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This post was most recently updated on August 2nd, 2020
When you are purchasing prescription contact lenses on the internet there are a few things you should consider and the cost of shipping is a main factor.
You see it truly is pointless if you are purchasing contact lenses from a retailer with amazing prices for their contact lenses but then have to pay a higher cost for shipping. Of course, emergencies do happen and at times you may have to overnight some contact lenses but that should definitely not be a normal occurrence.
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Free Shipping For Contact Lenses
While it may be easier to just go to your local retailer to make your contact lens purchase, in today’s day and age with the internet there are more affordable ways to get your contact lenses. There are concerns among many people that turn to the internet to purchase their contact lenses that the shipping cost would make the savings pointless. Which is why I have gathered some of the top online retailers out there that offer free shipping for contact lenses. In particular, I was looking for retailers that offered true free shipping, not free shipping over $49, not free shipping over $99, FREE shipping, check them out below
Walgreens
America’s largest drug chain store not only sells contact lenses, but they also offer free shipping on those contact lenses. They currently primarily sell contact lenses online as most of their retail locations do not offer optometry services.
Walgreens does not offer a price match guarantee on their contact lenses, however, their return policy is what makes them stand out from the rest of the other online retailers. You are able to return any unopened, undamaged, and unexpired boxes of contact lenses at ANY time. That is a great way to exchange any unused contact lenses if your prescription happens to change and you still have extra boxes.
Use this link to get 20% off your contact lens order in addition to your FREE shipping: CLICK HERE and use code: DEAL20 to save 20%
Walgreens currently only ships to the U.S.
GlassesUSA
I did a review not too long ago on GlassesUSA and completely missed the fact that they offered prescription contact lenses as well, and offers free shipping. The goes along with their amazing home try-on program in which you can try on frames at home WITH your prescription for 14-days before paying a penny.
GlassesUSA does offer a price match guarantee and you can contact their customer service department within 7 days of your purchase and they will price match your order for you.
Use this link to get 20% off your contact lens order in addition to your FREE shipping: CLICK HERE to get your code
Free shipping is only available to the U.S. and Canada.
SmartBuyGlasses
While SmartBuyGlasses is generally known for offering amazing prices on designer eyewear, and an amazing warranty for their glasses. They recently started offering prescription contact lenses as well, and like the rest of the retailers on this list, they offer free shipping on those contact lenses.
SmartBuyGlasses does offer a price match guarantee that you can request within 14 days of your purchase date.
SmartBuyGlasses services customers worldwide. I am not 100% sure if the free shipping applies to international orders, but the language on their website does imply you get free shipping.
EZContacts
EZContacts is another U.S. based online retailer that offers great prices on prescription eyewear as well as their prescription contact lenses. I am not sure how long this will last, but currently, they are offering free shipping on orders from their website with no order minimum.
One of the things that separate EZContacts from the other online retailers is the price match guarantee. They offer to price match any other authorized retailers that os offering a lower price, but not only that, they also offer to beat their competitor’s price by 5%. You do only have 3 days from the day of your purchase to put in your request for a price match.
Take an additional 5% off your order along with the free shipping: CLICK HERE and use code: EXTRA5 to save an additional 5%
Free shipping is valid only within the U.S.
Walmart
Walmart is another online retailer that offers free shipping on all of their contact lens orders. There truly is no need to introduce Walmart, they are a global company with a reputation for being competitive when it comes to pricing.
If you are already a customer of your local Walmart Vision Center you can easily make your purchase for your contact lenses through Walmartcontacts.com and they will be able to verify your prescription through your local Walmart. They also offer a price match guarantee that you must request within 7 days of your order date.
Free shipping is only valid within the U.S.
1800Contacts
This is probably one of the most well know online contact lens retailers out on the market today. They offer free standard shipping on all of their orders with no order minimum.
The reason why 1800Contacts landed so low on this list is due to the fact that their prices are on the higher end when compared to other online retailers. They do offer a price match guarantee, and like EZContacts they offer an additional percentage off above the price match. Compared to EZContact’s price match policy, 1800Contacts only beat their competitor’s prices by 2%. All claims have to be made within 7 days of your purchase date.
If you have never shopped at 1800Contacts before, you can get an additional 15% off on top of your free shipping: Visit 1800Contacts Here
Free shipping is valid to the U.S. and Canada only.
Tips to save money on contact lenses
In today’s digital age there are truly no shortages of ways for you to save money on your contact lenses. There should be no reason for you to pay high marked-up prices for contact lenses, even if you have your trusted local optical shop you always go to it doesn’t hurt to ask for deals. Here are some tips you can use to help you save the most money on your contact lenses.
- Shop Around – My number one tip with it comes to purchasing your prescription contact lenses is shop around, whether you are looking around at local shops or online it is always good to at least check more than one place. Most places all carry the same brand of contacts, sourced from the same manufacturer, and just marked up to various prices. Look for the best one.
- Coupon Codes & Promotions – This is always a great one to be able to save money. Just like how I listed with some of the retailers above, there are some that offer coupon codes to give you discounts on top of already great prices. I would take advantage of those when you can because sometimes they don’t come around often.
- Buy in Bulk – Just as with most things if you buy in bulk you generally get a better deal. Contact lenses are no different, there are many retailers that offer additional discounts whenever you purchase 6-months or an annual supply of contact lenses. Best thing of all is many times those coupon codes work on top of the bulk purchase discount. That’s a win-win.
- Rebates – Rebates are a great way to get some additional money back on your contact lenses. Depending on where you are getting your contacts from the rebate could come from a number of sources. Sometimes retailers run rebates, other times it comes from the manufacturer, or for first-time wearers. If your doctor just recommended a brand new lens, many times manufacturers will run rebates when new lenses launch to draw more interest.
- Price Match – This doesn’t necessarily only go for online retailers that offer price matching. If you prefer to purchase your eyewear at your local doctor’s office, don’t be afraid to ask if they would price match an authorized retailer you found online.
- Changing Brands – This should always be used as a last resort option as it could cause more hassle than good. At times this option might not even be an option and the contact lens brand that your doctor has prescribed you may be the only brand you could wear. Nevertheless, if you feel like the brand you are wearing might be a tad bit to expensive, you can always ask your prescribing doctor’s office to see if there may be another option for you.
Final Thoughts
Contact lenses can be expensive, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find great deals or free shipping to help you save money. All it takes is a bit shopping around. Don’t forget that these are all reputable and authorized online retailers and they will require you to have a valid prescription.
As always thank you all for stopping by Eye Health HQ, if you enjoyed the article don’t forget you can support us by sharing through your favorite social media channels. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to heave them below.
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FAQs
Which contact lens brand is the cheapest? ›
Biofinity. Biofinity is the most popular selling monthly contact lens, and it's also the cheapest one.
Is it safe to buy contact lenses online UK? ›Yes, it's perfectly safe to buy your contact lenses online from a licensed contact lens retailer. A reputable online retailer will only stock reliable brands that you'll find at the opticians.
How do you get contact lenses? ›You'll need a prescription for your new contact lenses in order to buy them either at the eye doctor's office or online. Let your eye doctor know in advance that you'll need a contact lens prescription since these are very different from eyeglass prescriptions. Ask them to prescribe your contacts for a national brand.
Can you buy contact lenses over the counter in UK? ›Yes, in the UK you need a prescription to purchase contact lenses. After you've had a contact lens fitting with your optician, you are legally entitled to a copy of your contact lens prescription.
Is Costco the cheapest place to get contacts? ›Costco. “One way that Costco's a game-changer is if you wear contact lenses,” Clark says, pointing out that Costco has some of the lowest prices across the board. In addition to filling prescriptions for most trusted brands at some of the best prices, Costco often offers deals and rebates.
Who makes Kirkland contact lenses? ›Costco's Kirkland "Premium Dailies Disposable" or just "Daily Disposable" contact lenses are manufactured by CooperVision. "Kirkland Signature 1-day disposable" lenses are actually CooperVision MyDay one-day disposable contact lenses which are re-branded (or privately labeled) by Kirkland Signature.
Is it safe to buy contact lens online? ›Many online vendors are safe and secure, but it's important to make sure the company from which you order your contact lenses is reputable. Search the web for customer reviews and experiences, and browse the company website for signs of credibility.
How many years can I wear contact lenses? ›A new lens will last about three years before it expires. You should never wear a lens that has expired. Provided that you care for them properly, contacts you've opened should last a day, two weeks, or a month, depending on the manufacturer's suggested wear time.
Can I buy contact lenses with an expired prescription? ›Don't try to buy contact lenses online with an expired prescription, it's illegal to sell anyone contact lenses without a valid prescription. So, check your contact lens prescription right now. If they're close to or past the expiration date, contact your eye doctor and schedule an eye exam.
Can I buy contact lenses off the shelf? ›You can buy contact lenses from us either in store or online, but do you have a contact lens prescription? If you're new to contact lenses, getting them in store is the best place to start. You'll need to have an eye test and a contact lens assessment to make sure that we choose the best lens to suit your requirements.
Can I use my glasses prescription for contact lenses? ›
Can You Use Your Glasses Prescription for Contact Lenses? Unfortunately, you can't use your current glasses prescription for contact lenses. While both can correct your vision, your prescription for glasses differs from a contact lens prescription in many ways.
How many hours a day can you wear contact lenses? ›Your optician will be able to discuss with you what is best in your individual case, but as a general point, it's recommended that you wear your contact lenses for a maximum of 10-12 hours per day. Wearing your lenses for longer may cause your eyes to become uncomfortable, red and prone to infection.
Can you get contact lenses same day? ›Same day contacts are available
As long as the patient has demonstrated to the Optometrist that the new wearer can comfortably insert and remove the lenses, the doctor will provide a pair to take home. The Doctor or technician will show the new wearer how to insert and remove the lenses.
The Cost Factors of Contacts
The price of contacts can depend on several different factors including the brand you choose, how often you need to replace them (every day, every week, or every month), and where you buy them. If you have a complex vision problem, your contacts could cost you more.
Yes, you need to be a member to purchase glasses or contacts at Costco Optical centers. However, you do not need to be a member to make an appointment with our in-house optometrist.
Can you use insurance to buy contacts at Costco? ›Costco Optical now accepts most vision insurance plans. Please ask your local Costco Optical department for details. Discount plans are not eligible.
How much is a contact lens fitting at Costco? ›How much for a contact lens exam? A routine eye exam is $80. A contact lens exam is $105 or $125 depending on the complexity of your fit, and we charge $30 to train new contact lens wearers.
What does BC mean for contacts? ›BC - Base Curve (usually a number between 8 and 10) DIA - Diameter (usually a number between 13 and 15) Brand - The brand/type of contact lens that your doctor has fitted you for.
How do I reorder contacts from Costco? ›To order contact lenses online, simply visit contacts.costco.com.
Is CooperVision better than Acuvue? ›CooperVision MyDay is better than Acuvue Moist in terms of absolute comfort and uninterrupted performance from morning to night. This is due to its silicone hydrogel material allowing for a more breathable lens and Aquaform Technology which reduces the friction between the eyelid and the lens.
Is 1800 contacts cheaper than eye dr? ›
Like other direct-to-consumer companies, 1-800 Contacts may be less expensive than buying your contacts through an eye doctor or brick-and-mortar eyewear retailer. The company offers a generous return policy that includes defective or torn lenses and lenses you don't need because of changes in your prescription.
Why are contact lenses so cheap online? ›Contact lenses bought online will be cheaper because the process is much simpler and there are less business expenses. There's no real estate, no staff to accommodate you, and no paying a medical professional for a considerable chunk of their valuable time.
Is it okay to use cheap contact lenses? ›While cheap contacts are available, they aren't always the best choice for your eyes. A low-quality pair may be more likely to tear, and this could lead to a scratch on your cornea or other damage to the eye.
Can 60 year olds wear contacts? ›Contact lenses are one of many options for correcting vision, but are they a good solution for older adults? They can be. With guidance from an eye doctor, many adults over 60 successfully wear contacts. They're a convenient way to correct your vision.
Is it OK to wear contact lenses in the rain? ›Many people who wear contact lenses do not know that contact lenses and water are a bad combination—even when showering, swimming, or using a hot tub 1-4. Water can cause soft contact lenses to change shape, swell, and stick to the eye.
Can you shower with contacts in? ›Eye Care Tips for Contact Lens Wearers
Avoid water while wearing contacts. Keep your contacts away from water. Make sure to remove your contacts before showering, bathing, or swimming. Don't rinse or store your contacts in water, and if it does occur, make sure to throw away or disinfect them thoroughly.
There is no maximum age limit to when you have to stop wearing contact lenses. You'll find, however, that your prescription requirements may change. There are certain age-related eye conditions such as presbyopia that will require you to wear multifocal contact lenses to be able to read and see.
Can dried contact lens used again? ›To rehydrate your contact lenses, soak them in a contact case filled with fresh solution for at least 24 hours. Ideally, this should revitalize a lens that has been left out and dried up. Carefully reinsert the lens into your eye. If you feel discomfort or irritation, it's time to get rid of it.
How much should contact lenses cost? ›Contact lenses can cost anywhere from $150 to $1,500 a year, depending on the brand, type, and your insurance coverage. Generally, they cost between $20 and $30 a box. Most people with average prescriptions should be able to get a year's worth of contact lenses for $200 to $500.
How much do contact lenses cost in UK? ›Prices vary with the brand and type of lens. As a guideline, the cost typically ranges from £24 to £55 per month for 30 pairs. Multifocal and toric lenses tend to be a little more expensive than daily single-vision contacts. The annual cost of daily contact lenses ranges from £192 to £660 per year.
Is it OK to buy contact lenses online? ›
Many online vendors are safe and secure, but it's important to make sure the company from which you order your contact lenses is reputable. Search the web for customer reviews and experiences, and browse the company website for signs of credibility.
What is the cost of daily contact lenses? ›How Much Do Daily Contacts Cost? Daily disposable contacts for both eyes cost approximately $50 to $75 per month, $600 to $900 per year, or $0.85 to $1.25 per day. These estimates apply to daily single-vision contacts that correct only nearsightedness or farsightedness, not astigmatism or presbyopia.
How much does a 6 month supply of contacts cost? ›The cost to replace monthly contacts can range between $60 to $180 for a six-pack box of lenses. Depending on the frequency of replacement, you will likely need between 6-10 boxes of contacts for the year.
How often should you change contact lenses? ›Disposable lenses are to be replaced every two weeks. Frequent replacement lenses prescribed lifespan is either until every month or every quarter. Traditional (reusable) lenses should be changed every six months or longer. Before you reach the expiration date of your contact lenses, get a new one already.
How many boxes is a 3 month supply of contacts? ›Dailies typically come in a box of 90. If you need a different prescription for each eye, you'll have to buy separate boxes of 90 to get through 3 months of daily wear.
Can you get free contact lenses? ›Some contact manufacturers will offer coupons online for free trial lenses. Once you have printed the coupon you can take it to an optometrist along with your prescription to receive free contact lenses. For example, Acuvue often gives out free trial lenses.
What is cheaper daily or monthly contacts? ›Monthly lenses are more cost-effective than dailies if you wear contacts every day. It's also ideal for people who switch between glasses and contacts multiple times a day. You can clean and place them back again when needed, unlike with disposable lenses that must be discarded after use.
How long do contact lenses last unopened? ›For that reason, all packaged contact lenses will have a printed expiration date. Usually, the expiration date is ~4 years from the date of packaging.
Is 1800 contacts cheaper than eye dr? ›Like other direct-to-consumer companies, 1-800 Contacts may be less expensive than buying your contacts through an eye doctor or brick-and-mortar eyewear retailer. The company offers a generous return policy that includes defective or torn lenses and lenses you don't need because of changes in your prescription.
How many hours a day should you wear contact lenses? ›Your optician will be able to discuss with you what is best in your individual case, but as a general point, it's recommended that you wear your contact lenses for a maximum of 10-12 hours per day. Wearing your lenses for longer may cause your eyes to become uncomfortable, red and prone to infection.
Why are contact lenses so cheap online? ›
Contact lenses bought online will be cheaper because the process is much simpler and there are less business expenses. There's no real estate, no staff to accommodate you, and no paying a medical professional for a considerable chunk of their valuable time.
How much do contact lenses cost without insurance? ›The cost of contact lenses can vary, but the average cost for an annual supply of contacts, if you're nearsighted, should be between around $200 and $300. If you need to replace your contacts throughout the year, plan to purchase around sic to 10 boxes total, with a cost of around $20 to $30 for each box.
Can I wear my daily contacts for 2 days? ›You can't wear daily disposable contacts for two days. Even if you wear them for only a few hours one day, you still need to toss them after that use and open a fresh pair the next day.