More people are turning to online retailers for glasses. So we want to make it easier to find affordable, comfortable prescription eyewear that's easy to order without stepping into a store.

To build our testing process, we began by researching how vision changes with age. We consulted optometrists and optical industry experts to understand what matters most when buying glasses online. We paid special attention to the experience of people ordering prescription eyewear for the first time. We also reviewed verified customer feedback on trusted, impartial sites—the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. We sought to understand where online optical retailers commonly succeed or fall short.

Once we selected which brands to test, our testers ordered a pair of prescription glasses from each retailer. Our testers used their own current prescriptions and followed each site's ordering process from start to finish. Here's what we looked at:

• Styles offered: How brands organize glasses on the site. Are they sorted by style, gender, color, shape, lens type, popularity, or price? How many options are available? How easy is it to filter down to a style that fits our tester's face shape, size needs, and personal taste?
• Virtual try-on: Does the site offer a virtual try-on tool? If so, how accurately does it reflect frame sizing, face proportions, frame positioning, and true-to-life color? Can testers try on frames over their existing glasses, or does the tool digitally remove them?
• Prescription entry: How easy is it to enter a prescription? Can testers upload a copy of their prescription or manually type it in? Does the site offer tools like online PD (pupillary distance) measurement? Can users book an eye exam online or in person?
• Checkout upgrades: Are lens upgrades offered, and if so, which upgrades are available? These can include lens types, such as progressive or bifocal; lens material options, including polycarbonate, high-index, or Trivex; lens coatings like scratch-resistant or UV protection; and sunglass options. Are these upgrades clearly explained, or do they add confusion to the ordering process?
• Ordering and delivery: What is the site's processing speed? Is free or expedited shipping available? How are orders tracked? How long does it actually take for glasses to arrive?
• Finished product: How do the glasses fit and feel upon arrival? Do they match what testers expected from the virtual try-on? What is the quality of the materials? Were upgrades applied correctly? Are prescriptions accurate? Are extras like a case or a cleaning cloth included?
• Customer experience: How responsive is customer service? What type of interactions did our testers have? Which channel did our testers use, such as phone or email? What issue did they raise? How responsive, professional, and helpful was the support team?

How we rank and review online optical retailers

Based on our research and tester feedback, we created a series of tests. Each results in a score, which is weighted according to the following factors:

• User experience (30% of score): We evaluated how easy it was to browse and filter frames by style, color, shape, and price, and whether the site offered enough variety for different face shapes and needs. We also assessed the ease of uploading a prescription, tested the virtual try-on tools, and examined final product quality and accuracy.
• Brand reputation (15% of score): We look at how long each brand has been in business, whether they've had any lawsuits or complaints filed against them, and their status on sites like the Better Business Bureau.
• Warranties and consumer protections (15% of score): We evaluate shipping speed, order tracking, packaging condition, and whether the glasses arrived within the promised timeframe.
• Customer support (15% of score): We contacted each brand's customer support team with a real question or issue and rated the availability, responsiveness, professionalism, and helpfulness of the resolution.
• Pricing and value (25% of score): We weighed the overall convenience, cost, and experience of ordering online against those of buying glasses from an in-person retailer.