Where are the best places to buy prescription sunglasses in 2023?

Prescription sunglasses protect your eyes while also helping you see clearly, making them perfect for long drives at sunset or afternoons spent on an outdoor patio. They’re also extremely convenient if you need corrective lenses but don’t wear contacts. If you don’t own a pair yet, 2023 is a great year to invest. 

If you find yourself heading out for fresh air more often, prescription shades might be just what you need to protect your eyes from the sun and improve your vision while you garden, hike, exercise or just take in the sights around you.

Many brands design sunglasses specifically for sports or recreational activities such as boating, hiking and fishing. Prescription sunglasses for sports are especially useful. You can even get golf prescription sunglasses. With so many excellent options available, you can opt for the best pair of shades whatever your needs are. 

How much do prescription sunglasses cost?

Prices for prescription sunglasses depend most on the frames, lenses, prescription strength and special features (such as anti-glare coating). Name brands can be on the higher end of the cost spectrum. Some leading retailers, such LensCrafters, typically sell frames starting around $150, while more budget-friendly sites such as EyeBuyDirect offer frames starting at only $6. 

You can find just the right price for your budget by figuring out what type of eyewear you want. Do you want the latest trendy frames or designer styles? Or do you just want something that can handle everyday use? There are options for you no matter what your budget is, and prescription sunglasses cost does not have to deter you from getting your own pair. Some retailers also accept insurance, so that can help offset your bill too.

READ MORE: Your guide to RX sunglasses

Where to get prescription sunglasses

With an abundance of online retailers selling prescription sunglasses, you may not be sure where to start your search for new RX shades in 2023. If that’s the case, check out the following brands and retailers who offer high-quality products and a convenient online experience. 

Here’s a list of the best places to get prescription sunglasses online in 2023: 

Ray-Ban

Prescription Ray-Ban sunglasses can help you stay safe from UV rays without compromising your sight or style. Prices depend on a number of factors: Frame prices typically range from $132 to $298 (before the cost of lenses) based on the style and material, and lens prices vary based on whether special coatings are applied. For example, non-polarized lenses are usually $324, while mirrored lenses are $399 and polarized lenses are $449. 

One thing to remember: Prices can always vary, even within a single style, depending on the lens tint or coating you choose, and whether the site has any sales or going on. At the date of publishing, the ever-popular Ray-Ban Erika prescription sunglasses range from $294 to $381.50 (total) based on frame and lens selection, along with current promotions being applied. 

Finding the right RX sunglasses on the Ray-Ban website is intuitive, and it’s easy to apply your vision insurance benefit and even pay with money from your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA). 

EyeBuyDirect 

If you care more about your budget than a brand name, EyeBuyDirect is a great choice for inexpensive prescription sunglasses online. In fact, some styles start at only $6. But don’t let those low prices worry you: EyeBuyDirect is able to stay affordable because they keep their processes in-house, taking their product straight from the design floor to the factory to the consumers. 

EyeBuyDirect carries over 1,000 different styles for women, men and children, and if you don’t know where to start, you can take a quick quiz to see which fit and style might work best for you. Once you’ve narrowed your choices even further, there’s a virtual try-on feature to help give you an idea of how they’ll look in person. 

After you find the sunglasses you want, check to see if you qualify for two-day shipping, then input your prescription information and complete your purchase.

FramesDirect.com

While you’re out and about in the sunshine, prescription sunglasses help you see clearly. 

FramesDirect.com carries eyewear in more than 200 brands, including popular designer names such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, Coach and Persol. 

When it comes to frames and lens materials, there are impact-resistant, eco-friendly and hypoallergenic options in addition to titanium, plastic and metal. 

Whether you want sunglasses for sport or leisure, FramesDirect.com should have something for you. In addition to all the brands available, you can search by frame color, material or shape. Find your favorite aviators, cat-eyes or Wayfarers, or search simple shapes such as square, oval or round. You can also choose the size for the eye (lens), bridge and temple. 

FramesDirect.com allows you to order your prescription sunglasses completely online; just select the style you want, provide your prescription information and make your purchase.

LensCrafters

With many styles and brands to choose from, LensCrafters is a great option if you have a new glasses prescription and want to update your look. 

LensCrafters offers frames made out of plastic (acetate), titanium and other metals. There are also different price ranges to choose from. Most sunglasses frames are between $150 and $250 (before prescription lenses are added), but some styles start under $150. LensCrafters also has sales throughout the year to help bring the price down.

ROKA

ROKA performance-driven sunglasses are stylish and innovative. They have no-slip pads to prevent the lightweight frames from falling off your face. Some lenses are also fingerprint-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about getting your sunglasses dirty every time you put them on or take them off.

Whether you prefer to golf, cycle, run or play beach volleyball, ROKA has styles for just about every outdoor activity. They even have tactical options for people who work in law enforcement. 

If your glasses prescription is out of date, you can take an online vision test, and if you want personalized recommendations, you can take a quiz to figure out which styles suit you best. 

Wiley X

Wiley X prescription sunglasses are made for rough-and-tumble outdoor sports and activities, such as cycling, climbing, shooting and fishing. Some styles are also suitable for leisure and everyday use. 

Sunglass lenses provide UV protection and impact resistance so you don’t have to worry about sun damage or wear and tear, and when eye safety is most important, consider Wiley X’s shatter-proof Selenite polycarbonate lenses. Wiley X motorcycle prescription sunglasses are especially handy since they can protect your eyes from strong winds in addition to the sun.

There are four series to choose from — Active Lifestyle, Changeable, Climate Control and Youth Force — with styles for men, women and children and frames and lenses of myriad colors. Once you’ve found the perfect pair, you can order completely online and get your prescription shades shipped to your address. 

Coastal

Coastal prescription sunglasses are a popular choice for everyday use. Whether you’re having a picnic in the park, running errands or going on a hike, you can find a great pair of shades to shield your eyes from the sun. 

Coastal’s comfortable, lightweight designs are fairly affordable, with a few select styles starting at $33. They also stock stylish, on-trend varieties that tend to start a bit higher in price. You can get lenses shaped like rectangles, the letter D, cat eyes, ovals or circles, in colorful frames ranging from turquoise to tan or black to white (or even clear). 

And, with Coastal’s virtual try-on feature, you can use your webcam to get an idea of what it will look like to wear each pair. 

Start shopping

Prescription sunglasses are a great way to protect your eyes while you hang out in the sun, and getting those corrective shades can actually be fun and easy. If you have a current eyeglasses prescription, you can order your sunglasses online, avoiding any hassle associated with in-person shopping. 

There is one caveat about shopping for RX shades online: If you have an especially complex or strong prescription, you may not be able to order online. If that’s the case, it’s possible that your best (and potentially only) option is to look online to get an idea of what you want, then go to your local optical store and order your prescription sunglasses in person.

If shopping from home is your top priority, you may also want to consider photochromic lenses (also called light-adaptive or transition lenses) for your next pair of glasses. With photochromic lenses, you get all the benefits of standard (clear) eyeglasses indoors and (darkened) sunglasses outside.

Page published on Wednesday, January 27, 2021