Buying your contacts from online contact lens retailers is one of the easiest ways to stay stocked up. You can skip the visit to the local store and set up your prescription for auto-delivery. I've been ordering mine online for years.
If you're new to buying contacts online, the first thing you need is a valid prescription from your eye doctor. Most prescriptions are good for about a year, but if you're holding an expired prescription, don't worry -- some online retailers offer virtual eye exams. However with time I've also learned that not all retailers are created equal.
To help you find the best places, I dug into customer reviews, product variety, pricing, insurance benefits and overall convenience. I also looked at shipping policies and discount options -- a huge perk of online shopping. With that said, here are the best places to purchase contacts online.
Our Picks
What's the best place to buy contact lenses online?
Topping our list is Warby Parker, which we think is the best place to order contacts online. As one of the most popular eyewear brands, Warby Parker offers a seamless and hassle-free buying experience for filling your prescription. Additionally, the company carries most major contact brands, so you can shop around for a lower price. If you choose to buy your contact lenses at Warby Parker, you can get an annual supply to save money.
Best places to buy contact lenses online for 2025
Best overall online contacts retailer
Pros
- Competitive pricing
- Wide variety of brands
- Accepts most vision insurance providers
Cons
- Many customers complain about poor customer service
Warby Parker doesn't just sell affordable and stylish eyeglasses, the company sells contact lenses too. You can pick from Scout, Warby Parker's own contact lens brand, or get contacts from Acuvue, Biotrue, Air Optix, Dailies and other major brands. A three-month supply of Scout daily contacts (a total of 90 lenses) starts at $65, which is a good deal for daily contact lenses. Depending on where you shop and the brand you use, prices online can vary from $60 to $200. You can get a six-day trial pack of Scout contact lenses to see if you like them before committing to a full supply.
Depending on your vision insurance, you may be able to use your benefits to pay for your Warby Parker contacts purchase. If your insurance company doesn't directly work with Warby Parker, you can instead file a claim with your insurance to be reimbursed for any qualified orders.
Cheapest Place to Buy Contact Lenses Online
Pros
- Wide range of contacts brands
- User-friendly checkout process
Cons
- Is an out-of-network provider
Lens.com's prices are often lower than other shops for prescription contact lenses. It has an impressive selection of brands -- including Acuvue, Air Optix, Dailies and Biofinity Toric for astigmatism -- plus it takes returns and covers the cost of shipping for unopened boxes.
Lens.com is an out-of-network provider of vision insurance, so you can't use your benefits to directly pay for your order. But, you can submit the receipt to your insurance company for reimbursement. (Always check with your insurance company to see what it covers.)
Best online contacts for specialized lenses
Pros
- Bifocal, progressive and multifocal lens selections are available
- 24/7 customer service
- Offers sales and discounts
Cons
- Accepts only select insurance providers
GlassesUSA.com sells both contact lenses and glasses and will price-match other sellers. Like every other retailer on this list, GlassesUSA.com has all of the popular lens brands, including Acuvue, Biofinity and more, and offers free returns and free shipping on prescription lenses.
Best online contacts customer service
Pros
- Ships internationally
- Accepts vision insurance with a valid prescription
Cons
- Accepts only select insurance providers
As one of the best-known contacts stores, 1-800 Contacts stocks all of the most popular brands, and you can even get hard contacts through its call center. One CNET editor praised the company for providing customer service that went above and beyond.
1-800 Contacts will price-match any competitor, so if you find a better price, you can let the company know and it will do its best to match it (with some restrictions).
Like Lens.com, you can text or email your contact lens prescription, which speeds up the ordering process. 1-800 Contacts also offers free shipping on all orders and allows you to update your prescription through an online test (only available for adults between 18 and 55 years old). You can also buy colored contact lenses from 1-800 Contacts. If you need to exchange your unopened lenses for any reason, 1-800 Contacts will cover the shipping cost.
Best online contacts retailer for discounts
Pros
- Accepts vision insurance
- Offers coupons and discounts
Cons
- Cannot combine insurance and coupons
A popular source for cheap contact lenses among my fellow CNET editors is ContactsDirect, because it often sends out coupon codes to customers. It has a wide selection of lens options, including multifocal lenses, colored contacts, soft contact lenses for dry eyes and toric lenses for astigmatism.
ContactsDirect offers returns on products that were purchased within one year if your vision changes and you need a correction from your doctor. ContactsDirect also sells contact lens solution, as does 1-800 Contacts.
Best online contacts with insurance
Pros
- Accepts VSP, MetLife and Cigna Vision insurance
- Consumers report having an easy checkout process
- Wide range of selections available
Cons
- Several consumers report many shipping delays
Eyeconic has a wide array of contact lens brands to choose from, including Acuvue, Air Optix, Biotrue by Bausch + Lomb and Extreme H2O. Like others on this list, it offers free shipping and free returns.
How our experts choose the best place to buy contacts online
To determine the best online retailers for contact lenses, I evaluated a range of criteria to ensure quality, affordability and convenience. Our selection process included the following key factors:
Variety of products: I assessed each retailer's selection to ensure they offer a wide range of contact lens brands, types and prescriptions -- including daily, bi-weekly and monthly lenses, as well astoric, multifocal and colored contacts.
Pricing, price matching and discounts: Price transparency is crucial when shopping for contacts online. I compared base prices across multiple retailers and factored in available discounts, bulks savings, price matching, subscription plans and rebates.
Shipping costs and speed: I examined shipping policies, considering standard and expedited shipping costs, processing times and order fulfillment speed,
Return and exchange policies: I get it, mistakes happen -- so customers need the flexibility to return or exchange unopened or incorrect contact lens orders.I prioritized retailers with seamless return policies, clear refund procedures and responsive customer service to handle issues efficiently.
Virtual prescription renewal: Since many contact lens wearers need an updated prescription before purchasing new contacts, I also considered a few retailers that offer online vision tests or telehealth services for prescription renewals.
Insurance payment options: Many consumers rely on vision insurance or pre-tax benefits like HSAs and FSAs to offset costs. I reviewed which retailers accept insurance directly, provide reimbursement assistance or allow easy HSA or FSA payments at checkout.
Website navigation and customer support: A seamless shopping experience is essential for me. I considered how easy it is to browse products, upload prescriptions and check out. I also prioritized online contact retailers with easy and clear customer support options.
What to consider when buying contacts online
Shopping for contact lenses online can be convenient and cost-effective, but it's important to do some research before you order contacts online. Unlike buying in a store, you won't have immediate access to an optometrist for guidance, so taking a few key factors into account can help ensure you get the right lenses for your needs.
Prescription and brand compatibility: Before you purchase your contacts online, be sure to have a valid contact lens prescription from your eye doctor. Additionally, it's best to stick to the brand and specification suggested by your doctor, as different materials, water content and oxygen permeability levels can affect comfort and eye health.
Pricing and discounts: While online retailers often lower prices than brick-and-mortar stores, it's worth comparing costs across multiple sites. Look for discounts on bulk orders, subscription savings or rebates from manufacturers. However, be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, as some unauthorized sellers may offer counterfeit or expired lenses.
Shipping and return policies: If you wear contacts daily, factor in shipping times to avoid running out unexpectedly. Some retailers offer expedited shipping or auto-replenishment services for added convenience. Also, be sure to check the return policy in case you receive the wrong prescription, a damaged box or uncomfortable contacts. You'll want a hassle-free way to change or return your order.
Customer reviews: Not all contact lens retailers are reputable. Choose sites that require a prescription verification process, have clear customer service policies and are approved by regulatory agencies like the FDA. Reading customer reviews can also give insight into the retailer's reliability, shipping times and overall service quality.
Insurance and HSA/FSA eligibility: If you have vision insurance or a health savings account or flexible spending account, check whether the retailer you choose accepts them. Some sites allow you to apply your benefits directly at checkout, while others may require reimbursement. Taking advantage of these options can help you ave on out-of-pockets costs.
How to order contacts online
Buying contact lenses online is just as safe as buying them from your eye doctor, as you get the same lenses you'd find at the optical shop. The process requires a little extra effort than getting them from your eye doctor, but you'll be rewarded with savings.
To get started, you just need to follow a few easy steps.
- Have your contact lens prescription.
- Search for the brand and model of contacts from your prescription at any of the stores above to find your specific lenses. Disposable contacts are sold in boxes, and most online shops give you a deal if you buy a six- or 12-month supply, rather than one box at a time.
- During the checkout process, you'll enter your prescription information to select the correct lenses and then submit verification of your prescription. Most stores allow you to upload an image or PDF of your prescription or you can opt for the company to contact your doctor to verify it. This process can take as little as a few minutes or up to a few days if the store contacts your doctor.
- Once that process is complete, your order will be finalized and cleared to ship directly to you.
How to save money on contact lenses
Pro tip: Right after your contact lens exam, it's almost always worth it to get a year's supply of your current prescription. Regardless of whether you're buying daily disposable contacts, monthly lenses or even multifocal contacts, buying in bulk will help you save money.
If your prescription changes sometime during that year, many of the retailers above will allow you to exchange unopened boxes with a new prescription. You don't have much to lose by buying a full-year supply. Although it can be a higher up-front cost, you'll save money compared to buying one box at a time.
Tips to buy contacts online
If you are considering buying contacts online, keep these things in mind to ensure you make a safe purchase.
- Be sure to have a valid prescription from your eye doctor. Whether you buy in a store or online, a prescription is required to ensure you get the correct prescription strength.
- Shop around at different online contact retailers to find the best deals and look at customer reviews.
- Double- and triple-check the details on your order before placing.
- Make sure you have (or also purchase) all of the care supplies you need to ensure the safety and longevity of your contacts.