Glasses are essential if you have vision problems, but the cost can often prevent people from using them. Budget is one of the most common barriers to eye care, and the average cost of frames in the United States now amounts to $231. Single-vision lenses also cost an average price of $112, so clear vision can bear a hefty price tag.
With soaring prices across the board, savvy shoppers need to get the most value for money when spending on such a product. While the eye care benefits are worth the investment, itâs good to have ways to get the best deal possible out of the transaction. E-commerce has made that easier to achieve, so here are some tips for getting bang for your buck when buying glasses online:
Look for deals across platforms
One of the biggest advantages of shopping online is quickly having multiple deals at your disposal with access to many platforms. Online stores can afford to sell their products at better-discounted rates than brick-and-mortar stores because there is a lower overhead cost to maintain their services. In addition, perusing deals online is much easier than scouting options in person.
Just make sure you stick to legitimate retailers to ensure youâre not falling victim to poor-quality glasses or fake products. If you look at the glasses on LensCrafters, all the models come from reliable and reputable brands like Ray-Ban, Burberry, and Versace. While these premium names would usually be available at a high cost, this platform allows you to filter results to 50% discounts, special sales, and products specifically meant to start for under $100. These even include reliable lens and frame combinations from LensCrafters, Armani Exchange, and Sferoflex.

Donât shy away from price comparisons
Another advantage to shopping online is the ability to use tools that make it easier to compare different products and prices. A study from Springer Nature found that bargain hunters are likely to use price comparison websites the most, provided that they stick to reliable ones that can discern platforms and ads properly.
If you shop on a browser, you can use add-on extensions to help you while you look at websites. Otherwise, you can check out price comparison websites like Price Grabber or Camelcamelcamel. According to research published in the International Journal of Innovative Research in Engineering & Multidisciplinary Physical Sciences, these types of websites can get the best deals by using web scraping to fetch detailed information from multiple e-commerce sources on the web.Â
Read reviews and verify them
Stick to tried-and-tested products for the best value for your glasses. Make sure you read reviews on social media and the e-commerce platform from which you purchase your frames. This will give you a better idea of the options available and what might be the best fit for your needs.
Verifying reviews is vital in todayâs e-commerce spaces, as bots and fake reviews are more rampant than ever. Statistically, around 30% of all online reviews are fake. Although there is no bulletproof way to spot the difference, you can usually verify authenticity by checking if the reviewerâs profile has done other reviews, other reviews on the platform with similar language, âtoo good to be trueâ claims, and verified purchases.
Be thorough with add-ons and features
E-commerce platforms allow a more specific approach to shopping since you can use filters to get your desired product. The standard practice for legitimate online retailers is to offer various features you can opt in or out of throughout your shopping experience. With eyewear, you can input your prescription (in case you need single-vision or progressive lenses), opt to add blue light filters, or even get light-responsive transitions treatment for your glasses. As such, it’s critical not to rush to the checkout when shopping for glasses online.Be thorough with the add-ons you pick, considering which features will genuinely add value to your specific lifestyle or preferences. This differentiates frugality from cheapness, as we discussed with our guests from Frugal Friends during the episode on âHow to Buy What You Love Without Going Broke in 2025.â Budgeting is a tool for joy, not restriction, so being mindful of your needs lets you get the best deal on high-quality, personalized glasses.
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