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It's clear to see how shopping for glasses online is much more convenient than trying glasses on in stores, with many sites offering a wider range of options at better prices. Our team has tested the top options for where to buy glasses online using insurance, and although different sites are better at different things, our GlassesUSA review demonstrates why it's one of the best of the best. I replaced my own Ray-Ban Clubmasters using GlassesUSA, and paid much less than what I did when I bought my original pair in-store.
Before trying on new frames, we tested out GlassesUSA.com's vision tools, such as the virtual try-on and prescription scanner app. You can discover our findings and more from GlassesUSA.com's resource library below.
Does GlassesUSA.com take insurance?
Yes, GlassesUSA.com accepts insurance from these major providers. If you don't see your provider listed, GlassesUSA.com can provide a detailed invoice to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Bear in mind that you can also use FSA and HSA dollars to buy prescription eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, and contact lenses.
How the virtual try-on works
Although you can't physically try on frames before you buy, GlassesUSA offers the next best thing — a virtual try-on feature. Personally, I haven't had much luck with other virtual try-ons, but GlassesUSA.com's works well. You can either upload a picture or use your webcam. I chose to use my MacBook's webcam for convenience. Once you've taken the picture, you can adjust the size and orientation, set your papillary distance, and preview the frames on your face.
GlassesUSA/Amir Ismael/INSIDER
Your picture is then saved and can be previewed with any frames you're interested in. It's not the most realistic representation of the glasses, but it'll give you an idea of what they'll look like.
GlassesUSA/Amir Ismael/INSIDER
GlassesUSA.com's Prescription Scanner App
GlassesUSA
If you already have a pair of glasses with a recent prescription, but don't actually know the prescription strength, the GlassesUSA.com Prescription Scanner App can help you figure it out. It's worth noting this will only work for single vision -6.00 to +3.00 and cylinder up to -2.50. You can download the app on the App Store or Google Play.
For years, I only purchased my glasses from traditional brick-and-mortar retailers. As a man of simplicity, I'd get the same exact black Ray-Ban frames every time my prescription changed. But a few years ago, I ordered them through GlassesUSA.com for the first time and realized there's no real benefit to shopping in stores.
My new glasses were cheaper and identical to what I had been paying a lot more money for before.
Price wasn't the only benefit, though. GlassesUSA had all of the features I value most in a pair of glasses. I was able to select 1.67 index ultra-thin lenses with an anti-scratch coating, UV-blocking coating, anti-reflective coating, and most importantly, blue-light blocking technology. While some online glasses stores have limited lens options, that's not the case here.
The second time I ordered from GlassesUSA.com, I went with classic Ray-Ban Clubmasters in a tortoiseshell brown and gold color combination. Although I received them at no cost for the sake of the review, GlassesUSA's wide range of products gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone. I picked a style I probably wouldn't have seen in a store, didn't have to compromise on lens options, and didn't have to leave home to get them.
Tortoiseshell frames are one of the most popular prints for glasses, with over 1 million pairs sold on GlassesUSA alone. As a tribute to the many endangered species of the gentle animal, their Save the Tortoise collection donates up to 10% of proceeds on featured frames to the American Tortoise Rescue.
I've had such great experiences using GlassesUSA for regular prescription glasses that I decided to try them for prescription sunglasses. With so many options available, GlassesUSA is great for finding a new style out of your comfort zone, but for me, it's the best way to get the same styles I always want to own when my prescription changes. This time, I ordered a pair of Ray-Ban Clubmaster sunglasses, a style I've worn for over 10 years as my go-to sunglasses. I ordered them with thinner lenses to accommodate my strong prescription.
This time, I went with grey lenses instead of the darker-tinted green lenses. With the exception of the lens color, the glasses were identical to the pairs I paid more for from Lens Crafters. Although I received my glasses at no cost for the purpose of testing and reviewing, my total came out to $327. In the past, I paid more than $400 for the same glasses in-store.
I spotted these Prada Frames in tortoiseshell at my eye doctor's office recently and fell in love with their unusual shape, but the $461 price tag was an instant dealbreaker. That price didn't even include the lenses! So I took a picture of the style number and squirreled it away on my phone, knowing that I'd likely be able to find them for much cheaper online.
I've been reviewing online glasses retailers for about 7 years now at Business Insider, and GlassesUSA has long been our team's top pick for where to buy designer and name-brand frames. They're almost always having a sale, too (usually 40% off sitewide), so when it came time for us to re-test GlassesUSA, I immediately knew what style I was looking for. I could only find the black version on the site, but I was willing to settle because, this time, the frames were on sale for only $271. The lenses I added were also discounted to $30, so my total was roughly $300 (purchased with a promo code provided by the brand for the purpose of testing). Pretty good, considering that they would have been more than $500 doctor's office!
GlassesUSA.com fulfills prescriptions that call for single vision, near vision, bifocal, and progressive lenses. For an added cost you can customize your lenses to be photochromic (transition), hydrophobic (water repellent) or UV ray or blue light blocking. You can also elect for scratch resistance or an anti-reflective coating to eliminate glare.
Warranty program
GlassesUSA.com's 20/20 Enhanced Coverage plan can be added on at checkout for an optional 1 to 2 year warranty. 20/20 covers damage from daily deterioration, accidental handling damages, and changes to your prescription.
Production timeline and shipping rates
It will take GlassesUSA.com up to 1 business day to verify your manually entered prescription with your optometrist. Uploaded prescriptions are usually processed faster. We've noticed the site's shipping fees have stayed the same over the past few years. GlassesUSA.com's domestic rates are as follows:
Standard shipping takes 7 to 10 business days and is free.
Expedited shipping takes 5 to 7 business days and costs $9.95.
Express shipping takes 3 to 5 business days and costs $12.95.
Cons to consider
The only cons I came across in my review of GlassesUSA are that there's no in-store support or ability to try frames before you buy. This shouldn't be a deal-breaker, but if you absolutely need to try on your glasses first, consider one of the sites with at-home try-ons listed in our guide to the best prescription eyewear sites.
If you're unsatisfied with your specs, GlassesUSA.com offers returns within the first 14 days of receiving your order. You can get a full refund, exchange, or 100% store credit. And with the brand's plethora of options, you'll definitely be able to find something else that better fits your needs.
The bottom line
GlassesUSA.com is simply one of the best places you can buy prescription eyewear online. It has more variety from name brands and designers than most other websites, and the prices are always affordable. If you have reservations about ordering online, the convenience of GlassesUSA.com will quickly prove that searching for glasses at brick-and-mortar stores with limited choices is the inferior way to shop.
Amir Ismael is an editor on Business Insider’s Reviews team specializing in men's style and grooming products. He joined the team (then called Insider Picks) in 2017, initially covering a wide range of subjects, including deals of the day, clothing, phone cases, headphones, and more, before leaning into his true passion — men’s style.ExperienceAmir began his journalism career at Complex Media in 2015, working as an intern and freelance writer for Complex Sneakers and Sole Collector. He joined Business Insider in July 2017. During his time on the Reviews team at BI, he’s covered all aspects of menswear and footwear, including the latest startups you should know about, brands focusing on sustainability, where to buy affordable work clothes for men, outerwear, watches, and more. He’s also continued to lead on style deal coverage for multiple key seasonal events each year, such as Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Why you can trust AmirAmir’s expertise in style is rooted in his personal love for collecting fashion, from vintage finds on eBay to new, innovative designs that spark his interest. Some of his favorite brands include Ralph Lauren, Timberland, The North Face, Nike, and Air Jordan. His enthusiasm focuses less on the materialistic side of consuming fashion, as he prefers delving into the stories behind them, be it their cultural significance, sports history, or impact on the outdoor/adventure space.Amir’s a passionate sneaker collector (and can tell you how to clean and restore them so you’re always looking your best), and he has you covered head-to-toe for everything you need to know in men’s style and grooming. He’s extensively tested glasses, wallets, watches, razors, skincare, and both casual and formal wear. For Amir, hunting for deals goes far beyond his coverage during shopping events like Black Friday. He prides himself on always being able to find great deals and attributes most of his personal collection to his deal-hunting prowess. If he says it’s a good deal, then it is!Expertise
Men’s street fashion
Footwear, including significant release dates, design history, construction, and materials
Menswear staples, including workwear, casual clothes, underwear, T-shirts, and more
Brand founder or designer interviews
Men’s grooming and shaving products
Prescription eyewear
EducationAmir graduated from William Paterson University with a BA in print journalism and public relations. Outside of workAmir has been a lifelong resident of New Jersey. When he’s not working, he enjoys working on and driving his small collection of classic BMWs.Say hello to Amir at aismael@businessinsider.com or on Instagram @amirjismael.
Gabrielle Chase is a style and beauty expert who has worked in the fashion journalism industry for five years. As an editor and reporter, she has covered viral products, luxury companies, and durable closet staples. She applies a healthy dose of skepticism to the fashion trends on social media — still, she's never above a good designer dupe.ExperienceBefore joining Business Insider in 2023, Gabrielle interned with Interview Magazine, and then wrote for Elle Magazine’s online series, The Launch.In her role on the Reviews team, Gabrielle tests clothing, shoes, and jewelry for their durability, quality, and, of course, style. She brings her eye for fashion to every story she writes or edits, whether she’s helping readers get dressed for work or find their new favorite pair of jeans. Gabrielle is also an expert when it comes to finding great deals on clothing and shoes, from finding affordable hidden-gem brands, to showcasing the best discounts around deal events.She upholds Insider Reviews’ rigorous product testing standards, recommending only products that look good, feel good, and last for season after season.Expertise
Women’s shoes and clothing
Apparel deal hunting
Viral fashion trends
Designer dupes
EducationGabrielle graduated from the University of Rhode Island with degrees in Journalism and Spanish. There she started runway modeling, which gave her an intimate look at how much work goes into producing a single garment. Backstage she'd overhear designers passionately retelling their creative process, so she switched her focus from broadcast journalism to fashion journalism.Outside of workGabrielle enjoys K-pop girl groups, horror movies, and science fiction books. She is based in Brooklyn.
You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
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