Eyewear Costs: Online shopping cuts median price by nearly 50%

Americans spending money on prescription eyewear can save roughly $95 per pair by ordering online rather than visiting a physical store. A survey by Consumer Reports found that shoppers buying glasses in person paid a median of about $220. Those purchasing through online retailers paid a median of about $125.

The organization surveyed nearly 60,000 members to identify which retailers offer the best value. Respondents cited convenience, customer service, and price as their primary factors when choosing where to purchase eyewear. For shoppers who prefer a physical visit, warehouse clubs performed well in the ratings. Costco Optical received the highest overall satisfaction score. Sam’s Club Optical and BJ’s Optical also earned solid marks from members.

Online options also ranked highly for specific services. Payne Glasses and Warby Parker both placed in the top five of the ratings. Both companies received very good scores for customer service. Despite the lower cost, fitting online glasses can present challenges for consumers.

The report advises buyers to measure their current, well-fitting frames before ordering new ones. Shoppers should locate the three numbers printed on the inside of the temple. The middle number indicates the bridge width. Comparing this measurement to new pairs helps ensure a proper fit without a trial in a store.