If you don't have 20/20 vision, the recurring high cost of prescription glasses and contact lenses can be a pain. The cost can get even higher when opting for transition or progressive lenses or prescription sunglasses, especially without solid vision insurance.
There is some relief, however. Compared with most physical stores, online sellers boast lower overall costs and many offer rotating sales, discounts and pricing bundles that serve up even more savings. Some will work with vision insurance, too, or accept funds from a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA). Oftentimes they'll ship frames to try on before committing, saving you the hassle of schlepping to a brick and mortar store.
With Memorial Day weekend just days away, many online retailers are having sales to celebrate the holiday while helping you save some big bucks.
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Looking for a new pair of specs or contacts? We've rounded up some of the best online deals. And if you've signed up for an FSA or HSA through your employer, you might be able to apply some of those funds to purchases from the retailers listed. For more information, check out our FSA guide.
Best online glasses deals
If you're looking for new glasses, Glasses USA has some of the best offers. There are discounts on frames and lenses, so no matter what you're looking for, you're likely to find it there for less. You can score 40% off site-wide with the code MEMORIAL40. Plus, there are even more offers to take advantage of:
Buy one, get one free: With the code BOGOFREE, you can get a second pair of glasses for free. The order can include one "premium" frame, and the discount will cover the cheaper of the two pairs of glasses.
30% off frames: If you need only a single pair of glasses, use coupon code SAVE30 for 30% off and free shipping. This applies only to frames with basic prescription lenses, and it's not compatible with premium, on-sale or "new arrival" glasses. The coupon can be used to save on sunglasses as well. If you want more savings on sunglasses, use the code SUNNIES10 to save $10 on any pair of sunglasses.
Other deals include 50% off lens upgrades with the code LENSES50, and you can save on select designer frames (although quite a few brands are excluded) with the promo code DESIGNER40. If you need glasses and contacts at the same time, when you spend over $120 on contacts, you can get a pair of glasses for free. Use the offer code FREE-GLASSES. Just note that this offer isn't good on premium, luxury, sale, the Marsai Martin X GlassesUSA.com collection or the Von Miller x GlassesUSA.com collection.
Finally, you can save 30% on contact lenses with the coupon code CONTACTNEW30 and save 50% on select progressive lenses with the code PROG50.
Glasses.com is offering customers up to 50% off select frames and lenses, with no expiration date currently listed. Plus, you can use FSA and HSA funds. You can also get 30% off on eyeglasses and select sunglasses.
AARP members can access extra savings, and Glasses.com has partnered with ContactsDirect to offer 15% off contacts and free shipping with the coupon code MYCONTACTS15.
Lensabl is offering 20% off sun lenses by themselves and with a designer frame. All you have to do is use code SUN20. Not looking for luxury? Regular lens replacements and frames start at $97 each. You can also save on contacts when you buy in bulk.
Lensabl works with vision insurance, too, so make sure to check with yours for potential additional savings.
Zenni has earned a reputation for being one of the best budget options for buying glasses, with frames that start at less than $7, so you're already finding some of the lowest prices online to begin with. Dig around Zenni's sale section and you'll find even deeper discounts on frames and sunglasses. Plus, when you buy one pair, you can save 20% off each additional pair, too.
Signing up for Zenni's email list can save you 10% off as well. All orders worth $65 or more get free shipping.
If you've tried and failed at virtual try-ons in the past, Warby Parker is convenient because you can get up to five pairs of glasses sent to you for a home try-on to ensure a better fit. Right now, you can get select frames for just $95. And you can also take 15% off two or more prescription pairs.
Pair Eyewear allows you to buy a base frame and add on an endless array of top frames that click in place to customize your glasses for any occasion. Right now, Pair is offering up to 50% off your first frame when you sign up for the email list. Just use the code SAVEONPAIR.
Pair sells frames starting at $60 and is offering free shipping on all US orders right now.
Whether you need a fast replacement for broken lenses or you just can't stand waiting, this online retailer offers a quick turnaround on orders. You can get new glasses in as little as three days with an added cost of $9. If you need broken lenses replaced, Overnight Glasses will get them back to you in 48 hours.
Shop designer frames, many of which are discounted up to 70%, and use code lens15 to get an extra 15% off those frames. Or get 15% off regular-priced frames with the code fast15. New customers can enter their email to save $20 off their first order.
This brand offers kids' frames at an affordable price and, similar to Warby Parker, sends you an at-home try-on kit so children can find the perfect fit before ordering. The kit is now free, and kids get seven different frames to try on. Once they decide, you send the frames back in the envelope provided and place your order online.
Right now, if you sign up for Jonas Paul's email list, you can save $10 off your next order and receive 40% off a second pair of glasses with the code SECONDPAIR40.
If you're in the market for prescription glasses that can be used while playing sports or that are designed by sports brands, such as Nike, Oakley and Ray-Ban, check out the huge selection at SportRx. Currently, if you're looking to buy two pairs, use code BOGO25 to score 25% off your second pair.
Best online contacts deals
New 1-800 Contacts customers can get 20% off their first order, plus free shipping.
The site carries most of the popular brands, such as Acuvue, Biofinity, Proclear, Biotrue and more. You can also use vision insurance benefits with 1-800 Contacts. The discount will be automatically applied at checkout.
Glasses USA also offers a deal on contacts. Save 30% on all lenses when you use the coupon code CONTACTNEW30 at checkout. If you need glasses and contacts at the same time, when you spend over $120, you can get glasses for free. Use the offer code FREE-GLASSES. Just note that this offer isn't good on premium, luxury, sale, the Marsai Martin X GlassesUSA.com collection or the Von Miller x GlassesUSA.com collection.