While there are plenty of reputable places to purchase contacts, we rounded up a few of the best retailers on the market today to make your search a little easier.
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Best Overall: Discount Contact Lenses
Pros
- Wide selection of lenses
- Generally lower prices
- Regular chances for cost savings
Cons
- Return policies vary by product
- Out-of-network insurance reimbursement only
You still get most contact lenses that you’ll find on other sites, but at a more affordable price when you order from Discount Contact Lenses. Most packs ring in at well under $100, while other companies offer lenses in the triple digits.
In addition to the actual contact lenses, you can also find a range of eye care products on the site, like solutions and cases for your contacts, as well as sunglasses and reading glasses. If you don’t need better eyesight, but you do want colored contacts, this site offers that too—all at prices that won’t break the bank.
Price: Average $30 to $50 | Subscription Orders: Yes | Shipping Time: Standard (5-7 business days)
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Best Budget: AC Lens
Pros
- Always 20% off first order
Cons
- Free shipping only with $99 orders
- Return policies vary by product
- Out-of-network insurance reimbursement only
With more than 42 brands to choose from, you’ll find the best contact lenses for you—and all at an affordable price. New members also get 20% off on all contact lenses, so you save a little money with your first-time order.
Because the company has been around since 1995, they’ve got the system down, with easy navigation to order contacts online. If you do have a question, you can give them a call as well. Keep in mind, you do have to spend $99 to get free shipping with an online order at this site.
Price: Average $30 to $50 | Subscription Orders: Yes | Shipping Time: Standard (5-7 business days)
Best for Convenience: 1800contacts.com
Pros
- Automated shipments on your schedule
- Flexible return and exchange policy
- Next-day delivery
- In-network insurance and FSA/HSA spending options
Cons
- Some returns may be store credit, not money back
- Some customers complain about poor service or communication
If you want to make sure you get a fresh set of lenses every month, then the 1800contacts.com page should get a spot on your bookmark list. You can easily input your prescription information—and update it at any time—and you'll automatically get your contacts when you need them, without even thinking about it.
If you decide not to do the subscription and realize you're out of lenses, you can also order a set for next-day delivery. Better yet, if your Rx changes and you still have some lenses left, you can send back the remaining unopened boxes for money toward your next order.
Price: Average $40 to $60 | Subscription Orders: Yes | Shipping Time: Standard (5-7 business days)
Best One-Stop Shop: Lenscrafters
Pros
- Eye exams and lenses at same location
- Wide variety of brands and styles
- Many types of insurance and HSA/FSA accepted
Cons
- Limited variety of pack sizes
- Only 30 days for returns or exchanges
Get your eye exam and prescription and order contacts (and glasses, if you want them, too), all at Lenscrafters locations across the country. The vision care center offers a few different brands, and your eye doctor can easily suggest which would be best for you. Choose from different pack sizes, from a few dailies to a three-month supply of monthlies. You can also find contacts for different conditions like astigmatism or multifocal lenses.
Besides the option to buy in-person, you can also easily order contacts online from Lenscrafters—a good idea if you’re just looking for a renewal and want to get it done quickly.
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Price: Average $50 to $80 | Subscription Orders: No | Shipping Time: Ground (5-7 business days)
Best for Buying Only Online: Coastal
Pros
- Price match guarantee
- Easy reordering process
Cons
- Some restrictions on returns and exchanges
- No online eye exam offered
Known for their buy-one, give-one glasses, you can find more than just a pair of spectacles at Coastal. They also offer contact lenses, which you can easily order (and re-order) when you need them. If you aren’t sure how, they have an online chat option so a rep can help you out. They offer a price match guarantee, too, so you can get them inexpensively.
Coastal also offers colored contact lenses and “enhancers” that simply magnify the natural color of your eyes.
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Price: Average $50 to $70 | Subscription Orders: No | Shipping Time: Standard (3-5 business days)
Best for Scoring Deals: Walgreens
Pros
- Wide selection of brands
- Frequent discounts and rebate offers
- Free standard shipping on all lens orders
Cons
- Prices vary widely across brands and styles
- Returns are not accepted unless there is damage or error
Order popular brands like Dailies, Acuvue, or Bausch & Lomb (among others) for your everyday contact wearing. The Walgreens site often offers discounts on lenses—in fact, right now you can snag a 20-%-off deal on all contact lenses that the retailer sells.
Besides keeping contacts budget-friendly, Walgreens also offers tons of options for you to choose the right set. You can get daily disposables or pairs you toss after a month or a week; opt for colored lenses to change your pupil hue or focus on multifocal if you need better sight near and far.
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Price: Anywhere from $40 to $100 | Subscription Orders: No | Shipping Time: Standard (3-4 business days)
Best Subscription Service: Web Eye Care
Pros
- Text notifications about shipping and delivery
- Free shipping
- Flexible subscription plan for changing shipping window
Cons
- Customer pays postage for returns
- Prices vary widely across brands and styles
Web Eye Care has a great selection of popular contact lenses at incredibly affordable prices, and their subscription service makes the contact-buying experience hassle-free—you can even reorder with Alexa.
If you're someone who waits by the window to watch for your package delivery, sign up for SMS notifications so you know exactly what's going on with your order (and shipping is free!). Life happens, and if you need to postpone or change your subscription, logging into your account to change the timing is a breeze. Want to cancel? Just text, email, or call and they take care of you right away.
Price: Anywhere from $40 to $100 | Subscription Orders: Yes | Shipping Time: Business Day Ground (5-10 business days)
(sources: verywellhealth.com, webmd.com)