Vision correction is a large part of many household budgets. According to contact lens manufacturer Acuvue, the yearly cost to buy contact lenses can range from $248 to $1,700, depending on your insurance and the type of contacts you need.
As with saving money on eyeglasses, if you want to save money on contacts, shopping for deals from the right retailers is crucial.
Thankfully, many retailers help contact lens wearers save money. If you’re tired of overpaying for this necessary expense, you must know the best places to buy cheap contact lenses.
Best Places to Buy Cheap Contact Lenses Online
Here are the cheapest places to buy contacts online:
- GlassesUSA: Best Pricing of Content Lenses Online
- Warby Parker: Best for House Brand Contacts
- DiscountContacts.com: Best for Contact Lens Brand Selection
- ContactsDirect: Best for Buying Contacts in Bulk
- Lens.com: Best for Online Eye Exam
- Eyeconic: Best for People with VSP Insurance
- AC Lens: Best for Contact Lens Subscriptions
- 1-800-Contacts: Best for Free Shipping
- ContactLensKing: Best for Hard-to-Find Brands
- Hubble: Best for Saving Money
REMINDER: You must have a valid prescription to buy contact lenses if you live in the U.S. This typically requires an eye exam, adding $50 to $200 to your upfront cost, according to Acuvue. But many health and vision plans cover some or all of the cost, so you might pay nothing out of pocket. Once you get your contact lens prescription, be sure to have physical and electronic copies ready when you shop.
1. GlassesUSA: Best Pricing of Contacts Lenses Online
Limited Time Offer: Save 30% off contact lenses plus free shipping with coupon code MONEY-CONTACTS30
- Insurance Accepted: Yes, and FSA/HSA
- Shipping: Yes
- Return Policy: 14-day return or exchange
- Number of Brands Sold: 19
GlassesUSA offers the most affordable eyewear starting at just $29. But it’s also an affordable way to order contacts online for the most convenient process.
They have over 64,000 reviews on TrustPilot, giving them a 4.3-star rating.
When looking for the best places to buy cheap contact lenses, you can go wrong at GlassesUSA. They often run promo codes that grant 30% off all contacts. You can view its coupons and promotions page to find other ongoing deals.
GlassesUSA also sells its own private-label daily contact lenses called Vista Plus. They may be inexpensive, but they’re not cheap. They’re made with hyaluronic acid to retain moisture and combat dryness, helping them stay incredibly comfortable all day. They also provide critical protection from harmful UV-A and UV-B rays, a must in both sunny and snowy climates. Vista Plus lenses are FDA-approved and endorsed by health experts.
Pros
- 30% off all contact lenses
- Free shipping
Cons
- Savings may expire before your next re-order
2. Warby Parker: Best for House Brand Contacts
Verdict: Warby Parker is a trusted name that offers an excellent selection of contacts at reasonable prices and has many vision insurance partners
- Insurance Accepted: Yes and FSA/HSA
- Shipping: Free
- Return Policy: 30-days if unopened
- Number of Brands Sold: 7
Warby Parker isn’t just an online contact lens retailer — it also has a growing network of retail locations across North America making it one of the top competitors on our list.
While it’s not always the cheapest option, it stocks the most trusted contact brands available, so you can rest assured you’re getting the quality you expect from your contact lens provider.
Warby Parker also has its own house brand of daily contact lenses called Scout by Warby Parker giving you a unique opportunity to save money and get the highest quality lenses. Look no further if you’re looking for truly exceptional value from a trusted name.
You’ll get 20% off your first order when you shop for contact lenses at Warby Parker. If you make an annual purchase, you’ll get a separate $50 eyewear credit for discounts on frames, lenses, and other qualifying eyewear purchases on the Warby Parker site.
Pros
- Free shipping
- 20% off your first contacts order
- $50 credit when you buy an annual supply
Cons
- Not always the cheapest contacts option
3. DiscountContacts.com: Best for Contact Lens Brand Selection
Verdict: Shop at Discount Contact Lenses if you want more brand variety or qualify for a free online vision test for reorders.
- Insurance Accepted: Out of network for most providers
- Shipping: Free over $99
- Return Policy: 365 days
- Number of Brands Sold: 29
As the name suggests, DiscountContacts.com sells contacts at a discount. The company says you can save on major brands, and it also offers free shipping on orders over $99.
The lens categories they sell include conventional vial lenses and daily, weekly, and monthly disposables. They also sell single-vision, multifocal, toric lenses for astigmatism, rigid gas-permeable, and colored lenses.
Unlike many online providers, DiscountContacts.com offers limited eye care via an online test and a remote eye doctor. The free online vision test is available to people between the ages of 18 and 55. You use your computer and smartphone to complete the vision test. Your computer displays letter charts like at the optometrist, and you complete vision test questions on your smartphone.
It takes one day for the optometrist to review the 15-minute test before you get a new contact lens prescription. If you feel your current contact lenses aren’t working, it’s a useful feature. However, it’s no substitute for in-person optometrist appointments since online tests can’t check eye health or for conditions like macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Pro Tip: To save even more money on contact lenses, you can also shop through Rakuten to earn cash-back rewards at DiscountContacts.com and other online retailers. It’s a simple way to get paid for shopping, and Rakuten pays your cash back quarterly through PayPal or check.
Pros
- Brand variety
- 20% off on new orders and subscriptions
- Free online vision test (if you qualify)
Cons
- Doesn’t have the lowest possible prices
4. ContactsDirect: Best for Buying Contacts in Bulk
Verdict: ContactsDirect is one of the most affordable options for buying an annual supply of contacts, especially if you leverage discounts and cash-back options.
- Insurance Accepted: Yes and HSA/FSA
- Shipping: Free standard shipping
- Return Policy: 6 months for unopened boxes
- Number of Brands Sold: 15
If you want to buy an annual supply of contact lenses at the greatest savings, ContactsDirect has some of the lowest prices on the market, even before any current promos, such as their 20% offer on any purchase.
Most discounts are $75 or less on annual supplies, but some brands offer discounts as high as $100. The website displays a product savings badge that shows how much you save purchasing a yearly supply, so it’s easy to spot deals.
Lens categories include daily disposables, two-week lenses, and monthly lenses. For lens types, ContactsDirect offers single-vision, bifocals, multifocal, and toric lenses to correct astigmatism and color lenses.
ContactsDirect is also a Rakuten partner, so you can earn cash-back rewards for your purchases.
Standard shipping is free, and you can pick up your order in person at a LensCrafters or Sunglass Hut store if you prefer. ContactsDirect accepts most major vision insurance plans. However, it is not an in-network provider for VSP.
If you want to save money buying an annual supply of contact lenses, ContactsDirect is possibly the best online option. Use promo codes, compare bulk prices with other retailers, and use price matching if necessary.
Pros
- Savings on annual supplies
- Multiple discounts and rebates
- Price matching
- Free shipping or pick up in-store
Cons
- Previous online vision test not currently available
5. Lens.com: Best for Online Eye Exam
Verdict: Shop at Lens.com if you’re willing to bargain-hunt for limited-time deals for massive savings.
- Insurance Accepted: Out-of-network for most plans
- Shipping: $9.95 for standard shipping
- Return Policy: 30-days for unopened boxes
- Number of Brands Sold: 23
You don’t have to settle for cheap contact lenses and low-quality brands to find savings on Lens.com. Popular brands include Acuvue, Biofinity, Biomedics, Dailies, and SofLens.
For lens categories, options include daily, weekly, and monthly disposables. Single-vision, toric lenses for astigmatism, bifocals, RGP, silicone hydrogel, and color lens types are available. Lens.com also carries novelty lenses for changing the appearance of your eyes, giving you the most options.
You renew your prescription by taking a 10-minute online eye exam. You have to be 18 to 55 years old to take the exam, which requires both a smartphone and a computer. The cost is $15.99.
Because of the potential savings from deals, it’s always worth comparing Lens.com prices to wherever you typically shop, especially if you’re not in the market for bulk contact lenses.
Pros
- Brand variety
- Excellent limited-time deals
- Online vision test
Cons
- No free shipping
6. Eyeconic: Best for People with VSP Insurance
Verdict: Eyeconic only works with VSP, Metlife and Cigna Vision, so if you have other insurance, you may want to look elsewhere as the discounts aren’t steep
- Insurance Accepted: Yes and HSA/FSA
- Shipping: Free ground shipping
- Return Policy: 30 days for unopened packages
- Number of Brands Sold: 14
Eyeconic offers the most savings for people with VSP insurance, saving you up to $220 on glasses or contacts while using insurance. They also offer the best annual subscription discounts, saving you up to another $120.
Eyeconic sells daily, weekly, and monthly contacts and offers single-vision, multifocal, toric, and color-enhancing lenses. Eyeconic offers their best deals on annual supplies, but they still aren’t comparable with stores like Walmart.
Pros
- Extensive brand variety
- Subscription discounts
- Special offer for teachers, military personnel, first responders, seniors, and students
Cons
- No new customer offer
7. AC Lens: Best for Contact Lens Subscriptions
Verdict: AC Lens is a solid option if you subscribe for contact lens delivery, but it’s not the most affordable choice for one-time purchases.
- Insurance Accepted: Out-of-network for most plans
- Shipping: Free over $99
- Return Policy: Up to 365 days for unopened packages
- Number of Brands Sold: 29
If you’re a fan of subscription services, AC Lens is one of your best options for buying contacts online. If you subscribe for lens delivery, you receive 10% off future deliveries. You also get free shipping on all orders.
If you don’t like subscriptions, you can still shop directly for contacts. Additionally, new customers usually get 20% off their first order.
Lens categories include daily, weekly, and monthly disposables. AC Lens carries single-vision, bifocal and multifocal lenses, toric lenses to correct astigmatism, and color lenses. You can also find conventional vial and RGP contacts.
Like some contact lens suppliers, AC Lens offers a free online vision test if you’re between 18 and 55. It’s a 15-minute test, and you receive your new contact lens prescription within one business day.
To take the test, you read letters from a distance using your computer’s screen and record your answers on a smartphone. Online eye exams don’t examine eye health or work well for powerful prescriptions. If you have a strong prescription, it’s best to go to an optometrist than use an online vision test.
Given all this, AC Lens could still be worth it if you subscribe for the 20% discount and use free shipping. But without discounts, it’s priced too high for smaller one-time orders.
Pros
- Savings for first-time & subsequent customers
- Free online vision test
- Free shipping
Cons
- Becomes less affordable than bulk shopping options after your first order if you don’t subscribe
8. 1-800 Contacts: Best for Free Shipping
Verdict: 1-800 Contacts is worth it to leverage the 20% welcome discount for a first-time order, but it’s more hassle to get deals for the long term.
- Insurance Accepted: Yes and HSA/FSA
- Shipping: Free standard
- Return Policy: Any time for any reason (unopened)
- Number of Brands Sold: 11
New customers can receive a 25% discount at 1-800 Contacts. Lens categories include vial lenses and daily, one- to two-week, and monthly disposables. You can find single-vision, bifocal, and multifocal lenses, toric lenses for astigmatism, and color lenses for the best selection of contact lenses.
If you need to renew your contact lens prescription, you can take an online vision test on your smartphone in 10 minutes. The site charges $20 for this service.
Online vision tests help you renew your prescription but don’t examine eye health. If it’s been a year or two since you went for an in-person eye exam, renew your prescription through an optometrist instead for the most thorough exam.
The site also has a best-price guarantee, promising to beat any publicly available deal from a U.S. competitor. However, you can’t combine this price match with insurance. Instead, the site compares your final price for both and gives you whichever one is lower. However, to maximize your discount, the site also works with Rakuten.
The first-time discount makes 1-800 Contacts worth considering if you’re spending a lot of money on your first order, and the price matching makes it a decent value for recurring purchases, though it takes a little more work to use.
Pros
- 25% first-time order discount
- free shipping
Cons
- Can be pricey if you don't price match
9. ContactLensKing: Best for Hard to Find Contact Lens Brands
Verdict: ContactLensKing stocks the tried-and-true brands, as well as those tougher-to-find contact lenses, providing customers with rock-star customer service and competitive prices.
- Insurance Accepted: Not directly
- Shipping: $9.95 for standard
- Return Policy: 30 days for unopened packages
- Number of Brands Sold: 8
As the name suggests, ContactLensKing specializes in contact lenses. They offer transparent pricing, taking the complexity of shopping for contact lenses off the table. They have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and have a 4.5 out of 5-star rating on Trustpilot, so they keep people happy!
You can purchase many types of contact lenses from ContactLensKing, including daily, weekly, or monthly disposables, colored, toric, and multifocal lenses.
Customer service is available by phone from 8:30 AM to 5 PM ET Monday through Friday, or they offer an email option if you need to reach them outside those hours.
ContactLensKing offers bulk discount prices indicated by a red $ next to the item, and they offer a 100% money-back guarantee if you are unhappy with your purchase. They even have a friend referral program that pays you a $10 credit for each friend you refer using your ‘refer a friend’ link in your account.
Pros
- Fast shipping
- Low regular prices
- Great customer service
Cons
- No free shipping
10. Hubble: Best for Saving Money
Verdict: Unlike other contact lens retailers on our list, Hubble only sells their brand of contact lenses and glasses to keep them more affordable, and they offer a Happiness Guarantee that promises your money back on any unopened boxes of contacts within 14 days.
- Insurance Accepted: No
- Shipping: First order free, then $3.99/delivery
- Return Policy: 14 days for unopened packages
- Number of Brands Sold: 1
Hubble is known for their affordable contact lenses. They began with a mission to make contact lenses more affordable so no one had to choose between their budget and their eye health.
Today, they provide affordable contact lenses and glasses to keep them affordable.
Hubble partnered with manufacturer St. Shine, a company with over 20 years of experience creating FDA-approved contact lenses.
They use an injection molding process and constantly test their contact lenses to ensure comfort.
Hubble runs a contact lens subscription service, and the first pack of Classic lenses costs only $1, or you can try Hydro lenses for $9.99/eye for your first box and SkyHy lenses for $17.99/eye.
Pros
- Low prices
- Fast shipping
- Personalized subscription plan
Cons
- Only offers Hubble brand contacts, which aren’t right for everyone
Tips When Ordering Contacts Online
Ordering contacts online can be a great way to save money, but here are some tips for buying cheap contact lenses online.
- Get a thorough eye exam: It’s important to have a thorough eye exam to ensure you have the right contact lens subscription and that your eyes are healthy. A comprehensive eye exam ensures the proper fit and prescription, as contact lenses have different prescriptions than eyeglasses.
- Stick with the brand prescribed: Your eye doctor will prescribe a specific brand based on your vision needs and what works best. Don’t switch brands because it could reduce the effectiveness of the contacts.
- Look for deals: With a valid prescription, you can purchase contact lenses anywhere, not just from the doctor who prescribed them. Many online deals, including specials for first-time customers, can help you save money.
- Look for renewal deals: Some stores offer an additional discount if you renew your subscription. Compare those offers to those you’d get as a new customer at a different store before renewing your prescription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Finding cheap contact lenses is important since the cost can add up fast. Here are some questions people have about the best places to buy cheap contact lenses.
Are discount contact lenses legit?
Many stores offer deals on contact lenses, so discount contact lenses can be legit. The key is to be careful and only purchase from reputable sellers. If you don’t know the company and can’t find any information on its reliability on the Better Business Bureau, consider looking elsewhere.
Do you need a prescription to buy contact lenses online?
Yes, you must have a valid prescription to purchase contact lenses online. When you have your eye exam completed, ask for a digital and written copy of your prescription and keep it somewhere safe. The prescription is good for 12 months, allowing you to reorder contacts until the prescription expires.
Is it safe to buy prescription contact lenses online?
Buying prescription contact lenses online is usually safe if you purchase them from a reputable seller. Always check the prescription label on the box to what your doctor ordered to ensure you’re getting the right lenses.
Methodology: How We Chose the Best Places to Buy Cheap Contact Lenses
When choosing the best places to buy cheap contact lenses, we consider the following:
- Reputation: We only suggest stores with a reputation of providing high-quality contact lenses with positive reviews, good shipping policies, and the option to earn discounts.
- Cost: We compare the cost across all recommended stores to ensure we’re recommending the lowest prices.
- Shipping: We try to stick to stores that offer free shipping and returns or frequently run promotions for free shipping.
- Accepts insurance: Not all contact lens retailers accept insurance, but we try to find the stores that offer the widest selection of vision insurance policies.
Final Word
Vision care is expensive. But when it comes to buying contact lenses, you rarely have to pay full price, considering how much competition there is in the market.
Try shopping online with shopping browser extensions and daily discount websites to take your savings even further. Websites like Rakuten and Capital One Shopping help you earn cash back and find coupon codes that are free to use.
Also, using websites that offer free shipping instead of paying extra every time you buy contact lenses online is another simple way to save.
Additionally, take advantage of other ways to save money on vision care. For example, most contact lenses and lens solutions are eligible purchases under your health savings and flexible spending accounts, which help you save money when filing your taxes.
As long as you spend time looking for deals at the best places to buy cheap contact lenses, you can lower your annual vision care expenses without sacrificing quality.
