Key Takeaways
- Some of the best places to buy prescription glasses in Canada are Clearly, Eyebuydirect, and Zenni.
- Before you buy glasses online, ensure you have an up-to-date prescription that’s not older than 2 years.
- Some of the advantages of buying online include getting more frame selections, getting cheaper deals, and saving money on transportation.
Whether you’re searching for stylish fashion glasses or prescription eyewear, you can find plenty of places online that offer them at very affordable prices, such as at Clearly, Eyebuydirect and SmartBuyGlasses.
Some platforms even allow you to virtually try on glasses before buying them, ensuring you’ll find ones that suit both your face and your budget.
This post covers the 12 best places to buy glasses online in Canada, along with must-know tips for safely and efficiently buying glasses from the Internet.
Best Places To Buy Cheap Prescription Glasses In Canada
| Where to Buy Cheap Prescription Glasses | Features | Cost | Promotions/Discounts |
| Clearly | Over 2000+ styles for men and women; offers affordable eyewear available in-store and online; free returns within 30 days; fast shipping | Glasses from $9 | Up to 35% off on various eyewear; check the Clearly site for discounts and promotions |
| Eyebuydirect | Offers a 14-day Fit and Style Guarantee and a 365-day guarantee with every online prescription glasses order; 14-day free returns; free USPS shipping | Frames start at $6; most popular frames range from $32 to $55; adding prescription lenses start at $20 | Visit the site for promo codes and Buy 1 Get 1 Free promotions. Check out the Discount Glasses and Eyeglasses Sale page for eyeglasses sale for savings on designer glasses (up to 50% off frames and 60% off lenses). |
| SmartBuyGlasses | Offers over 200 brands with Best Price Guarantee; affordable and high-end glasses; no-risk online purchase policy with its 3-month free returns; 2 years warranty, free shipping; free in-store adjustments; | Frames start from $35 | Find discount coupons at the site’s Coupons page. Students with a Student Beans code can get up to 60% off plus an extra 17% off frames. |
| Zenni Canada | Provides glasses for men, women and kids; shopping can be done by face shape, frame colour and frame shape; | A complete pair of single-vision prescription glasses start at $9.95; premium progressive lenses start at $69.95 | Visit the Everyday Value and Promo Codes page to find discounted glasses and lenses, top styles under $30, education and hero discounts of up to 10%, and eyewear on sale. |
| Optically | Over 3500 available optical frames as well as designer, rimless, titanium glasses and prescription sunglasses; 100% money-back guarantee on new pair of prescription glasses | Prescription glasses start at $30 (the price includes prescription lenses and coatings). | Check the Optically site for promo codes that you can use towards the purchase of frames. Discounts offered are up to 25%. |
| iLookGlasses | Offers a wide variety of styles, shapes and material for men and women; provides high quality options more affordable than brand names; offers a 100% guarantee on all orders; accepts returns of purchases within 365 days of purchase; free return shipping | Men’s and women’s glasses range from $49 to $99. | Visit the site or its Sale page to find discounted frames priced as low as $49. Sign up for the iLookGlasses newsletter to get 30% off plus free shipping. Join their loyalty program to earn $1 for every 1 iLook point. |
| Firmoo | A one-stop optical destination for customized eyewear services and professional prescription advice; offers prescription glasses for men, women and children; provides glasses for reading, driving, sports and daily to heavy screen use; offers a 60-day return and exchange and a 365-day warranty | $4.10 to $58.80 | Check the Firmoo website for promotions and discounts. Sign up for their newsletter for the “Buy 1 Get 1 Free + 25% Off Lenses” promo. Check the Deals page for discounts, promo codes and sale items. Find Buy One Get One options for frames and extra discounts on upgrade lenses. New customers get a promo code for their first pair of glasses at $4.95. |
| Where to Buy Glasses Online | |||
| KITS | Provides affordable eyeglasses and sunglasses for men, women and kids; offers various price ranges, from budget-friendly options to designer brands; free returns within 30 days of purchase | KITS eyeglasses range in price from $19 to $446. A complete pair of progressive glasses start at $99 (includes lenses). | Visit the website for Buy One, Get One deals and discounts on prescription glasses. Check the Sale page for KITS overstock items, which cost $35 to $45. |
| Warby Parker | Offers single-vision, progressives, anti-fatigue, and readers glasses; prescription glasses come with a 30-day, hassle-free return or exchange policy, a 6-month, no-scratch guarantee for its prescription lenses; replaces scratched lenses for free within 6 months of purchase | Prescription glasses starting at $150, with free shipping and free returns. Digital free-form progressives start at $295. All glasses come with scratch-resistant, anti-reflective lenses that block 100% of UV rays. | Check the site for frames offering savings of 15% when purchasing two Rx pairs. Use the free Home Try-On kit to test five frames you picked before deciding on what frame to get. |
| Lens Crafters | An international retailer of prescription eyewear and sunglasses; carries popular brands including Ray-Ban, Oakley, Versace, Gucci, Prada, etc.; accepts most insurance plans online and in-store; free shipping and free returns | Prices range from $37 (currently on 50% off) for an Ess pair to $2,645 for a pair of Tom Ford eyeglasses. | Visit the Offers page for discounts, designer sale events, value packages and discounts on additional and complete pairs. CAA members get cost-saving benefits on eye exams and eyeglasses. |
| Bon Look | Offers prescription eyeglasses for kids, men and women as well as eyeglass accessories. | Prices range from $49.50 to $249. Single vision standard starts at $149, while Progressive, Degressive and Anti-Fatigue glasses start at $375. Tinted lenses cost $50 to $120 and thin lenses range from $60 to $200. | Visit the Web Sale page for discounts and promotions. Items on web sale range from $49.50 to $99.50. Student Price Card (SPC) members get a $25 discount with an online purchase of regular-priced prescription glasses. |
| Bailey Nelson | An optical retail chain offering affordable prescription glasses and other eyewear products as well as eye exam services; free shipping on all orders over $150; returns and exchanges are accepted within 30 days from the receipt of your order | Prices of eyeglasses range from $139 to $299. You can purchase 2 pairs from $249. Premium progressives (frames & lenses) start from $389, or 2 pairs from $599. | Use your benefits to get discounted prices on an in-store purchase of 2 pairs of progressive glasses. Check out the Special Offers page for available offers. Students and teachers get 15% off the total price of their eyeglasses. |
1. Clearly
With over 2000+ styles available for men and women, Clearly is definitely one of the best places to buy cheap prescription glasses in Canada.
Buying from this platform is as easy as choosing your frame, entering your prescription, and heading straight to check out. But, of course, you can always try on some glasses virtually before deciding which one to purchase.
For every pair of glasses you buy from this platform, the company donates a pair to someone in need from 42 countries worldwide. Apart from glasses, though, you can also find contact lenses, sunglasses, and UV-protection eyewear from this website.
2. Eyebuydirect
Eyebuydirect is another reputable online retailer offering thousands of high-quality yet affordable eyewear. Like Clearly, it provides a “Virtual Try-On” feature where you can ensure that the glasses you want will suit your preferences before you get them delivered.
It’s worth noting that Eyebuydirect has a 14-day free returns policy and a 365-day warranty. So, you can shop from the website confidently, knowing that you’ll always get the quality you deserve.
3. SmartBuyGlasses
If you want to enjoy free shipping, 2 years warranty, and free in-store adjustments, SmartBuyGlasses got some of the best online prescription glasses ready for you.
Founded in 2006, this retailer has established a strong presence in over 20 countries worldwide, providing both affordable and high-end glasses for millions of people.
Buy a pair from SmartBuyGlasses, and you’ll enjoy a no-risk online purchase policy through its 3-month free returns. As there are plenty of buying guides on the website, it’s also going to be very easy to find glasses that match your specific needs.
4. Zenni Canada
Zenni Optical is a must-visit website if you want to buy glasses online in Canada for cheap.
With prices starting as low as $9.95 on this platform, you can surely find glasses that fit within your budget.
Not sure how to find the eyewear that looks best on you? Not a problem as Zenni Canada lets you shop by the frame shape, frame colour, or by your face shape, making it easy to narrow down the frames best suited for your style.
5. Optically
Choose from over 3500 optical frames offered by Optically, a leading Canadian eyeglass retailer. As this platform ships many of its products directly from an optical lab, you can skip the markup prices often found in physical stores and receive high-quality frames for less money.
On top of selling glasses, Optically also provides reglaze services where you can replace the existing lenses in your favourite frame. Enjoy the convenience of this one-stop-shop and get all your eyewear needs on a single website.
6. iLookGlasses
Whether you prefer round, cat-eye, or rectangle specs, iLookGlasses got plenty of models waiting for you online. Since its launch in 2012, this website has aimed to bring premium glasses to Canadians at very affordable prices.
Heads up, though, iLookGlasses does not typically sell specs from designer brands. That’s because this platform encourages customers not to spend way more than necessary on eyeglasses.
7. Firmoo
Get trendy, not spendy, eyewear products and services from Firmoo. With over 2 decades in the industry, this retailer has made its mark as one of the most approachable and affordable glasses retailers worldwide.
Not sure how to start buying glasses online?
Get in touch with eyewear consultants, dispensing opticians and customer service representatives from Firmoo 24/7. You can also check the website’s detailed tutorials to get the best tips on choosing eyeglasses that suit your style and optical needs.
Best Places To Buy Glasses Online In Canada
8. KITS
Despite only being in the business for 5 years, the eyewear retailer KITS has already served over a million customers with affordable eyewear products in and outside of Canada. It offers a wide range of glasses, including designer brands and budget-friendly alternatives for both men and women.
Fun fact: KITS is also one of the few platforms offering ophthalmologist or optometrist-approved online eye exams.
With KITS, you don’t have to make buying glasses time-consuming or risky. You can easily get your prescription from home and return/exchange your glasses if they’re not to your liking.
9. Warby Parker
This New York-based online retail company is another tried-and-tested source of high-quality glasses. Prices start at $225, which is pricier than other platforms, but you can ensure that you’ll get fashionable and durable specs that can withstand years of daily usage.
All scratched prescription lenses can be replaced for free within six months from the purchase date. And, if you ever need an eye exam, you can visit the in-store locations of Warby Parker in British Columbia and Ontario.
10. Lens Crafters
Don’t miss out on the latest releases of your favourite designer brands by shopping from Lens Crafters. This platform is home to some of the trendiest prescription eyewear and sunglasses from brands like Ray-Ban, Burberry, and Prada.
On a budget? You’ll be pleased to know that this website offers up to 50% discounts regularly, allowing you to get high-quality frames with lenses for less than $100.
11. Bon Look
Discover some of the finest prescription glasses online at Bon Look. If you’re into fashion, this platform is going to be right up your alley as it offers unique, exclusive designs that cater to the varying fashion styles of individuals.
All lenses from Bon Look are protected with standard scratch-resistant and anti-glare coating. So, be confident that you can avoid the micro-scratches often seen on low-quality glasses when buying from Bon Look.
12. Bailey Nelson
Last but not least, consider Bailey Nelson, a retailer that designs all of its frames in-house and assembles each of them by hand.
When ordering from this platform, professionals will review your prescriptions thoroughly to ensure that you’re getting the right and up-to-date lenses. So, no need to stress about messing up the lenses you order or not including enough information.
How To Buy Glasses Online
Buying glasses online is pretty easy. The exact steps will really depend on the platform you’re using, but it generally comes down to these 4 simple steps:
Step 1: Choose The Frame
Here, you’ll need to decide your eyewear frame’s shape, size, style and colour. Most platforms allow you to virtually try on their glasses, so with enough trial and error, this process should be pretty easy.
Step 2: Add Your Prescription
Some websites may ask you to send a picture of your prescription, while others may require you to input this directly on their platform.
If you’re ever confused during this point, you can always reach out to the customer service of your chosen online retailer. Alternatively, you can search for blogs or video tutorials offered by the store, as many of them include helpful guides for customers.
Step 3: Customize Your Lenses
You’ll be responsible for deciding which coating types you want to add to your eyewear. Many websites will include a short description of each of the coatings, but I highly recommend taking several minutes to research what different lens coats are for.
Step 4: Pay And Wait For Your Glasses
How long you need to wait for your glasses will vary depending on the retailer and your location. But, on average, you can expect your glasses to arrive within 2 weeks.
How To Choose The Best Place To Buy Glasses Online
The best way you can choose the best place to buy glasses online is by checking out and reviewing several stores yourself. That’s because every individual has different preferences, needs, and budgets when it comes to eyewear.
As a rule of thumb, I always recommend shortlisting 3 online retailers and comparing the pros and cons of each. By doing so, you can find the store that offers the selection, prices, and quality that best suit your needs.
Pros And Cons Of Buying Glasses Online
Pros:
- You can often get cheaper prices.
- You don’t need to spend time or money visiting a physical store yourself.
- You’ll have thousands of choices instead of only seeing limited stocks on a shelf.
- It’ll be much easier to find the lenses you want through search filters and platform guides.
Cons:
- There’s the risk of receiving frames that don’t match your expectations.
- Although there are virtual try-on opportunities, they can’t exactly replicate the accuracy of trying eyeglasses in person.
- Returns can take weeks to process due to the delay caused by shipping back eyeglasses.
What You Should Know Before Buying Glasses Online
Before buying glasses online, make sure you have an up-to-date prescription from your eye doctor. Although you can technically use your old prescription as long as it’s less than 2 years old, it’s not recommended to do so as it may not provide accurate vision correction.
FAQs
It’s not necessarily expensive to get glasses in Canada. Many online platforms offer eyewear for affordable prices by eliminating the markup costs associated with in-store retailers.
Yes, an online prescription can be valid in Canada as long as you’re getting it from a reputable and licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist. If you’re interested in getting an online prescription, consider checking the exam offered by KITS.
No, Zenni Optical is an American company. However, it also operates in Canada, making it a great choice for buying some of the best online prescription glasses.
Prescriptions for glasses are only valid for 1 to 2 years in Canada. While you can get by using the same prescription for 2 years, it’s highly recommended that you get an annual eye exam to protect your eyesight and comfort as much as possible.
The general free healthcare insurance offered by Canadian provinces does not cover glasses. Eye care falls into “extended medical care,” so for your glasses to be covered, you must have private insurance.
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