If you wear glasses, you know how expensive frames can be, especially if you have a strong prescription or want designer styles. Discount Glasses aims to disrupt the eyewear industry with their huge selection of affordable, on-trend glasses for the whole family.
In this comprehensive Discount Glasses review, we‘ll take a close look at the brand‘s origins, best-selling frames, customer feedback, and more to help you decide if their glasses are the right fit for your style and budget. Let‘s dive in!
What Is Discount Glasses?
Founded in 2004, Discount Glasses is an online retailer specializing in low-cost prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and safety glasses for men, women, and kids. Their mission is to help people find stylish, high-quality eyewear at a fraction of the prices charged by traditional brick-and-mortar shops and eye doctors.
By operating exclusively online and working directly with frame and lens manufacturers, Discount Glasses is able to keep costs low and pass significant savings on to customers. They also offer virtual try-on tools, a 365-day return policy, and free shipping to make buying glasses online as easy and risk-free as possible.
With a selection of over 1,200 frames and prices starting under $40, Discount Glasses has something for every face shape, style preference, and budget. From classic aviators and wayfarers to trendy clear frames and eco-friendly glasses made from recycled materials, you‘ll find a huge variety of options for the whole family.
Discount Glasses Review: Frame Quality & Styles
To give you a sense of the range and quality you can expect from Discount Glasses, we hand-tested some of their most popular frames in different categories. Here are our thoughts:
Evergreen Wayfarer Review
Wayfarers are one of the most iconic eyeglass shapes around, and the Evergreen Wayfarer from Discount Glasses offers the classic look at an unbeatable price. This full-rim frame has a slightly rounded shape that‘s flattering on most faces and comes in versatile black and tortoise options.
We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of materials and construction on the Evergreen Wayfarer, especially for just $39. The frame is made from lightweight but sturdy TR90 plastic that flexes slightly for comfort. The barrel hinges and wire core temples feel secure and durable.
While you shouldn‘t expect ultra-premium materials at this price point, the Evergreen Wayfarer doesn‘t look or feel cheap at all. It‘s a fantastic daily glass that would be flattering on both men and women.
Savannah Aviator Review
Aviator sunglasses are another timeless style, and the Savannah Aviator from Discount Glasses nails the aesthetic at an affordable price point. This metal frame comes in silver, gold, and matte black and is available with several lens tint options.
The quality on the Savannah Aviator is impressive for the $45 price. The metal used for the bridge and temples has a smooth, substantial feel that doesn‘t feel flimsy. Adjustable silicone nose pads provide a secure, comfortable fit. The polycarbonate lenses are treated with scratch-resistant and anti-reflective coatings for enhanced durability and vision.
If you‘re looking for stylish, well-made aviators that won‘t break the bank, the Savannah Aviator is an excellent choice. The classic shape and color options are very versatile and would suit many face shapes and skin tones.
Picklez Piper Kids Glasses Review
For parents, finding glasses that are cute, comfortable, and durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of childhood is a tall order. The Picklez Piper frames from Discount Glasses check all those boxes and more, at a very reasonable $39 price point.
Available in fun two-tone color combinations like navy/red and purple/lavender, the Piper has a playful round shape that will appeal to both toddlers and grade-schoolers. The acetate frame is flexible and lightweight for comfort but sturdy enough to survive the occasional fall or sit-on.
We were impressed by the thoughtful design of the Piper, with its flexible spring hinges and cable temples that wrap around the ear for a secure fit, even on active kiddos. The glasses stayed in place well during playground romping and came out unscathed.
With the affordable price and Discount Glasses‘ generous 365-day warranty, the Piper is an excellent choice for parents who want cute, quality glasses without spending a bundle. The unisex style and colors would work equally well for girls and boys.
As you can see, Discount Glasses offers stylish, well-made frames for the whole family at very competitive prices. We tested a range of other styles as well and were consistently impressed with the quality, especially given how affordable the glasses are. The virtual try-on tool also worked well to help you find flattering frames for your face shape and size.
Discount Glasses Lenses Review
Of course, frames are only half the equation when it comes to glasses. The quality of the lenses is just as important for your vision and eye health. We‘re happy to report that Discount Glasses doesn‘t skimp on lens quality, despite their low prices.
All Discount Glasses lenses are made from lightweight, impact-resistant polycarbonate, which is a great choice for both eyeglasses and sunglasses. The lenses include scratch-resistant and anti-reflective coatings by default, which help your glasses look better and last longer.
We found the optical quality of Discount Glasses‘ lenses to be excellent, with no noticeable distortion or aberration even in stronger prescriptions. The anti-reflective coating really cuts down on glare and reflections, which is especially helpful when working on a computer or driving at night.
Discount Glasses offers all the lens customizations you‘d expect, including single-vision, progressive, and bifocal lenses, as well as upgrades like high-index materials for strong prescriptions and Transitions photochromic lenses. You can also add optional coatings like blue light blocking or mirror tints.
We were especially impressed with the pricing on lens upgrades at Discount Glasses. High-index lenses start at just $30, while many retailers charge $100+. Progressive lenses, which can often run $300+ per pair, start at $80 at Discount Glasses. These affordable upgrades make it easier to get all the features you want without blowing your budget.
Discount Glasses Reviews From Customers
To get a broader sense of how well Discount Glasses works for people, we combed through hundreds of reviews on the brand‘s site, as well as independent review platforms like Trustpilot, Sitejabber, and the Better Business Bureau. Overall, Discount Glasses enjoys mainly positive feedback from customers, with an average rating of 4.2/5 across review sites.
The most common praise we saw was for the value Discount Glasses provides. Customers consistently mentioned their surprise and delight at the high quality of glasses they received for such low prices. Many reviewers said they were able to buy multiple pairs for less than the price of one pair from their eye doctor or other retailers.
Customers also appreciate the wide selection Discount Glasses offers and how easy the site makes it to find glasses for your needs and style. The virtual try-on tool was a big hit, with many people saying it helped them choose flattering, well-fitting frames on the first try.
When it comes to service, most Discount Glasses customers report positive experiences, with responsive support and easy returns and exchanges. The 365-day return policy is one of the most generous we‘ve seen for any glasses retailer. A few reviews mentioned slow processing times on returns, but the vast majority said the process was painless and resulted in a full refund.
The only consistent complaint we noted was around insurance, with some customers experiencing issues getting their vision insurance to reimburse for Discount Glasses orders. However, this seems to be an issue on the insurance company‘s side in most cases. Discount Glasses provides all the documentation needed to file for out-of-network benefits.
Overall, the vast majority of Discount Glasses reviews from real customers are positive, with high marks for product quality, price, selection, and service. You can buy with confidence knowing you‘re likely to have a good experience and can get a refund if anything goes wrong.
How Discount Glasses Compares to Other Retailers
To see how Discount Glasses stacks up to the competition, let‘s compare it to a few other leading online glasses retailers on key factors like price, selection, and return policies:
Discount Glasses vs. Warby Parker
– Price: Discount Glasses is significantly cheaper, with frames starting around $40 vs. $95+ at Warby Parker
– Selection: Warby Parker offers around 100 frames, while Discount Glasses stocks 1,200+
– Return policy: Both offer 30-day free returns and a one-year warranty
Discount Glasses vs. Zenni Optical
– Price: Zenni has a slight edge, with frames starting at $6.95, but most Discount Glasses frames are under $50
– Selection: Both retailers offer 1000+ frame options
– Return policy: Discount Glasses‘ 365-day return policy is much more generous than Zenni‘s 30-day policy
Discount Glasses vs. 39DollarGlasses
– Price: 39DollarGlasses offers cheaper basic frames, but lens/coating upgrades are pricier than Discount Glasses
– Selection: Discount Glasses offers 4x more frames than 39DollarGlasses
– Return policy: Discount Glasses allows returns within 365 days vs. 90 days for 39DollarGlasses
Overall, Discount Glasses compares very favorably to other budget-friendly online glasses retailers, with an unbeatable combination of low prices, huge selection, and an extremely generous return policy and warranty. While you may be able to find slightly cheaper frames at Zenni or 39DollarGlasses, Discount Glasses offers the best all-around value and shopping experience in our opinion.
Discount Glasses Review: Pros and Cons
To summarize, here are the key advantages and drawbacks of buying glasses from Discount Glasses:
Pros
– Huge selection of 1,200+ frames for men, women, and kids
– Very affordable prices, with frames starting at $39
– High-quality frames and lenses for the price
– Generous 365-day return policy and warranty
– Free US shipping and easy returns
– Virtual try-on tool to help you find flattering frames
– Responsive customer service and mostly positive reviews
Cons
– Some reviews mention slow return processing times
– Can‘t use vision insurance directly (but can submit for reimbursement)
– No in-person try-on option, unlike some competitors
Bottom Line: Is Discount Glasses Worth It?
After our thorough evaluation, we highly recommend Discount Glasses to anyone looking for stylish, high-quality eyewear on a budget. The combination of low prices, large selection, and generous policies makes them an excellent choice for the whole family.
While buying glasses online may feel risky compared to in-person shopping, Discount Glasses makes the process easy and stress-free with their virtual try-on tools, affordable prices, and 365-day return policy. You can shop with confidence knowing you‘re getting great value and have a full year to make sure your new glasses work for you.
If you‘ve been putting off buying new glasses because of cost or confusion, give Discount Glasses a try. With frames starting under $40, you really have nothing to lose and may just find your new favorite pair of glasses.
