Where to buy cheap eyeglasses online, for $99 and below

As a proud, mostly blind near-sighted person, I’ve put a lot of thought and money into how to make myself see properly. And, like clockwork, I’m set back $200-400 every three years for a new pair. This splurge is one many glasses wearers are all too familiar with – especially after my heavy Rx, stigmatism, and all the proper protective coatings (not to mention the cost of the appointment with the actual doctor). No matter how “classic” our glasses may seem at the time of purchase, they either go out of style, or everyone ends up with something similar (see: Ray Bans). But, alas, there is a Brokelyn alternative to those Bedford optical boutiques. And it seems like (ca-ching!) buying glasses online.

The range of online offerings varies from $99 pairs from Warby Parker (the Toms shoes of the face) to “free” specs sites that fill your browser with a million cookies. So, here’s your no holds barred Brokelyn guide to every price and (hopefully) every catch in the word of online glasses buying.

While I haven’t quite made it to checkout yet, here’s everything I’ve culled from your post-purchase tips, each websites’ info, and my astute observations.

THE BEST BETS

Warby Parker – $99

What should I know? “Warby Parker’s where it’s at,” said Ali, a Brokelyn reader, who encapsulates the general consensus of a brand well-known for its customer service (which includes a super-convenient at-home try on — five pairs for five days — and personal follow-up emails to check in). Also, free shipping, free returns, anti-scratch and anti-glare are all included in that $99.

Is there a charity bonus? Yes, every pair you purchase buys one for someone in need.

Is there a showroom somewhere? Yes, in Williamsburg.

What’s the catch? Warby Parker can only do really basic, middle-of-the-road prescriptions. If you have a strong prescription or a stigmatism, You might have to go elsewhere. More deets.

____________________________________________________________

Classic Specs  – $89

What should I know? At-home try on, free shipping, anti-reflective coating, and all the good stuff, for $10 less than Warby Parker.

Is there a charity bonus? The company donates 6 percent of each purchase to New Eyes for the Needy.

Is there a showroom somewhere? Yes, in Williamsburg (85 N. 3rd St., Suite 112, by appointment only), at the Brooklyn Flea or you can stop by Brooklyn Denim Co. on Saturdays.

What’s the catch? Classic Specs charges an extra $20 for high-index lenses (prescriptions less than a -4.0 sphere or greater than a +4.00 sphere). But, this is fairly common, so I’m not even sure that it is a catch?

 ____________________________________________________________

Bonlook – $99

What should I know? Bonlook seems to be sponsoring all of my favorite thrifty fashion/style blogs in conjunction with reader discounts. Check sites such as Calivintage or Orchid Grey to see what I mean, then I’d recommend Googling “Bonlook giveaway October” come next month. Also, like Warby Parker, glasses come with anti-reflective, uv, and scratch-resistant protections.

Is there a charity bonus? No.

Is there a showroom somewhere? No.

What’s the catch? Free standard shipping on pairs that cost more than $99, but a sale-pair will set you back $18-25 for shipping … rendering it pretty much the same cost as a pair of specs at the average price.

 ____________________________________________________________

Lookmatic – $95

What should I know? This site includes all of the aforementioned coatings as well as free standard shipping. Yay!

Is there a charity bonus? No.

Is there a showroom somewhere? No, but Lookmatic has occasional pop-up shops in California.

What’s the catch? You are responsible for entering in your prescription correctly. It sounds like a silly obvious thing, but seriously, don’t mess it up – this is true for a lot of these sites. Luckily, it provides an extensive how-to guide.

 ____________________________________________________________

Eyefly  – $99

What should I know? This site has been around for a while (it’s connected to Bluefly). Eyefly seems to cover most of the bases. All coatings are included, though shipping is not free.

Is there a charity bonus? No.

Is there a showroom somewhere? No.

What’s the catch? No bifocals, trifocals, or progressive lenses. Also, the maximum prescription they can manufacture is -10.00 to +4.00 SPH (sphere) and ±3.00 CYL (cylinder). This is really common for these sites! Make sure you look into it with all of them.

 ____________________________________________________________

THE BACKUP BETS

The previous five glasses purveyors are straightforward and trendy, just like the frames they offer. These next five sites are graphic-design-challenged and full of delicious cookies for your browser to munch, but are far more willing to fill your complicated prescriptions – and the price tag varies significantly as a result.

Coastal – FREE!

What should I know? People feel passionately about this site because your first pair of glasses is free. But wait, it gets better, because, as Brokelyn reader Christine said: “You can get your ‘first pair free,’ but by ‘first pair free’ they really mean ‘with each email you use to sign up,’ even if you use the same card or address. I’ve gotten three ‘free’ pairs.”

Is there a charity bonus? Yes a pair every pair you purchase sends one to someone in need, though it is unclear if this is true whilst gaming its “free pair” system.

Is there a showroom somewhere? No.

What’s the catch? Your purchase includes none of the same amenities as the previous sites. Another reader, Michelle, explains: “They charge for lens upgrades (if you don’t want coke-bottle glasses) as well as coatings (UV protection, etc). Plus shipping and handling seems to be totally arbitrary: Once it was $15, the next time $4. So even when they’re “free,” I end up spending about $50 for a wearable pair.”

But Christine ads, “I spent $7-10 on shipping for my pairs from Coastal. My prescription isn’t super strong but even if it was and I had to pay extra, it’s still a bargain relatively speaking.”

____________________________________________________________

Zenni Optical – $6-46

What should I know? You can get a pair of decent prescription glasses for less than $10. Of course, all the bells and whistles cost extra, depending.

Is there a charity bonus? No.

Is there a showroom somewhere? No.

What’s the catch? Returns are hard. Surprise! Zenni does not repair eyeglasses, or provide replacement lenses. Also, returns can set you back $4.95 if you don’t have all the paperwork.

 ____________________________________________________________

Eye Buy Direct – $6.95-49.95

What should I know? Same sort of confusing/amazing range of prices and styles, with all the same setbacks as the aforementioned.

Is there a charity bonus? No, but this page about “social responsibility” is kind of nice.

Is there a showroom somewhere? No.

What’s the catch? Candice, a Brokelyn contributor, says, “I had to get the ultra-thin lenses or it wouldn’t feasibly fit inside the frame … So instead of the base price of $50 (with a normal prescription), it ended up being another $109 for the ultrathin. If you have a stigmatism it’ll cost you more. Anti scratch, all that stuff.”

 ____________________________________________________________

Firmoo  – $8-70

What should I know? Well, on the front page of the site, all of the fees for upgrades and coatings are laid out for you. That’s kinda nice.

Is there a charity bonus? No.

Is there a showroom somewhere? No.

What’s the catch? All the same catches as the aforementioned sites. Sorry.

 ____________________________________________________________

39 Dollar Glasses – I’m gonna go with $39.

What should I know? The site is having a 15 percent off sale right now, in honor of its 11th anniversary. Use code “11years” at checkout.

Is there a charity bonus? No.

Is there a showroom somewhere? No.

What’s the catch? Says reader Donald, who needed all the bells and whistles on his glasses: “About a year ago, I used 39dollarglasses.com. Contrary to their name, my order was $154, but these were no-line, progressive bifocals with light lenses. Their customer service was fairly good and I got my order quickly. I don’t think the frames are quite as good as my neighborhood place but they were less than half the price I usually pay.”

 ____________________________________________________________

And finally, your last questions, answered by me.

Q: Why is the cost for buying eyeglasses online so different from going to an optometrist/optician?

A: Prices are low because glasses are either manufactured on site, outsourced to other countries, or are last seasons’ leftovers. Generally speaking, the specs manufactured on site tend to be more on trend but have a higher starting rate while offering less of a selection. The sites selling a slew of random/discounted brands can fill more complicated prescriptions but are more of a gamble in terms of price range – anywhere from $6-170, it seems.

Q: But the best part of buying glasses is trying on a million pairs as the salesperson ogles and encourages me with dollar signs gleaming in their eyes. How can I do that online?

A: You can’t. You’re a grown-ass adult, and you generally know what looks good on your face. Once you get over the thrill and convenience of someone cheerleading your investment in a pair of overpriced glasses, you’re set to save tons of money by going with the online route. Also, most of the sites have silly virtual try-on sessions, where you can upload a picture or use a web cam to see how the specs might fit your face.

Q: Ok, fine. How can I go forward now?

A: The most important thing is to make sure you have an up-to-date copy of your prescription on hand, including your pupillary distance. Some sites require you to fax or email it, some merely need you to punch the numbers in. Either way you’ll need to understand your prescription in order to do this. Also, be sure to heed the return policy. Most of them give you 30 days, but it can vary depending on the bells and whistles you acquired.

Q: Caroline, where are YOU at in all of this? Which site wins?

A: I’m thinking Eye Buy Direct and Bonlook have the greatest selection within my taste range; Classic Specs, too, and they sell at the Brooklyn Flea (and Brooklyn Denim Co) which is super-convenient. Zenni has some fun, weird shit.

Many of these sites have the same business model, though Warby Parker seems to trump all in testimonials, customer service, and consistency. It’s unclear if this is simply because it’s the most buzzed about online glasses retailer right now, or if it truly is the best one. I didn’t quite make it to checkout yet on any of these websites, so if you have any tips, insights, or sites not mentioned here, please share them in the comments!

Follow Caroline, because she’s got Four Loko eyes: @shadood.