Don’t let the sun play spoilsport when you’re out and about! Get yourself the perfect pair of prescription sunglasses. Not only do they keep your eyes safe from the harsh sun, but they also pack a serious style punch. These fashionable and practical sunglasses are durable, capable of handling the hustle and bustle of your daily life, and trendy enough to make you the talk of the town.
Choosing a pair has never been easier. Get your favorite one delivered to your doorstep with just your eyeglasses prescription, no extra trips to the optometrist required. We’ve done our homework, scouting the best retailers for high-end prescription sunglasses. Whether you need them for sports, driving, or just lounging around, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into the wonderful world of prescription sunglasses.
- Top Pick Overall: GlassesUSA
- Best for Your Budget: Zenni
- Sports Enthusiast’s Choice: Roka
- Best Polarized Option: Smith Optics
- The Style Icon’s Pick: Warby Parker
- Ideal for Driving: EyeBuyDirect
- Most Comfortable Option: FramesDirect
- Best for Express Delivery: Overnight Glasses
Top Pick Overall: GlassesUSA
Processing Time: Approximately 9 to 16 business days | Returns: Eligible for full refund or 100% store credit within a 14-day period | Insurance: Accepted, along with Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) | Virtual Fittings: Available | Online Prescription Renewal: Provided
GlassesUSA is highly acclaimed by its consumers, earning an impressive 4.5-star rating from over 50,000 reviews on TrustPilot. This solidifies its standing as a leading provider in the online eyewear marketplace. Shoppers can choose from a vast array of over 1,343 prescription sunglasses options, featuring renowned brands such as RayBan, Oakley, Coach, and Armani. In addition to accepting insurance and HSA/FSA payments, the company facilitates virtual fittings and online prescription renewals.
Advantages:
Highly positive consumer feedback Extensive selection of premium frames Provides virtual fittings and online prescription renewals, along with acceptance of insurance Drawbacks:
Relatively restricted return timeframe
Best for Your Budget: Zenni
The Budget Hero - Zenni
Processing Time: Approximately two weeks | Return Policy: 30 days for 100% store credit or a 50% cash refund | Insurance: Not accepted, however, Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) payments are welcome | Virtual Fittings: Available | Online Prescription Renewal: Not provided
Zenni Optical stands as an excellent alternative for those seeking high-quality prescription sunglasses without the designer price tag. This assertion is supported by a commendable 4.6-star Trust Pilot rating, accrued from over 140,000 reviews, indicating their consistency in delivering satisfactory products. With frame prices for prescription sunglasses starting at a mere $7 and an expansive catalog of over 1,100 unique designs, including options specifically for children, Zenni offers undeniable value. In cases where prompt delivery is required, they offer an expedited shipping service, delivering frames within 2 to 3 business days for an additional charge of $19.
Advantages:
Extensive selection of cost-effective choices Availability of a virtual try-on feature Exceptionally positive customer feedback Drawbacks:
Restricted return policy
Sports Enthusiast’s Choice: Roka
The Athlete’s Companion - Roka
Processing Time: 4 to 15 business days | Return Policy: Returns permissible within 30 days, subject to a $20 restocking fee | Insurance: Not accepted, although Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) payments are catered to | Virtual Try-On: Not provided | Virtual Prescription Renewal: Available
Hailing from Austin, Texas, Roka has carved a niche for itself by specializing in high-grade eyewear for high-performance athletes. The company prides itself on its ability to deliver lightweight products – an attribute greatly appreciated by endurance athletes. The frames are not just light but also come equipped with patented grip technology, ensuring they stay in place during rigorous movement. You can filter their prescription sunglasses offerings by five distinct sport categories, namely running, cycling, triathlon, golf, and outdoor adventure.
Advantages:
Emphasis on lightweight frames Sport-specific customization options Provision for virtual prescription renewal Drawbacks:
Pricier than average No full refund policy
Best Polarized Prescription Sunglasses: Smith Optics
The Clarity Expert - Smith Optics
Processing Time: 7 to 9 business days | Return Policy: Full refunds within 30 days, subject to a $6 return fee | Insurance: Not accepted, though Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) payments are accepted, provided the HSA/FSA account is linked to a major credit card | Virtual Try-On: Not available | Virtual Prescription Renewal: Not offered
Smith caters to customers seeking superior visual performance with its offering of polarized prescription sunglasses. Polarized lenses are renowned for their ability to mitigate glare and enhance visual clarity, particularly beneficial for those who frequent highly reflective environments like bodies of water, sandy beaches, or snow-laden landscapes. Smith presents six distinct color choices for its polarized lenses – gray-green, black, brown, blue mirror, green mirror, and bronze mirror. Each lens boasts their trademarked ChromaPop technology, engineered to augment contrast and vivify natural color perception, allowing for an immersive appreciation of your surroundings. However, the enhanced viewing experience comes with a hefty price tag, with prescription options commencing at $278.
Pros:
Offers a spectrum of six different colored polarized lens options More lenient return policy compared to competitor brands Relatively prompt processing and delivery time Cons:
Upper-end price range Absence of virtual try-on capabilities
Best Stylish Prescription Sunglasses: Warby Parker
The Fashionista’s Best Friend - Warby Parker
Processing Time: 7 to 10 business days | Return Policy: Accepts returns or exchanges within 30 days | Insurance: Accepted, alongside Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) payments | Virtual Try-On: Available | Virtual Prescription Renewal: Available (certain state residents excluded), with the option to book in-person eye exams as well
Warby Parker, esteemed for its marriage of functionality and style, purveys a diverse range of chic prescription sunglasses designed to suit a myriad of tastes. From the timeless elegance of cat-eye frames and aviators to the statement-making impact of oversized, squared-off round lenses, there’s a pair destined to accentuate your personal aesthetic whilst providing optimal eye protection. Their home try-on program, a unique offering in the eyewear market, allows customers to trial five different pairs free of charge, inspiring confident purchase decisions. Warby Parker’s prescription lenses are crafted from polycarbonate, a robust, impact-resistant plastic, ensuring their durability. Additionally, they accept insurance, and offer virtual try-on facilities and virtual prescription renewals for comprehensive customer convenience.
Pros:
Offers the unique home try-on option for up to five pairs at no cost Virtual try-on, virtual prescription renewal and insurance acceptance for customer convenience Flexible return policy Cons:
Customer service has attracted some criticism in reviews
Ideal for Driving: EyeBuyDirect
EyeBuyDirect: Comfortable, Stylish And Great For Reducing Glare
Processing Time: Approximately 1 to 2 weeks | Return Policy: Returns within 14 days | Insurance: Not accepted, but Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) payments are welcome | Virtual Try-On: Available | Virtual Prescription Renewal: Not available
EyeBuyDirect presents a range of sunglasses that are designed for driving, reducing glare and ensuring comfort for extended wear. For an additional fee, customers can opt for polarized prescription sunglasses in either a basic or mirrored tint (for an added $40 or $69 respectively). These upgrades help to minimize intense light reflections and diminish the impact of haze on vision, optimizing visual clarity while on the road. Their extensive collection spans from classic oval and rectangle frames to more unique, fashion-forward designs such as heart-shaped and geometric frames. Boasting an impressive 4.4 rating out of 5 based on nearly 20,000 TrustPilot reviews, EyeBuyDirect’s reputation for quality and style is well established.
Pros:
Affordably priced, with prescription sunglasses frames starting at approximately $36 Provides an option to upgrade to a polarized frame at a minimal cost Highly praised in customer reviews Cons:
Does not accept insurance payments
Most Comfortable Option: FramesDirect
The Comfort Champion - FramesDirect
Processing Time: Approximately 2 to 3 weeks | Return Policy: Returns or exchanges accepted within 30 days; most returns incur a $9 shipping charge deduction | Insurance: Not accepted, but Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) payments are welcome | Virtual Try-On: Not available | Virtual Prescription Renewal: Not available
When it comes to comfort, FramesDirect has a robust selection of 58 different wraparound prescription sunglasses styles, making them a standout choice for those seeking well-fitted eyewear. Wraparound sunglasses have distinct advantages, offering a secure grip for an optimal fit, blocking wind and debris effectively, and providing comprehensive UV protection. This selection at FramesDirect ensures you’re likely to find a style that suits both your aesthetic preferences and functional requirements. Moreover, with frame prices commencing at an affordable $49, this is a practical choice for those conscious of budget considerations.
Pros:
Affordable pricing Extensive range of wraparound style options A reasonably generous period for returns and exchanges Cons:
Customer service has received some negative reviews Lack of virtual try-on service
Best for Express Delivery: Overnight Glasses
The Speedy Service - Overnight Glasses
Processing Time: Ranging from 1 to 10 business days | Return Policy: Full refunds within 7 days; however, rush orders with incorrectly ordered sizes are non-refundable | Insurance: Not accepted, but Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) payments are accepted | Virtual Try-On: Available | Virtual Prescription Renewal: Not available
For those requiring expedited delivery, Overnight Glasses stands out with their overnight delivery program, guaranteeing delivery of most orders within 24 hours. While the service entails an additional cost—$30 in the case of the aforementioned pair—it provides a significant advantage for those in urgent need of prescription sunglasses. Customers should be aware that more complex orders, such as multifocal lenses and rimless frames, may require additional processing time. However, Overnight Glasses has earned a commendable reputation for its responsive customer service, boasting a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on nearly 1,500 Google reviews.
Pros:
Offers an expedited overnight delivery service Features a virtual try-on option Has garnered positive feedback regarding customer service Cons:
The return policy is somewhat restrictive
My Background
Born and raised in the perpetually sunny state of Hawaii, sunglasses have been an integral part of my daily attire for as long as I can remember. Furthermore, my personal journey of using prescription glasses and contact lenses for over two decades, prior to my Lasik surgery in 2021, has equipped me with an in-depth understanding of the importance of eyewear that is both protective and comfortable, while also serving its functional purpose.
In creating this review, I sought insights from two professionals in the field of eyewear: Dr. Yuna Rapoport, MD, MPH, a board-certified ophthalmologist and founder of Manhattan Eye in New York City; and Lynn Julian, a Boston-based performer who, due to her chronic migraines, is required to wear prescription sunglasses each time she ventures outdoors. Additionally, my research was bolstered by recommendations and information sourced from respected institutions such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Food and Drug Administration, the Mayo Clinic, and the Cleveland Clinic.
How I Chose the Best Prescription Sunglasses
In order to select the most outstanding prescription sunglasses, I first consulted with experts to understand the key traits of high-quality eyewear. Following this, I evaluated numerous brands and scrutinized their online customer reviews to identify retailers renowned for delivering top-notch products.
During the selection process, I factored in elements such as price, quality, comfort, and durability. Additionally, features like the availability of virtual try-ons, the specifics of the company’s return policy, and whether the brand accepts insurance were also considered. The sunglasses that made it to this curated list demonstrated excellence across these categories and have all been highly rated (4-stars or more) in customer reviews.
The Review
Ultimate Guide Prescriptions Sunglasses
This comprehensive review has identified top picks for prescription sunglasses. GlassesUSA shines for overall quality, while Zenni offers budget-friendly frames. Roka is a go-to for sporty frames, Smith specializes in polarized lenses, and Warby Parker excels in style. EyeBuyDirect offers suitable options for driving, FramesDirect prioritizes comfort, and Overnight Glasses provides speedy delivery. With various considerations such as style, comfort, and cost, there's a perfect pair for everyone.
