Best Places to Buy Contacts Online for 2025, According to CNET Staff

Why I chose Warby Parker: I first tried Warby Parker for glasses, but quickly realized its contact lens service is equally impressive. The interface is clean, ordering is simple and the virtual prescription renewal saved me during busy weeks when I couldn’t get to the eye doctor. It’s one of the most convenient ways to buy contacts online, especially if you want everything in one place. Warby Parker also offers Scout, its own daily lens line. 

“I've previously ordered several pairs of glasses through Warby Parker, so they already had all my information. I just had to upload my new prescription (you can also renew online), place my order and then send the receipt to my vision insurance for partial reimbursement (they are considered out of network with my insurance). I will definitely be ordering from them again”, said Anna Gragert, wellness editor who has been using contact lenses for 17 years.

Who this is for: Warby Parker is ideal for shoppers who value convenience, style and seamless online-to-offline experience. If you're someone who wants to shop for prescription glasses and contact lenses and get an eye exam all under one roof, Warby Parker is for you. It's also a great online shop for first-time contact wearers looking for simplicity.

Why I chose Lens.com: When researching for the lowest possible prices for contact lenses, I stumbled across Lens.com. The site consistently offers the cheapest prices I’ve seen online (even after factoring in the $9.95 shipping fee). Keep in mind that advertised prices reflect rebates, so it’s best to read the fine print. This site is for you if you’re willing to submit a rebate form in exchange for major savings.

Lens.com also offers an online vision test. It is pricier than some competitors at $29.99, but the process is straightforward and you’ll receive the updated prescription within 24 hours. The site isn’t as up-to-date as other online contact retailers, but the value certainly makes up for it.

Nick Hide, managing editor at CNET, says, “I'm incredibly short-sighted with severe astigmatism, so daily lenses can't completely correct my vision. I like having some to hand, though, in case my kids want to go swimming. I found Lens.com's online eye test easy to use and the correct lenses arrived quickly with no problems. I'd definitely use it again”.

Who’s it for: Lens.com is for the budget-conscious shopper willing to put in a little work for the lowest final price. If you're shopping for a year's supply of lenses and don't mind sorting through mail-in rebates, you'll get the most savings with Lens.com. It's a solid pick for experienced contact lens wearers, students or anyone who has time to compare prices.

Why I chose 1-800 Contacts: 1-800 Contacts has saved some of my friends when they were down to the last pair and needed new contact lenses fast. The virtual prescription renewal is easy to use, and the customer service has always been top-notch. While it may not be the cheapest, it’s probably the most dependable on this list. Its Best Price Guarantee is also pretty seamless. If you find the same lenses cheaper on another site, you can contact customer service to honor the lower price, after a quick verification process through its 24/7 live chat. I also found the ExpressExam tool helpful for renewing your prescription without seeing an eye doctor in person. It takes about 10 minutes to complete on your phone or computer and costs $20. If you also wear glasses, you can get glasses on its sister website, Liingo, with the same prescription.

“I bought my first pack of contacts through 1-800 Contacts in 2018, and I've never looked back. The price was significantly cheaper, and I received a solid discount for my first order. For two boxes of the six-pack Acuvue Contacts, I paid only $90. Compared to how much I would pay to order my contacts through my eye doctor, I saved over $160 for my first order with 1-800 Contacts. My favorite part is that the service is fast and delivers straight to my home. Generally, it takes me less than a week to receive my contacts,” said Trisha Jandoc, broadband writer.

Who’s it for: 1-800 contacts is best for people who want unbeatable customer service and price protection. If you care about getting the lowest price guaranteed, need help navigating contact lens options or need to review your prescription online in minutes, 1-800 Contacts is the place for you.

Why I chose Contact Direct: What I like most about ContactsDirect is the ease of using your vision insurance at checkout. It’s one of the few online retailers where you can apply your insurance right on the site without filling out reimbursement forms. I also appreciate the wide selection of brands and the prices were affordable. ContactsDirect often sends out coupon codes to customers. It has a wide selection of lens options, including multifocal lenses, colored contacts, soft contact lenses for dry eyes, and toric lenses for astigmatism. It also offers a virtual vision test for $25 so you can renew your prescription. ContactsDirect, like 1-800 Contacts, offers price matching. It has to be the exact brand and product and in stock. You can provide a link to customer service and after a quick verification, they will match the price.

ContactsDirect offers returns on products purchased within one year if your vision changes and you need a doctor's correction. 

My colleague, Josh Goldman, managing editor at CNET, told me, “I buy daily contact lenses for my teen son. ContactsDirect's website and buying process are simple and straightforward. Its prices are competitive and they frequently offer discounts. My insurance is accepted and shipping is free. It also partners with my credit card to offer cash back.”

Who it's for: ContactsDirect is a top choice for those who value a seamless checkout with direct vision plan integration. If you're covered by VSP or EyeMed, you can apply your benefits online without submitting paperwork. It's also great for shoppers who value convenience, flexibility and name-brand lenses.

Why I chose Eyeconic: I came across Eyeconic when looking for retailers that let you use VSP insurance without having to deal with reimbursement forms. Eyeconic, which is actually owned by VSP, makes the process pretty seamless. You log in, verify your benefits and the discount automatically applies at checkout. This makes it the most insurance-friendly platform I’ve seen so far.

Eyeconic offers all of the most popular contact lens brands and often runs discounts you can stack with your insurance, leading to serious discounts. It also has one of the most generous return policies -- 60 days to return or exchange, even if the box is open.

Joe Supan, principal writer for CNET, and who has been using contacts for 22 years, says, “I've been ordering contacts online for more than 10 years, and the main thing I'm looking for is ease. Eyeconic has always made it simple. It connects to my insurance during checkout, automatically applies my benefits, and gets them shipped to me within a week. What more could I ask for?”

Who it’s for: Eyeconic is a strong choice for those with VSP and Metlife vision insurance and don’t want to deal with reimbursement processes. If you're covered by VSP or MetLife, Eyeconic lets you apply your benefits online during checkout. It's also great for people who like the security of working with a vision care provider that can connect them directly to a network of eye doctors.

Why I chose GlassesUSA: I initially researched GlassesUSA for glasses but was surprised to see its solid selection of contact lenses. Here, you can find most major contact lens brands, like DAILIES, Air Optix, Biofinity and Acuvue. The site also often runs aggressive sales or sitewide discounts, saving you money off your total cost if you time it right.

I really like its virtual prescription renewal. You need to download the app, but it’s extremely easy to use, and you’ll get your renewed prescription within 24 hours. The site is pretty up-to-date, and I found the customer service responsive when I asked about applying a promo code.

GlassesUSA doesn’t take insurance directly, but it provides itemized receipts for FSA or HSA reimbursement. They don’t have a super generous return window at only 14 days, so it’s best to double-check your prescriptions before placing an order, especially if it’s in bulk.

Who it’s for: Glasses USA is best for those who already shop here for glasses and want a one-stop shop offering everything in one place. I think GlassesUSA will be especially appealing to deal-seekers who like coupon stacking, rotating promos and bundled offers. If you dread going into an optical for vision tests, you can also so this online with GlassesUSA and can renew your prescription online.

Why I chose Contact Lens King: When price is the top priority, Contact Lens King comes out on top. I discovered it while comparison shopping and was surprised by some options' affordability. This site delivers if you have your prescription ready and want a good deal. You’ll need to manually upload your prescription, so this service is best for repeat orders. Note that for returns, you’ll need to request a return authorization before you send the unused and unopened box back, which isn’t as seamless as other retailers.

Katie Ernst, editor for CNET Money and a contact lens user for 25 years, said, “I've compared several online contact lens sites over the years, and this one consistently has the best prices on the contacts I get. I've also found their customer service to be very responsive. Once, I had a couple of torn contacts in a box I ordered, and Contact Lens King shipped me two replacement contacts. Just two individual contacts. I don't know if other sites would go through that hassle.”

Who this is for: Contact Lens King is perfect for the budget-friendly shoppers looking for bottom-barrel deals on major lens brands. It's best for repeat customers who don't need extra services. college students or frequent buyers who want to stock up for the year. All in all, I recommend this site for people who want bare-bones service with a huge focus on savings, especially those who don't need insurance.

Why I chose Costco Optical: I’m a Costco fan through and through. It’s often my go-to for value, and its contact lens prices are unbeatable. The site isn’t flashy, but I was sold once I logged in and saw the discounts. As long as you are a member, this is one of the cheapest places to buy contacts online. I’ve also found Costco consistently offers the lowest prices for major brands like Acuvue, Air Optix and Biofinity. Additionally, you can save even more if you order in bulk, especially on quarterly or annual supplies. For even deeper discounts, Costco offers contact lenses from its proprietary brand, Kirkland. While Costco doesn’t offer virtual eye exams or the most high-tech on-site experience, the value is unbeatable.

Katie Collins, editorial director at CNET, said, “Because I am prone to dry eyes, my eye doctor recommends a top-tier brand of daily disposable contacts. I've found only this brand (Acuvue Oasys Hydraluxe) to help my dry eye issue. My eye care insurance doesn't cover daily contacts, so I pay out of pocket. And I've found the cheapest place to buy contacts out of pocket is Costco (if you already have a membership).” She added that buying contacts here becomes affordable if you already have a membership and plan to use it for other shopping. She also mentioned that shipping isn't the fastest, sometimes taking up to two weeks to arrive. She cautions, “I wouldn’t rely on this service for fast shipping.”

Who this is for: Costco Optical is ideal for existing Costco members who want affordable, bulk pricing on name-brand contacts and don't mind skipping frills like virtual eye exams or online returns. I think it's a great online contact lenses retailer for budget-conscious families or anyone who shops in bulk (or likes to buy annual supplies).

Why I chose Target Optical: If you’re already a Target regular, ordering contacts through Target Optical will make sense for you. The site is intuitive to navigate -- you can find the brand you're looking for, upload your prescription, and check out within minutes. Remember that Target Optical doesn't offer virtual eye exams, so you must have a valid prescription to buy contact lenses.

I appreciate that it’s affordable and convenient. The prices may not be the cheapest, but with regular promotions, they can be competitive. Plus, let’s be honest -- it’s Target -- most of us feel more comfortable shopping somewhere reputable and easy to navigate.

CNET’s fitness writer, Giselle Castro-Sloboda, says, “It's straightforward when submitting my prescription, and it also accepts many eye insurances.”

Who this is for: Target Optical is best for busy shoppers who want affordable contacts and the added convenience of in-store pickup. It's especially great for RedCard holders who want to stack savings, families buying for multiple people and anyone who wants a one-stop shop for vision care, daily essentials and pharmacy needs.

Why I chose Moody: If you’re looking for colored contacts that look natural, Moodylenses is the place for you. The site offers cosmetic lenses, with dozens of unique shades inspired by K-beauty and global trends.

Unlike other colored contact lens brands, Moody shares information about base curve, diameter and lens material, which helps you feel more confident about wearability. All contact lenses on this site are FDA- and CE-certified. Colored contacts are available on Moodylenses with and without prescription. The site has a prescription verification system to ensure compliance with regulations. You can either send a copy of your valid prescription to Moody's customer service, or it can verify it directly with your eye doctor. 

Faith Chihil, Social Producer at CNET, told me, “I've found it's more cost efficient to buy cosmetic contacts online in my prescription, as they come in smaller quantities and it gives me a chance to change up my style. I'd rather pay $20 for five pairs of contacts in a cute design than $80 for a giant box that I might outgrow.”

Who it’s for: Moodylenses is ideal for those interested in colored contacts (with or without prescription). Moody is made for shoppers who want to experiment with eye color. It's the go-to brand for beauty enthusiasts and K-beauty fans. I would recommend moody for trend-conscious users, influencers, makeup lovers who just anyone who loves to change up their look or self-expression.