DIFF Eyewear Review: What to Know Before You Buy
DIFF Eyewear is an eyewear brand that offers a variety of sunglasses, blue light glasses, and prescription glasses.
For every pair of glasses purchased, they donate a pair of reading glasses to someone in need through their partnership with various charities. They also have a social mission to promote positive change and support various causes through their DIFF Charitable Eyewear program.
What Does DIFF Eyewear Offer?
DIFF Eyewear sells sunglasses and glasses. The company is also known for its charitable contributions.
DIFF Eyewear accepts a variety of payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, and Afterpay.
Pros & Cons
DIFF Eyewear offers a wide range of styles for both sunglasses and glasses. This ensures that customers can find a frame that suits their personal style and preferences.
They also have a philanthropic approach since they donate a pair of reading glasses to someone in need for every pair of sunglasses sold
The company has mixed reviews online, with some consumers citing issues with shipping and quality assurance. Some people found some of their offers were misleading, especially to Canadian consumers.
Some users cite difficulty navigating selection on their site since some of the filters to exclude irrelevant options don’t seem to function properly.
Cost of Glasses
Of their prescription eyewear, DIFF glasses seemed to skew toward a relatively high $100+ price point. Basic prescription lenses are usually free.
Polarized lenses cost an additional $50 and photochromic lenses cost an additional $100. Additionally, they offer the ability to get thinner lenses, blue light blocking capabilities for $35, and a 2-year protection plan for $15.
A major benefit of their pricing seems to be frequent “Buy X, Get X Free” deals, meaning customers may be able to get multiple pairs for less than the pricing discussed here might indicate.
Insurance Coverage
DIFF Eyewear is generally considered an out-of-network provider by insurance companies. This means that if you have vision insurance and want to purchase DIFF Eyewear products, you may still be able to get reimbursed for your purchase, but you will need to submit a claim. This process typically involves obtaining a receipt for your purchase from DIFF Eyewear and submitting it to your insurance provider along with a claim form.
It’s important to check with your insurance provider to understand their specific policies and reimbursement rates for out-of-network providers like DIFF Eyewear. In some cases, insurance companies may have a limit on how much they will reimburse for out-of-network purchases, so make sure you understand these limitations before making a purchase.
Shipping Information
Standard shipping with DIFF Eyewear is free for orders over $140. Standard shipping, which is called First Class Insured, otherwise costs $5.99.
Their other shipping options include the following:
- First Class Insured: 3-7 Days
- Priority Insured: 2-4 Days
- Express Insured: 1-3 Days
- UPS Next Day Air: 24-48 Hours
These options seem to be priced on par with how other retailers price these same shipping options. Their fastest delivery option, UPS Next Day Air, costs $30.
How Does Ordering Work?
The DIFF ordering process is pretty standard. Once you find a frame you like, select the color and lens type you want. If you are purchasing prescription glasses, you will need to provide your prescription information and select the appropriate lens type.
After making your selections, add the item to your cart and proceed to checkout. You will be asked to enter your shipping and payment information.
After completing your order, DIFF Eyewear will process and ship your glasses or sunglasses directly to your door. If you ordered prescription glasses, they will be made to order and may take a bit longer to arrive than non-prescription items.
How to Get Started With DIFF Eyewear
Getting started with ordering from DIFF Eyewear is a straightforward process. One of the most important requirements is that you will need a prescription in order to purchase prescription glasses from DIFF Eyewear.
If you already have a prescription from an eye doctor, you can use that information to order your glasses. When selecting your frames on the DIFF Eyewear website, you will be prompted to enter your prescription details, including your pupillary distance (PD) measurement. This information is essential for ensuring that your glasses are made to your exact specifications.
If you don’t have a current prescription, you will need to schedule an eye exam with an optometrist or ophthalmologist. During your exam, the eye doctor will perform a variety of tests to determine your vision needs and measure your prescription. They will also measure your PD, which is the distance between your pupils, in order to ensure that your glasses are properly aligned with your eyes.
Once you have your prescription and PD measurement, you can start shopping for glasses on the DIFF Eyewear website.
Reviews & Brand Reputation
DIFF has a mixed reputation online, with over 57% of reviews on Trustpilot giving the company 1-star, the lowest possible rating. Major complaints include low-quality products, bad customer service, and a pricing model that is expensive and misleading for Canadian customers. Some reviews discuss getting glasses with the wrong prescription lenses, and others discuss shipping times that are far longer than what was promised.
Is This Brand Worth It?
The company isn’t especially well reviewed, and many users claim the site is difficult to navigate if you’re looking to find the best deals. Still, some people have reviewed the site well and are happy with their products. The company does offer regular multi-buy deals.
Alternatives to Consider
Warby Parker and Eyebuydirect are well-known alternatives to DIFF Eyewear. While no company is perfect, both these retailers tend to garner positive reviews and have easy-to-use sites.
DIFF Eyewear FAQs
These are some of the most frequently asked questions about DIFF Eyewear:
Are DIFF glasses good quality?
Reviews on the quality of DIFF glasses vary. Some people find that the materials used are high quality and the frames last, while others criticize the quality. DIFF Eyewear says they use designer-quality materials in their glasses.
Who makes DIFF eyewear?
DIFF Eyewear is a direct-to-consumer company, and they distribute their glasses. They make their eyewear and sell them directly to customers.
References
Sale. DIFF Eyewear.
Shipping and Returns. DIFF Eyewear.
DIFF. Trustpilot.
The Best Places to Buy Glasses Online of 2023. USA Today.