Eyeglasses are a necessity for millions of people, but finding affordable, stylish frames hasn‘t always been easy – especially for kids. Pair Eyewear is on a mission to change that with their innovative eyewear that allows you to change up your style in seconds.
In this in-depth Pair Eyewear review, I‘ll take a close look at the brand‘s offerings, customer experiences, and how they compare to other options to help you decide if their frames are the right fit for you or your child. Let‘s dive in!
What is Pair Eyewear?
Founded in 2017 by Nathan Kondamuri and Sophia Edelstein, Pair Eyewear is a direct-to-consumer eyewear brand that‘s shaking up the industry with their unique customizable frames. The concept is simple yet brilliant:
Pair offers a curated selection of attractive, durable base frames in a variety of colors. But the magic is in their "top frames" – magnetic, snap-on accessories that instantly change the look of your glasses. From bold patterns to classic tortoiseshell to licensed designs from Marvel, Harry Potter, and more, the top frames allow you to change up your style whenever the mood strikes.
Best of all, Pair keeps prices affordable, with frames starting at just $60 including prescription lenses. By cutting out the middleman and costly licensing fees, Pair passes significant savings onto the customer.
The Pair Eyewear Founders‘ Story
Pair Eyewear was born out of co-founder Nathan Kondamuri‘s lifelong frustration with the eyewear shopping experience. As someone who started wearing glasses at age 8, Nathan felt that glasses were an extension of his identity – but the options available to him as a kid were extremely limited and overpriced.
In 2017, while studying at Stanford, Nathan met Sophia Edelstein and discovered she shared his passion for shaking up the eyewear industry. Together, they launched Pair Eyewear with the goal of offering high-quality, beautifully designed glasses at a revolutionary price point.
Since then, Pair has taken off, attracting investments from Shark Tank and licensing partnerships with leading brands. But at their core, Pair remains dedicated to their original mission of making eyewear more fun, accessible, and affordable for everyone.
Pair Eyewear‘s Most Popular Styles
While Pair offers an impressive variety of frame styles for both kids and adults, a few models stand out as customer favorites. Here‘s a closer look at some of their bestsellers:
The Larkin
The Larkin is Pair‘s take on the classic rectangular silhouette and their most popular frame overall. Available in both eye and sunglasses styles, the Larkin flatters a wide range of face shapes with its proportionate, medium-width design.
Like all Pair frames, the Larkin is crafted from premium cellulose acetate and stainless steel for exceptional durability and comfort. Adjustable nose pads and a variety of fun colors make this frame a versatile choice for all-day wear.
Reviewers rave about the Larkin‘s quality, lightweight feel, and ability to adapt to any look with Pair‘s top frames. One customer shared, "The Larkin is a workhorse. It looks great with every top frame I‘ve tried and the quality is incredible for the price."
The Twain
Retro round frames are having a moment, and Pair‘s Twain model puts a modern spin on the iconic style. With a keyhole bridge, coin-edge detailing, and a slightly narrow shape, it‘s a statement-maker that‘s still wearable for every day.
Customers love the Twain‘s cool, scholarly vibe and the way the round lenses complement angular and heart-shaped faces. "These are even better in person," one reviewer said. "The details and craftsmanship are outstanding. I get compliments constantly when I wear my Twains."
The Casper
Trendy yet timeless, the Casper is an ode to classic horn-rimmed glasses with a few thoughtful updates. A slightly taller lens shape and softly curved browline set this frame apart and add a touch of sophistication.
Described by reviewers as "retro yet modern" and "the perfect mix of stylish and professional," the Casper has become a go-to for many Pair customers. Several teachers mentioned they love how the Casper‘s studious look commands respect in the classroom while still allowing them to show off their personality with Top Frames.
The Percy
Pair‘s take on the aviator is a hit with kids and adults alike thanks to its universally flattering shape. The Percy features a slightly angular browline, adjustable nose pads, and a metal frame that‘s both lightweight and remarkably durable.
With a shape that‘s a bit more square than a traditional aviator, the Percy looks great on round, oval, and heart-shaped faces. Reviewers appreciate the frame‘s gender-neutral look and high-quality construction that holds up to daily wear and tear.
"I was hesitant about metal frames because my last few pairs got bent out of shape so easily," one customer said. "But the Percy is so well-made and sturdy. My kid is tough on glasses and these have held up amazingly with no issues."
Top Frames: The Key to Pair‘s Customization
Now that we‘ve covered some of Pair‘s most popular base frames, let‘s talk about the real stars of the show: Top Frames. These magnetic, interchangeable accessories snap onto any Pair base frame to completely change the look of your glasses in seconds.
With hundreds of Top Frame designs to choose from, the customization possibilities are truly endless. Pair releases new collections regularly, often in collaboration with iconic brands and artists. Some of their most popular Top Frame collections include:
Harry Potter Collection
Bring a little magic to your eyewear with Pair‘s officially licensed Harry Potter collection. Each Hogwarts house is represented with multiple Top Frame designs featuring the house crests, colors, and patterns.
Marvel Collection
Assemble your perfect glasses with Pair‘s Marvel collection, featuring Earth‘s Mightiest Heroes. From subtle comic book-inspired prints to bold character designs, there‘s a Top Frame for every Marvel fan.
NBA Collection
Rep your favorite team with Pair‘s NBA Top Frames. Each features the team‘s logo and colors on a clear acetate frame for a subtle way to show your spirit.
Seasonal and Holiday Collections
Pair regularly releases limited-edition Top Frame collections for holidays and seasons. From spooky Halloween designs to sparkly holiday frames to pretty florals for spring, they make it easy to refresh your look for any occasion.
In addition to these themed collections, Pair offers a wide assortment of everyday Top Frame designs. Tortoiseshell, classic patterns like stripes and polka dots, and bright solid colors are just a few of the options available year-round.
Reviewers love the Top Frames concept and rave about how easy they are to change out. Several teachers mentioned that Top Frames allow them to maintain a professional look while still expressing their personal style.
Parents also appreciate how Top Frames make glasses more fun and appealing for kids. "My daughter was dreading getting glasses until we found Pair," one customer shared. "Now she‘s excited to pick out her Top Frames each morning. It‘s made all the difference for her!"
Pair Eyewear for Kids
Speaking of kids, Pair offers an impressive selection of frames specifically designed for children. The brand‘s founders understand firsthand how challenging it can be to find stylish, affordable glasses for kids, and they‘ve made it their mission to make the process easier for families.
Pair‘s kids‘ frames feature all the same quality materials and construction as their adult glasses but in smaller, kid-friendly sizes. Durable hinges, flexible acetate, and polycarbonate lenses make them ideal for active kids.
In addition to Top Frames from their brand collaborations, Pair also offers playful kid-specific top frame designs like rainbows, dinosaurs, and emojis. These allow children to express their personalities and make wearing glasses feel more fun.
Parents appreciate Pair‘s affordable prices, especially for quickly growing kids who may need new frames every year. "With Pair‘s prices, I can afford to get my son two pairs of glasses instead of making him choose just one," one reviewer shared. "It‘s such a relief not to stress about the cost."
Customer Reviews and Experiences
Now that we‘ve covered Pair‘s offerings, let‘s take a look at what real customers have to say about the brand. Overall, Pair Eyewear reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with customers praising the frames‘ quality, style, and value for money.
On Pair‘s website, their frames have an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 5,000 reviews. Customers repeatedly mention the impressive craftsmanship, lightweight comfort, and fast, easy ordering process.
Several reviews mentioned that they were hesitant to order glasses online but were blown away by how well their Pair glasses fit. "I have a really high prescription and have always had trouble finding glasses that fit well," one customer said. "My Pair glasses are the most comfortable I‘ve ever owned. I‘m so glad I gave them a shot."
Reviewers also appreciate Pair‘s generous return policy, which allows for free returns and exchanges within 30 days – even if you simply change your mind. "I ordered a couple different frames to try and ended up returning one that didn‘t quite suit me," a customer shared. "The return process was super easy and I had my money back in just a few days."
Of course, no brand is perfect and there are a few occasional negative reviews. Some customers experienced delays in shipping or receiving the wrong prescription – but the vast majority of these reviewers updated their reviews to reflect that Pair‘s customer service team quickly resolved the issue.
The only consistent complaint seems to be around Pair‘s virtual try-on tool, which some customers found to be glitchy or inaccurate. However, most still ended up happy with their glasses and the 30-day return policy provides peace of mind for those unsure about ordering online.
How Pair Stacks Up to the Competition
In the world of direct-to-consumer eyewear, Pair stands out for their unique customization options and affordable prices. Let‘s see how they compare to a few other popular online glasses retailers:
Warby Parker
- Offers a similar at-home try-on program and 30-day return policy
- More expensive, with frames starting at $95
- Focuses more on traditional frame styles rather than customization
- Offers a virtual try-on tool that gets mixed reviews
Zenni Optical
- Even more affordable than Pair, with frames starting at just $6.95
- Huge selection of frames but no customization options
- Wide variety of lens options including progressives, transitions, and more
- Ships internationally
EyeBuyDirect
- Prices are similar to Pair, with frames starting around $70
- Offers a virtual try-on tool and 14-day return policy
- Has a larger selection of frames but no interchangeable options like Pair‘s Top Frames
Overall, if customization and style are your top priorities, Pair is hard to beat. While you may be able to find cheaper frames from Zenni or a similar retailer, Pair offers unmatched options for changing up your look at a still very affordable price point.
Pair Eyewear Policies and Perks
To wrap up this Pair Eyewear review, let‘s take a quick look at some of the brand‘s key policies and perks:
- Free shipping and returns on all orders
- 30-day return policy, even if you‘ve had lenses put in
- One-year warranty against manufacturing defects
- Flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA) eligible
- Referral program: Give $20, get $20
- Get 15% off when you buy two or more pairs of Top Frames
It‘s also worth noting that Pair is in network with many vision insurance providers including Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare. If you have out-of-network benefits, you can submit your receipt for reimbursement.
The Verdict: Is Pair Eyewear Worth It?
After thoroughly researching and testing Pair Eyewear, I‘m confident in recommending the brand – especially for families and anyone who loves to express their personal style.
Pair‘s frames are remarkably well-made for the price, with quality materials and construction that feel much more expensive than they are. The ability to completely change the look of your glasses with a simple Top Frame swap is a game-changer that no other brand offers.
For kids, Pair‘s customization options and affordable prices make the process of getting glasses fun rather than stressful. And for adults, the ability to experiment with different looks without breaking the bank is incredibly appealing.
Of course, Pair isn‘t the absolute cheapest option out there. If you‘re looking for the most budget-friendly frames possible and don‘t care about customization, you may be able to find a lower price from a mega-retailer like Zenni.
But if you‘re looking for affordable, high-quality frames that allow you to express your personality, Pair Eyewear is an excellent choice. Their 30-day return policy and stellar customer service make ordering online a breeze – and the compliments you‘ll get on your new look are just a bonus.
