3 Best Online Glasses Retailers Analysis: Warby Parker vs EyeBuyDirect vs Zenni
Are you looking for your next pair of glasses, but want to try an online retailer to save money? In this article we will do a side by side comparision of 3 online glasses retailers, EyeBuyDirect, WarbyParker, and Zenni.
| Retailer | Warby Parker | EyeBuyDirect | Zenni |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Try On | |||
| Home Try On | |||
| Prescription | Reading, Single, Progressive | Reading, Single, Bifocal, Progressive | Reading, Single, Bifocal, Progressive |
| Accepts Vision Insurance | Yes (Certain providers) | ||
| Warranty | 1-year free lens replacement | 1-year defect replacement | 30 days |
| Return Policy | 30 days | 14 days | 30 days |
| Shipping | Free (including Home Try-On and returns) | Free over $99, otherwise $5.95-$19 | $4.95 Standard/$7.45 Priority/$18.95 Express |
At Zenni and EyeBuyDirect you can get a great pair of prescription glasses for a lot less than most in-person retailers with frames starting at $5 to $8. Warby Parker though is a bit more of a boutique retailer with most glasses starting at $95 dollars.
For under $30 all in you can get glasses at either EyeBuyDirect or Zenni. Both retailers also offer a great selection of prescription sunglasses and kids' glasses.
Quality
The quality from zenni eyebuydirect and war by Parker will serve you well. The cheaper frames from Zenni or eyebuydirect which range from $5 to $10 do feel cheaper than Warby Parker’s frames.
Warby Parkers frames are all a more uniform high quality since they are mostly acetate frames.
The quality of Glasses from Zenni, EyeBuyDirect, or Warby Parker will serve you well especially when precaution is taken with proper handling and care.
Website Ordering Experience
Warby Parker's ordering experience is definitely the most clean and simple, but all three websites are straightforward to order from. If you're looking for a budget pair of glasses then EyeBuyDirect or Zenni is definitely the way to go especially if you need bifocals. Warby Parker does not yet offer bifocals. All three offer lens coatings. It's a small upcharge for UV coating or anti scratch resistence with Zenni and EyeBuyDirect, while Warby Parker offers all coatings free of charge.
Frame and Lens Selection
EyeBuyDirect:
| Lens Options | EyeBuyDirect |
|---|---|
| Prescription Range | -16.00 to +12.00 |
| Lens Indexes | 1.50 to 1.74 (ultra high index) |
| Lens Type | Single, Progressive, Reading, Bifocal |
| Coatings Available | Anti-Scratch, Anti-Glare, Blue Light Blocking, UV-Blocking, Water-Repellent |
| Sunglasses Lens Options | Gradient, Mirrored, Polarized, Transitions® |
| Sunglasses Lens Colors | Blue, Brown, Gray, Green, Purple |
EyeBuyDirect has less frames to choose from than Zenni, but offered at a similar price and quality. They offer any lens coating you may desire for Single, Bifocal, Progressive, Reading correction types. All EyeBuyDirect lens orders come with an anti-scratch coating applied. They also offer distance corrections up to -16.00 and super-thin lenses (high-index) of up to 1.74.
Warby Parker:
| Lens Options | Warby Parker |
|---|---|
| Prescription Range | -18.00 to +6.00 |
| Lens Indexes | 1.50 to 1.74 (ultra high index) |
| Lens Type | Single, Progressive, Reading |
| Coatings Available | Anti-Scratch, Anti-Glare, Blue Light Blocking, UV-Blocking, Water-Repellent |
| Sunglasses Lens Options | Gradient, Light-Responsive, Mirrored, Polarized |
| Sunglasses Lens Colors | Blue, Brown, Gray, Green |
Warby Parker is more of a boutique glasses retailer so they offer less frame and lens choices than EyeBuyDirect or Zenni. Warby Parker works with many celebrities on setting new design trends within the glasses industry.
Warby Parker's lenses are made from a very durable 1.59 polycarbonate. The standard frame also feel more durable than the cheaper frames offered from EyeBuyDirect although EyeBuyDirect does have more durable frames which go up in price from the starting price of $5. Warby Parker includes free anti-reflective, anti-scratch, UV-Blocking, and water repellant coatings with each pair of frames and glasses.
Zenni:
| Lens Options | Zenni |
|---|---|
| Prescription Range | -20.00 to +12.00 |
| Lens Indexes | 1.50 to 1.67 (high index) |
| Lens Type | Single, Progressive, Reading, Bifocal |
| Coatings Available | Anti-Scratch, Anti-Glare, Blue Light Blocking, UV-Blocking |
| Sunglasses Lens Options | Gradient, Mirrored, Polarized, Transitions® |
| Sunglasses Lens Colors | Amber, Blue, Gray, Green, Pink, Purple, Yellow |
Zenni has a large collection of over 1400 frames in all sizes, shapes, and colors. The frames come in plastic or metal and can be rimless or even goggles!
All Zenni orders come with anti-scratch UV blocking lenses for no additional cost. They offer a high index of up to 1.67 and up to -20.00 distance correction strength.