We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Online retailers of eyeglasses and contact lenses have changed the consumer landscape for people with vision correction needs, providing a wider range of options, more convenient delivery, and (sometimes) more affordable prices. Two major retailers in this space are New York-based Warby Parker and San Francisco-based Zenni Optical.

If you’re trying to decide whether to purchase your next set of eyeglasses or contacts from one of these two retailers, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ll break down the differences between Warby Parker and Zenni Optical and help you decide which one is right for you.

Here’s a basic breakdown:

Since it started in 2010, Warby Parker has become known for offering a huge selection of their own eyeglasses at an affordable price.

They’re also known for their home try-on program, where customers are allowed to select up to five frames to try on at home over a 5-day period. Once you’ve decided which ones you want, you just send them all back and then select the pair you’d like to fill with your prescription.

Though all of their frames can be purchased online, Warby Parker also has many locations throughout the United States. You can find the closest retail store to you on their website.

Zenni Optical made a splash in 2003 with a rather uncharted direct-to-consumer model that cuts out the middleman and offers eyeglasses at low prices.

They keep their prices down, they don’t have any brick-and-mortar locations, and they keep the bells and whistles straightforward. That means no insurance or free shipping. It also means you can get a pair of glasses, depending on your prescription, for as little as $7.

Zenni Optical does offer a try-on feature you can use with your built-in camera. They also have a 3D try-on tool that you can use by uploading a video of yourself.

All of Warby Parker’s frames, of which there are over 100 styles, are made from either acetate, metal, or a mixture of the two. Many of their frames can be turned into sunglasses or prescription sunglasses.

In terms of lenses, they offer polycarbonate, bifocal lenses, and high index lenses of 1.67 and 1.74 strength. They also offer add-ons like blue-light-blocking lenses and light responsive lenses. They do not offer progressive lenses.

Their selection of daily, monthly, and biweekly contact lenses come from major brands like Acuvue, in addition to their own line of contact lenses, called Scout. Their daily lenses have a base curve of 8.4 millimeters and a diameter of 14.2 mm.

Zenni Optical’s extensive selection of over 6,000 frames includes materials like acetate, steel, and titanium. Most of their frames are also available as sunglasses, and they offer single vision, bifocal, progressive, and high index lenses.

They do throw in anti-scratch coating and ultraviolet (UV) protection for free. Blue light protection is available starting at $16.95. Zenni Optical does not sell contact lenses.

Warby Parker is on the lower price end of eyewear retail, especially compared to what you pay in an optometrist’s office, but they are not the cheapest. You can expect to pay about $95 as a baseline for prescription eyeglasses, with the real bump in price coming from add-on features like high index lenses, the costs for which can range from $30 to $130.

If you then decide to add on other features like lenses for blue light protection or light responsiveness, you can expect to pay at least $200. That said, Warby Parker is somewhat unique in that it’s considered an in-network provider for vision plans through UnitedHealthcare and other select insurance providers.

Scout daily contacts cost $110 for a 90-day supply of two lenses, as well as a 6-day trial lens pack for $5 to start. Shipping on all of Warby Parker’s products, including their try-on program, is free.

The most basic option will set you back $6.95, but if you want higher end frames (which can run upward of $50), add-ons such as blue light protection, or high index lenses, you can expect to pay a bit more.

Zenni Optical offers three types of high index lenses for people with prescriptions greater than + or – 4.25. Their 1.61 high index lenses cost an additional $19.95, 1.67 are an additional $34.95, and 1.74 costs $74.95.

Zenni does not accept insurance, but some insurance companies do offer reimbursement. Either way, Zenni Optical’s frames tend to be more affordable than other retail options.

Though Warby Parker has some physical locations, for most people, ordering online is the easiest way to get a pair of their eyeglasses. Here are the steps to ordering your eyeglasses from their website:

Because online is the only way to purchase from Zenni, they have made browsing and selecting frames straightforward. Here are the steps to buying your next eyeglasses from Zenni:

Warby Parker has a reputation for balancing quality and design with affordability. They have a Trustpilot rating of just 2.7 stars, though, with a range of customer service negatives and easy ordering positives.

Healthline editor Chelsea Logan liked the try-on feature but was disappointed that not all the colors of every style were available for home try-on.

“I also liked that their site gives the measurements for each pair, so if you already have a pair you like, you can try to find something that’s a similar size,” she said. “I do feel like many of the frames are similar styles, though.”

Generally, their customer service was reported to be strong across reviews. Healthline editor Ruby Thompson reported that she had an “extra simple” return experience with Warby Parker.

Zenni Optical has a strong reputation for no fuss, affordable online eyeglasses. Their Trustpilot rating is 4.6 stars, with many reviewers pleased with the straightforward, reasonable pricing, and top-notch customer service. Those few displeased Trustpilot reviewers were not happy with the 100% store credit return policy and what they described as poor customer service.

Healthline editor Roman Gokhman ordered from Zenni Optical and liked the ease of use of the platform and the fast turnaround.

“Even though the glasses are manufactured in China, and they messaged that they would likely be late, they still came on time,” he said.

Zenni’s standard shipping times range from 7 to 14 business days, while express shipping takes 5 to 10 days. Meanwhile, Warby Parker’s standard shipping window is 5 to 7 days and express shipping takes 3-4 days.

Your pupillary distance (PD) is the space between the center of your pupils. The measurement can be easily taken at home by following these simple steps:

Warby Parker and Zenni both offer basic complementary glasses cases with the purchase of a pair of frames. They also offer a variety of durable and decorative cases for purchase.

If affordability is the most important element of your next eyeglass purchase, Zenni might be the way to go. Though it tends to have lower prices than your local eye doctor’s office, Warby Parker still tends to be more expensive than Zenni.

However, if the ability to try on from home, the option to get in-person customer service, insurance coverage, and other nice-to-have features are important to you, then Warby Parker may be a better choice.

Johanna Sorrentino is a writer, editor, and wayfarer. Her appetite for empowering information and great storytelling is matched only by her appetite for cheese and chocolate. Learn more about her at johannasorrentino.com.

Get started with Warby Parker

Get started with Zenni Optical

Interested in trying Warby Parker?

Interested in trying Zenni Optical?

Take an online quiz about your face shape and style preferences to find the frames you like.

Explore multiple product options to find what works best for your vision needs.

Warby Parker is an online retailer of prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contacts. We dive into what customers can expect from this eyewear…

Here’s a breakdown of what Zenni Optical has to offer if you're looking to take the headache out of shopping for eyeglasses.

Warby Parker offers a range of contacts including their own Scout brand. Here is what to know.

Shopping for eyeglasses? Learn more about Pair Eyewear in a snap.

If you're looking into glasses for astigmatism, here are tips to keep in mind and where you can turn for options.

Coastal is now ContactsDirect. Here's what that means for you and how to find the right contacts or glasses for your needs.

We test the GlassesUSA app to find out how it works in providing the prescription for your glasses. We also list other options to try.

We take a look at America’s Best Contacts and Eyeglasses, what to know, and what they offer.

Everything you've wanted to know about type 2 diabetes: The warning signs, possible complications, risk factors, prevention, type 2 in children, and…