Best Kids’ Glasses Online 2022

Believe it or not, you can purchase a great pair of kids’ glasses online. Whether you’re searching for prescription lenses, teeny toddler specs or blue light glasses for older kids, online retailers make it easy to choose frames, upload prescriptions and pick the best features for your child. For example, our top pick, Zenni Optical, offers a wide range of extremely affordable kids’ glasses, which can be checked out with the virtual try-on feature.

But when making a decision that’s so specific to the individual—both in terms of fit and functionality—there are some extra factors to consider before making your final purchase. Finding the right pair of kids’ glasses online takes some research and attention to detail. To simplify your search and save you some digging, we’ve gathered seven popular eyewear brands and highlighted the most useful information, from general turnaround times to return policies—and whether they accept insurance, HSA or FSA.

Best Kids’ Glasses Overall

A Simple Shopping Experience That Won’t Break The Bank

  • Turnaround time: 14-21 business days with standard shipping, expedited shipping options available
  • Return policy: 30 days for store credit refund 
  • Insurance accepted: No, but accepts HSA and FSA

If you’re new to buying kids’ glasses online, Zenni Optical’s easy-to-navigate site is a great place to start. You can shop by age range—toddler, little kid, pre-teen and teen categories—to find the size, style and features that’ll suit your child. (For instance, you might want flexible frames with kid-friendly glasses straps for tots or affordable yet cool-looking specs for tweens). After finding frames your kiddo might like, give the site’s virtual try-on button a go. Once you pick a pair, they’re easy to customize: Choose from prescription lenses, blue-light blockers, sunglasses or transitional lenses, and then select add-ons like specialty coatings and extra accessories.

Zenni offers more than a seamless shopping experience. The glasses are very affordable, with prices starting between $10 to $46 before upgrades (most are in the $16 to $25 range). The icing on the cake is the company’s 30-day return policy that offers a 100% store credit or a 50% cash refund via Paypal (excluding shipping). Certain aspects of the glasses are also covered under warranty, like free replacements for damaged frames within the first 30 days and replacement of defective anti-reflective coatings or photochromatic films within one year.

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Best Customizable Kids’ Glasses

Snap-On Covers Let Kids Switch Up Their Style

  • Turnaround time: 10-14 business days, expedited shipping options available
  • Return policy: 30 days
  • Insurance accepted: No, but accepts HSA and FSA

Do you have a child who can’t make up their mind? You might want to consider Pair Eyewear. Created especially for kids, the brand name is actually a play on words—you can order clip-on covers to change the look of the frames, effectively getting multiple pairs in one. While glasses start at $60, including prescription or non-prescription lenses (with the exception of progressives), specialty add-ons like blue light filtering and light responsiveness are an additional charge and toppers range from $25 to $30 a pop. 

The base styles come in five flattering shapes and your choice of six neutral(ish) colors, from clear to classic tortoiseshell. But youngsters can really express themselves with the covers, which offer everything from funky patterns to Sesame Street characters to sports team logos and more. They can also choose tinted sun tops that transform their glasses to sunnies in a snap.


Best Variety Of Kids’ Glasses

A Ton Of Options Means Finding The Exact Pair They Want

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  • Turnaround time: 10-16 business days, expedited shipping options available
  • Return policy: 14 days
  • Insurance accepted: Yes, and accepts FSA and HSA

If variety is what you’re after (or a specific brand, style or set of features) Glasses USA won’t disappoint. Although the thought of sifting through hundreds of kids’ frames may sound overwhelming, easy-to-use filters—in which you can sort by age, frame shape, brand, color, price and more—will make your search more manageable. Even better, most come with free single-vision prescription if you need it, with optional add-ons like blue light blocking and light transitioning. 

You can also score deep discounts at the massive optical retailer, with clearance sales, deals, coupons and a designer outlet offering up to 60% off name brand styles. For added reassurance, Glasses USA offers a 14-day, full money-back guarantee return policy, plus free shipping and returns. (Note: The return policy excludes items purchased through an exchange or store credit.)


Best Designer Kids’ Glasses

Designer Brands Where You Already Shop

  • Turnaround time: 10-15 business days, expedited shipping options available
  • Return policy: 90 days
  • Insurance accepted: Yes, and accepts FSA and HSA

With over 400 kids’ styles from brands like Ray-Ban, Coach and Vogue, Target offers plenty of eyewear options. That said, you might be surprised to find that the majority of options, which range from $80 to $250 or more, aren’t as affordable as you’d expect. There’s also a $25 upcharge for single-vision prescription lenses, and upgrades like blue light filtering aren’t available online. 

Target Optical does accept insurance as well as HSA and FSA, which can offset or cancel the out-of-pocket cost. But the truly redeeming factor is the generous return policy, a 90-day Unconditional Guarantee that promises complete satisfaction or your money back, no questions asked. In short, if your child just wants fashion-forward frames and you’re not looking for any extra features, Target Optical is your spot, especially if you have insurance. You can also score 20% off your first purchase with code GET20, and Target is currently running an offer that allows you to return kids’ glasses damaged within the first year for a replacement pair.


Best Kids’ Glasses In Classic Styles

Classic Styles In Child-Friendly Materials

  • Turnaround time: 7-14 business days, expedited shipping options available
  • Return policy: 14 days 
  • Insurance accepted: No, but accepts HSA and FSA when affiliated with major credit cards

EyeBuyDirect’s selection of kids’ frames includes over 40 classic styles in kid-friendly materials. It’s affordable too, with prices ranging from $12 to $42 plus $7 for standard lenses (with or without prescription). And there are more upgrades you can pick and choose from including blue light blocking, sun tinting and transitional lenses. 

Another easy-to-use site, you can shop by age (juniors ages 6-8, tweens and teens) and use the size guide to find the right fit for your kid. A virtual try-on feature also offers a glimpse of how they’ll look on. And if the new specs still aren’t perfect, the company’s 14-day Fit & Style guarantee ensures you can get a replacement or refund. You’ll also appreciate the 365-Day Product Guarantee, in which customers are eligible for a one-time replacement pair if the glasses aren’t holding up as they should.


Best Affordable Kids’ Glasses

Budget-Friendly Prices And A Generous Return Policy

  • Turnaround time: 9-14 business days, expedited shipping options available
  • Return policy: 365 days
  • Insurance accepted: No, but accepts HSA and FSA

DiscountGlasses.com offers glasses for ages ranging from toddler to little kid to pre-teen to teen. With an array of brands including Disney, Converse and Picklez (the latter of which comes with a Kid-Proof Warranty), frame prices range from $10 to higher-end $130 options. Choose from non-prescription, single vision, reading or progressive lenses as well as the lens material (standard is free), and then pick add-ons like blue light filtering, sun tinting and light transitioning coatings and films. 

And even the wariest of buyers will be at ease with the ample 365-day return policy. That’s right, you have a full year to return your kids’ glasses for any reason and get free return shipping, to boot.


Best Try-Before-You-Buy Kids’ Glasses

Try Out Up To Seven Frames Before Making A Purchase

  • Turnaround time: 8-12 business days, expedited shipping options available
  • Return policy: 30 day for non-prescription glasses or frames (all prescription lenses are non-returnable)
  • Insurance accepted: No, but accepts HSA and FSA

Jonas Paul is exclusively a kids’ glasses brand and all its specs are made with quality materials designed for durability and comfort. The online retailer offers a streamlined shopping experience with frames organized by age range and gender, so you can narrow your search from the get-go. From there, you’ll have a handful of styles to choose from (and some available in as many as 11 colors), giving you and your child plenty of options without being overwhelming. While the cost of frames range from $55 to $89, basic prescription or non-prescription lenses can be added for free. You can also choose pricier upgrades like polarized sunglasses, blue light filtering and light responsiveness. 

But where this brand really shines is its at-home try-on kit, which lets you borrow a set of seven frames to test out for a week at the cost of $1. While virtual try-ons are also an option, you’ll probably want to opt for the kit, since glasses are non-returnable once prescription lenses are put in. However, Jonas Paul offers a one-year normal use warranty on lenses and a six-month warranty on frames; if they break, you’ll receive 50% off a second pair. Or, you can plan ahead: While making your initial order, grab a second pair at half price just in case with code SECONDPAIR50, slashing your overall cost per pair. Code BTS2022 will also help you save on these online glasses for kids through August 31.


How We Found The Best Kids Glasses Online

We know that taking care of your child’s eyesight is of the utmost importance to you, and we take it seriously, too. That’s why we spent the time to research and fully vet each of these online retailers for quality, professionalism and respect in the industry. Then, we compared the value and quality of the selection of each, insurance eligibility, return policy and order turnaround time. We spent time on each site so see if we genuinely enjoyed the experience and learned about any special offers or features. And perhaps most importantly, we enlisted a team of experts, doctors who know what they’re talking about, for their advice and professional opinions.

How To Shop For Kids’ Glasses Online

Shopping for glasses for your child can be stressful. There are plenty of variables to consider, and we know that this is a time-consuming, often multi-step process that begins with a doctor’s appointment and ends with (hopefully) a one-and-done glasses shopping experience, so we’re here to help make things easier.

Have The Correct Prescription On Hand

Interpreting your child’s prescription

After your kid’s RX comes in, there will be a number of possible codes on it that all mean different things. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

  • SPH: This is a number that indicates what your spherical refractive error is, which determines whether you’re near- or far-sighted. Each eye will have a number.
  • CYL: This points to the existence of an astigmatism and how it needs to be corrected.
  • Axis: Another astigmatism figure, this is what it equates to in degrees.
  • Prism: Ever notice your child’s eyes moving out of focus, or have they been diagnosed with an eye disease? If so, this will be there.
  • Add: If additional magnification is needed in their glasses, your child’s prescription will have an “add” value, something that’s common for those who need bifocals, progressives or reading glasses.

Galo Andrade, Optician and Myopia Control Specialist at GC Optics, explains that having the right prescription information on hand is key, especially when it comes to the pupillary distance (PD) measurement. “[PD] marks exactly where the center of the eye is in the lenses,” he says. “Vision won’t be perfect without this number. You can ask your ophthalmologist/optometrist when writing the prescription if they can share the PD with you. There may be a fee, but it’s important to have this very exact measurement for the most precise lens design.”

Look For Lens Features

Nicole Lord, vice president of merchandising and supply chain for My Eyelab, notes some features to look for, like a selection of lenses to suit your kid’s comfort level and lifestyle. For instance, “polycarbonate lenses are scratch-resistant and have UV protection built in,” she says. “ And the option to upgrade to blue light-blocking lenses is great for kids who spend a lot of time in front of screens.”

Consider Costs

Of course cost is another thing to keep in mind, but it’s important to look beyond the initial price tag. Make note of the retailer’s return policy, any warranties and whether or not they accept insurance or HSA or FSA. And while some glasses retailers don’t work directly with insurance companies, many plans offer a stipend to reimburse vision purchases as out-of-network expenses, so it’s worth taking a closer look at your benefits (pun intended).

If this isn’t your child’s first pair of glasses, also consider how well they’ve handled the previous pairs. If they tend to lose them, or are too young to take proper care of them, you may want to opt for the most affordable glasses or examine the warranty extra close.

Note The Return And Warranty Policies

As with any online purchase, it’s important to note the brand’s return and warranty policies. With glasses, this is especially important because a pair that feels uncomfortable (whether it’s the prescription or frame style) becomes a waste of money. Since glasses orders are customized, most return policies have limited terms; for instance, some retailers only allow exchanges, some are only for the first order and you usually have to make any return or exchange decisions within a certain timeframe. If your child is accident-prone (or, just being a kid) also look at warranty information, as some retailers will replace lenses or frames that get broken or scratched. We’ve briefly outlined each retailer’s policy above, but be sure to double-check it before clicking “buy.”

Involve Your Kid

Finally, it’s crucial to choose a set of frames that your child will actually wear. “Emotionally, it’s critical to ensure your child plays an active part of the journey,” says Doug Zarkin, CMO of Pearle Vision. “To help ease the emotional transition that many kids face, encourage your child to find a pair that they feel good about,” he says.


How To Check The Fit Of Kids’ Glasses Online

Andrade says that fit is the number one most important aspect of choosing glasses for your kid. “Parents need to be fit detectives and check all aspects of it,” he says, and points out key areas to watch out for:

  • Temple: The arms should fit comfortably along the sides of the head, as tightness “will cause discomfort and headaches,” he says.
  • Bridge: The bridge, which rests across the top of the nose, should also sit securely without pinching or falling down.
  • Frame: “If the frame is slipping constantly, it is too loose,” he says. “Depending on the shape of their nose, some kids need glasses with nose pads to keep the frame in place.”
  • Arm length: The arms of the glasses “should contour just behind the ear. If they’re extending further, the arm is not the right fit,” he says.

Shopping for kids’ glasses online isn’t as easy as picking up the rest of their school supplies, but it can save you an extra trip to the eye doctor and in many cases a good chunk of money. The best advice: Stick to a retailer that has a return policy or warranty you’re comfortable with, and take advantage of onsite live chat features or customer service numbers to ask questions along the way.


Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Children’s Eye Glasses Online

How Do I Know If My Kid Needs Glasses?

The truth is, unfortunately, you might not know. That’s according to Dr. Valerie Kattouf, Pediatric OD, optometry professor and medical reviewer for All About Vision. “The most important thing for parents to understand is that your child may need a vision correction but may not show any symptoms,” she said. There are some telltale signs that you can look out for, like squinting, blinking, eye rubbing and getting close to books or digital devices, and if they complain about frequent headaches, eye strain, and fatigue, it’s time to speak with their doctor.

Kattouf adds that children with eye issues also often struggle in school with reading and have poor fine motor skills. But kids are great at hiding things, so regular visits to the doctor are always recommended.

Can You Order Kids’ Prescription Glasses Online?

As we’ve demonstrated above, it’s more than simple and possible to order prescription glasses online, and it’s something that Kattouf supports, but with a caveat. “I always feel that the best care is given when the spectacle prescribed is ordered at the office of the prescribing doctor,” she said. When you order online at your doctor’s office, they can weigh in on your choices and you can avoid the frustration of being charged for an additional office visit if what you order doesn’t work out.

Are Online Glasses Safe?

Online glasses are often the same ones you’d find in a store or at your doctor’s office, so they’re certainly safe for your child. Kattouf stresses, however, that parents should always “research the quality of the ophthalmic lens material and be certain that polycarbonate lenses (shatterproof) are prescribed for your child,” since kids tend to break theirs.

She adds that prescriptions with additional needs and considerations, like bifocals, “should be handled by your doctor’s practice,” because it’s hard for kids to understand or verbalize if something is off.

How Should I Choose Kids’ Eyeglass Frames?

Kattouf stresses that frames that fit well are “gravely important” for kids and says that it’s “critical” for parents to work with a trained optician to know what their child’s proper fit is ahead of ordering online. If your child’s frames seem too wide for their face, slip down their nose or don’t sit straight next to the temple, you might not have the right fit, she adds.

Their eyes should be in the center of the frame, and sometimes, with heavier prescriptions, an elastic band that loops around the back of their head is needed to help keep the frames up. “There are endless considerations in a proper fitting frame,” says Kattouf, so spending time with their doctor to get every aspect of the fit right is paramount to them actually wearing them and being comfortable in them.

How Do I Keep My Kid From Breaking Or Losing Their Glasses?

Kattouf’s favorite phrase that she gives to parents to reiterate to their kids is: “If it’s not on your face, then put it in the case.”

She suggests teaching kids early on that their glasses are important to their eye health and general happiness. When glasses are removed frequently, there’s a better chance an accident will happen and they’ll come home with a smashed lens.

Kattouf recommends having several eyeglass cases around the house and in their backpack, so that there’s always a protective place for them to keep their glasses when they absolutely have to come off. Parents might also consider buying a pair of flexible frames that are much harder to break.