What's the best place to buy sunglasses?
Online and in-store eyewear retailers have countless styles, colors and brands of shades to choose from. You can customize new sunglasses with your vision prescription and preferred lens features. But with so many options, it can be difficult to know where the best place to purchase sunglasses is.
To narrow down the search, consider your priorities when buying your next pair of sunnies. For example, you may be focused on:
- Convenience
- Budget
- Brand names
- Vision correction
- Overall selection
Wherever you shop, it’s important to get high-quality sunglasses that suit your face shape, fashion sense and lifestyle. Above all, they should provide complete ultraviolet (UV) protection against the sun’s harmful rays.
Here are some of the top places to consider when choosing a good place to buy your next pair of sunglasses:
Best online retailers for sunglasses
Many people find that buying sunglasses online is more convenient than shopping in-store. There are thousands of styles to choose from and no business hours to work around. Depending on your needs, online retailers may also be more cost-effective than in-store options.
Here are some of our favorite sites to buy sunglasses online:
Best budget-friendly selection: Eyebuydirect
If you’re looking for the best place to buy cheap sunglasses online, any site will probably do. But if you want eyewear that is high-quality, stylish and affordable, consider Eyebuydirect. You’ll get an excellent product with a low price tag and a high-end look.
The site’s in-house brand is extremely budget-friendly, with sunglasses frames ranging from $19 to $99 before customizations. Plus, Eyebuydirect has frequent sales and a discount page for added convenience.
When budget isn’t a concern, you can look to Eyebuydirect for top designers too, including:
- Ray-Ban
- Oakley
- Vogue Eyewear
- Arnette
If you’re shopping for prescription sunglasses, you may be able to use your vision insurance to help alleviate the cost.
Best designer frame selection: Glasses.com
Glasses.com carries dozens of designer brands, from Burberry and Coach to Tory Burch and Versace. They seem to pull products straight from the runways, offering the latest styles with the newest technology. Offerings like these can be difficult to find on other sites.
If you’re not sure how a certain frame will look on you, Glasses.com has a Virtual Mirror you can use to get a better idea. It allows you to virtually try on different styles before making a decision. However, if you’re unhappy with your sunglasses after you try them in person, you can return the pair (undamaged) for a refund up to 60 days after receiving them.
Many frames are available with prescription lenses and premium lens features, such as Transitions light-adaptive lenses.
Best reading sunglasses selection: Foster Grant
Foster Grant is a leading retailer of sunglasses with reading power. Their SunReaders collection features a variety of reading sunglasses in popular frame shapes, patterns and colors.
If you have presbyopia, they’re perfect for reading on the beach or dining on a patio at lunch. You don’t have to sacrifice UV protection or visual clarity to enjoy your time outside. If you don’t need help with your near vision, Foster Grant also has a big selection of unmagnified sunglasses.
As you browse the site, you can shop by reading power, style, lens type or feature, special collection, or activity, among other options. Categories include:
- Sport sunglasses
- Frame shapes and colors
- Driving glasses
- Mirrored and polarized lenses
The price points for reading and non-reading sunglasses typically fall between $20 and $40. If you’re not sure what you need, use the site’s Frame Finder to narrow down your options.
Foster Grant also carries children’s frames in addition to Fits Overs and ClipOn shades. The brand offers supreme customer service who are reachable by phone, email, social media and a virtual help center.
Best selection overall: FramesDirect
FramesDirect offers thousands of choices for men, women and children, making it a top spot to buy sunglasses online. In fact, the site’s inventory includes over 150 different designer brands, including Costa, Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors and Ray-Ban.
It’s also one of the best places to buy Oakley sunglasses, with over 100 different styles to withstand the adventures of men, women and kids. FramesDirect will also match the price if you find a pair of Oakleys (or another brand) for a lower price elsewhere. The products just need to be identical in color and style number for the price to be honored.
Finally, FramesDirect has an extensive Knowledge Center with information about all things eyewear. Topics include:
- How to choose the best glasses for your face shape
- How to clean eyeglasses & sunglasses
- Best sunglasses for water sports
These factors, along with their excellent customer service, help make sunglasses shopping on FramesDirect a good experience.
SEE RELATED: Trendy sunglasses for men in 2025: All the top styles
Best in-store retailers for sunglasses
Buying glasses in-store has its advantages too. Experts can fit you for your perfect frames, recommend flattering products, and educate you on new styles and features as you browse. It’s a more personal experience than shopping through a screen.
These are our picks for brick-and-mortar stores:
Best budget-friendly selection: Target Optical
Target Optical has our vote when it comes to the best place to buy inexpensive sunglasses in-store. High-quality designer shades start under $80 at full price, and Target Optical has frequent sales that can bring prices down even lower.
Adding prescription lenses will add to your total cost, but you may also be able to use your vision insurance to help pay for prescription sunglasses.
Many Target Optical locations have independent doctors of optometry that provide vision care on-site. Their services may include (but are not limited to):
- Eye exams
- Contact lens exams and fittings
- Retinal imaging
Some locations even offer walk-in and same-day appointments. So, it’s possible that you could have an eye exam, get your vision prescription, and order a new pair of prescription sunglasses all in the same Target visit.
Best designer selection: Sunglass Hut
Sunglass Hut is known for its wide selection of high-end designer sunglasses brands, including:
- Miu Miu
- Chanel
- Prada
- Versace
And you can try on these luxury frames when you shop in the store.
Customers can keep their designer shades in good shape with complimentary cleanings, adjustments and repairs (if needed) at any Sunglass Hut location. The retailer also has a rewards program called the Sun Club, which is free to join. Members get exclusive offers and access based on points earned with purchases.
If you’re one for customizations, you can also add a personal engraving to your frames or prescription lenses in many styles. Be sure to ask a Sunglass Hut associate for more information.
Best selection overall: LensCrafters
Leading the field in overall sunglasses selection is LensCrafters. Both adults and kids can find the perfect pair of shades as they browse through tons of designer names. Prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses are also available to order through LensCrafters.
On-site opticians can guide you to the styles that will look great on you. The LensCrafters website also has a virtual Frame Advisor that uses your style preferences and facial features to suggest potential matches for you.
You can return any glasses you’re unhappy with for a full refund up to 30 days after purchase. Plus, you can return online non-custom, non-prescription purchases from LensCrafters.com, Oakley.com or Ray-Ban.com to any LensCrafters store.
As a bonus, LensCrafters is also a top option for eye exams. If you have a busy lifestyle, many locations have extended weekday hours and weekend availability. Then you can shop for new eyewear following your appointment.
Best for practicality and complex prescriptions: Your eye doctor’s office
Some people don’t like to spend a great deal of time shopping for sunglasses. If you need new glasses or prescription sunglasses, consider shopping in your eye doctor’s optical store after your annual eye exam. This is a convenient way to get multiple things done at once.
You may also feel more comfortable going directly through your doctor and their staff for prescription shades. This is especially true if you have a strong or complex prescription that may be difficult for online retailers to fill.
Your eye doctor may recommend specific lens features based on your vision needs and daily activities. Having this fresh in your mind as you begin to shop can be helpful. It may also make the experience feel more personal.
High-quality eyewear is usually a given in your doctor’s optical shop, along with a certified optician that can help you find the right frames and fit them properly for you. On the downside, optical shops attached to eye doctor offices may seem pricier than other places.
SEE RELATED: Trendy sunglasses for women in 2025: This year's top styles
Tips for choosing where to buy sunglasses
Certain things may be more important to you when it comes to finding the best place to buy sunglasses. You may value great customer service more than a budget-friendly selection. Or you may want to get your vision exam and new glasses ordered at the same time and in the same place.
Here are some tips to help improve your sunglasses buying experience, whether in-store or online:
- Ensure any sunglasses you choose have 100% UV protection. Reputable retailers will make this easy to confirm.
- Check the return and exchange policies before making a purchase.
- Read reviews to gain insight about product quality and customer service.
- Take advantage of sales. Don’t be afraid to ask if a store offers price-matching, rebates or other discounts.
- Ask questions if you’re unsure about a product. Opticians and representatives are usually eager to help you find the right frames.
- Ask what the current trends are and if any would be flattering for your face shape.
- Ask if any extra lens features would be beneficial for your use of the sunglasses.
- Check for certificates of authenticity before purchasing designer frames. If the retailer can’t provide proof of authenticity, they may be selling counterfeit merchandise.
- Keep your vision prescription handy. This makes the ordering process easier, both online and in person. (Your eye doctor should give you a copy after your eye exam.)
- Use your vision insurance to help with the cost of prescription eyewear.
- Do your research. Read shopping guides and browse different retailers so you can make the right decision for your needs.
It can be a little nervewracking to find the “best” pair of sunglasses. But asking questions, doing your research and trying on a few pairs can help make it a successful shopping experience.
Find your perfect pair of sunglasses
Buying prescription glasses and sunglasses is easier than ever. Whether you’re on the hunt for budget-friendly shades or you’re looking for the best place to buy prescription sunglasses, there are many outlets to choose from.
Both online and brick-and-mortar optical stores have advantages and disadvantages. The best option for you depends on your personal needs and preferences. Physical stores are great for in-person fittings and services. Online retailers often have more choices for those on a budget or those who want to shop a wider variety of frames.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions about the latest fashions and lens features, and anything else that may influence your decision. And remember that UV protection is just as important as expressing your personal style.
Be sure to get a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years to update your vision prescription and ensure your eyes are healthy. Contact your eye doctor if it’s time to schedule an appointment.
