It doesn’t matter if you’re taking a day to relax at the beach or a sunny winter hike. A pair of sunglasses is a must-have.
But finding high-quality, affordable sunglasses can be difficult. Plus, if you’re considering designer sunglasses or need prescription lenses, you could be looking at several hundred dollars.
Fortunately, your next pair of shades doesn’t have to go over budget. If you shop at the right retailers, you can find the perfect pair of sunglasses at the right price point without sacrificing style or quality.
The Best Places to Buy Cheap Sunglasses
Sunglasses can cost anywhere from $1 at your local dollar store to hundreds of dollars from a high-end manufacturer. Additionally, several factors influence how much sunglasses cost, including:
- Available Deals. Sunglass retailers sometimes offer percent discounts or even buy-one, get-one deals, which can significantly lower pricing.
- Brand. Designer brands like Oakley and Ray-Ban cost more than no-name brands.
- Lens Add-Ons. Prescription eyewear naturally increases cost versus buying nonprescription sunglasses. Similarly, various lens add-ons like polarized lenses or UV protection usually cost more.
- Material. Using different frame materials, like metal versus plastic, impacts cost.
- Style. Iconic styles like aviator sunglasses or wayfarers can carry a higher price tag than more designs.
Decide what styles and lens add-ons are necessary since there’s no point in buying sunglasses that don’t have the features you need. Once you know your criteria, shop around at one of these retailers to find your next pair of affordable sunglasses.
Best Overall: Zenni Optical
Zenni Optical is one of the most affordable online eyeglass retailers around. It sells prescription eyeglasses starting at $6.95. And you can turn any regular frame into sunglasses by paying $4.95 for sunglasses tinting, meaning single-vision sunglasses can cost under $12.
It carries numerous styles for adults and kids, and you can add customizations like:
- Blue-Light Blocking: Starts at $16.95
- Fashion Tints: $4.95
- Gradient Tints: $7.95
- Mirror Finish: $24.90
- Transition Lenses: Start at $29
- Polarized Lenses: Start at $32.99
Even with upgrades like polarized lenses, you can find a pair of prescription sunglasses for under $50 at Zenni Optical. Nonprescription sunglasses are even cheaper.
Additional features:
- A try-on tool lets you see how sunglasses look using your computer’s webcam.
- Zenni Optical doesn’t accept insurance directly. But if you have vision insurance, check with your provider to see if they can reimburse your purchase.
- Standard U.S. shipping is only $4.95 (international shipping is available at variable rates).
- You have 60 days to make returns for 100% back in store credit or a 50% refund. If there’s a manufacturing error, return your sunglasses within 30 days for a free second pair.
- Zenni keeps costs down by carrying house-designed frames, so you won’t find expensive designer brands.
Best Custom Sunglasses: Knockaround
At many eyewear retailers, sunglasses seem like an afterthought. But Knockaround specializes in affordable sunglasses.
With over a dozen unisex frame styles and sunglasses starting at $15, you can find your next pair of shades without overspending. Unfortunately, they don’t provide prescription sunglasses.
Knockaround doesn’t use conventional names like cat-eye sunglasses or aviators for their frame styles. But you can still find popular styles under names like Mai Tais and Fast Lanes and patterns like tortoiseshell and rose gold.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, Knockaround lets you customize your own sunglasses starting at $30. And you can get polarized sunglasses starting at $20 and blue-light blocking glasses starting at $15.
Additional features:
- A generous rewards program gives you $1 off for every 100 points, or you can earn a free pair of sunglasses by saving up 2,500 points.
- Knockaround doesn’t accept insurance payments, so check with your vision insurance provider to see if your purchase qualifies for coverage.
- Get free shipping on domestic and international orders.
- You have 30 days to return regular sunglasses for a full refund, but you can’t return custom sunglasses.
Best Affordable Designer Styles: Le Specs
If you want a designer sunglass look without the designer price tag, Le Specs is a mid-priced Australian eyewear retailer that fits the bill.
Le Specs carries a range of adult styles. Sunglasses typically cost $59.99 to $129.99. Le Specs also has a line of handmade prescription sunglasses starting at $99 regular price and $39.99 on clearance.
It isn’t the cheapest option out there, but it’s a lot more affordable than runway-brand frames. And with frequent clearance sales, you can find what you want for $19.99 to $39.99.
You don’t have many customization options, but Le Specs carries polarized lenses starting at $59 and blue-light blocking glasses starting at $49.
Additional features:
- New customers get 10% off if they create a free account.
- Le Specs doesn’t accept vision insurance, but check with your provider to see if your purchase qualifies for coverage.
- Get free shipping on all international orders of $50 or more. Shipping on orders under $50 costs $10.50 for the U.S. and Canada.
- You have 60 days to return your purchase for a full refund or store credit.
Best Eyewear Add-On Deals: EyeBuyDirect
EyeBuyDirect carries two brands in addition to its own eyewear line: Oakley and Ray-Ban. But despite the lack of brands, it still has dozens of styles under the EyeBuyDirect banner for adults and kids to choose from.
There’s no shortage of styles for sunglasses, either. Frames start at $19. Nonprescription lenses are free. If you need prescription sunglass lenses, single-vision lenses cost an extra $20 and multifocals cost an extra $109. You can also add upgrades like:
- Mirrored Lenses: $29
- Gradient Tints: $4
- Thinner Lenses With UV Protection, Anti-Scratch Coating, and Antireflective Coating: $20
- Thinner Lenses With UV, Anti-Scratch, Antireflective, and Water-Repellent Coating: $23
EyeBuyDirect also has a sales section where you can find sunglasses that are 40% off and start at around $18.
Additional features:
- A free loyalty program gives you access to freebies like cases and frames, store credits, annual discounts, percent-off discounts, free sunglasses with a purchase of $450, early access and discounts on new releases, BOGO birthday deals, and free shipping.
- Students get 30% off everything when purchasing blue-light lenses, and veterans get 20% off all eyeglass frames and lenses.
- You can’t shop with your vision insurance provider at EyeBuyDirect, but your purchases might be eligible for reimbursement, so check with your provider.
- U.S. shipping is free on orders over $99 but costs $5.95 otherwise. Canadian shipping is $9.95, and international shipping starts at $19.
- You have 14 days to ask for replacement eyewear or a refund if you are unhappy with your eyewear.
If you don’t mind a lack of brands and can take advantage of sales, loyalty programs, and discounts, EyeBuyDirect offers some of the most affordable sunglasses out there.
Best Quality Sunglasses: Warby Parker
Warby Parker isn’t the cheapest eyewear retailer. But if you want high-quality designer-like glasses without the price tag, Warby Parker is your best option. Warby Parker manufactures glasses by hand, and lenses come with antireflective, anti-scratch, and UV-protective coatings that often cost extra at cheaper eyewear retailers.
Warby Parker sunglasses start at $95 for adults. Nonprescription lenses are part of frame pricing. Single-vision lenses or readers cost $175, and progressives cost $375. You can also upgrade to thinner lenses for $120.
Warby Parker has fewer upgrade options than other eyewear retailers, but there are still dozens of styles to choose from, so variety isn’t a problem.
A quiz helps you select five frames to try on at home, and Warby Parker ships them for free. You have five days to decide which ones you like, if any.
Afterward, you return all the frames with a prepaid shipping label. You can either decline all five pairs or tell Warby Parker which pair you want. Warby Parker then sends your finished eyewear with your prescription lenses.
Additional features:
- Warby Parker works with 10 different vision insurance providers, and you can also spend with a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA).
- U.S. and Canadian shipping are free, but Warby Parker doesn’t ship to other countries.
- You have 30 days to return eyewear for a refund or exchange if you aren’t satisfied. Eyewear also has a one-year no-scratch guarantee.
Best New Customer Discounts: GlassesUSA
Limited time offer: Save 50% off frames for select adult sunglasses (and eyeglasses) with basic prescription lenses. Dozens of brands are eligible. Some exclusions apply. Use coupon code MONEY-CRASHERS-50 at checkout.
With thousands of frames and designs, GlassesUSA has one of the largest selections of sunglasses for adults and kids.
Sunglasses start at around $39 when on sale, and there are usually several dozen or even hundred styles on sale at a given time. Otherwise, regular-price sunglasses typically range from around $75 to $150.
GlassesUSA also carries designer sunglasses, including familiar brands like Burberry, Gucci, Michael Kors, Oakley, and Tom Ford. Use coupon code MONEYCRASHERS40 at checkout to save 40% on select designer brands.
Nonprescription lenses are part of frame prices. Frames have a “prescription eligible” tag next to the price tag, and most frames let you add a prescription. You can add a single-vision or near-vision prescription for $39. Progressive lenses range from $89 to $159, depending on current sales, and bifocal lenses are an extra $99.
You can also upgrade your sunglasses with different add-ons or improvements, such as:
- Thin Prescription Lenses: $39
- Super-Thin Prescription Lenses: $69
- Polarized Lenses: $89
- Mirrored Lenses: $49
Additional features:
- New customers often get between 25% and 65% off on their next purchase if they sign up for the GlassesUSA newsletter.
- Students can get 30% off non-premium and non-clearance frames.
- GlassesUSA has a virtual try-on tool that uses your computer’s webcam to display how different frames fit your face.
- U.S. and Canadian shipping are free.
- You have 14 days to return your eyewear for a refund.
- GlassesUSA works with a dozen vision care providers. You can also use your FSA or HSA to make purchases.
Best for Frequent Discounts: Yesglasses
Yesglasses is the best online sunglasses retailer for folks seeking deep, frequent discounts on fashionable shades. While there are no guarantees in life, it’s likely you’ll be able to find the perfect pair of sunglasses here without paying full price — perhaps by taking advantage of Yesglasses’ signature “buy one, get one half off” deal.
In the market for something else? Yesglasses sells deeply discounted blue light blocking glasses too — up to 75% off list price for select frames.
Additional features:
- Choose from over 20 unique lens tints
- Yesglasses has six unique flash mirror lens colors, including blue, silver, and pink
- Opt for gradient lenses for a more refined experience — step down from dark to light tint
- Free standard shipping on U.S. orders
Best Price on Bifocals and Progressive Lenses: 39DollarGlasses
Unsurprisingly, 39DollarGlasses has a prescription eyewear line that starts at $39. But you can still find regular and prescription sunglasses starting at $48.95.
39DollarGlasses carries designs for adults and kids. There are over 100 styles to choose from.
Most frames cost $48.95, and you can order lens tint in different colors, such as brown, green, gray, or rose, for free. Single-vision lenses are also free, but bifocals and progressives only cost $80 extra. That’s a lot cheaper than most competitors.
There are also several lens upgrades available.
- Thinner Lenses: $10
- Ultra-Thin Lenses: $49.95
- Polarized Lenses: $59.95
- Thin Polarized Lenses: $28.95
- Ultra-Thin Polarized Lenses: $80
- Transition Lenses: $59.95
- Thin Transition Lenses: $28.95
- Ultra-Thin Transition Lenses: $80
- Gradient Tinting: $9.95
At $49.95, these aren’t the absolute cheapest sunglasses on the market, but 39DollarGlasses offers numerous ways to save, such as group member discounts and a loyalty program, though there’s no clearance section.
Additional features:
- Use the online try-on tool to see how frames fit your face.
- The EyeBucks rewards program gives you 4% cash back in the form of EyeBucks you can redeem for savings on your next order.
- Military members and first responders get a 20% discount.
- Orders over $99 ship free. Otherwise, regular U.S. shipping is $4.95. 39DollarGlasses ships internationally for $12.95 or $8 for orders over $99.
- You have 30 days to return your eyewear for a full refund and 90 days to return your eyewear for exchange or store credit.
- 39DollarGlasses works with 10 vision care providers and accepts FSA and HSA payments.
Best Return Policy: DiscountGlasses.com
With hundreds of frames for adults and kids, DiscountGlasses.com has plenty of choices. Plus, with sunglasses starting at only $14.95 and frequent sales, you don’t have to spend a fortune on your eyewear.
You can’t add prescription lenses to every pair of sunglasses, but eligible pairs have an RX tag you can look for while shopping. Single-vision and progressive lenses cost $9.99 for basic lenses. You can upgrade each lens type to thin lenses for $39.99 or ultra-thin lenses for $58.99. Polarized lenses cost an extra $10.
DiscountGlasses doesn’t have upgrade options for nonprescription sunglasses. However, many glasses have several coloring options for lenses and frames, so you can pick a version that suits your style.
Plus, DiscountGlasses carries sunglasses in partnership with popular movie franchises and sports organizations like:
- Disney
- Marvel
- NASCAR
- PAW Patrol
- NFL
- NCAA
If you’re a sports or movie fan, DiscountGlasses’s partnerships are enticing. But the best part is their return policy. Unlike many online-only eyewear retailers that offer 30 days for refunds, DiscountGlasses gives you a full year to return eyewear for a refund or exchange if you’re unsatisfied.
Additional features:
- A virtual try-on tool helps you see how sunglasses look using your computer’s webcam.
- Standard U.S. shipping is free, while Canadian shipping costs $9.95 and international shipping costs $19.95.
- DiscountGlasses is also an out-of-network provider for several vision care companies, so if you have insurance, your purchase might be eligible for reimbursement.
Best Designer Eyewear Upgrade Options: Lensabl
You won’t find $10 sunglasses on Lensabl, but you can buy designer eyewear at a fraction of the regular price. Lensabl carries a range of designer glasses from brands like Boss, Le Specs, Oakley, and Ray-Ban. And you save an average of 70% compared to optician prices.
Lensabl carries several dozen sunglasses frame styles. Most start between $97 and $127 for frames with nonprescription lenses or single-vision lenses. Progressive lenses cost an additional $100.
From there, Lensabl lets you upgrade your lenses with numerous options:
- Gradient Lenses: $25
- Polarized Lenses: $50
- Polarized Mirror Lenses: $90
- Thinner Lenses: $20
- Water, Scratch, and Smudge Resistance With UV Protection (Premium): $40
- Premium Plus Anti-Fog Coating: $75
- Premium Plus Blue-Light Protection: $125
- Polished Edges: $15
- Polished and Rolled Edges: $25
You also have several lens colors to choose from at no additional cost. Overall, Lensabl has some of the most comprehensive lens upgrade options out of any eyewear retailer.
Additional features:
- A virtual try-on tool uses your computer’s webcam to display how frames look on your face.
- The Lensabl+ annual membership provides more discounts. A glasses-only plan starts at $7.99 per month, and a glasses-plus-contacts plan starts at $21.99 per month.
- Lensabl doesn’t accept vision insurance as payment, so check whether your purchase is eligible for reimbursement.
- Shipping is free and is available for the U.S. and Canada.
- Lensabl doesn’t provide refunds but does remake your glasses if you notice something is wrong or you’re unhappy within the first 30 days.
Best Affordable Nonprescription Sunglasses: Amazon
If you want an immense selection and some of the cheapest sunglasses possible, shopping on Amazon is an obvious choice.
The e-commerce giant has thousands of under-$25 frame styles for adults and kids, with popular brands including:
- Kate Spade New York
- Merry’s
- Oakley
- Michael Kors
- Ray-Ban
- Sojos
You can also filter by styles like aviator, cat-eye, oversized, rimless, and wrapping. Plus, many sellers let you choose from several coloring styles, so you can usually change your frame and lens colors.
Since Amazon’s marketplace is so massive, many top-selling sunglasses also have hundreds or thousands of reviews. Between customer feedback and star ratings, you can ensure the sunglasses you’re buying will hold up and won’t break or disappoint out of the box.
If you’re an Amazon Prime Member, you also get free shipping on most eyewear. You can slash your bill further by shopping with the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card, which is available for Prime members. Non-Prime members can use the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature card.
Unfortunately, Amazon doesn’t sell prescription sunglasses. You can still buy prescription-eligible frames, but you need to replace the lenses with your prescription lenses at an eyewear store, which starts at around $40 for basic lenses. And some chains won’t replace competitor lenses.
Best Affordable Sunglasses for Kids: Target
Target is another versatile option to buy affordable sunglasses. You can find brands like Armani Exchange, Banana Republic, Coach, Guess, Kate Spade, and Oakley.
There are hundreds of styles for adults and kids, but it’s particularly affordable for kids and toddlers. Many pairs of sunglasses are just $5 or $6. For adults, the most affordable sunglasses range from $9.99 to $15.99.
If you need prescription sunglasses, you can also shop through Target Optical. There are nearly 200 sunglasses to choose from, with the cheapest pairs starting at approximately $50 to $70.
Unfortunately, Target charges extra for prescription lenses. Single-vision lenses are $95 extra, and progressive lenses are $220. You can also add thinner lenses with UV and blue-light protection for an extra $65. Or upgrade to polarized high-index lenses for an additional $155.
You can use your Target RedCard debit card or Target RedCard credit card to save 5% on your purchase.
Additional features:
- Target Optical accepts vision insurance from numerous providers as well as HSA and FSA payments.
- Enjoy free shipping that takes up to seven business days.
- Return your eyewear for any reason within 90 days to get a full refund.
Best for In-Person Shopping: Fashion Retailers
If you aren’t looking for prescription sunglasses, popping into your local mall is a safe bet to find affordable eyewear. Several retailers sell inexpensive sunglasses, including:
- American Eagle sells dozens of pairs of sunglasses for around $8 to $16.
- Asos has some of the best cheap sunglasses, which start at under $5 when on sale, and there are dozens of styles.
- Forever 21 sunglasses start at around $3 when they’re on clearance, and they’re typically $7.99 to $9.99 at regular price.
- H&M sunglasses can be as cheap as $5 when on sale, and there are dozens of styles for around $9.99 regular price.
- Nordstrom carries designer eyewear brands, but you can still buy sunglasses for under $15 for both adults and kids.
- Sunglass Hut offers dozens of brands and designer frames, with many pairs of nonprescription sunglasses starting at around $30 to $50.
- Urban Outfitters carries over 100 styles that are under $25.
Shopping at apparel stores is ideal if you prefer trying sunglasses in person rather than using virtual try-on tools.
You can also find $1 or $2 sunglasses at dollar stores like Dollar General and Dollar Tree. Walmart also has cheap nonprescription sunglasses for under $10. They aren’t the highest quality, but they’re perfect for someone who needs practically disposable sunglasses they can afford to lose.
Final Word
The right pair of sunglasses can complete an outfit. And you don’t have to overspend to get your next pair of trendy eyewear if you know where to shop.
You can get sunglasses at a reasonable price by sticking to affordable stores or waiting for sales. Plus, if you have vision insurance, you can contact your insurance provider to see if any prescription sunglasses you buy are eligible for reimbursement.
Just remember to extend the life of your eyewear once you purchase it. Even tips like using an inexpensive hard-shell case to carry your sunglasses or putting them away while playing sports can help avoid scratches or damaging your eyewear.
