shipping: Free 7–9 days
Return policy: Full refund within 30 days on unopened boxes
Subscription orders: No
Pros and cons
ProsFree standard shippingAccepts insuranceOnline vision testConsNo express shippingShort return window
Additional information
If you need to renew your prescription, you can complete a 10-minute virtual vision test for $15 or book an appointment online at a local Warby Parker store for an $85 in-person exam. You may also obtain a prescription from another eye doctor of your choice.
To order contact lenses, you will upload a copy of your prescription or provide your eye doctor’s contact information upon checkout. With free shipping, it may take up to a week for you to receive your order. Warby Parker is not currently offering expedited shipping on contacts. Returns of unopened boxes are accepted within 30 days for a full refund.
New customers receive 20% off the first order and can also redeem a $50 eyewear credit to use on a pair of glasses with the purchase of a year’s worth of contacts.
Customer service and reviews
You can reach Warby Parker customer service by phone, email, text, and chat.
Warby Parker has 1.5 out 5 stars and an A+ rating on the BBB. The company has 2.4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot with less than 100 customer reviews. Most customer complaints are in reference to eyeglasses, but there are some complaints about shipping delays for contacts. Positive reviews mention helpful customer service and friendly staff at Warby Parker in-person stores.
Payment options
Warby Parker accepts vision insurance, and if you are in-network, the company will automatically apply your discount to your order. It partners with United Healthcare, Davis Vision, Care First, Eye Med, Spectera, BCBS/FEP Vision, and Guardian Vision. If Warby Parker is out-of-network, you can apply for reimbursement using your purchase receipt. You can use HSA or FSA accounts to purchase contacts. You can also use Affirm, a short-term financing plan, to split your payment into four, interest-free installments.
Best Shipping Options
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Free “green” standard shipping, low-cost expedited shipping
If you need your contact lenses in a hurry, or prefer carbon-neutral shipping, LensCrafters is the place for you. Our Reviews Team selected LensCrafters as the top choice for “Best Shipping Options” because it is the only retailer in our review to offer free green shipping and also offer expedited one-day shipping for $9.99. The green shipping option provides delivery through services that offset the carbon emissions of your delivery through climate protection projects.
LensCrafters accepts a large number of vision insurance plans, including providers like Aetna, Humana, United Healthcare Vision, and Cigna. You can enter your plan information on the website to determine your benefits. If your insurance provider is out-of-network, you may use the out-of-network claim form to apply for reimbursement from your insurance company.
You can obtain a vision prescription by visiting an eye doctor of your choice or scheduling an in-person eye exam at a LensCrafters store near you. The company does not offer an online vision test for prescription renewals.
Customer service and reviews
You can reach LensCrafters customer service by phone, email, or chat.
Individual LensCrafters stores are rated by the BBB, but LensCrafters.com does not have any reviews. LensCrafters.com has 3.1 out of 5 stars from more than 200 reviews on Trustpilot. Reviews are from a mixture of in-store and online customers and mostly refer to purchases of eyeglasses. A few happy customers said they received their contact lens orders in the time frame promised.
Payment options
LensCrafters accepts many vision insurance plans. You can enter the name of your insurance provider on the website to find out if it is in-network or out-of-network. HSA or FSA accounts can be used for contact lens purchases. LensCrafters also offers its own credit card through Synchrony Bank. If you qualify, you may be eligible for no-interest payments for six to 12 months.
How to buy contacts online
Buying contacts online can be easy. You’ll need a current prescription with the brand prescribed to you. Once you find your brand of lenses, you will enter your prescription information, choose the number of boxes you want, and select your shipping preference.
Obtain a prescription: All contact lenses, even purely cosmetic ones, are considered medical devices and require a prescription.2 Unlike a prescription for eyeglasses, a prescription for contacts will include the brand name and type of contact lens you need. This is determined by you and your eye doctor at the time of your appointment.
If you are happy with your current prescription, you may use a retailer’s online vision test in order to renew your prescription. Although getting a prescription without an office visit is convenient, it may not be the best option for older adults who are at higher risk for medical eye problems. About one in four older adults (27%) reported being diagnosed with cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic eye disease.3 It is recommended that adults over 65 receive annual medical eye exams in person. A thorough, in-person eye exam, with dilation, can not only help diagnose such conditions as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts, but doctors can even diagnose other health problems such as diabetes through an eye exam.
Find your brand: Search your preferred retailer’s website for the brand prescribed to you. Some retailers carry a larger selection of brands than others, while providers like Warby Parker and GlassesUSA carry their own in-house brands that cannot be found anywhere else.
Enter your prescription information: Most retailers require that you upload a copy of your prescription for verification before your order is shipped.
Select shipping: Many retailers offer free standard shipping, while some also offer expedited shipping for an additional cost. Some retailers offer a subscription service that will keep contacts coming to you on a regular schedule so that you never have to worry about running out.
Returns: Most retailers accept returns, but the length of the return acceptance window varies by provider, as does the refund policy. Some retailers provide a full refund with no questions asked while others will only offer a store credit.
How much do online contacts cost?
The price of contact lenses will depend on your prescription. You’ll want to discuss pricing with your eye doctor at the time of your vision exam. In general, a one-year supply of contact lenses can range from $170–$1,000, depending on the type of vision being corrected, the brand, lifespan per pair, and retailer.
A one-year supply of standard soft contact lenses can range from $170–$800. One-month lenses will run on the lower end of this range, and one-day lenses will be on the higher end.
A one-year supply of multifocal or astigmatism contact lenses is more expensive, and can range from $400–$1,000 per year. Pricing is also affected by vision insurance coverage, shipping costs, and available discounts or rebates.
Our Reviews Team conducted extensive research when exploring where to find the best contacts online. We mystery-shopped big and small brands, interviewed experts, and researched the user experience.
We rated the brands based on the following factors to help you find the best contacts online:
Cost and payment options
Ease of use
Vision insurance billing
Shipping and return policies
Customer service
Variety and selection
Bottom line
Contact lenses are a great option for correcting vision impairments, especially if you prefer to not wear glasses. Purchasing your contacts online is an excellent way to save money and schedule regular deliveries so you never run out of lenses.
We researched the top five places to buy contacts online and named 1-800 Contacts our “Editor’s Pick” due to their large selection, easy-to-use website, fast and free delivery, free returns and exchanges, and affordable prices with price matching. GlassesUSA carries 19 brands and has the best selection, including its own in-house brand. Warby Parker is a great option if you want to use vision insurance because the company walks you through the process and automatically applies any discounts if you are in-network. Discount Contacts has the most affordable options, and even offers a 105% price match guarantee that gives you an extra 5% off your order. LenCrafters is the best option if you need contact lenses delivered quickly, thanks to its one-day shipping option. It also offers a green shipping option, which offsets the carbon footprint of your delivery.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, all you need is a prescription from an eye doctor specifically written for contacts.
To buy contacts online, you will need to obtain a prescription, locate the brand prescribed to you on your preferred website, enter your prescription information, choose the number of lenses you want to order, select your shipping option, and pay for your order.
1-800 Contacts is our Reviews Team’s “Editor’s Pick,” with a large selection, easy-to-use website, free delivery, free returns and exchanges, and affordable prices with price matching. Warby Parker is a great option if you’ll be using vision insurance. Discount Contacts has the most affordable options and best price match guarantee. LenCrafters offers one-day shipping and green shipping. GlassesUSA has the best selection with 19 brands of contact lenses.
Yes, many online retailers accept vision insurance. Of the retailers in our review, we recommend Warby Parker, 1-800 Contacts, LensCrafters, and GlassesUSA if you will be using vision insurance.
You can renew an existing contact lens prescription online. Some retailers offer an online vision test that will renew your current contact prescription. 1-800 Contacts, Discount Contact Lenses, and Warby Parker all offer online prescriptions options. This is not recommended if your prescription is more than a year old and you cannot get a new prescription online.
Online retailers often offer more affordable prices and discounts than doctors’ offices.
Online contacts ordered from a reputable retailer come straight from the manufacturer in sealed boxes, so they are just as safe as the lenses you get from a doctor’s office.
Health Policy Institute. Georgetown University. Visual Impairments. Found on the internet at https://hpi.georgetown.edu/visual/
American Optometric Association. Healthy Vision and Contact Lenses. Found on the internet at https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/vision-and-vision-correction/healthy-vision-and-contact-lenses
Joshua Erlich, MD. Vision and Eye Care in Older Adults. National Poll on Healthy Aging. August 30, 2018. Found on the internet at https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/reports-more/report/vision-and-eye-care-older-adults
Lauren Sherman, M.S., is a health content writer with a master’s degree in human genetics from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, laboratory experience from National Jewish Health, and clinical experience from Children’s Hospital Colorado.
Susan Stiles, PhD, provides leadership in the design and development of consumer products that inspire, educate, and activate older adults. She’s been instrumental in bringing the Aging Mastery Program® to market and scaling it nationwide via strategic alliances and business partnerships. Stiles has 20+ years of experience in design thinking, multimedia, strategic communications, and management consulting.
