Buying prescription glasses online can be a convenient and affordable way to update eyewear. However, with so many options available, deciding which online eyeglasses store is the best fit for you can be hard.
A Comparison of Warby Parker and EyeBuyDirect
Two of the most popular and reputable online eyeglasses stores are Warby Parker and EyeBuyDirect. Both offer various styles, colors, and frames at reasonable prices. But how do they compare regarding quality, service, and customer satisfaction? In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the pros and cons of Warby Parker and EyeBuyDirect to help you decide which online eyeglasses store is right for you.
| Criteria | Warby Parker | EyeBuyDirect |
| Price range | $95-$395 | $6-$70 |
| Frame styles | Boutique, trendy, celebrity-inspired | Variety, classic, modern |
| Lens types | single vision, progressive, blue-light blocking, light-responsive | Single vision, bifocal, progressive, blue-light blocking, light-responsive |
| Lens materials | Polycarbonate (included), high-index ($30 extra) | Polycarbonate ($9 extra), high-index ($19-$49 extra), Trivex ($59 extra) |
| Lens coatings | Anti-reflective (included), scratch-resistant (included), UV protection (included) | Anti-reflective ($7 extra), scratch-resistant ($5 extra), UV protection ($3 extra) |
| Shipping cost | Free within US and Canada; $15-$45 internationally | Free for orders over $99 within US; $5.95-$19.95 otherwise; $29 internationally |
| Shipping time | 7-10 business days within US; 10-12 business days internationally | 7-14 business days within US; 10-20 business days internationally |
| Return policy | 30-day exchange or return for any reason; one-year scratch-free guarantee | 14-day exchange or return for any reason; one-year replacement guarantee for manufacturing defects |
| Social impact program | Buy-a-pair-give-a-pair: donates a pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair sold | Buy-one-give-one: donates a pair of glasses to someone in need for every order placed |
A Side-by-Side Review of Two Leading Online Glasses Retailers
Warby Parker
Warby Parker was founded in 2010 by four friends who met at Wharton Business School. They wanted to create a company that would offer high-quality eyewear at a fraction of the price of traditional retailers. They also wanted to make a positive social impact by partnering with non-profit organizations providing the glasses to needy people.
Since then, Warby Parker has grown into one of the most popular online retailers of prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, contacts, and eye exams. The company has over 100 stores across the US and Canada, where customers can try on frames and get their eyes checked. It also has a home try-on program that lets customers order up to five pairs of glasses for free and keep them for five days before deciding which ones to buy.
Some of the good points of Warby Parker are:
- It offers a wide range of frames with different styles, colors, shapes, sizes, and materials. You can find something for every face shape and personality.
- It provides free shipping and returns on all orders within the US and Canada. It also offers international shipping to select countries.
- It has a 30-day exchange or return policy that allows customers to change or refund their glasses for any reason within 30 days of delivery.
- It has a one-year scratch-free guarantee that covers any scratches on the lenses within one year of purchase.
- It has a buy-a-pair-give-a-pair program that donates a pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair sold.
Some of the bad points of Warby Parker are:
- Some customers have reported issues with their glasses breaking, bending, or being defective. However, these issues seem to be relatively rare and Warby Parker usually responds to negative reviews and tries to resolve them.
- Some customers have complained about delays in shipping, processing, or refunds. This may be due to high demand during peak seasons or unforeseen circumstances such as COVID-19 pandemic.
- Some customers have found their glasses uncomfortable, ill-fitting, or inaccurate to their prescription. This may be due to incorrect measurements or personal preferences.
EyeBuyDirect
EyeBuyDirect was founded in 2005 by Roy Hessel, who wanted to make the quality of eyewear accessible to everyone. He believed that selling direct to customers, rather than through third-party retailers, would help keep prices low and offer more choices. He also wanted to empower people to express themselves freely with their glasses.
Since then, EyeBuyDirect has grown into one of the leading online retailers of prescription glasses, sunglasses, sport eyeglasses and sunglasses, and computer glasses. The company operates in the United States and China, producing its own frames. It also has a virtual try-on tool that lets customers see how different styles look on them before buying.
Some of the strong points of EyeBuyDirect are:
- It offers many frames with different styles, patterns, colors, shapes, sizes, and materials. You can find something for every taste and budget.
- It provides free shipping on orders over $99 within the US and Canada. It also offers international shipping to over 50 countries.
- It has a 14-day fit & style guarantee that allows customers to exchange or return their glasses for any reason within 14 days of delivery.
- It has a 365-day product guarantee that covers any defects or damages on the frames or lenses within one year of purchase.
- It has a loyalty program called EBD Credits that rewards customers with points for every purchase they make. They can use these points to get discounts on future orders.
- It has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, with over 18,000 reviews. People tend to be pleased with their customer service, delivery time, and product quality.
- It was named the best place to buy glasses online by Wirecutter, a consumer review service from The New York Times.
Some of the weak points of EyeBuyDirect are:
- Some customers have reported issues with their glasses breaking, scratching, or being defective. However, these issues seem to be relatively rare and EyeBuyDirect usually responds to negative reviews and tries to resolve them.
- Some customers have complained about delays in shipping, processing, or refunds. This may be due to high demand during peak seasons or unforeseen circumstances such as COVID-19 pandemic.
- Some customers have found their glasses to be uncomfortable, ill-fitting, or inaccurate to their prescription. This may be due to incorrect measurements or personal preferences.
Warby Parker vs. EyeBuyDirect: which online brands should you choose?
Warby Parker is a boutique store offering fashionable frames for men and women, starting at $95. They have a number of retail locations in the US and Canada, as well as a “Home Try On” service that lets you choose five pairs of glasses to try on be shipped out to you free of charge. Their lenses are made from a very durable polycarbonate material.
EyeBuyDirect is more of a budget-friendly store that offers a wide range of frame and lens choices, starting at $6. They have an online “Try On” feature that lets you upload your photo and see how different frames look on you. Their lenses are made from different materials depending on your prescription and preference.
Do you need a prescription and PD?
Prescription glasses have lenses that correct your vision problems, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia. You need a prescription from an eye doctor to buy prescription glasses online or in a store. Prescription glasses can come in different styles, colors, lens options and frames to suit your preferences and personality. Some online stores that sell prescription glasses are EyeBuyDirect and Warby Parker.
PD stands for pupillary distance, which is the distance between + and the centers of your pupils. This measurement is used to determine where you look through your glasses’ lens and should be as accurate as possible.
You can measure your PD at home with a ruler, mirror, or friend. You need to hold the ruler horizontally above your eyes and align it with the center of your pupils. The distance in millimeters is your PD.
People can buy PD glasses online from various websites. You must enter your PD measurement and prescription when ordering your glasses.
What to look for when buying glasses online?
Buying glasses online can be convenient and affordable, but you also need to consider some factors to make sure if you’re get the best fit and quality for your eyes. Here are some tips based on some web search results.
- Know your prescription and pupillary distance (PD). You’ll need these measurements to order glasses online that match your vision needs and fit your face well. You can get them from your eye doctor or use online tools to measure them yourself.
- Choose a reputable online retailer that offers a wide range of styles, prices, quality, materials, and customer service. You can read reviews, compare features, and check their return policy before buying.
- Find frames that suit your face shape, size, and personal style. You can use virtual try-on tools or order home try-on kits to see how different frames look on you. You can filter by frame width, shape, color, material, etc.
- Select lenses that meet your vision needs and preferences. You can choose from different types of lenses, such as single vision, bifocal, progressive, etc., and different coatings, such as anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, blue light blocking, etc.
- Confirm your order details and check out securely. Make sure you enter your prescription and PD correctly, review your frame and lens choices carefully, and provide a valid shipping address and payment method.
Conclusion
Warby Parker and EyeBuyDirect are two of the online glasses retailers to buy prescription glasses from in 2023, but they have different strengths and weaknesses.
Warby Parker is more suitable for those who value style, quality, convenience, and customer service. They offer fashionable frames with high-quality lenses and coatings, free home try-on service or virtual try-on tool, free shipping and returns, free adjustments at retail locations, and a one-year scratch-free guarantee. However, they are more expensive than EyeBuyDirect and you have so fewer frame options.
EyeBuyDirect is more of a budget-friendly store that offers a wide range selection of frames for men and women, starting at $6. Their glasses include prescription lenses made from standard plastic material as well as anti-scratch coating. You can add other coatings such as anti-glare coating, UV protection coating.
if you’re looking for a more variety and availability of frames that suit your personal style, EyeBuyDirect may have more options for you.
If you’re looking for more fashionable frames that follow the latest trends, Warby Parker may be a better choice.