Getting the right pair of eyeglasses can drastically improve your quality of life, but not if you have to spend an arm and a leg every time you need a new pair. Understanding some basic costs can help ensure that you get the right glasses for your needs without breaking the bank. In this guide, we’ll go over some key factors to consider when shopping for specs on a budget, all without sacrificing style or quality.
The Average Cost of Glasses
A variety of factors affects how much glasses cost — where and how you buy your glasses play a big role — so prices vary widely. However, according to Consumer Reports, consumers tend to pay between $100 and $400 for their prescription specs. Reading glasses ring up for a fraction of the cost of prescription glasses, but they can still run you as much as $100, depending on where you shop. At Peepers, our reading glasses cost just $27 or less so they stay within your budget.
Factors That Affect Eyewear Prices
Determine a few factors before buying your glasses so you know how much to set aside. The type of glasses you buy, coupled with the brand, insurance and a few other components will affect the price. Here are some of the most important factors that affect eyewear prices.
Retailer
Where you buy your glasses makes a huge difference. By and large, you’ll save money by buying glasses online rather than going through a brick-and-mortar retailer or your eye doctor’s store. In fact, the median cost of glasses bought online is $91, while the median cost of glasses bought in-store is $234.
Frame Material
Naturally, what your glasses are made of can influence the cost. Today’s glasses are mostly made of either plastic or metal. Higher-quality frames — which may cost a bit more — will be made of lightweight, durable plastic that won’t warp or break. Cellulose acetate, xylonite and polycarbonate are all excellent choices for daily wear.
Metal frames, which are typically made from titanium, aluminum or stainless steel, tend to ring up for a bit more than plastic ones. These can last for a long time but may bend or warp over time. They’re also not suitable for people with metal allergies. You’ll also find some specialty glasses frames that’ll cost a premium, such as wood, bone, gold and silver.
Lenses
Eyeglass lenses come in a huge variety of materials and may feature specialty coatings or technologies which can hike up the price of your glasses. Your specific lens prescription or reading glasses strength may also affect the cost of your glasses. Bifocals, progressives and transition lenses typically cost more as well.
Which lenses are the most cost-effective? More affordable lens options — such as our regular and blue light reading glasses — include those made from acrylic aspheric material, which is ultra-thin and lightweight and can help sharpen peripheral vision and improve image quality. You may pay more for lenses made of high-index plastic or proprietary materials.
Some brands may also charge more for special features and treatments, such as polarized lenses, anti-reflective coatings, anti-scratch coatings and UV protective coatings. At Peepers, all our affordable lenses are treated with a seven-layer anti-reflective coating, a dual anti-scratch coating and UV400 protection, all at no extra cost to you. We even offer polarized sunglasses for just $27.
Saving Big on Eyewear
As you can see, determining the cost of glasses is not always clear-cut. But if you shop online, use insurance and skip the luxury brands, you can get a stylish, high-quality pair for a great price. Peepers is your resource for cost-effective readers, blue light glasses and sunglasses that fit in your budget. Be sure to use our Perfect Pair Finder to get paired with a pair that suits you!
