The best prescription sunglasses for 2024
Now that summer is in full swing, it's the perfect time to upgrade your sunglasses. The latest lenses in prescription sunglasses take advantage of new technologies that enhance detail, while reducing glare.
Prescription sunglasses can include single-vision lenses, bi-focals or even progressives. A new pair of prescription sunglasses can make driving safer, not to mention more comfortable. Plus, you can customize your lenses and your frames to match your unique style and personality.
Whether you're looking for the latest designer sunglass frames (like Ray-Bans), a timeless look from a prestigious designer (like Vint & Work), sunglasses for a specific sport, Warby Parker sunglasses that are perfect for everyday, or just cheap prescription sunglasses that won't drain your bank account, you're in luck. Our team of in-house shopping experts have curated this roundup of the best places to shop for prescription sunglasses online. And many of these options will save you money.
Meanwhile, when shopping for prescription eyeglasses, be sure to also check out our roundup of the best places to buy prescription glasses online.
What are the best prescription sunglasses you can get online?
Whether you need single-vision, bi-focals, or progressive lenses, shopping online has serious benefits -- including savings. If you're looking for dedicated prescription sunglasses or eyewear with transition lenses that automatically darken in the sun, the largest selection can't be found in a brick-and-mortar store.
- Best overall prescription sunglasses: Roka
- Best budget prescription sunglasses: GlassesUSA
- Best prescription for transition lenses: Warby Parker
- Best for designer sunglass frames: Lenscrafters
- Best prescription sunglasses for vintage style: Vint & York
- Best frames for sports: TifosiRx
- Best indestructible sunglass option: Ombraz
Pro tip: When you're shopping prescription sunglasses online, be sure to see if the company offers discounts to students, teachers, active military, seniors or first responders. And most of these companies offer an extra discount if you buy more than one pair of sunglasses (or regular prescription eyeglasses) at the same time.
Best overall prescription sunglasses: Roka
Single-vision prescription: Yes | Bi-focals prescription: No | Progressive prescription: Yes | Readers: No | Light responsive lens option: Yes | Virtual try-on: Yes | Home try-on: No | HSA/FSA accepted: Yes | Vision insurance accepted: Yes
One of the things we love about Roka is that the company designs and manufacturers all of its frames. While all of the frames are stylish, Roka has an even better rep for eyewear that protects and corrects well.
Proprietary technologies mean that you get more than 35 stunning sunglass frame styles that you won't find elsewhere. Each is made from the highest quality materials and designed to be lightweight, extremely durable and comfortable.
Each model comes in multiple color options. You can also choose a lens color. Roka offers either single-vision or progressive sunglass lenses. Choose between polycarbonate, Trivex or high-index lenses. All are polarized. Prescription sunglasses are custom made and shipped within 10 business days. Pricing varies dramatically based on your frame and lens selections. Even if you don't lead an active lifestyle, you'll discover stunning prescription sunglass options for men and women at Roka.
Best budget prescription sunglasses: GlassesUSA
Single-vision prescription: Yes | Bi-focals prescription: Yes | Progressive prescription: Yes | Readers: Yes | Prescription sunglasses: Yes | Light responsive lens option: Yes | Blue light filtering lens option: Yes | Virtual try-on: Yes | Home try-on: No | HSA/FSA accepted: Yes | Vision insurance accepted: Yes
GlasesUSA is the place to shop for prescription sunglasses, especially if you're looking for designer frames (from Ray-Ban, Oakley, Prada, Coach, Versace, Gucci and 54 others) or low-cost generic frames that start at $34 (including single-vision lenses).
When it comes to sunglasses, GlassesUSA has more than 1,100 frames to choose from. Each comes in multiple colors, and you can also customize your prescription lenses. In fact, this is one of the few companies that offer prescription sunglasses with your choice of reading or bi-focal lenses, in addition to single-vision or progressive lenses.
GlassesUSA is all about discounts -- from frames that are on sale to BOGO offers. Designer frames are typically sold at up to 40% off of retail, and lens upgrades are offered for up to 50% off. New customers who sign up for a newsletter get a coupon good for up to 50% off a first pair of frames.
All prescription sunglasses come with a 14-day money-back guarantee, as well as a one-year warranty. If you have vision insurance, you can submit your receipt for reimbursement, but you can also use health savings funds to make qualifying purchases.
Pro tip: If you're shopping for cheap prescription sunglasses, in addition to GlassesUSA, we suggest checking out what EyeBuyDirect and Zenni Optical have to offer.
Best for transition lenses: Warby Parker
Single-vision prescription: Yes | Bi-focals prescription: Yes | Progressive prescription: Yes | Readers: Yes | Prescription sunglasses: Yes | Light responsive lens option: Yes | Blue light filtering lens option: Yes | Virtual try-on: Yes | Home try-on: Yes | HSA/FSA accepted: Yes | Vision insurance accepted: Yes
Warby Parker is a one-stop shop for all of your prescription sunglass needs. Many frames, which include single-vision prescription lenses, start at just $95. Progressive lenses start at $395.
The company sells only its own collection of high-quality and fashionable sunglass frames -- and there are more than 50 styles choose from. The website offers an easy virtual try-on feature. There's also a home try-on option that allows you to select up to five frames and have them shipped to your home for free. Choose the frames you want, order your prescription sunglasses and return the samples in a pre-paid box.
You also get a wide range of sunglass and transition lens options, so you can pick only the add-on filters and coatings that you need. An anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coating is automatically included for free. The company uses polycarbonate lenses, but these can be upgraded to 1.67 high-index lenses for an additional fee.
In most cases, you can choose a frame color, or color combination and size. Warby Parker accepts virtually all vision insurance and HSA/FSA payments. If you order two pairs of glasses at the same time (one of which can be regular prescription glasses), you get an automatic 15% discount. And for every pair of prescription eyewear purchased, Warby Parker donates a pair to someone in need.
Best for designer sunglass frames: Lenscrafters
Single-vision prescription: Yes | Bi-focals prescription: Yes | Progressive prescription: Yes | Readers: Yes | Prescription sunglasses: Yes | Light responsive lens option: Yes | Blue light filtering lens option: Yes | Virtual try-on: Yes | Home try-on: No | HSA/FSA accepted: Yes | Vision insurance accepted: Yes
If you want designer frames from Ray-Ban, Oakley, Versace, Coach, Prada, Brooks Brothers or any of more than a dozen others, the place to shop online is LensCrafters. Yes, this is the same company that's been operating more than 1,000 retail locations since 1983, but you can now shop for designer sunglasses with prescription lenses online.
LensCrafters makes it easy to shop for sunglasses based on brand, style, color or shape. Once you find the frames you love, you can choose from a wide range of lens options. Once your sunglasses arrive, they come with a 30-day happiness guarantee. For an additional fee, you can upgrade to an protection plan that covers frames and lenses against damage, scratches and other issues for a full year.
Whether you're shopping for prescription eyeglasses or prescription sunglasses, you'll find a vast selection of designer frames to choose from, with new options coming in all the time. Some frame and single-vision lens combos start as low as $100. You'll also discover some designer frames on sale for as much as 60% off, with additional discounts offered to AAA and AARP members.
Best prescription sunglasses for vintage or classic style: Vint & York
Single-vision prescription: Yes | Bi-focals prescription: No | Progressive prescription: Yes | Readers: Yes | Light responsive lens option: Yes | Virtual try-on: Yes | Home try-on: No | HSA/FSA accepted: Yes | Vision insurance accepted: Yes
One benefit of shopping for prescription sunglasses from Vint & York is that the company designs and manufacturers its own selection of designer-quality frames -- many with colors and styles you can't find elsewhere. It then uses lenses crafted by expert technicians within a cutting-edge lab. This small, female-owned business prides itself on offering meticulously handcrafted eyewear that's manufactured using premium materials.
We love that Vint & York offers hundreds of men's and women's frames, including some that offer a retro or vintage style. The company's Luxury collection offers more premium and unusual styles, while the Artista collection features frames with bold colors and attention-grabbing shapes.
Of course, Vint & York also offers a beautiful selection of classic styles for people with more traditional taste, but also gives you the option to try something from its exclusive Nerdy or Hipster collection. Once you select the perfect frames, you can customize your lens with a wide range of options, starting with single-vision, readers, bi-focals or progressive lenses.
Next, choose between a polycarbonate, high index, super high index, Trivex or CR39 lens material and add your choice of coatings (like blue light filtering, photochromic, a colored tint, or gradient colored tint) that allow you to make your glasses truly your own -- to match your personal style, color preferences and budget. All of Vint & York's frames can be fitted with fully customized sunglass lenses.
While Vint & York allows you to shop online, you can expect highly personalized attention and customer service via live chat, email or phone whenever it's needed. Most custom-made, prescription eyewear ships within three to seven business days. The overall eyeglass quality and unusual frame styles are why we added Vint & York to this roundup.
Best frames for sports: Tifosi Rx
Single-vision prescription: Yes | Bi-focals prescription: No | Progressive prescription: Yes | Readers: No | Light responsive lens option: Yes | Virtual try-on: Yes | Home try-on: No | HSA/FSA accepted: Yes | Vision insurance accepted: No
Improve your sports performance with the proper eyewear -- not just for style, but for eye protection and better vision. When you head over to the prescription sunglass and sports frame area of the Tifosi Rx website, you'll discover more than 15 sports frame styles, such as the company's bestselling Vero Rx frames. Most frames come in your choice of colors.
Select your favorite frames and then choose between single-vision or progressive prescription lenses. Choose tinted, polarized or transitioning lenses. Lens color options depend on the choices above.
You can also select lens coatings. Your options include anti-reflective, anti-fog, or an anti-fog/antireflective combo. Based on your selections, the price of your customized prescription sunglasses will vary.
Best indestructible sunglass option: Ombraz
Single-vision prescription: Yes | Bi-focals prescription: Yes | Progressive prescription: Yes | Readers: Yes | Prescription sunglasses: Yes | Light responsive lens option: Yes | Blue light filtering lens option: Yes | Virtual try-on: Yes | Home try-on: No | HSA/FSA accepted: Yes | Vision insurance accepted: Yes
For anyone who's extremely athletic and active outdoors, the new Ombraz eyeglass frames are very unique. For starters, they have no arms. They're held snuggly in position using an integrated, marine-grade nylon adjustable cord. There are no hinges, screws that can loosen, or sidearms that can break. And they won't fall off or slip, plus they're designed to relieve all pressure points on the wearer's face.
Most importantly, these frames are literally indestructible. They come in a variety of styles, sizes and colors. Ombraz armless sunglasses feature a patented design that's lightweight, extremely comfortable and that can withstand everything from harsh environments to an extremely active lifestyle.
You can buy them from Ombraz as non-prescription sunglasses with premium lenses. However, through Orbraz's partner, Lens & Frame Co., the Orbraz frames can be custom-fitted with any type of handcrafted polycarbonate or high index 1.67, clear, tinted, light-responsive or sunglass prescription lenses. And while you're ordering your prescription Ombaz sunglasses from Lens & Frame Co., you can check out the company's entire lineup of premium and handcrafted prescription eyewear.
How much are prescription sunglasses?
You can easily find everyday wear, single-vision, prescription sunglasses for as little as $95 per pair at places like Warby Parker or GlassesUSA. What determines the cost of prescription sunglasses are the frames you choose, the selected lens material, what lens enhancements you add, and whether you're shopping for single-vision, bi-focals, progressives or lenses that have a photochromic feature (that starts off clear, but darkens when exposed to sun).
If you choose a premium pair of design frames, require progressive lenses, upgrade the lens material to a 1.74 index (ultra-thin) with a scratch-resistant, UV protection and anti-reflective coating, and then add a photochromic option, you could spend $500 to $1,000 or more on a perfectly customized and expertly crafted prescription sunglasses.
The good news is that most of the companies featured in this roundup accept vision insurance, HSA/FSA payments, and offer a wide range of discounts (including BOGO sales) you can take advantage of to save money on your purchases.
What are the best sunglass lenses?
All lenses are not alike. The best prescription lenses for sunglasses offer a scratch-resistant treatment, provide 100% UVA and UVB protection (which is essential for eye health when you're outside in the sun) and polarization. Just because a lens color is darker, this does not automatically mean you're getting better protection for your eyes.
Polarization enhances vision clarity and comfort. Polarized lenses help to eliminate glare, enhance contrast and boost color perception. The American Academy of Ophthalmology also recommends that sunglasses have the largest lenses possible to protect your eyes from sun damage. The academy also says you should consider oversized or wraparound-style sunglasses to limit UV-ray exposure.
If you'll be outside in the rain or boating, sunglass lenses with an optional hydrophobic coating will help to repel water, so the lenses stay clear when they get wet.
Other lens options include:
- Solid color lenses: Prescription sunglass lenses can often be customized with a grey, brown, green or pink lens. When you choose a solid color lens, it will be the same color from the top to bottom. Keep in mind, lens color does not impact the blocking of light, but it can impact contrast.
- Gradient lenses: This has a dark color toward the top of the lens, but it gradually lightens, so the bottom of the lens is more transparent. Common gradient color options include grey, green or violet. Gradient lenses are not the same as transition lenses that automatically darken in the sun.
- Mirrored lenses: These have a mirrored surface which reduces the amount of light that enters the eye. Flash mirrored lenses typically come in your choice of silver, blue or rose gold.
Another important consideration is lens material. The most common options are CR-39 (a lightweight and durable polymer), polycarbonate (which is even more impact resistant and durable), or 1.67 high-index. These are only available to people with certain prescriptions. They're much thinner than polycarbonate lenses, yet offer the same benefits.
Most prescription sunglasses can be ordered with your choice of single-vision or progressive lenses, although some companies offer sunglasses with prescription bi-focals or readers, too. Precision progressives is always a lens upgrade option and costs several hundred dollars more. While more expensive, these reduce peripheral distortion and offer a wider field of view.
How do I order prescription sunglasses online?
Regardless of where you shop, you'll need:
- A prescription (less than one year old) from an optometrist. If you don't have a copy, be prepared to share your optometrist's contact information.
- Your pupillary distance (PD) measurement. This something your optometrist can provide, or you can measure it yourself. The Zenni website offers a Custom Dual PD ruler that you can download and print for free.
- Your vision insurance information.
How long does it take for prescription sunglasses to ship?
This varies by the company your order from and the complexity of your order. Most of the companies featured in this roundup with handcraft your prescription sunglasses upon receiving your order, and ship them out within three to 10 business days. Add a few extra days for shipping, unless you pay extra for overnight shipping.
What happens if the sunglasses don't fit or the prescription is wrong?
Virtually all sellers, including those featured in this roundup, offer a 14- or 30-day exchange or return policy. If the frames don't fit, or you're not seeing clearly, you can typically return the sunglasses for a full refund or have the sunglasses remade. After the return or exchange period, many of the online sellers will offer at least a six-month to one-year "no scratch" guarantee, which means the company will repair or replace the lenses if they get accidentally scratched.
In some cases, you can purchase an extended warranty, which will cover any damage to the frames or lenses during a predefined period. These extended warranty plans do not cover the glasses if they're lost or stolen.
How to choose prescription sunglasses that fit
Sunglass frames come in nine popular shapes -- rectangular, square, round, aviator, oval, cat-eye, browline, oversized and geometric. From Warby Parker's website, here's a basic guide for choosing a frame design based on your face shape.
- Round-shaped faces: Rectangle glasses, square glasses, geometric glasses, cat-eye glasses, browline glasses, or full-rimmed glasses are best.
- Oval-shaped faces: Just about any frame design will look good on someone with an oval-shaped face.
- Heart-shaped shaped faces: Oval glasses, round glasses, aviator glasses or semi-rimless glasses are recommended.
- Square-shaped faces: Round glasses, oval glasses, wire glasses, or semi-rimless glasses are ideal.
- Triangle-shaped faces: Rectangle glasses, browline glasses or cat-eye glasses are best.
- Diamond-shaped faces: Browline glasses, cat-eye glasses, round glasses, oval glasses or semi-rimless glasses are all good choices.
Most sunglass frames come in at least several sizes. If you look on the inner side of a frame's arm, you'll see measurements engraved on it. Three numbers separated by dashes or spaces indicate lens width bridge width and temple length. If you have frames that fit well, you can typically use the same measurements.
The average person will need a lens width of between 40mm and 60mm, a bridge width between 14mm and 24mm, and a temple length between 120mm and 150mm. Two other measurements you might need to consider include the frame width and lens height.
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