As a contact lens wearer for more than twenty years, I’ve tried a variety of different brands and versions as my prescription has slowly changed for the worse. After all this time, buying contact lenses still gives me sticker shock. I have also historically waited until I was dangerously low on my supply before reordering and needing to replenish my supply quickly, so fast shipping options have been critical.
Over time I’ve turned to online ordering options because they’re typically cheaper, and it’s often more convenient and faster than ordering through the optometrist. There are plenty of lens suppliers out there, but the best places to buy contacts online offer good prices and excellent variety, are easy to order from and have helpful customer service.
Our list features top retailers with solid reputations who offer wide selections of contact lens brands from trusted manufacturers. In many cases, they take insurance, help you deal with an expired prescription and accommodate returns within a reasonable time cushion. Below you’ll find the best places to order contact lenses that will help you breathe easy—and see clearly—with just a few clicks on your keyboard.
- Best Place To Buy Contacts Online: 1-800 Contacts
- Best For Using Insurance: Contacts Direct
- Best For Returns: Discount Contacts
- Best For Bifocal/Multifocal Contacts: GlassesUSA.com
- Best For Colored Contact Lenses: Warby Parker
- Best For Expired Prescriptions: Lens.com
- Best For Cheap Contact Lenses: Walgreens
MORE FROMFORBES VETTED
Best Place To Buy Contacts Online
1-800 Contacts: Convenience, Online Support And A Best Price Guarantee
Shipping: Free standard shipping, plus expedited and one-day options | Return policy: Free exchanges and returns—with no time limit | Insurance accepted: Yes, accepts FSA and HSA
One of the most well-known of the bunch, 1-800 Contacts makes ordering lenses online convenient and painless. First, you search for your brand on the easy-to-navigate site. Next, you digitally email or text your prescription, or they will contact your doctor directly to sort out the details. If you have an expired prescription, for a $20 fee—and in just ten minutes—you can take an eye exam through the app to update your prescription without having to take a trip to the ophthalmologist. The company price matches, offers free shipping, has free exchanges and returns, and they take vision insurance. You can even return opened boxes of contacts or return ones that are a decade old or older, which is basically unheard of. If you subscribe, you save 5% on orders, and you don’t have to worry about running out.
I’m a longtime 1-800 Contacts user because it’s easy to submit a prescription, and they save my info so I can easily reorder when I need new lenses. I also like that the site sends me a polite nudge when I’m due to order, offers discounts when ordering multiple boxes and ships really quickly.
forbes.com1800 Contacts Coupon Codes | 10% Off In August 2022 | Forbes
Best For Using Insurance
Contacts Direct: Helpful Insurance Benefits And Excellent Customer Service
MOST POPULAR
Shipping: Free standard shipping and store pickup, plus priority and express options | Return policy: Unopened boxes accepted for up to six months with shipping fee | Insurance accepted: Yes, accepts HSA and FSA
If you’re someone with less-than-perfect vision, you’ll appreciate that Contacts Direct is about as consumer-friendly as a retailer can be. They offer discounts and conveniently highlight rebates. Reviewers love that they often send out coupon codes, price match and give 20% off to military members, first responders, nurses and teachers. They also accept most insurance, and their site makes it easy to understand your options for in- and out-of-network benefits. There’s the option to take an online vision assessment from home to renew your expired prescription for $30. Right now, you can get 20% off and free shipping with code MYCONTACTS.
If your order isn’t a simple nearsighted or farsighted prescription, Contacts Direct offers a wide variety of specialized lenses, including colored contacts, multifocal and bifocal contacts, monovision and toric lenses.
Best For Returns
Discount Contacts: A Forgiving Timeline For Sending Back Contacts You No Longer Need
Shipping: Free shipping on orders over $99 ($7 shipping if order is below $99), plus expedited and overnight options | Return policy: Free returns for up to 365 days from ship date | Insurance accepted: Out of network for some providers, accepts HSA and FSA
A major plus for this company is its willingness to accept returns for a whole year, which is convenient if you’re one of those people who takes ages to get your act together and return things. It’s also helpful if your prescription changes mid-year and you’ve got boxes of expensive, unopened contacts you can’t use filling your bathroom shelves.
Discounts, promos and coupon codes are another hallmark of this site. New customers receive 20% off with a promo code, and they will price match up to seven days after the purchase date. They also offer a totally free online vision test to renew your prescription from home (with some exceptions), which is a big plus.
Best For Bifocal And Multifocal Lenses
GlassesUSA.com: Specialized Lenses At Competitive Prices
Shipping: Free standard shipping, plus expedited and express options, no overnight shipping | Return policy: Within 30 days if in original packaging | Insurance accepted: Yes, from several major providers, accepts FSA and HSA
There’s nothing quite like that panicked feeling realizing you’re down to just a couple contact lenses and haven’t remembered to order new boxes. It always seems to happen just before a big trip or work presentation. But you’ll be back in business quickly with GlassesUSA.com’s wide variety of name brands and price match guarantee. (And of course, if you need frames too, they’re a great option.) New customers receive 25% off their first order, and you can choose the frequency that works best for you.
Another factor to give you peace of mind with this site is its “excellent” rating on TrustPilot, where reviewers are notoriously difficult to please. One reviewer calls it “always great and trustworthy. When issues have come up they are there to make it right. Highly recommend.”
Best For Colored Contacts
Warby Parker: Affordable Contacts To Enhance Your Eye Color
Shipping: Free standard shipping | Return policy: Free 30-day returns if in original, unopened box | Insurance accepted: Yes, but insurance orders are not available for discounts or promotions, accepts HSA and FSA
Warby Parker has specialized contact lenses that intensify your eye color with or without vision correction. The retailer offers a wider variety of colored contact lens options than many other sites, from brands like FreshLook, Air Optix, Dailies, Acuvue, and ToriColors for people with astigmatism.
Warby Parker has competitive pricing with no hidden fees, and as a new customer you can save 15% off your first order. To note: Even if you just want to alter the color of your eyes and don’t need vision correction, you still need a prescription for colored contact lenses.
Best For Expired Prescriptions
Lens.com: Reduced Prices And Easy At-Home Vision Exams
Shipping: $10 for standard shipping | Return policy: Yes, up to 30 days | Insurance accepted: Out-of-network provider for most major insurance companies
Lens.com is one of the largest online contact lens retailers. It carries a wide variety of brands—Acuvue, Biofinity, Dailies and many more—and stocks more specialized contacts for those who use toric, bifocal or multifocal lenses. Lens.com tends to have comparatively low prices and offers rebates, which are a great way to lower the price tag on your overall purchase, although some reviewers say it takes time to receive rebate money. It’s simple to send in your prescription via fax or email, or the company will contact your provider directly. And if it’s expired, you can use your computer or smartphone to take a vision exam from home in just ten minutes. The fee is $10, which is less than many other retailers’.
While shipping isn’t free and it’s an out-of-network provider, you can purchase contacts and submit your invoice and claim form to your insurance company for reimbursement. Lens.com has 24-hour customer service, which is a nice perk. The site is a little busier visually than others, but it does include helpful tips on understanding the information on your prescription or lens packaging, which can prevent errors in ordering the wrong contacts.
Best For Cheap Contacts
Walgreens: Economical Pricing And Discounts On Corrective Lenses
Shipping: Free standard shipping, $20 overnight shipping | Return policy: Returns accepted within 30 days if order was incorrect or damaged, with some exceptions | Insurance accepted: Accepts HSA and FSA
Walgreens offers easy ordering, fast home delivery and plenty of options for savings. As a new customer, you can save 30% off your first order, and you’ll often find promotional codes and coupons for 20% off or more. Another tip: Check out the rebate center for additional discounts. As with other online retailers, once you select your lens type and preferred shipping method, the customer service team will contact your eye doctor to verify your prescription.
A Step-By-Step Guide: How To Shop For Contacts Online
Whether you’re a new contact lens wearer or a veteran, it can sometimes feel like your prescription is written in a different language. Below, find our step-by-step guide to safely ordering contacts online—and being sure you’re getting the best ones for you.
1. Get A Valid Contact Lens Prescription
Before ordering contacts online you need an up-to-date prescription from your eye doctor. In general, a prescription is valid if it’s less than one year old. A contact lens prescription is different from an eyeglasses prescription because contacts sit directly on the eye and glasses sit approximately 12 millimeters away from the eye.
2. Search For Your Contact Lens Brand On The Retailer’s Website
As part of your prescription, your eye doctor will specify a lens brand based on factors such as breathability, the best fit for you and your lifestyle. You’ll want to shop for contacts on a site that carries your brand.
3. Choose How Many Boxes You Want
Usually sites will allow you to order a one-month, three-month or six-month supply, and sometimes more. You’ll receive a greater discount when you order more lenses, but you run the risk of your prescription changing before you can use them all. The best time to order in bulk is when you have a brand new prescription, although some sites also offer returns on unused, unopened boxes.
4. Input Your Prescription Information And Any Vision Details
Each contact lens prescription includes the lens brand, lens diameter and base curve for each eye. There are also abbreviations that indicate things such as nearsightedness and farsightedness, astigmatism and pupillary distance. Most sites offer tutorials on how to correctly read your prescription, and you can always call customer service if you have questions. Depending on the site you’re using, you have the option to email, text or fax your prescription, and the site will reach out to your doctor directly to confirm it. If your prescription is expired, many sites offer the ability to take an online vision exam from home through your computer or smartphone.
5. Determine Your Shipping Preference
Although several sites offer free standard shipping, take note that your order can’t be shipped until your prescription has been approved by your eye doctor, and this can take anywhere from a few hours to several days. Expedited shipping fees are steep, which should incentivize you to place your contact lens order well before you need it.
6. Look For Any Available Coupons, Promo Codes Or Rebates
Deals are often highlighted at the top of the retailer’s main page, and some sites have specific rebate pages. Also, beware of things like hidden fees or additional pricing for shipping. Often, you’ll click through your order thinking you’re getting an amazingly low price, only to get to check out and see that the cost has doubled. If this is the case, call customer service and have them explain the situation to be sure there’s not another way to find a cheaper price. Sometimes you won’t see savings until you receive a rebate a few weeks after placing your order.
Is It Cheaper To Buy Contact Lenses Online?
In most cases, yes, and this is the reason many people prefer buying contacts online—in addition to the convenience factor. While your doctor’s office can offer rebate options, online contacts suppliers get lenses directly from manufacturers, skipping steps that add extra costs for you. And they have access to massive warehouses, which allows them to give steep discounts.
The price of your lenses depends, in large part, on the type you’re buying. In general, daily disposable contacts are more expensive, as are lenses that do more than just address general nearsightedness or farsightedness, such as toric lenses for astigmatism, multifocal lenses or colored contacts. Contact lenses typically run between $200-$1,500 per year, so it makes sense to try to find a reliable, safe, budget-friendly buying option online.
Can I Order Contacts With An Old Prescription?
No. You always need an updated, valid prescription to order contacts online because they are classified as medical devices by the FDA. In general, the recommendation is to have your prescription updated every year or two.
Is There A Way To Get A Contacts Prescription Online?
Yes, but only if you have a previous, expired prescription from an eye doctor. If yours has expired, several sites offer the option for an at-home vision exam by using a computer or smartphone.
FAQs
Which company contact lens is best? ›
- 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.
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.
Can I Trust 1800 contacts? ›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.
Where can I get good deals on contacts? ›Stores like Walmart, Walgreens, 1-800 Contacts, Discount Contact Lenses and Contacts Direct (formerly Coastal) are also great places to compare prices just to make sure you're getting the best deal and not missing any promotions. Other stores to consider include Contacts Cart, LensCrafters and America's Best.
Who is the largest contact lens manufacturer? ›1. Johnson & Johnson|Maker of Acuvue lenses brand.
Is it cheaper to order contacts through eye doctor? ›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. In addition, the higher rebates account for even better deals.
Why are contact lenses so cheap online? ›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 Hubble legit? ›Hubble Contacts has an F rating and 3.3 out of 5 stars from the Better Business Bureau. They get 1.7 out of 5 stars at TrustPilot, where 88 percent of their reviews are listed as bad. Critics of Hubble call into question the quality of their contact lenses, noting that methafilcon A is not the most up-to-date material.
Does 1800 contacts verify prescription? ›We verify the prescription on every order we get. In addition to being legally required to do so, we also want to make sure you get the correct lenses for your eyes. The fastest way we can verify your prescription if you send us a copy of it.
Can I order contacts online if I know my prescription? ›To purchase contact lenses online, individuals just need their prescription information. Several online retailers offer name-brand and generic prescription contacts. A person's prescription will specify the brand and type of lens suitable for their needs.
Does zenni sell contact lenses? ›
Zenni Optical does not sell contact lenses.
Does Costco price match contacts? ›Costco doesn't price match contact lenses. However, they may be able to offer a refund if you purchased them within the last 30 days and you find that their prices have gone down.
How long does it take to get contacts from 1800contacts? ›What shipping options do you offer? All of them: Standard (5-7 business days) Ridiculously fast (2-3 business days)
How much are contacts from 1800contacts? ›| Item | Lens.com | 1-800 |
|---|---|---|
| Johnson & Johnson 1 Day-Acuvue Moist 90-day | $65.00 | $59.99 |
| Biofinity 6-pack | $37.99 | $49.99 |
| Air Optix Aqua 6-pack | $35.99 | $54.99 |
| Dailies AquaComfort Plus 90-pack | $47.99 | $51.99 |
Out at the Johnson & Johnson Vision Care plant on the Southside, the contact lenses roll out by the thousands every day. A total of 4 billion Acuvue lenses, the world's best-selling brand, are made each year at company's plants in Jacksonville and Ireland, according to spokeswoman Leyla Goodsell.
Who manufactures Acuvue lenses? ›In 1987, Johnson & Johnson introduced the first mass-marketed disposable contact lens under the brand Acuvue—and the rest, as they say, is history. Each and every day, Johnson & Johnson's Visioncare plant in Limerick, Ireland, manufactures millions of Acuvue contact lenses for markets around the globe.
Who manufactures Acuvue Oasys? ›ACUVUE OASYS® is a trademark of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
What happens if I shower with contacts? ›Shower water can cause soft contact lenses to change shape, swell, and even stick to the eye. This is pretty uncomfortable, and can scratch the cornea, which makes it easier for germs to enter the eye and cause infection.
Can you shower with contacts? ›Eye Care Tips for Contact Lens Wearers
Avoid water while wearing contacts. Keep your contacts away from water. Make sure to remove your contacts before showering, bathing, or swimming. Don't rinse or store your contacts in water, and if it does occur, make sure to throw away or disinfect them thoroughly.
Rubbing your eyes with the contact lens on has the possibility of damaging the cornea, which may further lead to vision impairment. To avoid any such instance, it becomes essential to avoid rubbing the eyes.
Why do eye doctors charge more for contacts? ›
This is because a contact lens prescription requires all of the testing that's done in an annual routine eye exam plus additional testing that must be charged out separately to comply with vision insurance charges.
Why are contacts more expensive at eye doctor? ›Time and additional visits, special tests, and a doctor's expertise are things that are usually not part of a regular comprehensive eye health and vision examination. Eye anatomy, eye health, individual goals, and prescription-type make contact lens evaluations and fittings different for every patient.
Are contacts the same price everywhere? ›The price of contacts can depend on several different factors including the brand you choose, how often you need to replace them (every day, every week, or every month), and where you buy them. If you have a complex vision problem, your contacts could cost you more.
Does the brand of contact lenses matter? ›Both measurements are important and can really affect how comfortable a contact feels. Different brands are made with different base curves and diameters, which is why your eye care provider selects one for you during an exam.
How much do contact lenses cost without insurance? ›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.
How much does it cost to order contacts online? ›Generally, they cost between $20 and $30 a box. Most people with average prescriptions should be able to get a year's worth of contact lenses for $200 to $500.
Can I sleep in Hubble contacts? ›Extended Wear Contacts: These lenses can remain on the eye even during sleep. Doctors recommend removing the lenses and cleaning them in solution at least once weekly. Eye doctors do not recommend these lenses as frequently as one-a-day wear lenses due to the possible risk of eye infections if not cleaned properly.
What does Hubble actually see? ›Hubble has helped scientists learn about our solar system. The telescope observes comets and planets. Hubble even discovered moons around Pluto that had not been seen before. The telescope has helped scientists understand how planets and galaxies form.
Is Hubble good for astigmatism? ›In addition, Hubble's contacts are only available in spherical prescriptions. They do not correct astigmatism and they do not have bifocal options.
Which lens is better for eyes? ›UV lenses can be useful in protecting your eyes from over exposure to harmful UV light. In addition, photochromic or adaptive lenses ensure comfortable vision both indoors and outdoors.
Which are the best contact lenses in India? ›
India's best contact lens brand is Acuvue contact lenses, more correctly known as Acuvue Moist. These are available in 30 lens boxes and 90 lens boxes. Bausch and Lomb, Coloureyes, and Alcon are other companies that supply these daily lenses.
Which lens is good Indian or imported? ›There are specific differences, however. Cost – The cataract lens price varies significantly between Indian and foreign lenses. Indian lenses are much cheaper, so cataract packages with Indian lenses are cheaper. Some of the lenses are of different materials – Some materials are better for the eye than others.
Which brand is best in Lenskart? ›- 4.7 60. Vincent Chase Polarized. Size: Wide. ₹1599 (+tax) BUY 1 GET 1 FREE.
- 4.3 21. John Jacobs. Size: Medium•John Jacobs. ₹4000 ₹5000 (+tax) BUY 1 GET 1 FREE.
- 4.8 107. Vincent Chase Polarized. Size: Narrow. ₹1599 (+tax) BUY 1 GET 1 FREE.
Three basic types of lenses: normal, telephoto and wide angle and their respective lens focal length. The normal lens is a standard lens for everyday use.
Are glasses healthier than contacts? ›Glasses reduce the need to touch your eyes, which means you're less likely to irritate your eyes or develop an eye infection. If you suffer from dry eyes, sensitive eyes, or allergies, glasses won't make the problem worse in the way that contact lenses could. Glasses tend to be cheaper than contacts.
Why is my vision blurry with contacts but not glasses? ›Some of the possible causes of blurry vision while wearing contacts include a change in your prescription, deposits (like dirt) on the lens surface, dry eyes, allergies, infections, or other eye health problems.
Is Alcon a good brand? ›Alcon's brand is ranked #803 in the list of Global Top 1000 Brands, as rated by customers of Alcon. Their current valuation is $35.36B. Bausch & Lomb's brand is ranked #- in the list of Global Top 1000 Brands, as rated by customers of Bausch & Lomb.
Can I sleep with contact lens? ›Is It Safe to Sleep With Contact Lenses In? It is not safe to sleep while wearing contact lenses. According to experts, sleeping with contacts increases your risk for a corneal infection, which is an infection of the clear layer protecting the colored part of your eye.
Is it safe to wear contact lenses everyday? ›No matter what type of contact lenses you opt to buy, you should be able to wear your contact lenses every day. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, and you may not be able to wear your contacts every day if you are: Experiencing eye redness, dryness, or irritation.
Which lens is better Alcon or Johnson? ›A recently released study comparing the rotational stability of the two most widely used toric intraocular lenses—the AcrySof (Alcon) and the Tecnis (Johnson & Johnson Vision)—found that the AcrySof lens had significantly better rotational stability than the Tecnis.
Why is Lenskart so famous? ›
Lenskart has also revolutionized the eyewear industry by using cutting edge technology. It offers services such as 3-D trial facilities in order to make the process smoother for its customers. It also follows an aggressive marketing strategy where it offers its first-time customers their first frame free of cost.
Is Titan Eye Plus costly? ›If you thought smart glasses are always expensive, you are mighty wrong. The Titan Eye X has been launched at an affordable price of Rs 9999 in India.
Is Lenskart a Chinese company? ›Lenskart is an Indian multinational optical prescription eyewear retail chain, based in New Delhi, India. As of September 2020, Lenskart had 500+ stores in over 40 cities in India.