The Best Reading Glasses of 2023 – CNET
The Best Reading Glasses of 2023 - CNET
Farsightedness is one of the most common vision issues associated with aging. It can make it harder to see things up close — which is why most people eventually turn to reading glasses. Unlike prescription eyeglasses, reading glasses are available over the counter at many pharmacies for low cost. But you can also buy them online and have them delivered to your door with ease, and online vendors have more options for style and lens power (the number that tells you how strong the glasses are).
A variety of companies offer online reading glasses, some of which specialize in them. We combed through almost a dozen sites to look at factors like variety, shipping policies and customer reviews and found the best reading glasses your money can buy.
What are the best overall reading glasses?
GlassesUSA is our pick for the best overall reading glasses you can buy online, thanks to its well-rounded inventory, fair policies and great customer reviews. GlassesUSA was also one of CNET’s picks for the best online glasses and best prescription sunglasses.
The best reading glasses of 2023
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GlassesUSA offers any of its 300-plus frames as a pair of reading glasses, rather than prescription glasses. You can get lens powers from +0.25 to +4 on every pair, which is one of the widest ranges out of all the brands we looked at — even people with very weak or very strong farsightedness can get their readers here. There are many different styles to choose from, from traditional to bold. Frequent sales bring the prices down to as low as about $34 for a pair. GlassesUSA also has other policies and perks that make it a convenient vendor to buy from. These include virtual try-ons, free shipping, free returns or exchanges and a year-long warranty.
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Warby Parker is a popular and well-known brand in the online glasses world, and for good reason. Its site makes it easy to shop for the exact styles you’re interested in based on size, shape, color and more. You can try on frames virtually or even at home. All of Warby Parker’s glasses are available as reading glasses with powers from +0.25 to +2.75. These frames are great quality for the price, which starts at $95 for a pair.
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You can’t go wrong with a budget pair of glasses from Zenni, which sells more than 1700 frames starting at just $12. Reading glasses at Zenni come in powers from +0.25 to +2.75. The site offers a virtual try-on experience and because the frames are so affordable, it’s easy to get a couple of pairs for different occasions or to stash in different locations. If you do change your mind, make a return within two weeks for a refund or within 30 days for store credit.
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There’s something to be said for buying a pair of reading glasses from a brand that’s dedicated to that specific product. Readers.com offers little perks like an online “PowerFinder” to help you determine the best strength for your eyes, and it sells frames in +1 to +4 powers to accommodate a wide range of vision needs. For some frames, up to +7 is available. The site’s frames come in a range of prices and styles (over 500). You can filter your search by shape, style and more.
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Peepers, a brand you might recognize from talk shows or Oprah’s Favorite Things, is ideal for people who want a bolder or more creative look at a very reasonable price. The brand keeps things simple: The selection isn’t huge, but is well-curated and each pair of glasses is the exact same price: $29 (before sales). Virtual try-on is available and shipping is free over $42. Powers range from +1 to +2.25.
