There are thousands of reading glasses to choose from online. Here are the best places to buy a pair.
Updated Jan. 19, 2024 7:00 a.m. PT Running Glasses
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Figure out what power or strength you need your reading glasses' lenses to be.
Choose a pair of reading glasses that suit your personal style and where you plan to wear them.
Look at the site's shipping, warranty and returns policies to make sure you can order online worry-free.
Of all the vision issues associated with aging, farsightedness is one of the most common. This can make it difficult to see things up close, which is the reason many people begin using reading glasses. What sets these apart from prescription eyeglasses is that they are more affordable and usually can be found without a prescription at many retailers. That said, reading glasses can also be purchased online and delivered to your doorstep. Online retailers usually have more options for lens power (how strong the glasses are) and style.
Many companies sell online reading glasses and some specialize in them. We sifted through nearly a dozen sites, examining customer reviews, product variety and shipping policies to find the best reading glasses your money can buy.
GlassesUSA is our pick for the best overall reading glasses you can buy online, thanks to its well-rounded inventory, fair policies and great customer reviews. GlassesUSA was also one of CNET's picks for the best online glasses and best prescription sunglasses.
GlassesUSA offers any of its 300-plus frames as a pair of reading glasses, rather than prescription glasses. You can get lens powers from +0.25 to +4 on every pair, which is one of the widest ranges out of all the brands we looked at -- even people with very weak or very strong farsightedness can get their readers here. There are many different styles to choose from, from traditional to bold. Frequent sales bring the prices down to as low as about $34 for a pair. GlassesUSA also has other policies and perks that make it a convenient vendor to buy from. These include virtual try-ons, free shipping, free returns or exchanges and a year-long warranty.
Warby Parker is a popular and well-known brand in the online glasses world, and for good reason. Its site makes it easy to shop for the exact styles you're interested in based on size, shape, color and more. You can try on frames virtually or even at home. All of Warby Parker's glasses are available as reading glasses with powers from +0.25 to +2.75. These frames are great quality for the price, which starts at $95 for a pair.
You can't go wrong with a budget pair of glasses from Zenni, which sells more than 1,700 frames starting at just $12. Reading glasses at Zenni come in powers from +0.25 to +2.75. The site offers a virtual try-on experience and because the frames are so affordable, it's easy to get a couple of pairs for different occasions or to stash in different locations. If you do change your mind, make a return within two weeks for a refund or within 30 days for store credit.
There's something to be said for buying a pair of reading glasses from a brand that's dedicated to that specific product. Readers.com offers little perks like an online "PowerFinder" to help you determine the best strength for your eyes, and it sells frames in +1 to +4 powers to accommodate a wide range of vision needs. For some frames, up to +7 is available. The site's frames come in a range of prices and styles (over 500). You can filter your search by shape, style and more.
Peepers, a brand you might recognize from talk shows or Oprah's Favorite Things, is ideal for people who want a bolder or more creative look at a reasonable price. The brand keeps things simple: The selection isn't huge, but it is well-curated and each pair of glasses is the exact same price: $29 (before sales). Virtual try-on is available, and shipping is free over $42. Powers range from +1 to +2.25.
The easiest and surest way is to see an eye doctor, especially if you think you need a stronger pair. Another alternative is to try on glasses of different strengths; pick the lowest power that you can see well with. An online diopter chart can also help you find the closest power that may help you read.
Uv Glasses Yes, cheap reading glasses are perfectly acceptable, and there's no reason to shell out more than $25 for a pair unless you want to. Just know that cheaper frames may not last as long or hold up to as much wear and tear as higher-quality ones.