The 10 Best Contact Lens Stores
Where's the Best Place to Buy Contact Lenses?
Buying contact lenses online offers several advantages that make it a convenient and cost-effective option for many people. You might feel pressured to buy them at the same time as your annual eye exam, but there's something your optometrist might not want you to know: you can probably buy the very same lenses online for up to 70% less than retail when shopping online.
Online retailers often provide a wider selection of contact lens brands, types, and prescription options compared to physical stores. This variety allows customers to find the lenses that best suit their specific needs, whether they require daily disposables, toric lenses for astigmatism, or multifocal options. Plus, you'll enjoy the convenience of doorstep delivery, all from the comfort of your home.
Thursday, May 22nd
2025 Contact Lens Store Reviews
Discount Contacts
Discount Contacts is a reputable and trustworthy contact lens retailer with nearly 30 years of experience. They offer competitive pricing, a wide range of brands, and exceptional customer service. Their standout features include a 365-day exchange policy, out-of-network acceptance of most vision insurance plans, and an innovative Online Vision Test. With an "A+" rating from the BBB and numerous positive customer reviews from repeat customers, Discount Contacts is our first-place pick for your contact lens needs.
AC Lens
AC Lens, the sister site of Discount Contacts, provides the same great prices and customer service - including the online vision tool to confirm your contacts prescription without an office visit and a generous 365-day exchange window on unopened boxes of lenses. AC Lens shares an "A+" rating and accreditation from the BBB, and gets lots of five-star reviews from happy customers. It earns a very high rating among contact lens stores.
1-800 Contacts
1-800 Contacts, established in 1995 as the industry's first online contact lens store, remains a pioneer in the field. Their customer-first approach is evident through advocacy efforts for telehealth laws and consumer-friendly support around the clock. The site features a wide range of contacts, accepts insurance, offers a $20 virtual ExpressExam for prescription renewal, and boasts an unlimited return policy for unopened boxes. Though Trustpilot reviews reveal some concerns, millions of satisfied customers and positive feedback across other platforms confirm 1-800 Contacts' status as an excellent choice for your next contact lens order.
Eyeconic
Eyeconic, founded by VSP, makes it incredibly easy to use your benefits from Cigna Vision, MetLife, or VSP with a seamless process for linking your insurance. However, without insurance, their prices are notably higher than most stores on our list. Ordering a year's supply can save you money, and Eyeconic stands out by offering a unique six-month exchange policy if your prescription changes. They have also received over 11,000 five-star reviews for hassle-free insurance usage and quick delivery. While not the most affordable option, Eyeconic is recommended for those with VSP, Cigna, or MetLife insurance and those who may need prescription changes within six months.
Contact Lens King
Contact Lens King offers an extensive selection of over 5 million contact lenses with significant cost savings compared to rival retailers. With an "A+" BBB rating and nearly 20,000 five-star reviews, they shine in customer service. However, keep in mind the 30-day return policy here and consider ordering smaller supplies if prescription changes are anticipated - because you won't be able to make an exchange down the line.
For Eyes
For Eyes, in business since 1972 and part of the Grandvision EssilorLuxottica group since 2015, offers about 85 contact lens options spanning 20 brands. With over 110 brick-and-mortar locations and an online storefront, it's a convenient choice. The website is easy to use, and contacts are priced as low as you're going to find, but the limited 30-day return policy and focus on eyeglasses might be drawbacks. Because customer reviews are primarily for in-store interactions, the online experience with For Eyes is a bit of a mystery. Consider starting with a one-month supply to test the waters here before you commit to a larger purchase.
Lens Direct
Lens Direct, a well-established contact lens store with a solid reputation, offers a decent range of brands like Acuvue, Bausch & Lomb, plus fun options for costumes and Halloween. They have money-saving features like AutoRefill for a 20% discount and free shipping on orders over $49. However, they add a 6% handling and insurance fee, which may offset some of those discounts. Customer reviews are mixed, with some complaints about processing and shipping times but five-star reviews from thousands of other clients. While Lens Direct is a good choice for many, it's worth exploring other top-ranked contact lens stores before making your final decision.
Contacts Direct
Contacts Direct offers 17 brands of contacts, including popular names like Acuvue and Air Optix, and allows payments with FSA/HSA. While they accept various insurance carriers and provide customer-friendly policies, such as a 6-month refund on unopened boxes, Contacts Direct's pricing isn't as competitive as other stores. The Luxottica group relationship here raises concerns, as they have a "D" rating from the BBB with numerous complaints. Mixed customer feedback further complicates their reputation, making this a less recommended choice compared to contact lens stores ranking higher on our list.
Glasses USA
Glasses USA, a relatively newer player in the contact lens industry, offers about 100 contact lens choices from 8 manufacturers and 18 brands. While they provide free shipping and a 60-day return/exchange policy, their pricing isn't as competitive as other retailers we evaluated. Their focus on glasses is evident, leading to a limited selection and sparse information on contact lenses. Despite an "A" rating and accreditation from the BBB, customer reviews highlight some delivery delays and surprise fees. Overall, while Glasses USA has potential, there are better options available for contact lens shopping.
LensCrafters
LensCrafters is a well-established eyewear retailer offering contact lenses, glasses, and sunglasses. While their pricing on contacts is just average, they offer free 7-day shipping and accept most vision insurance plans and FSA/HSA. However, LensCrafters doesn't have an exchange policy, which could be a drawback for some customers. Their reputation is also mixed, with hundreds of complaints filed against the parent company. Overall, LensCrafters is an option worth considering if you prefer using your insurance benefits, but other higher-rated contact lens stores offer better pricing and more customer-friendly policies.
Continued from above...
Purchasing contact lenses online can also save you both time and money. Online retailers frequently offer competitive pricing and discounts, making it possible to find lenses at lower prices than in brick-and-mortar stores. Additionally, online shopping eliminates the need for trips to physical stores, saving you time and reducing the hassle of scheduling appointments or waiting in long lines.
The convenience of online shopping also allows customers to reorder their contact lenses with ease. Many online retailers offer subscription services, ensuring that you will receive your lenses regularly without having to remember to reorder. This helps maintain good eye health by reducing the risk of running out of lenses or wearing them for too long.
Want to know which contact lenses are best? Online retailers often provide detailed product information and customer reviews, helping you make an informed decision about which contact lenses to choose. This information helps you find the best fit and comfort for their eyes, as well as to learn about the latest lens technologies and innovations.
Curious if contact lenses suit you? Perhaps your previous attempt several years ago wasn't a comfortable fit, but fear not. Technological advancements now allow many people who need vision correction to wear contacts comfortably, even after past setbacks. Soft lenses for astigmatism and presbyopia are even available, surpassing the days of rigid or gas permeable options for corrective measures.
You can easily discover the wide array of options you have online. Are multifocal contacts as a substitute for glasses? Absolutely. Daily lenses for single-use convenience? You bet. It might take some experimentation to find your ideal prescription and lens type, but the perks of contacts can far outweigh traditional eyeglasses. There's no getting caught in the rain and feeling like you need mini windshield wipers or going blind into the ocean because you left your prescription glasses up by your towel.
If you're considering buying your contact lenses online, you'll need to decide which contact lens store to use. There are a bunch of them out there, some with more name recognition than others. Here are a few criteria you can use to evaluate both the big-name retailers and the lesser-known ones:
- Selection. Opt for stores with an extensive range of brands and lens types, especially if your prescription is complicated.
- Ease of use. Can you quickly locate your specific contacts (by brand or by style)? The best contact lens stores make it easy to verify if your selection matches your prescription.
- Price. Calculate the cost per box and look for discounts when ordering multiple boxes at once. Beware of sneaky "processing/handling" fees during checkout.
- Benefits. Some retailers go above and beyond to enhance your buying experience. Explore options like online prescription verification exams or automatic refill schedules for discounts, so you never run out of lenses.
- Returns and refunds. What if you order a year's supply of contacts and your prescription changes? The best contact lens retailers give you an ample window to return unopened boxes for an exchange or refund.
- Reputation. Check customer reviews and ratings from the Better Business Bureau and elsewhere to gauge the retailer's track record for customer service, on-time delivery, in-stock inventory, and so on.
For a comprehensive review of top-notch online contact lens retailers, check out our research here at Top Consumer Reviews. We're sure this evaluation will help you to get your contacts quickly and cost-effectively, ensuring crystal-clear and comfortable vision for the long haul!
Contact Lens Store FAQ
Compare Contact Lens Stores
Select any 2 Contact Lens Stores to compare them head to head
Contact Lens Store Articles
Trending Contact Lens News
Related Contact Lens Store Reviews
Since you're interested in Contact Lens Stores, here are some other reviews you might find interesting.
Newest Reviews
