Buying Contacts Online: The Best Places to Order in 2023

• Best overall: WebEyeCare | Skip to review
• Best for single orders: Warby Parker | Skip to review
• Best for specialty contacts: 1-800 Contacts | Skip to review
• Best payment options: LensCrafters | Skip to review
• Best for flexible delivery: ContactsDirect | Skip to review
• Best for online vision exams: Lens.com | Skip to review
• Best for consistency: ContactLensKing | Skip to review
• Best for free shipping: Walmart Contacts | Skip to review

Below, we look at eight of the best brands to buy contacts from online.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.

Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.

Best overall: WebEyeCare

• Price: $29.99–163.95
• Types: daily, 1–2 weekly, monthly, color, astigmatism, bifocal/multifocal

Similar to other companies, WebEyeCare sells a variety of contacts from different brands, including Acuvue, Biofinity, and Alcon.

It also sells prescription glasses and sunglasses, along with offering eye exams.

Lenses are available in different packs, depending on whether they are monthly or daily contacts and the brand.

However, unlike most companies, WebEyeCare offers a 100% money-back guarantee on contacts. It also offers:

• free shipping on orders over $89
• reward points
• 24/7 customer service
• charity donations on each order

The company claims that every purchase can save a person up to 70% of the cost they would pay at a doctor’s office.

This brand does not accept insurance directly. Instead, buyers have to submit the invoice to their insurance company for reimbursement.

Customer reviews and reputation

WebEyeCare has accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and the organization gives it an A+ grade. Additionally, customers give the company an average rating of 4.43 out of 5 stars, from over 180 reviews.

Customers on Trustpilot give the company an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars, from over 800 reviews.

Positive reviews on both websites mention fast delivery, an easy ordering experience, and competitive pricing. The company offers rewards points, which customers rate highly.

However, others state that their contact lenses are on backorder, leaving them without products for several weeks. Others say the company sends out packages with incorrect shipping labels.

Learn more about WebEyeCare.

Best for single orders: Warby Parker

• Price: $44–178 per pack of 90 lenses
• Types: daily, biweekly, monthly, toric, multifocal and bifocal, color

This company offers subscription and single-order contacts from several brands. It also sells sunglasses, prescription glasses, accessories, and eye exams.

Warby Parker offers:

• free shipping
• free returns or exchanges on some products, including contacts
• a wide variety of brands
• bulk orders
• supports flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings accounts (HSA)

Customer reviews and reputation

At the time of publishing, Warby Parker does not hold accreditation with the BBB. The BBB gives the company an A+ grade, and customers give it an average of 1.49 out of 5 stars from 88 reviews.

Customers give the brand an average of 2.4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot from 77 reviews.

Positive reviews mention the low cost of Warby Parker’s products. People were more likely to write positively about the brand if they visited a physical retail store rather than shopping online. Those who used the online service appreciated the home try-on services.

Those who left more negative reviews mentioned difficulty receiving orders and refunds. One person states that one order went to the wrong address, and the replacements are on backorder with no communication as to when the company will ship them out.

Learn more about Warby Parker.

Best for specialty contacts: 1-800 Contacts

• Price: $39.99–169.99
• Types: disposable-daily, disposable 1–2 weeks, disposable-monthly, soft and vial, toric, multifocal and bifocal, color enhancing

This brand focuses on selling contacts. It offers contacts from major brands alongside specialty lenses, including toric, colored, bifocal, multifocal, and disposable options.

The company provides free replacements for torn lenses, 24/7 customer support, and exchanges for unopened lenses.

1-800 Contacts accept vision insurance and FSA payments and provide international orders.

A person can choose from three types of shipping, including 1 business day shipping. However, these options are not free. There is also a call center that can support individuals with special orders.

Customer reviews and reputation

1-800 Contacts has accreditation with the BBB, giving it an A+ grade. Customers give the company an average of 1.92 out of 5 stars from 92 reviews.

On Trustpilot, people give 1-800 Contacts an average of 3.2 out of 5 stars from over 340 reviews.

Positive reviews from both websites note that the service is professional and customer representatives are helpful. However, others state that they had to wait a long time for delivery and that they could find the same products for cheaper elsewhere.

Learn more about 1-800 Contacts.

Best payment options: LensCrafters

• Price: $29.99–205.99
• Types: single vision, multifocal, toric, color

This brand offers a variety of contacts, eyeglasses, and sunglasses. People can also choose to do an eye exam.

People can order annual supplies of contacts.

Customers may benefit from the:

• ability to pay with insurance, FSA, and HSA
• free shipping
• 30-day returns
• annual savings
• one-click refills
• wide range of brands to choose from

The website states that people can also purchase with Affirm, CareCredit, and Medicare.

Customer reviews and reputation

At the time of publishing, LensCrafters does not hold accreditation with the BBB. The organization gives the company an F grade, and customers give it an average of 1.16 out of 5 stars from over 130 reviews.

Customers on Trustpilot give LensCrafters an average of 3.1 out of 5 stars from over 240 reviews.

Most of the reviews from both websites concern eyeglasses. Positive reviews mention quick and friendly service for a lower price. Some people also appreciated being able to pick up orders in the company’s physical stores.

However, some customers feel the company unnecessarily makes certain steps mandatory, such as eye tests, which may increase the price of a person’s order. Others say they experienced shipping delays with no communication as to when they would receive their order.

Best for flexible delivery: ContactsDirect

• Price: $34.99–176.99
• Types: daily, biweekly, monthly, single vision, toric, bifocal and multifocal, color

ContactsDirect sells contact lenses and solutions online. It offers contacts from 14 brands, which include 7 types of lenses.

People can have their contacts delivered to a location of their choice or pick them up at a LensCrafters store for free.

ContactsDirect claims to accept vision insurance from most companies, and people can use HSA or FSA to pay.

Customer reviews and reputation

At the time of publication, ContactsDirect does not hold accreditation with the BBB. The organization gives the company an F rating, and customers give it an average of 1.16 out of 5 stars from over 130 reviews.

On Trustpilot, customers give ContactsDirect an average of 3.9 out of 5 stars from over 1,900 reviews.

Positive reviews state it is easy to order from ContactsDirect and that the prices are competitive. Others say delivery is fast and customer service is helpful and professional.

However, negative reviews state that people cannot use their insurance and benefit from discounts. People will need to choose between one or the other. Others mention receiving incorrect prescriptions or damaged lenses.

Learn more about ContactsDirect.

Best for online vision exams: Lens.com

• Price: $38.99–200
• Types: toric, silicone hydrogel, monthly, daily, color, bifocal, 1–2 weekly, gas permeable, novelty, vials

Lens.com state that its warehouse has the largest independently held inventory of contact lenses and can ship most orders in 24 hours.

A person can upload their contact lens prescription to the Lens.com website, send the company their eye doctor’s name and contact information so the company can collect it, or take an online vision test to renew their prescription.

However, the American Optometric Association states that online eye tests are not a replacement for an annual comprehensive eye exam and they cannot assess eye health.

According to Lens.com, major insurance companies consider the company an out-of-network provider and a person must pay out of pocket and claim reimbursement if they wish to use vision insurance.

Customer reviews and reputation

At the time of publishing, Lens.com does not hold accreditation with the BBB, and the organization gives it an F rating. Customers give the company an average of 1.98 out of 5 stars from over 430 reviews.

On Trustpilot, customers give the company an average of 2.8 stars out of 5 from over 2,800 reviews.

Positive reviews state customers saved on costs and experienced quick service and delivery.

However, others state that they could not file for a rebate and therefore paid more than they were expecting. Some people say that they experienced delayed delivery and unexpected shipping charges.

Learn more about Lens.com.

Best for consistency: ContactLensKing

• Price: $27.95–94.95
• Types: daily, weekly, monthly, colored, astigmatism and toric, bifocal and multifocal

ContactLensKing sells a wide range of contact lenses and one brand of reading glasses. According to the company website, it offers discounts of up to 70% on its products.

Contacts purchased through ContactLensKing are FSA and HSA-eligible. Reimbursement from insurance companies varies, depending on the company.

Customer reviews and reputation

ContactLensKing has accreditation with the BBB, and the organization gives it an A+ grade. Customers rate it as 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 530 reviews.

On Trustpilot, customers give ContactLensKing an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 2,600 reviews.

Positive reviews mention excellent customer service, with the company reaching out to notify customers of shipping delays and any problems with an order. Others appreciated the lower cost of contact lenses in comparison with other websites.

However, others state that shipping is slow and the contact lenses are more expensive than elsewhere. One customer claims that the company sent out an incorrect order without verifying the prescription with an optometrist.

Learn more about ContactLensKing.

Best for free shipping: Walmart Contacts

• Price: $14–163
• Types: daily, 1–2 weekly, 1–3 monthly, vial, toric, colored and tinted, bifocal and multifocal

Walmart Contacts is a division of Walmart. Some Walmart stores have a Vision Center where care from licensed eye care professionals is available.

The website offers 15 brands and 8 types of lenses. The company offers free shipping, and it can contact a person’s eye doctor to access their prescription if a person does not have it themselves.

Walmart also accepts returns on torn or defective lenses up to 365 days from purchase. However, some brands have different return policies.

Customer reviews and reputation

At the time of publication, neither the BBB nor Trustpilot have profiles for Walmart Contacts. However, the BBB does have several profiles for Vision Centers, all of which have different grade ratings and average customer reviews. People may wish to search for their local Vision Center to get a more accurate experience of other customers.

The table below compares each of the brands in this article.

To purchase contacts online, a person needs to:

1. Get an up-to-date prescription from an eye doctor. In some cases, individuals can use an online retailer’s “doctor finder” service or complete an online eye exam. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emphasizes that it is important to have an up-to-date prescription and that people should not use lenses from older prescriptions. Online eye exams do not replace in-person eye tests.
2. Visit an online retailer offering contacts. In some cases, a person may want to choose a retailer that offers specialty contacts that help with certain conditions. Or they may want to select generic contacts, as they are often cheaper than name brands.
3. Select the contacts to purchase. Typically, a person will have a prescription that specifies a particular type or brand of contact lens. While purchasing online, people should select the appropriate brand and lens type and provide their prescription information.
4. Complete the online purchase and upload a copy of the prescription. Some companies allow people to pay with insurance or payment plans. Others provide an invoice that an individual would then use to submit a claim with their insurance company.

Buyers should note that the number of contacts per box, price, subscription services, and financing options vary greatly between brands and retailers.

Learn about whether Medicare covers contact lenses here.

There are many considerations for those looking to buy contacts online. These factors include:

Price

Prices will vary greatly between brands and online retailers. A person should review the costs of lenses via different sites to see if they can find a price that suits their budget.

Ordering options

There are many different types of contact lenses. Daily use lenses are lenses that people use and discard daily, while a person wears long-term lenses for longer periods, for example, every 2 weeks or monthly. The lenses a person selects can affect the price and the number of boxes they need to order.

With some companies, such as Warby Parker, a person can choose a subscription service that delivers a set supply every month. Other retailers may offer a 1-year or 6-month up-front service and send the whole supply at once.

A contact lens prescription usually specifies a specific brand or fit, so people may wish to speak with their doctor about choosing lenses from a different brand.

Brand reputation

A person needs to consider two main factors regarding brand reputation. The first focuses on the contact lens brand: Does it generally receive good or bad reviews from other customers? A person may wish to explore reviews of individual brands, many of which feature on sellers’ websites.

The second consideration is the retailer. People can find out more information about lens retailers with the following questions:

• Do they provide the contacts at a reasonable price?
• Do they have good customer service?
• Are reviews generally positive?
• Are they in good standing with third-party organizations, such as the BBB?

The FDA offers advice on buying contact lenses online. A reliable company should not attempt to substitute a different brand for which a person has a prescription.

Also, people should be wary of any firm that supplies contact lenses that do not exactly match the customer’s prescription.

A doctor may be able to offer specific recommendations for reliable brands and products.

Personal needs

A person can work with their eye doctor to choose an option that is safe and works best for their prescription and eye health.

For some, disposable contacts may work best, while others can use long-term contacts with no issues. People should look for contacts that will best fit their needs.

Roughly 11 million people in the United States aged 12 or older need some vision correction. Delaying vision correction could have a negative effect on a person’s well-being.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vision issues may affect a person’s physical health by increasing the risk of falls and limiting physical activity. Additionally, 1 out of 4 adults with vision loss reports experiencing depression and anxiety.

Routine eye exams can help a person identify any eye conditions early, help them maintain their eyesight, and even improve their overall health.

People should also keep up with routine eye exams to ensure that their lenses fit properly, as improperly fitting lenses can pose a risk to the eyes. They may cause scratches or blood vessels to grow into the corneas.

It is important to note that contacts are not for everyone. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAOO), a person should reconsider using them if they are:

• working or living in a very dusty area
• prone to eye infections
• have severe allergies or dry eyes
• unable to care for contact lenses properly

Caring for contacts

The AAOO offers the following tips for proper contact lens care:

• replacing the case every 3 months or if it becomes cracked
• following all instructions from the manufacturer of the contacts and the doctor
• keeping the case clean
• washing hands thoroughly before placing contacts in the eyes
• avoiding water and other activities where substances can get into the eyes
• avoiding sleeping in daily wear contacts
• using fresh solution to clean the contacts before each use
• keeping the solution in the original bottle to prevent desterilization
• using only contact solution to wash contacts

Preventing vision loss

According to the CDC, people can take steps to prevent vision loss, including:

• managing blood sugar levels
• wearing sunglasses when outdoors
• resting eyes after using screen-based devices
• maintaining a moderate weight
• receiving regular eye exams
• wearing eye protection
• eating a balanced diet

Regular eye exams are important for people of all ages, regardless of whether they need vision correction. Getting eye exams regularly can help identify issues early and preserve vision.

The table below outlines how often a person should have their eyes tested based on their age.

A person should have more frequent eye exams if they are at risk of vision issues, such as people with a family history of eye disease, people who use contact lenses, people with diabetes, or people who have had eye injuries or surgery.

If a person has eye pain, blurred vision, floaters, or other changes to their vision, they should schedule an appointment with an eye doctor. They should also contact a doctor if their contact lenses irritate their eyes or cause pain.

Below, we answer some of the top frequently asked questions about buying contact lenses online.

What is the best place to buy contacts online?

The best place to buy contacts online will depend on the type of lenses a person needs, their budget, and whether they would like to use health insurance.

Can I buy contact lenses without consulting the doctor?

A person needs a prescription to purchase contact lenses, which they can only get through a doctor.

Although some contact lens retailers offer eye exams, these are usually to renew an existing prescription. They should not replace in-person, comprehensive eye exams.

Is ordering contacts online cheaper than buying them in person?

Ordering contacts online can be cheaper than purchasing them in person. It may also be more convenient, as many retailers offer subscription options.

How much does a 1-year supply of contacts cost?

The cost of a 1-year supply of contacts will depend on the brand and type of lenses a person needs and whether a person has health insurance.

A 1-year supply of contacts can cost hundreds of dollars, but retailers can sometimes offer discounts on subscriptions or bulk orders.

Can I trust 1-800 Contacts?

1-800 Contacts is a legitimate company that has been in business for 28 years. It has accreditation with the Better Business Bureau.

That said, customers tend not to rate it highly online. People may wish to read reviews on BBB or Trustpilot before committing to a purchase.

Buying contacts online can be convenient, although many retailers have a mixed reputation online.

Insurance coverage, price, and a person’s vision needs are important factors to consider when purchasing contact lenses online.