Best Places to Buy Sunglasses Online in 2023

Sunglasses offer protection from UV light and are essential for keeping your eyes healthy. And each pair offers a fresh opportunity to express your unique sense of style.  Buying sunglasses online is an easy way to protect your health, find new styles, and stay on top of trends.

If you are active in sports such as fishing, biking, boating, hiking, running, and golfing, protecting your eyes is essential. Choosing polarized glasses can help you protect your vision and reduce glare. The best sports glasses will not slip or interfere with athletic performance. 

If you’re looking for sunglasses for everyday wear, check out the many options available online. You will find great selections of frames, colors, and sizes at various price points. 

With so many sunglasses to choose from, it helps to focus your search. Start by identifying your face shape, and browse selections best suited for your face. Consider your lifestyle and any specific needs before you dive into your search.

Here are some of the best places to buy sunglasses online in 2023, depending on your needs:

Best Overall Place to Buy Sunglasses Online: Warby Parker

Warby Parker offers a robust inventory of sunglasses.

Notable Features

• They feature a broad selection of moderately priced, quality sunglasses.
• They offer prescription options.
• Scratch-resistant lenses block 100% of UVA/UVB rays.

Try-On Options

• They offer virtual try-on with augmented reality (AR).
• They also offer home try-on, where you can get five pairs to try for five days for free.

Shipping & Returns

• They offer free shipping and free returns.

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Best Convenient Marketplace for Sunglasses Online: Amazon

Amazon offers an easy and convenient marketplace for sunglasses with their free shipping and free returns policies.

Notable Features

• With their huge marketplace, Amazon gives customers access to thousands of style options.
• They offer both designer brands and budget selections.
• They have well over 100 brands to choose from.

Try-On Option

• With Prime, you can try before you buy with at-home trying options for 7 days.

Shipping & Returns

• They have a generous return policy, as most sunglasses can be returned for free.
• With Prime, you’ll get free shipping. 
• Their shipping is fast, so you’ll get your sunglasses quickly.

Best Outdoors Sunglasses Online: Backcountry

Backcountry has a wide inventory of sunglasses for men and women.

Notable Features

• They feature 30 popular brands for outdoor wear.
• They offer a lowest price guarantee.
• They have a loyalty rewards program.

Shipping & Returns

• They offer full refunds on unused glasses. 
• They offer free shipping in the United States for orders over $50.

Best Fishing Sunglasses Online: Cabelas

Cabelas offers a large inventory of fishing sunglasses.

Notable Features

• They offer a wide selection of polarized fishing sunglasses.
• You can choose from 11 popular brands for fishing enthusiasts.

Shipping & Returns

• They offer free shipping in the United States for orders over $50.
• You can easily get refunds or exchanges at Cabelas or Bass Pro Shops.

Best Style at a Budget Sunglasses Online: Zenni Optical

Zenni Optical has a large inventory of sunglasses to suit all styles and tastes.

Notable Features

• They have a 100 percent satisfaction guaranteed policy.
• They have sold more than 40 million pairs of glasses.
• They offer award-winning customer service
• With more than 2,500 styles to choose from, you are likely to find something you like here.

Try-On Option

• They offer a virtual try-on feature, so you can see how the sunglasses will look on you.

Shipping & Returns

• They have a 30-day return policy.

Best Athletic Performance Sunglasses Online: Roka

Roka offers high-performance, high-quality sunglasses.

Notable Features

• These premium frames are very light. 
• You can get them with prescription lenses.
• They offer a great selection of athletic performance sunglasses.
• These sunglasses weigh less than an ounce.
• They are made from a never-slip patented material. 

Shipping & Returns

• They offer free standard shipping in the U.S. on orders over $150.
• They have a 30-day return policy on non-prescription glasses.

Best Speedy Delivery Sunglasses Online: EyeBuyDirect

EyeBuyDirect has a large inventory of affordable, quality sunglasses.

Notable Features

• They offer affordable eyewear choices in over 3,000 styles.
• Prices start at $6.
• They are an online-only retailer.

Try-On Option

• They offer a virtual try-on feature.

Shipping & Returns

• They offer free shipping.
• They have a 14-day return/exchange policy.

Best Budget Conscious Sunglasses Online: GlassesUSA

GlassesUSA offers cute and quality sunglasses for affordable prices.

Notable Features

• They offer up to 65 percent off sunglasses.
• They feature thousands of styles.
• Sunglasses prices start at $19.

Try-On Option

• They offer a virtual try-on feature.

Shipping & Returns

• They offer free shipping. 
• They offer free returns within 14 days.

Best Affordable U.S. Made Sunglasses Online: Knockaround

Knockaround features a bevy of stylish and affordable sunglasses.

Notable Features

• You can design your own sunglasses from their 15 frame options.
• You’re able to customize each part of the frame and lens.

Shipping & Returns

• They offer free shipping on all orders. 
• They offer free returns on standard glasses.

Best Fashion Brand Sunglasses Online: Revolve

Revolve offers stylish sunglasses from popular brands.

Notable Features

• They offer a price match policy, ensuring you get a good deal.
• Customers can access free expert style services.

Shipping & Returns

• They offer free shipping in the U.S.
• You can return or exchange items for 60 days.

Best Trend-Setting Sunglasses Online: Quay Australia

Quay Australia has a wide array of sunglass offerings, including a variety of styles for men and women.

Notable Features

• They offer fashionable and trendy options.
• They feature buy one, get one free promos.

Try-On Option

• The site has a virtual try-on feature.

Shipping & Returns

• They offer a 30-day return or exchange policy.

What About Prescription Sunglasses? 

Many online retailers offer prescription lenses for sunglasses. Some frames are labeled as able to fit prescription lenses. Make sure to confirm that the sunglasses you like can accommodate prescription lenses.

Buying Sunglasses Online vs. in Person 

There are clear benefits to buying sunglasses online, but there are also some perks to in-person shopping.

Pros & Cons of Online Shopping

Shopping online is easy, convenient, and fast, and it may offer the lowest cost options. Online shopping for non-prescription sunglasses is a breeze. If you have a prescription, the process of ordering prescription sunglasses online is also straightforward. 

When shopping online, it is not always clear how much lens upgrades cost. If you have an unusual, strong, or complicated prescription, some sites will not fill your order. 

Pros & Cons of Shopping in Person

When you shop for sunglasses in person, the most obvious benefit is you can try the sunglasses on and see how they actually look on your face. While virtual try-on apps have remedied some of this issue for online shoppers, there is still no substitute for actually trying on the glasses in person. 

If you get prescription sunglasses, it can be helpful to get them from your eye doctor. This way, your doctor can ensure they fit your face well and the prescription is accurate.

Buying sunglasses from an optician can be the most expensive way to find the perfect pair of sunglasses. Opticians and optical shops affiliated with doctors often offer high-end frames with high price points. Many opticians and optical shops do not offer robust discounts, sales, or seasonal specials.

Shopping for Sunglasses FAQs

Which online sunglasses store is best?

There isn’t a clear-cut winner, as the best depends on what you are looking for, and there is no shortage of solid options.

Look for online retailers that carry a wide variety of frames, so you can find the perfect pair for you. Choose a site with a good return policy and warranty. Virtual try-on features can be helpful.

Is buying sunglasses online a good idea?

Buying sunglasses online is a smart way to save money and time. You can browse a wide selection of options, with no commute, hassle, or pressure to buy. Many retailers offer good return policies, so there is no obligation if you don’t like how the sunglasses look or feel in person.

What is the cheapest way to buy prescription sunglasses?

Online retailers generally offer the best prices on prescription sunglasses. You’ll need a valid prescription from your eye doctor first, so make sure you have that in hand before you begin shopping. Keep an eye out for specials and promos to ensure you get the best pricing on your prescription sunglasses.

References

1. The Sun, UV Light and Your Eyes. (June 2020). American Academy of Ophthalmology.

2. Sports and Your Eyes. National Eye Institute.

3. Are Polarized Sunglasses Worth the Extra Money? (July 2019). Cleveland Clinic.

4. Interpupillary Distance. American Academy of Ophthalmology.

5. Tips for Choosing the Best Sunglasses. (June 2021). American Academy of Ophthalmology.