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Anyone who has ever needed eyeglasses knows the headache.
They’re always more expensive than you expected, and then there’s the task of choosing something that will sit on your face all your waking hours. And it’s hardly a one-time purchase: Glasses break, prescriptions become outdated, and personal style preferences change.
Some customers have tried to solve these issues by purchasing their glasses online. Zenni Optical was one of the first online eyeglass companies on the market.
Here’s a breakdown of what Zenni offers those looking to take the headache out of their next glasses purchase.
Zenni Optical is an online-only retailer of prescription glasses and sunglasses. It was founded in San Francisco in 2003.
The company keeps prices lower by selling glasses directly to consumers, without an intermediary and avoiding overhead costs.
Here are some pros and cons of their offering to consider.
Pros
- It has a more affordable lineup of eyeglasses, starting at $6.95.
- Zenni boasts a large selection of frames, with different sizes, styles, and colors.
- Customers say the online platform is easy to use, offering features like a digital ruler to measure the distance between your eyes and try-on tools that help you determine which frames look best on your face.
Cons
- The company doesn’t accept insurance.
- If you have stronger prescriptions that require high-index lenses, you’ll likely find that Zenni’s glasses won’t meet your needs.
- You won’t find major brand names in their lineup.
- It doesn’t include free shipping. Shipping costs $4.95 and arrives in 2 to 3 weeks.
GET STARTED WITH Zenni Optical
Zenni Optical offers a catalog of more than 1,600 frames for people of all ages. It also offers a host of options for lenses, including:
- sunglasses (most of their frames are available as sunglasses)
- no-lense frames
- single vision
- bifocals
- progressives
All Zenni eyeglasses come with anti-scratch coating and UV protection for no extra cost. The company offers blue light protection, called Blokz, starting at $16.95.
Zenni also offers protective glasses and sports glasses.
The company doesn’t offer contacts.
The wide selection of frames is what most customers like best about Zenni Optical. One customer, Healthline editor Roman Gokhman, says: “The selection was great, and the glasses fit really well.”
How much do eyeglasses from Zenni cost?
(Video) Buying Prescription Glasses Online VS In Store
How much do eyeglasses from Zenni cost?
With Zenni Optical, the price for glasses can range from $6.95 for the most basic set to $50 for higher end frames with add-ons such as Blokz for blue light protection.
If you have a strong prescription (greater than + or – 4.25), you may want to consider high index lenses. Zenni Optical offers three types of high index lenses:
- 1.61 at an additional cost of $19.95
- 1.67 at an additional cost of $34.95
- 1.74 at $74.95
So, if you need the high index lenses, you’re looking upward of $100 for eyeglasses, depending on the frame.
Though Zenni doesn’t accept insurance, some insurance companies may offer reimbursement. If you have insurance, check your coverage details.
Consider that some customers with strong prescriptions question the quality of Zenni’s high index lenses.
Zenni Optical owns a production facility in China.
Once you place your order, it goes straight to the factory where all the frames and lenses are made, according to the company. There, the lenses are cut and assembled into your frames using the pupillary distance and prescription information you have provided.
Their quality control department analyzes each pair of glasses for defects before it’s shipped to you, according to the company.
You’ll need your prescription and your pupillary distance (PD) measurement.
Your prescription details from your most recent eye exam may have these measurements and you can request this from the prescriber’s office. You can also measure your PD yourself.
To measure your PD, follow these steps:
- Look into a mirror and hold a ruler against your brow line.
- Starting with the right eye, align the ruler’s 0 mm with the center of your pupil.
- Measure the distance from your right to your left pupil.
All orders are placed online.
- Start by filling in your PD measurement and lens type.
- Use the filters to choose your color, shape, material, and frame size. You can see how the glasses look on your face by using the try-on feature with your built-in camera. There’s also a 3D try-on tool that you can use by uploading a video of yourself.
- Once you select a frame, fill in your prescription information and select any add-on coating you may want, such as anti-reflective or oil-resistant coatings.
GO TO Zenni Optical
Zenni Optical uses UPS, FedEx, or USPS to ship its glasses from its facility in China to customers all over the world. Its website estimates a delivery time of 2 to 3 weeks from when the order is placed. Many customers report accuracy with this estimate.
“I needed new glasses last March, just as the pandemic started. Even though the glasses are manufactured in China, and they messaged that they would likely be late, they still came on time,” Gokhman says.
Zenni Optical offers a 30-day return policy, but note it only offers a one-time-use 100 percent store credit (excluding shipping) or a 50 percent refund (excluding shipping).
You must call customer service for a return authorization number within 30 days of the date you received your glasses.
Zenni doesn’t offer a repair service.
Zenni Optical has an excellent reputation for being a trusted and straightforward company selling affordable online eyeglasses. Their Trustpilot rating is 4.6 stars, with many reviewers pleased with fast shipping, reasonable pricing, and top-notch customer service. Those few displeased Trustpilot reviewers were unhappy with the craftsmanship and overall quality.
Meanwhile, the reviews at the Better Business Bureau were less complimentary, giving the company a 2.78-star rating. A few customers expressed they were happy with the affordability and convenience. Several other reviewers, however, were displeased with wrong orders and poor quality.
| Company | Free shipping | Accepts insurance | 3D try-on option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zenni | no | no | yes |
| Warby Parker | yes | yes | yes |
| Lens.com | no | no | no |
| GlassesUSA | yes | yes | yes |
Buying eyeglasses online can be worthwhile, especially for those with basic requirements. Here are some tips to keep in mind when buying eyeglasses online:
- Give it a try in person: If this is your first time buying eyeglasses, or it has been some time since you’ve gotten new frames, it may be worthwhile to go into a brick-and-mortar optician’s office and try on some lenses, just to see the type, shape, and style you’re going for.
- Get help with measuring: Get a friend or family member to assist with measuring your PD as it’s much easier with two sets of eyes.
- Ask for your most recent prescription details: Double-check the prescription with your doctor to make sure you have the most recent version and are filling in the correct fields.
- Use the try-on feature: Companies like Zenni and Warby Parker have pretty accurate “try” features.
- Keep your prescription on file: When you’re prompted to save your prescription, take the time to do it. That way if you need to return them for a different lens, it will make the job easier.
Why are Zenni Optical glasses so cheap?
There are various reasons why Zenni Optical can keep the cost of its eyeglasses low. Zenni glasses are made at a dedicated factory and shipped directly to the consumer. Also, because Zenni sells its glasses online, they don’t pay for brick-and-mortar retail space. This means they can avoid costly markups, and they pass that savings onto their customer.
Is Zenni Optical trustworthy?
Zenni has an excellent customer review score on Trustpilot. The rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars means that most customers reviewing Zenni were pleased with the ordering process and the results. And it’s not just feedback from a few people — that rating is from over 134,000 reviews.
However, the average review rating on the Better Business Bureau was only 2.78 out of 5. Many reviewers were displeased with the overall quality, which did not meet their expectations for the brand.
Where is Zenni Optical located?
Zenni has no brick-and-mortar locations and only sells glasses online at Zennioptical.com.
An online service such as Zenni Optical can be a good choice, especially for more straightforward eyeglass prescriptions. It also can potentially save you hundreds of dollars.
If you have a stronger or more complex prescription, getting your glasses through an optician or a company with in-person stores and services may be a better bet.
Get started with Zenni Optical
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FAQs
Is Zenni Optical worth it? ›
Zenni Optical has an excellent reputation for being a trusted and straightforward company selling affordable online eyeglasses. Their Trustpilot rating is 4.6 stars, with many reviewers pleased with fast shipping, reasonable pricing, and top-notch customer service.
Why are Zenni glasses so cheap? ›Frames are designed and manufactured by Zenni in our own state-of-the-art facility, keeping costs down. Large volume contributes to low overhead which also saves money.
Is Zenni better than Warby Parker? ›Bottom line. 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.
Do Zenni glasses scratch easily? ›A scratch-resistant coating is also included on all Zenni lenses for no additional cost. Prevent Mask Fog With Our Anti-fog Eyeglasses!
Which website is best for eyeglasses? ›- Warby Parker. Best shopping experience. See at Warby Parker.
- Roka Eyewear. Best frames. See at Roka.
- GlassesUSA.com. Best for style selection. See at GlassesUSA.
- Overnight Glasses. Extra fast delivery. ...
- Eyeglasses.com. Best for high-quality lenses and massive frame selection.
Zenni's top competitors include Warby Parker, and Lenskart. Warby Parker (NYSE: WRBY) is a brand of prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses.
What happens if my Zenni glasses break? ›Glasses or accessories received by customer in a broken or dismantled state must still be returned in the case in which they were received. Zenni Optical is not responsible for goods lost, missing or damaged en-route by the return shipping companies. FREE MANUFACTURING ERROR REPLACEMENT OF CORRECT RX.
Can you use insurance with Zenni? ›Do you accept insurance? We do not accept insurance. However, some insurance companies will accept an invoice copy for reimbursement. Check with your insurance company, and if they do, you can request an emailed invoice copy from our Customer Service department.
Are Zenni glasses from China? ›Our factory is in China. About 89 percent of the glasses sold in the United States are made in China. We are right in the center of excellence for glass manufacturing.
What is the difference between Zenni premium and standard? ›What is the difference between the premium progressives and standard progressives? Our high-definition premium progressives feature wider viewing areas for the intermediate and reading areas of the lens than standard progressives. Peripheral (side) distortion is reduced by up to 40% compared to the standard design.
How long does it take to get glasses from Zenni? ›
With our Fast Frame option, you can order glasses today and have them delivered to your doorstep in just 2-3 business days.
Is Zenni good for high prescriptions? ›For single-vision, Zenni can cover prescriptions for nearsightedness that go up to -20.00 and farsightedness up to +12.00.
Does Zenni have anti glare? ›All Zenni Optical eyeglasses come with Anti-Scratch Coating and UV Protection Coating included for free. We also offer Anti-Reflective (also known as Anti-Glare) Coatings, which reduce reflection on the lenses and the glare you see while you are wearing your glasses.
Which is better Zenni or Payne glasses? ›Zenni's virtual try-on technology is more advanced and easier to use than Payne's. Based on our firsthand testing, Zenni's try-on feature is more reliable than Payne's and allows you to see how the glasses look on you from multiple angles.
Why are my Zenni lenses yellow? ›These specialty eyeglasses typically have yellow-tinted lenses to filter out HEV blue light. While computer glasses are great for protecting the eyes, they're not so great for everyday wear since the yellow tint distorts colors.
What is the cheapest way to get prescription glasses? ›- GlassesUSA.com. Limited time offer: Save 65% off frames for eyeglasses and sunglasses with basic Rx lenses + Free shipping to your doorstep. ...
- Warby Parker. ...
- EyeBuyDirect. ...
- Zenni Optical. ...
- Eyeconic. ...
- Eyebobs. ...
- Costco Optical. ...
- Sam's Club Optical.
Cheaper lenses generally use more common lens materials. They may not be as tailored to your needs as other lens materials, but they still provide clear vision for a fraction of the cost. Generally speaking, the lower the cost of your lenses, the fewer features you have available.
Is anti-reflective coating worth it on glasses? ›Anti-reflective lenses are very worth it, especially if you deal with a lot of glare from digital or LED screens, as well as glare from oncoming headlights when driving at night on a road trip. They also help you see better, look better, and feel better than going without uncoated lenses.
Is Zenni cheaper than Warby Parker? ›People can add lenses that filter the blue light from computers to any frame, with or without prescription lenses. Warby Parker's prices tend to be higher than those of Zenni Optical.
What is better than Warby Parker? ›Warby Parker's top competitors include brillen.de, Lenskart, and Jimmy Fairly. brillen.de specializes in the production and sale of progressive and single-vision glasses. It offers online booking, eye tests, and deals on glasses.
How many times can you return glasses to Zenni? ›
If you are not satisfied with eyeglasses you have ordered from us, you may return those eyeglasses for (a) a one-time-use 100% store credit (excluding any amounts you have paid for shipping, taxes, and/or Fast Frame Delivery), or (b) a fifty percent (50%) refund (excluding any amounts you have paid for shipping, taxes, ...
Can I order glasses from Zenni with an expired prescription? ›No, you cannot use an expired eyeglass prescription to buy new glasses. The reason for this is simple: our eyes change as we age, and a prescription from several years ago may no longer guarantee clear vision. You may not realize how much your vision has deteriorated since your last eye exam.
Are Zenni lenses glass or plastic? ›Our lenses are all made with advanced plastics and are available in seven indexes, which will determine how thick or thin your glasses lenses will be. Those with a stronger prescription often prefer high-index for thinner lenses, while those who are active may need impact-resistant options.
Is Zenni good for high prescription? ›For single-vision, Zenni can cover prescriptions for nearsightedness that go up to -20.00 and farsightedness up to +12.00.
Can I use my insurance on Zenni Optical? ›We do not accept insurance. However, some insurance companies will accept an invoice copy for reimbursement. Check with your insurance company, and if they do, you can request an emailed invoice copy from our Customer Service department.