Best Websites to Buy Contact Lenses in 2026

6 Best Places to Order Contacts Online in 2026

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Your eyes may be the windows to your soul, but if you can’t see clearly, you may want to invest in contact lenses. You can easily find the best contacts online, but where exactly you buy them depends on a variety of factors.

Do you want to choose from a wide selection, or do you need a specific brand? Are you interested in subscriptions or in flexible returns and exchanges if your prescription changes? Do you want to use FSA/HSA funds or insurance? To help you find the best places to get contacts online, we researched multiple websites, compared benefits, and weighed the pros and cons. Then we narrowed our list down to a select few retailers that offer the most benefits for people looking for contacts online.

Our Top Picks for Online Contacts

hubble logo

Best Affordable

Hubble

Pros

  • Affordable subscription program
  • Name-brand contacts, plus in-house brands available
  • Can match you with a local eye doctor
  • Can renew prescriptions with online test
  • Accepts insurance, HSA/FSA
  • Free shipping

Cons

  • Only offers a few name-brand contacts
  • Short 14-day return/exchange window

Hubble offers both contacts and glasses. But what makes it stand out from other online competitors is its affordable in-house contact brand. In 2026, Hubble launched its Classic 2.0 dailies. New customers can get a 10-day starter supply for $1 per eye, or $2 total. After that, a 30-day supply costs $29.99 per eye, or $59.98 for both eyes.

Writer Katrina Cossey tested the Classic 2.0 contacts, and she loved the fit and hydration they provided. “The contacts have new features, like thinner edges, to help make blinking and putting them in more comfortable. The thinner edges also allow for a better fit, since it minimizes friction with the eyelid and offers more flexibility for your eye’s individual shape,” she says. “They’re also made from hioxifilcon A, a high-water-content hydrogel that’s designed to retain moisture.”

The other in-house contacts include Hydro (hydrating dailies) and SkyHy (breathable dailies), which are also available as monthly contacts. Hubble also offers popular name brands like Acuvue, Bausch + Lomb, and Biotrue. Note: The return-or-exchange window is only 14 days. You can get a full refund if the boxes are unopened. If the boxes are opened, you can only exchange them.

warby-parker-400

Best Daily Contact Lenses

Warby Parker

Pros

  • Name-brand contacts, plus in-house brand available
  • 20 percent off first order
  • Offers in-store eye exams
  • Can renew prescriptions with online test
  • Accepts insurance, HSA/FSA
  • Free shipping

Cons

  • No subscription plans
  • In-house brand may not be suitable for all eye conditions

Warby Parker is well-known for its glasses, but the company also offers many popular contact lens brands, like Acuvue, Clariti, and Biofinity.

It also offers Scout, its in-house daily contact lens brand. Scout contacts use a plastic that resists drying and provides long-lasting moisture and comfort. These daily contacts also use nearly 80 percent less packaging. The packaging design is also meant to be more hygienic, because it presents the outside of the lens when you open it. That helps minimize touching of the lens’s inner surface, which can transfer bacteria to your eye.

After you confirm your contact lens prescription, you can get a free trial pack with six days of Scout contacts before you purchase a complete set. You have 30 days to return or exchange your contacts if they’re in their original, unopened packaging.

GlassesUSA logo - square

Best Variety

GlassesUSA

Pros

  • Wide array of brands and types of lenses (daily, weekly, monthly, colors)
  • Accepts insurance, HSA/FSA
  • Free shipping (next-day, express shipping available)
  • Price-match, money-back guarantees 

Cons

  • Some users report customer-support issues, shipping delays

GlassesUSA sells major contact lens brands, including Acuvue, Biofinity, Dailies, and others. You can choose from a vast selection of contact lenses, including dailies, weeklies, monthlies, and colored contacts. The company accepts vision insurance, so you won’t have to request reimbursement if your insurance provider is supported. You can also use your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) funds to help cover some of the costs.

You have 14 days to return items. GlassesUSA also offers price-match and money-back guarantees on its contacts, with a full refund available for your first return only. You can contact customer support seven days a week from 7 a.m. to midnight, or by email 24/7.

contactsdirect transparent logo

Best With Insurance

ContactsDirect

Pros

  • Accepts most insurance vision plans
  • Can combine insurance with FSA/HSA funds
  • Offers new exams at partner locations, online renewals
  • 15 percent off for students, military, first responders, government employees, teachers

Cons

  • Some users report customer service, shipping issues

ContactsDirect lets users purchase contact lenses online with in-network vision insurance or FSA and HSA funds, and it will even help users with out-of-network insurance file claims directly with their providers. ContactsDirect accepts most insurance plans, including Aetna Vision Preferred, Anthem Blue Vision, EyeMed, Humana Vision, and Superior Vision. The online retailer automatically applies your benefits during checkout and will bill your insurance directly. Out-of-network benefits at ContactsDirect are also available for most other vision insurance plans, including MetLife, VSP, and Cigna.

ContactsDirect routinely sends out special codes to customers for discounts on orders, and if you prefer, you can have your order delivered to a local LensCrafters for in-person pickup. The brand also offers discounts for students, members of the military, first responders, nurses, teachers, and more. You can choose from many cheap contact lenses online, including multifocal lenses, color contacts, lenses designed for dry eyes, and toric lenses for astigmatism, along with single vision and bifocal contacts. You can return unopened boxes of contacts within six months if your vision changes, your optometrist adjusts your prescription, or if you’re unsatisfied with your order. Plus, if your prescription has expired, you can renew it using the ContactsDirect online eye assessment.

1-800-contacts transparent logo

Best Subscription

1 800 Contacts

Pros

  • Offers subscriptions
  • 25 percent off first order
  • Can renew prescriptions with online test
  • Accepts insurance, HSA/FSA
  • Free shipping, returns, exchanges

Cons

  • Gas-permeable contacts can only be ordered via call center
  • Some users report customer service, shipping issues

1 800 Contacts may be a good option if you’re looking for a subscription service so that you never run out of contacts. You enter your prescription information — you can change it whenever you need — and you’ll automatically get your contacts when you need them through a subscription, without any further action from you.

You can also skip, delay, or cancel your subscription. If you haven’t subscribed but realize you’re out of lenses, you can get a new pair with next-day delivery. If your contact lens prescription changes and you still have unused lenses, you can return the unopened boxes for credit toward your next purchase. The company offers a “Gajillion Percent Promise,” which includes a best-price guarantee and free returns and exchanges. You can renew your prescription by taking the online eye test. And if you tear one of your contacts, the company will replace it for free.

lensdirect-logo-1440

Best for Discounts

LensDirect

Pros

  • 20 percent off all subscription refills
  • $100 eyewear credit with subscription
  • 20 percent off for military, first responders, nurses, students, and others
  • Can renew prescriptions with online test
  • Wide array of name-brand lenses

Cons

  • Some users report difficulty getting refunds

If you’re always on the hunt for a bargain, coupons, rebates, or other money-saving options when you shop online, LensDirect is your Holy Grail. With your first order, you can get 20 percent off contacts, glasses, sunglasses, and lens replacements.

Still want more? The Subscribe & Save program offers a slew of perks: 20 percent off all refills, a $100 eyewear credit, VIP customer support, double rewards that you can apply to future orders, and more. LensDirect also offers 20 percent off contacts and 30 percent off eyewear and lens replacement for military members, first responders, nurses, doctors, government employees, teachers, and students.

Comparison Table

Superlative
Vision Exams Offered
Returns and Exchanges
Accepts Insurance and/or HSA/FSA
Best Affordable
In-store, online renewals
14 days for unopened boxes; exchange for opened
Yes
Best Daily Contact Lenses
In-store, online renewals
30 days for unopened boxes or damaged lenses
Yes
Best Lens Variety
In-store, online renewals
60 days 
Yes
Best With Insurance
Online renewals only
6 months for unopened boxes
Yes
Best Subscription
Online renewals only
No time limit
Yes
Best for Discounts
Online renewals only
30 days for unopened boxes
Yes

How We Chose the Best Places to Buy Contacts Online

To come up with our list of retailers, we conducted in-depth research on both large and small websites that sell contact lenses. We considered factors like cost, the variety of lenses and brands available, payment methods, and shipping and exchange policies. We also combed through user reviews to see what verified customers thought of their experiences. 

What to Consider When Buying Contacts Online

Here are a few things to keep in mind while buying prescription contact lenses online.

Prescription If you don’t have a current contact lens prescription, you can check an online retailer’s website to see if it offers a location finder for optometrists in your area. Other retailers provide in-house exams at their brick-and-mortar stores. Note: A prescription for glasses isn’t the same as your prescription for contacts.

Lenses If you have allergies, using daily disposable lenses might be the better option. Wearing new lenses each day can make them more comfortable during allergy season.

 If you prefer not to change your contacts daily, you can wear weekly or monthly contacts. No matter which type you choose, avoid wearing contacts (even extended-wear types) while showering, swimming, or washing your face. Soft contacts are porous and make it easy for germs or contaminants in water to get under your lenses.

Subscriptions In most cases, buying contact lenses in bulk or setting up a subscription can help you save money and time. With a recurring subscription, you also get the convenience of automatic refills and shipping. Just be aware that some retailers require a minimum number of boxes to be ordered in order to set up a subscription.

Insurance and HSA/FSA Check to see if a retailer accepts insurance and HSA/FSA funds, then find how they’re applied. The retailer may apply your benefits on checkout, or you may have to submit a reimbursement form after you make your purchase. Some sites allow you to combine insurance with HSA/FSA funds, while others may only let you use one or the other. It’s a good idea to confirm what exactly your vision insurance covers before you start shopping.

Return and Exchange Policy Some retailers offer complete refunds and exchanges. Others may only offer credit. If your contacts are damaged, either through shipping or everyday wear, make a note of any warranty information.

Do I Need a Prescription to Order Contacts Online?

Yes, you need to get a prescription from a qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist before you can purchase contact lenses online. Because contact lenses are considered medical devices, your prescription must be current to be filled. It’s important to remember, though, that getting online exams isn’t a substitute for receiving a comprehensive eye exam from an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

Is It Safe to Buy Contacts Online?

Online contact-lens retailers are generally safe and secure to use, but it’s important to do your research. Look for online customer reviews and feedback. Also check for signs of authenticity, such as contact information or physical locations, if available, on the retailer's website. You can find additional information and guidelines about purchasing contact lenses on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) website. If you have a prescription for a specific brand, be aware that a reputable retailer shouldn’t substitute another brand instead. 

FAQ

Can I use an eyeglass prescription to order online contacts?

No. Contact lenses and eyeglasses require two separate prescriptions and aren’t interchangeable.

No. Online contact lens retailers require current prescriptions. In order to buy contacts online, you have to provide your eye doctor’s contact information so your prescription can be confirmed. 
In some cases, buying contacts online can be cheaper than ordering them from the doctor’s office. But that’s not always the case. Some online retailers offer savings through discounts, promotions, coupons, or subscriptions. Before purchasing your contacts online, get a price from your doctor’s office to compare costs.

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Will Carter

Author
Will Carter is a writer and editor with nearly 10 years of experience, most recently researching and covering a wide variety of healthcare topics, including invisible braces, corre...
Lili Ladaga

Lili Ladaga

Author
Lili Ladaga is a freelance editor on the Marketplace Team at Everyday Health.
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Edmund Tsui, MD

Medical Reviewer

Edmund Tsui, MD, is an assistant professor of ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

He earned his medical degree from Dartm...

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Resources
  1. Environments Association. American Optometric Association.
  2. Can You Shower With Contacts? Cleveland Clinic. November 22, 2024.
Additional Sources