Never bought prescription glasses online? Well, neither had CNET’s Bridget Carey. She has now though. Watch as she breaks down the process with colleagues, sharing lessons learned, what was tricky, and how it can be worth a try to save money, even with a complex prescription.
The shops we explored in our video:
Warby Parker
GlassesUSA
EyeBuyDirect
Zenni
Like the frames we picked? See them here:
“Yana” at EyeBuyDirect
“Round Glasses 7814319″ at Zenni Optical
“Ray-Ban RX4323V” at GlassesUSA
Check out more advice in our CNET list of best places to buy glasses online:
0:00 Introduction
0:40 Initial thoughts
1:10 My personal needs
1:36 Links and information
1:43 Warby Parker
3:07 GlassesUSA and EyeBuyDirect
3:33 Getting your prescription and Pupillary Distance (PD Number)
5:22 Orders and returns
5:35 My experience
7:25 More experiences and stores
10:14 Cost: EyeBuyDirect, GlassesUSA, and Zenni
10:38 Google I/O 2014 – Countdown Clock (Behind the scenes)
7:40 Final thoughts
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Stephen Atwood
November 15, 2021 at 5:46 pm
I buy most of my shoes online and have bought 3 or 4 of my last prescription glasses from Warby Parker. I never had any problem with ordering them, Then again, I bought one pair per occasion and never tested more than one pair at a time.
Fin Fordeen
November 15, 2021 at 6:22 pm
Now that you have finally settled on a nice new pair of glass, can you clearly see all the damage you have caused to mother earth with all that packaging and freight back and forth ?!
Max Sarver
November 15, 2021 at 6:59 pm
This is a horrible video. It literally makes me sick as an optometrist prescribing glasses rx and contacts lenses rx
Max Sarver
November 15, 2021 at 7:16 pm
The glasses the other two did not option for Anti reflective coating and since you guys work at cnet staring at computers all day long you are subjecting your eyes to more glare and more headaches. Also that guy that got progressives and “use to have a prism” really should get his eyes professionally measured by an optician. We go to school for a reason so the public doesn’t have to mess you ordering glasses. We literally take state boards to dispense glasses opticians, optometrist and even ophthalmologist.
timshaw211
November 15, 2021 at 7:17 pm
Wow you look good in glasses 👍👍👍
jules
November 15, 2021 at 7:39 pm
I’ve been getting mine from Zenni. They don’t always feel great during the day but they’re fine for night Time tv watching. I have high astigmatism.
TLACE01
November 15, 2021 at 7:44 pm
Excellent 👌🏾 review
NineOneOneFx
November 15, 2021 at 7:44 pm
Throw ANY subject you can think of and Bridget will find a way to make it interesting!
Sudip Chatterjee
November 15, 2021 at 7:49 pm
I have been doing this for years. No problems yet. But here in India, the return policies are not that great. Thanks for that PD number; I didn’t know that. Next time, I’ll ask the optometrist for sure! 🤓
J4ckCr0w
November 15, 2021 at 7:49 pm
Her left ear is higher.
Kelsey Sarver
November 15, 2021 at 8:03 pm
There’s a reason most states have their Opticians board certified to fabricate, measure, and dispense glasses. Not a single rx in this video had astigmatism- getting that PD incorrect or not having an OC measurement will give you headaches. As an Optometrist myself I understand we all want to save a little money, I’m all for that, but this is your sight! The dude that wears the PAL and used to have prism – good luck getting that correct yourself online. And like someone else commented you all work at CNET put some AR on your glasses
Steve
November 15, 2021 at 8:51 pm
I did it with progressive lens and it worked out pretty good for me. Buying online was an uneasy but it worked out. I did find the frame in a local store and ordered the whole glasses online.
Danner Banks
November 15, 2021 at 8:55 pm
ZENNI
Maria Solis
November 15, 2021 at 9:23 pm
Thank you for this 😍
Wayne Bosworth
November 15, 2021 at 9:34 pm
If you have an iPhone there are apps that will automatically measure your PD (also called IPD). Top tip from a VR user 🙂
angel2901
November 15, 2021 at 10:04 pm
Bridget with glasses is a dream come true.
Robert Montgomery
November 15, 2021 at 10:43 pm
Bridget you are 5 years to late. Online glasses have been a thing for 5 years. Boring video that is 5 years late. Reporting on the past , are you serious?
Mr. Marc G.
November 15, 2021 at 11:09 pm
I’ve been using Zenni for at least 15 years, maybe closer to 20, not sure. Used them for myself, and my 2 kids just about yearly. Never had a problem. Love Zenni! So cheap I got a special pair with smaller lenses jsust to use with my VR headset. Maybe 20 bucks for simple frames with non-reflective coating. When we pay 100-200 bucks we can get all the cool features we want in our glasses. Again, I LOVE Zenni.
teitake
November 16, 2021 at 12:44 am
Jins is a great place to get glasses. Thin lenses are included in the price. They have fun and comfortable designs. I love their Airframe which is super light. They have online shopping but also several locations in the Bay Area and LA and you can get your glasses in an hour.
They are Japanese company and outside of the glasses conglomerates so they are much cheaper and innovative in their designs.