Best Light Intelligent Glasses Stores Online
Not all photochromic lenses are created equal. The Transitions brand of photochromic lenses is popular because of this exact reason: their lenses are reliably fast-responding, well-made and fairly priced. So, aside from the usual parameters, such as quality of products and service and pricing, we looked for sites that offer Transitions lenses or any other comparably high-quality photochromic lenses, and preferably several options of such lenses. They need to block most UV rays and blue light, change from clear to tinted and then to clear again quickly.
Index#1EyeBuyDirect
Pros
- Exceptionally low prices
- Good selection of frames and lenses
- Fantastic virtual try-on feature
- Free 1-year return policy for defective glasses
Cons
- Short two-week return period
- Only two known brands on offer
If you want high quality at affordable prices, then EyeBuyDirect could be the store for you. This eyewear website offers trendy and fashionable glasses with a good range of lenses and lens coatings for relatively cheap. It also offers nice alternatives to otherwise pricey products. For instance, EyeBuyDirect offers the standard Transitions glasses for $99 and the XTRActive version, which gets darker and at a faster rate than the standard Transitions lenses, for $139. But, it also offers its own in-house brand for only $36. Considering it compares well to Transitions lenses, this is a fair deal. You can, say, get a $15 frame on sale for $11, add high-index distance lenses for $10, upgrade them to photochromic lenses, and come out at the other end with a bill of just $57. This scenario isn't only possible, but probable, making EyeBuyDirect among the cheapest online glasses stores for transition glasses.
All this is without even mentioning the fact that EyeBuyDirect regularly hands out coupon codes for great promotions, like buy-1-get-1-free promotions, which can effectively cut down costs by half, and a 15% discount for new (free) subscribers. Sure, they may only offer free shipping to the US, and only give you 2 weeks to try on your new pair of glasses before the trial period ends and you can't return them, but it's all worth it for the quality you get at such an exceptionally low price. They also have fair policies, such as a generous 1-year return policy for defective glasses, so it's not like you'll be left to your own devices once the two-week return period ends.
EyeBuyDirect also offers a great selection of frames, including ones from the premium designer brands Ray-Ban, Oakley and RFLKT. They also have affordable in-house frames in store if you're looking to keep costs low without compromising on quality. You can also try them on before purchasing them using EyeBuyDirect's advanced try-on app, which lets you add a filter of the glasses of your choice to a live stream of your face, like you'd be able to do using a smartphone. This way, you can look at it from all angles and reach a more informed decision.
Specifications
Accepted Healthcare insurance
Special frames
Returns Policy
Eyeglass Selection
#2ZenniOptical
Pros
- Very low prices
- Large selection of generic frames and lenses
- 1-month no-questions-asked return policy
- Impressive lineup of highly affordable frames
Cons
- Doesn't accept insurance
- Almost no designer brands
- No free shipping
Zenni Optical is your best option if you want the lowest price available for your photochromic eyeglasses. Not only are the frames here low-cost, but upgrading your glasses to be light intelligent is surprisingly cheap as well. You can upgrade your lenses to be light intelligent for only $29, even if they're high index. You can even upgrade to photochromic blue-light filtering lenses for only $40, which is simply unparalleled. This way, you get glasses that protect your eyes both indoors and outdoors. Of course, these are not Transitions lenses, as the brand costs more, but they're comparable, and you can still pick Transitions lenses if you want. They cost $69 to $139, depending on the index of your lenses, which is still cheaper than the standard market price for them.
The focus of Zenni Optical is more on quality products and competitive prices, and less on recognized designer brands, so you won't find any Ray-Ban glasses here. Zenni does store some lesser known designer brands, such as David Ortiz, and Cynthia Rowley, but this isn't the place to look for expensive designer glasses. Most of the frames here are made by Zenni, and they're quite fashionable and well made. Zenni Optical also has a section dedicated to New Arrivals, which are frames designed according to the latest fashion trends. They're a tad bit more pricey than the standard frames on the site, but, if you find something you like there, it'll be worth the price.
There is, however, a downside to Zenni Optical, and that is their small fees for things that their competitors provide for free. For example, they charge $4.95 for standard shipping, even though it takes two to three weeks from order to arrival. There's also an option for faster shipping that takes 3-5 days to arrive, but that costs around $14 more. Zenni Optical also doesn't accept vision insurance, which can be a consideration for you if you're, say, a VSP member.
But, considering Zenni Optical's already low prices, it's still more than worth it to purchase from them. They also have a friend referral program (which can net you $5 for every person you bring in), along with seasonal promotions and glasses on sale. If you're looking to spend as little as possible, this is the place.
Specifications
Accepted Healthcare insurance
Special frames
Returns Policy
Eyeglass Selection
#3GlassesUSA
Pros
- Wide selection of frames
- Many designer brands on offer
- Affordable prices and generous discounts
- Fair shipping and returns policies
Cons
- Lenses can get expensive
- Short 14-day trial period
- Tend to push store credits when asked for refund
GlassesUSA's variety of stylish frames and generous discounts caused it to quickly rise to be one of the most popular online glasses stores in the world. Not only does it offer a wide array of designer frames and lenses, but its prices and regular promotions ensure that you could actually afford them without breaking the bank. Transitions lenses on GlassesUSA will set you back an additional $79 to $179 on top of the base price of the frame, depending on the type you choose. For instance, you can get the standard Transitions lenses for the minimum price, and the pricier XTRActive version, which gets darker faster when exposed to sunlight, for $149. GlassesUSA also sells its own in-house photochromic lenses at the low cost of $49. These get around 10% less dark than Transitions lenses, but are otherwise comparable to them in every way, taking up to a minute to fully darken, and around 15 seconds to clear.
Not only do you get a fantastic variety of transition lenses, you also get to purchase them at discount on many special occasions and holidays. GlassesUSA is known for having promotions and sales which you can take advantage of to lower the price of your glasses significantly. For example, first time shoppers on GlassesUSA can receive a coupon code via email, which can net them a 65% discount off their first purchase.
And, once you choose your desired lens, you'll find that the amount of frames you can pair it with is enormous. GlassesUSA partnered with a ton of designer brands such as Armani, Vogue, and Prada, and sells a good amount of their frames, but it also sells a fair amount of brand-less in-house frames that are just as stylish, but much less expensive.
While GlassesUSA doesn't have the best returns policy, as they only give you two weeks to return the product if it isn't to your liking, it's still fair in most regards. You don't have to have any reason to return your glasses other than "I feel like it", and returning them is free, as is their shipping.
Specifications
Accepted Healthcare insurance
Special frames
Returns Policy
Eyeglass Selection
#4DiscountGlasses
Pros
- Extremely low prices
- 1-year return policy
- Good selection of frames and lenses
Cons
- No live chat customer support
- No free shipping to outside the US
If you are discouraged by the price of transition glasses, then DiscountGlasses may be the solution to your problems. At $79 for the upgrade, the price of their Transitions lenses is completely standard, but the prices of their frames, along with their promotions, could save you a good deal of money than if you had bought them from most competitors. DiscountGlasses offers a 30% discount for new customers, and with frames costing as low as $20, you could end up getting Transitions glasses for only around $100.
The downside here is that DiscountGlasses has no in-house transition glasses, so you have to stick to the tried-and-tested-yet-pricier Transitions lenses. DiscountGlasses also doesn't have many designer brands on offer, opting to instead feature frames from less known brands such as Stetson and Caravaggio. They do offer a good selection of coating options, though, in case you prefer to spend a bit more to make your glasses scratch resistant.
The biggest upsides of DiscountGlasses are, without a doubt, its returns and shipping policies. Both are completely free, and the company even gives you a full year until you can no longer return the glasses (which you can do for any reason). Do note, though, that DiscountGlasses doesn't offer free shipping to anywhere outside of the United States. They also have no live chat customer support, but they reply quickly enough via email so you shouldn't worry about not getting a response when you need assistance. Their customer service is known to be quite exceptional, so, while it may take a few moments longer to sort out any issue, you'll nevertheless be in good hands.
Specifications
Accepted Healthcare insurance
Special frames
Returns Policy
Eyeglass Selection
#539DollarGlasses
Pros
- Affordable set price for most frames
- Wide selection of special lens coatings
- Offers re-lensing for your frames
Cons
- 30% return fee for bifocal and progressive glasses
- Customer service and shipping can be slow at times
39DollarGlasses is an online eyeglass store where every pair of standard glasses costs, well, $39. It has a set price for all frames that includes either standard prescription lenses or sun lenses. If you want to add photochromic qualities to your lenses, though, it can cost you anywhere between $70 to $150, depending on its index (how thin you want your lens to be). Since these are actual Transitions lenses, these prices are generally lower than what you could find on competitor sites. You can easily find a stylish pair of Transitions glasses here for only $109, which is fantastically affordable. They even offer special anti-reflective coating you can add to your new pair of Transitions glasses for only $25, which greatly reduces glare and resists water and smudges. This greatly helps in further protecting your eyes and improving your vision.
Since 39DollarGlasses focuses on staying low-priced, there isn't much of a selection on the site when it comes to designer brands. And in much, we mean any. 39DollarGlasses only sells its own affordable in-house frames, which, while trendy, won't start a conversation. But, if you're only interested in the glasses for their prescription, style, and photochromatic qualities, then you'll be quite satisfied with 39DollarGlasses' selection. They also have New Arrivals — frames designed according to the latest fashion trends. These do cost around $10 more than the store's set price of $39, though.
39DollarGlasses offers free shipping if the total sum of your order is over $99 (which it will be if you're purchasing transition glasses). You new pair will come with a free 1-month no-questions-asked return for full refund warranty, and a free 3-month return for full exchange or store credit warranty. Do note that bifocal and progressive lenses carry a 30% return fee, so if you intend on purchasing such lenses, you may want to consider other alternatives.
Specifications
Accepted Healthcare insurance
Special frames
Returns Policy
Eyeglass Selection
#6WarbyParker
Pros
- Good quality at a reasonable price
- Wide variety of stylish frames
- Great customer service
- At-home try-on program
Cons
- No designer brands
- Try-on tool needs to be downloaded
- One expensive photochromic option
Warby Parker is an eyeglass designer that has more than 150 stores in the US and Canada, along with an online website that boasts a unique and vast catalogue of high-quality, fashionable frames. This is the place to shop if you want cheap designer glasses with premium manufacturing and design. But, since they don't really work with other manufacturers, you won't find Transitions lenses here. Instead, Warby Parker sells its own brand of photochromic lenses that are comparable to Transitions lenses, and cost $100, which is more expensive than the standard Transitions lenses but less expensive than the EXTRActive Transitions lenses.
Like Transitions lenses, Warby Parker's photochromic lenses block both UV and blue light, so they help both when you're outdoors and indoors. Since all frames on Warby Parker cost $95, and standard single-vision lenses are free, you could potentially get yourself a new pair of transition glasses for only $195, which is surprising considering the level of Warby Parker's design, manufacturing, and services.
The downside of Warby Parkeris its lack of virtual try-on feature. If you want to check how their glasses will look on you, you'll have to download a special app, which, while simple to do, is needlessly cumbersome. Conversely, though, you could try them on in real life using Warby Parker's free "try 5 for 5" program, which lets you try 5 pairs of glasses for 5 business days before returning them.
Warby Parker offers free shipping to the United States and Canada. Standard shipping takes 10-12 business days. Warby Parker also offers free returns, and gives you 30 days from the moment of purchase to return your new glasses if they aren't to your liking. Together with its fast and responsive customer service, we consider Warby Parker to be among the best online eyeglass sellers when it comes to policies and service.
Specifications
Accepted Healthcare insurance
Special frames
Returns Policy
Eyeglass Selection
#7Eyeconic
Pros
- Lots of top-tier designer brands
- Thorough quality assurance process
- Accept vision insurance from several insurers
- SunSync lenses are up to par with Transitions
Cons
- Shipping is slow at times
- Designer frames can get expensive
- One expensive photochromic option
Eyeconic offers a great selection of frames, all of which are made by designer brands like Calvin Klein, Gucci, Lacoste, Oakley, and Ray-Ban, along with SunSync photochromic lenses, made by the main competitor of Transitions. These lenses get clearer indoors faster than the Transitions Signature, but, at $100, also cost a bit more. Like the Transitions lenses, SunSync photochromic lenses also filter a good amount of blue light, along with almost all harmful UV light.
While Eyeconic only offers designer frames, you can still get a frame for cheap among those on sale. Just don't expect anything cheaper than $150, since you won't find it here. To offset this, you could use your vision insurance if you're, say, a VSP member. Eyeconic also accepts MetLife, and Cigna Vision insurance, offering a 20% discount to any customer who links their membership. This will allow you to save up to a total of $220 on your purchase. If you have a different insurance, you can submit a claim to your provider for a potential reimbursement.
The true strength of Eyeconic is how focused they are on quality. All of Eyeconic's products undergo a thorough inspection process for quality assurance, which will ensure that what you get is of the utmost quality. And, if you still wind up disliking what you receive, then Eyeconic has a 2-month no-questions-asked return policy, so you'll be able to get a full refund with no issue whatsoever. They'll even re-lens your glasses for free should your prescription change within the first six months of your purchase.
Specifications
Accepted Healthcare insurance
Special frames
Returns Policy
Eyeglass Selection
#8LiingoEyewear
Pros
- Great return and shipping policies
- 2-month trial period
- 5-day free in-home try-on program
- Adjustment reimbursement
Cons
- No international shipping
- No designer brands
- Only one transition lens option
- Comparatively expensive
Liingo Eyewear is among the only online glasses shops that will let you try on their glasses for free. You can pick 5 pairs to try for 5 days, check how they look and feel, and then send back any pair not to your liking, completely for free. If you tend to steer clear of online shopping for the lack of a way to try on the wares, then this will be a godsend for you. This is also helped by the site's virtual try-on tool, which you can use to check out how your new pair of transition glasses will look on you.
While Liingo Eyewear's prices are relatively high compared to many other glasses sites, it's not because they have only known brands on offer. In fact, Liingo Eyewear only sells in-house frames made by them. They also only feature their own light intelligent lenses that cost $79, which is what you would expect actual Transitions lenses to cost. They do offer many deals and discounts all year long, but the base prices here are still far from being low-cost.
Luckily, Liingo Eyewear has quite generous shipping and return policies. Both are free, and you can even return your glasses within two months of purchase for any reason. Liingo Eyewear even offers to reimburse you up to $25 if you were charged for an adjustment or repair of your glasses by a third-party company. They, however, do not ship internationally, so if you live anywhere outside the United States, then this is definitely not the right site for you.
Specifications
Accepted Healthcare insurance
Special frames
Returns Policy
Eyeglass Selection
#9TargetOptical
Pros
- 3-month free return policy
- Great selection of frames
- Good coverage plan and shipping policies
- Accept a wide variety of insurance plans
Cons
- Comparatively expensive
- No cheap store brands
Target Optical, a subsidiary company of the famous Target brand, is, unsurprisingly, one of the biggest eyewear stores in the world, both online and otherwise. It has a vast stock of frames, all of which are by known designers. That, unfortunately, means that there aren't really any low-cost options on Target Optical. This isn't helped by the fact that their prices are relatively high compared to hose of its competitors. For example, Target Optical has no in-house photochromic lenses on sale, and its Transitions lenses cost a whopping $195. For some reason, this price is also the same for both the standard Transitions lenses (the Transitions Signature) and the more advanced Transitions XTActive, which should cost more than the standard version.
Still, if you're looking for brand recognition and high quality products and service, then Target Optical could be the most suitable choice for you, especially if you have a gift card or coupon that works with Target. The store boasts around ten known designer brands, such as Ray-Ban, Vogue, and Armani. They even have the advanced smart glasses made by Ray-Ban: the Ray-Ban Stories. These glasses are the next step of smart eyewear, and feature built-in Meta technology. They allow you capture photos and videos hands-free and even listen to music. They allow you to use any lens you want, and so are photochromic compatible.
Target Optical offers free shipping and returns and a generous 3-month unconditional return warranty for all products except the Ray-Ban Stories, which only have a 45-day return warranty. Target Optical also accepts many insurance plans, and for $35 they will insure your glasses for 1-year, granting you unlimited glasses repairs.
Specifications
Accepted Healthcare insurance
Special frames
Returns Policy
Eyeglass Selection
EyeBuyDirect | ZenniOptical | GlassesUSA | DiscountGlasses | 39DollarGlasses | WarbyParker | Eyeconic | LiingoEyewear | TargetOptical | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cheapest Frames | $5 | $6.95 | $39 | $12.95 | $39 | $95 | $140 | $49 | $54.50 |
Min Shipping Time | 7 days | 7 days | 7 days | 5 days | 2 days | 7 days | 14 days | 14 days | 2 days |
Max Shipping Time | 14 days | 14 days | 10 days | 7 days | 5 days | 10 days | 16 days | 16 days | 7 days |
Accepted Healthcare insurance | |||||||||
Accepts Insurance | |||||||||
Accepts FSA | |||||||||
Accepts HSA | |||||||||
Countries | International | International | International | International | International | US | US | US | US |
Special frames | |||||||||
Children's Frames | |||||||||
Designer Frames | |||||||||
Sports Frames | |||||||||
Returns Policy | |||||||||
Days to Return | 14 days | 30 days | 14 days | 365 days | 30 days | 30 days | 60 days | 60 days | 90 days |
Restocking Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Shipping Fee | $0 | $4.95 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Finding the Best Eyeglasses Retailer With Photochromic Lenses
If you need prescription glasses, then you must know how cumbersome it can be outside in the daytime. Switching back and forth between your regular glasses to prescription sunglasses is a pain, but so is having sun in your eyes. This is where light intelligent (photochromic) glasses come into the picture; these glasses automatically darken within seconds when exposed to the sun, and turn clear when indoors. They serve both as standard prescription glasses and prescription sunglasses, and are among the most convenient accessories to have when you suffer from near-sightedness or short-sightedness, especially if you don't live your whole life indoors. They're even recommended by doctors, as they help protect your eyes against harmful UV rays.
Unfortunately, though, light intelligent eyeglasses aren't sold by every online glasses company, and they can get expensive, especially the renowned Transitions lenses. If you're in the market for photochromic glasses, these sites have them, won't charge you an arm and a leg for the pleasure, and have other strengths — like great customer service and a varied selection of frames — that may be just as important to you.
Now that you know that all the sites on this list offer just that, you can focus on filtering your options according to your preferences and needs. Whether you're looking for premium designer glasses, low-cost bifocals, or anything else, you'll have several good options to choose from. All of the sites that were chosen also have a fair (and usually free) return policy, so even if you wind up being unhappy with our choice, you could return it for a full refund with ease.