Best places to buy replacement prescription lenses online in 2021 – CNET [CNET]

After months of lockdown and social distancing, more people are now aware that purchasing prescription glasses online from a manufacturer such as Warby Parker or one of its many online eyeglasses rivals is not only cheaper, but also a lot easier than going somewhere in person for new glasses. But while Warby will replace lenses for its frames, it won’t replace lenses for any other brand of frames, and only a smaller subset of online RX glasses outfits do lens replacements.

This is a big deal for people who have an existing frame that they love and no way to update their lenses. Even better, these online option offer some of the latest and greatest in lens technology. We’re talking way beyond simple glass lenses — multifocal lenses, lenses with anti glare coating, prescription sunglasses and so much more.

To help you narrow down your lens replacement options, I’ve pulled together a list of top replacement-lens vendors that I’ve tried. All of these companies also sell frames and full prescription eyeglass and sunglasses packages. However, one of the things that differentiates them is the option for you to send your glasses in and have their lenses replaced.

Read more: Best places to buy prescription glasses online

All of these companies will either send you a little box with a return shipping label inside to mail your glasses to them, or, if you already have a box for your glasses, they can send just the return shipping label. It’s an easy process.

If you’re wondering whether these eyewear retailers make RX lenses for audio glasses like Bose Frames and Amazon Echo Frames, most do, although only a few, like Lensabl, have officially partnered with Bose (Lensabl sells the Bose Tempo sports model, but you can also get RX lenses separately).

We’ll update this list as we get the opportunity to try more. But before we dive in, note the following prerequisites, caveats and tips: 

• Most of the prescription eyewear sites highlighted here offer some sort of discount for first-time customers.
• In most cases, you’ll need to know your prescription and pupillary distance from your optometrist before you use an online glasses retailer — so make sure you get a hard copy the next time you get your vision checked. Once you have your current prescription, most of these sites will let you upload a picture of the prescription from your phone the first time you buy prescription eyewear.
• If you don’t know your RX, certain lens-replacement outfits in this roundup can simply duplicate the lenses you have in your existing frames. (If a lens is cracked or scratched, you may simply want to replace it if your RX is current.)
• Some sites will ask you to send a description or photo of your frame (and perhaps ask for a model number if you have one), so they can prep your order and process it faster.
• Most but not all existing frames can accept new prescription lenses.
• See how to buy glasses online and save hundreds of dollars for more tips.

Read more: Use your phone to check your vision

Read more: Best places to buy sunglasses online for 2021